Narrowed my search down to two cars: help me decide which to pick!
07-12-2016, 07:56 PM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Narrowed my search down to two cars: help me decide which to pick!
After a 6 month+ search for a 2012-2014 manual tranny TL (white or silver preferred) I've narrowed it down to 2 candidates:
Both are 2013, white, and equipped the same. Both are one owner cars. Both are CPO cars at Acura dealers. Both have clean carfaxs. Both appear to be in good shape.
However, there is a difference in mileage and in service history.
The first has 44k miles and I was able to find all of the service records. In fact, the previous owner had an Acura maintenance plan and everything was done on time. Oil changes were done at approx. 7500 mile intervals throughout, rear diff fluid was changed at 15 and 30k, manual tranny fluid changed at 30k, air filters, etc seemed to all have been done. Plenty of brake pad left and tires in decent shape.
The second car has only 27k - so it seems like a no-brainier, however, there are no service records that I can find except for mention of 2 oil changes at 14k and 19k at a Mobil oil Indy shop on the carfax. That doesn't mean that the other oil changes and services weren't done, however, I cannot find any records of it. I even called the Acura dealer who sold the car and other than the initial prep they have no other records for this car.
Also note there is a $1000 difference in asking price for the two cars.
So, given that buying a used car is a gamble, which is the lowest risk - the higher mileage one with proof of a well maintained history or the lower mileage, little to no service history, one?
what would you do?
And yes, in either case, I plan on getting an Indy mechanic to check the car out before I buy.
Both are 2013, white, and equipped the same. Both are one owner cars. Both are CPO cars at Acura dealers. Both have clean carfaxs. Both appear to be in good shape.
However, there is a difference in mileage and in service history.
The first has 44k miles and I was able to find all of the service records. In fact, the previous owner had an Acura maintenance plan and everything was done on time. Oil changes were done at approx. 7500 mile intervals throughout, rear diff fluid was changed at 15 and 30k, manual tranny fluid changed at 30k, air filters, etc seemed to all have been done. Plenty of brake pad left and tires in decent shape.
The second car has only 27k - so it seems like a no-brainier, however, there are no service records that I can find except for mention of 2 oil changes at 14k and 19k at a Mobil oil Indy shop on the carfax. That doesn't mean that the other oil changes and services weren't done, however, I cannot find any records of it. I even called the Acura dealer who sold the car and other than the initial prep they have no other records for this car.
Also note there is a $1000 difference in asking price for the two cars.
So, given that buying a used car is a gamble, which is the lowest risk - the higher mileage one with proof of a well maintained history or the lower mileage, little to no service history, one?
what would you do?
And yes, in either case, I plan on getting an Indy mechanic to check the car out before I buy.
07-12-2016, 08:32 PM
#2
Pro
Well the lower mileage one would have 17k more factory warranty as a bonus. Plus the 44k manual had the 1st change at 30k so that is thrown out in the comparison
07-12-2016, 09:22 PM
#3
Instructor
Thread Starter
yeah, the lower mileage one would have 17k more factory warranty but it expires in 9 months. The 44k car has only 6k left but 11 months. I probably won't drive much more than 6k over the next 11 months so the mileage may not be as big a factor for the factory warranty as you might expect.
07-12-2016, 09:38 PM
#4
The mileage is significantly different enough that I would go with the lower mileage one. While the one with 44k looks like it has been taken care of well, the one with 27k hasn't really been driven long enough for damage to occur.
07-12-2016, 09:43 PM
#5
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Check out the 2013 TSB thread to be aware of the potential known issues, especially TSB 13-024, which affects VIN 19UUA9...DA000001 thru 19UUA9...DA005530, since it could result in a new engine block.
https://acurazine.com/forums/fourth-...letins-945425/
Ask the dealer for the VIN Inquiry Acknowledgement. It will have some history on the car and a Warranty Repair History section that should be reviewed.
https://acurazine.com/forums/fourth-...letins-945425/
Ask the dealer for the VIN Inquiry Acknowledgement. It will have some history on the car and a Warranty Repair History section that should be reviewed.
07-12-2016, 10:05 PM
#6
Instructor
Thread Starter
Check out the 2013 TSB thread to be aware of the potential known issues, especially TSB 13-024, which affects VIN 19UUA9...DA000001 thru 19UUA9...DA005530, since it could result in a new engine block.
https://acurazine.com/forums/fourth-...letins-945425/
Ask the dealer for the VIN Inquiry Acknowledgement. It will have some history on the car and a Warranty Repair History section that should be reviewed.
https://acurazine.com/forums/fourth-...letins-945425/
Ask the dealer for the VIN Inquiry Acknowledgement. It will have some history on the car and a Warranty Repair History section that should be reviewed.
07-12-2016, 10:13 PM
#7
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The dealer may black out the names in the Owner Information section for privacy reasons.
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07-13-2016, 10:05 AM
#8
Burning Brakes
Lower mileage car. Very little maintenance is required during 27K miles.
07-13-2016, 10:08 AM
#9
Burning Brakes
In either case, get an extended warranty because you just never know. I personally would get the lower mileage one. I also have a '13 6MT with 44k miles currently and haven't had any major issues besides replacing the propeller shaft under warranty and the oil consumption. I add a 1 quart between every oil change. I've kept up with all the maintenance and service as well. So very similar to the higher mileage one you are considering.
07-13-2016, 02:49 PM
#12
Lower mileage one. I bought mine with almost no service records with 11,000 miles on it and the car came to me like new. I bought it last year.
Outside of the air bag debacle, and that is a big one, its been perfect.
Outside of the air bag debacle, and that is a big one, its been perfect.
07-13-2016, 07:10 PM
#13
Instructor
Thread Starter
Did find out (it took time to appear on the carfax) that in both cars' case they were purchased by the current selling Acura dealer through an auction. Don't know if that matters.
07-13-2016, 07:30 PM
#14
Pro
The only thing in question is oil changes on lower mileage, basically did they miss one and the maintain period on the rear diff ( I am not worried about the transaxle after 27K)? Correct
Personally with all things the same, I would pick the lower mileage ones unless something is really amiss.
Personally with all things the same, I would pick the lower mileage ones unless something is really amiss.
07-13-2016, 08:13 PM
#15
Instructor
Thread Starter
The only thing in question is oil changes on lower mileage, basically did they miss one and the maintain period on the rear diff ( I am not worried about the transaxle after 27K)? Correct
Personally with all things the same, I would pick the lower mileage ones unless something is really amiss.
Personally with all things the same, I would pick the lower mileage ones unless something is really amiss.
07-14-2016, 08:29 PM
#18
Bridgewater Acura? I test drove the 27k mile TL yesterday and the car was okay. I think there is something wrong with it. It only come with One smart key. I am planning on getting the dark grey one tomorrow cause they are giving me a better price plus its ceritfied. The Sale guy Peter was too pushy and didn't want to give me any discount on the white one.
After a 6 month+ search for a 2012-2014 manual tranny TL (white or silver preferred) I've narrowed it down to 2 candidates:
Both are 2013, white, and equipped the same. Both are one owner cars. Both are CPO cars at Acura dealers. Both have clean carfaxs. Both appear to be in good shape.
However, there is a difference in mileage and in service history.
The first has 44k miles and I was able to find all of the service records. In fact, the previous owner had an Acura maintenance plan and everything was done on time. Oil changes were done at approx. 7500 mile intervals throughout, rear diff fluid was changed at 15 and 30k, manual tranny fluid changed at 30k, air filters, etc seemed to all have been done. Plenty of brake pad left and tires in decent shape.
The second car has only 27k - so it seems like a no-brainier, however, there are no service records that I can find except for mention of 2 oil changes at 14k and 19k at a Mobil oil Indy shop on the carfax. That doesn't mean that the other oil changes and services weren't done, however, I cannot find any records of it. I even called the Acura dealer who sold the car and other than the initial prep they have no other records for this car.
Also note there is a $1000 difference in asking price for the two cars.
So, given that buying a used car is a gamble, which is the lowest risk - the higher mileage one with proof of a well maintained history or the lower mileage, little to no service history, one?
what would you do?
And yes, in either case, I plan on getting an Indy mechanic to check the car out before I buy.
Both are 2013, white, and equipped the same. Both are one owner cars. Both are CPO cars at Acura dealers. Both have clean carfaxs. Both appear to be in good shape.
However, there is a difference in mileage and in service history.
The first has 44k miles and I was able to find all of the service records. In fact, the previous owner had an Acura maintenance plan and everything was done on time. Oil changes were done at approx. 7500 mile intervals throughout, rear diff fluid was changed at 15 and 30k, manual tranny fluid changed at 30k, air filters, etc seemed to all have been done. Plenty of brake pad left and tires in decent shape.
The second car has only 27k - so it seems like a no-brainier, however, there are no service records that I can find except for mention of 2 oil changes at 14k and 19k at a Mobil oil Indy shop on the carfax. That doesn't mean that the other oil changes and services weren't done, however, I cannot find any records of it. I even called the Acura dealer who sold the car and other than the initial prep they have no other records for this car.
Also note there is a $1000 difference in asking price for the two cars.
So, given that buying a used car is a gamble, which is the lowest risk - the higher mileage one with proof of a well maintained history or the lower mileage, little to no service history, one?
what would you do?
And yes, in either case, I plan on getting an Indy mechanic to check the car out before I buy.
07-14-2016, 08:42 PM
#19
Instructor
Thread Starter
Bridgewater Acura? I test drove the 27k mile TL yesterday and the car was okay. I think there is something wrong with it. It only come with One smart key. I am planning on getting the dark grey one tomorrow cause they are giving me a better price plus its ceritfied. The Sale guy Peter was too pushy and didn't want to give me any discount on the white one.
Last edited by Otherbmw; 07-14-2016 at 08:47 PM.
07-14-2016, 08:45 PM
#20
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It will be Maintenance Minder sub item 6 - Replace rear differential fluid (if equipped).
See above. You may be thinking of Maintenance Minder sub item 3 - Replace transmission fluid and transfer fluid (if equipped) that should come up around 30K.
07-15-2016, 01:43 PM
#22
I'd go against the grain here (like I like to do sometimes 
) and say that lower mileage doesn't mean less wear and tear. Lower mileage can mean that the car was a weekend car, the car was driven on many short trips, or the car is a "city car" with hard miles on it.
The TL doesn't strike me as being someone's weekend car (completely possible, but I'd tend to think that they'd get a convertible or some other sportier car), which brings me to assume that the car was driven on many short trips, which doesn't give the car parts even time to warm up to a proper operating temperature, or the car was driven in the city (hard miles on any car). Just my 2 cents on this, I tend to have better luck with cars that were driven more than average compared to ones I've bought that were driven less than average.
) and say that lower mileage doesn't mean less wear and tear. Lower mileage can mean that the car was a weekend car, the car was driven on many short trips, or the car is a "city car" with hard miles on it.The TL doesn't strike me as being someone's weekend car (completely possible, but I'd tend to think that they'd get a convertible or some other sportier car), which brings me to assume that the car was driven on many short trips, which doesn't give the car parts even time to warm up to a proper operating temperature, or the car was driven in the city (hard miles on any car). Just my 2 cents on this, I tend to have better luck with cars that were driven more than average compared to ones I've bought that were driven less than average.
07-15-2016, 09:18 PM
#23
Null and proud of it
I'd go against the grain here (like I like to do sometimes ) and say that lower mileage doesn't mean less wear and tear. Lower mileage can mean that the car was a weekend car, the car was driven on many short trips, or the car is a "city car" with hard miles on it.
Hmm, engine sludge....
The TL doesn't strike me as being someone's weekend car (completely possible, but I'd tend to think that they'd get a convertible or some other sportier car), which brings me to assume that the car was driven on many short trips, which doesn't give the car parts even time to warm up to a proper operating temperature, or the car was driven in the city (hard miles on any car). Just my 2 cents on this, I tend to have better luck with cars that were driven more than average compared to ones I've bought that were driven less than average.
) and say that lower mileage doesn't mean less wear and tear. Lower mileage can mean that the car was a weekend car, the car was driven on many short trips, or the car is a "city car" with hard miles on it.Hmm, engine sludge....
The TL doesn't strike me as being someone's weekend car (completely possible, but I'd tend to think that they'd get a convertible or some other sportier car), which brings me to assume that the car was driven on many short trips, which doesn't give the car parts even time to warm up to a proper operating temperature, or the car was driven in the city (hard miles on any car). Just my 2 cents on this, I tend to have better luck with cars that were driven more than average compared to ones I've bought that were driven less than average.
I love really high milage vehicles because they're usually owned by commuters that rely daily on their vehicles reliability, and will stop at nothing to retain their piece of mind...