Hello,

I recently just moved to Las Vegas and I now have a 40 mile commute EACH WAY to work for a total of 80 miles every day, and that is not including driving around town as well. So I'm looking at selling my current car and getting a used car and driving it into the ground. I'm looking at getting a used TL with about 50-70 thousand miles on it. I'll probably end up driving it about 3300 miles a month for the next three and a half years and probably get rid of it with about 200,000 miles on it.

Any reliability issues with driving the TL that far?

I'm thinking the TL over just a beater just b/c I like the car a lot and I want the safety features are very important to me(airbags, vsc, great crash tests). Also, consumer reports says it's very reliable, and it's great resale value.

I'm not going to get a hybrid b/c they are more expensive and there isn't one out there I like at this point. I'm also worried about replacing the battery b/c of the high miles I'll be driving.

I would be very interested in hearing your thoughts...

 

get a civic

 

If you can deal with it this is the way to go. Parts are dirt cheap, they are good on gas, and you can get 200K easy.

Also the gen 1 CR-V's are rock solid, they get 250-300K with out any issues.

The TL will make it, but cost more to maintain.

 

The TL is a great highway cruiser and you will get great MPG on the highway relatively speaking.

Keep in mind, the 100-105k mile service is a big one and will cost at least 1k.

Interested in AT or MT? Look through the 3G Garage. There is alot of useful info in there.

Good luck w/ whatever you choose.

 

My dad does about that much, he has about 87K on his '05 TL. Never has he had one single problem with it. It's a Honda, it'll go far beyond 200K...

 

Honestly, the TL will be running pretty strong past 150K. These cars are built well. Right now I am driving about 100-150 miles a day and have put a bit of mileage on my TL. Its running well except for the small rattles that I need some time off to fix...

 

But a Civic can't match the comfort of a TL on a long drive. One of the main reasons I bought my TL, GREAT for highway cruising.

 

I've got an '04 with 111k on it. I haven't had any problems with it other than rattles. I just put new tires on it. I make a 600 mile trip about once a month. Most of my other driving is about 10-50 miles a day. I probably average about 20-25,000 miles a year and like I said, to this point, no real problems. Your first major scheduled bill will occur around 100k when you need to replace the timing belt. I'm hoping to drive the car at least 150k if possible.

 

I have my TL and all my mechanic friends say it will last 200k easily, they didnt expect me to buy it and after the purchase, they all wanted one. Its a great crusing vehicle and you would be at ease with this car, just keep with the proper services and I think you will be fine.

 

as long as you take care of it, it will last more than 200k miles easy.

i used to have a 1986 Integra, i didn't sell it until 270k miles, it was still running fine.

 

So I'll have to drop 1,000 on some sort of service at 100,000 miles? What is so expensive about it?

Oh, and F!@k the Civic!

 

See above. That's when the timing belt gets replaced. At least they no longer do it at 60,000 miles the way Honda used to specify.

 

You should have no problems with the TL. The TL is great on the highway. I'd only get a civic if you think you can get decent coin by selling your TL and if a couple more miles per gallon is something you need. Otherwise, travel in relative luxury in the TL.

 

how does one go about getting this fixed??? my car vibrates and rattles.

 

The car is pretty reliable. However one cost you will have to pay is $100/year to have the break fluid changed........ you're supposed to do it every year after the car turns 3

 

If you have the money to spend, by all means use the TL as a commuter over a Civic. I did a 210 mile round trip for work for the first year of ownership. This car has been 100% reliable. No problems at all other than the ones I caused myself. Comfort is a big concern when traveling those kind of miles and you're spending so much time in the car you might as well get something you like.

I do highly recommend if you're living in the Vegas area, using it mostly for commuting, and are planning on running it until it dies, use a good 10w-30 oil. Those freeway miles really heat the oil and the 30wt will thin to a 20wt at those temps.

 

Thanks for all the advice, one more question. How bad am I screwing myself when it comes to resale value if I take to about 200,000 miles?

 

@ 200,000 miles do not expect to get very much for it.

I would say that if you had a 2004 right now with 200K it would be hard to get $10,000 for it seeing that you can get one with under 100K for around $12,000

 

My 2000 TL is still in the family, it has 252,000 miles on it right now and still runs perfectly. It burns no measurable oil between changes. Use synthetic oil and change it and the filter every 8K miles. I run synthetic oil in the tranny too, and have installed a tranny cooler. Some people say the synthetic engine oil can go farther, but I do it at 8K. Now I'm shooting for 300K. You should have no problems.

 

Edmunds says an 01 non-nav in "Good" condition with 200k is worth $5200 in a private sale in a Las Vegas zipcode. Not bad for an 8-year-old car that's seen some miles. The TL will hold its value at least as well as anything in its price range. Worrying about the possible resale value of a car you really want, and especially an Acura, seems a little like worrying about the expense of a divorce on your wedding day.

 

NONSENSE. Who tells you this crap and why on earth would you buy such a line?

 

I called up a couple of Acura dealerships and one said they would do it for 1000, and one for like 600. I also called Goodyear and they said 600. It sucks, but at least it is not 1000 for that timing belt.

One thing the Acura dealership told me is that b/c Las Vegas is so hot that they recomend doing it at 60,000 miles instead of 100,000. Any truth to that or is it a show me they money type of thing?

Thanks

 

Heat does make a difference in but I wouldn't change it 40,000 miles before it's recommended only because of heat. I lived in Vegas, Phoenix, and Bakersfield and I plan on changing mine at the factory recommended interval.

Driving habits make a difference. If you drive easy, not winding it out and a lot of freeway miles, the engine has turned far fewer revolutions for the same amount of miles. High rpms put the most stress on the belt.

Also, make sure Goodyear is changing the accessory items like the waterpump while they're in there. If it were mine I would take it to a dealership for a job like this.

 

A little harsh on the delivery yet valid...


I have ~45K on my 04 TL (5 yrs old to date). I have yet to flush the brake system. Yes I know what the manual states and what the dealer would like you to do. However, I've worked on cars that where 15 yrs old and never once changed brake fluid with absolutely no moisture issues. I've worked on many that had been opened up and moisture introduced early on with pitted master and slave cylinders etc.. I consider it a 3-5 yr interval myself.

Bottom line, I actually meant to do mine sooner yet will perform the job this spring when I replace the brakes pads etc.. Definitely something I would not recommend someone do every year. Money you don't have to spend etc..

- Good luck on whatever you end up driving!

 

take it from someone who bought his tl at 18k in 2002 and now has 217981 on it
its a keeper
my only issue was the tranny which was a manufacturer's problem to say the least.

 

TL is most def the way to go.. I got an 04AT and im at 87k and no problems yet.

 

I have a 2001 CL-s which has the same engine as the tl's and lemme tell you the engins are rock solid.. I have 160K miles an it and they are not PAMPERED miles. The tranny on the other hand is soft like JELLY. Im on my
3rd BUT the new gen took cars of the trammy problems (i think) Hondas trannies were never that great i dont belive saturns have 6 speed auto and acura is still using a 5 speed!

 

Honda's manuals have always been rock solid, autos not so much.

 

Good info in here. I bought my TL-S to take the miles on also. I am hoping to hit 300k... but first have to get to 100k! lol We shall see...

 

I purchased my used Grey 2005 TL earlier this year in Las Vegas through eBay. Living in the midwest meant either shipping it or driving it home to Indiana. I decided to drive it home. I took it in to Acura of Las Vegas for an oil change and some recall work and I was good to go. After spending a short while enjoying Vegas, and a brief visit to LA, I made my way across the country home. I must say The Acura TL is, if not one of the best cars to drive on a long road trip. I never had one single issue with the car the whole trip home. I have no regrets whatsoever. I love this car, and plan to own it for a long time. I often joke to my friends that my '05 TL is by far the best souvenir I ever brought home from Las Vegas.

 

dont expect to get to much right now on autotrader they are practicaly giving away tl's theres one 2004 with 104,000 miles going for a little over 9k. i guess it all depends how old the car is when you decide to sell it and dont expect to get to much. might as well just keep it till the wheels fall off.

 

With the 04's dropping under 13K and under 100,000 miles on them one with 200,000 probably would not bring more than 8-9 at best.

 

Isn't it depressing how much money you loose with cars...these were low to mid 30's when they were sold. I swear, I am going to stick to used cars for the time being.

I'll probably sell it at 200,000 miles in 3 years, so I doubt I'll make more than 3 or 4 thousand on it...we will see

 

I know, that is why I have always bought used.

I got my 04 for $13,000 and thought it was a good deal. But looking back know I bet I could have gotten it cheaper. I see the same year/miles for the same price I paid and the car has navi and mine does not.

 

I'm thinking that b/c of the financial implosion that now is the time to buy. I think 13 is probably a good price to be honest though.

Oh, and just out of curiosity. With that mod to the front of your TL, do you have to watch hitting the curb sometimes?

 

It is an A-Spec lip. As long as your TL is not lowered curbs are not a problem with it.