As everybody knows I am looking at getting a 2002 3.2TL Type-S. However, has I have been reading a lot, the tranny seems to be going out within every 20K miles. Has this happened to everybody? What is everybody's opinion on this happening? Should I get a 2002 or older on or even wait and get a 2004? Are the 2004 any good? Thanks in advance for help and suggestions. Cheers!


Jatses
jatses@email.com

The '02s seem to have the most tranny problems..but you should be covered under full waranty if your tranny does fail. As for the '04s..there seem to be little quirks and what-not but overall, I think anyone who has purchased their '04 TLs are happy with their purchase. Ultimately, it's up to you...it's not us who is buying the car..unless you wanna buy me one? I personally don't like the 3rd gen bodystyles but if they bring the Type-S back...looks like I'll be looking to switch in my current Type-S for the new one

I have 34K on my 02, amd no tranny prob-fingers crossed, or rotor issues-toes crossed. I drive pretty conservatively, but when it is time to git on it (from TX so the word is git), my baby moves for me.

Net is that I have been really happy, and have had no real issues.

I don't really like the 3rd gen style, so I will keep my 02 until it dies, or Acura comes up with another sweet ride to compare to mine.
With everyone's $.02, you should be able to buy that 02 or 04 in no time. Good choice on the TL.

'02 TL-S - Original tranny - 40K miles - no problems! (knock on wood)

V.

i have 20k on my 02 tl-s.....only problem was front rotors warped...replaced once!! knock on wood!!!

oh and i drive my car hard at times!!

Get the VIN# of the car your interested, and go to www.acura.com ... then go to ownerlink, and type in the VIN, and you can determine if an extended warranty was issued for that VIN, that'll let you know that your tranny has the potential to crap out. You can also ask the service advisor/manager to look this up, but since you're a buyer for a used car, i'd do your own research so you don't get screwed.

The extendend warranty applied to ALL 01-02's (some early '03s and prior to 01 model years but not sure which). Acura has released many different 'upgrades' to the tranny 'design' .. however you cannot request any of the upgrades. You must be in a failure mode in order to get the new tranny. You cannot find out what, if any, upgrades have been applied to your car .. again, you must be in a failure mode in order to get the upgrade. There is a growing number of people who feel that none of the upgrades an are ultimate solution to the problem ... .and the given 2% failure rate is not believable unless you add 'per week' after it.

The failure is due to poor design and poor manufactering, has NOTHING to do with driving style (per the Honda report to the NHTSA). The fact that Honda has been aggressively pushing the new engine computers with all cars seems to imply that any and all 01-03's are subject to complete failure. But again, you'll never know what you get when you buy ..

So the choice is yours ..

the PCM is differant than the ECU

"The fact that Honda has been aggressively pushing the new engine computers with all cars seems "

My mileage is in my signature... other than 1 time tranny issue (now replaced and new tranny broken in with no issues), I have had no problems at all. I love the car...

my 02 tranny died at around 27,000 miles. On my second one now and so far so good. *knock on wood*

My new tranny (with PCM upgrade) has 17k miles and is all good...

Well, it is warrantied for a 100K so even if it does crap out, you are covered. I believe it should be trasferable but does anyone know for sure? Peeps get concerned with modding also. I look at it this way. It is well known the tranny can go on a non-modded car so the mods, whatever you may do, are not going to change anything. I've just about everything to it. I'd rather have a tranny warrantied for 100K than the normal 50K/4 yr stuff. It is a great car! If you like it, go for it!