So I've been stalking the site since I found very recently that I am in lust with the TL as I always suspected. Gotta couple that I'm looking into making my first and on my way to pick her up... Major punch to the gut. The stupid kid who's the sales guy says somebody else is buying it. At this very moment after much effort on our parts per the past 48 to line the deal up. Won't chatter on about the details and fiery hoops I've been jumping thru all day to get this deal done or the staying up to 4am trolling the forums, dreaming of mods... Totally crushed. I found the perfect Oman and she might have gotten away. [[wrong forum??]]

Soul=crushed

 

huh?

 

 

Sounds like a bait and switch.

YOu dont want to deal with dealers who practice this tactic.

 

justnspace - I physically saw the vehicle and inspected it. I then started to negotiate/got ready to buy a different one. Later I realized that the first TL that I overlooked had a far superior service record. The next day, I told them I'd like to consider it and they replied that it was currently being negotiatied and could not be legally held. EVEN THOUGH, the guy just said he would switch the financing over on to that one.

 

Now, I'm having to consider TLs with no 105k service accomplished and one with a prior front end collision reported. THESE TWO:

http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/dd...er_id=53500956

 

Well you can't really blame the guy if you weren't 100% going with the sale. I'm sure they would have asked for a deposit,or you should have mentioned you wanted it held for yourself. First come, first serve basis at any dealership.

 

keep looking there will be better ones out there.

 

You cant be mad about it. You have to jump on a car when you find it. I sell all my cars to the first person the comes with the cash or bank approval. I will hold a car for 48 hrs for 250.00 but if you dont come back in 48 hrs the 250 is mine and Ill sell it. (Of course I get it in writing).

Story sucks but you will find another. TL's are everywhere.

 

Yeah thanks for the feedback. I wish the Acura dealership had the 250 dollar rule. Can I swap subjects here and generally ask -- what's the limit on the number of miles you are willing to buy/would advise buying a '05 - '06 TL for?

 

I'd go for a higher mileage 07-08 rather than lower miles 04-06 without knowing for sure that transmission had been serviced properly.

 

That depends on the service record, if you can compare. I would gladly buy a TL with 150k if it's had all of its maintenance, no accidents, etc over one with 50k and gaps in service. The number one thing you should look for is that the previous owner had pride of ownership: the car is clean, no leaves in the engine bay, tires are wearing evenly, no noises during test drive, interior stains, smells, etc. You'll be able to judge this much better if you bought from a private seller and you would get a better deal too. Sorry for your bad luck!

 

That's what I figured. Totally staying away from '04 based on the Tranny issue deal.

 

We'd have a big sob party together if i told you how well the one was kept up that I initially decided against due to a tear in the leather. I didn't pay enough attention to the CarFax. And it was so cheap! Breaks my heart. Moving on...

Do you all anticipate tranny issues with age/mileage??

Looking at another and the butthole at the lot wants me to run my own CarFax. Most lots have 'em ready to view on AutoTrader...

Thanks for the info so far.

 

Any time I see tranny service on a CarFax report I run the opposite direction. Except of course, if it's a simple fluid flush. I saw one with a tranny rebuild... How do you best verify that it was done correctly??

 

Google for geniusvin if you want a free vin check. Sometimes it doesn't work but the creator of the website usually can get it working again.

 

Wow, man. Great. Thanks.

 

Booyah!!! First dealer calls me back all "got you approved. Come get it." Goin in the AM. Guess I'm talkin to myself at this point in the thread. Haven't learned all the etiquette like when to shut up and surf threads. I was gonna ask: what's the first thing I should plan to pay for given it doesn't have it's 105k? The TB/WP, then what else? It's got 135 almost on it. Last owner put only 25 k on it in here yrs time... No service records according to carmax.

 

25k in 1 year is a lot..

I would check before throwing money at it. Get a good inspection done on it, or even do it yourself if you have any mechanics knowledge. My concern would be Belts,brakes,and suspension components.

 

What year is it? With 135k I would hope the timing belt was done, but if you cant confirm I would do it first thing. As in before you drive it a lot. I would hope you had the vehicle inspected before you bought it if you dont know what your looking at.

 

Typo. 25 k in three years time. Ill plan for all that. Don't want buy the dealers overpriced service plan... Link to it & it's weak CarFax: http://m.autotrader.com/vdp.html?id=347344474

 

06. Would love an 07. But I'm rebuilding my credit and wanted to buy low. It's a super deal.. Rode smooth in the test drive might take it out once more before signing on the dotted line. I have been trusting that the Mercedes dealer inspected it as stated. I know that doesn't mean a lot. I trust what you guys say on here a little more.

 

Never trust a dealer! I would suspect trans issues. 135k without a timing belt service is not a good sign. What else was neglected? Have a thourough review done by a trusted mechanic familiar with acura's

 

Pay attention to the up shift/downshift during the test drive, right? It's an AT.

 

Use white napkin to check color of transmission fluid. One of my friends who buys cars at auctions told me to put it into drive, step on the brakes and slightly push gas pedal there shouldn't be any metal noises coming from transmission. Also it shouldn't take too long for transmission to engage when you shift to D or R. Best would be to compare to another younger TL.

If I step on it my transmission shifts perfect, only when I let it shift around 2K RPM is when I fee some jerk. It is most noticeable when I slow down and it skips second and downshifts from 3 to 1 is the most noticeable. Nothing unusual for Honda/Acura. The best you can do is test drive younger TL with lower miles and compare two.

 

Thank you. I listened to her for over 75 miles no radio... Her fluid is dirty getting it changed in the AM.
One problem solved. Another begins...

 

 

link doesnt work

 

Pictures are not working.
If you are doing a 3x3 I would go for some redline fluid right away.

 

Or maybe
how to print screen on pc

 

No 3x3 for me gentlemen. On my way to Honda to get a plain ol drain n flush. Don't want to risk it based on my forum studies.

 

Risk what?! The dealership way of doing it I would be more worried about. And I dont think anyone has ever had an issue with a 3x3.

And your photos dont work still. Try Photobucket.

 

They showed up when i uploaded em from my phone. have to wait until after work. secure facility, no phones allowed. From what I can deduce, the 3X3 is considered an overhaul. Many ppl speak of not doing it on a high mileage engine with a spotty maintenance record. The consensus seems to be that all the deposits will get whisked away by the excessive flushing and make the tranny more prone to slipping and failing... I got the drain and fill and it's shifting smooth, but still seems to "stick" if not punched on the low end.

 

You've got that backwards.

 

You mentioned drain and FLUSH. That is what everyone was concerned about. flushing this transmission is not recommended from the factory. You do want to introduce the fluid over a period of time so an immediate 3x3 is not recommended. You should do a 1x3 with time in between. every oill change for the next few times and then you will have all fresh fluid introduced slowly.

 

How so?

 

Correction: drain n fill. I had the first done recently. The only remaining question is in regard to gradually replacing the fluid too quickly. Also, whether or not "getting all the old fluid" out will produce the same tranny slipmissues eventually...

 

I dont understand what the remaining question is? 3x3 over time. change pressure switches