Mimm.jeff

Hey guys, this is my first post in the Acurazine Forum. I stumbled upon a 2002 TL Type S with 37,000 miles. Its had two owners, both in california. Transmission has not been replaced but has been check twice according to CarFax. No accidents or salvage history. Car is listed at $10k. Would you stay away from a car that hasnt been driven very much?

Thanks for your expertise guys!

MarcDavidoff

Welcome- that is a pretty rare find with that low mileage. If it has been maintained properly and at least driven consistently there should not be a need to worry in that regard. Has the timing belt/WP been done? If the trans hasn't been changed it has the older unrevised/updated unit and could be an issue if you start driving it more regularly.
I have two older legends that have very low mileage- purchased them ~7-8 years ago with low mileage and have kept them both low without issue
What is the physical condition inside and out?

Mimm.jeff

I am going to see it and drive it tomorrow, but was told it is showroom condition. Will the recall protect me moving forward? Or will I be responsible for a new tranny if it goes out?

Thank you!

MarcDavidoff

Don't think you would get any compensation on that anymore since the car is approx 13 years old now. What color combo is it?

Mimm.jeff

Silver ext, black leather.

dannysayaseng

thats not a bad color combo at all either along with that mileage if everything is fine. pretty fair pricing as well! let us know how the drive goes and wish for the best man!

Skirmich

Like said previously.. Low Mileage cars aren't that good find.. Since our car is not collectible item or a super RARE car its not something to brag about either.

Time with no Use = Dry out rubber items, Dry Suspension, Dry Bealts, Super old dirty oils, Super old Brake Fluid. All in all finding a Low Mileage TL isn't that big of an investment you might think.

A High Mileage well Maintained car offset its value more than a super low mileage car, 10K for that Car is only aiming at people who don't know about the TL Trans Problems and are susceptible to Low Mileage cars extravaganza.

TacoBello

It's not that low. I mean, it's low for a TL, but it's still travelled a good amount every year, enough to keep the car from rotting, anyway. 3000 miles a year is enough to keep stuff going.

I'd check it out. I also wouldn't be too concerned. The only item I'd worry about is the tranny.

If it's a well maintained car, all fluids and belts should have been changed, regardless of mileage. It's all in part of keeping a vehicle "mint".

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

for $10k, it aint worth it.
that's just a lot of money for an almost 13 year old car.

the main concern is the transmission

TacoBello

No, but that's an ASKING price. I can bet there aren't people lining up around the block to pay that much for the car. This gives the OP some negotiating room. OP can always walk away and tell the seller to keep waiting for another 6 months for someone to take a look. Sellers tend to start caving rather quick then, especially if they have a potential buyer standing right in front of them

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

even then, I wouldnt expect the seller to budge more than 2k off.
they have a gem and know it.
at $8K, its a little better of a deal but still a lot of money..

MarcDavidoff

Like tacobelo said, ~3k a year is enough to keep things active enough. The main thing would be if it was garaged or not and maintained well including routine fluid changes etc.
If the car still shows and drives pretty close to new, and can be had for around $8k I think it would be a decent deal although the tranny factor thrown in the mix has to be taken into consideration.
My '95 legend just turned 40k miles and is 20 years old. The undercarriage is like new including all rubber components. The huge factor though is that it has been garaged its whole life and never driven in snow (or really rain for that matter). I paid a decent amount for it when it was the same age as this TL is (about 13 years). Although I would like to think it maybe be becoming a bit collectible, I do know it at least has somewhat of a following. Don't think a 2G TL will ever though....

TacoBello

You're 100% right. Acura was right in calling that car "legend". I'd give my left nut for a 6MT GS coupe in mint condition. Even a sedan in the same configuration would be bad ass.

TacoBello

Also, there was a guy, gixxxer, or something like that, who paid 19k (If I remember correctly) for his 04 TL, due to low mileage. Now THAT is crazy. I think after his trade in, the price was like 14k.

Still, the 3G TL will never be a collector car either. Yet, being in good condition, it does have people desiring it.

Many will argue the 3G looks better than the 2G, but beauty is in the eye if the beholder. The 2G also has less technology packed into it, therefore less expensive electrical gremlins to deal with in the future. For 8k I think that car is a pretty good deal. I'd even go as high as just under 9k.

MarcDavidoff

LOL- yes big mistake when they dropped the name legend in the US. My TL is my main DD,
but my affinity for legends is admittedly a bit out of control. I had searched around for a super clean coupe for a while and then purchased a 94 pearl white auto coupe in amazing cond and low mileage from Arizona. Then about a year later come across a 95 6MT coupe in black in mint cond with less miles. Bought it and never could let go of the white one
Still think these cars have aged well and look pretty current 20 years later
OP- Sorry to hijack!

TacoBello

^ is that a GS?

MarcDavidoff

The coupe only came in L or LS. This is an LS. The GS was the top sedan model. And I have one of those too in 6MT

TacoBello

Oh I assure you, the coupe came in GS also. It had better brakes than the sedan GS. It was SUPER rare and SUPER expensive. But enough thread jacking, lol. Buy the TL, OP!

Sperry

iTrader: (1)

Offer $7,000 if the leather is cherry and soft. Bet the passenger seat leather has hardened with the AC blowing on it.

After $3,000 in upgrades, you're back to ten grand for a decent ride.

01tl4tl

where did this 3k a year info come from- are you averaging-- or have direct knowledge the car hasn't been sitting for the last 7 years?

recall---that was only to inspect 2nd gear thru the filler port and install an external sprayer kit in that same hole,,some of us got a replacement trans as warranty- at the recall- because of damage found to 2nd gear
as of now-2014 you cant get anything but a hearty laugh from the service manager for a warranty~

Note: original TL trans issues were clutch wearing out starting at 30-50kmiles,,anything over 50k was considered ripe for replacement (words of acura dealer tech to me) back when they were doing several a week!

Side Note: everyone should ck in with acura dealer service or parts dept and run VIN for recalls
or call acura care- usa cars 1 800 382 2238 x5 gets a human need cars vin
There are a few recent recalls concerning AIRBAG inflators and some VINs are part of that expanding problem of shrapnel from airbag~

Worth a free call to find out if you need an appointment with the dealer
Recalls are FREE to you and are issued for safety critical problems

03blackbeast

I agree whole heartedly. My TL was driven almost 30K per year since new. I'm at 280K right now and the original tranny didn't go out until 270K. Still on original motor, shocks, etc. Only things changed were tires and fluids. A high mileage vehicle that's been taken care of is a much better vehicle to invest in than a low mileage higher priced vehicle that may have dried out over time. Although it may not seem like it, neglecting a car like that can hurt alot of things. My first car was a 1986 Toyota Camry with only 120K on it when I started driving it in 2006. So it was 20 years old and was basically only driven 6K miles a year. It sat 4 years before I actually started driving. When I did drive it, the brake lines had rotted, the pads were inoperable, the coolant was bad, the oil had gummed into the motor, and the rest is another mess. After about $2K in repairs and such it was driveable again until the tranny decided to dump after a year since the seals had dried out. Low mileage cars need to be looked at with caution. Especially if they aren't driven on a regular basis to keep everything lubed. Just a warning from a voice of experience with low and high mileage older cars.

Skirmich

I also don't know where this "3K a Year" come from.. If we are all guessing here then I can also guess the car stood still for 5 years in someone garage = Fucked Up.

MarcDavidoff

Doesn't much matter until the OP replies back with what he found the condition of the car to be in. He will know right away if it is a creampuff or has been rotting away under a tree for 10 years

3.2TLc

^^^ Not necessarily......sometimes the hidden problems will surface later on once the car is put into more active use. Most truly original creampuffs are pampered by only one previous owner, not two. Is the 2nd owner the present party offering the car for sale, or was it traded and being sold at a dealer ?

Mimm.jeff

PURCHASED! Creampuff is a great description. Car was driven about 20K miles in the first two years before the owner fell ill and could no longer drive. The car was garaged since day one in California and everything from the seatbelts to the weather seals are soft and smooth. Car has been serviced at same dealership for 12 years, it was brought in a few times a year for service even when it wasnt being driven much, all records in hand. The owner recently passed away and his daughter sold it back to the original dealership. Car drives and looks increible, its like being in a time capsule...it is that clean.

Now, i want to carry on the heritage of this car by treating it right and driving it another 12 years.... Need to find an aggressive service schedule so this lady can last forever! Thanks for the advice everyone!

MarcDavidoff

Congrats and good luck with it!

3.2TLc

"CREAMPUFF" !!!

usdmJON

So cool. We really need pics op!!