Adrift

Hi - looking to buy an Acura 3.2Tl (Need to convince myself that the transmission won't be a huge issue first) - what differences are there between the 2002 and 2003 models?

Thanks,
Adrift

r10apple

The 2003 is newer, but it's slower!

fsttyms1

yould you mind explaining how the 03 is slower

MikeTL-S

Only major difference is the availability of Onstar with navigation. Other differences are a different color option for the Type S (anthracite) and the premium (firepepper red pearl, i believe), perforated leather in the door trim for the type S, reshaped rearview mirrors to reduce windnoise, improved brake feel, very slight difference in the alloy rims for the type S....

Another claim is the later 03 models were claimed to be cured of the tranny problem, though that is debateable.

r10apple

The '3' in 2003 has more surface area than a '2' in 2002. Hence the extra 100lbs making it slower... I thought you knew that already!

69ssrscam

2002 type S tranny warranty = 100K

2003 type S tranny warranty = 50K (except for a few early cars that are 100K)

Laurelcrest

I actually drove both, got the 02 in New York and then a year later moved to Toronto and sold my NY car. They drove and acted exactly the same but for some reason, I liked the 02 better. No real reason, just a feeling.

fsttyms1

line teh 2 up and you wont see a difference

BiggyMcWang

All I know is they have better bulbs than the 02... 02 = Osram and 03 = Philips

GreatSmile

02 has the two tweeters up front. 03 does not have the tweeters

BiggyMcWang

Oh WOW... so wee is bettur!!!

LiQiCE

The 2002 doesn't have tweeters. The 2002-2003 CLs have tweeters but it doesn't have a subwoofer. I believe some earlier TL models may have had tweeters in the doors but the 2002-2003s don't.

A lot of things have already been stated but I think a lot of it is wrong ... The amount of noticeable changes from 2002 to 2003 is very very minor and far and few between.

There are no major differences in the 2002-2003 models except for OnStar availability with the 2003s with Navigation as was already stated, Navi cars also have a nipple antenna on the roof for OnStar. The perforated door inserts is another difference, the availability of Anthracite is another (all were mentioned already). As far as I'm aware there was no change to the side view mirrors from 2002 to 2003. The change was made on the 2001 CL's to 2002 CL's, its possible the side view mirrors changed from the '01 TL to '02 as well, but the mirrors from 2002 to 2003 should be the same. The rims should be exactly the same according to P/N, although I've never examined the rims up close to see if there's any slight differences. The 2002 Type S's also had Dark Emerald Pearl in VERY limited quantities for the beginning of the MY02 run, which was replaced by another green color (that I can't remember off the top of my hed). There maybe some other minor changes that I can't think of off the top of my head ... but again, they're really minor, probably not even worth mentioning.

Mechanically, there have been a bunch of changes made to the transmission. Only cars built in the year 2003 have all the changes. This means some MY03s don't have all the changes since MY03s were built as early as 1st quarter 2002 (MY03s were released in the spring of 2002). All MY03 TL/CLs produced after May of 2002 no longer have the 100k transmission warranty because the quality control problem with the 3rd gear clutch pack was corrected. This does not mean that the transmission won't fail, but it seems as though the amount of people with failed 2003s is less than with 2002s and 2001 CLs (all in reference to Type S's).

Sorry, my head isn't working too well right now ... brain is fried at the end of the week

03CoupeV6

I've never seen a TL with visible tweeters, be it 1999-2003. Only the CL.

chewi

but more surface area means that you are getting more for your money !

Adrift

Thanks everyone - I think I'm leaning towards the 2002 now - just found a beautiful type S with 32,000 KM (20,000) miles on it for sale...

The transmission problems worry me - I keep telling myself "It's only the people which HAVE problems which go on the Internet and complain - it really can't be that bad!".

Have they fixed the transmission problems in the new replacements? It appears as though some people have had their transmissions replaced 3 or even 4 times!!

Looking forward to be a contributing member of this forum soon

Adrift

moahdriven

really it doesnt matter. go with the cheapest u can find

BiggyMcWang

Transmission happens to some but not all. I didnt' let that bother me when I went out to get it.

MikeTL-S

As for the mirrors- I didn't tink there was a difference either......BUT, I found out the hard way. I have an 03 type s, big scratch in my mirror housing, so i bought one off some kid on EBAY, from an 02 Type S, and lo and behold, they are shaped slightly different. I was kinda pissed but it was my own fault.

LiQiCE

I highly recommend you read this link: https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=104677

It describes Honda/Acura's findings of what is wrong with the transmission to the NHSTA. It goes into detail about what the exact problem is, and what they've done in terms of modifications to correct the problem.

The problem *DOES* exist and with all of the fixes it still has the potential to rear its ugly head. The problem IS more prevalent in the Type S models, mostly due to the extra power and thus stress/heat that you're putting on the transmission. Some people who have had their transmission replaced more than once is because of a bad install ... Its difficult to get a good seal on the tranny when you're installing it, and some dealerships didn't do a good job of making sure there weren't any coolant leaks before sending owners off with their new trannies. This is not the only reason and there are some remanufactured trannies which are still failing ... That said, with all the modifications, its my opinion that the problem should be less prevalent then it was before the modifications took place. A transmission with all of the problems fixed should also be "immune" to the sudden downshift syndrome which plague the earlier transmissions.

Read the article and see what you think.

LiQiCE

Hmm, thats weird because I looked up the part numbers, and aside from color choices that are available for 2003 that aren't available for 2002, I don't see any difference. The part number for the 2002 and 2003s are the same? Unless the one you bought off of eBay was for a CL and not a TL?

MikeTL-S

It is possible I was hosed and told it was for a TL when it was really for a CL. My sister has an 03 CL-S. I'll compare. In the meantime, I'll post pictures soon, after the blizzard passes.

MikeTL-S

The type-s rims on the 03 have a shaded painted inner lip that lines each spoke. The 02 rim was simply polished aluminum. Very subtle difference. Better to look at in person than through pictures, it doesn't show up well in pictures.

Hardly worth mentioning if it wasn't for this snowstorm and me being bored to death

Mr Hyde

The 02 spokes are the same way. The outer edges the spokes that curve inward are painted a shade of gray. Only the middle portion that sticks out is polished.

LiQiCE

Obviously ... I'm stuck inside cuz of the snow too and I must not have a knack for details. In fact if nobody pointed out the perforated door inserts I probably would have never noticed haha..

Adrift

Just found out the 02 TL Type S the dealer told be about is actually Gold , which is not exactly my favourite colour on a car. The price is right though... $23,000 CAN ($18,760 USD) for a 2002 TL Type S with 25,000 miles on it. Dealer serviced, trade in for a new 2005 TL...

The question is, do I settle on the colour and use the money I save to buy some new wheels, or wait it out... argh!

BiggyMcWang

I would personally wait... since I know TL prices are pretty sick. Why dont' you use that gold one you don't want to go to another dealership to knock the price off of one that's in the color that you like? I'm sure the others out there have higher mileage so you could probably get a better deal.

whatwasthat

i personally like dark colors, but for that price i would not mind for gold at all. i thnk gold gives it more of a luxurious look to it anyways. if i ever get a luxurious car, it will be gold. i.e. s-class or something. 90% of RLs( pre-2005s) i see are gold. which i think looks right for it. perfect color for the RLs. just drop it, and OEM kit, and it doesn't matter what the color is. the car will look hot as hell.