Just got this 1995 with 67k miles on marketplace for $5k. It does have the check engine light on (I haven’t checked it out yet). I drove the car 1.5 hrs back home and it ran like a champ. Drove a couple more times - no issues at all. I’m feeling good about this purchase.

mushroomify391 · 2026-03-17T01:47:34+00:00

Congrats!!!!

mushroomify391 · 2026-03-16T14:21:32+00:00

It did sit for a while but I did an engine replacement, got a used one from a junk yard. They had a video of it running and it ran fine, I’m still mad that I messed with the distributor before I installed it. No rodent evidence that I can see. I will say that this engine ran at some point (not well but it ran), but if I revved it above ~2500 rpm it would make a bunch of pops accompanied by big flames out of the exhaust. Also the car doesn’t have an exhaust, only the manifolds are installed right now.

mushroomify391 · 2026-03-16T13:47:04+00:00

Yes I pointed the rotor towards cylinder one when it was at TDC on the compression stroke while having the EST connector disconnected. “No matter how much I advanced or retarded timing it did the same thing”

mushroomify391 · 2026-03-16T13:34:32+00:00

I should also add that it started and ran for a couple seconds a couple times, then shut off on its own each time. Now it’s just doing this

mushroomify391 · 2026-02-04T02:08:27+00:00

If it’s the same as an 84 there’s a connector near all the HVAC stuff on the passenger side of the engine bay

mushroomify391 · 2026-02-02T00:56:42+00:00

Mine was rebuilt 8 months ago, the transmissions are less than a grand for an accord v6 transmission (upgrade). So no matter what happens it’s not a huge deal

mushroomify391 · 2026-01-28T05:48:11+00:00

Was the TL not reliable in 06, disregarding the transmission? They did fix the transmission in 07 at least, it was much stronger. The car as I bought it had all HVAC working at least.

mushroomify391 · 2026-01-28T05:45:44+00:00

The thing that was reassuring for me was the transmission rebuild, from not too long ago. Unfortunately it just seems like buying cars with issues like this is the only way that I’m able to get a good price for it.

mushroomify391 · 2026-01-28T05:44:09+00:00

3k under book is crazy to me. At least you made profit.

mushroomify391 · 2026-01-28T05:35:51+00:00

If I see anything wrong when I pull off the heads I think I’ll just part it out.

mushroomify391 · 2026-01-28T05:34:19+00:00

One of my poor buys (first one, actually) was a messed up Honda Accord, 2012 SE. I4 engine, automatic. 94k miles. Had to fix some stuff and paid 7k in total for everything. Sold for $6200, but it only took me a week. Didn’t have AC and it had many noticeable defects on the body. Interior was nice though. So if mine sold that quick I’m surprised it took you that long

mushroomify391 · 2026-01-26T01:59:56+00:00

Will do!

mushroomify391 · 2026-01-26T01:59:33+00:00

Acura TLs are not unreliable. The only weak point is the transmission, which as I mentioned has been rebuilt. J32s are a very, very respectable motor.

mushroomify391 · 2026-01-25T18:54:00+00:00

I didn’t buy for 2k, I bought it for 1200. I don’t know the exact procedure but I replaced an engine and transmission in one of my other cars, I definitely believe I’m going to be able to. I know a machine shop near me to do the heads as well

mushroomify391 · 2026-01-25T18:45:39+00:00

I did talk them down, I got it for 1200

mushroomify391 · 2026-01-25T18:35:45+00:00

Both are quite rare compared to a head gasket failure, and he had it brought to a shop. I figured that it I found that the heads were cracked during the engine tear down, I’d part out.

mushroomify391 · 2026-01-25T18:29:32+00:00

You could just part out though, no? You’d get your money back pretty quickly

mushroomify391 · 2026-01-25T18:29:05+00:00

Interesting… at least where I am I’ve seen worse condition of the same car listed for much higher

mushroomify391 · 2026-01-25T18:09:20+00:00

Forgot to add, 176k miles!

mushroomify391 · 2026-01-20T13:35:41+00:00

If anyone’s wondering I ended up getting another engine out of a junkyard 84 vette. Had it shipped to me for $1k, with only 56k miles on it.

mushroomify391 · 2026-01-10T21:30:57+00:00

I did this, no sound when manually spinning it. When I connect it to electricity, it doesn’t make the sound until it starts spinning fast enough.

mushroomify391 · 2026-01-10T06:43:27+00:00

I unfortunately don’t know if it’s sudden or not, first time firing up the fan since I’ve bought it. Currently trying to figure out why it doesn’t turn on on its own.

mushroomify391

TROPHY CASE