Moving from Maxima to Acura TL

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
ThePresence

ThePresence

Elite Member
Nov 19, 2001
27,727
16
81
My 2000 Maxima SE is about to leave me forever. It will be an emotional parting. THis car has served me well for a long time. I bought it used in 2002, with 40k miles or so. It now has 166,646 on it. The last 20k miles have been expensive. I've had to have alot of work done. Inspection is due next month, and it will cost too much to get it fixed up to pass when I don't know what day the transmission will say enough already.

So I'm thinking of getting a used Acura TL. I spoke to a guy who has one for sale. It's a 2004 fully loaded, and it looks NICE. Also around 40k miles, he wants $13.5. I don't think that's a bad deal, but I don't know much about Acuras.

What does AT say?
 
F

fstime

Diamond Member
Jan 18, 2004
4,382
5
81
I believe the TL's of that gen with 5 speed autos had a tranny problem. Maybe it was only with the Type-S?

Other then that, Acuras in general are pretty solid cars and that is a very good price.

 
F

fstime

Diamond Member
Jan 18, 2004
4,382
5
81
Originally posted by: ThePresence
My bad, it's a 2004. The latest body type. I'm gonna update the OP.
Click to expand...

13.5 for a 2004 with 40,000 miles?

Go for it, great deal.

< RL owner.
 
ThePresence

ThePresence

Elite Member
Nov 19, 2001
27,727
16
81
Originally posted by: BouZouki
Originally posted by: ThePresence
My bad, it's a 2004. The latest body type. I'm gonna update the OP.
Click to expand...

13.5 for a 2004 with 40,000 miles?

Go for it, great deal.
Click to expand...

Yes, I believe that's what guy wants for it. I've been looking at so many cars that I may be off, but I'm almost positive that was it. Does it make sense? Is it like OMG CRAZY DEAL? If so I'd have to recheck what the price was, I have it written down somewhere.
 
F

fstime

Diamond Member
Jan 18, 2004
4,382
5
81
Originally posted by: ThePresence
Originally posted by: BouZouki
Originally posted by: ThePresence
My bad, it's a 2004. The latest body type. I'm gonna update the OP.
Click to expand...

13.5 for a 2004 with 40,000 miles?

Go for it, great deal.
Click to expand...

Yes, I believe that's what guy wants for it. I've been looking at so many cars that I may be off, but I'm almost positive that was it. Does it make sense? Is it like OMG CRAZY DEAL?
Click to expand...

Thats wayyyyy below KBB value if I was to take a guess.

I'd def have it checked out.

EDIT: KBB is giving me 19.9-22.8k for an 04, I didn't bother to put in any options either.
 
T

thomsbrain

Lifer
Dec 4, 2001
18,148
1
0
That's a you-better-take-a-good-look-at-the-carfax-and-title deal. nearly $10K under market value, so you better be looking hard for the catch. water damage? crash damage? stolen?

but every now and then someone just doesn't know the value of their car and you find a deal like that. if so, go for it.
 
A

Aimster

Lifer
Jan 5, 2003
16,129
2
0
The flood in New Orleans left a lot of luxury cars flooded. They are now all over the market.

Check it out
 
vi edit

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
8,345
126
Originally posted by: thomsbrain
That's a you-better-take-a-good-look-at-the-carfax-and-title deal. nearly $10K under market value, so you better be looking hard for the catch. water damage? crash damage? stolen?

but every now and then someone just doesn't know the value of their car and you find a deal like that. if so, go for it.
Click to expand...

Definitely carfax it. I could believe $18k. But $13.5k throws up some flags to me.
 
Corn

Corn

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 1999
6,389
29
91
As the former owner of a 2004 TL 6-speed I will caution you to do the following when considering your purchase:

Get it on the freeway and set the cruise control at 80 MPH+ and cruise for at least 10 miles.

My TL had the worst driveline vibration, visibly shook the steering wheel above 70 MPH and was relentless. Acura acknowledged this defect in my car, but fought my lemon law lawsuit (successfully) stating it was a "normal characteristic of the car" and only presented itself at speeds in excess of the allowed speed limit.

If you never exceed the speed limit, you'd probably never notice.
 
moks78

moks78

Lifer
Jan 5, 2001
10,581
1
0
Originally posted by: vi_edit
Originally posted by: thomsbrain
That's a you-better-take-a-good-look-at-the-carfax-and-title deal. nearly $10K under market value, so you better be looking hard for the catch. water damage? crash damage? stolen?

but every now and then someone just doesn't know the value of their car and you find a deal like that. if so, go for it.
Click to expand...

Definitely carfax it. I could believe $18k. But $13.5k throws up some flags to me.
Click to expand...

Like what the other peeps have said...carfax is a must. You'll see the complete history of the vehicle. Hopefully, it's a clean title and was serviced regularly.


Wifey has an 05 TL w/ navi. Great car to drive specially on long distances and so far no problem with it. I think, the tranny problem was corrected with the 05 model year.
 
SoulAssassin

SoulAssassin

Diamond Member
Feb 1, 2001
6,135
2
0
Originally posted by: Corn
As the former owner of a 2004 TL 6-speed I will caution you to do the following when considering your purchase:

Get it on the freeway and set the cruise control at 80 MPH+ and cruise for at least 10 miles.

My TL had the worst driveline vibration, visibly shook the steering wheel above 70 MPH and was relentless. Acura acknowledged this defect in my car, but fought my lemon law lawsuit (successfully) stating it was a "normal characteristic of the car" and only presented itself at speeds in excess of the allowed speed limit.

If you never exceed the speed limit, you'd probably never notice.
Click to expand...

I have an 04 and never had the problem though I purchased 09/04 so it may have been resolved by then.
 
W

woodie1

Diamond Member
Mar 7, 2000
5,947
0
0
Carfax may not have up to date info so I'd have a reliable mechanic check it out too.
 
O

onza

Diamond Member
Sep 21, 2000
8,937
0
0
reviews.ragingazn.com
The 04 is a 3G car, but it's also the first in the 3G. I drive an 06 TL, it has it's issues but i deal with them.

Issues - @ 50-55mph you will notice vibrations
Rattles galore

It's a good car and the price seems way to good to be true.
 
ThePresence

ThePresence

Elite Member
Nov 19, 2001
27,727
16
81
Ok people, it was my mistake. That price was indeed for an '03. It appears the guy has two TL's for sale, an 03 and 04. The 04 is the loaded one I saw and he wants about $17.5 for it.
 
jdoggg12

jdoggg12

Platinum Member
Aug 20, 2005
2,685
11
81
I think he meant SMG
And how is it priced too high? It shows $5k under delear price as is... i'm not being sarcastic, i thought it looked like a decent price
 
Corn

Corn

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 1999
6,389
29
91
I doubt it was $5k under dealer price, that would mean that dealer bought a 3 year old base TL with 43k miles for $28k. No way, thats only $5k below sticker new!

Offer them $21k, they'll take it. Its your money though.......
 
jdoggg12

jdoggg12

Platinum Member
Aug 20, 2005
2,685
11
81
No no no... $5k under kbb dealer (aka retail) price for that car with those miles.
 
A

Auric

Diamond Member
Oct 11, 1999
9,591
2
71
Have not heard of the drivetrain problems before... glad I steered me mum away from a TL in '05. It was a pig compared to the Audi anyway.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom