"Chairman Kaga" (mike-mckinnon)
10/02/2015 at 16:17 • Filed to: tavarish
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"Chairman Kaga" (mike-mckinnon)
10/02/2015 at 16:17 • Filed to: tavarish | 0
| 21 |
I’ve pestered Oppo’s best & brightest for weeks now. McParland even suggested I finally bow at your altar.
Here’s my situation.
So I’m considering a plan that would see me selling my ‘08 CR-V LX, which I really dislike but that’s another story - glacier blue, dealer installed leather, tint, Alpine Bluetooth headunit, Weathertech mats, and most interestingly a welded-to-the-frame flat-tow package for motor homes (about $1,000 according to my mother in law, who we bought the car from 2 years ago), only 52,000 miles - and replacing it with something I actually like of equal or lesser value.
Based on some nibbles on RV aficionado forums, getting $13,500-14k for the CR-V isn’t out of the question. In fact it seems pretty realistic.
So I’m looking at, in order:
‘07-’08 Acura TL (avoiding transmission woes of previous years)
‘09 Acura TSX (avoiding Black Death AC compressors of previous years)
‘04-’09 Lexus IS (most 300’s seem to have cosmetic issues, which the wife is not really OK with, or are riced out, while the new 250 and 350 sort of strike me as a bit ooh la la, wood trim makes my life complete for my tastes)
‘05-’09 Subaru Legacy GT (impossible to find)
‘08-’10 Pontiac G8 (also impossible to find, or are bro’ed out)
All clean Carfax and clear titles, 100k miles or so (fewer preferable of course), automatic transmission (requirement of the wife), preferably 1-2 owners, extensive maintenance records, and within easy driving distance of Austin, TX. No, I can’t buy sight unseen. I flirted with the idea but just got too nervous, even for The Perfect Car.
There’s an ‘08 TL base at a local used lot, 95k miles but single owner with ALL service performed by the local Acura dealer. I drove it yesterday and it’s in pretty fantastic shape, aside from a slight tear in the driver’s seat. It will need timing belt and water pump soon, which is at least $800. I do weirdly trust this dealer, as he’s the former service manager for the big Honda dealership here and really knows his stuff, when he says it’s mechanically solid with no lurking issues.
!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
I just don’t know though. I’m naturally apprehensive of buying from a used lot, especially a car with 100k miles on the clock for the price they’re asking. I was thinking I could offer $12k provided they had the timing belt and water pump job done. That still seems too much though. They’ve already done a full fluid flush (per Honda recommended procedure) and replaced the power steering pump, as well as some minor stuff like complete detail, wiper blades and AC recharge.
What do you think?
The TSX is attractive as it’s smaller and more efficient, but still pretty well appointed. But if I get that, why not just find a clean Accord with leather and the tech package? I just don’t want an accord because both my parents AND my father in law drive Accords. I mean, come on. Hence, TSX.
I do like the IS300, but I’m 40 and spend 90% of my time behind the wheel in gridlock. The TL is a much nicer place to spend that time - the stereo is wicked and the seats are awesome. The IS is a fun little drive, but they also all seem to need about $500 in additional restoration. Curb rash, melty dash, dead electrics like seat heaters and such. Still, substantially less expensive than the Acuras.
The maintenance issues with the Legacy GT concern me. Lots of talk about oil starvation and banjo bolt screens getting clogged. I had an ‘05 Saab 92X Aero and loved it, but I have some fear the automatic would just kill that car’s potential even with additional displacement and raw HP. And like I said, I can’t even find one within 1,000 miles of Texas. I could wait ages... although I’m not on any timeline.
The G8 is a very nice car, but is it nice with the V6? I’ve only driven the GT. The interior is surprisingly a fine place to sit and it handles well, which is why it’s on the list. I just don’t know how well it holds up, as the one I drove was new. Also hard to find.
Also looking at a G35 sedan, but those cars just don’t seem to be built to last, at least not to the same degree as the Honda or Toyota products. Both Acuras and the Lexus are still tight and direct. No slop. The G35 I drove, which was an ‘08 with 80k miles, felt... loose. Sort of like a 90’s GM, if that makes sense. I worry about ongoing maintenance.
Anyway, sorry to inundate you with thoughts and questions, and I totally understand if this is out of the realm of free advice. You do have a business to run! I just can’t really find anything wrong with the ‘08 TL aside from the mileage and the price. I’m also just considering keeping the CR-V another 4 or 5 years until we can afford to just buy me a new (or CPO) in the $30k range.
Thanks for listening!
MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
> Chairman Kaga
10/02/2015 at 16:27 |
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Sounds like you’re in the wrong neighborhood:
http://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/cto/523697…
http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/cto/522317…
I found 2!
ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
> Chairman Kaga
10/02/2015 at 16:31 |
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Be sure to go drive the IS first. The AWD necessitated a huge bulge into the driver footwell and pedal box, which means that the pedals are all over to the left much farther than any other car I have ever driven. I actually hit the gas by mistake trying to get the brake pedal to shift to drive leaving the first time I drove one.
I took one for a trip to Chicago for work, and my right hip was painfully sore for almost a week afterward from having to sit in such an unnatural position to drive that car. I will NEVER drive one again as a result. The seat does not lower enough, and I am only about 6 feet tall. So I had to lean to the right, while pushing my legs to the left for the pedals. Agony is the only way to describe my time in that car, and that is still too weak a word for it.
Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
> Chairman Kaga
10/02/2015 at 16:32 |
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From that list, it’s a tossup between the TL and the TSX as the #1 pick. If you want more comfort, go with the TL. If you want better fuel economy, TSX. If you like have a car named after the Toronto Stock eXchange, then go with the TSX.
A close second choice would be the Lexus IS.
3rd choice would be the Pontiac if you don’t care about AWD or fuel economy... or the Subaru if you do.
I don’t think any of these cars will be terrible from a maintenance/repair standpoint. From a pure maintenance/repair/reliability/durability standpoint, an unmolested Lexus is usually the best way to go.
TylerJ
> Chairman Kaga
10/02/2015 at 16:33 |
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Dash cracks on the TL are also common. Definitely check the dash for those.
cazzyodo
> MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
10/02/2015 at 16:35 |
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Doing the Lord’s work, I see.
Wacko
> Chairman Kaga
10/02/2015 at 16:36 |
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dealer installed leather??
what does that mean, leatherette seat covers that the dealer installed, or factory leather?
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Chairman Kaga
> MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
10/02/2015 at 16:40 |
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Sam
> Wacko
10/02/2015 at 16:40 |
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I don’t know why they’d go out of their way to do it, but there are companies that install leather on base model seats to replace cloth. Maybe they wanted to keep the price low, but still offer leather seats?
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Chairman Kaga
> TylerJ
10/02/2015 at 16:41 |
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The ‘08 I’m considering is clean. The original owner had Acura replace it about 4 years ago.
RallyWrench
> Chairman Kaga
10/02/2015 at 16:42 |
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Tavarish responds: YOU CAN BY THIS 2010 BMW 750LI FOR THE PRICE OF A PERFECTLY SENSIBLE ACURA TL!
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Chairman Kaga
> Wacko
10/02/2015 at 16:43 |
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They took it to the dealership in their hometown, which is owned by a friend of theirs, and he had their shop swap in full-leather factory interior. I’ve never heard of it being done that way either, but whatever. Small town Lions Club will get you that sort of treatment I guess!
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Chairman Kaga
> RallyWrench
10/02/2015 at 16:55 |
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I still have both kidneys, so I suspect I could afford maintenance for a year or two.
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MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
> Chairman Kaga
10/02/2015 at 17:00 |
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Happy to help.
And yes I picked that one because it’s American (ish) and the only one I like.
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Chairman Kaga
> MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
10/02/2015 at 17:02 |
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For comparison...
http://www.capitolchevy.com/VehicleDetails…
Jordaneer, The Mountaineer Man
> RallyWrench
10/02/2015 at 17:20 |
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What about a wrecked lambo for the price of a broken condom?
Matt@ShiftCarBlog
> Chairman Kaga
10/02/2015 at 18:52 |
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I know that generation TL Type-S didn’t have a fold-down rear seat which was a deal-breaker for me. Not sure if thats the same for the regular TL.
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MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
> Chairman Kaga
10/05/2015 at 10:08 |
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Hahahaha
Land of Muscle here around Detroit. One of those was certainly priced to sell, listing is gone already.
Come on up and buy one here! Make an adventure out of it!
Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
> Wacko
10/07/2015 at 12:23 |
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But usually dealers do Katzkin or Roadwire. I work for CST
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Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
> Chairman Kaga
10/07/2015 at 12:24 |
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Probably wasn’t factory. If it doesn’t have a tag on the side that says Katzkin, then it’s probably a Roadwire kit. I work in a shop that does 8-10 CRVs a week for Honda dealers in the Charlotte area.
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Chairman Kaga
> Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
10/07/2015 at 12:39 |
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No Katzkin tag. All she said was the dealer installed it so I assumed they just did some seat swapping. It looks exactly like an EX factory leather job.
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Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
> Chairman Kaga
10/07/2015 at 12:45 |
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It’s likely Roadwire. Honda would charge $1800+ for EX-L factory leather through the parts department, and then there’s the labor to install. Roadwire usually runs ~$1000 installed at a CST branch