[ZNorm]

Hi everyone!
I get my license at the end of this month and I really like the updated 3rd gen TL. Are there any common issues that I should know of? The car that I'm looking at is a 2007 3.2 w/NAV and has 78,000 miles, listed at $13k. My brother has a 2006 BMW 325xi that required over $2k in maintenance/repairs last year. Will the TL be that expensive to maintain? Will FWD do well in snow with winter tires?
Please let me know your thoughts on the car.
Zach

 

[Hondacuraplanet]

Depends on how it's driven and how it's maintained. We do see some issues related to front end (compliance bushings, CV shafts, etc) but nothing uber expensive.

$2K in maintenance and repairs doesn't buy you a lot these days. Heck, I spent $2K in parts and repairs to an old Caravan I bought. The only thing I couldn't do myself was the solenoid block in the transmission that had to be programmed....and the rest was just parts!

The key here is maintenance. Make sure you do all the regular maintenance, with ONLY Genuine Acura fluids. The other thing to note is that by time, you're due for the 105K maintenance, which includes the timing belt and water pump.....about a $900 job.

 

[EL FLACO]

Before buying I'd (minimally) check out the trans fluid. If it's black, not opaque, and there's no record of it being changed, I'd pass.

 

[stingertee]

I agree. Buying a second car would always depend on how well its maintained.

 

[ZNorm]

Sorry for taking forever to get back with you guys! I appreciate the feedback and helpful tips. If all goes well I should be going to look at a 2007 TL 3.2 this week. It's at a Chrysler dealership and they're asking $10,900 for it and it's got 89,000 miles on the odometer. The TL is a locally owned 1 owner car and it looks beautiful in the pictures they posted. EL FLACO said to check the Trans fluid but I don't know how I would be able to do that unless the TL has a Trans fluid dipstick. Any suggestions?
Thanks so much and I promise to respond faster next time!

 

[Hondacuraplanet]

Yep, there's a dipstick....but get it serviced anyway just for good measure. And make sure ONLY Acura ATF-DW1 fluid is used.

 

[ZNorm]

Yep, there's a dipstick....but get it serviced anyway just for good measure. And make sure ONLY Acura ATF-DW1 fluid is used.

Awesome! I just changed the transmission fluid doing the 3x3 method on on my mom's Volvo without a dipstick so the Acura should be a piece of cake. This may be a stupid question, but can I get the Acura fluids at a Honda dealership?

 

[Hondacuraplanet]

Sure, same ATF

 

[Shay_Fox]

Depends on how it's driven and how it's maintained. We do see some issues related to front end (compliance bushings, CV shafts, etc) but nothing uber expensive.

$2K in maintenance and repairs doesn't buy you a lot these days. Heck, I spent $2K in parts and repairs to an old Caravan I bought. The only thing I couldn't do myself was the solenoid block in the transmission that had to be programmed....and the rest was just parts!

The key here is maintenance. Make sure you do all the regular maintenance, with ONLY Genuine Acura fluids. The other thing to note is that by time, you're due for the 105K maintenance, which includes the timing belt and water pump.....about a $900 job.

Thanks for the information. Its really useful for me :smile2:

 

[ZNorm]

I've been really busy so I haven't been able to post on here but I was able to get the 2007 TL with 89,000 miles on it. We got it for $11,000 and it's a very clean 1-Owner. The only issues with it are a cracked fog light and the mirror turn signal has some moisture in it. My dad took it to get the windows tinted a few minutes ago otherwise I'd post some pictures of my own. One thing I have noticed is that the transmission takes about 3 seconds to engage drive. Could this be because the transmission fluid is old? When I checked the dipstick at the dealer the fluid is still red. Thanks for your help!

 

[Shay_Fox]

Congratulation for you new car.