hi guys
Im thinking about getting this 2008 tl type s it has 50,000 miles price is about $23,000 and has an clean title from car fax but i know car fax isnt really reliable. I was planning on getting the tsx but change my mind since im going to keep my civic si.My question is i was looking at the pics the rear lights looks different, the rear side marker and the exhaust. So im thinking that the car has been hit from the rear. The dealer is an independent dealer shop. what some things i should check for. The picture look really really clean. I will be checking out the car soon. What do you guys think???

 

Those aren't S-type tail lights, nor are the rear side markers right. You're probably right, it was rear ended. The exhaust tips look correct. I'm shopping too, and despite the low mileage, this seems high. I personally wouldn't pay $23K for even a clean S. Hope this helps, good luck.

 

Doesn't necessarily mean its been in an accident. Maybe the previous owner had custom tails and side markers and he replaced them with cheap used ones before he sold it. And you'd think any reputable repair shop would have replaced the tails with the correct ones.

 

Anymore pics or a link to the sale? I can't see any features that 100% say this is in fact a type-s. Someone could have put a type-s exhaust, wheels, and spoiler on.

 

Wouldn't the carfax show if its really a type s or not?

 

hmmm i havent thought about that. seen weird now im a little scared this car has been driven hard and abused!!

 

carfax show it is an tl type s so im sure its an Type S. but idk ill check out the car soon.
should i check all the vins on the trunk and rear bumper? how do your know if the car has been repaint?

 

Yeah, that's definitely a type-s. Not sure how to tell if it has been repainted. Compare the bumper and the rear quarter panel of the car real closely when you visit the car in person and try to see if it has been repainted. If it was a rear end collision that took the tail lights out, it probably destroyed the bumper too and was replaced with an already painted bumper. Look under the car and see if anything looks bent or caved in. Check the rear bumper fasteners to see if they are rusty. If they are, it's probably the original bumper. If they aren't, it was probably in a wreck and recently fixed up.

 

If your really concerned and you probably should be why not take it to a body shop and let them check it over for you. They know exactly what to look for. If you do end up getting it. Get rid of those tails. They make it look like a base 04 TL from the rear.
Good luck

 

Man those red tail lights really take away from the looks of a type s. like ready mentioned check to see if all vin labels are present especially the rear bumper and trunk lid since it has wrong parts on it. As for the paint just look at the clear coat texture if it looks consists t between all the panels it's probably original. Carfax and auto check are always good places to start. Price seems about right from the dealer if it is infact clean besides the parts issue on the back. As a reference I just paid 22k for a one owner 08 with less than half those miles. So really good deals are out there.

James

 

OP to be honest, I'm looking that this with the glass half full. The previous owner of this car had to be a car enthusiast or else he would not have had a type-s. With that said, he would not have been okay with getting base tails installed which tells me that he most likely wrecked the car and replaced them the cheapest way possible. Just a guess and I could be completely wrong but I don't think that you will feel good about yourself after purchasing this car. Plus it's kind of high priced.

 

thanks i will really check under the bumper and paint to make sure everything is okay, but in my head i think its been hit.

Yeah ill try to bring it to an mechanic and have them take a look at the car PPI

I know from the rear it doesnt even look like a type s anymore, and all the badge are gone sooo there a chance it been replace. but cant repair just take the vin off and put on the new bumper? that what im afraid of..

your right just like me i have an 07 civic si and down grading the car to like a base civic doesnt really make sense. My gut is telling me HUGE chance its been hit. But the price around my area is around that price a little lower too. sooooo i need to see the car

 

Price is a bit high for the few red flags mentioned. Also I could be wrong but speaking from experience if its a independent dealer then this car was most likely bought at the auction with minor defects and fixed up for a quick sale. Get the car checked out and if everything checks out mention those concerns to the dealer and I'm sure you can get it for a bit cheaper. GL!

 

that's not stock exhaust for a type-s either. The stock type-s exhaust pipes are flush and cut at an even angle.

Those almost looks like XLR8 exhaust tips but alas, they are not.

looks more and more like a rear-end where the tailpipes were just replaced on the cheap.

I am skeptical about that car.

What people aren't considering here is that the carfax shows clean - which is almost a guarantee that if it WAS truly in a rear-end collision, that the guy paid to have the car repaired out of his own pocket. That being said, I'm sure it was cheaper to get base tails and side markers, and crappy exhaust tips as opposed to buying replacement type-s parts.

 

I would just walk away from the car.

 

^^^This. Too much unknown here. I love Cars is right, definitely not type s tips.

 

same here!!!

for $23K easily you can find a very clean one with low mileage.

 

I would take this advice

 

Me too

 

Pass on this one OP.

Good luck!

 

exhaust tips dont' look right. they look like the duels on a base model (weld on's). base tails and side markers like others have mentioned.

the VIN will tell you if it's a type-s...the "UA7" will be in the VIN.

not all body shops and not all insurance companies report to carfax.

there are a couple of clean type-s's at my dealer right now (one was traded in by a member here, it has tint and aspec rims) and the other has low miles, dealer serviced, and cheaper than the one you are looking at right now.

i'd keep shopping.

 

^^^This is what I would do. Keep looking, a better one will pop out.

 

Could someone pm me on the best way to check a Carfax?

 

thanks alot guys im gonna pass on this car didnt look at it because it was far hahaha. yeah im going to wait for a perfect one. i really want a white tl type s tho, so this black one wasnt what i really wanted lol. i still have my civic to drive so i have all the time!!!