HondaFan81

I've read some of the TSB's before the links stopped working and read several online reviews, etc. I am mechanically inclined with experience on various Honda models, but not this TL. I have test driven a 2006 TL 6spd MT.

Is there any TL specific potential problems I should be aware of for this potential vehicle purchase?

2004 Acura TL
6-spd Manual
Exterior: Black
Interior: Tan
Mileage: 66K miles

playboyace35

the oem battery sucks, many people on the forum had to replace their batteries on the average of 2 years.

HondaFan81

Noted.

Any defects, recalls or TSB's I should be aware of for 2004 6spd MT?

I know about the interior rear deck rattles, etc. I know what must be done, if that is encountered.

latorthy

I have a 2006 acura TL with manual DO NOT BUY THIS VEHICLE. The clutch went out at 13,000 miles (gratefully replaced under warranty, albeit Acura only did it after incessant complaints knowing I am lawyer). The transmission is now shot at 70,000 miles.

I will never buy an Acura or Honda product again. I have owned Hondas/Acuras for the last 15 years. This is it. Their transmissions have always been weak, but, at least in my experience, they have completely failed. In addition, Acura service sucks compared to other luxury models. Infiniti and Lexus are much better.

The cars are fun to drive, but they are built with tin foil. The structural and mechanical quality sucks.

I am stuck with this piece of %*^##. Please, do not burden yourself with one.

AMUA6

iTrader: (7)

What kind of tin foil was used to build your TL?

VQPower37

the 04 tl manual is more solidly built than the automatic as some of the 04 automatics had transmission issues.

if you could get a newer year it would be better as the seats in the 04 are prone to butt marks, and the 06's come with tpms which is actually something you think you dont need but it makes life so much more convenient when it comes to keeping your tires inflated at the proper psi

if the 2004 looks clean though it would probably be a good buy

Type One

Dont listen to this troll. There's a guy on here who has a 3G TL that has over 200,000 miles and its still going stong.

DeathMetal

iTrader: (2)

Control Arm Bushings

BG74

Agreed - don't listen to this troll at all. I'm on my 2nd 3G, both with 6MT, and have never any significant problem.

jungy4

Congrats on even finding a 6MT that you like because they are rare. I love my 06 6MT that I found after months of searching. Some of the interior rattles annoy me sometimes but I ignore it and turn the music up. Other than that, I am happy overall.

cjTL

iTrader: (2)

So go buy a Lexus? Obviously no one here is going to feel sorry for you.

con5tant

iTrader: (4)

just because you dont know how to drive properly dont need to blame acura/honda

TheChamp531

iTrader: (3)

What a fail...

SouthernBoy

I own two 3G TL's, both with Navi and am the original owner of both. Mine is an '04 manual and my wife's is an '05 automatic. Neither one of them has any rattles to worry about, both are very solid, and everything works as designed. My '04 manual has 76,486 miles on it with the original clutch (as I would expect since the clutch should go at least over 200,000 miles). I am the type the when the car no longer entertains me and just becomes a point A to point B machine, I start looking for something to replace it. This has not happened to my '04 manual. I still get anxious to drive it and enjoy my time doing so.

My '04 manual was built during the first week of July 2004 and sat on the lot for only two days before I bought it (still had the plastic on the hood and trunk deck and the seats). And the '05 automatic was built in March '05 and had just been prepped for show on the lot when we bought that one.

So my experiences have all been positive with both of these cars and I and my wife would do it again. Incidentally, her '05 replaced a '96 BMW 328i that just seemed to love expensive visits to the shop.

BTW, if latorthy only managed 13,000 miles out of his clutch, either there were some serious defects at work, he towed with his car, he spent weekends with it on the local drag strip, or he hasn't a clue how to operate a manual transmission. If you can't get at the minimum, ten times that mileage, assuming nothing out of the expected is going on, you need to relearn your techniques.

cjTL

iTrader: (2)

The clutch didn't just "go out"- it was blown out.

SouthernBoy

He's post (#4) doesn't indicate this. But it does make one wonder how on earth, with the exception of some extra-ordinary wear, one can go through a clutch in only 13,000 miles.

I understand your comment... really, I do.

vas25tl

Good info in this thread. I'm probably looking at a 05 Black/Black 6MT with Nav this week. The car has 80K miles on it and from the pictures it seems like it's in great shape. It's priced right so I might made a deal after the fiances sentra got totaled out from a flood last week.

I've had a few Acura's and I'm hoping the 3G TL is as reliable as what I've had.

I'm on my 2nd 1st gen TL, I have an 02 RL and have a few MDX's in the family.

HondaFan81

Thanks for the tips from everyone. I am zoning in on the purchase of vehicle. I'm an out of state buyer, so have yet to see vehicle in person. It is from a reputable, large dealership, so we shall see. I'm not making a special trip, already will be there on a family related vacation so it is convenient and saves on trip costs.

I do all my own work, am very mechanically inclined so it pends my inspection. Assuming it passes this, it will be mine.

HondaFan81

Vehicle claims to have all their used cars serviced and will provide a list of what was done.

Also, my family and I have owned several Hondas, so I am familiar with them.

pimpin-tl

Troll.......

I had Infiniti's too, and IMHO, Acura service is much better.

HondaFan81

FYI, I ended up purchasing and drove back this 2004 TL 6MT in NBP (nighthawk black pearl) with tan leather interior. It had about 66,500 miles before the trip home. What an all-around fun car, was a great 690 mile drive with no issues.

This car has no interior rattles whether sound system is on or not.

I'll be more active on the forum now.

vas25tl

Congrats!

The one I wanted sold that day so I didn't get it.

I need some help with pricing. There's a 05 pearl white/gray with nav, back up sensors, 2 sets of tires (winter included) with an aspec kit.

The car was traded in at a dealership my friend works at. His manager bought it, had it for a few months and sold it to him. My friend has had it for 3 years now and just bought a new TSX for the wife so he's getting rid of it.

Car's in great shape, new brakes, synchros were replaced just under 50K miles under warranty. 67K miles, 6MT.

What do you think it's worth? He was asking $17,900. He said he'll give it to me for $16K.

There's another 04 blk/blk no nav that i was going to look at. Also 67K miles but one owner. Needs tires and rear brakes - $13,500. I'm thinking being a year newer, being pearl white, having nav and aspec might be worth the difference.