Guys, my 97' is a little rough previous owner just didnt take care of it. I've got most of the stuff it needs repaired, but there is plenty more that should be done(exhaust, TB/iacv clean, needs tires, could use front struts soon).

I've replaced both cv shafts, rear struts, temp sensor, crank ref sensor, sway bar link, and doing tie rod ends shortly. It's an auto with 204k miles on it and honestly I dont feel like working on it. I had an 05' Legacy 2.5i for along time and sold it to save on payments, and then had 94' Accord I liked both of those cars better although I cant say why with the honda for sure.

I've found what looks to be a really clean 1996 Acura TL(not sure yet 2.5 or 3.2) 136k miles for $3500 at a small town used car lot. I dont know much about these cars though. Feel free to try and talk me out of it as I'll likely only get around a $1000 for mine so I could easily fix the niggles on my max for a pretty big $ savings.

 

Keep the max, the TL is a big car and you will feel it.

Unless you like riding very softly and slowly. Then get the TL.

 

Honda/Acura has a design defect in their older auto transmissions on V6 cars. They fail quite often and cost about what they are asking for that car. Pass...you'll be better off with a maxima.

 

i suggest you get the tl. hondas are always more fun cars. maximas are more of a headache, espessially at that milage. but you are asking on a maxima forum, so......of course more people would suggest the maxima

 

the known problems are with the 2.33 engines that were in accords, oddesy, and prelude i belive.
and the other bad tranny was the 5 speed in the later tl's. 2000-2003.

 

^^yeah^^, I had a 2.5 TL before and it was ALOT of fun..smoother and better handling ride..just in case I have a couple things for it F/S

 

Ohh, but the max is a compact and rough car? I'd say dimensions of the 2 are pretty close if the max isn't larger....

 

Well, if it effects anybody's opinion any further it's the 2.5 TL not the 3.2 V6.

 

Oh la la... C25.... The engine of mystery and marvel.....

Tqless wonder ftl, atleast the tranny won't crap out on you as easily, but that car has a lot of the mid 90s poor design flaws that affected a lot of other 90s japanese cars, being electronics, windows not sealing shut or failing (they're like coupe windows).

Better handling? That thing handles like a tank....

 

Since you already know whats wrong with the maxima you should keep it and just fix it. I you switch cars u will still have problems like any other car only you will have to figure out whats wrong with the next one. You might end up with some other guys problem. Besides you've already put alot of money in it so when ur done you will have a good reliable car and you will know everything about it.

 

this

 

What TL did you drive? I drove one for a bit, when my friend owned one, that thing handles like a boat. o_O Mind you it's as soft as a boat too due to very soft suspension and fat tires.

No, just saying the TL is a slightly bigger car with a suspension set up on more comfort. A Maxima is after all a sports sedan. The TL is just a sedan, and a luxury branded one, so it has to be soft and cuddly.

Very late 1990's (think 99) and early 2000's (98-02) had a problematic automatic. The switching solenoids would fail in a lot of cases. That problem plagued the Accord of that time and since of TL's used the same transmission - the problem carried over as well.

 

I had a '97 2.5 TL..similar to our pebble beige color

 

A friend of mine has been through two auto transmissions on his '06 TL Type-S. These cars aren't as bulletproof as they used to be. If you want reliable buy a camry...a boring, vanilla, and dime-a-dozen camry.

 

I looked at the TL not as clean as I'd hoped although cleaner than my maxima. Definately going to pass on a TL all together though, rear seats looked sorta tiny, like its trying to be a coupe with rear doors. Not certain what I'm going to do at this point. Had an offer of $1200 on my max wish I'd have been ready to part with her lol, maybe it's just not meant to happen.

Have to also mention, subie wagon's are drawing alot of my attention too.

 

good decision. I know we are bias but I would def pick the max over the acura. the new subies are sweet. I am not too keen on the bugeye ones

 

bugeye wagon ftw

 

yea, but acura, unlike nissan, made it right and replaced those transmissions. you just need to find out, via paper work or whatever that the transmission has been changed. i dont knock getting a 3.2...i love them myself and was looking at it until i found out about the transmission. a little bit later, i found out acura finally made it right. i love hondas

 

well i would suggest to not do that. acura is anyway no good.

 

Lots of interesting comments lol....I personally love acuras,had A integra and beat the hell out of it...stupid yes but learned my lesson. Now I treat Max like I should . Save ur money imo and get another Max or get A integra four door...TL = problems

 

Glad you decided to not sell the Maxima!

I've ridden in my friend's 2000 TL and it felt really slow. Even though it was a V6 the acceleration felt like it was that from a four cylinder. But I do like the interior though, in black leather it kind of feels like a 240SX.