moreace

Good morning all... looking for some expert feedback.
There is a 2018 Acura TLX for sale about an hour from me that can be had for under $29,000 w/ SH-AWD, tech package and 18,000 miles.
Seems like a great price, surprised it's still available. I guess here comes the potential concern/ issue:
Two (2) owners. First being a 3 month lease with virtually no miles put on. Second personal car for 1 year, 2 months. That's a lot for a short period of time.
The potentially larger issue is the vehicle was reported stolen January 2018 and recovered 16 days later (2,000 miles on car).
Assuming this has something to do with it's availability. What is the long-term risk or concern with a previously stolen vehicle?

By way of background, I have a 3G 2004 TL that was purchased new. Currently has 180,000+ miles and going strong. Assume many of you may tell me to keep this. I could probably run it another 2-3 years and get these coming off lease much cheaper then.
One negative is no advanced package. I keep cars a long time and it has some cool features like A/C seats, 360 parking camera and heater steering wheel. None of which I assume can be added after the fact.

Thanks for your thought and input

jhb31

That doesn't seem like a great deal considering the history. I would pass at that price.

someguy11

How did you find out it was stolen? I don’t think that shows up on the title, but maybe somewhere like CarFax? Assume that if you want to sell it someday, future buyers (like you) will know this and thus, it impacts your resale/value, so I would negotiate down hard about that. It could be as bad a blemish as a salvage/rebuilt title.

Definitely test drive this TLX before thinking about it any further. Mind specifically the transmission behavior and take it up to 80mph to feel for vibrations. With two owners in less than 18 months, I’m guessing it has a bad ZF9 or the expressway vibration fatal flaw, in which case, run don’t walk. It’s unbearable and there’s nothing you can do to fix it except trade it in.

moreace

It was on CARFAX. Don’t see any cheaper deals for AWD 2018’s around here

dezymond

You don't see any cheaper deals because nothing else was previously recorded as stolen.

That being said I'd avoid it. You never really know what happened to the car once it was stolen. Was it parted out? Was there damages to electrical harnesses especially. Going down the line those potential issues could be a big headache later.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

was it used a joy ride? exceeding the limits of the car? was it used in a crime? was it used as a safe haven to do drugs? worse, a hobo orgy???
no one knows the EXACT history of this car.
unless you are the type of person to completely tear down the car to find all the quirks of the car, a normal person should stay clear of this car.


who knows, there might be some drugs hidden in the trunk. or worse, used condoms...


and at $29k, doesn't seem like a deal at all.

neuronbob

I'd talk them down a bit more. $29k is slightly more than trade value on that car (I know, I have a 2018 A-Spec SH-AWD with similar mileage, and have looked), and with a branded title the price should be lower. I wouldn't dismiss out of hand. I'd say offer significantly less ($23-24k) and see if they bite, or at least come down. JMO

moreace

Thanks for the feedback. I am going to watch it. May shoot out time permitting, but will demand a much lower price (and rigorously test drive).

dezymond

If you're seriously considering it for purchase, I would definitely get a pre-purchase inspection. Bring it to a reputable shop or if you have one already. Even a dealership visit for a multi-point inspection would be good.

csmeance

car was stolen and recovered and driven for how many months? If the owner drove it for 3-4 months after recovery I doubt there is any damage from the recovery that the owner didn't notice. Average selling price on a 2018 TLX SH-AWD with AVERAGE miles is $29,450 + Tax/tag/title (not certified, as if a ford dealer was selling it). With 18K miles on the car, the price average jumps up $1300 since 18K miles is low on a car built in 2017 that has 2 years of driving time on it....

The used market is pretty inflated right now by at least $1K in my opinion for cars and even more-so fo SUV's/crossovers. If the car was certified then you can add $1500-$2000 in value.

Beached

I’d avoid it - buy something legit, so you can sleep better at night. Or if your risk tolerance is high, then buy it - but I wouldn’t.

I had a 1992 Camry with 140k miles - ran like a top. Car was stolen and it died shortly after - who knows what they did. Redlined the crap out of it, parking brake while driving etc.

My $.02.

Christopher.

Does it come w/a warranty?

Try to talk the price down even more perhaps? Or try to negotiate in an extended warranty, for the piece of mind?