Good morning folks! Seriously considering buying my first Acura. I stumbled across a high mileage (290K) 2005 6-speed TL. The seller is asking $2K “firm”. Pending any major issues (engine knocking, overheating, severe trans issues, rust) I think I may pull the trigger on it. I’m TOTALLY new to Honda/Acura but I’ve been binge reading & watching TL/Accord content over the last few weeks. Besides what I listed above, the 3rd Gen’s don’t appear to be “money pits” but I like the model so much I’m kinda willing to just take a chance.

It appears to be a 2 owner, mileage almost split between the owners. Will come from a small dealer with a completed state of inspection. Purchasing this Friday or Saturday morning. If I decide to pull the trigger I’ll post an update here. I’ll be looking for rust, major leaks, shaking at high way speeds, etc. Below are the only pics I have. Anyone has any advice or think I should steer away…. STOP ME. If not, I’ll be a TL owner by the weekend. Thanks for reading!










My last 2 sports cars were an E46 M3 & 135i.

 

For $2K, hells yeah. Good luck!

 

Fingers crossed here. I haven’t owned a manual in a few years. Can’t wait!!

 

do your research before the purchase, that 2k can easily turn into another 2k in repairs if the car hasn't been looked after.
good luck!

 

You’re absolutely right, however hopefully the at won’t apply to me ha! I know this could potentially be bad.. man man man, but definitely doing my research. I have the CarFax & Autocheck. One minor accident in 2007. It looks like it was periodically serviced by dealers and indy shops. A Virginia car most of its life. Hopefully it was garaged a lot. I just watched a very informative “what to look for” vid. I encourage any new buyers watch this:


Will definitely post some updates. Worst case, I pass on it and continue the search. I’m hoping this TL is the one though.

 

$200 is below scrap price!

 

$200 is below scrap price!

EDIT: Oops! I blame the cat on my lap...

 

I wish you good luck, I would be prepared to just get a new engine, and maybe a clutch assembly .

 

I appreciate it. I’ve looked into the cost of used engines + labor. I’m hearing in the range of $3-4K, but I haven’t dug too deep into it yet. I’ve requested that they (don’t) warm the car before my arrival so that I can see & here a good cold start. I plan to drive it for 1/2 or more, let it idle for a whole, then recheck for leaks. Trust me, I’m not 100% set on pulling the trigger, but I’m close. I’m just not willing to buy total junk. SOME issues, sure. I’m expecting the worst, honestly, but hoping for the best on this one.

 

At 290k miles, time for the 3rd timing belt change along with water pump. Could easily expect another $2-4k in maintenance.

 

Thanks👍I was thinking at the very least, I’d have to do timing + wp, just to be cautious.. unless I’m provided receipts or if there’s a legible sticker under the hood. I’d need that piece of mind just for myself. The car was a trade-in, but I’m not sure the level of care it was receiving. I’m not sure who’ll be on here.. Friday morning eastern time, but I’ll post a brief clip of the car idling, close-up of the engine bay, undercarriage, etc… for anyone to chime in on. Maybe someone will catch something I miss.

 

You said you had the carfax report, does it show any big maintenance items like timing belt/WP, drive belt, transmission fluid flush, valve adjustment etc?

 

IMO, the biggest concern is rust. Have it inspected.

 

I've owned two 3rd gens and both were and still are great. My first one started to develop a knocking sound but it turned out to be the timing belt tensioner so that could be a possibility. If you have the ability to replace the motor if it needs it then I say full send especially if it a manual.

 

Top of the morning. Thanks. Glad you mentioned that. Looking closer @ the CarFax I’m only seeing registration renewals, emissions testings, and a tire change over the last 7 years. Before that I’m seeing periodic maintenance, just no specifics as timing, trans, etc. Power steering was serviced at 58,000 miles.. that’s the only specific servicing I see. I’m going to ask if they have any service records tomorrow AND asked what they had to repair to get it through state inspection, if anything.

 

Definitely going to look thoroughly for rust. That may be my biggest concern and I why I’d walk away from the sale. Apparently it’s been through state inspection, but still definitely looking out for that.

 

Yep, and thanks. I was thinking if I had to eventually do a motor swap, then still pull the trigger. Still not leaning 100% towards that, but for the price I may consider it. I read an extensive thread here on the site about engine knocking. I think one person out of many mentioned the tensioner being bad. Turns out that was the issue and a common cause for knocking. The more and more I read about the 3rd gen.. these motors are literally bulletproof with routine maintenance.

 

It's not the end of the world if they hadn't done the timing belt yet, for the price you're paying, you can still do the timing belt job and still make out good. The valve adjustment is hit or miss, some say it should be done, some say just leave it alone. I had not done valve adjustment on my TL yet
so I'm still on the fence. I had it done on my 2001 Integra GSR by the dealership and it wasn't a good experience. I had major knocking sounds, so had to bring the car back, they adjusted it again and it went away. But it makes me wonder if it's really needed.

I sense this car only had general maintenance done on it. (ex: oil changes)

 

I don't think state inspection checks for rust? I'm assuming you're talking about underbody rust?

 

Good idea about waiting to hear a cold start.

Drive it within various rpm ranges and note how it shifts between 2nd & 3rd gear.
If the weather is cold & the synchronizer and/or shift sleeve defect is present you'll probably notice it, so be mindful.
Essentially looking / testing for the notorious hard shift / third gear grind / pop out as addressed on the attached Acura Service Bulletin 08-018.

Look underneath, if possible, where the manual trans. meets the engine block to see if the rear main seal is leaking; furthermore, there should be no oil leaking from the pulley side at the oil pan around the oil pump and spool valve assembly aka vtec solenoid.

Make sure it has had the air bag inflator recall performed, if needed for that model year.
Good Luck!

 

Good call on the airbag recall. I think for the 2005+ it makes the list. For some odd reason, the 2004 model does NOT make the list.....

 

Correct. Undercarriage is my main concern. With the car spending time in Virginia, Maryland, and it looks like 6 months to 1 year in Ohio.. I thought that “might” be an issue, but who knows. HOWEVER, I was just told the car has not been through the state inspection process. That gives me a little pause just because I was told earlier this week that it had and been. With a passing inspection, I know they’d be on the hook for repairing.. at least the minor things (bulbs, brake pads) etc… and even that’s not guaranteed. I’m being told it’s being sold “as is” now. Hmmmm.. lol.

 

Not getting good vibe from a story that's changing so rapidly......sold "as is" is also clearly going to make them off the hook for absolutely any possible repairs. Not trying to dissuade you. Just use your instincts at this 11th hour...

 

There's a reason it has a $2K price tag, LOL.

 

If 'the moons align' on this one and you eventually consider going through the expense of a new used engine there is an upgrade over the current 290K J32A3 to a J35A6 from an 05+ Honda Odyssey (LX/EX only).
The guy on the thread below swapped one into his acquired low budget 05 TL6MT.
Teh CL's... $500 6spd TL - AcuraZine - Acura Enthusiast Community

 

Man.. I appreciate all the feedback. I haven’t had time to respond to everyone.. but highly appreciate the tips and info. So far no additional info from the dealer about the TL, except it’s been on the lot for close to 3 months. Trust me, I’m trying to log every red flag. If we don’t get a ton of snow.. I should be at the dealer by 11am eastern tomorrow morning. Not at all pressed to pull the trigger on this particular TL, but I want to make sure I give it close consideration. More to come!

 

Good luck, the TL is truly a great car and what a great classic body it has. When Acura moved away from this style and went with the new "beak" style, I knew they had really messed up. Just like they brought back the "Integra" name badge......

 

No offense to the RSX but it was no Integra......

 

Update. Due to the snow I won’t be making it to the dealer today. Planning to go down tomorrow.

 

^

This car must have been to 'sketch' for the OP?

 

Alright folks. A few weirds events leading up to Saturday morning. For starters, at some point between Thursday night and Friday morning, the price of the TL went from $1,999 to $2,999. Another red flag.

Saturday morning, 9:30 eastern, I get a call from the young gentleman I had been speaking with all week. He calls to ask if I’m still coming down. I tell him yes. I head out, get some gas, and at around 10 am or so… while I’m driving and almost 1/2 way there at this point.. the kid calls to tell me “one of their mechanic’s on site bought the car” and essentially another salesman stole the sale from under him. I’m on the highway, and of course I’m pissed, but I wish the young man well and proceed to the next exit to head back home. I INSTANTLY knew I probably dodged a bullet. The dealer is well known in the area. I had my doubts about them all along, but I won’t be dealing with them in the future.

Again, I’m back on the market for a 6 speed. So far nothing local, so I’ll be searching nationwide. Would have been nice buying here in state.. but we’ll see what comes for sale in the days and weeks to come.

 

I think you dodged a bullet too, too many red flags leading up to Saturday. You will eventually persevere and get the car you're looking for.... thanks for the update.

If they do somehow call you back, run away fast....

 

Thanks. Yeah.. no way I’ll consider them again. My wife’s theory is that the salesman was able to hook someone at a higher price, even though he said he’d “hold it for me at that price”. No love lost whatever the case. I was recently able to narrow down choosing between an 06-07’ Accord 6MT or 3G 6MT. Definitely set on the latter after tons of reading and researching. I plan to keep searching until I score.

I

 

There are more out there then one would think. Questions are - how much of a budget, and how broad of a search location wise? There are two 6 speed type s's for sale in town here, one for $9k and another for $15k.

 

Appreciate it. I wanted to stay in the $6-8K range, but was really hoping to find a steal on the lower end. Just being patient at this point. I’ve been talking to a dealer in the south about an ‘06 6MT. He sent some promising info over earlier today (super clean in & out, maintenance up to date, 2 owner, previous owner was a service member and mechanic), etc. All the good stuff. We plan to talk tomorrow morning to chop up the details and see if it’s a good fit.

 

Quick update. After kicking the tires on multiple TLs, nationwide, I decided to go with a local dealer. 2005 / 127K miles / asking price $9,999. The salesmen I spoke to before heading down was totally useless and no info about the vehicle. He told me what appeared on the car fax was all the info they had. Bs, but cool. I knew I was going to buy it unless some catastrophic showed it face.

I asked to see the cold start in advance of my arrival, a however they had it running when I got there. I walk up to it and there’s a battery box in the back seat. All the “car sites” had it listed for 200 days, and they took me as type of dealer to not care for their vehicles, so I know they’d literally been letting it sit. They actually have some nicer vehicles which puzzles me as to why they all looked like they’d been growing roots. Power steering leak,

 

… belt wear, valve covers were clean, as was the entire chassis (no rust), some small dents & scuffs but nothing major at all. I’d give both the interior & exterior 8/10. Hard cover dash kit had been installed, aux cord installed, and they appeared to take decent care of it in and out, not 100% sure about the maintenance. Looking at the CarFax. The 3rd owner drove it from 90-127K miles with only a few oil changes and here and there. I had a strong feeling the timing had not been done. More on that later. The dealer had no clue. To make a long story short, after pointing out the bad battery, leaking/squealing PS pump, lack of timing maintenance, low pads in the rear, and the fact that I thought the car had been sitting since the spring.. they let it go for $8,400. Paid in cash, they slapped a temp tag on it, and I was home in a hour. It drove smooth during my test.. and just as well on the ride home. No vibration at high speeds, rode straight as an arrow.. just a GREAT car. I had no idea what I’d been over looking in these. As of today, I have her at my indy shop for state inspection, ps pump, and whatever else they can find. I’ll post some pics here. Not the best, but I’ll take more once I get it back and detail it.

 

First off, a congrats is in order. I was wondering if we were ever going to get a new update from you or if you would fall off into the internet abyss LOL.

Overall the car looks to be in pretty good shape cosmetic wise. Any mechanical issues you will soon find out shortly and I hope it won't be much of anything.

Be careful with the timing belt, even if the service tech thinks it looks ok, you may want to just go ahead for peace of mind and just get the timing belt kit, and have it done with, because anything else would be potentially catastrophic.

I want you to enjoy your car and I look forward to seeing what things you end up doing with it.

The TL is a really great car and I love the 3rd Gen TL's, so welcome to the club!

And great color BTW!

 

Here is a quick parts list for you if you don't have the timing belt kit.


14400-RCA-A01 - Timing Belt
14520-RCA-A01 - Timing Belt Auto Tensioner
14510-RCA-A01 - Timing Belt Adjuster
19200-RDV-J01 - Water Pump w/ Gasket
38920-RCA-A03 - Compressor Belt

 

Nice car!
If you want to save big $$$ over OEM timing belt components, just get the AISIN TKH002 kit from rockauto @ $192.79 before shipping.
Save 5% more by googling for a coupon code.
It is a Japanese equivalent to OEM with koyo pullies; Aisin tensioner & water pump.

Good Luck