Acura TL 1999 - 2003 review

Strengths

- Strong and smooth V6 engine
- Comfortable upscale interior
- Well laid out and easy to use controls
- High level of standard equipment
- Good sound system

Weaknesses

- Requires premium gasoline
- Parts are quite expensive
- Transmission issues
- Brakes wear fast
- The rear seat doesn't fold down

Overall

The 1999-2003 Acura is a well equipped premium sedan with comfortable and spacious interior, good handling and decent highway fuel economy. On the downside, Acura TL requires premium gasoline, parts aren't cheap and there are plenty of complaints about the automatic transmission. On the upside, with smooth and powerful engine under the hood and all the amenities inside, it's a very comfortable vehicle to drive.
Consider an extended warranty to protect from unexpected repair costs.

What to look for buying a used Acura TL

As a first step, check used car history records. A history report may help you to uncover some of the problems the car might have in the past such as accidents, flood damage, rolled back odometer, etc. Follow this link: How to check used car history
- Check the service records if available - it's important to verify that the car was properly maintained.
- If the "ABS", "SRS" or "Check Engine" light is on, have the problem assessed with your mechanic or a dealer before buying a car; in worst cases repair might be quite expensive.
- Pay more attention to test automatic transmission. Strong "thump" when shifting into reverse could indicate a problem.
- Check auto-dimming mirror.
- Check with Acura dealer if all necessary recalls have been performed.
Learn more what to look for when buying a used car
- Prior purchase have the car inspected by a mechanic of your choice.
Shop wisely, check few cars to compare; it's worth to pay a little extra for a well-maintained vehicle in good condition. Check our step-by-step used car buying guide for more information.
Some models may be costly to insure. Get the insurance quotes first.

Few maintenance tips

- Wash and wax your vehicle regularly to protect the paint.
- If you live in the area with high humidity, rustproofing will help to protect the car body from corrosion.
- Regular oil changes are important to keep your engine in a good shape.
- Change transmission fluid in recommended intervals using original transmission fluid.
- Stick with original Acura parts and fluids.
- Follow recommended maintenance schedule and keep all the fluids clean and topped up.
- Have your car inspected, at least once a year, in a garage on the lift (e.g. when doing tire rotation) to keep it safe. Many components (e.g. brakes, steering, suspension) cannot be properly inspected by simple visual inspection at fast lube places; the vehicle must be on the lift.
Check more car maintenance tips

2003 Acura TL short specifications

Links

Where to find repair information

If you want to find technical information about you car such as repair manual, check engine codes description, wiring diagrams, diagnostic procedures, fluid types, maintenance schedule, component location, technical service bulletins, recalls, etc. follow this link:

by Vlad Samarin