I'm not too fixated on a particular Acura Model and hence posting in a general forum , I'm open to Cars within Acura Family. My budget is in $15-17K range. Which means I have to buy pre- owned cars. Considering newer Acura Cars can last 200-300,000 miles, buying a car 5-6 yrs old with up to 70K miles might be a way to go. I know in the past around 100K miles you would need to change timing belt, water pump etc which can easily cost around $1500 bucks + spark plugs ignition coils around $1K.

With the timing chain, this may not be necessary unless there is a problem. Is there a year when Acura made a switch from belt to chain or it depends upon the model? If you buy a used card with 70K miles, what major scheduled maintenance will be needed up to let's say 200K miles?

 

IIRC, TSX is a belt, TL and higher are chains. A 2013 TSX is right around the price tag you're looking for (if not a little on the high side). A quick check on Edmunds tells me there are a handful of 2012-ish TL's in the price range you are looking for.

As far as maintenance, all the model specific pages here have maintenance subforums for all the major models. I would start there if you're concerned about maintenance. A number of Azine users have run their Acura's to the mileage to which you are referring.

 

I am pretty sure all Honda J-Series engines still use timing belts.

I believe the K-series engines use timing chains.

So the V6 engines, which are all J-Series, are belts. The 4 cylinders are K-series and use chains.

But either way, the timing belt maintenance is way overblown. The water pump, spark plugs, tensioners, etc still need to be serviced on vehicles with a timing chain. By buying a car with 70k+ miles, you are pocketing a significant savings off the new price. Most Acuras start new at close to $40k. You're getting that car for less than half the price. A thousand on preventative maintenance won't put you over the savings.

 

True, provided these machines out last less premium cars as they are supposed to. I had 2001 TL and transmission shot at 126K miles recently. That makes me wonder, are these Cars over rated? I like the way it rides and hence the reason to get back in. I'm evaluating what does the premium buy you? They are expensive to fix. For the same money I can buy 2-3 yrs old Accord with 20K miles and I'm not sure if there is that big of difference in loaded Accord vs Acura.

 

If you're looking to get back into a sedan, a loaded 2-3 yr old Accord (EX-L V6 or Touring) vs a similarly priced Acura ILX or TLX will offer more features and bang for your buck.

 

That's backwards. The TSX is a chain and the TL and higher are belts.

Test drive both the TL and TSX and see what you like. I'd say stay away from the ILX as the 2.0L engine in it isn't powerful unless you get the 6MT which comes with a 2.4L.

 

^ Or a MMC ILX with the 2.4 & DCT.

Personally, I'd go with the earlier comment & look for a nice CPO Accord Sport.

 

That has been the million dollar debate over the last ten years or more. Acura's biggest competitor is Honda. When you have fine vehicles like the Honda Accord Touring, it is hard to justify what exactly makes an Acura standout.

But regardless of the merits of Acuras over Hondas, the fact is that at one point somebody paid $40,0000+ to get a TL that, provided is still in substantially the same condition, you could experience for $15,000-$17,000 today. So you have to consider that at some point, Acura thought and somebody agreed this level of vehicle was worth $40,000~. Is that worth it to you?

It may make more sense to consider used cars from this perspective when you compare really expensive cars, like my Mercedes SL55 AMG, which at one point sold for $130,000. I paid 20% of that, but I get to experience what somebody at some point thought was worth paying the price of a small house. Maybe in that situation it is worth it, whereas Acura doesn't carry the prestige or uniqueness that makes it compelling over another car.

Also, the transmission problems in the TL/CL/MDX/Accord of that time period is well known to be problematic. They have fixed the problem since then, but it is understandable that this might cast doubt on Acura today. I think the transmission fiasco damaged a lot of people's perception of the brand.

I can't really say if Acuras are worth it as I don't have a single car built this decade. If I were to buy an Acura that was built this decade, the only one that would interest me would be a 2012+ TL SH-AWD 6MT. Other than that, I think better vehicles can be had elsewhere.

 

The K24 (the 2.4L) is a pretty bullet proof motor and is used in quite a few applications across the Acura/Honda line up.

 

The 2.0 is not always a k series motor, it's also an R series motor. In the ILX it's an R20A.

K series are DOHC, the R series are SOHC.

 

Does MPG, insurance and size matter? Honestly 105K service is a bit expensive at about 1K for the full service but a bargain for what gets done. Most cars need them every 60K so having almost double the interval is nice.

TSX is a great car, a bit too much plastic for me on the interior but they are great cars. Came in V6 with Belt and I4 with timing chain.
As you can see my Signature, I'm a TL lover. A bit more grown up than the TSX and super comfy for long trips.

The RL is a great option in your price range but it's going to be a bit slower, get worse MPG but is VERY nice. Uses the same V6 as the TL.
MDX may be out of your price range but RDX should be in there. RDX is a great little CUV! They came in a Turbo 4 or a v6 model. The older turbo 4's are super fun to drive where the v6 models are a bit more grown up/mature

09-12 TL models' got a 8 yr/100K mile extension on the trans also if that helps with the decision, and you can get them for a steal due to the Air-bag recall and the stop sale issued by Honda/Acura. One guy got a loaded SH-AWD TL with A-Spec kit for 1K under the average selling price (2012 model), almost 3-4K below asking at a dealer.

 

Thanks, that's right. I stand corrected.

 

Newer Honda Accord Sport w/ less miles is the way to go...

 

Personally after having my 02 CL-S for 10 years.... I would not do it again. The car was blast to drive and that I truly did enjoy but the upkeep killed it for me. Most of the miles I put on the car going to and from MI from MN. Mileage when I got car 38K, when I sold it 138K

Engine mounts
all rubber suspension parts
ate lower ball joints
2 transmissions within 140K miles
4th gear pressure switches
3 sets of rear brakes
wheel bearing
end links (all of them)
EVAP problems
changing transmission fluid every 15K miles as it would turn brown very fast
Acura could have went the way of Lexus and stood out but they instead went the way of what crap can I share with Honda? Leather interior is not the best, 5spd autos are crap and I do mean CRAP. Lots of teething problems with newer models (look in the forums here)