Hi yeall im new here, looking to get an 01' Cl-S hopefully with nav. Im still deciding type-s vs. nav if i cant have both. Anyhoot what are your opinions on getting a certified car vs. just a normal one whose warranty is due to expire next year. Is it worth it. Would i save more money buying my car private party then getting it certified, (i heard it costs 995$ to get it certified). Acuras are solid cars minus the tranny issue which is covered to 100k miles or 2007(this is right for an 01' right?), so have i got anything to be worried about without warranty? I was all over the A4 but with a CL i can get much more bang for my buck and im expecting much less maintenance cost. Please any input is useful

 

To be honest with you, there haven't been many problems on the boards other then the tranny issue.

Just make sure if you buy private you make sure that the transmission warranty is transferred to you by the current owner, that way you're covered. And yes, the tranny warranty is 7yrs / 100k miles.

I would say it would come down to money. If you're saving a lot of money by not purchasing from a dealer, then go for it... but if the money is minimal (I'd say less then $1000-$1500), then get it certified from a dealer. Think about it.. if one thing goes in the car and it's out of warranty it can cost a pretty penny. When I had my '98 3.0 CL the sunroof switch went. Part was $65 (actually the $65 was for the switch and new wires that were worn), labor was about $700 b/c the dash had to be removed, etc. If I wasn't under warranty it would have been over $800 with tax to fix that little switch.

Good luck and welcome to the board

 

Certified adds 1 yr/12k miles to the factory warranty but does not cover everything like the factory, but most. The auto tranny is the biggest issue, with brake pads'rotors needing work more often than they should. If you plan to keep it a few years or after it hits 100k miles you may be hit with buying a new tranny.

I'd recommend the 03 manual 6 speed. More fun and no tranny issues. I have a 6 speed with Navi. Navi is nice but you pay for it.
6 speeds are going for low 20s. There are at least 3 listed for sale in the Black Market section here, one in NY I think.

 

Thanks, so i guess its certified unless i find a killer deal (2k less), and make sure to transfer tranny warranty. Does it cost 995$ to get it certified, or more? And the 7yr/100k is only on powertrain, so wear and tear are only included in the extra 12months?

 

Get a type s w/o navi over a non type s w/ navi.

What is the normal warranty on the 01 cl?

 

I don't think you need to worry about the 100k tranny warranty extension transferring, it was offered on all 01s and 02s too I think. I'd call local dealers to get specifics on the warranties. and call Acura corporate to make sure. 1-800- toacura I think.

 

Speed over nav, but being able to get nav for such a low price is sooo tempting, type-s has 40 more hp, upgraded susp. , swaybars. But regular will still be fun to drive, look almost the same minus raised hieght, of course be slower, but get better fuel economy. still noone knows how much it costs to get certified?

 

I don't think there is an exact price. If a dealer takes an acura in as a trade, they give it an inspection and then it is 'certified'. They also charge more than a private seller. I don't think you can put an exact dollar value on it.

I could be wrong.

 

If you don't need the navi for every day use, then I would get the CL-S, it's probably much more fun to drive. But if you do need navigation for your car, then DEFINITELY get the Navi. I just got the new DVD a few months ago and use it every day for my work. Ican't live without it.

 

Its easier to add aftermarket navi than aftermarket 'type s'

 

I ask because i found this,
http://www.acuradealer.com/rallye/in...hen&make=Acura

 

furry,

i'm in CA and i've been shopping for 01 CL-S as well.

i don't know about this 7yr/100k warranty on the powertrain that everyone is talking about. the 2 CL's I considered buying...I actually CALLED UP acura dealers and got transferred to their service departments, and both were on 4 yr/50k warranties, bumper-to-bumper, with no 7yr/100k extension.

I don't know if the service ppl don't know about it, or if the guys here just all have extended warranties. i think you should try to clarify this first - i know for a fact that there is no extended 7yr/100k powertrain on the 01 CL's i'm looking at.

 

forgot to mention -

the certified CL's, of course, do come with this 7yr/100k warranty. but not if it's not certified. no extended powertrain limited warranty, i'm pretty sure.

o yea, it's not just a little cheaper, it's a lot. 2-2.5k for not-certified if you keep looking .

 

all transmissions are extended to 7/100 on every 01+ cl, certified or not.

 

really? i am hoping this is true, but the acura service guys told me nothing past 4yr/50k.

was this a special add-on that happened recently or what?

and is it just the tranny?

 

I don't remember when it happened... but yeah just the tranny.

The normal bumper to bumper is 4/50, tranny is extended due to the problems leading up to this months recall.

 

What i did was pull up acura.com and search their certified preowned database in my area. I think i can let the navigation go in favor of a type-s after reading the kill stories on this forum. Ill call the dealer tomoroow and ask about the implications or certifying the CL.

 

Tennistock is right, unless it is Certified then it only has the remainder of the factory 4yr/50k miles warranty.
WARNING - Even if an 01 has 23,000 miles it still could be out of factory warranty timeframe of 4 YEARS. DO NOT GO ONLY BY MILEAGE!!! The 01 CL was sold in spring of 2000, that was well OVER 4 YEARS AGO. You must get the 'in-service' date from the dealer or call1800toacura. Many 01 CLs are out of factory warranty no matter what the mileage is.

ALL 01s and 02 and some 03s got a special 100k mile warranty for the automatic trannies from the car maker. If someone is telling you different they are stupid or a liar.

The Certification is partly a warranty and partly a marketing device IMO. The sales rep can say whatever he wants. Some dealers just certify it and state a total price, done. Some have said, 'Oh it's not certified, but for XXX$ we can do that too. It's a game, pay what you think it's worth. You can always add on extended warranty.
I bought an certifed 03 CLS in MArch of 03. Since certified, it had a 5 year warranty, better than the new 03s that were sitting on the same lot, plus certifieds get the added 7 yr powertrain warranty, the new cars do not. good luck, don't rush take your time if you can to find just what you want. The car you showed looks nice and is low miles, check the warranty dates. I prefer the Type S but the CL in any form is a great car. Done!.

 

So how do I make sure that I get this 7yr/100k tranny thing?? Do you guys have the papers sent to you from Honda/Acura...? Or should the dealer just already KNOW it's the case?

 

I wouldn't have bought mine unless it was an s.

 

Good question, there is an official letter notice sent out by Honda a year ago, here it is.
there was also a second notice one week ago.

http://world.honda.com/news/2002/4020920.html

AutomobileSeptember 20, 2002

American Honda Extends Warranties on Select Automatic Transmissions

Torrance, Calif., September 20, 2002 --- American Honda Motor Co., Inc. announced today it will provide extended warranties on approximately 1.2 million Honda and Acura models equipped with automatic transmissions due to problems that may result in premature wear or failure. The extended warranty will cover affected transmissions for seven years or 100,000 miles.

The standard bumper-to-bumper warranty for Honda vehicles is three years or 36,000 miles, while Acura vehicles are covered for four years or 50,000 miles.

Vehicles covered by the extended warranty include:

2000 - 2001 Honda Accord, Odyssey and Prelude

2000 - 2002 and some 2003 Acura 3.2 TL

2001 - 2002 and some 2003 Acura 3.2 CL


While only two percent of these vehicles have experienced these transmission problems, American Honda will provide extended transmission warranties on all potentially affected vehicles. "Our priorities are making sure our customers are taken care of and reassured they can continue to depend on their Honda or Acura automobile for a long time to come," said Tom Elliott, executive vice president for American Honda.

There is usually plenty of warning to the driver that the transmission is not operating properly, such as slow or erratic shifting, giving them ample time to take the vehicle in for service.

American Honda will notify all owners of eligible vehicles via mail in the coming weeks.

 

Thanks so much, im gonna def. go for a type-s , nav. is kinda rare and jacks up the price. Certification can come later! Now on to making some calls...tomorrow that is

 

the dealers know. you dont have to do anything.