jcims

My 95 Accord EX finally bit the big one last week and I'm in dire need of a replacement vehicle. I'm generally very AR about buying a car...looking at tons of reviews and generally making sure i know everything about a vehicle before i buy it. But, with the circumstances as they are, I capped off a full day of car hunting with the purchase of a 2001 Acura CL S.

I instantly fell madly in love with this car... Relative to my Accord, this thing had gobs of power, killer seats, better stereo, navigation, climate control, looked awesome, super clean... I was just grinning from ear to ear when i brought the thing home. I finally felt like i found everything i was looking for.

However, after doing some research (after the fact, of course), I obviously found the Achilles heel in this darling... Having spent massive amounts of time in my car the last year, having two beautiful little girls whom i could never place in danger, and having a job that, at times, isn't terribly forgiving of a blown day because of a broken down car, i had to put on my Mr Spock and decide that i could not keep this car.

So, this morning, i go back to Acura Columbus (in Dublin, OH), and the folks there were nothing more than incredibly helpful, supportive and let me return the vehicle with basically no questions asked. (If you do go there, ask for Derrick, one of the best sales guys i've ever dealt with).

So, now i'm without wheels and back on the market. I got the CL S for $19K, which i thought was a fairly good deal (it was loaded). I can't spend much more than $20K, but am looking for something with the same blend of power and creature comfort, and so far haven't found anything that even holds a candle to the CL S.

So, i'm hoping some of you out there that are in the process of dumping your CL could point at a model or two (I keep seeing references to G35's, not thinking i'm going to land one of those for <$20k) that would be quite as nice. I have my eyes on a '98 BMW 528i, which is the closest thing i've found so far...just hoping for some other ideas to broaden my horizons a bit.

Thanks again!!!!

Bob

mclarenf3387

How many miles did it have? Did it have a tranny replaced?

Only ~5% of CLs were affected with bad trannies. As many members that are here, there are porbably 30 more to each one of us that doesn't visit here. With BMWs, you'll have to spend more on maintnence. They're nice and drive like a dream, but the CL will break down less and cost less to repair. You could look for a cheap 6-speed. You could probably find one in the low 20s for one with decent mileage.

BEETROOT

Wrx

RaviNJCLs

iTrader: (4)

If I had to get another car, I would go with the G35 with the all wheel drive, but you will be paying a premium for it.
The problems with the CL are ones you will get with a lot of cars. When my tranny went, nothing scarry happened....it just went. They replaced it with no problems. I have heard of some crazy stories about it downshifting at high speeds, but that never happened with mines.
Good luck shopping. Post pics of the new ride when you get it.

jcims

I'm still struggling with the decision to return the car (which just rolled over to 56k miles on my test drive), because I'm not necessarily keen on letting my car buying decisions be based on chatter in internet forums (which are always going to be heavily biased towards those that have problems).

My decision points were a) i've got about 3 years (equivalent) of warranty left on a five year loan and b) most importantly, i wouldn't be able to let my wife drive the car by herself, or have the kids in it, with the potential for breakdown/rolling lockups.

Obviously every car has the potential for failing in disastrous ways, and there is no guarantee that any other car i buy will be any better than the CL (and i know there are many worse), but there is just something in the way i'm wired that won't let me live peacefully with this car...i told the salesguy it was my forbidden fruit.

I'm not sure i'm going to find a 'cheap' CL 6MT, but i'm going to look...(did i mention i loved the car?) The 528 definitely isn't my first option. It's kind of a 'something to get by on'...they have a 99 CL that's ok...but getting loose and has some funky brake issue.

I started looking around for G35's...they look pretty good, but are a bit north of my price range (lowest was ~$25k, up to $33+ used).

Thanks for the feedback!

(BEET, i lurked the subie lot for about a month before i bought the CL...the wrx's are hard to come by, the only ones i found were thrashed, and STILL expensive!!!)

LiQiCE

If you don't mind 4 doors then what about a 2002-2003 Maxima ? ... A Maxima GLE (luxury model - loaded) can be had for about the same price and its got a good amount of power. In fact, the 2002 GLE "TMV" on Edmunds is listed for about $17k, with the 2003 GLE for $20k. With all of the options available on the GLE, you could probably get the 2002 for about the same or less than the 2001 CL.

The 4-speed tranny isn't as nice as the 5-speed tranny in the CL/TL, but then again the Maxima tranny doesn't have the reputation of failing like the CL/TL one does (even if it is an overrated problem).

You could probably find a used 2002-2003 Maxima SE 6spd for a little bit more, but they're harder to find since not nearly as many were made.

The 2000-2001 Maximas are also nice, but they've only got 225hp I think while the 2002-2003 Maximas have 255hp/250 ft-lbs in the same (relatively speaking) sweet VQ engine that the 350z, 3.5L Altima, 2004 Maxima, G35 (coupe and sedan) all use.

Personally, I would have kept the CL, the tranny problems are real but as long as you've got a recently made tranny (assuming one was replaced and put in) you run a fairly low chance of having the tranny fail imho. I know you're worried because you have children and I would probably be worried too, but after the recalls and fixes made to the newer trannies, I think the problem is really no worse than the chance of a tranny failing in any other car. The 5th/4th -> 2nd gear drop was also fixed so if the tranny did fail, your chances of being in an accident because of it are also reduced.

You should also consider a used TSX. Not nearly as much power in the 4cyl 2.4L 200hp motor, but the interior is great and the fit and finish in that car is top notch. The MSRP on a new TSX is $26.5k, so I think you might be able to find a used '04 TSX for around $23k or so? Maybe less if you find someone desperate to sell.

mattg

i would say you made a mistake by returning the cl-s.

mclarenf3387

Subies won't be as luxurious as the CL either.

I think your being a little paranoid. I was kinda pissed when I found out about the tranny issue after I bought the car, but the more you read, you see it isn't that terrible(we'll maybe except for the resale). And the chance that it will lock up on the highway is so slim. Yeah, its happened but I've only seen a handfull of people who have had it happen.

jcims

Thanks for the scoop on the Maxima's...looks like i'm going to have to get more familiar with the Nissan line.

This is way OT, but I'm a tad neurotic when it comes to my family's security...i get it from my mom. Every time i wake up in the middle of the night i have to go check my babies and make sure they're tucked in. I go bonkers if they're in the car with me and i hear anything remotely resembling the unclicking of a seat belt. I've actually called Mr Yuk.... If i could afford an armored hummer for my wife's daily driver (with the optional .50 cal on top ), that's what would be sticking halfway out of the garage right now.

So anyway, it's the infinitessimally small intersection of the .00000075 percent chance that the tranny will fail in a given mile with the .00002 percent chance that anyone but me will be in the car at the time that has somehow warped my brain into thinking this car isn't going to work out.

See, i told you, neurotic!!!

jcims

paranoid==neurotic. you called it.

jcims

uh oh.

http://www.parkacura.com/en_US/Vehic...k&id=335524734

Might have to test the red car syndrome.

01bluecls

Maybe a Lexus IS300 would fit the bill...you prolly wont find a 6speed (02-up) for less than 25, but you could def find an 01 around 22 or less. Lexus has a great warranty, excellent service and above all has the toyota quality and resale value! Just my 2 cents

tuleman

CL-S 6 speed

jcims

They had an IS at that dealership for $26k. We had an RX300 for three years and loved every minute of it. I always thought the IS might be a little weak in the knees, but i've never actually driven one... Thanks for the suggestion...i might see if i can find one in the right range...


That 'red syndrome' one above is a six speed w/nav for $24k... Already shot the sales guy an email.

proaudio22

Pssh, forget the red one! Look at the blue one for $1200 less! Blue>red.

They have a couple 02 TL-Ss with comparable miles for 22-23K as well. Might be handy with the kids and pretty much the same driving feel as the CL, just 2 more doors.

An 01 CL-S with 56K would only be like 17K at the dealer here, and you could prob get it for 16K.

As far as the tranny goes, they found a "fix" that "should" prevent what messed up the trannies before. 100K warranty on it too. If anything, sell the car before that runs out.

RaviNJCLs

iTrader: (4)

If you look into the 2002-03 Maxima, call your insurance company before you get it. I was looking at one before I got my CL and the rates were about 2 times as much as the CL.

LiQiCE

If he didn't want a 2001 CL-S, I'm guessing he isn't interested in a '02 TL-S which has the same 5-speed tranny.

proaudio22

Well everyone almost has him convinced it isn't that bad, since he's having second thoughts it might be worth an extra looks for the convenience.

SanJoseRoller

Brand New SRT4

GreenMonster

The blue one doesn't have navi... (I don't think, by looking at the vin)

I can't argue with the san marino red (milano red is what it's incorrectly listed as) with the parchment interior 'cause that's what I have (wish I had navi).

F900

I think you did right thing returning the car especially if you had a Accord for 9years. After 100,000 miles your out of luck, if you tranny fails YOU have to pay the bill, and it cvan be any where from (3k-6k)

Forget about a used BMW or Merc..... just simply not worth the hassle, to many costly repairs

jcims

My thoughts exactly. I'll burn through 45k miles pretty quick...i'd hate to still owe $12k on a boat anchor....

The 528 felt about as solid as any car i've driven (first beemer drive)...but they have that funky German styling on the interior, nowhere to put a coffee mug, and the whole fat wallet tax on the maintenance (cash being a common thread in all of my decisions ).

Bingo. (or is that BINGO)

I did drive the RSX Type S (2003), which was a blast...but not something i'd want to pull a full week of 2x2.5 hour drives in (my most recent commute)


must...have...navi...even if it kills me (during the test drive, i almost stuffed it under a slow moving rollback (me >> 80mph) playing around with the settings)

if they didn't wan't people to drive red cars, they wouldn't let us rack up 12 points (in ohio anyway) before reducing us to passengers/pedestrians. i've still got 6 points to burn

einsatz

Sounds like a good case for the TSX

Not as powerful as the CL, but comfortable for long commutes (I spend 2 hours a day in it), has navi, no tranny issues. Should be a natural upgrade coming from the Accord. Price is as much as a decked out Accord V6, but at least it doesn't look like ass.

I should add the bias warning... I used to have an 03 CL-S until it got totaled. I have an 04 TSX now.

GreenMonster

Lolz... quote happy...

I drive hard on the highway, and my "arrest-me-red" CLS hasn't gotten me pulled over yet :knockonwood:

With a cls 6spd, you avoid the tranny issue, if you can live without the navi, a 6th gen accord (98-02) would be easy on the wallet...

joedokes28

01bluecls

try this link http://www.carmax.com/dyn/searchengi...1&SearchType=0

You can have any of those cars transfer to a carmax near you. And yes i do work for Carmax here in Dulles of Northern Va.

01bluecls

There are at least nine listed that are under 24G's. 5 of which are under 22g's.