Joah

Greeting Acura members,
Coming from a Honda owner I need a car within my budget. $13,000 or less. I found a private owner who's selling a 2009 Acura TL for $12,500 and has 122,000 miles (He states that its all highway miles.) He purchase the car at a Acura dealership and had all the service done at the dealership. Also comes with new tires. I could ask or a carfax if he has any or service records.

Any thoughts? Its either that or a 2009 Honda Accord EX-L V6 with 98,000 miles I can't find any other good deals around my area (Grand Rapids, MI)

Thanks!

012TL-GLM

sounds like a lot of miles per dollar to me - what's the book value on it? Has the timing belt been replaced? If its been loved and taken care of that motor should have a lot of life left

spoiler900

If its been well maintained and in great shape, why not? Acuras are known for their reliability. Probably will not have much maintenance costs even with the higher mileage. My personal concern would be problems with the electronics galore and something cosmetic eventually going out. If you take good care of a car, it will take good care of you. While I personally drive a 2001 TL with only 120K, I actually use as my daily driver a 1999 Toyota 4Runner 4X4 thats looks like new, and drives like new, but has 265,000 original miles on it and I just drove it 600 miles yesterday across the desert in 110 degree weather towing a uHaul trailer! Take good care of it and you wont have any major problems

GhostTL09

iTrader: (1)

Is the car a Base, SH-AWD, Tech ?

Joah

Thanks for the advice guys

here the original post
2009 Acura TL

Drei

iTrader: (2)

Definitely check out the maintenance records

If everything checks out, I'd go for it

Joah

What do you guys think?

SilverJ

Lotta mileage but if that's your budget and you want a TL, go for it.
However, shell out 100-130 dollars or so and have an Acura dealership or a private mechanic check it out thoroughly. Make sure timing belt was done. If this is a private seller, keep in mind he probably was being offered around 8k trade in value.

Joah

I don't mind what either TL or TSX but I would like 2009+ model, and its really hard to find any around my budget.

GhostTL09

iTrader: (1)

show up with 10k cash. Guarantee he/she takes it.

Joah

I think I will do that, offer $10k if he doesn't accept, I will walk away and find myself a different car, already looking at a 2010 Accord EXL V6 for $13k with ~98,000 miles.

csmeance

These are the values for the car.

Big $ items in the future:
105K service (if not done yet) will be approx $1000 (can do it every 110K-120K)
Alignment $100 (done with new tires every time)
New Suspension Bushings $300-400 (Replaced at 190K)
New Shock Absorbers $400-$1000 (Replaced mine at 180K)
New Lights (HID/signals) $200
A/C Recharge - $100
Completely New Trans Fluid - $250
Coolant Flush - $100 (every 7 years, 105K)
Engine mounts (may not be damaged yet) - $600-800
Battery - $<150 if you order online through pep-boys and use their 35%off coupon (always available)
Brakes - New rotors/pads - $300-400

I'd go in with 9.5K cash and they will probably take it if the 105K service hasn't been done. Max I'd go is 11K.

All prices include labor estimates and most may not need to be done until 12 months from now or longer.

Tonyware

^ I'll add to that the rubber brake hoses. Get steel covered ones. Good set of 4 goes for around $100. Also replace brake fluid while you're at it.

Edit: also after all these miles and years a new thermostat may be a good idea while you change the coolant next time. Just in case!

614erich

If your looking to get timing belt done check out Honda. They did my 105k service on my 08 TL-S for 569 for timing belt and water pump.

Pgr1990

My business partner just got rid of his 2005 TSX last week with 280,000 miles on the odometer. The alternator blew out as well as his nav. He fixed the alternator for like $500.00 and the TSX STILL runs solid! lol. He ended up buying a 2012 TSX with 40,000 miles on it and stands by Acura's reliability.


The dealer tried giving him $800 to trade in his '05 after the alternator was fixed. He sold it privately for $3,000. So these cars hold their value as well.


He is extremely frugal. Guy could have any car he desires basically, but chose to drive around his beaten up '05 TSX. I wish I didn't care about cars, but they are my weakness!


I would say go for it as long as it got routine maintenance done.

614erich

^This