I just got back from a 2 hr test drive of a 2003 TL with 52,000 miles. I plan to buy this car tomorrow if everything else checks out for $17,100. The current owner said he always used regular (Octane 87) gas. I know the computer will change the timing to avoid knocking, but will this, in the long term, cause engine problems and vibration and future problems? Also the front motor mount was broken - could motor vibration from low grade gas cause this?
On the test drive I got 29 mpg with the ac on. Also, a 0 - 60 mph acceleration test gave only 9.4 seconds - rather slow. Could the timing adjustment cause the car to run this slow? would the gas milage go up and acceleration be better with a higher grade fuel?
Thanks for any advice on this, Rick