StretchTTU

Hey guys, I'm new here and need some advice. I'm looking at purchasing one of two cars.

One is a Emerald Green 2001 3.2 CL with 99K miles for $9000 from a dealer. It's in great shape, and drives well. It has some 5 spoke Eagle wheels on it that I don't really like, I'd probably try and find something different. I haven't driven it yet, my dad checked it out for me, since it's not located where I live. It's near Houston.

I'm also looking at a Red 2001 CLS with 99K miles, automatic, navigation, memory seats, spoiler and black interior. It seems to be loaded out with everything and has a clear title. The price seems to be really cheap at $9900, maybe it's too good to be true? The private owner sent me some very high resolution pictures and I can't see anything wrong with it. This price is pretty low, right? Does the Type S require Premium Unleaded? Is the extra power and Navigation really worth $1000?

What do you guys think? Thanks for the help!

MarbleGT

99,000 is a no no with auto's. Good choice in cars, bad choice in mileage. The tranny warranty is up at 100,000. A few members, including myself, have gotten Acura to pay for the tranny replacement after 100k though...

Other than that, timing belt, water pump, and other services are due at this time.

...Other than that it should be (like mine and many others) a strong car.

117,604 miles and counting.....

StretchTTU

Hmm, maybe I need to reconsider my choice of vehicle then. I want to spend less than $10K, most CLs in that price range are at 100K miles or so.

treyster

fixed

Jordan, how did you do that???? I'm about to hit 100K

MarbleGT

Im not trying to steer you away by any means. I still get compliments every other day on mine. Then again, its meticulously cared for. I think the actualy number on how many are affected is like 15%. So not that many. Tranny being the only major issue, its replaceable. The CL is a pretty solid car. Even with that said, $10,000 for a CL is still an excellent value. Leather, Sunroof, 260HP, heated seats, HID's....etc,etc,etc.....You WILL NOT find another car that has this much to offer for that price.

DBLOCK1226

I think you should go with the CLS. I just bought a red 2001 CLS back in May and and it has over 100,00 miles and i love it haven't had any problems. but i take very good care of my cars. paid $10,500 for mine.

RaviNJCLs

iTrader: (4)

If you are going to spend the money, get the CL-s. It's definately worth it. It sucks you're not closer. I have a blue CL-s with 83K for sale for not much more than those. If you're interested....

https://acurazine.com/forums/car-parts-sale-361/closed-fs-wtt-abp-2001-cl-s-339298/

MarbleGT

Vandergriff will let you fill out an "application" per say for financial aid from Honda. They usually pay for the whole thing considering it affects 1999-2003 TL's, CL's, Civics, Accords, CR-V's, and other autos...

treyster

I know where I'm going this week!!! Thanks brother!!! (do i need to ask for anyone??)

Lord Helmet

I would buy Ravi's car before I even thought about those other two you're looking at.

StretchTTU

I wish I was in a position to consider it, but it's almost 2000 miles away.

Lord Helmet

Yeah, you may want to consider a different car altogether then. A CL will make a very, very reliable car for many years to come with lots of goodies but after 100k on the ticker, I'd run, not walk away from it do to the autotrashmission.

MarbleGT

nope, they are all pretty much a-holes.


Might check with our "sponsor" dealership in Plano if Vandergriff fails you.

StretchTTU

Thanks for the help, guys. I'm still considering buying one, I'm just going to think about it more. If any of you Texas guys sees a car like what I'm lookin' for, let me know please.

dadalowg

Good price but please splurge and buy the extended warranty from the dealer. In Canada its like 1500 dollars for the next 2-3 years and covers the tranny.

MarbleGT

Id almost meet you half way if you wanted to check out mine to see if you really want one.....test drive, examine, gawk...etc

gaping46and2

iTrader: (2)

Might want to check out Carmax, they sometimes have CLs up for sale.

StretchTTU

Wow, that's really nice of you. I'd never ask you to do that, though. Maybe if I was passing through Dallas on my way to Houston or something and I could meet up with you. Your car looks really nice in the pics, I'm sure it's even better in person.

StretchTTU

The car salesman just called me about the Emerald Green CL, it is being sold by a BMW dealer who also owns an Acura dealer. The previous owner was one of those people who always had the car serviced at the dealer, and all of the scheduled maintenence performed. The salesman searched through the service records and could not find anything that showed any transmission work performed on the car. I guess thats a bad sign.

MarbleGT

No its not man, you can get things like this sorted out through dealerships. I dont want you to think that it would fall apart if you bought it leaving you in a money pit. Everything is fixable, and it is still a great car.

romeo112

and remember, not all cls are affected by the transmission problem.

MarbleGT

Yea man, definently......PM me if that ever happens, would be more than happy to show you the car.

StretchTTU

What do you mean "sorted out through the dealership"? What can they do?

This affects all the 2001+ CL and CLS, right? The absolute oldsest vehicle I want to buy is model year 1999.

Are these the same transmissions that are in the Honda Accord V6?

MarbleGT

For example....

You buy the car. The tranny goes at 107,754 miles. Take it to an Acura dealership, they will diagnose the prob. Then since tech. the transmission is out of warranty, they will help you contact Honda to see if they will help pay for the new transmission.

According to my dealership, they 95% of the time pay for the labor, cost and rental for the duration of the service. If you've been raggin on the car (ie. "reving the car in nuetral and then shifting it into drive"...) then you most likely wont get any help.

Making more sense?

StretchTTU

Yeah, that makes sense. But I figured they would not warranty anything over 100,000 miles. How did you get them to pay for your tranny after it was over the 100K mark?

MarbleGT

In my case it was a phone call. 3 cavalier-driving days later my car was like new.

StretchTTU

That's nice.

Something I'm also thinking about. I live in Lubbock right now, there is no Acura dealer here. I may be moving to Houston in the next few months, though.

MarbleGT

thats good, there seems to be a good number of dealers in Houston.

fuzzy02CLS

iTrader: (2)

Don't even consider a CLP. Get the type S. More power, for not much more $$.