ggesq

iTrader: (1)

I've always wondered what some of you mean when you post "I'm going to drive my TL into the ground."

Does it mean you're going to drive it until the tranny goes out on you?
Engine goes out on you?
Get into an accident and it gets totaled?
Keep it forever and keep fixing/rebuilding if necessary?

I've got 205k miles on my 05 TL. Bought brand new with about about 2 miles on it. For the amount of money that I would get for it via private sale or trade in, to me, I might as well keep it and use it as a "beater" in the future (rebuild the tranny if necessary) when I upgrade.

So what say you all? At what point, to those that are driving their TL into the ground- going to get rid of it- if at all?

Oh Sickest TL

iTrader: (3)

ill drive my EL into the ground but not my TL lol .

I dont think I've ever seen any pics of your car gqesq

erdoc48

If it runs, and you like driving it, drive on until it has a major failure and it's not worth fixing or has so many issues as to become annoying and expensive. Mine is worth progressively less as all of them are- mine is at 118K and my brother will soon inherit it as we're moving to SC in a few months and I already have an MR2 Spyder and the 300ZX, so I don't need 3 cars. My old 00 TL that my brother owns is starting to have some issues, so it's probably time for him to replace it (is at 190K). I would consider selling on Azine, but if it sits there unsold for months, it's a pain to insure it and keep it registered and unused, so my brother gets it. It really has been my most reliable car and I will miss driving it.

nist7

For me: keep fixing/maintaining until it's totaled by either wreck or fire/etc. where the damage is so extensive, say >70% and if there's structural/frame damage where it's really not repairable anymore.

For most people: means when major trans/engine issue come up...then time to move on. Most I suspect don't own their car for that long maybe 5-10 years max.

My first car was a 95 Accord that I owned for 11years and put 150k miles on. I had neglected the water pump and it went out and at that time at around 290k miles and I had been looking at new replacement anyway...and found my 06 TL. I was also looking to move up from a coupe to a sedan for more practicality and it served my needs well.

The TL I'm much more invested in than just a beater. Will be caring for the interior and also keep up on maintenance and I'm looking for at least (if no major wreck/act of god) another 15-20 years out of this car if possible (300-400k miles is reasonable imo).

I think majority puts the line at major wreck and if insurance totals it...they may let it go. Very very few, if any, will spend more money to fix the TL than its market worth unless it has very special sentiment to the person. After all the TL is just a entry level mid sized sedan...and most see it as a beater transport.

Comparing the cost of buying a NEW car or even another used car....most of the time the repair/maintenance is way cheaper than getting another car.

EvilVirus

iTrader: (8)

DarkTower19

I'll be keeping mine until I have no daycare payments left and even then I'll probably just hang on to it as a daily since at that point, like you, it's worth more to me than it is on the market.

Plus no car payments FTW

mvp2765

iTrader: (1)

I think it means driving it until repairs start getting ridiculous and not worth the $$, time, or hassle to keep fixing even if you do all the repairs yourself.

I had that with my old grand prix. It wasn't until i was replacing rusted out parts every-other week just to keep the car on the road. I replaced the motor once and the A/T transmission was starting to slip bad. The car looked great on the outside, but it was one large rust bucket underneath.

6spd-GERCO

To me drive it into the ground is until it gets totaled, hopefully that's not the case, or starts rusting away. I really enjoy my TL and for what I could get for it i couldn't replace it with anything equal to it. It's been paid off for a few years now, and that's worth a lot to me. A motor or trans replacement / repair wouldn't scare me into selling it.

Techneecs

I have wanted this car since 2007 when my dad had a '95 Legend and got the TL Type S as a rental. At the time, it was the fastest car I had driven and I fell in love. As long as they still make the parts, I will have this car.

Think of me as the new Ludacris..

truonghthe

ggesg at your mileage its better to keep it as reliable daily beater.

TacoBello

minus the money, the women, the fame, the...

Techneecs

Jackass

My '05 is the beater now. My wife drives it most of the time since she still has to commute while I work from home. Sitting at 150k miles with really no major issues with it. A few cosmetic issues like a crack in the dash and some paint on the bumpers peeling. I assume my next major expense will eventually be a clutch which if that is all that is wrong, I will do. If anything else major is failing at the time, I will probably dump the car.

I have no plans to buy a replacement for it for at least another year. At that time I will re-evaluate where we stand financially and how the car mechanically and see if it is time to move on.

EvilVirus

iTrader: (8)

I plan on keeping her until I hit 500k

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

I'm in a similar situation, Im at 174k miles now on my 07 type S and it just wouldn't be worth it for me to sell, I think. The utility that I receive from this car is worth more than the mere couple thousand that it'd sell for due to the mileage. Plus I've taken really good care of mine so I know it'll last for quite awhile longer. A potential buyer wouldn't know that though. If I do get a new car, I'd most likely keep the TL in the family and let someone else drive it.
So I guess it'll stay around until the wheels fall off.

OsK

iTrader: (2)

Story time. Was a freshman in high school.

Summer of 2006, I'm sitting outside of Olive Garden with my parents in 2006 waiting for a table.

I see a brand new UA7 KBP pull up and park with dealer plates and all that...I start drooling. Out comes this suave guy and but oh wait, passenger side door opens, and out comes this tall, beautiful brunette with green eyes and a smile that could make anyone smile.

From that moment, I always wanted a UA7 KBP w/ two-tone interior.

Still have it, and will keep it, unless unforeseen circumstances (accident) happens. I'll look for a clean one again!

Lel....

DeathMetal

iTrader: (2)

This.

This. I'll wager I've replaced more wearable components than any TL member and am currently contemplating if I want to do a 100% teardown of the rear. As of this point in time, it's impractical to sell, for an indefinite timeframe because:

(1) I know how to diagnose just about anything at this point in time
(2) If not, I can come here
(3) I can fix just about anything as of this point in time
(4) If no, I take it to Paul (AZine sponsored mechanic)

For example, my car is at 189k and I have ZERO hesitation in dropping $2k this year to replace the front leather seat, repaint and repair the front bumper (DIYs to come), and do the 200k service. Why?

This car doesn't die.
The knowledge base is nearly unparalleled.
It's a workable car.
I know what to expect.

Lastly and most importantly, in the context of the aforementioned, I simply don't have time anymore to latch on to a new learning curve. For that reason alone, to the ground we go.

musiclevelz5

My 03 TLS is not a 3rd gen but they are somewhat similar. Mine has 360k on original engine and runs flawless. If you do your routine maintenance then nothing will ever seem too hard to fix on these cars except maybe the transmission.

I plan to run this car to 1 million as long as I have it.

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

No matter what you put into a car it's always less than a new car, it's just if one wants, at times, the annoyance with the repairs. Take the '05 TL, depreciation @ $25,000, or @ $2,300 p/year, so with this in mind, a great many repairs can be made, but most will take the easy way out and just purchase another vehicle without hesitation.

The people that are capable of doing their own repairs have a definite advantage as the person that relies on a shop would probably be nickeled and dimed to death, get disgusted, bite the bullet and get another vehicle. Take just the timing belt job with all the replacement items, $700+ and I just purchased everything for $122, yes, belt, tensioner, water pump, pulleys, and will do the job myself. We all know what a shop charges for simple brake jobs, a small fortune.

On of the cars in the household is a '08 Kia Optima, long story, no comments, and I said that with the depreciation of Kia's, I'll just keep the car and if a major mechanical problems occur, just drop the subframe and install another trans/engine. This may have changed as with 225,000 miles, other than normal maintenance I've spent @ $300, two rear hubs, 2 end links, serpentine pulleys, and with the problem finding a totaled low mileage '08 without front end damage is becoming a challenge. Have found a very few, but not going to purchase one and have it just in case I need the parts, so my decision, if/when the engine/trans gives out it will depend on what is available at that time.

nfnsquared

216K miles on my 04TL (original owner), just did the 2nd TB job myself. I had no plans to sell it yet and now I couldn't even if I wanted to: I just got my 2 sets of ASPEC wheels

DMZ

239K miles, original owner, and still cruising right along!

Over the last few years, I have however done:

Timing Belt/Water pump
Clutch and Flywheel
Motor mounts
Valves adjusted
Rear stabilizer bar end links, bushings, and brackets
Spark plugs
All Hoses
Horns
Headlights and ignitor
Navigation DVD rebuilt
CD Player rebuilt
Bluetooth module
PCV Valve
Brake light switch
Bulbs in Steering wheel & around Nav screen
Shift knob
Added backup camera
A/C Compressor-3 yrs ago

Most of which with the help of our lord, Paul (our star mechanic in NJ). All that is of course, besides regular maintenance items like oil changes with synthetic oil, tyiz, and filters. Looking to go at least 400K !!

Yesterday, I stopped in to Paramus Honda for a clutch pedal cover and while I was there thought I'd check out the 2016 Accord Touring model (top of the line). Got to test drive it, and all I could say is that I WAS IMPRESSED. So much intelligent electronics it blew me away. It even stayed in lane when I took my hands off the steering wheel, and that was just for starters. The backup camera had 3 views to choose from; regular, wide angle, and down so you could see your bumper's edge. The traditional Acura Nav system has been replaced by a built-in Garmin. And so on and on and on .......
The 278 HP V6 that runs on regular had more than plenty of PEP along with a 6 speed automatic that didn't make me miss my 6 M/T.

Told my car not to worry when I got back in. He wasn't going anywhere anytime soon.
.
.

csmeance

200K on the TL so far and it's running fairly well too. If something breaks such as the transmission, it'll be less than 3K to get it repaired whereas a replacement vehicle is going to cost a lot more money.

With that said, if the car becomes a money pit then it's time to move on. Parts are only going to get cheaper as it ages and it's honestly much safer and nicer than most 2015 econoboxes.

Wishful thinking is to keep it for my future children to use, but we will see if that day does come to the 3G TL.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

the way I look at it...most cars I love are 30-40K...they all do what my TL does...maybe faster, maybe with an air conditioned asshole, maybe better gas mileage...

but none of them do EVERYTHING my TL does BETTER than my TL, especially taking cost into account.

I always figure that the taxes alone would be $2500...so any repair UNDER that keeps me in my baby, and keeps me from having a car payment. Win and win.

Even if the wheels fell off, I'd just buy new wheels.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

and what Crazy ass Death Medal Daniel said...

I KNOW this car...I KNOW what problems it has, what problems it WILL have and I know where I'll come to share my solutions, or seek what others have done.

Fuckk yes...J series 3G body 4 Lyf...

b15

To me it means when repairs start exceeding the value of the car. The TL is my 'beater' so I wouldn't really think twice about dumping it at the first sign of major issue. Maintenance is fine, but to me, the car isn't worth the time or money for major repairs such as a trans.

DeathMetal

iTrader: (2)

You might want to reconsider that position. I do agree that this holds true for most models. My 2001 Maxima, for instance, when requiring a clutch rebuild, was summarily dumped for the TL. I'll gladly shell out repair costs exceeding the vehicle for the TL as we have more than a sufficient body of evidence to show healthy ROI when compared to opting for a new vehicle.

Aman

In my opinion, "into the ground" means until the body fails.

95% of a car is held together with fasteners. Even if an engine rebuild or swap is required, the vast majority of that work can be done with ratcheting tools. A significant mechanical failure on a car with a relatively clean and straight body is a worthy cause.

Cutting and welding in new quarter panels or a floor is when I would usually consider a car "in the ground".

From experience, I would be hesitant to spend significant amounts of money on an old car because I know I won't get that back from insurance if it's wrecked soon after.

If I took my Accord to a shop for a clutch replacement and got rear-ended on the drive home I would be out several hundred dollars and feel stupid.

b15

I would never reconsider my position on a car this old. To each his own, but I wouldn't fathom shelling out any major repair for an old TL or any other car this age. Just like you dumped your Maxima, I would dump the TL without hesitation. I know many here think the 3G is really special but to me it's not worth much.

mlody

My 06 TL has only about 97k. Since I just invested $100 into a new car battery and $600+ into new tires, I am now planning on getting the timing job done and keep the car for about 3-4 years before selling it. My rear brakes were replaced about 3-4k miles ago and my fronts should be still good for another 30k+. If nothing unpredictable comes up, I am hoping for 3+ years cost free driving. If for some reasons things start falling apart and I am facing big $ to fix them, I might consider selling it earlier.

Jackass

THIS

Exact reason why I don't do truly expensive repairs on an older car.

lostang

'07 type s (6sp) with just over a 100k and about to do the timing belt in couple of weeks. car is clean in and out. paid top $$ 4 or 5 years ago from member here and will keep it in the family for as long as we can.

bigbluecanuck

I have always wondered about selling mine. 6mt blue kinetic with 147k KMs. It's in excellent condition, knock on wood. But I see the price these cars are going for in blue and manual, which always makes me wonder. Hold on to something that depreciates and drive for free or make some cash.??

StanCeD_J32

iTrader: (11)

**knock on wood** until it's a write off - gonna keep dropping money into it in terms of repairs if it ever needs repair. 155km/96miles and still going strong repair free..have kept it up by doing extensive maintenance.

musiclevelz5

Since I can do 100% of everything I need to do to my cars then its only logical that I keep them forever until the body starts falling apart. It makes a big difference if you can work on your own car versus taking it to a shop for just about everything.

6spd-GERCO

That's a very interesting way to look at it, looking at what you could get back from a car from an insurance policy. I look at a car a little differently, I look at the amount of money I pay for the car insurance versus the value to replace it. If I have a $3000 car I get liability and self insure the value of the car. If only we had a crystal ball to avoid accidents.

All those items are consumables: tires, brakes and battery (especially in cold climates) Tell me about cost free driving

6spd-GERCO

^Truth.

Jackass

My point isn't just what my insurance will pay...what will the other guy's pay? In my youth, we all played with much cheaper cars. I had too many friends who were dumping $5k (maint and mods) into their $5k or less cars. Then 2 months later they get rear-ended and guess what....the other insurance company only pays out $4k-$5k.

As the value of our cars gets down below the $5k mark and creeps closer and closer to the cost of major maintenance (think about transmission replacement)...that is where you really have to start thinking about true costs. This number where people draw the line will vary from person to person depending on how deep of pockets they have, how much work they will do on their own, their own flexibility, and if they want to buck up now or just have a monthly payment for something else that doesn't give them much trouble over the next 5+ years.

I don't have the time or the patience to do all maintenance myself anymore. Basic stuff like brakes...easy. Ball joints, tie-rod ends, bushings, clutch, etc...nope. I don't have the tools nor the time to do that myself at my house. As more of those items start to fail, it will make the decision easier and easier....eventually.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Is yours for sale? Let us know.

nist7

^Dang. Yeah guess to some TL is just a beater. To me it's a quite nice DD.

I guess to him even a 3G TL is too lowly...maybe a higher rolller than I....

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Well, I don't hate on him for having a different opinion...but he certainly talked it down into a POS and I certainly don't feel that way about mine. I guess maybe his isn't well maintained or drive well anymore maybe.