jrot

hello all im a supra guy thats all grown up now and need more doors, room, and mpg and reliability. ive been on craigslist and autotrader poking around looking for cars i like and the 1st gen TL seems to fit the bill pretty well. i have poked through a ton of posts and FAQs ect ect on the car and still im interested. i have found a car that would work well for me but its $3k at 204k mileage. so my questions are

1. is the car reliable at this point?
2. is there anything i need to look for specifically?

i can always just get a cheapo old accord that can run a gazillion miles instead but i like the steez these cars have...any information would be appreciated.

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/3126208301.html

Mandy

Best way is to start with 1 and then get your feet wet. Go for it. Welcome to the club!

vipstar

shit, looks clean to me. the only issues I've had with mine (which seems to be an issue with most members cars) is slow windows.

I'm sure you can tell more by driving the car but I know a lot of our cars have the ABS light on as well. I have the 2.5 so I'll let the 3.2 owners answer the question better.

jrot

cool so i shouldnt be scared by that mileage?? i dont mind the slow windows really, but is it fixable? or just the way it is?

jrot

OH and is this price fair?? he said he would take 2800

vipstar

I paid more for mine but it also had way fewer miles. Ive read other members posts about the miles they have and I don't see how that should scare you. I mean your used to supra's so u will be able to tell if it isn't running right. The windows are an easy fix with a lil white lithium grease. 2800 seems like an alright price just bc it looks super clean. if the interior is as clean as the exterior then u should be good if it performs well enough.

jrot

cool. yeah the ol supra has 225k on it right now and runs so nice. is the tl a quirky car or is it the pretty standard honda reliability? are they a drivers car or just a car? are the mpg good at all? i drive pretty darn far for work so i want a good all arounder.

vipstar

um that question is better left answered by someone that knows how to answer it. I drive mine about 30-40 miles a day and I drive the speed limit. too many speeding tickets got my DL suspended over 6 times so I drive slow now. The furthest I've driven my car was 4 hours away to Atlanta. I had no problems out of my car.

jrot

yeah im old and no hotrodder anymore, was more just curious. thanks alot though man. you all have been a big help. im sure all will make more sense once i get my hands on it

Go90go

You have a MKIII?

$2800 is a steal. Slow windows can be fixed easily, too. I wish that was local, because I would want it. Unfortunately, the ones around here go for $5000+. One black one went for $6000 two weeks ago. Too bad my most valuable parts are already gone, .

~Cheers~

Mandy

I might be selling mine before school starts...

Mandy

Care to estimate how much I will let it go?

106K (no timing belt done yet)
Acura 3rd Gen Rims
Nexxen, 50+% tread life
No CEL’s
AC is good
Heat is good
Body condition is A-
JDM Tails
Side markers

Go90go

Would I get a discount for distance travelled?

~Cheers~

jrot

i got it today for 2500. runs pretty well. i think it needs a few things since it was a teenage girls car (like glitter removal from cup holders) and shocks but it seems good. gonna take it from KCMO to OKC tomorrow or friday.

aznevo92

i have a 1997 3.2 TL , and im pretty sure youve seen my pictures floating around ^>^
i bought mine for 200, with 180k miles , and a lot of rare JDM parts .
so mine was a steal ,
okay heres some answers
MPG , i drive a lot! and i do math a lot! so your getting around 19-23 mpg depending on how u drive lol maybe 25 if you drive like grandma.
Reliability- amazing and durable , just do the regular maintenance , oil change, fluids , and watch out for power steering fluid and keep check on it . mines kinda leaking but just minor.
theres not a lot of performances parts out there for 3.2 tl and barely any for 2.5 TL. some you might have to find in Japan and have it shipped, $$

main70072

Give it a tune up and drain/refill the transmission fluid if you have no idea when that was done. Congrats on the purchase!

Mandy

Everything is negotiable. As Bruce Willis puts it, every one has a price.

jrot

ill do the tune up when i get back for sure. mos def gotta get the trans serviced.. im not surprised that there is not much of an after market parts since you dont see alot of tl's to begin with. does anyone one make lowering springs worth a crap?<--could probly google that haha. i would like to lower it an put those 4th gen tl 5 spokes and a factory looking wing and i would pretty well be happy. what do most do about exhaust if anything?