simm

Need to sell my 1998 2.5 TL and I'm wondering what you guys think it's worth. THIS IS NOT A FOR SALE THREAD.

Mileage: ~215,000
Pictures: https://acurazine.com/forums/showpos...19&postcount=1
Modifications: Aftermarket stereo & Infinity Sub

Known issues:

• VSS works on and off
• Brakes are not very good (need new front rotors)

Fixes:

• Newer front tires
• Exhaust is about a year old
• Replaced master cylinder this summer

To replace the Vehicle Speed Sensor, it would cost about $300, and to replace the front rotors; over $1000. What do you guys think it's worth?

KrayzieDxC

go check KBB

simm

I already did. Unfortunately, KBB can't factor in pending repairs and such. I was hoping for an honest opinion of what my car might be worth from the community here..

civichxtreme2

Take whatever KBB says its worth and subtract half of the amount it would take to fix it, depending ono how it looks cosmetically, I really woulldnt expect more than about 1500 for it unless the body and interior is super super mint

Go90go

Check Edmunds for a more realistic quote.

~Cheers~

simm

Yeah, the paint is horrible (clearcoat is gone in a lot of places) and the leather is cracked on driver's seat.

civic and Go90go, your replies were very helpful. Thank you!!

cyclops13

I hope I am not going off-topic posting my query here.

Need your help in making an offer. I am in the process of buying a 1998 Acura TL 2.5. The exterior condition is nothing great, paint is worn out on the trunk, clear coat is gone. Interior seems okay, needs thorough cleaning. Rear-left power window is not working. Car drives good, has 142K on the odo and Carfax is clean with 3 owners, location is NJ. KBB fair value shows around $2500.

There is no rust visible except for the spare wheel well which has lot of rust. What specific things should I check for to ensure there is no major problem with the car.

ImSofaKingWeTaDid

Will sell my car for five hundred in that condition. That is too ghetto.

main70072

I see nothing ghetto about the car as long as it's not beaten up cosmetically and all jacked up. Now to answer your question, check for oil leaks as the 5 cylinders are prone to leak in several places. The exhaust manifold is also prone to leak due to a crack. Besides those two things, if engine sounds good and transmission shifts smoothly then you should be okay. You might want to let the car warm up to operating temperature and check for any signs of overheating. With that said, check the color of engine oil and transmission oil before making your offer. Good luck!

cyclops13

Many thanks for your replies guys. I appreciate.

Well I popped opened the hood after taking it for a spin. There was some oil visible on the case but no major spill. The exhaust note sounded normal, how do I check the cracked manifold? As the guy had driven around 8 miles to my place, it seems the overheating problem might not be there..

Is the pepboys/firestone vehicle check reliable? Does the car sounds a good buy for $2500?

ImSofaKingWeTaDid

Maybe, your being paranoid? Cars suck.

main70072

If the car has a cracked manifold, upon cold start up it will sound very loud in and around the engine compartment but will go away as soon as it has warmed up. Look below the car and under the carriage for fluid leaks because the valve cover may not be the only place to leak. Rev the car up to higher RPM and check for smoke near the firewall close to the battery because that is a known spot to leak. Those shops you listed should be fine if you are not sure of what you are looking at. That price seems to be fair for a '98 but if you can get him to go lower than great. Don't let a couple hundreds deter you from getting the car if you like it.

cyclops13

Thanks man. I guess I would go ahead with the car, I liked it.. One more advise, I would be owning this car for short term, probably a year or so. Do you think I will be able to recover at least 80% of what I paid after a year?

cyclops13

Sorry for back to back posts.

Is there a way to check if the timing belt needs replacement?? The current owner have had this car since last year and driven only 12K miles so far, so he definitely dint replaced it. Any thoughts?

main70072

Without maintenance records, it would be hard to tell if the timing belt was ever replaced. Maybe you can get him to knock off some $ for that reason.

To answer your other question, it all depends on the mileage you put on the car and the condition that it's in. Older cars don't depreciate as much as newer cars after a certain number of years.

jpaprota

The rust in the spare wheel well is most likely due to leaking tail light gaskets. I had the same problem when I bought my TL and when I tried taking the spare out, the floor came with it. I had to weld a new piece back under, but definitely something to check, and could be used to knock the price down.

Insti Gator

I believe there is a way - At 142,000 miles, the timing belt should only need to have been replaced once.

I believe there are markings on original timing belts that you wouldn't see otherwise. So if an experienced Acura mechanic knows what to look for he can tell if it is the car's original timing belt. At least mine could.