Should I risk getting a 2002 TLS?
#1
Should I risk getting a 2002 TLS?
I will be in the market the next couple of months for a new car, and was considering getting a 2002 TLS. However, being new to these borads, I began reading about the prevalent problems of the tyranny and am starting to rethink my potential decision. Any opinions? Or I was thinking about just getting a 1999 TL, and put on the 2003 tail lights and the type s wheels, due to my preference for that look. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance for any information you can provide me.
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#2
Senior Moderator
iTrader: (5)
Well, it's not really a risk. There have been problems with some trannies.... probably nearing 4-5% now... but every car has its problems. With the Acura, you're covered with a 7yr./100k mile powertrain warranty in case anything does happen.
These boards make people paranoid. Of course you'll read about all of the little problems (and the big ones too)... but you'll read more about those then the people with zero problems. Nature of the board I guess.
As for the car choice... why get a used 2002... why not get a 2003? Putting 2003 tails and rims on a 1999 will make it look nice... but you'll still be short on HP. I'd just get the Type-S so you can get the 260hp stock....
These boards make people paranoid. Of course you'll read about all of the little problems (and the big ones too)... but you'll read more about those then the people with zero problems. Nature of the board I guess.
As for the car choice... why get a used 2002... why not get a 2003? Putting 2003 tails and rims on a 1999 will make it look nice... but you'll still be short on HP. I'd just get the Type-S so you can get the 260hp stock....
#3
lover and fighter
Yeah--2003 is the way to go. I wouldn't worry about the tranny issues anyway, as they are covered as Junior said to 100k miles and certainly, you'll know within that time frame if something is wrong...Mine's fine after 15 months and 30k miles and I've modded my car and drive it hard all the time...After owning many types of cars from Lexus to Mazda (nothing American-ever), this has been my favorite by far--and I just test drove a G35!
#5
Originally posted by Black TL
I thought the new 2003's weren't covered under the 100k warranty?
I thought the new 2003's weren't covered under the 100k warranty?
#6
Advocatus Diaboli
I don't know how relevant this is in NY, but in Toronto the dealers are advertising big savings on dealer driven (which I'm guessing means showroom) 2002 S types. Kind of makes me feel like a loser, since I got my 03 which is identical about two months ago, but then I leased it so getting an 02 would have made no sense for me.
#7
Originally posted by Laurelcrest
I don't know how relevant this is in NY, but in Toronto the dealers are advertising big savings on dealer driven (which I'm guessing means showroom) 2002 S types. Kind of makes me feel like a loser, since I got my 03 which is identical about two months ago, but then I leased it so getting an 02 would have made no sense for me.
I don't know how relevant this is in NY, but in Toronto the dealers are advertising big savings on dealer driven (which I'm guessing means showroom) 2002 S types. Kind of makes me feel like a loser, since I got my 03 which is identical about two months ago, but then I leased it so getting an 02 would have made no sense for me.
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#9
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Originally posted by juniorbean
These boards make people paranoid. Of course you'll read about all of the little problems (and the big ones too)... but you'll read more about those then the people with zero problems. Nature of the board I guess.
These boards make people paranoid. Of course you'll read about all of the little problems (and the big ones too)... but you'll read more about those then the people with zero problems. Nature of the board I guess.
Anyway, enough with the tranny problem talk. Supposedly, the tranny problem was fixed for the '03 model year (except for the 1st ~5200 cars built for the '03 model year. I was one of the lucky ones with an early build!!) New tranny has been perfect. I have had my TL-S 10 months and already have 30k miles on it and have absolutely no regrets......
#10
Advocatus Diaboli
Originally posted by Mind18
Laurelcrest, any idea on how big of savings or any way you could find out? If they were big enough I probably won't mine taking a trip to Toronto
Although is there emission standards or anything if I brought this car to the US. I'm still a few months away from becoming more active in my car search, so I still have time to decide what I would like to get. As for getting a 2003 that someone mentioned, as of now I can't afford a 2003...so I'm stuck with a getting a used TL if anything. Thanks again for all the comments so far.
Laurelcrest, any idea on how big of savings or any way you could find out? If they were big enough I probably won't mine taking a trip to Toronto
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#11
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Don't forget you will void any warranty if you buy your car from Canada and take it across.
Honda has to protect themselves! otherwise you'd get everyone buying their cars in Canada due to to cheaper $$$
Honda has to protect themselves! otherwise you'd get everyone buying their cars in Canada due to to cheaper $$$
#12
Originally posted by TLS RULZ
Don't forget you will void any warranty if you buy your car from Canada and take it across.
Honda has to protect themselves! otherwise you'd get everyone buying their cars in Canada due to to cheaper $$$
Don't forget you will void any warranty if you buy your car from Canada and take it across.
Honda has to protect themselves! otherwise you'd get everyone buying their cars in Canada due to to cheaper $$$
#13
From when I was buyin my TL-S, the showroom models weren't that much cheaper... driven for around 14,000 km but they only offered to lower by $4000cdn... maybe now itz different cauz they have the 03'
#15
Maybe...maybe not
Originally posted by Daylonious
I have a 2002 TL-S...and have to say that I love it...great car, great power, looks good, great stereo......
get it!
I have a 2002 TL-S...and have to say that I love it...great car, great power, looks good, great stereo......
get it!
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#16
Senior Moderator
iTrader: (5)
Re: Maybe...maybe not
Originally posted by Mind18
Yes all very true statements
However, don't you have safety worries in regards to the transmission? And on a side note, is it possible to get the Acura navigation system dealer installed if it doesn't have one? If so how much would it be?
Yes all very true statements
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As for the safety issue.... let's say that the failure rate is really 4% by now... that's only 48,000 cars out of 1.2 million. Personally I feel that it's still 48k cars too many... but still... all cars have their problems... you can't worry about what might fail. If it goes, it goes. Just like if your BMW X5 catches on fire or M3 engine blows, or Audi's electrical system goes out. If it's gonna happen, it's gonna happen no matter what car you're in. Just remember that while 4% of trannies may be failing... 96% aren't... so the numbers are still in your favor. Plus... you have a warranty.. so you're covered.
#17
still a Masshole
Mind18, I'd be weary as well but I think that the majority of the people here are happy with their TLS. I love my car but also wish I didn't have to worry about the car. I was paranoid for a little while but now I prefer to think of myself as informed. I know the symptoms and the process SHOULD my transmission go out. So far I have 10 months and 13.5k miles with no real problems. I plan on modding my car and enjoying for as long as I have it (at least 5-7 years according to the future wife)
If you have a few months before you are in the Market defintely consider a 2003. Prices should drop some with the 2004 coming out in the fall. If you can live without the Nav I'm sure you can find a non-nav TLS for 28500 or so. In the meantime you can check out some other cars test driving them to determine which car is best for you.
If you have a few months before you are in the Market defintely consider a 2003. Prices should drop some with the 2004 coming out in the fall. If you can live without the Nav I'm sure you can find a non-nav TLS for 28500 or so. In the meantime you can check out some other cars test driving them to determine which car is best for you.
#18
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#19
WayTooManyAcuras
Hey str8'.... are you a salesman or something????
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:-jon
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:-jon
#20
Originally posted by str8acura
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=5333
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=5333
Other questions I had are:
1.) What exactly does doing a Car-fax tell you about the vehicle? Would it mention if the vehicle had already had its transmission changed? Because would hate to end up getting a lemon
2.) Are the transmission problems subject to the 5 speed engines...so that would include 00-03 if I'm not mistaken. Because as mentioned previously, if I decie to get a 02 TLS and end up not being able to get one I want (color wise/price wise) I might just go for a 1999 TL, since that would rid me of the transmission problem
3.) I think the 1999 TL can have nav as an option, but it isn't DVD based. What are the drawbacks to this?
Thanks again to everyone for all of their comments and help.
- Mind18 -
#21
Originally posted by oblio98
Hey str8'.... are you a salesman or something????
![Big Grin](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
:-jon
Hey str8'.... are you a salesman or something????
![Big Grin](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
![Big Grin](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
:-jon
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#22
WayTooManyAcuras
My "old" TL, the 1999, had the body kit when I owned it. The new owner added the Comptech springs, that is why is is lower than a normal TL. Those are the standard "stock" 99 TL wheels.
As for CarFax, I am told that they do not report tranny failures. They report accidents. If the tranny has failed, the only way to know is if the seller tells you, or you check with the dealer who services the car.
The 99 4 speed TLs are not immune to the tranny problem. Just be sure to look for a car 99-03 with the Acura "letter" extending the warranty. If the seller does not offer this, I would beware. I do not think that the tranny issue qualifies a car as a "lemon". Many of us here who had trannys go bad have had no problems with the replacements, while a few have had nightmares with multiple failures. The tranny deabate is an old issue, not really worth rehashing.....
With the certificate, you are at least protected.
The 99 Navi is hard drive based. It works fine, but only covers "regions". You have to stop at a dealer and get your hard drive downloaded when you change regions. Updates are also a pain, as you have to go to the dealer.
:-jon
As for CarFax, I am told that they do not report tranny failures. They report accidents. If the tranny has failed, the only way to know is if the seller tells you, or you check with the dealer who services the car.
The 99 4 speed TLs are not immune to the tranny problem. Just be sure to look for a car 99-03 with the Acura "letter" extending the warranty. If the seller does not offer this, I would beware. I do not think that the tranny issue qualifies a car as a "lemon". Many of us here who had trannys go bad have had no problems with the replacements, while a few have had nightmares with multiple failures. The tranny deabate is an old issue, not really worth rehashing.....
With the certificate, you are at least protected.
The 99 Navi is hard drive based. It works fine, but only covers "regions". You have to stop at a dealer and get your hard drive downloaded when you change regions. Updates are also a pain, as you have to go to the dealer.
:-jon
#23
Originally posted by oblio98
My "old" TL, the 1999, had the body kit when I owned it. The new owner added the Comptech springs, that is why is is lower than a normal TL. Those are the standard "stock" 99 TL wheels.
As for CarFax, I am told that they do not report tranny failures. They report accidents. If the tranny has failed, the only way to know is if the seller tells you, or you check with the dealer who services the car.
The 99 4 speed TLs are not immune to the tranny problem. Just be sure to look for a car 99-03 with the Acura "letter" extending the warranty. If the seller does not offer this, I would beware. I do not think that the tranny issue qualifies a car as a "lemon". Many of us here who had trannys go bad have had no problems with the replacements, while a few have had nightmares with multiple failures. The tranny deabate is an old issue, not really worth rehashing.....
With the certificate, you are at least protected.
The 99 Navi is hard drive based. It works fine, but only covers "regions". You have to stop at a dealer and get your hard drive downloaded when you change regions. Updates are also a pain, as you have to go to the dealer.
:-jon
My "old" TL, the 1999, had the body kit when I owned it. The new owner added the Comptech springs, that is why is is lower than a normal TL. Those are the standard "stock" 99 TL wheels.
As for CarFax, I am told that they do not report tranny failures. They report accidents. If the tranny has failed, the only way to know is if the seller tells you, or you check with the dealer who services the car.
The 99 4 speed TLs are not immune to the tranny problem. Just be sure to look for a car 99-03 with the Acura "letter" extending the warranty. If the seller does not offer this, I would beware. I do not think that the tranny issue qualifies a car as a "lemon". Many of us here who had trannys go bad have had no problems with the replacements, while a few have had nightmares with multiple failures. The tranny deabate is an old issue, not really worth rehashing.....
With the certificate, you are at least protected.
The 99 Navi is hard drive based. It works fine, but only covers "regions". You have to stop at a dealer and get your hard drive downloaded when you change regions. Updates are also a pain, as you have to go to the dealer.
:-jon
#25
Originally posted by Darkshear
Mind18,
Just get it dude, you know you want to
you wont be sorry, even if your tranny does bomb, and you know it eheheh
Mind18,
Just get it dude, you know you want to
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