piccme

I'm looking to buy a 2003 CL-S with an automatic trans (unfortunately) with 13,000 miles. The asking price for the certified car is $24,800. What do you think I should offer? Does the 2003 have the same transmission issues as previous models? Any other advice? Thanks guys!

RR32CLS

no more than 22k, does it have navi

average is about 20K

babyblue

The price seem a bit high... why not a 6spd???

Chaptorial

Well Acura would like you to believe that the latter half of the 03 models don't have a problem with the tranny. However I believe a member on here with a late model 03 did have one go out.

Still though with 13k on the clock you're covered for quite sometime. The only thing i'd try and work them down on would be the price. Certified and everything you should be able to bring the price down a tad.

For me personally the tranny problems wouldn't warrant me to give up on a low mileage 03.

blader

I have a late model 03, no problems as of yet in 26K miles. We'll find out when I have my tranny checked for the recall. But I guess anything can happen, hell Red Rider has an 01 (horrible with tranny problems) that is SUPERCHARGED with all the goodies and I'm sure he's not nice to that car, and his tranny was checked out to be FINE in the recall. Amazing!

Maybe beating on it extends the life? I've heard the problem with them is when your crusing at light throttle in 5th, very little fluid gets to second gear to cool it. So if your beating the shit out of it and leaving it in 4th on the highway, maybe it cools it properly. Who knows

anothercls

I would just look for a 6-speed because of the driving enjoyment...

Rod

I don't know if the CL-S you're looking at has a navi or not, but since it's used it shouldn't factor into the price much...$500 tops. Wasn't invoice on a non-navi CL-S about $28,500? With the way sales were going for 2003 I think you were able to get them for way under invoice so that price does seem high. I wouldn't go over $20K.

GreenMonster

Yep, I think it was 28.7 or 28.8. I got mine for 29 (before it was announced the CLS was being discontinued).

Back to the original question: "2003 CL-S Automatic. Would you? "

NOPE, and I didn't. After seeing that a-cl.com had a forum dedicated to failed auto trannies, I bought the 6 spd. Wish I would have gotten one with navi too, but hignsight is always 20/20.

If Acura hadn't offered the 6spd in the CLS, I'd be driving a 03 6spd accord, 350Z or G35c right now... but that's me...

tennistock

anyone know how you know whether an 03 is one of the 'latter' models? just wanted to check. one i'm interested in was bought 8/2002.

any idea?

piccme

The one I'm looking at is an Acura certified CL-S without navi. The Edmunds certified price is $24,400, Dealer is $23,400 and private is $21,400. But again, it is an automatic. I could wait it out until I find a manual but I would LOVE to get out of my A4 1.8 Quattro ASAP. Don't know if they installed the oil jet kit in this one. Will find out today.
Thanks again!

Chaptorial

If you register your car through Acura Owner Link you can run your vin and see if it qualifies for that specific recall.

It will already show up the most recent recall but thats b/c ALL CL's are in that one.

Also you can call your dealer and they'll run your VIN and if they're half way decent they'll let ya know.

GreenMonster

They made about 16,000 03 CL's. So if the last digits are up there, it's a latter on. I'm not sure of the exact cutoff of what is considered a "latter" CL.

Rod

Look up the date of manufacture, it should be in the driver's side door jam.

GEB

I paid about 24K for my 03' CLS-6 in February. I don't think I would have paid that for an auto ... they are easier to find so you can find a better deal almost anywhere. They probably paid 17K for the car. Offer them 21K and get a deal.

GreenMonster

you had to remind me. When they announced that the cls was being discontinued, the prices dropped below invoice. I could have saved some $$ if I'd had waited a couple more months before buying

123456SPEED

Man if you want the 6 speed that is definitely what you should get IMO, totally different experience than the automatic. The 6 Speed IS worth the wait!! Keep looking and at least drive the 6 speed to see what you'll miss I don't think anyone can guarantee that the 03 auto tranny is any better than the 01-02.

That price is high. I got a good color 6 speed/Navi/7500 miles for less from a individual 4 months ago. If you can not rush it you can get a great deal.
Depending on the color I wouldn't pay more than $22k for that one, certified. Definitely pay closer to $20k than $25k. what color in and out??, spoiler, stock rim condition, mudflaps, roof visor? These are some of the add-ons that are pricey to buy later if you want them.

greyjhu

I puchased my 2003 CL-s in September of 2002. My tranny went at 26,000 miles. My car's tranny is not covered under the 100k 7 year warranty as all '01/'02 and some '03s are.

DivinDude

I think that Honda has some serious design/build issues with their auto-trannies and are doing nothing but band-aiding (the recent 'new-problem' recall seems to hint at that some more). Knowing that the 2nd Gen CL/TL is plagued with many problems (I think there were 4 different fixes applied to the tranny - with trannies of varying degrees of fixes out there depending on when they were rebuilt) .. there is NO way I'd consider one with an auto .. I dumped my '02 Auto (that was on its 3rd tranny in 12,000 miles) for a 6er .. awesome car - still has the typical acura build quality issues .. but for an acura .. it's an awesome car!

123456SPEED

greyjhu - that is terrible news about your 03. Acura should be sued for not honoring the warranty on all automatic CLs. I don't see how they can say some 03s are ok when they can't even seem to fix the ones they agree are bad. Until Honda sees a hit on sales or money $$$ they will keep band-aiding it on the cheap.

To the original poster I would definitely avoid any CL with automatic. I wouldn't want to buy a car with this kind of possible defect. Get a Buick if you want a reliable automatic transmission.

greyjhu

I was big time concerned when it happened, and was concidering buying an '03 six speed. After some thought, I gained comfort knowing that I have a 100k extended warranty, and that after 100k, I could possibly buy an "upgraded" heavier duty tranny, or take my car to a place like AAMCO where they will replace transmissions with free replacements.

All in all, after my Land Rover which I had for 7 years, one transmission failure will not discourage me from getting rid of my car!