ozz

hey guys, im looking to replace my car (94 accord coupe) and looking to spend about 10k. with some searching and talking i can get a 2001 CL-S with under 80-90k miles for 10k. however this tranny issue has almost but all turned me off. i dont know, but for 10k i dont know what else i can get thats this nice of a car . i was also thinking of a v6 accord coupe but i hear those also have tranny probs. and after driving a non type S 3.2 CL i fell in love with the car.

so i guess what im trying to say is, if i buy a used 2001 CL-S is there a good chance my tranny is going to fail on me? more than once, and will i be covered under recall if im not the first buyer? also what if it goes over 100k will i still be covered? its just that if im buying a 10k car (which is a fair amount to me) i dont want to HAVE TO replace it within 3 years cause the tranny is always going out on me ...

P.S can you guys think of any other car thats this nice for 10k? and this powerful?

and thanks for answering a question thats probably been shot to hell on these forums.

123456SPEED

Any CL owner is covered under the 100k mile tranny warranty. It's a gamble on a hi miles automatic CL IMO. I'm biased toward the 6 speed. An 03 6 speed was sold recently for about $13,500, not much more than $10k. I'd deal way down in price on the 01. or I'd seriously shop for an 03 6 speed, or figure in whatever a new tranny costs in your purchase of an 01.

ozz

really, so there would be a good chance that if i was to buy a 80k 01 that after the 100k mark i would need to swap the tranny or rebuild it.. which im sure for a acura tranny like this would be about 3k min huh?

hmm well this puts me in a intresting place.. guess i should just hold off on buying a car till the 6 speeds maybe fall in price..

i dont understand how acura could have made such a HUGE error in design.. i know KIAs and Hyundias, hell even deawoos that wouldnt have this kind of issue...

and i honestly cant find a better car, and year combination in this price range.

NighthawkBlue

The threads I have read show that '01 CLS's still have the vast majority of trannys working. While no exact figures have been released since the NHSA is such a corporate suck up and only counts tranny failures where injuries occur, the good techs of this board did an intelligent guestimate of 5% (or so I believe) of the trannys are crapping out. While outrageously high for car manufacturing standards, that still means 95% are good so far. Plus, if you see the thread on "what is happening at 100K plus", appears a good deal -dare i say majority - of dealers are replacing trannys at +100K for free or for labor only.

It would seem vital you know the cars exact history and if possible form communication with an Acura dealer, preferably the one it came from.
Run a CarFax.
Which owner are you, was it ever certified?
The gentle tranny flush is an absolute if not already performed. Mine is running smoother afterwords. Props to all for the flush info.

Beyond that, i think you can score big time for only 10K.
Then buy a 6 speed when they come down if thats what you want.
Do you have a "don't buy a lemon" type used car inspection service in your area? We have one here in San Diego. In fact it's called "Don't buy a Lemon". Owned by a man named Mack, an ex dealer mechanic schooled amoung other places in Michigan by Fords schools. He is excellent, worth every penny and then some.

o1s

if the car made it to 90k the tranny is probably ok. mine has 110k and is fine. i'm just paranoid.

ozz

im currently in Orange County right now, and dont know where a "dont buy a lemon" inspection place might be, otherwise id go and get it checked out before buying.

dont know im just being really worried i guess, i just dont want my first real nice car to keep giving me crap, or breaking down on me when im enjoying it most.

what scares me i guess is the third tranny issue some people here have been having.. switching the tranny once is understandable, but twice within 30 k miles? thats just crazy to me, my 94 accord is still on its first tranny at 120k, its a little rough sometimes but still finds the perfect gear all the time. also if i buy the car i plan on holding onto it for atleast 4 years at which point it will be way above the 100k mark. hmm dont want to do it, but i guess i might need to wait till after undergrad to get a new car (6speed) unless you guess really think i wont get stuck with a cluncker of a tranny after 100k.. ive heard from people that if dealer doesnt handle it, its about 5-6 grand for a new acura 5 speed tip tranny.

CLsuperhero

I got my 2001 auto type S from a private sell in front of a guy's yard for 10 grand.... bought it at 86K now it's 98K no problems whatever even after I added headers/intake to add stress to the tranny

NighthawkBlue

[QUOTE=ozz]im currently in Orange County right now, and dont know where a "dont buy a lemon" inspection place might be, otherwise id go and get it checked out before buying.[QUOTE]

Don't Buy A Lemon
Owner: Mack
2 Locations in San Diego
Address: 5803 Mission Gorge Rd
San Diego, CA 92120
Phone: (619) 516-5555
Fax: (619) 284-3333

5782 miramar rd 92121
Phone: (858) 455 1111

Avail 6 days a week.
Trying to take sundays off, could do by appt.
10% off price for club members.

I have used his services twice in used car buys, including my 2001 CLS. Thru the roof qualifed, honest. Also knows the car market fwds and backwords.