Acura 3.2 TL fans, i need your help

[Panakk]

2003 Acura 3.2TL
Dark Blue with 46010 miles.

Immaculate condition, checks clean with Carfax. approx 13 months old. Was first driven off the lot on 7/25/2003.

This dealer is a friend of mine, he wants $17,500. Would you do it?

The only thing i found wrong with the car is that it has a couple of scrathces on the front right door and the rear bumper. it's minor and i'm sure i can detail it out.

It does have a scrathces on one of the rims.. Help me... I love this car, i'm worried about the excessive miles. It does take 3k miles a month to hit 46 in 13 months.

It had to have been highway miles..

 

[jmcoreymv]

FYI, 2000-2003 TL's had massive transmission problems. I wouldnt touch that car, and I love TLs.

 

[Aimster]

He isn't getting a Type-S ... so there is no transmission problem. Anyways, Acura extended the transmission warranty to 100,000 miles.

To answer your ? ... I would get a 2001-02 for cheaper and TYPE-S ... but if you really don't care for the performance and you want a 2003 instead of a 2001 then it is a good deal.

 

[mitaiwan82]

I would do it...honda engines are bulletproof. I would worry about the automatic transmission going out before then the engine. Good luck with the purchase if you decide to go for it.

 

[Panakk]

Originally posted by: Aimster
He isn't getting a Type-S ... so there is no transmission problem. Anyways, Acura extended the transmission warranty to 100,000 miles.

I called Acura with the VIN, they only have warranty up to 50k miles for this car. But he did assure me that if this car has a transmission problem that affected the other cars, Acura would normally fix it even if my warranty has expired.

The problem is usually slippage from gear 2 to gear 3. I checked for that and it drove smoothly. This car is cheap. I can't find any for the same price range.

They do need new tires in about 10 k miles but that should only cost 600

 

[KeyserSoze]

2002 Owner checking in.

Mine is a Type-S with Navi, and I LOVE it. Actually, I prefer the drive of the regular over the Type-S. The Regular is a lot smoother/luxury ride.

I did my research for those cars, and that is a GOOD price. If the Carfax is clean like you said, I would jump on it.



EDIT: You are going to love the gas mileage, it's awesome.



KeyserSoze

 

[chowmein]

Originally posted by: jmcoreymv
FYI, 2000-2003 TL's had massive transmission problems. I wouldnt touch that car, and I love TLs.

listen to this guy, he couldnt be more right

 

[Mr N8]

Originally posted by: chowmein

Originally posted by: jmcoreymv
FYI, 2000-2003 TL's had massive transmission problems. I wouldnt touch that car, and I love TLs.

listen to this guy, he couldnt be more right

That is the only reason I don't drive on right now. Trannys should last well past 50k - 65k miles each.

 

[JRVette]

Originally posted by: jmcoreymv
FYI, 2000-2003 TL's had massive transmission problems. I wouldnt touch that car, and I love TLs.

We haven't had a bit of trouble out of our 2000 TL with 60K miles. Plus, Honda extended the warranty on the Trannys to 100K/7 years because of the problem. Only a small number of them are having tranny problems. Most are the Type S's.

 

[Panakk]

i'm going to go take a second look at the car, anything i should look at? I'm going to try taking it up to 100mph to see how it steer.

{Finger crossed} Hopefully i won't get a ticket..

 

[Aimster]

The known problem is only with the TYPE-S model and they extended the warranty on the Type-S only. The base model is more comfortable driving because it will have less torque steer.

Get the car and you won't have any problems. It's built like a rock. Type-S well..beware...

Also check out
2002 Maxima GLE/SE, 2002 I35, 2003 Accord EX-V6.

 

[TheAudit]

I would do it, that's a good price.

 

[JRVette]

Originally posted by: Aimster
The known problem is only with the TYPE-S model and they extended the warranty on the Type-S only. The base model is more comfortable driving because it will have less torque steer.

Get the car and you won't have any problems. It's built like a rock. Type-S well..beware...

Also check out
2002 Maxima GLE/SE, 2002 I35, 2003 Accord EX-V6.

Just about all TL's got the warranty extension. I have a letter at home to prove that our non-Type S 3.2TL was covered. <---Edit to clarify

http://www.roadandtravel.com/n...2002/hondawarranty.htm

American Honda Motor Co., Inc. announced it will provide extended warranties on approximately 1.2 million Honda and Acura models equipped with automatic transmissions due to problems that may result in premature wear or failure. The extended warranty will cover affected transmissions for seven years or 100,000 miles.

The standard bumper-to-bumper warranty for Honda vehicles is three years or 36,000 miles, while Acura vehicles are covered for four years or 50,000 miles.

Vehicles covered by the extended warranty include:

2000 - 2001 Honda Accord, Odyssey and Prelude
2000 - 2002 and some 2003 Acura 3.2 TL
2001 - 2002 and some 2003 Acura 3.2 CL

While only two percent of these vehicles have experienced these transmission problems, American Honda will provide extended transmission warranties on all potentially affected vehicles.

"Our priorities are making sure our customers are taken care of and reassured they can continue to depend on their Honda or Acura automobile for a long time to come," said Tom Elliott, executive vice president for American Honda.

There is usually plenty of warning to the driver that the transmission is not operating properly, such as slow or erratic shifting, giving them ample time to take the vehicle in for service.

American Honda will notify all owners of eligible vehicles via mail in the coming weeks.

 

[SuperTool]

Take the true market value, subtract the cost of one transmission repair, and set that as your target price. That way if tranny ever dies, you won't be hosed, and if not, you'll save yourself some money

 

[Panakk]

Originally posted by: SuperTool
Take the true market value, subtract the cost of one transmission repair, and set that as your target price. That way if tranny ever dies, you won't be hosed, and if not, you'll save yourself some money

Private Party price shown on Edmunds is $18,300 without a spoiler. So i'm getting it for $17,500.. That's $800 less and i get a spoiler which i think is worth about $500 eventhough it's not shown as an option with Edmunds.

I've checked all the dealers by me and the cheapest one i found it $20,600 for a 2003 with no spoiler and 53k miles

the rest of them are above 23k which is beyond my price range.

This is hard. Love the car but worried about the price.

 

[thomsbrain]

that's a great price. i think i'd jump on it. it's actually better for a car to be driven often than to only be driven occasionally, assuming it was serviced regularly. if it makes you feel any better, i put close to 3K on my 1991 Honda Accord every month (167K, running strong, and it's taken some major abuse).

 

[NumbersGuy]

Great car, good price, but try to beat him down on the price anyway*,
"it's now 2 years old and (could be wrong) the style changed."

*if you can't, buy it anyway; unless he's your brother, he did get it for less, and makes deals every day

$0.0199... (less?)

 

[Panakk]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
that's a great price. i think i'd jump on it. it's actually better for a car to be driven often than to only be driven occasionally, assuming it was serviced regularly. if it makes you feel any better, i put close to 3K on my 1991 Honda Accord every month (167K, running strong, and it's taken some major abuse).

I don't know of any service records, what would be a good way to tell if they car has been properly services over the last 47k miles?

 

[Panakk]

car is sold. arrghhh.

 

[Doggiedog]

Are you guys sure its only the Type-S?

I heard CLs were also affected by the transmission problem. In fact, I know my MDX has a recall now for the same transmission problem too.

 

[Aimster]

Originally posted by: Doggiedog
Are you guys sure its only the Type-S?

I heard CLs were also affected by the transmission problem. In fact, I know my MDX has a recall now for the same transmission problem too.

CL TYPE-S maye? MDX, also. Basically any Honda V6 250HP+.

 

[slycat]

too high miles and too much money.

 

[Doggiedog]

Originally posted by: Aimster

Originally posted by: Doggiedog
Are you guys sure its only the Type-S?

I heard CLs were also affected by the transmission problem. In fact, I know my MDX has a recall now for the same transmission problem too.

CL TYPE-S maye? MDX, also. Basically any Honda V6 250HP+.

My Acura is the older one. Only 240HP

Still recalled though for the transmission.

 

[Panakk]

Originally posted by: slycat
too high miles and too much money.

Everyone says that but i can't find an Acura for that price.

 

[Qwest]

right on the spot with the previous posts.

transmission problems always come to mind with that year of acuras.