No Reserve: 1996 Acura TL
No Reserve: 1996 Acura TL
Sold
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No Reserve: 1996 Acura TL
High Bidder: epegoblue
Auction Type: No Reserve
Winning Bid: $2,700 (USD)
End Date:
Location:
Phoenix, Arizona 85014
Seller:
Engine:
2.5L I5
Transmission:
Automatic
Odometer:
263,700 (Mi)
Chassis/VIN:
JH4UA2649TC016882
Carfax:
Lot Number:
4084023
Ends In:
End Date:
Location:
Phoenix, Arizona 85014
Seller:
Engine:
2.5L I5
Transmission:
Automatic
Odometer:
263,700 (Mi)
Chassis/VIN:
JH4UA2649TC016882
Carfax:
Lot Number:
4084023
If a bid is placed within the last minute of an auction, an additional minute is added to ensure all bidders have a fair chance to bid. Bid carefully. Please complete your vehicle due-diligence prior to bidding. Bids are binding and by placing your bid you agree to our User Agreement and Privacy Policy.
If a bid is placed within the last minute of an auction, an additional minute is added to ensure all bidders have a fair chance to bid. Bid carefully. Please complete your vehicle due-diligence prior to bidding. Bids are binding and by placing your bid you agree to our User Agreement and Privacy Policy.
This 1996 Acura 2.5TL Base is finished in Garnet Red over a gray cloth interior and is powered by a 2.5-liter inline-5 paired with a 4-speed automatic transaxle. The car spent its first four years in the northeast and was relocated to Washington state in 2000. It was owned by the same individual from 2005 through 2020 and then moved to Arizona in 2020 by its current owner. Equipment includes a custom upgraded steering wheel, power convenience options, and double-wishbone suspension. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, this 2.5TL is now offered at no reserve with a clean CARFAX report on a clean Arizona title in the seller’s name.
The car is finished in Garnet Red Pearl (R-81) and retains most of its original paint, with exception of the bumpers and hood, which were refinished. The hood and other top panels exhibit some peeling of the clear coat in certain areas. The trunk lid is equipped with the factory accessory spoiler with an integrated LED brake lamp. The windows are frameless, and the headlights have integrated yellow foglamps from the factory. The car has its correct exhaust system with dual stainless-steel outlets. The windshield was replaced in 2020.
Factory 15” five-spoke silver wheels are mounted to 205/60 Firestone Affinity Touring tires with June 2012 date codes and good remaining tread on all four corners. The car is equipped with a four-wheel double-wishbone suspension and speed-sensitive variable power-assisted steering, with front and rear stabilizer bars. The braking system is comprised of four-wheel discs. The seller notes that the anti-lock braking system (ABS) is not functioning at this time, but regular braking operation is unaffected.
The interior is fitted with gray carpeting and gray cloth bucket seats in excellent condition. The dash is trimmed in faux wood grain, and the center console has two cupholders as well as the gated shift lever for the transmission. Power equipment includes door locks, windows, and an adjustable driver seat. The car has digital automatic climate control and an AM/FM/CD stereo cassette with 8 speakers and dual illuminated vanity mirrors. The car was professionally window tinted with 20% Suntek film under current ownership. The steering wheel is a one-off custom burlwood and leather upgrade from Craft Customs.
Instrumentation includes a 160-mph speedometer and an 8k-rpm tachometer, along with additional gauges for fuel level and coolant temperature. The six-digit odometer shows 263k miles, which are original to the vehicle.
The G25 2.5-liter single-overhead-cam 5-cylinder engine is original to the vehicle and was factory-rated at 176 horsepower when new. Maintenance over the car’s lifetime has been consistent, and within the last year, the car has received a completely overhauled air conditioning system, including the compressor, dryer, and blower motor. The timing belt, water pump, and air filter were replaced in September 2020 by an independent Honda/Acura mechanic using factory parts where available. The battery was replaced in October 2020, and the alternator and left rear wheel bearing were also replaced around that time. The seller indicates that the car does have an oil leak and oil-burning consistent with age and mileage. The car passed Arizona emissions and comes with a certificate of compliance. Power is sent to the front wheels via a four-speed automatic transaxle with Grade Logic Control.
Additional photos showing the underside are available in the gallery.
The CARFAX report illustrates the car’s original sale in New York and subsequent relocation to the Pacific Northwest, followed by consistent registration renewals and a move to Arizona in 2020. The window sticker shows an original MSRP of $28,350, including destination and handling. The sale includes four US market brochures, two JDM brochures, two extra keys, service records, copies of a reproduction window sticker, a bottle of touch-up paint, spare interior parts, the factory owner’s manuals, a factory service manual, and a variety of copies of period literature and magazine articles.
Thanks to all who have shown interest in this 2.5TL. It's a model that often goes under-appreciated, but for me it satisfied a special need to round out the 1990s collection and I enjoyed putting a lot of effort into its preservation. There is something cool about having a 5-cylinder under the hood, and I'm confident this car would make a good daily driver or weekend cruiser. Just to give you an idea, my investment is more than 3x the current bid, with a huge stack of receipts and an Excel spreadsheet to back it up. So someone is going to get a heck of a car for the money. Not to mention I'm including some really cool JDM brochures and the huge factory service manual. Let me know if anyone has any questions on the final day of the auction! By the way, I'm happy to assist with transport needs including picking you up at PHX airport if you fly in and drive it home. If you decide to have it shipped, I recommend getting an online quote with Montway or the agency of your choice. Thanks all!
@jaymb – This is a great example of Acura’s dependability and reliability. Having personally ridden in this vehicle, I can say with certainty that I wouldn’t have known this car has 263K miles on the clock without looking at the odometer. And any car Tyson’s had his hands on is guaranteed to be delivered with up-to-date maintenance records and a complete detail. Good luck with the auction, Tyson, and to the winning bidder, enjoy this unique one-year only color combo and it’s sweet 5-cylinder sounds! ...
Thank you Jay! Glad you got to take a spin in this one. It's a solid driver despite the miles - a true testament to Legendary 90s Honda innovation and engineering!
This is a great example of Acura’s dependability and reliability. Having personally ridden in this vehicle, I can say with certainty that I wouldn’t have known this car has 263K miles on the clock without looking at the odometer. And any car Tyson’s had his hands on is guaranteed to be delivered with up-to-date maintenance records and a complete detail. Good luck with the auction, Tyson, and to the winning bidder, enjoy this unique one-year only color combo and it’s sweet 5-cylinder sounds!
BID: $2,700
BID: $2,500
BID: $2,250
@em689 – Hey Tyson, two questions. Regarding the oil leak, any idea where the leak might be? Did you try fixing it and couldn't locate the leak or did you not even bother because of how small of a leak it was? Is the leak somewhere near the darker part of the engine in pictures #120 and #123 (https://imgur.com/a/FZtXVcp)? And how often did you have to top off the oil? And second, is that rust on the exhaust in pictures #122 and #125 (https://imgur.com/a/0VP0oWO) and how bad is it in person? Do you think it will need to be replaced soon? ...
Thanks for the questions! I did not have the oil leak diagnosed as my focus at the time was other maintenance items. First place to start would probably be to steam clean the underneath and monitor it from there. I recall my Vigor having similar issues but it was not severe enough to justify fixing (and my Legend has run for years with a leaky rear main seal). My total miles added to this TL is only about 1,500 over my 7 months of ownership, and I have not added any oil since having it changed. As for the undercarriage, I just crawled under there and the hardware in the picture near the muffler has a light orange look to it, but I don't think it's rust. I took a couple of photos with and without the flash; I will see about getting them added to the gallery. The car passed Arizona emissions and the sound is nice and quiet so I don't have reason to believe there is any exhaust leak. I appreciate your interest.
Hey Tyson, two questions. Regarding the oil leak, any idea where the leak might be? Did you try fixing it and couldn't locate the leak or did you not even bother because of how small of a leak it was? Is the leak somewhere near the darker part of the engine in pictures #120 and #123 (https://imgur.com/a/FZtXVcp)? And how often did you have to top off the oil? And second, is that rust on the exhaust in pictures #122 and #125 (https://imgur.com/a/0VP0oWO) and how bad is it in person? Do you think it will need to be replaced soon?
@pawelasgarage – Another really nice example from the Tyson Hugie collection. Truly a unique powertrain which should be good for many more years after the recent maintenance and care. Love these old TLs. Good luck with the auction! ...
Thanks Jason! This one has been a fun addition to the collection. There's something so rewarding about owning and preserving a car that is under-appreciated. Glad to offer this one up for adoption into a good home! Looking forward to hearing any questions people might have about the car as the week goes on.
BID: $1,996
Another really nice example from the Tyson Hugie collection. Truly a unique powertrain which should be good for many more years after the recent maintenance and care. Love these old TLs. Good luck with the auction!
Welcome and thanks for checking out my auction! This is a car I put a lot of effort into - not because I necessarily see it as a super collectible car (in fact, I'm honored to have it accepted to this website), but because I loved that it was a one-year-only color, a base model with a comfy cloth interior, and ever since I sold my Vigor I missed that unique 5-cylinder engine note. It still has a ton of life left, especially now that the timing belt is recently changed and other mechanical items are sorted out. I have a huge binder of receipts for this car and hope whoever buys it will care for it as I have.