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So I've been looking at the TL for many years and considered upgrading from my current 04 to the TL. A distracted driver ran into my Accord and now is the time I can upgrade.
$7500 for the TL is an extreme steal, however it has 150k miles and no car history for the past year. The dealer said they recently brought it at the action three weeks ago. While inspecting the car, there was just minor dents and dings. I haven't test drive the car because when I went to check it out, the weather was very rainy. I did notice there was a rip in the air filter intake hose. I know I'm not giving enough information on the car but do you think the car is worth getting? I'm planning on using the car for the next 7 years until I finish my masters and get my phd. I'm sold that TL are reliable if they are taken care of and I baby all my cars and treat them with extreme OCD.
Thanks
Last edited by Steven Bell; 11-09-2016 at 07:14 PM.
Reason: Merged Posts
top right engine cover, pretty sure bambam slammed that bitch in...
torn hose is no problem...
if it was a 6MT I'd say go for it, but not sure if the auto tranny is robust enough to be blindly trusted.
CBP is gorgeous...
In the end, I made the mistake of jumping on a crazy deal...took me a good amount of cash to get it back up to what I consider damn good shape and mechanically sound...which made me realize that after spending the money it would have cost me for a clean one to begin with...
I was planning on taking my mechanic with me to see it again. Do you think that would help see if it is worth it?
you have to understand, it might be a great car with a little damage here and there.
BUTT, as LONG as you KNOW whats going on with the car, then you will have knowledge on how to go about fixing said problems.
if you are fine and happy with a car with minor to extreme problems, but have plans in place to fix said issues, go ahead and purchase.
IF, and this is a big IF!
IF, you do not have any plans on fixing said issues, it would be better to grab a cleaner, more pristine example.
for example; this car would be great for some one who cruises car auctions and KNOWS how to spot minor damages and can fix up those said damages with little or no money
but maybe this car isnt great for a daily driver. who knows, Bring your mechanic and find out
Its only a steal if its been properly maintained. At that mileage your looking at the 105k mile service (approx $1000 maybe more) and I think that car has many stories yet to be told. I'd move on.
Car looks like ass, but I wouldn't rule it out
The front seats are redone. They just don't fit the wear of everything else.. and everything else is bad.
I'm guessing they were ripped pretty badly and full of dirt, grime, semen, etc.
I also like how the pass headlight looks new and the driver side looks like ass.
Need to see side profile to check frame and see how she sits for further clues.
The canted fusebox and misaligned battery is fine.
The fusebox and battery in a type-s don't sit flush and square like the reggo base TL.
I'm pretty sure it's on the original timing belt / water pump / plugs / etc (no 105k maintenance)
So that's another stack unless you have the tools and ambition to do it yourself (do you like to.. do it.. yourself? jokesplain)
I don't like that there is visible coolant spill. Maybe it's from the res cracking, but need to see more.
OP, send us the link, no one is going to buy it from under you here. We just want to see more details.
TL is a good car, but getting her back to par will cost some coin. New fluids all around, 105k maintenance, full checkup.
Those miles also probably looking at regular wear and tear, oil leaks, etc.. If you really like it, just be willing to put another 2k into her, assuming trans isn't trashed.
If you just want a solid ride through school, get a base TL with a good history and a loving owner. Several of those here, check the BM.
Thank you everyone for your inputs! I feel like I should walk away but the only reason why I might still want to get it is because it is a type s. Do you think if after I spend 2k on it fixing it, it will last me another 100k miles?
i normally would say yes go for it.. but if you plan to drive this car for 7 years, and its already almost 10 years old with 150k, idk if its the right choice for you. just plan on doing the timing belt job if theres no evidence it was done, all fluids and so forth. and after all that, keep that $2k cushion in case anything major comes up
it also depends on if you are a DIY'er or not. I am, so i generally dont care about mileage because i do most work myself. if you are going to have to pay a mechanic to do all the maintenance and fix every oil leak and so forth... that stuff adds up real quick
Last edited by JDM96specCTR; 11-10-2016 at 08:33 PM.
It has a long vehicle history.. It really needs a once over from a qualified acura tech..
specifically the rear and front main seals for leaks, inner and outer boots on the driveshafts for tears, vtec solenoid / oil filter assembly for leaks,
high pressure power steering hose and rack for leaks, lower ball joints (check clips too) for rips, tie rods for rips, struts for leaks, oil pan for leaks / damage,
psf - should be clear, brake fluid - should be clear, atf - should be red, not black smells burnt, timing belt and water pump - has it been changed,
rotors for warpage, pads - depth and uneven wear, subframe - any cracks / fixes, check plugs, maybe even request a compression check, etc..
Like I mentioned before, if it hasn't done a 105k maintenance, it'll be $$ plus a valve adjustment for good measure (exhaust valves are usually all out-of-spec at this mileage, too tight)..
These are all things you can DIY, but it takes patience and the right tools.
The interior is going to need a lot of love. The little silver center console strips can be polished or painted over. They pull right off. The seats and carpet will need a lot of work.
And if it hasn't yet, be prepared for that dash to crack at some point. Acura changed several things to inhibit it from cracking, but it's still fairly common.
Things that jump out at me.. I wouldn't call that fender indentation minor. Sure it's not like it's part of the unibody, but even if you can PDR it, it's not going to be cheap.
Does anyone know if the screen should be black/off when the car is on? If not, then it's either the disc/dvd unit or the screen itself. Bleh.
Anyways.. the J35 is a stout engine.. I wouldn't worry about putting over 400k miles on it. Even the transmission should treat you well, assuming it's been serviced.
If the transmission fluid has never been changed.. I'd be very wary. If the 105k service was done as well as regular ATF changes, you might have a decent deal.
I'd still make sure all the brake lines have been properly flushed, and PSF drain / filled x2.
I love a good deal, but I would pass on this one. Interior tells the story on how the rest of the car was cared for. I always look extra close @ everything else if the engine bay looks like it has just been detailed as well :-) I'd only think about it if it was around $5k and that is only because it is a Type S.
that's such a subjective and random number. $7500 on a car that should sell for $12-14K clean and in great condition that doesn't need $7000 in repairs might not be a terrible idea...
just saying, you gotta be committed.
I came really close to buying an 08 Type S about a year ago. 180,000 miles they were asking 6 grand. It was a private party seller absolutely pristine interior. This car had some carbon fiber hood wrap to the thing. It was to cover up some rust on the front part of the hood. They sanded/primed and covered with the wrap. The only other thing was that it was driven by their teenager. I know all teens don't have a lead racing foot but if they were anything like me when I was that age, I wouldn't have purchased my own car :-) I've been looking for a type s or 4G for a couple of years, finally found my $7000 4G with 230k miles. I would have paid the same for a 3G type S in same condition no question. From the limited info and pictures of the interior of the car posted, I personally wouldn't consider it for $7500 just by looking at the interior alone. But that's just me and my opinion(which isn't worth much). If it were manual transmission I would say $7500 is an awesome deal, even it it's current condition. You could fix a Type S Manual with that many miles and you surely would get $12-14 k and come out on top. Automatic Type S in perfect condition with that many miles maybe $8-11k. This is just what I have seen over the past couple of years in my area.
haha, include me on that project plz. The 3G 6MT might be a classic wanted by everyone. Kinda like say a '69 camaro SS, at some point the prices bottom out and start to rise. Ohh I can see getting some for making that comparison....
I decided to get this type s. Negotiated it down to $7k. I drove it to my best friend dad who is a mechanic and he told me I should change the timing brlt+water belt to be on the safe side for next 100k miles and while we do that, we are replacing the front right engine mount to stop the engine jerking. Other than that, he says it is a good car. Just need a little more love. I don't know why anyone would not take care of their car!
Awesome OP.. Sounds like you have a good plan. Check out my 105k diy thread and don't be a stranger. This is a great community with a wealth of knowledge.
Awesome OP.. Sounds like you have a good plan. Check out my 105k diy thread and don't be a stranger. This is a great community with a wealth of knowledge.
Who are you and what have you done with Majofo?
Love that you picked it up, man...that's a solid plan and I look forward to seeing your come up.
Absolutely believe it'll be a classic Honda...just not sure how much pricing will bounce back based on the high volume of production!
I would pull the covers and check if the water pump and auto tensioner were replaced as well. Also check condition of idler pulley.
If they were, I'd say you're safe for another 60k miles or so.. Otherwise the OE kit + Aisin water pump isn't that expensive. If labor is low / free.. peace of mind.
11-09-2016, 06:20 PM
I feel like I should walk away but the only reason why I might still want to get it is because it is a type s. Do you think if after I spend 2k on it fixing it, it will last me another 100k miles?
for making that comparison....
