My friend who had a 2000 TL-P totalled his car going down a mountain. He is planning on purchasing a 2003 CL-S white today for $25,000 NEW. He was wondering if the price is exceptionally good, maybe too goo to be true? Also, is the transmission problem the only problem on the 2nd gen CL'S? I personally own a 2001 Accord V6 so I feel your guy's pain on the Transmission, I had mine fixed 30K miles ago. Thanks for your input in advance

 

Good questions. Check out www.kbb.com for true market value and www.edmunds.com for a cross reference.

The transmission thing doesn't happen to everyone (as you may know. I alway reply to this question by saying, "how lucky do you feel."

The tranny is under warranty for 100K miles anyway.

No other problems with the car (that are not minor things covered under warranty). No matter what car you get you'll have minor issues.

Your friend will enjoy the CL S. I used to own a CL P and traded it for a Type S. Loads of fun to drive.

 

That price sounds about right. Keep in mind that the CL was discontinued... so dealers are looking to move this car off of their lots.

As CL P Diddy said... the tranny thing doesn't happen to everyone... probably about 5% of all CLs/TLs sold are affected, plus with the added comfort of Acura's 100k mile tranny warranty, he should be fine. Just check with the dealer b/c only a few 2003's were affected, so the car your friend is looking to purchase may actually be outside the affected VIN range, therefore, safe.

 

Don't forget the warping brakes .. which are not all covered under warranty .. or at least that's what some dealers are claiming

 

Again, not too common on the 2003's (or so they claim). The TSB only covers 2001-2002 from what I've seen.

Also again, doesn't affect everyone. I have 46,xxx miles on my car and I'm still on my original pads and rotors with plenty of brake life left....

 

Are they really selling for that low now? Damn.

 

Just for reference, I just picked up a black on black 2003 CL-S with 14K miles for a couple of thousand less than that price. So if brand new, sounds like good deal. Otherwise, reasonable.

 

Well, he is going to purchase it, for $27,000 excluding taxes. The $25k was just an extremely low estimate that we configured with serveral points (discontinued model, old new car (03's when 04's are now being sold))

Well, I'm sure he's going to love it. His brother has a TL-S and his dad has a 04 MDX Touring. I guess their the Acura family. All they need now is to get the 05 RL and the NSX. :P

 

Dealers are nuts. I found one in LA trying to sell 2 used 2001 CL-Ps for 24g each. HAHAHAHAHAHHA.....riiiight, I feel sorry for the suckers that even deal on them.