Japanese and foreign cars in general

[Cheap Guy]

So I was looking for a winter beater car and ran across what I thought was a great deal on a 2000 Acura TL. It was a non-Michigan car so no rust and it was owned by an older gentleman who took it to the dealership for service. It has 71k miles and no major issues except the paint was beat to death and same for the dash which was sun faded but it rode great.

So I buy the thing for $2,500 and cleaned it up and got a cheap paint job and wheels on it. Later I find out Hondas are apparently notorious for bad transmissions, the paint is notorious for fading and the timing belt change isn’t a simple process and needs to be done at 100k miles or sooner or the engine will be toast if it breaks.

So where is the supposed great reliability of Japanese cars? This thing is like a ticking time bomb to me right now with the trans and timing belt concerns. People keep saying it will run for 200,000 miles or more but so will many American cars with no trans or timing belt issues, and if an American car goes bad it’s usually much cheaper to fix based on friends who own foreign cars.

Right now I’d take a GM car with a 3800 or a even a Ford Fusion with the 3.0 V6 over most older foreign cars as a beater or daily driver but every one keeps saying what a great car the Acura is.

Here’s a few before and after pics.

[hrpiii]

It's not broke, till it's broke. Maybe a well taken car will last longer than those "averages". Not saying it won't happen, but if nothing is broken now, not really needing to worry too much

[Camaro__ss]

Car is 20 yrs old, stored outside. It will show its age. Drive it until you are sick of it and pass it on

[ChevyRules]

Timing belt isn't a quality issue. All belts will need to be replaced eventually and is just basic maintenance. The issue to replace the timing belt at 100,000 miles is preventative maintenance because unlike other belts, if that belt breaks it can lead to engine damage. Why back then they went with timing belts is because it was better for NVH. But they have since moved to timing chains due to the decrease in maintenance.

I would find out how old the timing belt that is currently on it is. It may not be 100K yet, but it is 20 years old and the rubber may have deteriorated if it is still the original one.

[Cheap Guy]

I’ll play it by ear. No idea what a Honda transmission would cost, especially for a 20 year old car - probably best to part or junk it if it goes like many people are saying it inevitably will. I’ll also nurse the timing belt and change it myself when it gets warmer if it’s not a hard job. But like I said, a used or rebuilt American transmission usually can be found for a few hundred bucks - I doubt that’s the case with most foreign cars.

[h422694]

Originally Posted by Cheap Guy

I’ll play it by ear. No idea what a Honda transmission would cost, especially for a 20 year old car. But like I said, a used or rebuilt American transmission usually can be found for a few hundred bucks - I doubt that’s the case with most foreign cars.

You can find these transmissions all over the place priced comparable to a used or rebuilt GM Hydro 350.

[Cheap Guy]

Originally Posted by h422694

You can find these transmissions all over the place priced comparable to a used or rebuilt GM Hydro 350.

Thanks. Let’s hope so if that time comes. Meanwhile I’ll drive it like I stole it!

[BMR Sales]

Originally Posted by Cheap Guy

So I was looking for a winter beater car and ran across what I thought was a great deal on a 2000 Acura TL. It was a non-Michigan car so no rust and it was owned by an older gentleman who took it to the dealership for service. It has 71k miles and no major issues except the paint was beat to death and same for the dash which was sun faded but it rode great.

So I buy the thing for $2,500 and cleaned it up and got a cheap paint job and wheels on it. Later I find out Hondas are apparently notorious for bad transmissions, the paint is notorious for fading and the timing belt change isn’t a simple process and needs to be done at 100k miles or sooner or the engine will be toast if it breaks.

So where is the supposed great reliability of Japanese cars? This thing is like a ticking time bomb to me right now with the trans and timing belt concerns. People keep saying it will run for 200,000 miles or more but so will many American cars with no trans or timing belt issues, and if an American car goes bad it’s usually much cheaper to fix based on friends who own foreign cars.

Right now I’d take a GM car with a 3800 or a even a Ford Fusion with the 3.0 V6 over most older foreign cars as a beater or daily driver but every one keeps saying what a great car the Acura is.

Here’s a few before and after pics.

I've driven a Honda over a Half a Million Miles with Only Oil Changes, 2 Timing Belts, Gas, & Tires.

My DD is a 2003 Acura, the Paint is excellent ( but I take car of it) even though it does not go in the Garage. Timing Belts are Maintenance - about a $700 job at the Stealership. Honda/Acura have had problems with Auto transmissions for a long time which is strange that hasn't been addressed. Other problem is Steering Racks don't last long in certain models ( but it is an easy change out).

Depending on the Miles, $2500 could still be a good deal

[Crushin_LT1]

I've had an Acura and a Volvo who lasted, were cheap to fix (well not the volvo) and were efficient.

[L78toLT1]

Once you get that giant f-ing balancer bolt out, the timing belt isn't at all difficult. My wife had a TL and the only thing I did to it in 160k miles was the timing belt and a couple sets of brake pads. I did change the transmission fluid as a preemptive strike against transmission failure.

[Cheap Guy]

Thanks all. I may do the trans preventative maintenance and the timing belt as a precautionary move. I also have to address the airbag recall issues.

I listed it for sale but apparently many people aren’t looking to pay more than a few grand for a 20 year old car and I’m not going to just give it away. I will say the engine is smooth as silk and the thing will pop up to 80 mph quietly and quickly.

[Petrol Head]

So, as the owner of a 2000 Prelude and 2009 Accord EX-L V6 coupe (which is essentially the same car as your TL), both cars bought brand new and sold the Prelude at 11 years old and 225,000 miles and still drive the Accord 50 miles/day every day at 180,000 miles, I might be able to help with some advice:

1. If you’re sure you’re getting rid of the car, do it soon. If not, change the timing belt SOON. There’s no telling when the last time it was done unless you have paperwork. If it breaks your car is junk, end of story. If you change it, change the idler pulley, water pump, spark plugs, flush/refill the coolant, serpentine belt, and do a valve adjustment as well. The J series motor (and most Honda motors) uses solid lifters.

2. Even though both of mine were/are manuals, I know that transmission warranty was extended to 100,000 miles on that era 4 and 5 speed automatics. You should be able to check with Honda/Acura to see if it’s been replaced on yours already. If it hasn’t, change the fluid/filter. How many miles are on it now?

3. Honda does have good quality in general, they’ve just had two big issues (that transmission and the Takata air bags). The timing belt is maintenance, not quality.

Ferraris have a 30,000 mile, complete engine out timing belt service interval that’s around $7500 lol

[wjones14]

In 2013 I bought my daughter's 2003 Mini to use as a winter beater. It had 83,000 miles and had been trouble-free for her in the 5 years she owned it. The dealer offered her $3500 in trade, so I offered $5000 to help her out. It was a good deal for both of us at the time - she needed a bigger car and got more for her trade - and I got a winter beater that was also a fun, sporty 5-speed. It also included a spare set of wheels and sensors with winter tires mounted.

In 5 years I owned it, however, it cost me thousands in repairs. BMW/Mini parts are more expensive than most, sometimes double. Quick list of some of the repairs and costs:

• front and rear brake pads and rotors - $550
• replace belt tensioner - $250
• replace rear hatch hinges - $400
• replace battery - $160
• replace exhaust - $850
• replace O2 sensors - $250
• replace water pump, front wheel bearings, accessory belt - $1700
• replace clutch pack - $1500
• replace rusted e-brake cables - $550
• replace steering shaft - $1000
• replace cylinder head/valves and motor mount - $3000
• replace control arm bushings - $550

Bottom line - the car was a really fun beater, when it was running. But the first gen Minis were not reliable once they got past 80,000 miles or so. Cut my losses after 5 years and replaced it with a 2015 Mini - totally different car. Surprisingly, first gen Minis are in high demand. I sold the car for $2000 in less than a day after posting on Craigslist, and I'm sure I could have held out for more.

If you buy a 20 year old car for $2500, you need to set your expectations that you're going to be doing maintenance on the car.

[lbls1]

The paint didn't look like it was cared for. You will need the basics (washing and occasional detailing) in order to maintain the paint. Paint that is well maintained can last the useful life of the car. Now, if that deterioration was due to defective paint from the factory (where all or most of that same model had bad paint) then that's different. That is pointing towards deficient quality manufacturing of that brand.