geoffrey2k

hi,

New to the site, and wanted to poke around a bit before jumping in. Im going to look at a 97 CL3.0 tomorrow, in near perfect shape, 2nd owner, only about 50,000 miles, and checks out good on carfax. All maintenance records included.

A couple of things -

1) Ive been reading about tranny issues here that are frankly scaring the crap out of me. Do you think I should be concerned? How common is this problem? My parents had a 97 3.0 and it is still perfect after 110k miles. Never any tranny issues and I hadnt heard of this problem until I found my way here.

2) When I check this car out, what's the best way to figure out if it might have had tranny issues? I'll test ride of course, and I know how the tranny should shift given that Ive driven this model of car for many miles already. Anything I should look for? Is there a way to check with previous dealers to see if the issue came up?

3) At what mileage does this typically start happening? Is it early on or later in the car's life? Does it ALWAYS happen, or is it on the intermittent side?

4) What's a good price? I was thinking about 7500 or so, given the condition and low mileage.

thanks!
G

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Don't do it

Just playin man, they're great cars, my tranny went at 87K miles, but people have gone till 150K Look for any slippage at all. 50K is good mileage, that's what mine had on her when I bought her

AznX TL

subbuzz

welcome and to black. a 97 with 50,000 and clean is a good find.like black said test her a look for ANY slippage.it's kinda a tranny lotto,feelin lucky? i got 150,000 out of mine before it crapped out.all in all my fav by far(10th),having some technical difficulties now at 160 but wouldn't trade her for the world.good luck.........

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

^^^^ I was refering to this guy when i said some people get 150 out of their tranny

subbuzz

and i beat the piss outta mine.............

duluoz

^lmao black.

.02: i'd jump if my heart pointed to it and i knew it was never rebuilt -- my 2.3 was going strong till a hit killed it @ 135K, rebuild started slipping +/-10K later -- however, my sis had a white 3.0 went well over 100K (prolly closer to 150) w/o a hitch, ever.

geoffrey2k

I figured it's sort of a gamble, but this car has been well maintained, and the 2nd owner bought it from a female coworker, and he only kept it one year before buying a new car, so I dont think it has been abused. I dont plan on working it over anyway, even though it's tempting (I did put in some tough miles on my parents' 3.0 so I know how fun the car is.) But I plan on babying this one.

I figure with 50k, looking clean, well maintained, with records and a good carfax, this is probably worth a try. I'm going to give it a full test ride tomorrow and will report back, with pics.

Any telltale visual signs (oil leaks, etc) that would indicate potential tranny issues down the road?

Anyone have any ideas on what a good price is? I said before I thought 7500 was ok.

Sleep_DEPRIVED_Sleeper

Try to negotiate the price a little bit lower... i always do even if the price seems ok... you're gonna have to pay tittle/tax/registration (if applicable) so the more you save the better.... good luck with the buy, i have a 97 3.0 too (140K w/o problem )

AlexMN

I have a 98 3.0 and I absolutely love it!!. I have 120K on it and I don't beat it. Also change the tranny fluid every 15-20K
If you drive somewhat carefully it should last you a long time.
The reliability of this car is unbelievable. I'm still on my first tranny with no sign of trouble (knock on wood)

Yes, the price seem a bit high for a 97 even with low miles.

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Negotiate the price of course, but it's a great engine, and they are great cars

geoffrey2k

I'll bring back a report and pics.

geoffrey2k

Un, buh, leavable. Any guesses for the test ride result? Yeh, you know.

Everything looks great, sounds great, solid engine, etc. Took it on the highway, sure enough. Transmissing in action. Wouldnt back off the high gears, revs wouldnt come down when I let off the gas, and generally sluggish top gear performance. Deal killer.

Shocked, huh?

teh CL

iTrader: (1)

3.0 strikes again

Pooner

ya dudu get it i just got my 3.0 Cl and i love it. 7500 sound about right i paid like 70000 for mine and it had 100,000 miles.

Pooner

ya dudu get it i just got my 3.0 Cl and i love it. 7500 sound about right i paid like 7000 for mine and it had 100,000 miles.

geoffrey2k

yes, that WOULD have been an ok price. But not with a tranny on the fritz

duluoz

wow 50K trannyslop...friday car.

geoffrey2k

what, exactly, is a friday car?

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Surprised? Not in the least, not on this forum

subbuzz

by the trannyitis. good catch though. will the search continue or are you done?

geoffrey2k

I really love this car, have since I first drove it back in late '96, but this transmission issue is a real bummer. If only the 3.0 came in a stick shift, all would be glorious. But no.

The 2.3 has the stick, but I just cant go down to that level from being used to the 3.0's power. Truly a dilemma.

I feel like I want to keep looking for one of these, but this one issue is such a problem, and even if I find a low miles, well maintained ride, I feel like Im always going to be sitting in the car, waiting, listening, praying that the tiny difference in each shift isnt the start of something heinous.

Well, nothing to look at at the moment anyway, so I'll just go carless for a while and see what happens. :-(

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

:shakehead we know... we know

AznX TL

*cough*get a cls-6*cough*

shnee

i would might have gotten one if it werent 10x uglier than our pimp shit

Ziff700

I need to sell mine, it's for sale over in the black market. I'm in Northwest PA, but willing to travel for a sale to a fellow acurazine member. 7,000 is the price. P/M if interested in a Black 98 3.0 with 86K miles.

teh CL

iTrader: (1)

our first gens look way better IMHO but of course they got us beat on the engine