spinner747

Hello everyone,
I am just about to buy 1999 CL with 230000km(142000mi) on it. I am buying it from a first owner (a senior) , car was meticulosly maintained with all records etc.and looks like new.Timing belt done, new tires,recent brake job,all fluids recently flushed. They are willing to let it go for $3800 CAD . Just wanted to ask if it is a good price? Should i anticipaite transmission problems? Owner said they never had any issues with it.Any input would be appreciated. Thank you.

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Transmission problems are a possibilty with the 3.0s, I'm not gonna lie. But 3800 CAD is a steal

spinner747

Thanks for quick reply. Is there anything I should look for when I test driving it before final sale? Anything that would show problems in the future? Thank you all.

97'CL2.2

hesitation shifting between gears, unusually high rpm shifts, rough shifting. also work the power windows well bc the regulators are known for going bad. not a big issue at all but could be a bargaining chip for you. if one window performs more slowly compared to the other anticipate a regulator replacement in the near future. there is a DIY on here tho, and its an easy job.

mitch14

^ regulators suck, you will be replacing one if you own the car for a year or two, but it's a very easy DIY, and somewhat of a cheap part.
ebay canada sucks for them, but some listings in the US ebay, they're only 50 bucks.
as said above, use it as a bargaining chip, as a dealership would charge a few hundred for the parts and labor together
check for typical honda rust on rear QP, they can get pretty bad
can't think of much else that can go wrong, but i'd be very wary of the transmission, because they are known problems, and not cheap... but you never know, yours could be good
good luck, any other questions feel free to ask

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Pay close attention to the trans upon starting it, don't let the car warm up, drive it cold and see how the trans responds. The early signs are always easiest detected on a cold start.

spinner747

Great replies. Thank you so much. If anybody has anything to add , please, feel free.

bobcov

I too am thinking of buying a 1999 V6 3.0 with 56K for $5500, but I'm scared by all of the transmission problems I've read about, many starting with as few as 67K miles. It drove smooth as silk from cold start. Any recommendations? Avoid it? It also has an SRS light on and a bad window regulator.

-Bo

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

I would use all those things to negotiate down the price

bobcov

Hi,
Thank you for your reply. You still think it is worth the risk then if the price is lowered? I'm thinking that I would like to obtain the oil jet kit for later model years as well as install a transmission radiator. Any idea what it would cost to install, if the kit fits (Johnny Cochran pun suppressed), and if the kit can be obtained for a 1999? I also would plan on installing a transmission radiator. My theory is that heat is destroying these transmissions and if I take these two steps, I should help the car survive the design defect.

bobcov

This came from Wikipedia, so you may need to second source it for accuracy. Makes sense to me based on other things I've read. Also means I likely would get no benefit from adding an oil jet kit. But I may pay to have the transmission on my '99 examined for clogged ports.

"The 4-speed automatic transmission in 1999 to 2001 models had
serious problems with transmission durability. Honda spokesman Mike
Spencer stated that four-speed models were afflicted with a bad
bearing that could break apart, scattering fragments of metal that
clogged fluid passageways in the transmission, causing it to shift
erratically.[11] Honda responded to the problems by extending the
warranty on the transmission on U.S.A. '99-'01 models to 7 years or
100,000 miles (160,900 km). A class action settlement further extended
coverage to 109,000 miles (175,400 km) or 93 months for some '99-'01
Odysseys in the U.S.A.[12] Canada is not included. The five-speed
automatic was first installed in Odyssey in the 2002 model, but
general reliability of the transmission did not improve until 2004
according to Consumer Reports. Mike Spencer, a spokesman for Acura,
said that the five-speed models typically were damaged by premature
wear of the third-gear clutch pack. As the clutch friction material
abraded, it scattered bits inside the transmission case, clogging
fluid lines and causing erratic shifting. Drivers might suffer
slipping, poor or no shifts, or sudden down-shifts from 5th gear to
2nd gear.[11]

Under some conditions, a different 5-speed transmission problem arose.
Second gear could overheat and break, causing the transmission to
lock. An oil jet was added to lubricate this gear but this did not
solve the third gear clutch problem.[13] The addition of the Honda
transmission cooler with the towing package still allows transmission
fluid temperatures that are too high. But it was required along with a
power steering cooler for any towing, or the warranty would be void.
The Acura CL, TL, MDX and Honda Accord suffered similar problems."


Just found this which makes good reading:
http://articles.latimes.com/2002/sep...tos/hy-acura11

cperk89

My 99 CL 3.0 has 212k mi. I get a slight jump in the transmission when driving in low RPMs through town in D4 (automatic trans). But when I set auto trans to D3, shifts just fine because RPMs are in the proper range. Other than this, the car runs like a top.

Guillermo Barrios

Ok boss, it's nice to know I'm not alone on that one. I, too, get a slight jump when driving in low rpm's and also sometimes a rougher jump if I accelerate too hard.
I don't know tho how to properly use the other shifts, if you could instruct me on what you know I'd appreciate it.

Guillermo Barrios

The horn in my Acura (CL 3.0 1999) works at random... Is this an individual problem of my car with the wiring and/or the horn itself or did any of you owners of the same model have the same problem?

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Nope, never had any issue with my horn except for them rusting

Glen Rahhal

where di you get the headlights and lip send me the link