Hello everyone, I'm looking to buy a CL Type S this summer and was wondering if you guys can help me avoid any potential problems. I know the tranny is infamous for going out, but what else can I do besides taking it to a dealer and have the oil jet installed? And any and all CL-S is covered for 100K miles correct? Regardless if I buy it used and not certified? Any other thigns in particular I should look out when inspecting/driving a car? Make sure the rotors are not warped?...etc? Thank you for youe help

 

The best way to avoid the transmission problem is to get the 6-speed. I believe all transmissions, except some from the 03 year are covered up to 100k if it's an automatic.

Rotor warping is likely to happen if the car has OEM rotors, so just plan to buy new ones after you make the purchase.

If you're interested, here is an 03 6-speed for sale: https://acurazine.com/forums/car-parts-sale-361/closed-fs-2003-heavily-modified-cl-s-309914/

 

ABSOLUTELY. Don't even bother with the automatic, it's nothing but trouble.

 

Another vote for the 6speed.

Want a hassle free CL? It's the only way to go!

 

The thing is, I can't buy a manual because the roads around my house are filled with stop lights and hills. Also, in my college town in Indiana, stop signs are rampant, and I just know that my roomies and girl friend will need to drive it sometime as well

I was looking to only buy the 03s, for the blacked out headlights, new tail lights, and wheels. SInce it was mentioned that not all 03s are covered for 100k, is there a specific VIN number ranger I should check for? Also, can someone tell me why the (I'm guessing) latter 03s are not covered? Thank you

 

I personally would not hassle with a used automatic CLS unless it was dirt cheap. There are plenty of other automatic cars out there with better built trannies IMO.

No disrespect to the automatic CLS owners here (the majority) but would you really choose this car again over all the other good competition out there?

I'm not an enthisiast for automatics in any car. I say get a Buick, GM makes better trannies and is having a fire sale. It's nice of you to consider your friend's needs and share your car with them I guess. good luck.

 

Nice? Yes (and nuts at the same time!!!)

No offence but when I forked out 20K for my car, that car was for me to drive. Not my gf (or lack thereof), not my roomate (or lack thereof once again, lol), not my friends, family etc. That's a shitload of money to spend / will your roomie and gf contribute to 1/3rd of the car's purchase cost each?

Buy the stick, they're a blast to drive in this car. I'm all for the automatic tranny in an A-to-B car, but this car's too sporty and too fun to drive in manual. You won't regret the 6 speed. But when your automatic tranny blows up on you, you will regret it.

Your choice!

 

I currently own 03 CL-S 5at and had no problem so far. I just passed 20,XXX miles on it. Did not know some 03 models aren't covered under 100k. Not sure how accurate that is tho. To be honest with you, I don't think some ppl on this forum know what they talk about. It's more like 'I heard it from somewhere...' kinda thing. I'm not saying , I do .. but I sure don't know alot about this vehicle that I enjoy so much. But if you think about it, if they are all automatics transmission why would some be covered and not all??

I'm also seeking for 6mt but one thing that holds me from purchasing one is b/c it'll be used. I bought my car brand new and that's sense of feeling you only get it when u get a new car. Acura stands firmly behind you till 100k and that makes me feel secured about myride. If I were you, I would certainly look for 03 since they do appear differenet and also your warrnaty will last you longer. Hopefully you can find one in your price range. Best of luck to you.

 

Make sure you get a good price, whatever you're shopping for. Good thing you found this site, we bought my '01 for $23,000 before I found this site.

 

My annoyance at Acura over the bad trannies is not that they had a bad tranny, but that they don't know how, or maybe, don't want to fix it properly! Plenty of people here have had to replace the replacement trannies too, sometimes 2, 3, 4 trannies. That's unacceptable.
I think it's crapshoot on an 03, it's unclear (to me anyway) which 03 CLs they will keep replacing trannies on, from their bulletins IMO.

 

Not All the 03 CL is covered up to 100k, 7 years. It is the later production model for the 03 models that are only covered 50k, 4 years. I do not know what the vin range is, you are going to have to call the dealer or the Acura corporate office and give them the vin number to find out if you have the 100k, 7 year extension. My 03 CL-P was one of the later producecd models and was only covered for 50k , 4 years. But i purchased the extension a few months back just for the peace of mind. So far i have 38,XXX miles on my car and I'm on the original tranny.

 

Ouch. That sucks.

The biggest problem is the tranny. If you can find one with low miles, I still think it's a solid car. Tranny is covered til 100K, the rest of the car til 50K unless you can work something out with the dealership you are buying it from.

Good luck.

 

Another reason why I'm leaning towards an auto is a wider selection. Although the 6-speed maybe a better choice and a safer one at that, but finding one within my price range has been difficult. Also, driving a manual where I live (home+college) would be a major pain. So tranny aside, which I'll just deal with Acura for a free replacement if broken, anything else I should look for during visual inspection/test drives? TIA

P.S. The CL-Ss that I am looking at all have less than 40,000 miles.

 

Here's my advice. Honestly, if you need an automatic. You should definitely look somewhere else.

It's not a good feeling sittin' there thinkin' that your tranny will break @ any moment from your normal driving. The tranny problems hit w/o warning, and before you know it, the transmission does a gear 5->2 shift, and you're too terrified to continue driving.

Despite this, I love the CL. However, I'm not sure what's going to happen when this shit gets past the 100,000 mark....

It's true that up to 100, Acura might be able to replace your tranny for free. However, some dealerships can be just a dog shit of pain to deal with. And it puts you out of comission and possibly w/o a car (unless they give you a loaner) for a good week or so.

 

Well, that really sucks. I really like the Cl/TL. For around $20k what other AUTO cars can you guys recommend? I'm also looking at the IS300, 2002-03 Maximas, Infiniti I35, Accord EX V6...etc. I guess my second choice would be the I35 (luxury version of Maxima), what can you guys think of?

To Time For Sleep, is that Hyori in your avatar? If yes then for a hot girl.

One last thing, although the trany problem is rampant and annoying to deal with, but isn't it only occuring in a small % of the CL/TLs on the road? I read many threads in the Tranny FAQ sub-forum, and it seemed that while many have suffered through 3-4 trannies, many are problem free?

 

Its roughly 5% of CLs out there.

I wouldn't be too worried.

 

OK...now I'm confused...one side people tell me to avoid the auto tranny like a plague, but in fact it's such a small % of the CL/TLs on the road. How can I make a decision whether to get a CL now

 

From a manufacturing standpoint, 5% defect rate is a HUGE number.

 

But from a buyer's point of view, there is 95 perfectly working cars for every 5 bad ones. Is that is true, I'm willing to take that risk as I REALLY like the CL-S and hope that it is one of the 95. My roomie atually has a 1st gen 2.3 CL, and from that car I started to like Acuras overall.

So now back to my original question, and thanks for all the input thus far, anything I should look out for? I read something earlier about some intake chamber? And loss of horsepower resulting from it?

 

Its all a crapshoot.

I was speaking to a guy with a ES330 and he said the reason he didn't get the TL was the tranny issue. Then he goes on to say how he has had two trannies replaced already.

Its a awsome car for the money. I wouldn't freak out about it so much as some others are.

 

'03 CL-S Auto with over 40k now, and never had an issue with anything. I had the oil jet installed per the recall. Have not had a single issue. You will just hear from the vocal 5% about issues with the auto tranny, especially on a site (bulletin board) that discusses them. I would have preferred a manual, but they are rare with navi. Besides, autos get better resale...

 

Egads....that's almost what I paid for my '03 with 20,000 miles on it!

 

[QUOTE=erishe69] I would have preferred a manual, but they are rare with navi. QUOTE]


My dealer had 3 CL-S NAVI MT sitting in the lot when I bought mine! 3!