Newb in need of a few things answered.

[jmig]

I have been shopping for a TSX and think I found a 04 with 70K. First off is the price of $14K. It seems to be a great price. My first questions is about the timing chain, I searched the forum and couldn't find an answer on when it should be replaced or adjusted. The post I was reading said the chain will outlast the car? Next is about the automatic trans. what kind of service intervals should I be looking for? And last is the suspension, is there any signs that I should be looking for that would assume the car has been driven hard?

Sorry for all ?'s, this will be my first import car and I just want to make sure I'm not overlooking anything.

Thx!

[dedeman]

Hey jmig. Welcome to the forums.

I bought my TSX recently. It is an 04 MT with Navi, but only had about 39k on it, for $19k. I bought from an individual, so I was kind of wary.

My solution was to have him agree to take it to an Acura (specifically Acura) dealer and run a diagnostic, and show me the results. I think it cost about $60.

It came back clean, so we split the cost, and I left with a car for about $3k less then I would have from the dealer.

As for being driven hard, unfortunately there's no meter for such a thing. The buyer wants a car that was never driver over 20 mph, and the seller wants a newer shiny car. $14k sounds reasonable from a non dealer (I'm assuming) that's not offering a warranty. The milage does sound a bit high, but the TSX is a good car. It can take some beating and still last for a long time.

As for the timing chain, I can't speak to that. I never had one go on me, nor has anyone I've known.

[ThirdLane]

$14K don't sound bad for an 04. 70K miles are nothing for a Honda. Timing chain doesn't need to be replace but should be adjusted like around 100k miles or bit longer. Never owned an auto tranny car but the fluid should be changed around every 35K miles. As for suspension, have it visually checked. Should not be any knocks or loud squeaks. good luck

[jmig]

Originally Posted by dedeman

Hey jmig. Welcome to the forums.

I bought my TSX recently. It is an 04 MT with Navi, but only had about 39k on it, for $19k. I bought from an individual, so I was kind of wary.

My solution was to have him agree to take it to an Acura (specifically Acura) dealer and run a diagnostic, and show me the results. I think it cost about $60.

It came back clean, so we split the cost, and I left with a car for about $3k less then I would have from the dealer.

As for being driven hard, unfortunately there's no meter for such a thing. The buyer wants a car that was never driver over 20 mph, and the seller wants a newer shiny car. $14k sounds reasonable from a non dealer (I'm assuming) that's not offering a warranty. The milage does sound a bit high, but the TSX is a good car. It can take some beating and still last for a long time.

As for the timing chain, I can't speak to that. I never had one go on me, nor has anyone I've known.

Thanks for your input, the car has no extended warranty and I will ask the owner about taking the car to the Acura stealership for a overall diagnostic check. That should eliminate some of my concerns.

[j3dimindtr1cks]

a good way to check the suspension is:

1. check for leaks, any drips or any form of liquid coming out from the struts.
2. check for dirt build up on the bottom of the strut
3. damper check, do this by driving the car or by visual checking the car and feel if it is not absorbing the bumps properly

if it shows any of these symptoms ur shocks are probably blown. and if your planning to lower the car this is a good opportunity to get coilovers saves u a hell lot of money getting OEM shocks and having it put on ur car!!

good luck with ur purchase

[dedeman]

jming, also try to consider who you are purchasing the car from. Not to buy into stereotypes, but if your seller is a) middle aged guy (+/- a few years) pretty reasonable, and the car looks well taken care of VS b) 22 year old kid, dings on the bumpers, a big red kanji R in the window, and a huge coffee can exhaust system, well, I know who'd I trust more.

The diagnostic thing was something I came up with while trying to decide if I was going to get screwed. I'm sure that my car has been redlined a few times, and if it has, I don't know it. It runs smooth, no idiot lights, and it's pretty damn showroom, considering it's 4 or 5 years old.

Good luck.