I just bought mine ( 99' 3.0cl) 3 weeks ago and its shifting funny luckily I noticed on the first day that it was leaking transmission fluid. I took it back and they say they replaced the whole front axile. When I got it back it started shifting funny when its cold. I think it was the transmission in the beginning and they are just saying it was the axile. I tried to return the car but they wouldn't take it back but agreed to fix it. Should I make them take it back or just get the extended warranty for it? I like the car but Im not looking for a headache.

 

I would try to return the car or insist on a transmission overhaul. First is your best bet, but they may not be legally obligated unless you took the car back w/i 3 days. You may want to consult a local attorney.

good luck

 

I think that guy was bullshiting you, cause our cars don't have a "front axle" per say, we have two half shafts with CV joints on them that connect to the trannsmission.

 

That cold weather thing is common, and with careful warmups and precautions, it will last a long time. My 97 cl hesitates to return to first gear and has a neutral pause before going into first. I just feel and hear for it to engage first for the first couple miles on a cold day, and then it is normal.
Now my other 97 is a little bit more worn. It does the same thing as my other one, but much worse, so to get through the first two miles, I do this: After I back out of my drive, I put it in D2, and it just stays in D2 with no symptoms whatsoever, and after a couple miles, it can go to D4, or D3. The problem with these cars seems to be that in full auto, it just acts sluggishly, and this could lead to further destruction of the trans "neutral drop effect" if not cared for. So if you are careful with your money like me, you can nurse it along for a while before having to dump money after it. I have had my 97 for 7 years, and the other "worse" 97 I have had for 2 years, and my daughter drives that one.

 

I would take it back and raise hell. I have a '97 2.2CL with 173K on the stock tranny. It is starting to slip and act up, I tried what was mentioned above by Iagent and that is helping me put along before I can afford a new tranny. I know tranny problems are not as common in the 3.0 as it is for the 2.2 so I would definetly consult someone with autority if the shop is being douchebags.

 

^^ It's more common in the 3.0s than the 2.xs because of the increased power.

 

does that mean that the trannys are identical in the 3.0 and 2.x? Not identical, obviously ratios are different etc, but share similar pumps, solenoids and engineering/design?

 

I'm not sure, but many Honda automatic transmissions have had issues all the way up through 2003. There's got to be a common link somewhere.