Hey Everyone,

I owned a 01 CL-S when it first came out and traded that in for an 03 TL-S (both nighthawk black pearl) in early 2004. Those were my two favorite cars I have owned to date. Fast forward to this weekend, and a family friend shared they were parting with their 2002 CL-S 5 speed non-nav. Original owner and only 89k on it, however timing belt hasn't been changed yet. I showed some interest, as I know he babies his cars.

How much is too much at this point for this ride? KBB and NADA are giving me 6-6500 FWIW

 

6-6500 is it's estimated value; however, i bet you can sweet talk that family friend, he'll let it go for way cheaper.
remember, you do have to do the timing belt and the auto 5 speeds werent the strongest, as be sure to have a little cash saved for these items, so you wont be surprised.

 

Thanks for the reply. I told him I was looking to be closer to KBB value (5-5500). He said because he bought new rims and put on four new tires, along with some interior cosmetic repair (dog bit a few holes into the back seat) he was holding at 6500.

 

pshh. tires is like gas. every one has to fill up.
good luck waiting for that perfect buyer.

 

lol agreed. I think because he is just now putting feelers out he may be overstating value, especially since he owned it from day one.

 

That seems like a lot for an auto. Around me a clean low mileage would be like 4k. I'd pass and look for a 6mt.

 

as humans, we do tend to overvalue the things we own.

Good luck to you, OP!

 

I'd pass and look for a 6MT here too..

 

Thanks for the feedback guys. It seems the market is light with models with less than 100k on them.
I am going to pass if he doesn't come down on the number.

 

If you want reliability go with a 6 speed instead of the automatic. Otherwise, take into consideration that the auto transmission failed on virtually all of the cars in that series. The 03 6 speed had a total production run of 3511 so they are rare but still out there at around 100 K and a lot of times for about what your pal wants for the flawed automatic.

 

Thanks. I should note my wife, who occasionally will drive my car, cant drive manual. If we did not get a reliable 5 speed auto, we probably would look at the 04-07 bmw 3 series coupe

 

Then you'll definitely need a transmission among other things as well...

If you want it, get it... I've seen a base TL go for $8,995 a few months ago, to think it was a 2003, base with 57,000 miles, something like that, and it really wasn't clean...

This CL is pretty clean I assume!!!

Honestly, yo have your :heart: set on two vehicles that are both unreliable...

Get the CL, and a good tranny cooler, and only use Honda fluid, never power flush it, blah blah, and keep a nest egg ready for when it fails, which it will likely do one day (90% chance), but other than that, and maybe a leaky auto dimming mirror, you should be good...

If it were to fail, swap it over to a 2006-2007 Accord V6 auto transmission, or one of those special built transmissions that are " never to fail again" by a certain member or group on a Honda/Acura forum, and I don't remember who though...

Really, if you get it, just take that with a grain of salt...

Honestly, it sound good...

Personally, I don't think it's that overpriced, heck, I see 2003 Honda Accors going for $7-10,000 with nearly that milage sometimes...

Take the risk of you like the car that much, as long as you're happy with it!!!

Just be smart about it...

 

Thank you for the detailed response. I spoke with him earlier today, and we agreed that this isnt a deal for me. He may get what he wants for that car, but it won't be at my expense. I have never paid more than 100 percent of the NADA value of any car in my life, even when I was a broke college student lol

 

Just a quick update - not even a week later my friend called me last night offering the car for 5600. I haven't countered.

 

You could get a 03 type S six speed for around the same price as your pal is selling his auto for. With the money you will save by not buying an automatic that will need a 3k tranny replacement, you could more than pay for driving lessons for Mrs.jetsfan so she could learn how to drive a stick. (or teach her your self, which shouldn't be too bad). A skill she will have for the rest of her life.