Hi, I am buying a 97 CL w/ auto transmission on wednesday and I had a few questions for the experts. First, how reliable is this car? I hear alot of the tranny slipping. Is that a common problem? Second, is there a big difference between the 2.2 and 3.0 models? I am looking for a sweet ride which I dont have to throw money into every month to repair. My main concern is the tranny, but what do you guys think? Is that a big issue? Also, im going to be leaving this car parked outside alot, do they get broken into alot like the civics and accords or are they less prone to get jacked into. Sorry for all the annoying questions, but I wanna be sure about this before I jump into it. Thanks for your time and I look forward to posting pics of my CL here very soon.

 

First of all.. the 1st gen CL is basically just a more luxury version of the Honda Accord, since both are mechanically identical.... Therefore as you know... Honda accord is a very reliable car! Mine as NEVER broken down on me before and i had 130k miles! There might be little problems here and there but overall itz very reliable. As for the tranny slipping.. most of the problems I heard on this board are with the 3.0 models... the 3.0 seems to have more tranny probs than the 2.2/2.3 ones...

As for getting jacked...... chances are you will be broken into once or twice if you car is really souped up and you street park it all the time... but prob not as much as a Civic(I had a civic and it was completely gone).

Conclusion:
1st gen is defnetely a nice car to own... PERIOD... infact i totalled my 2.2 and i'm looking into getting another one...

 

just buy an aftermarket alarm.

 

CL = very reliable and well worth the $$$...

 

Very reliable I am up to 230,000 miles and havent had any problems besides a window regulator

 

So would you recommend getting the 2.2 or the 3.0 version and is there such a big difference in performance?

 

i'd say get the 2.2/2.3 because 3.0 not that big of a difference...im sure it will be cheeeper also...

 

1st gen cl, what yr is your car?

and how far do you think it will make it ? 300k?

i wonder who has the most milage on a 1st gen cl probally you?

 

I use to have a 2.2 cl before my cls and I thought it was very nice car for the price. I just had minor problems ex: window regulator & rotors other than that it was a great value.

 

I have a 1997 2.2 CL and i def. think it will make it to 300K. I am currently thinking of buying a G35C but the car will stay in the family so i will let everyone know when i hit 300

 

my 97 2.2 is about to hit 90k, and the only problem i've had so far (besides normal wear and tear) is the harness for the headlight broke. other than that, nothing, still goin strong