Hey guys,

What are your thoughts on considering an '07 TL with repaired water damage? The car is too far away for me to see it in person, but I am considering hiring a third party mechanic to really research the car and check it out. The car is *exactly* what I am looking for. It has 61,000 miles. The price is listed as $15,000 and negotiable. The damage was freshwater damage, and the seller insists that no water got into the engine or tranny. He claims the carpets were removed and steam cleaned, and that any parts that needed to be replaced (including the brainbox) were replaced with OEM Acura parts. He claims there are absolutely zero residual effects of the damage and that the car has been thoroughly restored to post-damage condition.

Any words of wisdom from the experts? THANKS in advance!!!

Eric

 

Look else where.
there are better deals out there.

 

I would pass on it and wait till you find another TL to your liking. Not being able to see the car with your own eyes is a problem. Especially when the car had water damage.

 

Thanks guys! What would you think would be a fair price for such a car (considering it is fully repaired)?

 

Salvage Title?????????????
Look elsewhere.
Depending on your location there are quite a few 2007 TL CPO cars for under $20,000 with half the miles and they will come with not only the the factory warranty, but the additional warranty from Acura. An additional $5000 might seem like a lot of money, but when it comes to repairs on the TL and depreciation with the salvage title it's just a drop in the bucket.

 

My question is.. if it was "fully repaired" then why the hell would he sell it?

 

I've been looking, but am coming up empty so far. I want white, with the the really light grey/tan (taupe, I think) interior and nav. I'll consider any year from '04-'08. That's apparently a very tall order :/

 

so it has water damage that got above the floorboards but didn't touch the engine or tranny?

i think you're trying to justify it to yourself, and if you have to do that, it's not the right car.


keep looking, find one that you wont have to worry about

 

You're right. Thanks!

 

Walk away from it Eric-don't worry, you'll be able to find one that you like and that is in your price range.

 

 

Dude walk away from it!! I mean really.... I personally rather much buy a TL that has been maintained properly, never been in a wreck or flood. Spend a little more on the CPO for peace of mind

 

Run. The TL's have a ton of electronics in them, and you could have issues down the road you won't even see right now. And when you are dealing with electrical issues, the bills can add up to huge amounts real fast.

 

I have first hand experience with a flood car. I have had to replace the steering rack likely due to flood damage. The car has bad front impact sensors from being flooded. It probably isn't worth the future hassle and problems...but I did get a great deal on mine.

 

No, no, no, no, no!

I just totaled a car a month ago due to water damage.

Once the water damage turns into corrosion on all the components that were in the water, it's done. It's going to be one electrical problem after another.


Keep looking...I was looking for a while and seems like I found what you're looking for
05 TL 6-MT with nav. WDP/gray.

They're out there, just be patient.

 

Negative ghost rider! Think about it. What brainbox was replaced? I'm assuming either the ECU or the MICU. If water got to one of those, then there was a lot of water inside the car, probably at least 12". If water got that high, it also traveled partially up the air intake. Also, what about water damage to calipers and VSA/ABS sensors?

 

ok here is my 2 cent..

I am a TL owner that was in FLOOD. so hear my story.

My TL is a an 04 WDP with auto tranny, base model with tan interior.
The car had 47k miles on it when i bought it from the auction. i got the car for 10k. brought the car to the shop, cleaned it up nice..and checked the engine and pretty much everything.

the battery was dead and the antitheft prevented the car from turning on. plus water had gotten to the computer and as a result it sent too much juice to the 2nd cylinder spark plug causing the coil to melt over it. so replaced the computer from factory, changed all spark plugs, and coils. changed the oil 3 times to get all the crap out of the engine, and had acura set off the antitheft system. charged the battery and the car started one shot.

the car was bought in august of 2009, so i have been driving it for a year and now it has 73k miles on it.

havnt had a single issue with the car what so ever, the only thing is that some of the switches for the driver side seat (the lumber) dont work. which i can live with.

I spent 10k for the car and put 1k most to bring it to life..
the interioir and exterioir dont have a mark on them..very clean..

best of luck with your TL, it is a great car to buy, if not happy with this you will deff be able to find else where..

cheers

 

You should pass on this one. the seller just wants to get rid of it, so they will tell you anything.
BAD IDEA

 

Gotta love that statement!

Glad it's mostly working for you.

 

Thanks a LOT guys! The seller and I have communicated over the past few days (mainly out of curiosity at this point). He continues to insist it is repaired to pre-flood condition. He stated he would go as low as $13,500. I am not considering it seriously, but it looks (on the surface) like one hell of a deal! Haha

Thanks again for all your help guys. I really appreciate it!

 

btw he will is still making a pretty good profit at that price...probably bought it from an insurance company for significantly less

 

you should pass.. fifteen thousand for a 07 TL says it all..

 

I'm glad you are having good luck with a flood vehicle but you have only had it for a year, it does not tell the whole story.

With water invading the entire vehicle, the main problem is corrosion. You do not see it initially but it comes later.

I hope you continue to see minimal problems with the car but for me personally, I wouldn't take the risk.

 

My 2005 TL was flooded almost one year ago (late October will be one year). Similar to what the OP is saying (ie. no water in engine, carpets removed and cleaned, etc., PCM replaced). There was 2-3 inches of water in the interior of the car. The only issue I have had so far after the initial repair was that in the cold weather I could not open my gas door because the lever wouldn't budge. There was still moisture inside along the cable that releases the gas door latch so that was replaced as well.

I have Progressive insurance and they have a lifetime guarantee for their repairs (as long as I own the car) so if any additional problems come to light they will be repaired free of charge. It seems to me that any corrosion issues, especially with the electronics, could be pinned on the flood easily enough.

I'm resigned to the fact that I now have to drive this car until it falls apart even though NY is a clean title state that does not have flood salvage titles because I went through my insurance and I'm sure it would be listed on a Carfax as having water damage.

 

Well I went to look at two others this weekend, and both were disappointing, to say the least. My frustration and curiosity are getting the best of me. I have a friend that lives pretty close to that car who may go check it out as thoroughly as he can tomorrow. If that checks out, I may reconsider. I know it's probably stupid, but I'm stubborn and DAMN it's a gorgeous car! lol

 

I went through the same process. Hang in there and keep looking. One will happen along that will fit your needs.

 

the car buying process takes time.
dont rush, or you'll be sorry

 

Good story. Great deal....

 

Thanks to ALL of you who said walk / run and keep looking. That's what I did, and I may have found a much better deal in the process. I'm currently considering an '06 (white / parchment / nav) with 40k on the clock. It's a 1-owner car and only a few grand more than the flooded one! Wish me luck. I may go check it out tonight!

 

Sounds promising to me!

 

Good Luck!

 

+1

 

any news on the 06?

 

Most likely heading down shortly to check it out. It's a few hours away from me. If all checks out, I'll be putting a deposit on it.

My old car (loaded Mazda6S... actually my favorite previously owned car to date.) was totaled by a psycho b***h cutting into my lane on 7/26. I have been without a car of my own since then and have been borrowing my brother's work truck ('00 Passport). I need a car STAT or there will be drastic measures!

 

good luck with it man! keep us posted on the deal

 

Hey all... Just got in. I pulled the trigger on the '06, contingent on a glitch with the nav getting fixed. The car is still under factory warranty, and it's going back to the selling dealer tomorrow for it to get fixed. As long as that pans out okay, it's allll mine!!!!

Thanks again, guys! When all is settled, I'll post pics!

 

In the meantime, here's a dealer pic...

 

And another...

 

that is soooo sex like this booty obama is staring at.


You wait long enough and one catches your eyes and bam you got it! lol. Welcome to the forum.

 

Haha! Thank you, sir! I am glad to be here.