berkberk

Spent the last week pursuing the threads here trying to find out the good the bad and the ugly for Acura TLs.

I'm a Lexus girl (1996 ES 300 owned for 16 years with all maintenance, well taken care of when I handed it off in 2013 for 2500 trade in).

Hubbie is a Infiniti guy (loves his lil convertibles)

We are buying for our 17 year old son, and trying to figure out if it's worth the extra $5,000 to get him out of say a 2004-2006 Acura TL to a 2010 Acura TL. I say, absolutely for the extra safety features (and cool factors of it), hubbie says no go with the older one and save $5.000.

Found a 2010 TL for $10,000 with 120,000 miles, will need timing belt/water pump (add another 1000). Carfax is clean but does show lots of oil changes over the past year. 1st 3 years was a leased car with 37k miles, next 3 years was personal owner, but put on 80k miles in 3 years with oil change every 4 months (6-9k miles).

Any thoughts to a mom who's just trying to put a kid in a good car that may last him for the next 2-4 years without breaking his/our bank?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

either car will last for 10 years, granted the previous owner kept up with maintenance.
some of the 4G's had oil consumption issues, your hubbie would probably be well versed in this since his inifiniti's like to consume oil as well.
but again, either car will last easily up to 10 years or more.

the 4G is newer and of course will have newer amenities.
also, the 3G (2004-2006) transmissions werent that stout...something to think about if son is travelling back and fourth between college and home

berkberk

Thanks justnpeace -

We are looking at a 2010 3.5 TL Base. If we decide to purchase, is it worth the $100 to have the Honda dealership do an inspection on it? Not sure if they can tell how well the transmission is performing/engine issues/etc.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

an inspection is just that...Looking for things that are broken.
sometimes, a quick inspection wont pick up on the signs of a bad transmission because of how short the inspection is...
a 30 minute test drive or more WILL let you know if the tranny is operating correctly.

thoiboi

Is the 3rd gen TL an automatic? If so, I'd stay away.

berkberk

Thoiboi - the 3rd gen TL is an automatic (2006 model). Are those the models that sometimes have transmission issues/failures? Or are there other issues to be worried about with the 3rd gen TL automatics?

Going to test drive the 2010 tomorrow. It's okay if *I* fall in love with the car we are getting our son, right? lol

dregsfan

The 07-08 TL has a different, and apparently less trouble-prone, transmission than the 04-06 TL.

thoiboi

Yeah, a better comparison /side-by-side shopping would be an 07/08 TL versus the 2010 4G.. I'm not a fan of the 4G's styling so I would take a relatively priced 3G over it any day of the week

myacuratl10

iTrader: (1)

I got rid of my 2005 3G with 97k on the clock for a 2010 TL FWD. Best choice i could have made. I was always worried about the transmission and the dash board cracking, couldnt get it out the back of my mind. Beside it being 5 yrs newer the 4G is a much better car in my opinion. Good luck with whatever you decide

ceenite

Can't speak for the 4G as I've only had mine a couple weeks. 3G was my best car ever.. Ran it from 34k to 178k and only needed $600 in repairs. Mine was an Auto and I took care of it. I was just about to replace the worn out suspension until some @#$&@-$ hit me at a red light and totalled my baby.

Auto transmission seem to be the only potential weak spot on the 3G. Find a 3G in manual save some money and he will ride trouble free for the most part for years..

WNY PAT

Id go with the 4G. It's bigger, heavier and has more standard safety features. My kids will be getting my TL when they start driving and I personally think it is a great first car, heck of a lot better than anything Inever owned at that age for certain. But the 4Gs all have the full complement of airbags, more advanced crumple zones, meet the newer safety standards, and are bigger and heavier. I think the chances of major problems, once you do the timing belt, water pump, etc along with some wear items that will inevitably be found on a thorough mechanical inspection, are very small. The 3.5 is arguably less prone to the oil consumption issues than the 3.7 in mine, although it isn't something I worry about. Also, if you look at the long term Consumer Reports data, the TLs in general age very well and are robust and durable. Good luck!

berkberk

Son would LOVE a manual, but we don't want him to have to have yet another thing to think about while driving... told him if he goes ticket and wreck free for 2 years, we'd consider trading in for a manual at that time. But thanks for the 3G thumbs up! Like someone else said, we will consider a 07/08 if we go that route (although this 10 is about the same price as a 08).

berkberk

Thanks WYN PAT! I felt guilty looking at this 2010 for him bc it's over budget from what we originally decided, but the safety features as a mom are causing me to want to put a little more money to the car for my peace of mind. And yes, his car will be newer than mine, but since we bought it for him, he'll be subject to being grounded from that sweet ride if he messes up (and then I can drive it, lol).

He's blown away excited (and a little scared he might get a door ding or paint chip) at the thought he might be getting something this nice, but $3-$4k more up front is a one time investment. I figure we will make that back over the life of him owning it in repairs/service/resale value down the road. Also, I thought if he gets something he never thought he could have, he'll be more incline to care for it and be extra careful instead of thinking it was his "beater car" that he's trade in within a year. The insurance on a 2006 vs 2010 for full coverage is only $300 more a year, and he's paying for insurance.

We are going to drive it tomorrow... if we get it, I'll post pictures. It's WPD(white) with black interior. I've already told him about this forum and all the cool mods/pictures I've seen to get inspiration (oh the dreams he's had about customizing his 1st car, lol). However, that is if he can afford after market mods once he pays for insurance!

berkberk

One last question... how forgiving are these cars if regular or mid grade gas is used? Since that's one thing I can't research, I have no idea if premium gas has been the only gas used (plus I'm worried if son decides to go the cheaper route when filling up). Thanks for the feedback and letting me ask some questions!

myacuratl10

iTrader: (1)

Premium gas only in either one you get

WNY PAT

Yep, gotta commit to premium if you go the TL route. If you think that's unlikely when he fills it up, I'd look at a similar age Accord 4 door with the 2.4 liter 4 cylinder. You won't have to worry about a timing belt with the 2.4 either.

Ghettopops

Just chiming in on the Premium Gas. I used a combo of low and mid(sometimes one sometimes the other) on my 03. I never thought it was an issue.

hadokenuh

Are you OK with getting him an Accord coupe? I knew I would have been very happy to drive an Accord Coupe when I was in high school.

I personally wouldn't buy 2004-2006 TL with automatics. They are too old and high transmission failure rates if fluid wasn't changed often. 07/08s are better in that regards that there are still things that need to be fixed.

4G model seems like too big and too much for a high school student. Maybe a newer TSX?

Kinuto

As the post above me states a 4th TL is pretty big. Not only that it's the 280hp that would worry me. Heck when I was a teen I had a 4th gen Maxima and even 190hp felt like a rocket to me. Before purchasing any car have your son drive so he can get a feel of the car. The TL is a lot of car, especially the 4th gen.

csmeance

A 4G base TL isn't a bad idea and if you can find one and get an extended warranty on the powertrain you are good to go. Have you also considered a 2009+ TSX? It shares a lot with the TL/Accord and is well built, has HID headlights, room and are very safe and reliable. With the built in USB input, he/she will not need to fiddle with the radio and do any aftermarket modifications.

I do like the idea of an accord coupe! The 2012+ ones are fairly nice, and the 2008+ still look great! It comes in 4cyl or 6cyl flavor so it's just like the TSX, just less luxurious. The only benefit of the accord is a cheaper insurance premium!

If it was my kid, I'd opt for the Acura for the reason that it has the HID headlights and in my opinion is a much better night driving car than a car with Halogen headlamps.

Kinuto

Even an Acura ILX would be a decent choice. They come with either the Civics 1.8 or 2.4 from the TSX. It's basically a baby TL in my opinion.

jim_c

As someone mentioned , a 4G TL is a lot of car.
We have a 2010 base 3.5L just like you are considering.
It will exceed 100 mph rapidly and easily on the interstate. It is a rocket at highway speeds.
Is that really what you want?
JC, my first car cost $250!

maltbie

I had the 08 TL and am now driving a 12 TL. Both cars have too much power for a young, newbie driver. My son is 17 and I won't let him drive my TL. One ticket/accident and your insurance rates will sky rocket. The 4 cyl TSX or accord is a good suggestion.

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

Agreed; I bought a 2001 Accord for our daughter to learn to drive in, unfortunately the only good condition model I was able to find was a V6 EX model; in the end I decided it was too much car for her and had to find something else for her to drive.

Titan_X

4G TL is the way to go!

berkberk

Thanks for all the advice~ Going to test drive and possibly buy a 2010 TL Base tomorrow - 1 owner, all maintenance done at Acura dealership every 5K miles. @80,000 miles. It will need it's timing belt/water pump soon (due to age not mileage), but seems like a good deal at 11,300. We have warned our son - 1st wreck or speeding ticket, and I'll be driving the car for the next month. Think we've scared him sufficiently! Thanks again :-)

theCoffeeFiend

iTrader: (2)

Personally, I'd buy a reliable beater that's as clean as you can find.. Being a new driver, Insurance is gonna cost more. And chances are they will hit a curb or more. At least this way, those fender benders, scrapes, dings won't be as expensive. Kids will then learn to drive, maintenance/repair costs, and hopefully appreciate future cars. After a few years of learning to drive, I would trade-in/sell and look into an upgrade. I'm suggest this method due to my oldest brother having 3 kids, constantly borrowing their parents cars for school/work/night outs. The 3 kids (18+ year olds) have beaten 3 great cars that were brand new over the past 5 years.
To some things up, I would buy my kid a Honda Civic/Accord or Toyota Corolla/Camry or similar. Easy cars to drive and maintain, lower insurance, lower repair costs, and pretty good on gas. Then later down the line, I would upgrade to an Acura if they can drive like a normal person.

losiglow

iTrader: (1)

LoL. Definitely wouldn't purchase a TL for a 17 year old. I wouldn't even buy an old 2nd Gen TL for a teenager. My kids first car will be <150hp. Probably some 6+ year old Civic or Corolla.

On the topic of 3rd gen vs 4th gen - I absolutely LOVED my 3rd gen. I pretty much had every bolt on possible and I dropped nearly 500lbs which made it a nimble little rocket. It was also a 6MT which was fun as hell. Unfortunately I wrecked it when I discovered that tires were more important that suspension. Stupid hot-rodding really. The 4th gen is a bit of a different animal. It's got a lot more/better tech, is quieter, has a much better stock suspension, has a WAY better audio system and has a higher quality interior than the 3rd gen (especially the leather). It's really a more refined car IMO. The proof is in the pudding however. The 3rd gen sold nearly twice as well as the 4th gen, possibly because the styling on the 4th gen is "controversial" to say the least. The 4th gen (mid model refresh....) has really grown on me although the 3rd gen has that timeless design that will still look good even 10 years from now. Both have their ups and downs. With being in my mid 30s however, and enjoying comfort and more refinement, I find the 4th gen the way to go.

I'll tell ya though, if I could find a 3rd gen Type-S in Blue, it would be hard not to pick it up, regardless of price

deanoatkinson

I just about a 2012 SH-AWD ADVANCE with 180k miles. Runs great BTW only cost 10k

Age and Mileage affect cars differently. The choice is yours