My lovely 2004 Acura TL with 192,000+ miles may be on it's last life. I have about 2 years until I can afford to buy another car (went back to school for my PhD and finish in 2 years), but a recent visit to Acura to replace my headlight ballast and igniters also came with $9,000 of fail/caution recommended repairs. Granted, the last time I went in (a few years back, before the program started about 2 years ago), the car was just fine. I only have up to 3k saved up that I can throw at the car, but I am wondering if it is even worth it at this point or should I save that money for a different car/lease in case my TL finally breaks down before 2 years is up. When I asked them which repairs were critical, they told me they couldn't make that decision and recommended fixing everything (or buy a new car, and started showing me used Acura's). That doesn't help when you only have 3k left after spending a grand on fixing headlights (a necessity by law). In reality, I'd love to fix my car and make it last another 5-10 years, but I'm not sure that is a legitimate solution now or not.

Also, the last 6 months I have been driving approx 7-800 miles a week, but have recently shortened it to 300 miles.

Any advice is appreciated, Thanks!

List from Acura is below:
The list of dread.

 

DIY all this... the dealer is known as the stealership for a reason.

 

I have been considering this, maybe take a weekend and pound it all out. Do you think a person with intermediate car experience could handle it? I've replaced a simple things myself in both my car, wife's car, and friends cars; but usually pawn off the more difficult items to the shop.

 

Many if not all if these things can be found in our Garage: https://acurazine.com/forums/third-g...-first-553557/

The rear main seal can also leak if the PCV valve (a $25 part) is clogged. THat can alleviate a lot fo your "oil leaks" issues. Or just keep it topped off periodically 55 dollars to change a front turn signal bulb.. holy shit

 

Meh... Typical stealership stuff...

Depending when the timing belt was changed last time, I'd put that pretty close to the top of the list. If it's been more than 100K, I'd put that as priority #1. Can't drive the car is the TB breaks, you know. Doing it yourself could be daunting if you've never done it before, but I'm sure there are plenty of DIYs and videos available.

How badly is the rear main seal leaking? Do you have to add oil? Does it leave drops on the ground? If it's not leaking like a sieve, I'm sure you can live with it for a while, as long as you make sure you don't run too low on oil.

 

Looking at that list made me cringe! They don't call 'em stealerships fa nuttin ya know!
Most of that list could likely be done by a local mechanic for shitloads less.
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I found 85% items on that list is BS. When I used to own the Lexus they throw me a similar list without knowing I already did all of the fluids exchange/flush so I flag down the service manager. I ask them to come with me to the car which still on their lot showing coolant/ATF/brake fluid was fresh as they just got exchanged a less than 30 days.

So I asked "so you tell me your technician spend an hour inspecting my old Lexus that has 190k miles? even he did how the hell he missed all of this" the best part yet to come when they told me the rear differential fluid is dirty and yet they are the one who drain and refill it during prior oil changed. I asked "I had the service done last time and the receipt still in the glove compartment (as I pull out) , so the last technician didn't perform the service and charged me or this technician just pencil whip the living ***** of me?"


Bottom line is I would get another independent mechanic for a second opinions and just replace whatever fluid your manual recommended for service interval.

 

You have to keep in mind that one of the main jobs of the service advisers at the dealership is to convince you that you need a new car. Just find an independent mechanic to take your car to. Dealerships are F'd up. I went to an Acura dealership to get an oil change and to get the seat belt replaced under warranty. They tried to convince me that I needed all my fluids changed although I had already done so earlier that year. Then they broke some of the plastic cover pieces when they replaced my seat belt because the idiot did so without taking out the seat like he should have.

It's sad because you think if anyone could appreciate somebody taking care to preserve their older Acura it would be people who work for the company. When they were showing you other Acuras you should have said with them charging so much for repairs and so many components going bad that you don't think you'll ever buy another Acura. That should put them in their place.