I am currently thinking about buying a 2004 tl with 170,000 miles on it for 4500. Anyone have a tl with this many miles or more...if so how is it?

 

If it looks good and drives good, thats all that matters. Got pics? Theres been many 04's near that mileage and still run good.

 

Make sure all the maintenance has been documented and if you're really unsure get a mechanic to check it out

 

It looks great....minus a dent in the trunk that I can get fixed. Also, the leather on the driver's seat needs to be repaired. Neither are big deals and I can happily live with the problem with the seat for awhile.

 

I am going to have one check it out.

 

Good luck. Welcome to the forums. That mileage isn't too scary, as long as it's been taken care of. Make sure a good inspection is done.

 

Thanks!

 

x2 on the inspection. helps to know how many prior owners and any available service history.

the mileage isn't that big of a deal if the car has been taken care of. pay attention to if any service was done on the transmission as well.

I've seen multiple with 235k or more miles in great physical and mechanical condition for that price.

 

2005 TL here with 203k miles and she still purrs.

 

In a lot of ways, I would be far less concerned about an 04 with 170,000 than an 04 with 17,000.

If it was maintained reasonably well, go for it. I would think the trans is going to be questionable if its factory.

 

wow thats awesome. makes me feel good about my car

 

You didn't specify if it was AT or MT but if it were AT, pay special attention to the Transmission and see if it has any dark fluid, debris, or other tell-tale signs that the tranny might be on its way out

 

If you can afford an 07 or 08, I would definitely reconsider. You will want to mod that 04. There are bigger differences than what meets the eye. And a few little issues were fixed too.

Nevertheless, see if you can find out if the timing belt and water pump has been replaced.. That would be good if it has been done recently. Otherwise, I would assume it has not been replaced and that service will be pretty high.

 

Like the less aggressive suspension on the '07-'08 models?

To the OP, luckily the J series engine has no real flaws that cause failures. As long as the oil was changed and general service was done the engine should go well over 300k.

The 5at of that year did have a as that the rest did not have. There is insufficient lube to the second gear assembly. If it's on the original transmission look at the fill plug and make sure the add on oil jet has been installed into that hole. You should see a rubber hose going where the plug should be. As soon as you get it change the pressure switches and use a good Dextron III fluid. These two things will drastically lengthen the life of the trans.

My '06 "only" has 124,000 but it drives like it did when I bought it brand new. I'm the original owner and so far since '06 I've had to replace the battery, alternator, and a headlight bulb. It's never left me stranded. Most people are in disbelief that it is more than a couple years old. I'm getting ready to look at new cars but I won't be trading this one in, it stays.

One thing to consider is the type of miles. I did the calculations a while back but on average the engine will turn over 6x less total revolutions in freeway use than around town and you have 50-100x less shifts. That means a TL with all freeway and 300,000 miles will likely have less engine wear as one that's been driven 50,000 miles in town. The 300,000 mile transmission will have drastically less wear since wear is produced on shifts and converter lockup.

 

You wont notice any suspension difference. In fact, my friends 08 felt slightly firmer than my 05 but still they are really close. Nevertheless, with all the upgrades, you'll wish you had gone with the 07 or 08. I know I would have IF I had known about all the differences.

Like:
automatic headlights,
DRL's,
Better front grill with foglights down low where they should be,
updated tail lights,
larger front grill,
updated door mirrors with turn indicator light,
updated transmission,
updated speedometer cluster,
tire pressure sensors,
updated navigation (more color and like 3D, and aux port),
07/08 navigation models have a backup camera,
updated Rims,
and I think the rear deck does not vibrate as bad.... *generally speaking*..

So, please.. get real.



and we wont talk about the type-S



.

 

I think the 04-06 TL has automatic headlights doesn't it?
grill looks very similar, wouldn't really say 07-08 is "better" and I dont see how a "larger front grill" is considered an upgrade
06 was when the TL got tpms, not just 07-08
rear deck is same part, but there is a tsb regarding the rattle. if the tsb was performed, then there are no differences. I think after 06 or 07 all the TLs came with the tsb alrdy performed

 

thats rigbt, the tsb's were already done. so, updates. and most ppl agree the front grill looks bettwr on the newer 07/08. just loom aroud and read people's reactions to somekne who does the swap. but I kniw hiw u guys are. you like to argue.

 

Agreed. Chad is too much fun to pass up an opportunity for some entertainment so i poked a little.

However, Chad, the early suspensions are noticeably stiffer. You've always had oddball suspension issues. You probably unknowingly bought it with aftermarket springs. Stiffer can be good or bad depending on the buyer.

The '07-'08 is a better car overall but they're 99% the same. I like the looks of the later ones better except for black. I like the early ones better in black by a big margin.

The "upgrades" of the later models, many of which are subjective will not justify the additional price. My headlights are always on and they shut off automatically so no need for DRLs. The fogs down lower are not an advantage and I really like how much output there is on the sides. I don't ever hear of TLs overheating so again, why is the larger grill considered an upgrade? You realize the less air that makes it through the grill the better the aerodynamics. Some don't like the side view mirror indicators, I'm neutral on that. The OP is getting this '04 very cheap. You'll never find a later model that cheap.

If I were buying used or if I were looking for a new car in '07 or '08. I would probably get a Type S. However, I bought mine in '05 and had no clue when the updates were coming or a Type S model. Still though I'm incredibly happy with my purchase and I don't regret for a second buying the '06 especially brand new.

The only features that make me want the later model is the 5at and the backup camera. The rest of the crap you named is subjective or just wrong though I'll agree some of it is nice.

Why would you suggest later model that's going to cost at least double what the OP is looking at currently?

 

R u drnk ?

 

no I was typing on my crapping Samsung galaxy 3s.. oh well it was free.. (work phone).. Anyway.. I still stick by my comments.. But if he only has 4500... well, I've never seen any that cheap... But then again, I don't price the older TL's and I avoid looking at the 07/08 ones.. because I see how cheap and very affordable they are and I just think to myself, dang I shoulda got an 07/08. oh well.. too late now.. they wont give me much on a used TL, and plus, I wouldn't buy another TL anyway. Mine is pretty much the same after all the mods I've done..

 

I went through that phase. Actually in '08 I started looking hard at the Type S and what I could get for my '06. I test drove both the manuals and autos several times. In the end it just wasn't worth the upgrade to me. But I would have bought one if I didn't already have a 2yr old TL.

Almost forgot, I put in to be one of the first people in the company to get a smart phone and iPad. I got an iPhone 4S. The people that waited got the 5c and 5S. I guess that's what I get for being in a hurry. The 4s is almost impossible for writing with. I use it to check my email and the iPad if I have to reply. I got the newest iPad though. I have a feeling my iPhone 4 is going to accidentally get broken soon lol.

 

ya.I wouldn't trade either. Dealers wont give u what its worth. So, thats why I said if I had known the difference, I never would have bought the 05, because there are more differences than meets the eye. However, if you want to upgrade from a 3G TL to newer 3G TL, but if you get screwed on a trade then no, its not worth it. Something like that kind of a trade might cost you 10k plus tax

If you deal with a dealer, its best to have a major upgrade like a completely newer car. The time to buy the 07/08 TL is at the entry. Not trading later after you buy an 04 or 05 or 06.. But if u can sell your older TL yourself, then find a food deal on a newer TL with lower mileage, that would be acceptable to me. But all these 3rd gen TLs are getting high mileage. So that might even be a waste of time and money. So, I would just try to find a more sporty car if I was going to trade at a dealership.

 

check to see of the transmission housing bolts have blue paint on them. If they do it's a reman from honda, if not might be original and quite honestly they are not known for longevity... I like the look of this model TL but based upon my experience with my current CL type S (Same basic drivetrain) I would NEVER touch a 2004-5 model.

 

With that mileage, you should just look at your car individually. Because it all comes down to how well(or how bad) it was maintained.
Well. actually. how it was maintained will make a huge difference.

 

I have an 04 and my cousins has an 05 we both spent $0 on repairs in almost 10 years. I only had to replace a faulty oem battery and the transmission was replaced during the recall.

Both cars are our daily driver.

I'm not planning to get rid of this car anytime soon even thought I have a 2010 bmw x5 35d.

 

For us to understand your statement better, what do you consider "REPAIRS" as?

After 10 year OTHER THAN basic service (Fluids services and filters) I can name quite a few things that will go wrong with the TL in 10 years. I'm guessing you don't notice anything wrong, ignore it or trying to prove how far a vehicle can run based on a basic service.

 

I obviously had to replace some wheel bearings and couple other wear and tear items which isn't a big deal, did the 105k service at 80km currently at 93km (57787 miles).

I only let my friend work on my car that I knew since elementary, he's a journeyman mechanic that works for Acura, I'm pretty sure he knows what he's doing and won't screw me like the bmw dealership lol.

 

Ok, so your statement is still false. Wheel bearings is considered a repair due to a failure. I'm sure you replaced brakes, that's also a repair. Motor mounts? Probably.. Some interior bulbs most likely.. Because your friend is a technician for Acura means this got done at no cost? Including parts? If so, that's a golden friend... or something else.

 

I got my 2004 Acura TL manual for $5,500 with 215K miles on it, the exterior doesn't even look like it has over 100K on it! I got it from the original owner with literally every single damn service record dating back from 2007!!!

Does not have a single leak and it runs like any other newer car i have driven. He replaced the timing belt 1k miles ago along with the clutch, I plan to change out the steering bushings and repack the bearings but this car is amazing.

Also if you ask any driver in Colorado my car selling at $5,500 is a steal, these cars with the same mileage go for $8k easy!

 

Are you seriously complaining about interior lights going out lol?, and no my interiors lights never went out before. If you buy a car you obviously know parts don't last forever especially lightbulbs lol.

How is my statement false? The only reason I had to replace them was because I curbed them while I was drunk, break pad were done at 70k (still had life I just felt like replacing them due to age), and my motor mounts are still perfect.

I only get charged parts and a really fair price for labour around 30%~40% (depends on the job) of actual cost and a fat blunt and I still get dealership service invoices.

I don't understand why you think I'm lying I don't have anything to prove, I'm just saying this car has been trouble free (NO UNEXPECTED REPAIRS NEVER LEFT ME STRANDED).

I spent more money on my x5 because the dealership refuses to give me free oil changes unless I actually drive 20000 km a year car been recalled 5 times for electrical problems, fuel problems etc and it's only 3 years old.

 

Your compliance bushings are no good, especially at 10 years. Motor mounts are most likely very worn, even if you have no vibrations or clunking. well, pretty much any rubber pieces on the car. How's your HFL? power steering pump? I havent ever seen a honda with 100k miles that doesnt have fluid seeping out. Your mileage may be low but the 10 yrs may take its toll.

We would all like to think that we spend $0 on repairs, but the fact is, things don't last forever, no matter how much you baby the car.

 

I didn't want to burst his "bubble" and tell him I've been pushing wrenches over 10 years and was a Certified Technician for Acura. I know the statement "$0 after 10 years" was too much for me to ignore, and trust me I ignore a lot of horse shit posts in the 3rd gen.

 

I know rubber will wear over the years, I don't have HFL my TL is just the base model without nav.

I had my motor mounts checked last service and they are fine, I didn't have any problems with my power steering and no leaks that I know of.

The point I was trying to make was that I didn't have any major breakdown/repairs over the years other then the expected.

lol okay

 

the point and what you said are in direct contrast of eachother.

you say zero dollars, but the battery wasn't free. then you talk about wheel bearings and other wear and tear items that were replaced. in concept, your initial statement is completely false. sorry.

 

and it doesn't matter how many times you edit your posts. so stop trying to rephrase what you said.

 

acura offered to replace the battery under warranty but I opted for a interstate instead.

couple hundred dollars in replacing parts is nothing.

I replaced the wheel bearings because I hit a curb driving home drunk during new years eve lol.

I had to spend a couple hundred $ it's end of the world :'(

 

yes, drunk driving = lol

gtfo

 

lol it's okay, I have a good lawyer lol.

 

I look at brake pads and rotors as maintenance. Calipers or the master would be a repair. I put batteries, lights, tires, obviously all fluids, belts, maybe even tensioners and idlers as maintenance but the line has to be drawn somewhere. In theory you could say a bad engine due to worn rod bearings is a maintenance item since the bearings are cheap and replaceable and made to wear so the crank and rods don't wear. However, I don't think anyone in their right mind would consider this maintenance. Wheel bearings do wear out usually, they don't just break usually. So while I can see how someone could stretch it a bit and call them a wear item I have to put them in the repair category. I would say a headlight is a wear item while the ballast is a repair. Shocks would be wear, springs a repair. I do everything myself so I may be a little more liberal with what's a repair since there's nothing that costs much.

You guys will think I'm crazy but in the winter and when I'm not in a hurry I start off in second gear from a dead stop because it is one less shift the transmission has to make so less wear on second gear clutches.

 

Yeah that totally makes up for the lives you ruin when you kill someone. Dumbass.