Dazment

http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/cto/4968355722.html
5.5k for a 04 TL with 240k miles... Rebuild engine at 175k and rebuilt tranny 2 months ago. 100k mile warranty on the tranny... Should I go for it? What else could go wrong on the car? 😅 I feel like it's a practically new car. Thanks.

Dazment

Update: owner says previous owner rebuilt the engine, but has papers and warranty on tranny

jimmyfu

IMHO, there's more that can go wrong than just engine and tranny. Oil pan leaking, axles, any of the electronics, etc.

Bruce Banner

iTrader: (2)

That is worthwhile

erdoc48

Simply put, unless the car was being given to me, I wouldn't do it. It can become a money pit at that mileage in a continually depreciating asset. KBB has its value at $3500 in good condition, so at $5500 (even if it has a new tranny), it's overpriced. Having a new engine and tranny doesn't necessarily make it worth more (it may be to the owner, but not to a potential buyer as they are expecting to get a car with a functioning engine and tranny).
If money is tight and you really must have this car, shoot for $3000-3500.

screaminz28

iTrader: (1)

I'd say 5500 is a bit high, but I don't think KBB is realistic - it's like minimum wage - the lowest possible but who really gets paid that? Depending on the condition of the car otherwise, and just from the initial pics, regardless of mileage, it looks to be in pretty nice shape. I'd say 4000 - 4500 is not unrealistic, maybe even 5,000 though that sounds more like independent dealer price than private party.

Have all suspension components been replaced? Shocks/struts are one of the most overlooked items as far as maintenance goes. Also, consider emissions items - catalytic converters (my car with 230K was reporting that the cats were bad - I just disabled the secondary O2s in Hondata tho, lol). If you are in an emissions testing state, that could be a HUGE expense. I don't know Washington's rules.

I don't think many sensors are known to go bad, other than oxygen sensors - the primarys are about $100 each when you shop around.

Most of the accessories will last a good long time. I think the starter has been known to go bad on autos, but just from anecdotal evidence that I've seen.

It is more reassuring that the transmission was rebuilt but I question why the engine was. Did it have an issue or was it just based on mileage? Id be more concerned if it was rebuilt for no reason.

Good luck!

erdoc48

I took a look at the CL ad, so from the look of it, I'd say $4000 to $4500 is fair based on the mileage (but again, be aware it might need some work). It's up to the seller to refuse the offer, but then they're stuck with a car they're trying to sell, so it might work out well for you if you want to roll the dice.

TacoBello

Yeah, I'd talk him down in price. 5,500 seems steep, especially when guys on here got TLs for the same price with 60,000 miles less.

truonghthe

For $5.5k you can get a tl for half of rhat mileage.

dezymond

I wouldn't even consider it

06TLMatt

I saw a post once about high-mileage cars that is common sense but really helps you think about what you're buying. When you're getting a car with 240,000 miles, it's not just the drive train that will have wear. The headlights have 240k on them, the seats have 240k, the radio has 240k, the glove box, the cup holders , the HVAC system everything. Like I said, common sense but every little thing will have more wear and higher risk of needing repair/replacement.

screaminz28

iTrader: (1)

Except that just means it's ready for a new transmission - hence the seller dumping it for 5500 lol. Better budget 2,000 for a new transmission - so now it's a 7500 car!

polobunny

You can get the tranny rebuilt for $1500 though. And it's not a 100% chance the new one won't mess up, or the old one for that matters. Always a gamble, you know.

In the end, you're still left with a car that has much less mileage, rebuilt tranny or not.

screaminz28

iTrader: (1)

True, but it's all about playing odds. I look at warrantys like insurance. You want to buy it when you have a higher likelihood of using it. The car he is looking at has a warranty on the transmission - and these transmissions are known to have issues.

Were it a manual, I wouldnt hesitate to buy it with 240K with no warranty since they rarely have issues. Is it still a gamble? Sure, but only a Carmax purchase with their warranty isn't a gamble.

truonghthe

Hell i could careless for a new AT if i can get a 04-06 with under the market price i would replace that crap gear box with 06-07 accord v6 AT part and labor will come out about $1600 for me if that. Buying an MT car also have its own headache like clutch is slipping need a replacement or the throw out bearing went bad and now you will need to replace the clutch. Or much worst te privous owner over rev the car and damage the head and now you are speaking the cost more than a new tranmission.

GreenSpades

Wow, just lost a long post>>>> jist of it was that I shopped 2 TLs at the same lot, mine and another 06 6MT black car with 180K. They wanted only $5600 from the lot, so I'd say keep looking or get the car down to $4K range.

I didn't buy that car because it kicked me out of 3rd gear pretty hard one time and that to me said tranny was used hard. But the car interior/exterior was in very good condition. I bought the more expensive car with less miles and crappier interior/exterior which sounds crazy, but I believed the engine/trans was better.

Drei

iTrader: (2)

I would do a PPI before discussing price

Once your mechanic finds all the stuff that needs replacing, then offer $2,800 and work from there and don't go over $3,200

xxx_busa

mine has 170 on it and its in promo shape, however its not forsale..........

Alpinestarking

Really depends on what your looking for, any car with miles like that has the potential to be a disaster, also you don't know what type of care and maintenance the previous owners have provided for the car. When your looking at a car with miles like that its not just the engine and trans that can have problems. You can start having problems with a lot of smaller (but still expensive parts) radiator hoses, a/c compressor issues, glass and weather stripping around the windows, power windows and locks, electrical issues, bushing/bearings, suspension, wear and tear on the seats (if your worried about how they look), and the list just keeps going on.

If you don't mind putting some time in, you expect to be fixing stuff and you have the money, then this probably isn't a bad option.
On the other hand if your looking for something you can just get into and drive, then this probably isn't what your looking for.

screaminz28

iTrader: (1)

Isn't the 06-07 Accord the same trans as the 04-06 TL that could then have the same problems?

Sure clutches need to be replaced, but that's a wear item. Honda seems to think that the clutches in their autos are wear items too it seems lol.

Due_Diligence

for 5.5K I'm sure you can find a lower mileage TL

truonghthe

06-07 accord v6 got a revise better AT, its a direct swap into the tl with AT range switch to be exception. You stated honda clutch pack wear that is toltally INCORRECT. Many transmission builder open up the tranny and agree that the clutch pack can handle power as far as 350 whp or 400whp translate to hp advertise car today is around 460 hp. The problem with the AT is the internal clearance tolerance design combine with pressure switches being off calibration which lead to excessive wear on the clutch pack. People ussually complaint about 04-06 has AT failure but lemme ask you this, how many people has the car since new? You bought the car used therefore you dont know how the previous owner treat the car. I saw some young tl owner do racing, launching and yet even D drop their tl and yet they don't even know to to replace brake pads nevermind about indepth AT care. My brother in laws bought his 06 tl back in july 2006, the car now has 140k miles with the ORIGINAL AT.

subinf

That seems high. I'm at a little over 250k and I would be stoked if someone wanted to give me $5,500 for the car. Honestly, its probably in the 2-3k range.

tristann616

Dazment, I'm assuming you still haven't found your TL.

Anyways, I'm a no on this one, especially for that price. Just too many miles for my personal comfort.

ericcdong

i purchased by TL at 244000 km and it runs fine. OG tranny OG engine. It has some oil leaks but it runs tremendous! im confident your car will be okay and it'll be worthwhile!

jimmyfu

LOL 244000km = 151k mi, which MAY be something to consider. But 240,000 MILES is definitely not.

thoiboi

math fail.. parents not berry happy..



OP, keep looking.