jmsmiff

Greetings everyone. New to this forum and I'm shopping around or a 3G TL but I'm not sure which way to go. I've done some research and decided that I only want a 6mt in any color except white (no offense), mileage isnt a big deal!
I would really love an 07-08 Type S but I've heard about the 3rd gear tranny and engine knock issues. I've owned every Acura except Mdx, Rdx, ilx, Nsx, so I know every car has its issues, after all, i've owned 6 Legends! I currently have a 95' 6mt LS coupe with 96k and the TL would be my dd. I have also been searching for an Aspec but have had no luck at all. What I'm looking for is ongoing issues such as tranny, bhg etc. what should I look for? I welcome any and all comments

Type S, Aspec, or base?

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Welcome to AcuraZine. Best of luck in your search. A 6 speed Type S is difficult to find.

UA6

Type S MT is the way to go.

vp55

iTrader: (6)

I would go for a 6MT Type-S or Base. Good luck!

truonghthe

3rd TL MT is bullet proof, Good luck finding Type S MT they are rare as hell and you must travel far for it. 3rd TL MT doesn't has any major issue like you stated above like knocking engine/ transmission, however unlike your Legend with the famous BHG that cause most people swapping into RL 3.5, I am also a legend owner

TLtrigirl

iTrader: (1)

find a 6MT, type-s or base (04-06 base or 07-08 type-s). rare beasts. i own one (not for sale though )...

the 3rd gear issue...many have remedied with GM synchromesh fluid. i have no idea what this engine knock issue is you speak of.

Aspec add on option...difficult to find (as in hard to find from when the pkg was actually dealer installed at the time the car was purchased). you can add on parts of the aspec pkg (suspension, lip kit, rear spoiler), other parts of the pkg (the steering wheel, the badge, i know i'm forgetting something) are discontinued and are extremely rare.

everyone is going to tell you to get a type-s. honestly you have to decide what you really want. yes the type-s has a few different offerings than the base models, BUT you will pay a small premium to get the type-s and you'll have to be patient to find a 6MT that has not been abused. what is your budget?

with my 6MT...i have had no major issues. granted i'm only at 57k mi.

jmsmiff

Thanks guys for the input. I'm noticing that the 6mt Type S is really hard to find, like most 6mt Acura's. Took me over a year to find my 6mt Legend. If all else fails I'll go with a non type s 6mt. I found a few under 10k with over 100k that I may look into. Im sure there is a way to swap the type s rear end to a non type s. as well as the two tone seats

NetoAzul

If it ain't WDP, it ain't right!

JTS97Z28

iTrader: (4)

Any 3rd gen is nice, but regardless if its a Type S or not I say limit your searches to an 07 or 08 for sure. Those years had sigificant improvements and updates inside and out. As for which tranny to get, if you go base 07/08 then your only choice is auto, if you go Type S you can get manual or auto, but as mentioned the manual is tough to come by unless you dont mind traveling to get it. I have owned pretty much every version of the TL. Base auto, Type S auto, and Type S manual. They are all good, but im not a fan of the manual in the TL's as I personally find it too finnicky to finesse. I was never able to just sit back and drive without thinking about if im gonna shift smoothly or not. The manuals left a bad impression on me as well since one toasted a clutch at 60K miles, and the other had some weird shuddering issue that went unresolved (unknown if it was tranny related or not), both had 3rd gear issues and needed the GM fluid, and one had 3rd gear TSB performed early in its life from original owner, but then continued to have grinding issues. Im back in a auto Type S and im very happy with it. These are just my experiences, and dont get me wrong its always fun rowing through the gears in a manual, but for me as a daily driver I jujst like the auto better in it.
So my vote goes to any 07 or 08 TL base or Type S, but if its a base model be sure to get one with nav. The interior looks a lot better!

James

ez12a

welcome to the forums.

I love the 6MT in my car and would have not bought a TL otherwise. The only thing I can think of is the gearbox being notchy especially when its cold out. The motor itself has no common issues and will not leave you stranded. People critique the J series for being an antiquated design but you can't deny it's a proven design. The only common thing among all TL models is motor mount failure which in of itself isnt a crippling failure. My 2004 hasnt produced half of the things reported on this forum (burnt mirrors, cracked dash, battery draining HFL, etc), so your mileage may vary depending on the car you look at.

Get a TL-S 6MT if you can find one and if you have the budget for it. 04-06 base 6MT otherwise. 5AT is not an option, imo. A member on here has over 200k miles on the original clutch and transmission, so it all depends on the driver in terms of 6MT reliability.

truonghthe

yes you can convert 04-06 TL into 07-08 Type S look but you will have to spend a crap load of money into and some rewiring on the side mirror. You will need the following items from Type S to do the conversion

1. Type S headlight.
2. Type S Front/Rear Bumper.
3. 07-08 side mirror with additional wiring for LED signal to work.
4. Type S wheels.
5. Type S side marker.
6. 07-08 grill.
7. Type S deck lid spoiler (this little sucker cost more than $320)
8. Type S tail light.
9. Type S badge
10. Type S dark chrome trim
11. Type S fog light (each side cost $225) require rewring for fog light and added DRL light.
12. Type S Exhaust

if you like more then you will need Type S interior also.



like James said you should stick with Type S to begin with or 07-08 base but then again look like Type S is out of your budget and the base doesn't offer MT so you have no choice but to go with 04-06 MT.

jmsmiff

That sounds like a lot of money and work. Probably won't go that route.

jmsmiff

So, my search continues but now it just got narrower. I found an 07 6MT Type S ASPEC but by the time I got to the dealership it was sold
I found this one on feebay but SALVAGE title worries me for $18k. What do you guys think?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2008-...#ht_7789wt_974

truonghthe

^^^^ I wouldn't spend that much on a salvage title. If your car involve in an accident and the reimbursement won't be that much and the excuse for insurance company is "the car already totaled before the accident".

nttstt444

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, Id stay away from a 3gtl with a salvage title. Any relatively newer vehicle with a salvage title is usually going to be trouble.

jgj925

I've seen that listing on ebay for the longest time. definitely not worth it

dannyz

Actually, the '07, '08 Type S transmission is the stronger, 3-shaft transmission from the RL. It's the earlier transmissions that you really should check out carefully.

i_love_cars

iTrader: (1)

18k for a salvage title, rofl that's insane.

pass on that one for sure.

You'd be better off buying my car for 18k and I have 37k more miles than that salvaged one lol.

nttstt444

iTrader: (1)

dannyz makes a good point as far as the 5at goes. The 5at 07/08 TL/TL-S have a modified version of the RL tranny, which so far have shown to be a hell of a lot more reliable than the 5at on the 04-06 TL's. I believe the TL-S also features an aux trans cooler.

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

You can always buy the ASPEC wheels and the lip kit at a later point. Just focus on the car first and get the add ons later.

LoveMyTL-S

Welcome to AZ........Looks like everything has been mention already. Good luck with your search.

jmsmiff

I think I will pass on this one, no matter how rare it is! I asked the seller why was the title salvaged and his reply was:

HELLO THANK U FOR YOUR INTEREST ITS A REGULAR TITLE STATING SALVAGE ON IT THATS ALL SMOG BRAKE AND LIGHT HAS BEEN DONE ITS GOOD TO GO THX GOOD LUCK.

Not sure exactly what that means since I'm not from Cali Either way, the search continues. So if I understand it right the difference between the 6MT Type S and Aspec is rims and a body kit?

nttstt444

iTrader: (1)

The A-Spec pkg can be added to any TL. The package used to consist of wheels, aero kit, suspension, steering wheel, different brake pads for auto tranny, and badge. the package isn't sold anymore and some of the items have since been discontinued but you can still buy pices of it, like the aero kit, or wheels or whatever and put them on your TL. A lot of members here have done that. Don't buy a TL/TL-S JUST because it has the aspec aero kit and wheels. You can buy the aspec parts anytime, for any 3g.

RU_JELLY

iTrader: (1)

really you dont like wdp? wow that might be a first

jmsmiff

I already have a an 04 RL in white and I'm not a huge fan of the color combo in white; unless I haven't seen all the colors

4drviper

type S for best MPG lol

truonghthe

I must be the first person don't like white, when I looking for a TL CBP and WDP isn't on my list, don't care about the mileage or price.

Hondaforlife954

how much are you willing to pay for one?

jmsmiff

Price would depend on the condition of the car. I found an 07 type s Aspec with 76k for 17k but it sold before I could get there. Basically what my LS430 could fetch....about 17k

jmsmiff

Going to check this out tomorrow! Anyone know what color this is? My plan is to just upgrade this to an Aspec. Hopefully this color is available in the kit. Any opinions? I'm also gonna work something out with the price and the much needed 100k service. $18k is pretty high not having that service done


http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...nal&listType=1

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

Carbon Bronze Pearl.

And yes, the price is too high with no 105k service done.

i_love_cars

iTrader: (1)

buy mine instead.

CBP Type-S a-spec lip kit is no longer available to my knowledge. When I bought my kit 1.5 years ago, it took like 4 weeks because they had to source parts from 3 regions of the country, lol. And that was one of the last full sets for Type-S that I know of. I've been wrong before though.

That price is too high for 100k miles with no 105k service being done.

JTS97Z28

iTrader: (4)

Car looks good. No accidents reported to carfax and only two owners. Price seems ok from a dealership. 105K service isn't due yet so not sure how much that's going to help your argument. They don't care what service is due 7,000 miles down the road or whatever.
Take a good look over it and let us know how it is :-)

JJH

iTrader: (1)

IMO, price is wayyyyyyyyyy too high.

Bought my 6MT KBP type-s two months ago for $15k OTD with 98k miles.

i_love_cars

iTrader: (1)

agree. TL holds value well but we're still talking about a car that is 6-7 years old as we approach 2014. The book value of the car, regardless of KBB, Edmund's, NADA, will depreciate every year, even if mileage is unchanged.

and regardless of the 98k miles, this is a 2007 he's looking at, which means as we are rapidly approaching 2014, the 105k maintenance is a valid argument because officially it's either 7 years or 105k miles, whichever comes first.

price is still way too high when you consider that 2 years ago I bought the exact same car with 49k miles for 21k. Add 2 years of depreciation and another 50k on the odo? 18k starts to look wayyyyyy too high.

JJH

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, and when you throw in tax + dealership fees + $1k 105k service you're looking at a good bit over $20k for a 7 year old car with 100k miles on it.

NCSU_TypeS

They have had that car for quite some time. I've followed it since I'm back in the market for one as well. I believe it has had the 105K service performed. It was traded in for a new camaro at hendricks chevrolet in Charlotte. I only know this due to it being posted on craigslist months ago before the owner traded it in. It seems like a clean car but is extremely over priced. I bought my 6mt type s with 105K on it in Raleigh (similar market) in Feburary for 14.9K. I'd offer 15k see where it goes seeing as that car has been on their lot for close to 2 months.

jmsmiff

I may have to hit up my CU for this one. Miles is great but prices higher than I like. I'm gonna see if the dealership has a carfax. What do you guys think?

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...iedOnly=false&

just1nsama

I'd say get the cleanest 3G you can find and mod it the way you want or keep it stock (your liking), its just such a good car all round no matter what year, obviously some updates have been made to it through the years and if you can get one Type S or with aspec package or just lips with a couple of cool mods already on the car like i did when i bought mine, well its always better

greekguy000

iTrader: (1)

you can have mine for $17500