acquired the car in 2006 and here some 8 years and 137K miles later and now the replacement transmission with less than 66K on it is about to crap in my bed. This was installed in 2008 when the car had 71K on it.

For the record my dealer has been the sole source of service since I have had this car.

Now of Acura is unwilling to help offset some of the $4K+ repair bill I am thinking about selling the car as is and buying a 2003 Subaru Legacy for $5500 with 63K on it. Car is in great shape and drives well... Just needs a T-belt.

Any thoughts?

 

diy accord trans swap and keep on going.

 

Agreed! Don't quit on your CL just because it's sick, fix it! These cars are hard to come by, and it doesn't look like Acura will be making them ever again! (Despite the concept build about 2-3 years ago)

Not sure about accord trans swap as your only option though, you could also use a 04-06 honda oddesy trans, or a 06 and up TL trans from what I hear.

 

switch!
youll love the legacy!

 

I am going to see if Acura will pick up half of the tab considering that

a. I noticed issues within the warranty period
b. changed the fluid every 10K or so
and
c. I have only had the car serviced at this dealer...

The car just isn't worth paying more than $2K to fix it imho... 06 to mid 07 TL trans 07 accord trans are it. Oddessy trans is the same crap we got...

actually they have fewer issues than Acura does and Full time AWD = better for winter time

 

That's not to say that Subaru doesn't make a fine automobile, they do! I know, I've owned one (2001 Forester S), and regret getting rid of it! Aside from the head gasket issues in those late 90's, early 00's, those cars are awesome! Plus full time AWD = better and more fun in the winter! Hellooooo snow drifting!! Had me a lot of fun in that forester!

 

I thought they were all the same transmission AV6?

and tbh I've heard some Subaru owners still having issues with traction in snow despite AWD.

anyways I'm a bit inclined to side with the notion of seeing if Acura will cover the cost of a new trans over the trans swap here. btw out of curiosity did you flush the trans at the dealer too?

 

^ all maint outside of brakes done at dealer

 

So I take it the trans flushes they did at the dealer didn't hurt like others say?

Well, at least let us know how it goes getting Acura to cover any cost. Since there's a whopping ONE transmission in my area I would consider, the swap may be off the table for me when/if I need it done.

 

^ no the drain and fill is what's keeping this thing from death. If I had followed the normal maint procedure, it surely would have died by now....

this is what it does

1. fluid is brown by next oil change
2. when really cold no reverse engagement unless you do drive first
3. pulsates when you are driving down the road (ie it feels like something is grabbing and letting go)
4. delayed 2-3 shift when cold (it takes about 1.5 seconds for the unit to complete the shift)

 

Probably ur tq converter is going..

When I got my trans rebuilt I got a brand new tq converter as well, and better clutches, and a cooler... all those combined have seemed to have fixed me up. 100000kms later. Almost all city driving

 

So you're saying the dealer did the 3x3? My dealerships want to do the power flush thing...

and yeah I'd definitely look into other things before the transmission, if that's what you're experiencing. Of course I'm assuming you have no slippage.

 

I believe those Subarus eat head gaskets but it sounds like you're tired of the CL anyway. Trade it in on something else.

 

get the 2003 6 Speed...fun to drive

 

Got the car back from Acura and they replaced the 4th gear pressure switch.. Now the transmission shifts normally and all of the problems are gone... Pocked up the Subaru for $3k with 63k on the car. It has noisy valves until it warms up. Also needs an illumination control module and a new rear view mirror.

Drives awesome though and has new tires...

 

Congrats on your new Subi! Also, glad your trans on your CL is working normally!

 

did Acura pick up the tab and how much to replace the switch

 

No and it was $300

 

glad to hear it was not the actual trans.... you are the 1% of people with normal trans issues. lol

 

update: Acura still drives fine. sent the scubie in for new t-belt and fluid change and that solves most of the noisy engine. HOWEVER it has some piston slap.... it will be ok for a while but $3K to fix....

 

Glad your Acura is still fine, but ouch!! $3K on a car you just bought!!! I feel your pain, I just bought a 2005.5 VW Jetta for my wife, and come to find out the valve bodies in these cars are crap... $2K job minimum, and that's only if I don't want the work warrantied. You kind of want any work on the transmission of a car warrantied....

 

I research the living shit outta cars before buying them now.. Noth that I have bought another one but I have gone with my parents, brother, and friends to buy cars and they always listen to me lol... So far they have been happy with me as their free adviser lol

 

I am not going to fix it. Dealer said car will drive just fine with that kind of noise. The timing belt and new tensioner fixed all of the other noise with the motor. I cleaned it out today and it will get the scrub treatment for the carpet next Monday...along with new plugs and air filter... Maybe later I will get the windows tinted brown to compliment the green color...

 

Speaking of which I need to do my timing belt, it's been 5 years and almost 100000 miles.

How long can u get away without changing the belt you figure? I live in Toronto basically which is not a dry climate so the belt should not be cracking, Shouldn't

 

I was 11 years and 118k but I rarely get in the throttle and most of my driving was long distance. I would change the belt now based upon age..

My dealer has said 10 years and 120k is fine and that they have never seen a belt snap unless the motor was seriously abused...
..

 

I heard 7 years is the point at which age is the factor from acura I think it is

 

^ that was their "unofficial recommendation" when I asked them about it. They said that I could go 10/120K and I pretty much did with no ill effects. Acura is 7 105K and that would be right based upon 15K a year mileage.

 

The 01 CL-S i sold has currently 170 on the clock on the original belt!

 

I remember someone in Car Talk that sold a Mitsubishi where the timing belt broke shortly after it was sold. The buyers threatened to sue him. I never followed up on that thread, so I'm not sure how it ended..

 

T-belt and tensioner were the first items replaced on the Subaru. that Gates belt was pretty worn out and the tensioner was leaking/rattling

 

Well now that I have driven the Subaru for a few weeks, this is my impression between it and the Acura

Noise
Acura wins hands down, it is much quieter overall.

Fuel consumption
Acura wins by just a tad they are both rated similar the Acura pulls better numbers both city and hwy.

Comfort
nothing beats a CL-S seat. Enough about that

Handling
This may come as a surprise but the Subaru actually does the cornering bit much better than the CLS does. Go around a clover leaf in the CLS and you KNOW it is front heavy. The same cannot be said for the Legacy having 4 wheel drive makes a HUGE difference. Both cars have decent tires but the Legacy is not front heavy like the CL-S is

Stereo
It's a tie. The Legacy pumps more power (ie noticeably louder) but lacks a 6 disk changer.

Fit and finish
It's a tie really. both machines are very nice on the inside and the outside is nice as well

Interior Layout
Honda/Acura excels at this. Subaru is well laid out but not in the same league as Honda

 

agree the seats are most comfortable ever almost similiar to lazyboy recliners....makes my long roadtrips a pleasure to drive in a cl

 

+1

 

^ you missed the resolution to the problem, 4th gear pressure switch (post #18)