freeone

I'm planning to purchase a 04 TL, 6 speed, with navigation tomorrow. It has 54k miles on it and the dealer is asking for $22,244. I got them to accept $20,000. It is "Certified pre-owned." When I took it for a test drive. Starting out in 1st gear was kind of clunky, or not perfectly smooth. Everything else is fine.

I test drove a 06 TSX, 6 speed with navigation and every single gear shift was smooth as butter. They are asking $23,987 and would not budge below $23,700. It only has 20k miles on it.

What I want to know is, is it common on the 6 speed TL's to be a little rough/clunky starting in 1st gear? I've read many horror stories about tranny issues and that's scaring me.

Should I bite the bullet and buy the 06 TSX?

SouthernBoy

No.

I am the original owner of an '04 manual Navi TL which has around the same mileage as the one you are considering. Starting out in first gear is smooth and positive with no shuttering or grabbiness whatsoever. If the clutch is in good condition, it is normal for the engagement to be rather quick and "short". Take another test drive and really pay attention to the finer details of the clutch's operation.

ndabunka

Why not simply drive a brand new one while your there and compare the two?

MustBeTL

Do they have another 04 TL you could test drive? Or are there any others locally you could drive? When I was shopping recertified's a while back I came across one that had a really wacky feel in the steering wheel. The sales guy said it was nothing but when I drove the exact same car with similar miles minus the navi it felt better. I ended up buying brand new since I couldn't find a really good and clean recertified around me.

freeone

That's what I'm going to do tomorrow morning. I'm going to go test drive another TL 6speed, no navigation that's across town to see the difference. The only other TL 6speed, with navigation around within a 150 mile radius is on their lot. It's an 05, it's also Certified pre-owned, but when I carfaxed it, it came back with left front impact with another motor vehicle. Minor damage reported.

This one has 42K miles and they are asking $24.877. You think it's worth buying this one if I could get it for $23,000 even though it has the accident on carfax?

carlos9827

iTrader: (2)

I would definitely go with the one that has NOT had an accident, you just never know after a car has been involved in a wreck whether it have been a minor one or not. If the 2004 you are considering is certified preowned then it should come with some kind of warranty?? If you are concerned about tranny issues make sure you purchase the extended warranty. Good luck! Oh and by the way go with the TL, TSX can never compare to a TL in my opinion!

MustBeTL

Agreed, I would rather NOT buy the accident car. It can still serve as a good comparison test driver though

What I also learned is that you should never rush or settle for a car because it is a big price to pay if it turns out to be lemon-like.

blue.fired

NO!
You shoudnt feel any hesitation/roughness when starting out in first.The TL (especially 6MT) is the better car, take it from me ive had two succesive 6MT's
and never regretted it. Get the dealer to diagnose the problem or opt for another
TL .There is a world of difference between the TL/TSX.

freeone

Yes, since it is Certified pre-owned, it does come with a 12yr/12,000 mile bumper to bumper and since it's Certified, it comes with a power train warranty of 7yr/100,000 mile from the start of the originally purchase date. So that leaves about 3 yrs left on the power train warranty.

Think this should be enough to insurance to cover the tranny?

And does this mean, No to the TSX? That car is like brand new. It has the upgraded wheels too.

MustBeTL

If you think there might be a problem, I would forget about that car altogether, unless you can figure out if the feeling is normal.

The bumper to Bumper warranty sure is nice but if you buy a car and it ends up in the shop that would suck.

Patience is a must when buying a car, especially a used car.

EDIT:
About the TSX, I also considered it, but it is a world of a difference from the TL all around. It is smaller, and just different. I personally considered it only because of its price tag, but then went for the TL since that is what I really wanted.

freeone

Ok, guys.... the verdict is a 05 TL, 6speed, w/navigation. The dealership that had TSX called me and said that was the final price, so I said "screw it."

I went and test drove the 04 TL again, and this time, I felt the car pulling to the left. Maybe it needed and alignment?

So, I test drove a 05 TL and that one drove just fine. It has 42k miles on it and was listed for just under $25k. It wasn't not "Certified pre-owned" however. We went inside to talk numbers and he came back to me at $22,900 and they would certify it, so that's an extra 12 mo/12k mile bumper to bumper warranty when the original warranty ends and gives me the 7 yr/100k mile power train warranty.

I love the car!!! Oh, yeah.... the salesman selling the TSX had the nerve to call me late in the afternoon to see if I bought the TL. Sure did, sucka! You gambled and lost. I'm sure that TSX is going to be sitting for a while before it's sold.

carlos9827

iTrader: (2)

Congrats!!!!!!!!! We want to see pictures soon!

shooter

Nice .... what color did you get for the 6MT? TL is a better car IMO .... congrats !

freeone

The Carbon Gray one. Will put up pictures soon.

carlos9827

iTrader: (2)

For the color did you mean AM (Anthracite Metallic)? Cool.