So I just got my TL in December, and I LOVE it. It's a great car and very classy I think. All my friends are jealous of me, since I'm only 16, and I drive a nicer car than most of their parents. I bought the car with my own money off of my older brother. He let me make payments to him, so it worked out really well.

Anyways, I fully intended to drive this car until it died because I love it so much and i know Hondas will run forever. But i just started thinking about how much I love Mitsubishi Evos because i saw one yesterday. Especially the Evo 8's and the Evo 9's. (The 10's are sweet, but they're too much money.) The thought just crossed my mind yesterday that I could save up some money, then sell my TL, and buy an Evo with cash.

I'm undecided though, because i know I'd be giving up a lot. There are some many luxury features that the TL offers that the Evo does not. Also, Im sure the ride is much harsher in an evo. Also, an Evo would cost more money than i could sell my TL for I'm pretty sure. BUT, the performance of an Evo is far superior than the performance of a TL, both in speed and handling. The AWD would be great for racing, and snow.

So I guess what I'm wondering is, how much do you think i could get for my TL if i tried to sell it?

It is a 2004 WDP Automatic with close to 115,000 miles. Does not have Nav. It is in excellent condition. There is a small tear in the driver seat which i was quoted for $125 to have it fixed. So i might do that. Other than that the interior is in fantastic condition. The exterior is in great shape as well. The only thing is the clear coat is coming off of both of the sideskirts. So i might have to have that fixed.

Timing Belt and water pump were replaced at 110,000 and coolant added. At 113,000 i bought the RARE 18x8.5 aspecs, brand new General Gmax AS-03 tires (with balance and allignment), and brand new ceramic brake pads on all 4 corners. At 114,000 i replaced the engine air filter and the cabin air filter. and at 114,600 i changed the oil and filter (full synthetic, 5w30). I believe my brother changed the tranny fluid not to long ago. It's always been maintained and taken care of.

I'M not sure if i should sell the aspecs separately, since i still have the stock wheels. But i would have to put new tires on them.

Oh, premium fuel has always been used like you're supposed to.

So how much do you think i could get? And should i sell the aspecs separately? (Again, I'm not even sure i want to sell it.)

But look at that thing

 

First world problems.

 

^this

 

High Mileage DSM, have fun

 

LoL. Truf.

Seriously though man, this is all personal preference. Guys could get on here and be like "Yeah, the evo kicks the TL's butt!" or "The evo is about as reliable as my crack head brother hungover on Sunday morning". Both of those statements are true but you have to ask yourself which is more important to you: Performance or Luxury/Reliability? I personally wouldn't buy an evo, similar to an Audi, unless it was brand new with a warranty. They kick butt but I just don't have the time and money for repairs and break downs. Thus I went with the TL which is a nice medium.

I will tell you however - Quit buying cars at 16 and save some damn money. Put it where it counts, not in some lame ass car that's going to depreciate super fast and leave you poor and broke. I didn't buy a car that was worth more than $10,000 until I was after 30. That's just dumb. Heck, it's probably still dumb at my age but now I can afford it without it consuming 50% of my income. Just my

 

haha ^

I'm 16, too, and I drive a TL. Same situation, but I love the TL way to much to consider getting something else The Evos are nice but I'd imagine a tuned Evo would jack up your insurance. The TL hits me hard and it's still classified as a four-door sedan. Not sure though, the Evo could be in the same category as well. I honestly think you should keep the TL. It's bigger, safer, and in WDP, looks sexy as hell. Sure any teen would prefer to drive a tuner, but unless your planning on doing maintenance and mods yourself, good luck with the Evo lol. Spend some time in the photo section of this site. You can really get the TL to look aggressive and masculine with some simple mods.

Your money, not ours, but it wouldn't be my first choice to move from a TL to an Evo... just save your money and buy something nicer in like 5 years or when the TL dies. Your options will be more flexible at 21 than at 16...

 

Be smart, save your money, and buy something nicer down the road. Im 25 and if I took that advice when I was your age i'd probably have my own helicopter at this point

 

I always heard DSM motors are close to crap when it comes to reliability.

Now what do you get when you have a DSM motor + a turbo?

I don't know, but I would imagine it would be costly to maintain. I'll be honest. I'm just talking out the ass and have no real experience or knowledge on any evos, but I would imagine any car pushing a small 2.0L engine to nearly 300HP/tq on a turbo would be pretty pricey to maintain.

Plus you're only 16, you barely had the car for a year and already want to move on. As cliche and typical as it sounds you should save your money up to pay for college and other expenses. Focus on school. Appreciate the fact that you have a nicer car than 90% of the kids that go to your high school and you're not riding around in a scion tC, civic hatchback, maxima, etc.

Yeah the Evos are fast as fuck, i'll admit that. But honestly at age 16 you don't need a evo because chances are you're going to be spending over half of your income just to purchase and maintain it.

It's natural for us guys to want a fast car, that is especially true for young teens like you, but the reality is sometimes you just have to appreciate what you have and make the best of what you got.

Since you bought the car from your brother I'm pretty sure he's really cool and lenient when it comes to payments on the car.

If you decide to sell your 04 you can expect somewhere around the $10,000 range. No more than $12,000.

 

Unless you will be taken care of (which is fine. Some people have it easier), I would seriously consider just enjoying the (nice) car that you have obtained and save your money...It's gonna be a bumpy ride.

 

Luke, I love Lamborghini's too, but can't afford one.

You're young. Take some time to weigh both options. Make your decision on a car-THEN STICK WITH IT!

 

Dude! you are doomed! What have you done? For your first car ever you have one of the most timeless designs in automobiles, a car that today is a beautifully sexy bit of coachwork with an equally stunning ergo tech interior (tapedeck!) Well it it was 2002 when conceived! And it is blessed with a great handling chassis and plenty of HP to get you in trouble. Incredible reliability and insurance rates/resale value.
So really anything you go to from here will have a difficult time measuring up. I can for sure say that you will one day look back and think about your first car as one of the best! Enjoy it!

 

Keep the car. You may have your eye on something different, but I guarantee you that the same thing will happen months after you buy the Evo. You have a reliable car that shouldn't need repairs for quite some time, not to mention it's a really nice car. Not to mention your brother would probably be pissed that you are selling a car that used to be his baby. But I can see why you would want the Evo. It's a nice car and very mod friendly.

Hindsight is 20/20

 

Buy one in Forza or Gran Turismo. Cheaper alternative.

 

I'll buy your TL for $2.00.

 

Unless you have enough saved up to replace the entire engine/trans/turbo setup all at once I wouldn't buy it. Save your money. Make the TL your own and laugh at all the broken down turbo'd cars on the way to meets. That's what I do.

 

why is it so typical now these days that kid from HS age always say "my dream car is an WRX, STI or Evo"? I understand that they can go fast like 0-60 in 4.8 sec, 1/4 mile in 13.8 but in reality they are not that fast comparing to IS-F or E92 M3 this due to the big gearing helps it launch with AWD from 0-60 but after a 100 MPH mark I can certaintly guarantee you that an IS-F or M3 will easily pull away from STI or Evo. new Evo is cost at $45k that is dam expensive as hell compare to a slightly used IS-F which is more reliable. Do kid in HS even know turbo engine require more maint than NA motor, when come to replace the turbo it gona cost them a sh*t load of money. Lets not even mention that there will be leaks occur within the induction system and it not easy to pin point and fix, after so much mod it require a tuning if that doesn't happen then your motor will be blow or ran like sh*t by making less power (I saw an 07 STI bolt on mods with leak in the intercooler outlet crack he put down 225 WHP , also tuning let to buying a tuning ECU and tuning cost. EFI Logic in my state charging $500 for each time of tuning just an FIY.

 

If I didn't need the extra 2 doors I'd have anE46 or E92 M3 and if I was single I'd have an IS-F, nothing like a 5 liter V8 for use as a daily.

 

As a 27 year old on my 10th or 11th car, I would stay stick with the TL. I've had all sorts of cars at this point, but the only car I've ever had twice was a 3G TL. My first, a NBP 05 w/ A-Spec, was also the car I kept the longest (3 years), and my current car is for sure going to be here longer than that.

Sure an Evo would be more fun at times, but to me, car trouble is one of my biggest pet peeves. Plus I would rather be able to spend money on my car because I'm choosing to, not because I'm forced to replace a major part to keep it on the road. This is why I couldn't pull the trigger on an E39 540i.

The 3G TL is just the perfect blend of looks, luxury, sport, and reliability with a timeless design.

 

V8 cars don't belong as anyones daily driver.

Here's something I don't understand. The Hyundai Genesis R-Spec has a 429hp 5.0L V8. Guess what? Are TL type-s's are equally as fast! They talk up the car like it's so damn fast when it's not. Even in the commercial, "We bring to you a Hyundai that has a 0-60 time faster than a Porsche Panamera-S". I mean come on, anything over 5 seconds 0-60 is not fast these days. Couple that with the fact that it's a $46,500 car stock and gets 14mpg city/24mpg highway and I would never even think of getting one. I don't care if I could get an even trade in for my 07 type-s.

Just understand this, the *want* for a tuner(Subby, Evo) is a PHASE. It will pass quicker than you know it. Wait until you're in college and you see how much chicks dig your TL.

 

That's high mileage, but pretty much in line with an '04 model.

FWIW I just traded my 05 TL Navi, 6MT to a dealer for $12,300. Carmax offered $13,000. The thing is I had low miles (59,706).

The only reason I got rid of mine is because it started giving me too many problems and I didn't want to be around when something serious went wrong. Otherwise I would have driven it until it no longer wanted to run anymore because $0 car payments > *. Trust me, at your age, having cash and a car that runs is better than having a car that runs and less cash.

If your TL isn't giving you any problems, then I'll just keep it and save your money. You are only 16, you have the rest of your life to buy cars but now that money should be saved. I never even dreamed of having my own car at 16, I was happy with whatever my parents/grandparents let me drive.

 

This.

And this.

In all seriousness buddy, keep your TL. One day in 5-7 years, you'll be driving past a dealership and spot something you actually want; not something the local "tuner" kid is barely driving to school and you'll actually be able to afford it. The fact that you even have a car in high school is wonderful. Especially a TL. If you haven't been getting girls already, you're doing something wrong.

 

Stay with the TL, 16 in an EVO will only get you killed, plus you'll get raped by the insurance.

 

Incorrect. The Genesis R-Spec is 0-60 in ~4.8 seconds, the TL Type-S is ~5.7.

And if a $46k Genesis can go 0-60 faster than a $80k Porsche, why wouldn't they brag about that?

 

We are gonna read a thread in a couple months. I just got an Evo 9 but need some repairs followed by a pic with an evo and a guardrail and a storm drain.

The TL is a nice car. Pay it off drive it do maintenance and enjoy high school.

Study hard and go to college and when you are 22 or 23 and a college grad then you can post.... I made 163,000 last year and just bought a GTR as a 3rd car my dd is a 2016 something.

Your 16, be happy you have a car and do the things you think you will regret later. Like get good grades and listen to your parents.

 

Agree with everyone in this thread. If I was you and started saving money really well at your age, I would be very well off.

There will ALWAYS being something newer and greater, faster, more luxurious, etc. Learn to be thankful and happy with what you are with.

 

Wow lol, I can't believe that I used "Are" instead of "our".

And no, they aren't 4.8 seconds. Look it up.

 

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...0_r_spec_test/

 

I was your age once, wanting the speed and fun factor but you'll soon realize that luxury and comfort is far superior to anything else, that's why I sold my s2000 and Wrx, fun, sporty, somewhat fast but I wouldn't do it today. Tip: save your money, I wish I would have instead of investing it into aftermarket parts with lower resale vale. Your best bet is to just keep the car, wait until your halfway through college then ask yourself if you still want the evo. I use to see Evo's and STI's all around like their cool but you dont' see them much anymore, I assume either the reliability factor or folks wanting to go luxury, I've heard more of tuners going luxury than the other way around.

 

Also, most Evo drivers are assholes lol (no offense to anyone in here that has owned one) if you're a nice guy if you're not, take the offense

 

Pwned

Unfortunately I'll never be able to own a Hyundai though. I have this lifelong prejudice toward them ever since I spent a better part of my summer helping my dad fix my cousins 1993 Elantra. Head gasket, CV joints, fuel pump, alternator, another head gasket 5k miles later. Obviously they're not the same cars today that they were 20 years ago, but my logic and reasoning isn't strong enough to win over the emotion of sheer hate I had for that car. I vowed I'd never own a Hyundai even if they gave them away for free.

 

Hyundai = Korean junk, I don't know why we're comparing this car in this thread.

 

I had a kia sedona loaded as van. Cheap (affordable haha) no cheap. Before it hit 50k miles I was a sliding door motor (broke all the interior tabs on the panel side removing) 250.00 alternator at 42,500 miles and a few other things that had to replace due to complete lack of working.

Got a deal trading it in on a honda odyssey with 140k miles and now that Honda van has 194k on it and I just replaced a known tranny problem and did timing belt job at 145k (replaced original tb wp tensioner and belts).

I am money ahead and I paid it off just under 4 years after going upside down for the first time in my life.

Anyway back to topic.

Stick with the luxury sport of the TL.

I have had a lot of souped up little hondas and now that I went luxury, leather, AC (oh yeah) I will never go back for sure.

Tasteful mods and a great car with excellent resale.

Good Luck to your life's decisions young man. You only get to make them once.

 

keep the TL, its an Acura which is a luxury brand as opposed to the mitsubishi

 

I don't think an Evo for a 16 year old is a great idea. There's pretty high chance you'll crash it.

Insurance companies know this, so don't expect cheap rates.

Also, cars like Evos aren't something you just buy and leave stock. Count on sending lots of money modding it.

Finally, take away the fancy bodywork and go fast bits from an Evo VIII/IX and you're left with an 8th gen Lancer. An economy car introduced way back in 2002 that wasn't particularly great back then, and is practically a POS by today's standards. Just something to consider.

 

I cant wait to have my TL paid off!!

 

Keep the TL for awhile. I've thought about selling mine after getting it less than a year ago but its a smarter idea to save now and get something even nicer later on.

 

Well that why they do offer coupe and sedan E92 M3 :P.


OP exhaust sound in the cabin might be consider smiling on your face but trust me after awhile you will get sick and tired of it until the point of considering it annoying. I can't picture myself paying for $45k Evo MR that sound like a blender in the cabin lol. I drove my co-worker 2011 WRX sure it fast from a dig and launching is fun but inside the interior got nothing except for that red stitching seat with WRX logo. I try to take a corner as I always do in my Type S then the result was quite surprise me that my Type S can hug that corner much better than the WRX, the car produce so much body roll that the rear wheel almost lost traction. The owner agree with me on that and he state "I can see why kid got into wreck with these type of car because the body roll and plus inexperience of driving skill". He say the next mod will be replacement to thicker RSB and the whole suspension, hence he pay $28k for the car and now more modding require to get the car to be perfect versus me paid $19.5 for TL-S. Meanwhile I just enjoy the luxury items in my TL-S such as Navi, voice activation, back up camera nice suspension and etc. On AZ here we have several members who own either an WRX/STI or Evo bought a TL as a DD because they get sick and tired of the noise from a tuning car drive on the street.

 

The TL is a very nice car, you have a car that is better than what your other friends drive. I have to say keep the car, it's better in the long run.

 

I Agree this is the same advice I give to my little brother! Well just about the study hard part! He definitely dosent have a TL

 

AWD great for racing? Are you gonna race on the streets? In the snow?

Kid, speaking from experience, I think you should be worried more about your education than anything right now. Cars and all other material goods can wait. You don't want to be that guy trying to making ends meet to supe up his shitty Mitsubishi because he didn't study in college.

I am currently in graduate school and let me tell you, I've never been more afraid to enter the job market due to this atrocious economy. The new M.S. = a B.S.

Word of advice: Your youth, energy, and enthusiasm are not infinite; do not waste it on such trivial matters. A car will always be a car: a form of transportation. You, however, can become anything you want.