[jst17]

First of all, I’d like to say that I have search tsxclub and acurzine threads for this topic. But I am still quite a bit confused. Ive had the 04 TSX(100k miles now, corolla before the tsx) for about a year now, it was quite a bad investment as the engine was burning 1L of oil/1000km, and the dreaded timing chain check engine light came on(temporarily fixed for now with new sensors fro $500, did not replace the chains which i fear I will need to do if I continue to drive it). I do not feel like spending money on the engine to fix the burning oil issue is worth it as I got the car for only $7k. 04 TSX was a pretty bad year in terms of reliability, thus I am selling the car in the spring, and buying a TL or 06-08 TSX in the fall as spring is the car selling season.

I have heard that 04-05 TL have transmission issues, so im trying to stay away from those unless they are MT.

My maximum budget is about $12000. And of course, the less the better. Right now the current prices in Toronto for a 06 TL is around $11000, and an 07 TL is about $14000, and 06 TSX is about 11000. And those prices are for cars around 75k miles or 120k km.

I feel like the 06 TL suits my budget the best; however, the 07+ TL just look more updated, and if I were to do a bumper to bumper conversion it would be at least 2.5k not including any electronics or the interior updates. I am concerned with the fact that the transmission with the 06 might fail, and costing me thousands of dollars to replace, and its is very rare to see a MT TL for sale. Should I get the 06 TL in the fall or just get an later model TSX, or wait till next year till I have enough for the 07 TL. Any advice would be appreciated. I am currently 19 going 20, in second year university studying mechanical engineering. I do have internship every year so I have the money to do regular maintenance on the car, and from what Ive been hearing the TL’s maintenance isn't much more than the TSX.


TBH i feel really under powered while driving the TSX especially at highway speed..and my mechanic suggested that Honda's 2.4L are not very good as their V6s. I drive about 10k km a year, so buying a switching from a 160k km tsx to a 120k tl will last me at least a few years.

 

[gideon's_test]

Hail fellow mechanical engineer.

Both the manual TL and the manual TSX are not easy to find. I'd see what you discover for sale (look for both) and go from there. I personally think the TSX is cheaper to maintain then the TL. I have owned both. I do prefer the TSX.

 

[SumthngSynister]

everyone talks about the transmissions in the TL's just like they did with the Accords. as long as you keep maintenance up on it, you'll perfectly fine.

 

[jst17]

Both the manual TL and the manual TSX are not easy to find. :surprised I personally think the TSX is cheaper to maintain then the TL. I have owned both. I do prefer the TSX.

TB I would not mind having a AT 06+ TSX or TL. Its only the 04-06TL's tranny that concerns me. of course, MT would be best, but how much more is it for a transmission replacement than a clutch replacement?

 

[Pson]

If you putting up those types of miles....I would dump a couple K into the 04 you have and get the motor fixed. Timing chains should not go at 100K...if you change the oil, use syn, then it should last 200K. I had my choice of both TL and TSX, but went with the TSX due to the 2.4 motor (easy to work on and well known for going pass 200K) and cheaper on gas, which the V6 will eat more. Timing chain and fixing the leak will not be more then 2K due to it all being opened for the timing chain replacement.

 

[LowandSlow]

Recently bought a 2006 Acura TSX AT with Nav and it drives like a dream.

 

[gideon's_test]

I had the clutch, PP & flywheel replaced on my TSX for $850, parts & labor. That's a lot cheaper than replacing a transmission. Also, do not get an auto, I assure you, you'll wish you had held out for one quickly enough.

 

[AyyBenito]

Also, do not get an auto, I assure you, you'll wish you had held out for one quickly enough.

I couldn't have said it better myself. Kick myself everyday for not holding out on a MT

 

[jst17]

If you putting up those types of miles....I would dump a couple K into the 04 you have and get the motor fixed. Timing chains should not go at 100K...if you change the oil, use syn, then it should last 200K. I had my choice of both TL and TSX, but went with the TSX due to the 2.4 motor (easy to work on and well known for going pass 200K) and cheaper on gas, which the V6 will eat more. Timing chain and fixing the leak will not be more then 2K due to it all being opened for the timing chain replacement.

I got it a year ago and only drove 10k miles. I don't see a point in fixing the car since i got it for only $7k at 90k miles. The burning oil issue is not a simple fix, it requires the mechanics to reassemble and hone the engine internals which was quoted around $2-3k at various shops. and the cheapest timing chain replacement i found was going to be $1k.

TBH dumping 3-4k into a $7k & 10 year old car doesn't seem logical to me when I can use that money plus a few grand $ to get a much more reliable newer model TL/TSX with less mileage(75k miles).:surprised

 

[jst17]

Hail fellow mechanical engineer.

Both the manual TL and the manual TSX are not easy to find. I'd see what you discover for sale (look for both) and go from there. I personally think the TSX is cheaper to maintain then the TL. I have owned both. I do prefer the TSX.

Right, if i didn't have those two issues, the TSX should last a while with just oil changes and regular maint. How much more expensive was the TL's maint compared to your TSX's. Im willing to put away $1k a year for its maint, and from what Ive been reading the only bug maint is the 105k belt replacement, other than that it should be the same as the TSX's regular maint.:bowdown1:

 

[jst17]

That's a lot cheaper than replacing a transmission. Also, do not get an auto, I assure you, you'll wish you had held out for one quickly enough.

Oh wow, but you know the thing is, it is almost impossible to find a TL or a TSX that's 06+ with MT with a decent mileage, since 07+ TLs all had AT(except for some TL-S..). I guess, I will just have to wait it out.. 90% of the TL/TSX in Toronto are AT.

 

[Pson]

I got it a year ago and only drove 10k miles. I don't see a point in fixing the car since i got it for only $7k at 90k miles. The burning oil issue is not a simple fix, it requires the mechanics to reassemble and hone the engine internals which was quoted around $2-3k at various shops. and the cheapest timing chain replacement i found was going to be $1k.

TBH dumping 3-4k into a $7k & 10 year old car doesn't seem logical to me when I can use that money plus a few grand $ to get a much more reliable newer model TL/TSX with less mileage(75k miles).:surprised

That seem high to me and taking down the motor, well the timing chain is there and labor should be super cheap to do. Also, if you have a 6 speed...save the ride you have. I wish I had a 6 speed and you just can't find them at all.

 

[jst17]

That seem high to me and taking down the motor, well the timing chain is there and labor should be super cheap to do. Also, if you have a 6 speed...save the ride you have. I wish I had a 6 speed and you just can't find them at all.

I wish it would be cheaper...but it gonna take about 2 full day at the shop. with rates of 80/hour avg these days. i guess fixing cars in Canada is more expensive than if it was in the states.

My TSX is a 5AT, thus the reason i am looking for a 6MT now(Honda's engine are bullet proof, but it seems the complete opposite goes for their AT trannys). Not in a rush to buy, already made that mistake last time, and ended up with a bad apple 04; previous owner did not disclose anything about the engine burning oil or the Check Engine Light(P0341)...she just denied all accusations after the ownership transfer/sale[Her-> :troutslap <-Me]

 

[vietdragon1115]

Hail fellow mechanical engineer.

Both the manual TL and the manual TSX are not easy to find. I'd see what you discover for sale (look for both) and go from there. I personally think the TSX is cheaper to maintain then the TL. I have owned both. I do prefer the TSX.

YESSS a fellow Wolverine!!!!

But to be back on topic. I personally think a clean 06 TL, if that's what you really want, would be good for your budget. I think wherever you're hearing about the transmission issues are a bit overplayed (statistically speaking, I haven't heard of this happening often). However, if you really want an 07 TL then save up and get it. I don't see any reason to buy what a vehicle you don't necessarily want now, then flip it the following year to get what you would really want. That's not cost efficient.

 

[tg900]

I know the 04 tl's had a recall to add some sort of transmission fluid pump or something. My dad has an 05 he bought with like 60K and just does tranny flushes. I prefer his trans over my 08 tsx with 60K. His TL I feel is smoother and we both did flushes to our trans. I wouldn't suggest you look for an 04 but I feel they fixed it by 05 in the TL. But you'll never get stuck with a manual, like if you get a dead battery or your starter goes out. I miss having a manual car.

 

[Pson]

I wish it would be cheaper...but it gonna take about 2 full day at the shop. with rates of 80/hour avg these days. i guess fixing cars in Canada is more expensive than if it was in the states.

My TSX is a 5AT, thus the reason i am looking for a 6MT now(Honda's engine are bullet proof, but it seems the complete opposite goes for their AT trannys). Not in a rush to buy, already made that mistake last time, and ended up with a bad apple 04; previous owner did not disclose anything about the engine burning oil or the Check Engine Light(P0341)...she just denied all accusations after the ownership transfer/sale[Her-> :troutslap <-Me]

Get rid of it then....Sounds like she never changed the oil thus the timing chain issues and oil leaks. Also the tranny isn't bad at all on the TSX if you change the ATF out before 100K. The TL had issues due to it being that same tranny as our and isn't build really for the Tq of the V6. They upgraded the TC on the TL's and fixed the issue after the 05 year. I swapped my ATF out with DW1 when I got the car and just do a drain refill every other oil change (only 26 bucks for 3 qts and washer)...she is still bright red.

 

[jst17]

yes, the number of transmission failures decreased drastically after the 05 production year of the TL.

 

[jst17]

YESSS a fellow Wolverine!!!!

But to be back on topic. I personally think a clean 06 TL, if that's what you really want, would be good for your budget. However, if you really want an 07 TL then save up and get it. I don't see any reason to buy what a vehicle you don't necessarily want now, then flip it the following year to get what you would really want. That's not cost efficient.

That's some food for thoughts. Might just wait another 12 months instead of buying it in 6 months for that 07/08 TL, ill have well over $17k or $18k saved up then, probably buy one for 15 and use the rest for maintenance, and some dealer power train warranty?:spin:

 

[jst17]

Get rid of it then....Sounds like she never changed the oil thus the timing chain issues and oil leaks. Also the tranny isn't bad at all on the TSX if you change the ATF out before 100K. the TL's and fixed the issue after the 05 year.
bright red.

I think 04-05 TLs came with AFT-Z1 tranny fluid which had flawed their transmissions, at least this is one theory I heard. They all switched to DW-1 fully synthetic now.

And, yes, I will be getting rid of the car in spring. It's sitting in the garaged now(dont want to put anymore mileage on it, already 100k miles; the problem will just get worse and worse till the point I can not even sell the car as a normal car anymore..). I am taking the bus to university theses days:blackbat: