CTNYC

I bought a 2010 Acura TL FWD w/ Tech package with 86k miles this past weekend The car is in immaculate condition -- one small ~1 inch spot was touched up on the rear bumper and a tiny tiny ding on the drivers door. I will have to get the ding popped out and maybe have my detailer wet sand and buff the spot that was touched up. Grigio gray exterior with ebony interior. The previous owner did all of the recommended maintenance to the dot at the Acura dealership where he purchased the car and then traded it in. Actually went into the dealership to look at some 2012 - 2014 TL Tech SH-AWD, but the cars that were 2 - 4 years younger with half the miles weren't in as good condition as this 2010 (I keep my cars in mint condition), not to mention the maintenance history isn't as good. Therefore, I decided to just pull the trigger and save ~$10,000 and buy the 2010 version, even though the design wasn't as nice (imo) as the 2012+ models, and even though it didn't have AWD.

The dealership did a ton of preventative maintenance on it -- new tires, brakes, hoses, tranny fluid, etc. Given the condition of the car, I think I got a steal for this car at only $17200, or ~$19200 OTD with dealer processing, registration, taxes, etc.
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Couple maintenance questions on the car -- When should I have the spark plugs replaced? What about the timing belt and water pump? I've read every 105k miles for the 3rd generation. I plan on driving this particular car maybe 20k to 30k per year, and hope to drive this car until it dies.

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First impressions of the car. Very nice car compared to the ILX Hybrid. The power is nice, and steering is responsive. Not quite up to the 2015 Genesis in terms of comfort however (Although I guess a 2015 loaded Genesis is not exactly competing with a 2010 TL) Car engine sounds fantastic. The Navigation system is definitely not as nice as the one in my 2013 ILX Hybrid -- The graphics is significantly worse and the controls aren't as easy to use (or I'm not used to them yet) Rear view camera is on par (if not better) than my ILX Hybrid.

Some annoyances: The odometer info display system doesn't show some things like the instant MPG, overall MPG, etc that I have in my ILX Hybrid. The car's wheels seem a bit small for the TL (I understand AWD versions have a bit larger rim) Finally the rear seat head rests don't look "right" when they are down or up

C8N

Sparks, timing belt and water pump is same as the 3G in terms of replacement intervals.

The Genesis is a larger car and yes, it is more comfortable but the driving dynamics is rather stale and boring IMO.

MPG will display on the MID. There are 3 buttons on your steering wheel below the cruise control buttons. Play around with those.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

there is a 105k service for most of the acura's.
your MID will alert you when you need this service done by displaying a "4" on the dash.

when "4" comes on, its time to change timing belt, water pump, and all of its tensioners and pulley's, and spark plugs

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

http://owners.acura.com/service-maintenance/minder?year=2010&model=TL#mid^UA8F2AJW

CTNYC

(A very late) Thanks for the information.

My TL now has 98k miles on it and thought I'd update/get advice.

I had no real issues with the car until now (98k miles) It sounds like the rear shocks are shot and need replacement, and everytime I turn while going more than say 5MPH, there is a loud creaking type of noise from the front end, which seems to be the CV joints (according to several websites). Did anyone else have these issues with their TL and what is the expected cost? I'm planning on putting this service off until my 105k service - Is there any huge reason to do it now? (Money is tight ATM, $30k tax bill coming my way in January )

atl7

While test driving my 2009 TL AWD before I bought it, I kept on hearing a thump when I would drive over some bumps. Didn't sound normal so I had them look at it before I bought it and they decided it was the front left strut that had to be replaced. Never heard/felt the thump after that. Not sure if that's the same situation as your creak though

CTNYC

Definitely not a strut (or if it is, it doesn't sound like a strut) - It's a very metallic sounding creaking/clicking noise... Also for the rear shocks, the dealership I purchased from said that 4G TL's almost never need new shocks and the service advisor said that they never had a 4G TL with back rear shocks... Sounded fishy to me...

jim_c

I don't think the TL has "struts". (?) Or is this just semantics?
Buy new plugs from Amazon and change them yourself.
Extremely easy job on this car. Takes 30 minutes or less, but dealer will charge well over $100, probably $200. There are threads on here relating to this.

atl7

Yeah it does have struts, the dealer I bought my '09 TL had to replace one before I bought it