TVL65

Since I bought my 07' TLS brand new oil changes have been every 5,000 miles with Synthetic oil. Air filter replaced every 10,000 miles, I've never had any major issues with it except a rear main seal leak at 90,000 miles and repaired under warranty. At 120,000 miles the radiator went and replaced. When the valves were adjusted they were spotless and looked new, timing belt service was also done. Now at 159,000 miles the Trans is leaking badly, and it's from the case. I had Paul here in North Jersey replace literally every part in the front end back in the fall including motor mounts, 4 new struts, Tie Rods, ball joints etc. I'm honestly at a cross roads now, do I replace the Trans or sell the car? There are used transmissions for sale online, but have high mileage, there are rebuilt ones too but I question who did the rebuild and their expertise? I've decided to have a re-manufactured one installed thru a dealer, not cheap at all. The car overall is in great condition, I'd hate to get rid of it and I know what I'm spending on the Trans would be a down payment on a used or new vehicle, but I want to drive it to 300,000 miles. Every month I drive it here on out there will be no monthly car payments. Have you seen the price of a new car these days? Can't touch anything nice for under $35,000. When all done I'm taking it to a local professional detail shop & pamper it. Waxing by hand isn't cutting it lol.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

I still have mine! 9 years and counting! going for 15-20 years of total ownership of the TL.


For exactly the same reason you are...new/used cars are too expensive. I love not having a car payment

gatrhumpy

iTrader: (1)

Car payments suck.

peter6

Just out of curiosity, how many miles and how trans failed?

TVL65

159,000 the Trans shifts fine, no issues but the case is leaking badly. Would have to be split & rebuilt. For a little more money I can get a re-manufactured one with a 3/36,000 warranty.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

around 8 years ago, i hopped a curb and damaged the case. insurance replaced the whole tranny.

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

Yeah, no brainer, have the trans repaired and call it a day.

csmeance

buy a spare trans and have that rebuild by a good place with upgraded parts like translab valve body kit and torque converter kit. Take old trans and you can have it resealed and sell it for profit or keep it if you are worried about the replacement failing.

While the trans is out, you can have the rest of the front end re-inspected and also do mod's if you'd like such as pre-cat deletes, new shocks, control arms, etc

whitetiger5

Transmission is a one time payment. new car is ongoing. If you don't mind parking it on a drip pan each night, why not wait for a new low mileage transmission to come along...it is bound to happen. and while you wait, you can pay yourself car payments to use toward that install.

Midnight Mystery

I strongly aggree!

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

What was the '07 TL-S when new, $39k and that was 12 years ago.
Our '04 Acura TL w/nav was $33,000 and the 2011 Kia Optima Turbo $31,000, but the Kia is a POS when compared to the Acura, except for acceleration.
Good idea to keep what you have and add a few bucks, at least for the time beaing.

Might want to give this fellow a call:
https://jimtransbuilder.vpweb.com/Home.html

Had his name on file for quite some time, but have never had any work done there, but can't hurt to give him a call.

Did a search and low and behold this is where I found his name:
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-p...ection-927095/

t-rd

I had the BAYA transmission on my 07 AV6 rebuilt last year for $2300 along with a rear main seal change, it had 275000 miles on it at the time. It is the only way to go, because you get to fix the valve body issue using the translab shift kit with larger bores for increased cooling efficiency while it's opened up. It cures the torque converter overheating at idle issue plus a few other shifting quirks. Putting in a used transmission with no valve body mods is a waste of money with a bag mysteries because you don't know how that transmission was treated in its previous life. I opted to pay $2300 for another 200k or 300k miles of life, because a new car payment far exceeds $2300 a year, and it's not immune to regular maintenance, you'll still need regular maintenance on a new car.

thoiboi

Also, stop doing 5K oil changes, that extra money can go towards a rebuilt transmission

jaydubz

Can't touch anything nice under 35k? Uhhh okay guy....I can send you a list of 100 cars better than the a 3rd TL under 35k lmao.

Hiryuu

Can't blame you for wanting to keep it, I just purchased an 08 TL-S and absolutely love it coming from a 2011 Infiniti G37 Coupe, I've certainly missed sedans.

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

I presume that is an exaggeration. I'll take it one step further, name me one 4-door sedan in the class of the 3G TL available with a 6-Speed manual for less than $35,000.

jaydubz

Under 35k new or used?

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

New.

peter6

In this category? Finding brand new car with manual would be a challenge by itself.

- G70 is probably the best, or most luxurious, on this list, but is starts at ~$38k
- Accord still offers manuals
- are any 4 door BMWs available with manual? but most likely far above $35k
- Impreza or WRX but I'm not a big fan of those
- Jetta GLI?

Manuals are just dying... as nobody wants to buy them anymore. Soon only 'sport' coupes will be left... and then it will be hard to find Mustang or MX-5 with manual, or electric will take over completely.

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

As for nobody wanting them anymore; granted the numbers are dwindling, but like it or don't, there are millions of folks out there, my wife, son, brothers, sister, and all of their children included.

Midnight Mystery

And I have a 2.4... [again]

jaydubz

G70

Honda Accord Sport

Mazda 6

I could list tons more from the compact car section or sports cars but don't want to stray too far from the class of the TL. I tend to throw the Jetta, Impreza's, Elantra into the small compact but they have great manual gearboxes. I love the Elantra GT Sport from 2018+.

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

Either not in the same class as a 3G TL, or not available with a stick (or the manual transmission versions are strippos).

jaydubz

Classified as mid size car, those are mid sized cars.

Also how could I forget about the G35/G37 when TL was coming out, great competition there.

My notation isn't here to defend the 6 speed of the TL, you can find a 6 speed manual in TONS of used cars that are hands down much better cars then the TL for under 35k, granted if you want me to name 2019 models, its obviously not the same time as it was back in early 2000s, manuals are going bye bye because people don't want them and computers do it better. So less options out there. This notation that people need to buy new is ridiculous, I am not saying OP or you, just people in general, my parents are that way for example.

Jackass

Have you posted any yet that are comparable? The Mazda6 until this year didn't have anywhere near the HP to be comparable...that is the primary thing that has kept me away from the 6 in the past. The Accord....you can't get half the options if you want a manual....and in many years, you are limited to the smaller engine. I was all excited that the Accord Sport was available in manual and the 2.0T just to find out you can't get memory seats and several other options without going back to an auto.

Now the Infiniti...that is probably the closest option for sure. I haven't kept up on what years offered a manual.

whitetiger5

Just to make a fair comparison...Quick look at an online inflation calculator shows $35k in 2008 would be equivalent to $41k in 2019.

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

Fair enough, name me one $41,000 4-Door sedan in the class of the 3G TL with a 6-Speed manual.

whitetiger5

I’m gonna refer you to post 19. The G70 is what sticks out to me as a worthy contender.

How did you determine that a G70 was not in the same class as a TL when google auto complete starts directing me to a comparison between the g70 and TLX; not to mention Wikipedia lists both (g70 and TL) as a “compact executive car.”

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

And in non-manual transmission trims it may well be a "compact executive car", but of you opt for a manual, you get come nice go fast goodies, but you lose amenities like leather interior and such. Sorry, I don't consider a car with a new age Naugahyde interior in the same class.

TVL65

Okay chump, then tell me why I should spend $30,000 on a car when I've maintained my TL well?

Midnight Mystery

I think a couple of other guys here got off topic...


As fas as I can tell, your best bet is to repair your TL, and I think most members here would aggree...


It appears a few members have started an discussion over new cars not related to your problem and they're just posting it in here... They're probably oblivious....


They need to post a though!


Best of luck with your TL-S! Sounds like a beautiful car!

jaydubz

You should repair the TL if you love it and don't want to shell money towards payments, I was just simply commenting on you saying you can't find anything nice for under 35k.