nearpost

Hello everyone, my first post. Thank you to the people who run this sight, and also those who contribute. I hope this post isn't too long.

I have driven cars in the U.S. for 30 years. After having absolutely incredible luck with 2 nissan maximas (a 1986 120k after 4 years, and a 1990 200k after 10 years), I had to be a big shot, and ran out and bought a large german luxury car.Door handles coming away in your hand, kidney grills disintegrating, radiators, alternators, air intake problems, camshaft position sensors going, oil seperator valves, that is just a short list of the things I never had a problem with in the Maximas.

You are probably wondering "why doesn't he go out and buy another maxima?" Well, I have no reason to believe the reliability is still the same after 20 years, and I don't care for the design either, interior or exterior. I wanna buy a TL!!! It's emotional I suppose.


I have looked on this site and read that annoying things happen to the 3rd generation, like engine mounts go at 60k, and control arm bushings fail at 50k.

I have also learnt that of the third generation TL, J.D. Power rates the 2005 (4 cylinder) very highly. Although I would prefer a 6 cylinder.

If I buy a 2005 with 30-50k on it, what should I expect to have go wrong as I take it up to 100k.

Do alternators regularly go? Radiators, electrical? What should I look out for?

I realize there are a lot of variables in play here, but would appreciate your informal opinions.

Thanks again!

AMUA6

iTrader: (7)

The TL does not come with a 4 cylinder, they base TL's come stock with a 3.2L SOHC VTEC V6 whereas the Type-S comes with a 3.5L V6. I bought my 05 TL with 81k miles and it now has 95k miles on it. It was a one owner. I have not had the first problem out of it except regular maintenance such as oil changes, etc. Buy a TL, you won't regret it!

kubr1ck

There's a reason why Acura has the highest resale value of any luxury brand. Haven't you seen the commercials?

There were some minor upgrades to the 3G TL in 2007, so you might want to look into an 07 or 08. Do a search in this forum for more details on the changes. And welcome to the site.

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

There are some minor issues that are common, but overall the 3G TL is a reliable car.

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

^^^ Yes, this car is a Honda. They run forever. I've had 2 Honda 4-door Accords and now my Type S. I plan on keeping it for a long time because I know it will last that long.



National Acura Meet-June 6th/Kansas City. Click here for details and to sign up!



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nearpost

Smokd 05, thank you for your correction. I was also looking at the TSX and I think that confused me. I just checked J.D. Power again, and indeed they say Acura TL 2005 is their favorite year, so I am leaning towards that year. Are you not concerned that at 95K, parts are going to die on you?

Is there anything that your knowledge of the TL has made you say, "okay, 95k, I better replace this part, or I better expect that part to go"?

I wish you many years of trouble free driving.

Hi Kubrick, I am a fan of his too by the way. Thanks for your comments on the 2007, it will be a little more than I wish to pay though.

Princely bug would you please elaborate on these minor issues that you speak of? Thank you.

Thanks also to Steven Bell

I just got curious about the German car I currently own, and went thru the old records. Did I mention I am on my 3rd water pump (131k), A catalytic converter went out 2 weeks after I bought it at 75k, and my mechanic overlooked the fact it was under California state warranty (groan).

How about oxygen sensors? My bmw goes thru them like m&m's!

Ha! Ha! Great talking with you all and thanks for your comments. I want my TL!!!

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

I have an 05. For the most part, a trouble free car. I have had some things fixed under warranty and good will like: battery x 3, driver's side leather seat bottom x 2, bulb for the driver's side heated seating switch, power steering whine/valve and maybe a couple of other minor TSB's. Also had the power steering recall done.

No major out of pocket expenses. I am at about 82k miles- bought brand new. Expect to change your transmission fluid (subject to debate on this site) religiously. Also, expect to change your brake fluid religiously. The big service on these cars is right around 105k mark which includes the timing belt/water pump.

3GTL's are notorious for rattles, dash fade, leather issues.

However, overall I am happy with the vehicle.

nearpost

Very interesting Ggesq. My drivers leather is destroyed (perished ansd split). However I take the blame as I was in the habit of returning from the gym in wet/sweaty clothes. I think that must have destroyed the seat.

I have 50% of the pixels dead on my dash, so slightly different problem to fade. Thank you for the heads up on timing belt and waterpump.

Interesting what you say about your battery. Do you have a ton of start ups every day travelling short distance? Or is it just a problem with TL's in general?

Surprized the brake fluid needs changing, how often is it recommended?

Thanks again, great details there Ggesq.

nearpost

Well I finally purchased my 2005 sat nav tl 74,000 miles one owner forest green, tan leather, with nice wood look. Paid $13,900 + taxes from a dealer which I believe is about $3,000 below blue book. I am already in love with it. Sat nav is great.

Unfortunately my friend backed into my drivers door the day after I picked it up. When I get it back to Washington State, (I came down to S. Cal to buy the vehicle), I will have door replaced and post pics.

Mercifully, the damage is limited to the door. At least it looks that way. Pics to follow next week.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

congrats on your pick up!
and you should make your friend buy you some top shelf liquor for the little mishap

jwr0ng626

iTrader: (1)

TL is a very reliable car as everyone said alrdy.. you wont regret going w/ acura.. all "problems" and maintenance are normal.. nothing unusual has been found concerning major problems/defects w/ the tl. Good luck finding the right one!

ParaSurfer1979

great. Pick up navi update. It's 99 bux only 1 more week until jan 31st then it jumps to 189 bux. I'm sure there are mega changes from 05 to 11/12...

ParaSurfer1979

your mb is full. go to www.acuranavi.com , you cant pm members until youve posted 15-20 times... If need anything else, email me. anfbro25@aol.com

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

There aren't. Some more POI's. Fixed the DST issue for me.

OP- congrats on the new TL.

James63410

Hey, I drive a tow truck for AAA and I would highly recommend a TL, I've only towed 2 for mechanical failures and it was an 04 with a bad trans and the other was an 04 with a bad starter. Stay away from the high end German cars, I tow them regularly. Not to mention I own an 05 TL.

OSU_Acura_Guy

This thread has been extremely helpful. I am waiting for an 07 Base TL w/55K to arrive at my local CarMax. Can't wait for it to get here.

Are their any maintenance checks I should make sure that CarMax does before I take it off the lot? I thought there might be some 50K+ servicing that needed done.

Thanks for the help!!

VanyDotK

iTrader: (6)

Glad you picked up your TL. My 10 year old Accord with 145k miles was just rear ended and I'm looking into a 2005-2008 TL as well now. So far from what I've read it seems like a good car with no major problems (like the transmission problems in the 2G TL).

What should I be expecting to spend on a 2005-2008 TL with about 40-50k miles? I just want the base, but if I can find a TL-S for a good deal, I'm all for that!

dinks07

iTrader: (4)

i just bought my 05 64000 miles for 14000

lazytik

I bought my 2006 auto non nav with 88k miles on it. I'm at 120k right now. The first week, the battery went out, which is understandable. Stock batteries suck, so I upgraded. Then my Handsfreelink failed, fixed under warranty - no issues since.

Trust me, this car runs 75 miles a day...through snow, ice, hard summers, no issues. I stay ahead of maintenance and I never doubt its reliability.

In these miles, I've changed the battery (as I mentioned), tires, motor mounts (on schedule), timing belt, water pump, and tensioner (on schedule), and oil changes along with filters as needed.

My car is high mileage, but people don't believe it...it looks amazing for 120k miles, hell, it looks amazing for 20k miles. This car won't let you down...as long as you don't let it down - maintain it properly and you're good.

I also have it detailed once every few months and the paint has no issues.

Plus with the money I saved over buying new (or less reliable), I can change things the way I want to (as in going from non-nav to nav) and am not tied down to a strict budget.

LoveMyTL-S

To all the new members posting in here and to the OP of course, CONGRATS!! Welcome to AZ!! You may want to register your TL at www.myacura.com. Save your Navi and Radio codes there for safe keeping.