zoopzop

Hey guys, back again. This time looking at what appears to be a decent TL that, shockingly, is for sale in the town I live in!! God willing I'll be able to get it up on a hoist at a local shop, guy works so it's hard to get the car looked at before 5 PM. Looks like it's in pretty good shape, the miles are relatively low and the asking price isn't that high. One thing I noticed was that the 2008 gets worse gas mileage, according to Google, than the 2001 TL. Can you guys think of any things I should check or keep in mind when looking at that generation of TL? I'm most familiar with the 2001 lol. The story is that the guy who posted the Craigslist ad is selling it for his boss. He's trying to see if he can get records on maintenance for me or not before we meet up today at 5.

https://porthuron.craigslist.org/cto...625996348.html

TheSauceBoss

That front bumper looks abnormal. Be sure to look closely at that, as it may have been replaced as a result of damage.

Honestly the rest of the car looksgreat, just be sure to confirm that the 105k mile timing belt/water pump/etc. service was indeed performed. Mileage is a high imo for that asking price, but honestly a car is worth exactly as much as someone is willing to pay for it. Again, the seemingly aftermarket front bumper could be a sign of an unreported accident.

zoopzop

If he doesn't have a receipt for it is there anyway I could look at it and tell that it's been done??? I was hoping to get him down to around $5000 or $6000. I'd be really happy with $5500 lol. I'm thinking, based on how it looks (particularly considering the condition of the seats for that year) that is was really well taken care of, so, hopefully it has been done...

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

The front bumper is aftermarket and not even painted - indicates an accident.

Not really, miles aren't that low.

For what is is, no navigation also, it seems high to me.

TheSauceBoss

I'd look at the condition of the radiator/fans. If the collision was hard enough to smash those (and require new ones), you may be looking at underlying frame damage as well. Obviously this is just speculation. It could be something as simple as too many rock chips and the guy wanted to switch them out.

If anything seems suspicious I would leave it. Higher mileage car with rebuilt body parts wont be worth over 5 grand

truonghthe

"selling for his boss" and the un paint bumper got me thinking......

MyGuti

selling for his boss? The keychain has the dealer tag on it !

eaglegreen48

Craigslist=run for the hills

zoopzop

Weird discoloration on paint, same spot under both rear doors.


Weird discoloration on paint, same spot under both rear doors.
So, I spent like 2 hours today with the car between driving it and having my local Belle Tire check it out. The trans seems fine except for when it down shifts from 2nd to 1st, there's an inordinate amount of G-Force generated from that, or so it felt like to me, other than that the drive train feels solid.

Here are the notes I took:

Side view mirrors are both bad
Story about the bumper is that it looked like it was hit in a parking lot, their was a bolt missing from the three that mount the engine fan, didn't appear to have been replaced. Belle Tire didn't say anything about it up front.
New brakes with drilled and slotted rotors
A few of the rims have corrosion where the Acura logo is
Doors seemed to have a lot of grease on them
Hood struts are bad.
Tighten fuel cap message keeps coming on.

zoopzop

As for price... I told him without proof that the timing chain and water pump were done that the highest I'd pay is $5000. If he has proof that it was done, I'd do $6000. I know it's a little high but I've been looking within like a 500 mile radius for like a year and a half for one of these bad boys that was priced right, I'd be pissed if I let this slip through the cracks, you know?

MyGuti

the car is rusted to shit. not even worth the 5k. Plus there is clearly a oil leak somewhere

zoopzop

Well, I'm in Michigan so to me the rust was minimal LOL. Damn... He didn't seem like he'd even entertain $5000. Did just list is a few days ago so maybe I had better just play the waiting game? Why does it have to be so hard to find a good 07/08 TL bro lol

MyGuti

I waited almost two years for my 07 type-s.
The wait is worth it to find a clean one. Your area does have harsher winters than mine, but that is still a shit ton of rust that you will have to deal with.
You might want to look around your area, maybe even Canada since you might be close to the border.....there's always options, just depends on what length your willing to go to

GhostTL09

iTrader: (1)

that car is crap bro, move on! you have $2k worth of damage to repair

GhostTL09

iTrader: (1)

Get that TypeS in Chesterfield for $6900

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

polobunny had the discolouration under the doors also. He said it was because the door bottoms were rusted.

Big pass on this car if you ask me.

TheSauceBoss

Yeah that second set of pics is concerning. If you're in michigan, check out the Columbus, OH craigslist. There's always a million TL's up for sale (considering they were built at the Marysville plant here), and it's not too far of a drive for you.

zoopzop

I had always wondered why there were so many TL's for sale in Ohio.... lol You guys make good point, I'll pass on this one unless he'd come down to $4000 or less I guess. I had seen the S-Type in Chesterfield as well, but, it looked dirty, which I figure means it probably wasn't taken care of and I thought that with it being a Type S it's more likely to have been beat on or have more expensive parts? I'll be down there today and check it out as well if I can. I didn't check the doors for rust, that's what I thought it was from as well. Either that or water getting baked into the paint. I had hoped this car would be the one... I know I've put like $6000 or $7000 worth of work into my 2001 TL to go from 168k to 248k miles. Rather not have to pay that much again, so, I will wait.

losiglow

iTrader: (1)

At first I didn't think it was too bad but the more I look, the more I get that gut feeling of

I think I'd pass and keep looking.

zoopzop

Yeah, I'm kind of in a rough spot right now. My TL has 248k on it with a rebuilt trans that's slowly getting flakier by the day, an engine that leaks 1 quart of oil every 3000 miles and a bad rack and pinion plus leaky power steering sooooooo I'm kinda like hoping and praying that the damn thing lasts 30k more miles without blowing up wish me lucks guys lol xD I'm looking for 04 to 06 as well but I hear they have the same transmission issues as the 99 to 03's do -_-

TheSauceBoss

04-06 auto transmissions are less dependable than the 07-08. Granted, it all depends on how well it was taken care of, and if it was driven hard. I'm nearing 200k on my original trans in my '06, because it's been well taken care of. On the other head of the coin, there's people here that have had their fail at 50k. So unless you're getting a manual, I would lean towards the 07-08.

Your car sounds like it's barely hanging in there itself....all i can suggest is search, search, search. Last thing you want to do is have your car quit, then shell out a ton of money for a new one, only to obtain a car with additional problems that requires additional money.

quantum7

Looks like oil pump leak......or worse. I would not call this a good price based upon these pictures, and the lack of any mention of these problems would make me wonder, especially for a car in "great shape"

zoopzop

Yep, well, I guess that's why he's "selling it for his boss" that way, his boss doesn't have to do the dirty work of lying to people lol. Nice try! Saved again by AcuraZine lol. Poor car

Robert Taylor

I would have to agree with quantum7 here, looks like an oil pump leak which seems to be very common i for the 07/0 8 but it isn't a deal breaker (I bought mine knowingly). However it's definitely something to consider as I'm sure you know you've got to take the TB belt off and then some, so it's pretty labor intensive and expensive for 60 dollars in seals and Honda bond.. Not sure what the kbb is on it with the mileage, and I'm not sure how the cars look up there rust wise in comparison but otherwise it seems to be a good looking ride and much more dependable than what your driving now lol. Def find out about whether the TB service has been done or not and let your offer reflect it. Most of all follow your gut instincts and don't make a quick decision. This luck! 07/0 8 def the best years imo