giugiaro_RENAMED

I have owned 4 honda cars so far and i have always been happy with them. I usually know what the main things to look for are on used honda cars. Is their any specific problems areas on the first gen CL 3.0 that i should watch out for? Like the tranny on the second gen?

dustbuster4

Some tranny failures, power window regulators (motors), ignition switch (warranty recall), ball joint ('97--warranty recall), and emissions problems (warranty recall),

If you decide to lower your car (or change shocks/struts), the rear lower shocks mount bolts tend to rust solid. They'll need to be cut out and replaced.

97Acura3.0CL

yeah what pick said

hey rick hows the court thing coming along? pm me with new details

dustbuster4

Pick ???? :P

Joey, check your PM.

giugiaro_RENAMED

What are the signs of the tranny going? Burned oil smell? Bad shifting? A clunk when u drop it in gear?

gjr2001

Usually a highly audible obscenity.

giugiaro_RENAMED

At how many miles do tranny problems usually start to occur?

joeshmoe

If it's and automatice, test drive the car with a cold engine and you'll be able to tell if the tranny is going. It's very noticable when it shifts. It usually won't be noticeable with a warm engine.

Jamz

10 miles after your Powertrain Warranty expires

dyar1

My tranny went out at 69K I think. I was covered under warranty luckily !

You will notice when the tranny is bad. When it is cold, it will shift very weird. It will also downshift hard all the time. A transmission flush will temporarily help the problem, but it will only get worse.

That is the only major problem I have had with my CL. It now has 79K and runs great. I am trying to be easy on this new tranny b/c I don't want to have to fork out 4 grand next time if it goes !

giugiaro_RENAMED

Is the tranny a real common problem with first gen Cl or is it just an odd case here and there? I don't know if I want to pick up a car that is notorious for tranny problems.

dyar1

I think the problem is not widespread. The reason mine went I believe is b/c I do alot of city driving with trips less than 5 miles. Stop and go driving is real hard on a transmission. The transmissions are good as long as they are not abused.

Zerostatic

It's definatly not a common problem. In my opinion it is the kind of problem that other less reliable brands such as Ford, Oldsmobile, and Hyundai's have all the time it just doesn't get mentioned alot because it is expected. Since this is an Acura, any part that has a higher then average chance of messing up will get attention. I have 90,000 miles on my 97 CL and I drive rather aggressively and do not baby my tranny at all, and I have not had any problems our bad signs.