Well, I was casually checking what my TL would be worth according to KBB tonight, and shockingly, it seems that the value of the car has gone up in the past few months.
http://www.kbb.com/kbb/UsedCars/PricingReport/2004_Acura_TL_1930_Private%20Party_Good.aspx?Selec tionHistory=1930|34048|92128|0|0|73427|true|73421| true&Mileage=104500&PriceTypePath=Trade-In

I got the TL from my dad, who got hooked up by my uncle. Long story short; after registration, etc. the car was almost $11k. I got it at 97,050 miles in September '09. I'm now at 104,500 miles. . We make payments ($300/month) because he took out an extra $3k on the same loan. Which I just recently found out, lol. Anyways, I was wondering whether right now would be a good time to sell or not. If I sell, I'm looking for $10k minimum.

If I keep it, I have to:
- Fix an 02 sensor/wire relay that's causing a CEL. $100-150.
- Replace all 4 tires. $300-500.
- 105k Maintenance. $650-800.

If I sell it, I'll still fix the CEL and put some no-name tires on it for the next owner.

I've always wanted a 350Z or G35, but the TL is so close to me now. Not to mention it's my first car. haha. If you guys were in my position, what would you do? And how would you do it?

*My other option is to keep the TL for 2-3 more years. Do the maintenance/repairs listed above ^^^. And then switch it up to something new.

Thanks in advance guys,
David.

 

Since I enjoy my TL, I would keep it. Do the maintenance on it and enjoy it. The payments will be gone soon so not to worry about that. Enjoy the car and do a few mods to it. I wish I had a TL for my first car, must be nice.

 

Keep the car David. Do the maintenance and repairs, get a new car in a few years.

 

I was leaning towards keeping it, modding it, and paying it off anyways. It was just bugging me, so I decided to post this thread. . aha, I can't wait till the payments are gone. September '12. . Yeah, it is nice man.

 

That's what I was leaning towards, but like I said, it was just bugging me. So I had to ask.

*EDIT*
I will admit however, that the thought of driving a 6-speed Z is far more arousing than my stock TL. lol :P

 

There's a shit load of cars more entertaining to drive. At 18 all I wanted was speed too. At 26 all I want is no car payment and wished I had that mindset at 18....

 

your 18 probably still in high school or at least entering college and you have a luxury/(sport?) car. most kids around that age drive old beaters unless you come from a wealthy family or go to some crazy high standard prep school. i would say id be lucky to drive a TL around at that time. but like me, were still young and honeslty i wouldnt blame you if you wanted something more sportier. the exhaust on a Z is addicting. i love to hear my friends BOV go off all the time and sometimes i kinda wanted to just throw some money on a 300ZX and turbo that and just zoom around.

i got tired of sharing cars with my mom and just ended up getting a TL-s and i find it really enjoyable. its got classy looks and a nice kick for what it is. i feel lucky also since not alot of people my age or even in my college drive a car as nice as a TL let alone a TL-s.

most G35s and 350z at this time would likely have high mileage and their reliability isnt as good as a TL IMHO. i feel like once a TL hits the 100k+ mark it can still keep going. when i look at a G35 350z or even BMW if they hit 100k+ there would be constant problems.

my point is save your money for other things(go out/ go on trips/etc). pay the maintence fees and keep with it till after college

 

Keep it, pay it off, enjoy! Chicks dig TL's !!!!




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.

 

^Steven is a chick. He digs you.

I will be keeping mine until she gives out on me.

 

i plan to keep mine for at least 5 years

 

Yeah pricing is crazy and varies area to area. Here i paid 23k for my tl in cash 2 years ago and now according to KBB in my area with 40k miles my car is worth 20k in excellent condition which it is.

I don't know it seems when i was younger like the OP i would need something faster but really when do i have a chance to drive a car with higher HP? On my daily commute i don't feel i need something faster.

@ OP i would just evaluate you current financial situation and go from there.

350z maintenance with a lead foot is going to cost you more than a TL.

 

Yeah, I'm thinking that having no payment is going to feel good haha.

Very good point.

haha. Chicks don't know how great TL's are trust me.

hahahaha.

Damn, that's gonna' be a while bro.

As long as it stays looking good in my eyes, I'll probably do the same.

It's looking like I'm keeping the TL, I just needed to hear some opinions. Thanks guys.

 

The best vehicle you have is the one you can afford to keep. Making repair payments and having such a small amount left on the TL is better than jumping into something else which may cost you more, and more insurance due to your choice of other vehicls. Repairs will be needed once again, cost of maintance however would be about the same cost.

 

My first car(in 2001) was a 1995 Pontiac Grand AM. My 2nd car was a 1992 Toyota Camry which was older and had more miles than the Grand AM but it was so much more reliable. It's still running to this day with 225k miles in the family. I wish I had a TL when I was 18 lol

But in any case, I have stopped taking the prices on KBB seriously for a while now as they always seem to be inflated. Go on www.edmunds.com > used cars > appraise my car. Much more accurate numbers than KBB. You can test this theory by going on www.cars.com and looking for similar spec'd/year TL. KBB prices are always higher than true market values. cars.com listed prices seem to be closer to edmunds.com.

 

Stick with the TL. You've got a great car for only $300/month that will easily last you through college/tech school and grad school/advanced/journeyman training. Concentrate on your studies and grades and/or training (which you can do thanks to only a $300/month car payment) and then when you land that 6-figure job you studied/trained hard for, reward yourself with whatever car you want. Believe me, the next 4-6 years will fly by. You'll be well rewarded by resisting the natural urge to splurge on a brand new car right now.

 

I was in the same bracket with choices when buying the TL. It was mainly a 350z or g35 that I had wanted. I ended up with the TL and couldn't be happier. My mother has (3) 350z's and when I drove one of them after getting my TL, I was very glad I didn't get the Z. When I was your age, it was all about speed. I had a 450hp srt-4 for awhile, a modded zx-10r, etc etc. Now, like someone had said, you mature and realize that isn't what it's all about. Speed is nice and all, but not really worth it in the long run. Keep the TL, do tasteful mods to it, and keep it for the long run. Reliabiliity + cleanliness > speed.

 

For what it's worth, I had a full time job since I was 15 and never went more than a month without a job. I've worked for everything I've owned, and spent way more than I'd like to rememeber on cars. When I look back now, I can't say that I regret what I've done, but I definitely would have liked to changed my priorities. At your age, you're blessed to have this car. Took me until I turned 21 to make the right decision

 

My TL was my 23rd birthday present. I bought it a day before I turned 23 and as tempted as I have been to get rid of it, I realize the smart thing to do is keep it, pay it off and enjoy not having a payment by paying myself and not the bank each month.

 

To be honest. I thought about it today and I wouldn't sell my car to get a 350 or G35. They just seem so played out to me now. They're aging quick now and I also don't feel like I'm upgrading by purchasing either of the two. IF I were to sell my TL, the only cars I'd consider would be the IS350, GS-hybrid, 335i or G37 coupe. And those are FAR away from my budget..lol. So, I'm gonna' stay with my TL until the time is right to pick up one of the above.


- David.

*P.S. - Thanks for all the help guys! (and by the way, I really wish I got a 6MT LOL)

 

Value going up....Yeah NO

Mine dropped 2500.00 in 4 months. 05 6MT 75K NAVI 15.5K THANK GOD FOR GAP

 

cars never go up in value, unless your sitting on a 67 shelby gt500.

 

AWD G37 coupe FTW!!!

edit: And hey everyone look! It's Ack's 1000th post! haha ^^^

 

I'm in the same situation. I paid the car off last year, and have been ITCHING to get a new car...it's SO tempting.