Just looking to get an opinion here from fellow I30 owners.

My co-worker is thinking of trading in his 1999 3.2 TL for the newer TL and I can probably buy it from him at the dealer trade in price. The car has ~100K and is in PRINTINE condition. He takes really good care of it so body, interior, engine, everything is very well kept. Also, ’99 is the one year in that model line that did not have the transmission problems. Only turn off is that, I think, the color is hunter green and is due for a timing belt job.

I have a 1998 I30 with ~90K and some minor mods (tint, UDP, cefiro lights, Warpspeed Y and B pipe, high flow cat, AGX with Vogtland springs). I LOVE the pearl white of the car but the front bumper was previously repainted and is starting to chip/crack at some spots (poor paint over job). Also, needs front wheel bearings (ran Sprints for a year) and currently have an annoying drive belt squeal. Assuming the mechanical problems are fix, how much do you think this is worth?

In comparison the TL rode quite and solid like a rock where as my I30 has squeaks and squeals from interior panels.. Both cars need premium and avg roughly 22MPG so that is a wash. I like the TL interior more and how the car feels a little smaller. I think the I30 pulls better and corners better but it has an unfair mod advantage. The color thing is hard for me get over b/c I really do love the pearl white over green but is that a silly reason. Both cars have minor bumper damage. Also important is that the TL community is not nearly as big/helpful as the Maxima community for work at home mechanic like myself.

So, would you do it? Trade a comparable I30 (with minor mods and mechanical problems) for a TL (in great stock shape)?

 

I was in the same predicament when I bought my car last year. The 3.2's VTEC has been known to go bad at around 150+, costing almost 2-3K to fix/replace. I instantly turned away from the TL's, or for that matter, ANY Honda V6 matched up to and Auto tranny, when I was looking into a new car. It's something that Honda hasnt fixed all through the years. They use the same tranny for the 4-banger on the V6's, and it just cant handle the 50%+ increase in HP. I looked at every year of Honda/Acura since the body style changes in 98 for the accord and I believe 99 for the TL. I noted tranny problems in all of the V6 models. From what I know, Acura has attached a 7- year "grace period" on their trannies, regardless of mileage, but because the one you are looking at is a 99, I bleieve you'd be SOL if it blew.

If you are ABSOLUTELY sure that you wont have the usual tranny problems, go for it if it makes you happy.

however, if you are a "work at home" mechanic as you say, you should be able to replace the drive belts/1-2 pulleys yourself for less that 200 bucks, and the wheel bearings should not exceed 500 for both. Not bad for something you'll prolly never have to replace again.

 

After reading the horror Honda/Acura tranny stories, I am changing my vote, stick with the I .

 

My brother bought a 99 TL with 64k a couple of years ago. His transmission went at about 75k and thanks God they replace it for free at the Acura dealer because a LOT of people with TL's from that gen were complaining about it. They changed their warranty on these cars.

http://tl.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=113297

I don't think they cover it though after 90k miles so beware of that.
You should trade your i30 for a 02+ i35.

 

Any idea how much my '98 is worth? I would only consider the trade if I can break even or maybe even profit a little since I can get the TL at dealer trade in (well I’ll prob offer a little more if I do go for it) which is wayyyy undervalued.

My understanding (from a brief reading on the TL forum www.acuraworld.com) is that the ’99 are the least prone (not immune) to tranny failures b/c it is the 4 speed tranny. The ’00-’03 are most prone to problems when they introduced the 5 speed tranny in them. But people do say 99 have failed, just not as frequent as the 00+ 2nd gen. It is SCARY to read about all the tranny problems that car has and you are right in that I will be out of the ‘extended’ warranty period… Makes the decision even tougher.

 

If you're confident that the 99's are not affected by the dreaded TL tranny problems then I'd say go for it. I think dark green is a good color, but if you're not going to be happy with it, don't switch. I will say though that I LOVE the Acura's interiors!

www.kbb.com
http://www.edmunds.com/tmv/used/1998...i30/index.html

 

The TL does have a nicer interior, but Nissan engineering tromps the **** outta Honda engineering.

The 3.2 motor that in that TL is old. It first appeared in the 91 Ledgend. It is SOHC, timing belt, and iron block as opposed to the VQ which is 4 or 5 years newer with DOHC, timing chain, and alumninum block and head.

Not to mention Honda has had a lot of engine and tranny problems on that car.

 

I am ‘NOT’ confident that the there won’t be any tranny problems. In fact I think the moment I take ownership, it will break ($3,000-5,000 job according to people online). As a matter of fact, my brother has a ’00 V6 Accord with tranny problems but luckily he got it replaced under warranty. He is the original owner and takes good car of the car yet it has/had a lot of issues over the years.

I plan on having the car for another 3-4 years so long term reliability is an important. I’ve been reading numerous 3.2 TL reviews and this car does not seem very reliable...

 

A friend of mine with a 2000 acura has gone through 2 trannies. I think nissan/infiniti engine is just more solid as well as the tranny. I have always said that after you put on some miles on a honda motor they start sounding like jet engines. My max has 92xxx miles and still purrs at startup and daily driving. I would keep the infiniti.

 

one of my boys had a 99'TL it was a nice car, rode great, strong engine but the car had like 60k miles and already been through one transmission, he sold it, and a year later got a 02' TL, then i got my 01' I30 and he liked my infiniti more. we raced once and i pulled him from 40mph and he was using the manual option. and the i30 only have auto shift. but i honestly like the 99'tl over the 98' i30 its up to you, beware of the trans though.

 

naw just keep the i30 and have it repaired. a betteer overall is better than tha luxuries.

 

Just like I said above, regardless, the 6th gen Accord V6/3.2TL/2.2CL/2.3CL/3.0CL/and even the 3.2CL and CL-S are NoToRiOuS for the tranny problems. The tranny cant handle even sissy-footing a V6. It can barely put up to the abuse from a 2.2/2.3.
Cus my buddy had a 99 2.3CL (4-banger), and didnt drive it insanely, but definitely put it through its rigors, and he went thru 2 trannies by 70K.

 

Check around on MSN autos and carsurvey.org, the 99-03 TLs have major, widespread transmission problems. I was considering this generation TL before I bought my '00 I30 and I came across tons of horror stories about these cars.

 

dude i think almost everyone here knows someone with honda/acura tranny problems.lol

 

Well, I've decided. Thanks to you all for your input. I think I'm going to keep the I30 for a few more years. As much as I like the TL's interior, the potential long term cost of ownership is probably not worth the gamble. I know the condtion of my car (had it since 2002 with 32K) so I know it will last a while longer. Also, I do like the exterior and the interior is acceptable too.

I'm going to help my co-worker sell his car. So if anyone around the Philly area is looking for a one owner '99 in GREAT shape send me a PM. Only thing he said that was wrong with the car is the cat went bad and was replaced.

 

Let's just put it this way--I've seldom seen that generation of TL with over 100k, and have never seen one with over 150k (whereas tons of Max's and I30's are out there with this mileage).

Acura wanted to squeeze five speeds into that old, outdated transmission on the cheap and look what happened. Despite this, you never hear anyone call Honda's/Acura's unreliable...funny how Japanese companies can get away with the stuff German ones can't.

 

Good point...

 

And American for that matter...

 

I had a choice to make out of the TL and I35 as well. I did a lot of research and found that the TL has inherent transmission problems as already mentioned several times in this thread. There's a reason why they are so affordable right now. Anyway, I did research on the I35 and found that most everyone who bought one was satisfied or outright pleased with it. The best thing about the I35 is the engine. It's probably the smoothest and punchiest V-6 I have ever had. Plus you don't have those bothersome timing belt issues where you end up destroying your engine if you don't replace it every 100.000 or so miles. This is the lowest maintenance vehicle that i have ever had. I have 116,000 miles on mine now and it is still smooth as the day I bought it. I like this car so much that I'm looking at the M35 for my next car. Stay with the i30.

 

I would get the TL, better quality, less squeaks, cheaper to maintain. Infiniti charges $1800 if you need new axles if your CV boots are bad. Who knows, maybe they are platinum coated?

 

Exactly why it was a tough choice! Though I would argue the cheaper to maintain part...

Good thing I can probably manage to do them myself with the help of the internet/maxima forum + parts for ~$300
http://www.motorvate.ca/mvp.php/401
They are not platinum coated. I just think who ever quoted you tried to rip you a new one.

 

Good luck finding an Acura wholesaler like Scottsdale or Pinnacle... I've been there before.

Only an idiot would pay $1800 for a CV axle job from the dealer...

 

As for which vehicle to choose, I dont have much experience with the TL, But since you asked what your vehicle is worth i figured id give my thoughts since i just bought my 1998 I30, I just picked up a one owner 98 I30, Dark Green w/tan leather, heated seats/mirrors, all the usual options, ie sunroof, pwr windows/locks, mirrors, cruise, etc. 98k miles, this car is in excellent shape, I payed $5980.00 Vehicle has all maintnence records etc. This car is bone stock. and i must say after owning a POS 94 grand am that something broke on every other day. I love this car.


I say fix your current ride and keep it, if there are no other problems, theres no reason to switch to another vehicle that could be carrying along a million new problems.

 

i30 4 sho!!!!!

 

I actually own both cars. An '03 TL-Type S and an '00 I30. There's no comparison as far as luxury goes, after all the I30 is just a loaded Maxima. As far as exterior looks, I think both cars look good, but with stock only parts the TL looks better. (Nicer rims, better grill, dual exhaust, HIDs).

The TL drives so smooth and quiet, and the Infiniti is also a nice smooth ride, just not quite as nice.

On the other hand, there are the possible mechanical problems with the timing belt and transmission. But I got an '03 with 47k miles on it so I don't have to worry about that for another two years.

Me personally, I like the TL better. It's just a more pleasing driving experience. But if I had an I35 with the 3.5VQ and HIDs, it might be a different story.

 

I prefer the '00-'01 I30 over the '99-'01 TL, and the '02-'04 I35 over the '02-'03 TL. I don't like the TL's poor gauge lighting, the crappy wood trim, the ugly memory seat buttons, and the ugly cup holder area, but I do love the stereo layout, and the 3-ring gauge design. The TL's engine is definitely quieter, but I like listening to my engine roar, as long as it's not too loud =) Personally, luxury is a tie between the 2.

 

Had to make the same decision.. but ended up with the 2004 I35 no known issue and it is still a great!! car..

 

Most definately I-30/35

 

I had the opportunity to buy a TL before I bought my A33. I bought the A33. The TL has a cheap interior, not to mention a horribly unreliable transmission.

 

No, I wouldn't do it.

I am in the market for a car right now and have turned away from all V6 honda's with an auto because of there known defects. I do like the way the TL rides and drives but to me the tranny problems are not worth it. They didn't beef up the trans. untill about 2005 I believe.

 

ballsy question to ask on a nissan forum. traitor.

ridiculous.

*****.

 

This thread is done.