View Poll Results: Which type of car should I get?
Voters: 25. You may not vote on this poll
Seeking advice: what should I do? (99 SC300 vs. 04-05 TL)
11-08-11 | 11:05 PM
#1
Seeking advice: what should I do? (99 SC300 vs. 04-05 TL)
Hi everyone, my '98 SC400 (low miles) was totaled last week, so I'm trying to figure out what to do next. My personal preference for the past ~8 years has been "used luxury" > "new economy", so I've narrowed down my choice to one of two routes:
-pick up another SC for $1k out of pocket (found a '99 that's very clean and has <70k miles)
-pick up an '04-06 Acura TL for $1.5k to $3.5k out of pocket (several options ranging from 80k to 115k miles)
I've spent a lot of time researching, so while these cars are quite different I'm not necessarily drawn more to one or the other. Ultimately, I think it's coming down to availability and preference, but I have some reservations about the SC due to its age. What sorts of problems might I run into with a 12-, soon to be 13-year old car, which could stretch into a 20+ year old car if I drive this thing until it dies?
I realize this board may be biased, but can any of the more experienced drivers chime in on whether this hesitation over a 5-year age differential is valid or marginal?
-pick up another SC for $1k out of pocket (found a '99 that's very clean and has <70k miles)
-pick up an '04-06 Acura TL for $1.5k to $3.5k out of pocket (several options ranging from 80k to 115k miles)
I've spent a lot of time researching, so while these cars are quite different I'm not necessarily drawn more to one or the other. Ultimately, I think it's coming down to availability and preference, but I have some reservations about the SC due to its age. What sorts of problems might I run into with a 12-, soon to be 13-year old car, which could stretch into a 20+ year old car if I drive this thing until it dies?
I realize this board may be biased, but can any of the more experienced drivers chime in on whether this hesitation over a 5-year age differential is valid or marginal?
11-08-11 | 11:14 PM
#2
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 9,765
Likes: 178
From: California
I'd go for one of the newer TL's. But I'd highly advise you to not take this survey seriously. A personal car is a very serious decision- one that YOU must be happy with, not what others think. Everyone's going to have an opinion here, but only yours is the one that really matters in the longterm.
Good luck!
Good luck!
11-08-11 | 11:24 PM
#3
Like Fizzboy7 said, its a personal thing. It really depends on how you like the car and how it fits into your lifestyle. If you do go with the 04-06 Acura TL's though (which is what i'd do 
) just try to get an 05-06. Some of the 04's had transmission issues, and although there was a recall, its probably safer to just avoid that model year all together.
) just try to get an 05-06. Some of the 04's had transmission issues, and although there was a recall, its probably safer to just avoid that model year all together.
11-08-11 | 11:45 PM
#5
Like Fizzboy7 said, its a personal thing. It really depends on how you like the car and how it fits into your lifestyle. If you do go with the 04-06 Acura TL's though (which is what i'd do ) just try to get an 05-06. Some of the 04's had transmission issues, and although there was a recall, its probably safer to just avoid that model year all together.
) just try to get an 05-06. Some of the 04's had transmission issues, and although there was a recall, its probably safer to just avoid that model year all together.Thanks for the feedback so far. I realize this is a personal decision, so I guess the poll is more about whether or not my fear of the SC's age is a valid concern.
11-09-11 | 03:18 AM
#6
Are you sure it was '04 and not '03 (last year of the 2nd gen TL)? Consumer Reports shows pretty uniform EXCELLENT ratings across transmissions from '04 onward, FWIW.
Thanks for the feedback so far. I realize this is a personal decision, so I guess the poll is more about whether or not my fear of the SC's age is a valid concern.
Thanks for the feedback so far. I realize this is a personal decision, so I guess the poll is more about whether or not my fear of the SC's age is a valid concern.
Here's the recall info...
Auto Recall Date:
APR 15, 2004
Vehicle Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Estimated Vehicles Affected: 1099796
2004 Acura TL Defect Summary:
ON SOME MINI VANS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES, CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN HEAT BUILD-UP BETWEEN THE COUNTERSHAFT AND SECONDARY SHAFT SECOND GEARS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO GEAR TOOTH CHIPPING OR GEAR BREAKAGE.
Defect Consequence:
GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy:
ON VEHICLES WITH 15,000 MILES OR LESS, THE DEALER WILL UPDATE THE TRANSMISSION WITH A SIMPLE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE TO INCREASE LUBRICATION TO THE SECOND GEAR. ON VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 15,000 MILES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION TO IDENTIFY GEARS THAT HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED DISCOLORATION DUE TO OVERHEATING. IF DISCOLORATION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED IF DISCOLORATION IS NOT PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL PERFORM THE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2004, FOR PILOT, ODYSSEY, AND MDX OWNERS. OWNERS OF THE ACCORD VEHICLES WILL START RECEIVING LETTERS ON JUNE 28, 2004, AND ON JUNE 29, 2004, FOR OWNERS OF THE TL AND CL VEHICLES. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
Notes:
HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.) P30/P31
APR 15, 2004
Vehicle Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Estimated Vehicles Affected: 1099796
2004 Acura TL Defect Summary:
ON SOME MINI VANS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES, CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN HEAT BUILD-UP BETWEEN THE COUNTERSHAFT AND SECONDARY SHAFT SECOND GEARS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO GEAR TOOTH CHIPPING OR GEAR BREAKAGE.
Defect Consequence:
GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy:
ON VEHICLES WITH 15,000 MILES OR LESS, THE DEALER WILL UPDATE THE TRANSMISSION WITH A SIMPLE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE TO INCREASE LUBRICATION TO THE SECOND GEAR. ON VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 15,000 MILES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION TO IDENTIFY GEARS THAT HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED DISCOLORATION DUE TO OVERHEATING. IF DISCOLORATION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED IF DISCOLORATION IS NOT PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL PERFORM THE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2004, FOR PILOT, ODYSSEY, AND MDX OWNERS. OWNERS OF THE ACCORD VEHICLES WILL START RECEIVING LETTERS ON JUNE 28, 2004, AND ON JUNE 29, 2004, FOR OWNERS OF THE TL AND CL VEHICLES. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
Notes:
HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.) P30/P31
The recall seems to correct the issue though. My gf's sister has an 04 that had the recall done at low mileage and its now at 90k nearly i believe without any issues. So if you find a good deal on an 04 might not be bad at all as long as the recall was performed at low mileage or the transmission was fixed/replaced already under the recall.
Last edited by KillaIS250; 11-09-11 at 03:22 AM.
11-09-11 | 08:31 AM
#7
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,250
Likes: 169
From: Miami, Florida
Yep, some of the 04's had issues. The 2nd gens where the worst, but they fixed the issues after 04 and the recall.
Here's the recall info...
http://www.automallusa.net/2004/acura/tl/recalls.html
The recall seems to correct the issue though. My gf's sister has an 04 that had the recall done at low mileage and its now at 90k nearly i believe without any issues. So if you find a good deal on an 04 might not be bad at all as long as the recall was performed at low mileage or the transmission was fixed/replaced already under the recall.
Here's the recall info...
http://www.automallusa.net/2004/acura/tl/recalls.html
The recall seems to correct the issue though. My gf's sister has an 04 that had the recall done at low mileage and its now at 90k nearly i believe without any issues. So if you find a good deal on an 04 might not be bad at all as long as the recall was performed at low mileage or the transmission was fixed/replaced already under the recall.
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The Acura is junk.
11-10-11 | 10:46 PM
#11
I'd probably go for the TL. Better over all car IMHO. I wasn't impressed with my SC400. Although not the same, I really liked my friend's TL-S. Even the regular TL would have more power than the SC300 and get better gas mileage. It's a newer car too.
11-11-11 | 11:14 PM
#14
First off, sorry to hear your car got wrecked and glad you're alright.
The SC is a pretty useless car in terms of space. If you're thinking of the future, I'd opt for the TL. However for ME, the TL has to be a Type-S and not a regular model TL. I feel the 04-07 TL Type-S looks just SEXY! I wouldn't get a 98+ SC300, only a 98+ SC400 as that VVTi V8 is just NICE!!
As others have stated it all boils down to what YOU want and what your NEEDS are in a car. You can always get a SC as a weekend car as those aren't usually expensive unless they're tuned/fixed up.
The SC is a pretty useless car in terms of space. If you're thinking of the future, I'd opt for the TL. However for ME, the TL has to be a Type-S and not a regular model TL. I feel the 04-07 TL Type-S looks just SEXY! I wouldn't get a 98+ SC300, only a 98+ SC400 as that VVTi V8 is just NICE!!
As others have stated it all boils down to what YOU want and what your NEEDS are in a car. You can always get a SC as a weekend car as those aren't usually expensive unless they're tuned/fixed up.
11-12-11 | 07:56 PM
#15
Pole Position
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,400
Likes: 123
From: IL
We had an 04 TL and it was the only Honda I wanted to dump.
The positives are; stylish, good power, good content, comfortable, reasonable pricing.
The negatives; my car needed 2 replacement radios, some power steering pump stuff, the rotors were rotting, the leather cracked a lot, the carpet was crap, the tires vibrated, the bad turning radius led to the car getting damaged on both sides toward the back of the rear doors (look for this damage or repair on used ones) and the tranny threw more codes than Warhol threw parties.
Fair balance, I met a guy who said he has had 0 problems with his.
The positives are; stylish, good power, good content, comfortable, reasonable pricing.
The negatives; my car needed 2 replacement radios, some power steering pump stuff, the rotors were rotting, the leather cracked a lot, the carpet was crap, the tires vibrated, the bad turning radius led to the car getting damaged on both sides toward the back of the rear doors (look for this damage or repair on used ones) and the tranny threw more codes than Warhol threw parties.
Fair balance, I met a guy who said he has had 0 problems with his.