hi everyone, i am new to this and will be buying my first tl tomorrow. it is 2004 and it has 136k on the clock. it is a 6mt with navigation. the guy told me lowest he can go is 9500 because it needs tires. i test drove the car and it seem to drive fine. he didnt clean it up or anything so the interior looked kinda dirty. what should i look for before buying this car?

heres the ad from craigslist.
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/2745968702.html

 

Looks good to me, I would go for it. Try to work in a detail too lol.

 

See if you can find out what Warranty and/or Recall work has been done.

Also, make sure the 105k service (Timing Belt/Water Pump) was done. If not, that's about $900 - $1200 cost at the dealer.

 

is there a way i can visually see if the timing belt was done..?

 

It's usually not a DIY thing, so the owner should have gotten a reciept. Might have been a year ago just based on mileage.

Other than that, I don't know what to tell you. It's a pretty big nut and an important maint interval. You really want to know whether or not it's been done.

 

In the add he said it was done at 115k along with the clutch.

 

I personally never would buy a car pass 100k miles. You might have to get all the maitanece done + tires and brakes maybe. I would ask him to go lower if not I would pass..

 

Bearcat is right. Just remember, these TL's are basically Honda's, which will run and run. So $9,500 isn't bad if the 105,000 mile tuneup has been done.

 

Good eye. I looked at the ad, but didn't read it carefully.

 

That is if you have zero knowledge about cars.


I say take it for $9.5k. Mileage is not the factor. Make sure to replace oil, do a 3x3 with Redline D4, and change the 3rd/4th gear solenoids. I would also drain and fill the brake, power steering, and anti-freeze just to have the 'peace of mind'.

 

That's why I said "I personally would never". No need to criticize buddy. Take your haterade else where.

 

Thanks for the feedback. Why do I need to replace the 3rd and 4th gear solenoid? And is it something I can do myself or would I need to take it to the shop? Sorry, I don't know much about transmissions.

 

If it is a 6sp manual transmission, you don't have to worry about the 3/4 sensors or doing a 3x3 transmission fluid change. That applies to A/T only.
It is a good looking car. I would go for it!!

 

Nice car, if everything checks out, why not?

But I would have a good mechanic go over it or check everything yourself.

 

im kind of hesitant to buy the car because my friend is telling me that they have transmission problems..is this true??

 

It's a manual. The auto's are the ones with dodgy transmissions (although 3G seems at this point to be moderatly better than the 2G's were).

What your freind may be refering to is the "Honda 3rd gear problem" where the car won't want to take 3rd gear or it may "pop" out.

That is easily and permanently fixed by using GM Syncromesh Friction Modified fluid. Search "Synchromesh" on the forum and you'll see it is an actual "fix", not a band-aid.

 

It's funny, I brought a similar question to this forum for a similar car, mine is a 2005 black with navi and 112k when I bought it. Everyone save maybe two people told me not to buy, but I did and I got it for 11k. Timing belt was done and it had new tires and brakes. It's a fantastic car and I have driven it for three months with zero problems. Like others have said,it's basically a Honda and it will go forever. I need to do the GM syncromesh because my car does pop out of 3rd every once in a while, but otherwise, I couldn't be happier. It's the best car I have ever owned, and I have owned a new 2000 Acura TL years ago. I would take this over that car any day! Buy it and you will not be sorry.

 

Not too bad onsidering its 6spd with navi. The mileage is bit high for that price but i would check to see if 105k service was done.

 

I think the price is kinda high for that amount of miles..like others said make sure if your not too mechanically savey to have a mechanic check it for you...worst thing you want is to spend 10k and get a problem which will cost u more money. With the miles over 100k ur bound to have minor things pop up here n there hopefully nothing major.

 

its a 6 speed with a new clutch...see the car in person and turn it on but dont drive it let it heat up on its own while taking a good listen to the engine...its very very hard to find a MT with navigation i would willing to pay a little extra for it if i were you.