Three Year Anniversary and 100,000 Miles

Hey All,

Several months have past since my last update…for shame! Well, today I actually had a few free minutes at work to get out a short little post here. Yesterday (November 7, 2017) marked the third year of owning the 6, and I couldn’t let that go too far without a post to celebrate the occasion! Who would have thought that I’d keep this a freakin’ three years?!! I did say in my one year post that I have enjoyed every mile. To date, I still feel the same.  She’s still not the prettiest, fastest, and not exactly dripping with the latest tech, but this rickety little 6 just keeps on purring regardless of what gets thrown at it.

Well, somewhat. This past year hasn’t exactly been the cheapest, nor the most trouble free if I’m honest. Here’s a list some rather costly maintenance items and repairs which far exceed the value of the car:

• Early January, 2017: Fuel system cleaning, OEM O2 sensor, spark plugs, valve cover gasket, coolant and manual transmission fluid flush | $1,200
• Late January, 2017: OEM Alternator replacement | $975
• June, 2017: OEM Fuel pump replacement | ~$500 w/ a DIY install
• July, 2017: Front passenger OEM control arm | $950
• August, 2017: Alignment | $80
• September, 2017: OEM coil replacement | $75 w/ DIY install
• October, 2017: New front rotors and pad | $725

That’s a total of around $4,505! That alternator was the most painful as it was my first official breakdown. Thankfully, AAA was there very quickly to save my butt.

Just for fun, I ran a Kelly Blue Book value check for a dealer trade-in (don’t worry, I’m not even entertaining that idea). I was quite shocked! The Private Party value wasn’t much better. The mileage really makes a dent in the value.

With that said, I plan to make that high mileage even higher. As of today, I  achieved a pretty significant milestone: 238,954 miles. Why does that matter? That’s exactly 100,000 miles since the day I drove this car home from Phoenix back in 2014!

Think I should go for another 100,000? We shall see. I haven’t done as much traveling this year as I wanted to (partly from home renovations and just a heavy load at work), but I do get out once in a while. Here are a few photos outlining the past year:

Hauling whatever would fit for those home remodeling jobs.

Actually have been using the 6 quite a bit in job related functions.

Road trip with Dad to California

Finally got to see by buddy, Tyson, and his new digs in Phoenix.

Gila Wilderness

Lots of random exploring around Doña Ana County where I live.

I performed a major interior detail and refresh for the first time since the Alaska trip last year. New headliner is finally completed as well.

Two big road trips did happen, however I won’t spill the beans just yet. They will have to be their own post.

Cosmetic Updates:

The 6 had a bit of an identity crisis of late thanks to me. I recently grabbed a set of OEM chrome accessory wheels off of eBay for a decent price and decided to try them out.

I ended up not liking them, so back went the faded stock ones. I also decided to try out the OEM sport grille again to give the front end a little refresh.

…and finally, I performed a complete badge removal. That included the little “V6” emblems as well as the “Mazda6” in the back. So far, I’m pretty happy with the results. What do you all think? This could be the updated look for the next few years…or more?

Oh, and one more thing…I added a new custom vanity New Mexico plate!

That’s all for now. Thanks for stopping by!

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The End of Chapter 2 – 2010 Acura TL

First note, consider my 2004 Satin Silver Accord Coupe 6spd as “Chapter 1.”

Well, looks like my blog here is going to change gears again. If you’ve enjoyed any of my ramblings that put a spotlight on the TL, I’m sad to say it’s come to end. As of October 22, 2014, I have listed the TL available for a new owner. Why, you ask? What it boils down to is money. With a recent home purchase and other responsibilities, I just wasn’t comfortable swinging another 4-5 years of car payments. My joys behind the wheel wearing the big “A” were outmatched by the financial burden.

Fast forward exactly one month, and I find a buyer from Dallas, TX — Justin. An avid Honda fan, Justin was in the same boat as me last year with a search for a 4th generation TL 6-speed. He flew 600+ miles out to El Paso, TX (nearest international airport to me) and spent a good part of the day closely inspecting the TL to see if it suited his needs. In the end, we officially shook hands in agreement to the sale, and he is now the new owner. He is having it shipped out next week.

It’s been a good run with the TL, and as I write this (while wiping a few tears away), I can’t help but remember what a great traveling companion it has been:

The key hand-off and beginning mileage – Los Angeles, California

Musical Road – Lancaster, California

Salton Sea – California

Canyon De Chelly – Chinle, Arizona

White Sands National Monument – New Mexico

Gila National Forest – New Mexico

Cadillac Ranch – Near Amarillo, Texas

New York City – New York

Redline Productions Test Drive the TL – Washington D.C.

Chesapeake Bay – Virginia

Caddo Lake (Swamplands) – Texas

Death Valley – California

Ouray – Colorado

Very Large Array – New Mexico

Large(st?) Rattle Snake – Albuquerque, New Mexico

Odd trails covered: (no pavement here) 

Cibola National Forest – New Mexico

Doña Ana County – New Mexico

Somewhere north of Ouray, Colorado

“20 Mule Team” road in Death Valley – California

Driving on bedrock at the Malpais – Near Grants, New Mexico

Driving on a Mesa in the Bisti Wilderness – New Mexico

Most Challenging Cargo: 

12′ siding for the house. This utilized the trunk “pass through” and extended practically the entire length of the car!

Lawn mower and weed wacker:

10′ Ladder with painter’s tape to keep the trunk tied down:

Accord front lip:

Ending mileage at the date of sale (November 22, 2014). That’s 35,462 miles covered!

Amazing only one year has passed, and the TL has taken me to all these fantastic destinations and then some. I do hope it’s able to give Justin the same amount of joy it has given me. Farewell, my friend. Farewell.

Now, the show isn’t over here on Driven for Drives. I’m still going to be on the open road and sharing the big highlights as I go along. For the next chapter here, the car in the spotlight is surprisingly something non-Honda. Can you guess what it is?

Stay tuned for “When it all Started – Part III”