H@lp! Should I buy a 03 Acura CL Type S? <Need Advice>
Thread Starter
10th Gear
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10
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From: the "SHERM" Oaks
H@lp! Should I buy a 03 Acura CL Type S? <Need Advice>
I've been really looking at a clean Acura CL Type S.
Its a Dark Grey w/Ebony Leather Seats. The car is original and clean inside and out. The vehicle has a complete Carfax and all scheduled maintenance records done at the dealer.
The car has been garaged kept from day one. The car was loved and cared for.
The car has 92,860 miles as of today. The car drives very smooth and quiet. He had it taken to the Acura dealer to get a complete check.
Acura stated it needs the following done on it.
1. Leaking Water Pump
2. Oil Pan Gasket Leaking
3. Driver Belt Tensioner Needs Replacing
4. Timing Belt Needs Replacing
5. Adjust Valves
6. Sparks Plug Needs Changing
I can do some of the things above as I've worked on Hondas and Toyotas before. However, is some of that service above expensive?
Its not a big deal above as thats normal wear and tear. However, if there is something above thats very expensive. Let me know.
My main concern is. I drove the car in the city and on the freeway to test it. The cars transmission runs so smooth. I've been reading online on most forums state the transmission issue.
I want to buy this car as I've always loved it but I can't afford a new transmission. Its passed the 7 years now. So Acura is out of the loop on the extended warranty.
I'm thrown off by how many guys have the Tranny issue. What can I do?
Can I take it to Acura to have it looked at? Anything?
Change it to the Honda AFT fluid every 10-15k?
I'm so torn and sad right now.
Please help a new member out and hopefully be apart of this great forum. Thanks in Advance!
Its a Dark Grey w/Ebony Leather Seats. The car is original and clean inside and out. The vehicle has a complete Carfax and all scheduled maintenance records done at the dealer.
The car has been garaged kept from day one. The car was loved and cared for.
The car has 92,860 miles as of today. The car drives very smooth and quiet. He had it taken to the Acura dealer to get a complete check.
Acura stated it needs the following done on it.
1. Leaking Water Pump
2. Oil Pan Gasket Leaking
3. Driver Belt Tensioner Needs Replacing
4. Timing Belt Needs Replacing
5. Adjust Valves
6. Sparks Plug Needs Changing
I can do some of the things above as I've worked on Hondas and Toyotas before. However, is some of that service above expensive?
Its not a big deal above as thats normal wear and tear. However, if there is something above thats very expensive. Let me know.
My main concern is. I drove the car in the city and on the freeway to test it. The cars transmission runs so smooth. I've been reading online on most forums state the transmission issue.
I want to buy this car as I've always loved it but I can't afford a new transmission. Its passed the 7 years now. So Acura is out of the loop on the extended warranty.
I'm thrown off by how many guys have the Tranny issue. What can I do?
Can I take it to Acura to have it looked at? Anything?
Change it to the Honda AFT fluid every 10-15k?
I'm so torn and sad right now.
Please help a new member out and hopefully be apart of this great forum. Thanks in Advance!
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,315
Likes: 22
From: S.W. FLORIDA
umm, well to answer the expense, it is gonna cost around 1200-1500 to get all of that done at the honda/acura dealership and about 300 if you do it yourself pending you are good at it.
the autos are okay if well maintained, but not the prize to get as the 6spd as far as reliability goes.
if its in good shape, then the price is the only unknown to us, and that would have to be shared for us to give the best advice...since all of that work is needed, i wouldnt pay more than 7500 for it
the autos are okay if well maintained, but not the prize to get as the 6spd as far as reliability goes.
if its in good shape, then the price is the only unknown to us, and that would have to be shared for us to give the best advice...since all of that work is needed, i wouldnt pay more than 7500 for it
Racer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 334
Likes: 3
From: Ca
Automatic transmission? The answer is NO if you can't afford a new tranny. If you can afford a new one (of later reliable make) and have access to a backup car for when the CL is down than maybe. Life is a gamble, but why stack the deck against yourself w/ buying a strongly known tendency for unreliability?
Basically, you're looking at a regular 105k maintenance. That's expensive, but it has to be done eventually.
The main concerns are:
-Transmission
-Oil Pan (wtf)
The oil pain gasket is gonna be some labor. I remember a thread about a member trying to replace it. It wasn't fun, and I wouldn't recommend you to DIY. I would get an estimate on that before buying the car. Nothing you do can prevent the tranny from dying. If it wants to die, it's going to die. Ask if it has the newer Post Feb 2005 transmission case design. If it doesn't, be prepared to spend ~3k on a new transmission. Even if it is the new case design, the tranny still might fail. It's just less likely to.
However, if the transmission was replaced before 2005, or is an original transmission, I wouldn't buy the car. It will auto suicide guaranteed.
The main concerns are:
-Transmission
-Oil Pan (wtf)
The oil pain gasket is gonna be some labor. I remember a thread about a member trying to replace it. It wasn't fun, and I wouldn't recommend you to DIY. I would get an estimate on that before buying the car. Nothing you do can prevent the tranny from dying. If it wants to die, it's going to die. Ask if it has the newer Post Feb 2005 transmission case design. If it doesn't, be prepared to spend ~3k on a new transmission. Even if it is the new case design, the tranny still might fail. It's just less likely to.
However, if the transmission was replaced before 2005, or is an original transmission, I wouldn't buy the car. It will auto suicide guaranteed.
Thread Starter
10th Gear
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: the "SHERM" Oaks
^ You're right. I was all the way in for this CL until I review and found about the Transmission issue. Thats the hard part. I really spent a long time looking and searching for the right CL Type S. Now that I've found one.
Its hard to walk away from this car but you're right. Its better to walk away now and not be out 3-4K on a new Transmission.
Its hard to walk away from this car but you're right. Its better to walk away now and not be out 3-4K on a new Transmission.
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Thread Starter
10th Gear
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: the "SHERM" Oaks
Thanks so much for the advice guys. . .
I just need to find out about the transmission more. Like most of you have said. This CL is a complete Huge Gamble.
I do have another vehicle but I can't justify spending more money on fixing this daily driver.
My other vehicle will be a weekend Off-Road Beast. So I have to save $$$ for it. I can't have 2 money pits.
I just need to find out about the transmission more. Like most of you have said. This CL is a complete Huge Gamble.
I do have another vehicle but I can't justify spending more money on fixing this daily driver.
My other vehicle will be a weekend Off-Road Beast. So I have to save $$$ for it. I can't have 2 money pits.
Thread Starter
10th Gear
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10
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From: the "SHERM" Oaks
My girl will need to be able to drive the car also. I'd love to get a 6MT as thats what I came from but she can't drive stick shift. No, she can't learn as she needs to just focus on driving and making it home safe.
Trust me. I'd want a Type S 6MT. I came from a 6MT Accord 7th Gen Coupe and those too are hard to find. Those however had issues.
Thread Starter
10th Gear
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: the "SHERM" Oaks
I searched some more on this forum and one of the stickies state the effected ones are as stated by Acura from VIN#
The Vin Numbers state from Acura on Tranny Issues are. . .
2003 3.2CL (all models):
From VIN 19UYA42…3A000001 thru 19UYA42…3A005203
My VIN ends with 6489. So its not the included effected ones. Does that mean this TYPE S is safe or its going to happen anyways.
The Vin Numbers state from Acura on Tranny Issues are. . .
2003 3.2CL (all models):
From VIN 19UYA42…3A000001 thru 19UYA42…3A005203
My VIN ends with 6489. So its not the included effected ones. Does that mean this TYPE S is safe or its going to happen anyways.
I Wanna Beer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,151
Likes: 109
From: Minneapolis, MN
I searched some more on this forum and one of the stickies state the effected ones are as stated by Acura from VIN#
The Vin Numbers state from Acura on Tranny Issues are. . .
2003 3.2CL (all models):
From VIN 19UYA42…3A000001 thru 19UYA42…3A005203
My VIN ends with 6489. So its not the included effected ones. Does that mean this TYPE S is safe or its going to happen anyways.
The Vin Numbers state from Acura on Tranny Issues are. . .
2003 3.2CL (all models):
From VIN 19UYA42…3A000001 thru 19UYA42…3A005203
My VIN ends with 6489. So its not the included effected ones. Does that mean this TYPE S is safe or its going to happen anyways.
When I looked at CL-S', I saw the automatic transmission issues and there was no way I'd buy one. I had to get a 6-speed MT or nothing. Read through this forum and you'll see people with multiple transmission rebuilds or replacements. One guy went through 3 in under 10k miles. Don't let the dealer tell you that they've resolved the issues or have made changes so it will no longer happen, as many others here can tell you, nothing has changed.
That tranny goes out and you're looking at $2000 or more to have it rebuilt. I'd look at another car if a manual transmission is out of the question.
Thread Starter
10th Gear
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10
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From: the "SHERM" Oaks
^* * * SIGH * * *
So Sad. I will be calling the owner (Such nice people) and advise them I will not be buying it.
I'm so bummed but its for the best.
Thanks everyone who took their time to help.
So Sad. I will be calling the owner (Such nice people) and advise them I will not be buying it.
I'm so bummed but its for the best.
Thanks everyone who took their time to help.
The oil pain gasket is gonna be some labor. I remember a thread about a member trying to replace it. It wasn't fun, and I wouldn't recommend you to DIY. I would get an estimate on that before buying the car. Nothing you do can prevent the tranny from dying. If it wants to die, it's going to die. Ask if it has the newer Post Feb 2005 transmission case design. If it doesn't, be prepared to spend ~3k on a new transmission. Even if it is the new case design, the tranny still might fail. It's just less likely to.
As far as walking away from this car, good choice. The auto trannies are time bombs.
Thread Starter
10th Gear
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: the "SHERM" Oaks
It was a hard phone call to do but I felt it was right.
It was love at first sight with the car to be honest. Inside and Out. Its so sad the owner had taken so well care of it to only have a Flaw caused by Acura's poor design.
The family had babied it from day one and it showed. . .
* * SIGH * *
Thank you guys for everything. These kind of forums are what makes car buying much easier. I couldn't imagine how they did it before.
It was love at first sight with the car to be honest. Inside and Out. Its so sad the owner had taken so well care of it to only have a Flaw caused by Acura's poor design.
The family had babied it from day one and it showed. . .
* * SIGH * *
Thank you guys for everything. These kind of forums are what makes car buying much easier. I couldn't imagine how they did it before.
Cruisin'
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 23
Likes: 1
From: USA
I have an automatic, but he just replaced the tranny. Woo! It's a lot of fun, and I am sad that you can't join us in the CL fun. It's a great car, and it has it's flaws, but the V6 power totally makes up for it 
EDIT: He being the previous owner.
EDIT: He being the previous owner.
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