Greetings Acurazine.

I'm iLLmAT1k from .net. I am no longer an owner of an Accord due to a total loss I had about 2 weeks ago.

My Poor AV6...

I am planning to buy a used 2002 Acura TL-S. So far I've only heard of the major issue of the transmission failing due to improper cooling. I had the same problem with my Accord V6 as I went through 2 transmissions. Is this the only major problem I should look out for? I plan to upgrade the tranny oil and the cooling for it. So I should be good?

 

Welcome. The trans is the only major thing to look for. Dont waste your time trying to upgrade the fluid or trying to cool it. it wont help.

 

dude i waz in tha same boat as u..... i had a 02 accord coupe v6 and some idiot ate tha stop sign and it got totaled, so i took tha insurance $ to an acura dealer and got my 04 tl and havent looked back... guess it waz a blessing in disguise for me and hopefully will b 2 u 2 man.. good luck...

 

SO how should I go about maintaining it so it would last? The car has about 90k miles on it.

 

there is nothing you can do to it. All you can do is change the trans fluid every so often (and that wont ensure it will last)

 

Even the comptech trans cooler doesn't help from what I've heard on here. It's weak gear teeth and poorly designed oil passages in the case. Has anyone on here tried transmission company though?: http://www.levelten.com/pts.htm
Might be worth a shot if your out of warranty.

 

Says you koined almost two years ago. Not really a newb, eh?

 

Its not weak gear teeth. Our trans are strong. Its the inability to get enough coolant to a part inside to help cool and give it the needed lubricant.

Wont help, nor will Dr Evil trans

 

^ coolant

 

yeah........I wasn't really sure on that one either. '99 models actually were cooled a bit, but otherwise it's only the tranny fluid or an add-on "cooler", Hmmm.... Maybe one too many koolers, or one short of enough !

 

lol thanks for the info guys. i have a personal mechanic over at a Honda dealership and cuts me sick deals for maintenance. He said if anything goes wrong, he can hook it up. and also he ran the VIN on the car Im buying and the car has an extended 7yr/100k mile warranty on the transmission. And im not buyin the 90k mile one. lol I found an 03 TLS with 60k miles on it for $13k.

Wish me luck. I'm picking it up tomorrow. woot!

I now welcome myself to Acurazine. lol

oh and as for the link to my jacked up Accord... I dont know why it wont work.

 

Welcome to Acurazine..

 

Because it's so jacked, the accident even broke the link to the pics.

Oh and welcome!

 

+1

but really its because theres some stuff missing from the link http://something.goes.here.com/forums/showthread.php?t=120306

 

Sounds like a good buy, Good Luck!

 

Just out of curiousity, how much was the '02 TL-S ? I was just wondering if one year newer model with 30k less miles will be worth the difference in money spent. The reason that I ask is because the '02 undoubtebly has the same warranty untill you run out of miles. This would be your biggest advantage with the '03, depending on overall condition and maintenance records.

 

the 02's price was 10k. but it got sold the night before i got there. it has 94500 miles on it.

 

So all paperwork is done. The car had some minor damage: L fog light, which they are going to replace both to match at no cost. and they are going to replace the hood shocks with OEM parts as they are a bit worn down. So I get to pick the car up tomorrow evening. woot!

 

Good luck, IMO......the '03 TL-S is the ultimate desired model of the Gen 2's. It has the benefit of not only being sporty and refined, but an excellent value and return for the money. Hopefully you have some long term thoughts of this TL being a "keeper" !! Check over the maintenance performed up to this point and give this baby all the royal treatment she deserves. In return, you'll enjoy and reap the benefits of what you sow.

 

I got the car in my hands now. I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Its so awesome. Haven't jumped on the throttle yet, and dont plan on it yet. Just going to baby it for now. Its so quick and torquey though.

 

Man go ahead, give that engine a full workout it wont hurt I promise. Our cars are built to last, built to be pushed to the limits. Make sure you use Mobil 1 5W-30, and the Mobil 1 EP filter. Drain and refill the trans fluid. Do a coolant flush. And do anything else thats needed. Oh and welcome to az..

 

welcome

 

welcome to the good life

 

Welcome

 

Welcome
What color did you get ur TL-S?

 

Thanks for the warm welcome fellaz.

Jpn: Its like anthracite grey I think. Looks like a light charcoal color.