jsekits

What's going on everyone? I'm new here and pretty new to TL's and the like. I have been driving an RX-8 for a few years (04 6spd) but it is creeping closer to risky mileage, as I am about to turn 100k on the rotary engine. I still owe about 6k on it but it has been appraised at about 6 so I will have a break-even trade in. My question is I have found a 2004 TL with 86k, technology package, 1 owner, clean Carfax for $14,500. Should I try to get into the TL? Would it be better in the long run financially?

Correction, the TL I found is $15,590.

Coins

You should get a TL but that is kind of pricey but I guess since I got a one and a million of a deal im picky.

Have you checked around, your local craigslist and dealership?

Acura_Dude

You can definitely get a newer TL with less mileage for that price.

jsekits

@Acura_Dude: I have searched within 100 miles of where I live, but I have to buy from a dealership since I need the car financed and I can't get an auto loan through my bank on something that old as they have become insanely strict about them there. Most of the ones I find are over 100k miles for a lower price or have 3-5 owners prior...I work at Carmax currently as of a couple weeks ago and even everything I could get there would be in the 20k range...I don't know what a safe mileage range for the long term would be with a TL as I have never owned one.

JJH

iTrader: (1)

Just to give you an idea, I bought my 2007 tl type-s with 130,000 miles. Not a single regret has been had. Excellent machine. Don't let the high mileage scare you. I have 137,000 miles on her now.

You are safe to buy a newer TL with anywhere around 100k miles. Make sure the timing belt and other necessary service has been done. If it's not done on the car, make them drop the price.

I'm confident that my car will last me at least another 100,000 miles. The engines are very very reliable. Stay away from the 04-06 TL.

Acura_Dude

Now im understanding more. It's a honda, I had an accord (few years back) and preventive maintenance is pretty much what you have to do. Timing belt/plugs at 105K and maybe a valve adjustment if needed. That's the best thing about Honda. Very reliable and easy to maintain. How do you like carmax? I've been checking some of products (mostly acuras) compared to whats listed in my areas/or market value. Just research the value of the TL (04-08) and look on autotrader, cars.com, even carmax and see whats the average you're getting. I've seen some great deals from other members on the forum when they bought a TL/TL-S. They might be the exception though. $15-$20K seems to be the going rate for the 06-08 years depending on mileage.

570_Jon

>.> Whats wrong with 06' TL's?

Acura_Dude

BTW went to edmunds.com and pulled up the value of an 05 base w/auto with 110K miles (~15K/yr average) and it retails @ $12K.

Hondas have great resale value.


Tranny issues. IDK how common it is, but I know it tends to plague the 04-05 years more from what I've seen on the forum. I'm sure some others can help on this situation. The tranny's affected a lot of different models from Acuras to Hondas. I know it was more of an occurence compared to later years, but there's some on here who're still rocking the original tranny. You definitely want a car thats been maintained and that goes for any used car.

pohljm

Tranny issues are not 04-06 specific by any means. RL tranny equipped vehicles seem to be fairing better.

570_Jon

Yeah. I picked up my TL in April with 60k miles on it for an 06. Rly haven't noticed anything besides my brakes grabbing hard (maybe that just how TL's are?) and a occasional kick when I gas it.

Acura_Dude

That's what i've been thinking. Thanks for clearing that up.

Not sure about the brakes, but maybe the TL has adjusted to your driving style. IHC and other older forum members have a WEALTH of knowledge. Where's Justn at? He can help too.

jsekits

As far as Carmax goes, the only one in that price range is $14,000 with 120k on the odometer and will cost me a $150 transfer fee just to look at. As far as other dealerships goes within 100 miles of me I have found:
---2004 Silver w/ 123k miles for $10,500 ***3 Owners***
---2004 Black w/ 113k miles for $13,000 ***2 Owners***
---2007 Black w/ 120k miles for $14,000 ***2 Owners***
---2004 White w/ 65k miles for $14,500 ***3 Owners/1 Accident***
---2004 White w/ 86k miles for $15,500 ***1 Owner***

I don't know if that helps, but that is what all I have found within 100 miles of me.

570_Jon

The brake grabbing was going on before I reset the ECU. Kinda upset I reset it, I liked how it felt driving and accelerating. Brakes happen when Im coming down a hill etc. I use to drive a Cavy around so maybe it is just normal.

Sorry for hijacking the thread, lol.

Acura_Dude

Definitely no hijacking here, we're all here to help. I'm even learning more myself. Definitely been looking up values of cars etc. You sure its th brakes? Sounds more like engine braking to me.

The one I highlighted in blue is more appealing. IDK much about the TL w/ the lowest mileage but accident poppped into mind so w/out looking at it i'd scratch it off. Now there's been cars with accidents on the carfax but its something minor like a fender bender where the damage exceeded $500 (i believe thats the threshold), but i like to use carfaxes as a guideline and take them with a grain of salt. There's been cars that have been in an accident and it never showed on the report.

Forgot to add the one I highlighted in blue (besides the other low mileage TL) have some time before it comes time for the 105K service.

Now the other TLs listed the question that comes to mind is have the t-belt etc (105K service) been done?

570_Jon

I believe its the brakes. Anyone who isn't bs'n in the car could prob feel it. On my way going down a hill, after using my brakes for period of time, aka traffic/rain/or a turn is coming up, it feels like my brakes grab like a clamp. Its difficult to explain. Even sometimes on a straight away when a light turns yellow and I have time to stop, it occasionally with do this. I just wanna know if this is normal. Haha. Only thing that sucks about it doing this is I use Progressive's snapshot thing for car insurance and when this happens, I guess it registers as me slamming on my brakes.

jsekits

I would have to call the dealers on my day off and ask them what services have been done to the higher mileage ones. As for the 105k service you mentioned, what all is entailed in that and usually how much would the service cost? What is the normal maintenance costs of keeping up a 3rd Gen TL? I am sorry for all of the questions but I want to get myself as educated as I can be before I purchase something so I don't end up in the situation I am in now with my RX-8 after a crash-course into Rotary life.

P.S. No worries, there's no threadjacking in my eyes here, as Acura_Dude said, I'm learning as much as I can take in. If anything, I appreciate all your help here.

jsekits

As for the low miles with an accident, I would have to guess that it was a fender bender since it was in New York, not to be stereotypical, just my thoughts, but I still don't like the ideas of risking something unknown like that unless I have to.

Acura_Dude

I've found some links that you can go through. Now if im not mistakened i believe Hamilton Honda is still doing the T-belt special for like $399. A lot of members made the trip there and was very pleased about the service. I've seen some dealers wanting ~$1500 just for that service. It never hurts to call a Honda dealer (remember it's a honda, motors are shared b/w both brands) where the service can be cheaper, some cases a lot cheaper. The 3G TL from what i've seen on here is relatively cheap to maintain.

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/valve-adjustment-2005-acura-tl-858316/ (valve adjustment, just more/less info)

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/2005-tl-58-777-miles-needs-new-timing-belt-853634/ (talking about t-belt on a 05 low mileage TL [if it should be changed or not])

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/122-diy-105k-service-timing-belt-water-pump-spark-plugs-thermostat-%2Apics%2A-784622/ (and a DIY on the t-belt change, gives info on whats involved)

I have no clue about Mazda's rotary engine, but i hear they can be expensive, which surprises me people get rid of them before 100K miles. I may need to research on the rotary some.

570_Jon

I believe when my dealer showed me the carfax, mine had 1 accident, brief bumper damage with no airbag deployment. Said it was prob someone not paying attention at a stoplight doing 20 and hit someones backend. Who knows tho. Haha.

ez12a

no navi or navi?

I purchased my 04 navi last feb for 14k flat with 53k miles. 6 speed too.

Try searching more or negotiating that price down.

Acura_Dude

Definitely understandable. The forum wouldn't let me multi-quote so this is why I ended up answering it separately. I'm startin to wind down, hopefully i didn't make too many mistakes.

Also does any of the acura's come with nav?

Acura_Dude

Nevermind it's been asked. Thanks Ez12a. BTW OP you can always get an indy shop to do the work for you. You can also save more by buying the parts yourself.

dontTL'em'nothing

iTrader: (3)

04-06 auto tranny issues i would say that they are easy fixes for the majority of owners of those years. Biggest fix would be to replace 3rd and 4th gear sensors and some would also say to do a redline tranny oil refill. Some would argue that Redline oil made their tranny worse(every forum will have a horror story of some sort). Don't let that scare you though. 04 models had an issue with a cracking dash, seems to have been fixed in later models.

One thing when looking at purchasing a car with high mileage is getting to know what maintenance has been/needs to be done. That would probably be your biggest bargining point. You also cant always believe a carfax report, there are sometimes accidents that go unreported. One thing about carmax is that they have no haggle prices. Of those cars you posted you can try asking a local member to check it out for you.

Rotaries arent that bad, the biggest issue with them are the apex seals.

Well as far as buying a TL, you would love it. Biggest price difference would be A) it has Navigation or B) its a Type S then you have C) Type S with Navi. Without navi its give or take roughly 2k in price. Also got to remember is that your looking at 04-08 tons of TLs sold, so you are going to see a lot of high mileage ones not saying you wont find a lower mileage one. It just takes time to find the right one for you.

nokkieny

Jeez, dealers price gouge TLs, Id sell you my 05 w/ 110k for somewhere up in the price mix in a heartbeat and make a handy profit.

truonghthe

3rd gen TL is the greatest TL ever made, the only draw back about the TL had is FWD and SOHC but that doesn't bother me much. I saw some 3rd gen TL past 200k miles mark but I hardly see any RX-8 with that much mileage, if you choose to look for an MT then any year is good since you don't have to worry about the trany issue. If you end up buying a 04-06 model make sure to get Navi, it will come handy some time and you can have fun with the navi hack lol.

jsekits

Essentially all of the ones I have looked into have navigation in them. None of them are Type-S though. All are also automatic unfortunately...but I can tolerate that.

truonghthe

^^^not all AT prone to issue of failure, usually the owner didn't maint it properly or changing the type of fluid without mixing with original fluid or flushing the trany/ changing 3rd and 4th pressure when it is too late. I also have a 00 Honda Accord V6 and these are prone to have problem much more than 3rd gen TL but I am still on original transmission at 140k miles.

jsekits

Not too worried about the transmission as from a general stand point most Hondas prove to be reliable machines, I meant unfortunately in a fun factor sense lol.

WdnUlik2no

Just for reference, I had a 05 6MT Navi with 59,706 miles. I got $12,300 from the dealer on a trade, and carmax offered $13,000.

Those prices you quoted seem a little high, the same dealer I traded my TL in to sold mine for $14,991

I may be in the minority here, but I had so many problems with my TL, though I do think its an upgrade from the Mazda.

jsekits

Maybe it is where I live or something, I have no idea why everything is so high around here though. As to reliability and problems, it's not that mine is always messing up, it's just the likelihood of total failure creeps closer everyday...I haven't personally seen many RX-8's successfully overcome much more than the 100k hurdle without major work to replace apex seals, polish rotor housing, and other major work that can easily rack a couple thousand out of pocket, I just want to hop into something different before I am stuck paying on a car that is such a high risk that I wouldn't want to drive it.

wall e

Yes!

jsekits

^Yes what?^

dontTL'em'nothing

iTrader: (3)

lol i guess he is answer your initial question about buying a tl.

Fatfrii

WTF asking if you should buy a TL in a TL forum is like going to church and asking if everyone there loves Jesus!

truonghthe

^^^^lol.

bouncer07

Don't get the TL if you don't want to fill up over $50 of premiem of gasoline every wk. Have you looked at any TSX? The TL is a good entry level sedan but if I had to o it all over, you will find that Infiniti G35 sedan in 6 speed is alot cheaper than TL's.

JJH

iTrader: (1)

Yeah lol no kidding, what do you expect us to say - "no we all hate our cars and just come on here everyday to complain about them!"

For most of us, this was our dream cars or we wouldn't be so enthusiastic about owning a 4-8 year old sedan!

JJH

iTrader: (1)

If you're smart, you'll fill up with premium with the G35 too. I don't know much about them, but I wouldn't say that they are cheaper than owning a TL. You put $50 a week in your TL? That's kind of a blanket statement to tell him that.

bouncer07

It's an expensive price to fuel up in terms of his 1.3L he has now. And if you're smart and you like to mod a car, the G35 motor is probably has more after market parts than a TL by far. G35 sedan in 6 spd here you'll find it for $8K - $10K with 80K mileage. It'll be similiar to the RX7 as the G35 will be equipped RWD. Performance parts wont be as expensive as the TL hence not many people modify TLs the prices of the performance part is expensive. So you do the math, it's cheaper.

truonghthe

^^^but the G35 interior looks like crap, not to mention the buttons that control AC and fan speed likes to broke on you and it won't let you turn AC off lol. I think I would be better off with Lexus if I didn't go with TL.