First, I am new here, and grateful for everyone's input. I am in the market for a used car, in the $20-23k range. I'm a big Acura fan - I have a 1990 Acura Integra LS 5-speed that is as much fun to drive as the day I bought it!

Without any research, the Acura TL Type S is my top choice for a used car. But the transmission problems listed here concern me. Based on this (significant) problem, I think I may also take a look at the Infiniti I-35.

If you own a 2002 TLS, what is your advice based on the experience you've had? Would you buy a used 2002 TL , or would you consider a different car? If you would consider a comparable sports sedan, which one would you buy?

Thanks for any input you can provide.

 

Right now is actually a buyers market for a TL-S. If I were in the market for a slightly used car, I'd be looking to get one. I cant sell mine (even though I need to) because I love it too much to let it go. Oh, and get the Navi. It makes the TL-S so much more special.

 

I was considering an I35 while shopping. It's a nice car, with lots of similar amenities. However, I found too much cost cutting to really love it. I would recommend that you really look for a low mileage one and test drive it and see if you really like it.

 

I've only had my TL for a couple of months now, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I drove ES300, I-35, A6 2.8, 528i + 530i, and many other similar cars. The TL was the best by a large margin. Just the right ammount of sport, and just the right ammount of luxury. Plus, at $18000 it was way cheaper than any of the competitor. The only car that was close was the audi, but it cost thousands more.

The tranny issue sucks, but at least acura is trying to take care of it. If your transmission fails, just take it in and get it replaced. Toyota/Lexus have an oil sludge problem that is just as severe. God knows the german cars are fun to drive but are far from reliable. My friend has an A6, and his rearend just went out. It cost $3800 to fix. The car has only 52kmi on it. The infinity was a decent car, but it just wasn't on the same level.

It seems to me that it's hard to get a car now days without some kind of "soft spot". Every automaker seems to have a weak point. The thing you have to think of is how you will be treated if something does go wrong. I've read on the toyota boards about how toyota is turning away genuine warranty claims on sludged up vehicles. I've read about very little of that on this board. The most common complaint I see here is "..and all I got was a crappy enterprise rental instead of a TSX!".

Just something to think about. Sorry for rambling.

 

very good post!!! just remember also that the trannies are warrantied for 7 years or 100k miles - you dont have to do anything to get this. Acura stepped up to cover everyones at no cost, so dont let the tranny issues worry you too much because the cars are great!

 

I love my 02 TL-s... imagine fpique yokin'... Gas, Brake, Dip!

you'll love this car other... supple leather, nice lines, easy to find a person to work on it.

 

of course!!! its a really easy care to even service yourself. its fun to upgrade parts, and a great car to drive around in. you can feel really aggressive when youre tearing up the road, or feel really high class wearing your boss suit with a girl/wife on the passengers seeat. heated seats on a cold brisky day. moonroof tilted up on a sunny warm day. the list of standards are endless and for the money, there really isnt a better car!!

 

Hi,

Even though I just had my 2002 TL-s for a week now. I'm loving every single second of it. It has power when you need it but yet comfortable. The only complain is the leather, cold in the winter, burning in summer but that's how leather works right? Also, it makes your daily commute in traffic so much more pleasant. Leave it on D5 when you're in traffic, switch it to SS when you wanna smoke that arrogant kid driving little 2-door ricer.

 

If you have $20k-$23k to spend, you should definitely considering buying the Acura. Every car has problems in its own right, and it just so happens that Acura transmissions suck. You could easily buy a Mercedes Benz for twice the price and have tons of electrical problems that can't be explained. For your price range, you could easily get an '03 TL-S with about 40k miles and still have some money left over for any modifications you'd like to do. I'm pretty sure that 90-95% of the people on this board absolutely love their TL-S, and I am one of those people.

If you like the feel of a manual transmission, have you considered a 6-speed CL-S? It is a great car as well, and especially if you like coupes it is one of the best used ones out there.

 

Great responses so far, thanks! I'm psyched about the TLS, and it sounds like most owners here are too. It sounds like a lot of FUN to drive, which is what I want the most. The 7 year 100k warranty is a comfort. I tend to buy em and keep em, so after 100k, I would have to consider the periodic cost of a new tranny.

Not being knowledgeable, I'll ask a real novice question to which the answer is probably no -- are there any other transmission alternatives, ie, some company selling rebuilt / improved Acura transmissions?

 

I purchased my 02 TLS several months ago, after spending a lot of time on the threads. I would still do it again. Although my tranny is beginning to slip and cause problems, my dealership has been very co-operative, and I am positive it will be properly taken care of. I suppose it boils down to whether or not you want to mess with the tranny issues, I accepted the fact that it was going to go out and bit the bullet.

 

There areaftermarket performance alternatives, but their supposed technology appears to be far from reliable compared to the stock alternative. There are quite a few people here with upgraded tranny's and have serious problems with them. I would say that the 7/100 warranty is pretty strong. Additionally, if a car has already had a replacement and a similar problem happens after the warranty period, you really have a good gripe with the dealer and can likely get a price break outside of the warranty period.

That being said, I would consider a Maxima over an I35. It is simply sportier when optioned right and a b it cheaper. Outside of that, there really isn't anything in that price range other than used Bimmers which tend to be money pits, albeit awesome cars. If the money is really burning a hole in your pocket, you can buy my car in a month or so...

 

wish i had a TL-S but i'm not too fond of the perforated leather look. i like my '00 interior. anyway, what are the common problems associated with BMW's? just asking b/c i would like my next car to be either a lexus GS or BMW 535i (i love the new 5 series body styling)

 

Consumer Reports listed a marked improvement in reliability for the 2003 TL. They list the 2001 and 2002 as Fair (2 on a scale of 5, 5 being excellent). They list the 2003 as Very Good (4 on a scale of 5, 5 being excellent).

I wonder how accurate this is? Did Acura come up with a new, improved transmission for 2003?

 

FYI, Consumer Reports rated the TL as the "highest-scoring car we've tested in the upscale-sedan category." They rated the Infiniti I35 and G35 a notch or two lower.

 

The suffer from Gremlins...
BMW service and reliability equate to Bring Money With (you)...

They are pretty (less the new ones, of course) and are great driver's cars.

 

Get it have a 2002 tl-s bought it new baby it love wouldn't drive anything else. Took it over a benz . All the best with the car...

 

I love my 2002 TL-S. Don't let the tranny shit throw ya. Get it!

 

Get it! I have the same car. My tranny just died at 53K miles and is being replaced as we speak. No big deal. Incredible car.

 

a little off topic; noticed you wanted the option of spirit driving...have you considered using that money as a down payment on a new TL. don't get me wrong, i love my TL-S and the timing is right to get one ...but the suspension and handling on the new TLs are much better compared to the TL-S. same power but more grip. regardless of choice...
I love my TL-S .

 

Mine's an '03 without the extended transmission warranty. Personally, I don't worry about it. If it goes, then it goes. Nothing I can do about it.

The rest of the car, I love it. I love driving my car because it's so much fun, and she turns heads, attracts attention, and gets compliments all the time. In fact, a silver Maserati coupe was sitting in front of me in traffic one day on campus, and these two pretty girls walking along the road were checking out my car, instead of the Maserati. You've gotta love that.

With all the mods on my car, she's a blast to drive. Whoever said FWD is a bitch to drive hasn't driven our TL's. Yeah, she obviously has her limits because of the drivetrain layout, but it's not bad at all, especially with the torque-sensing steering system on the Type-S, which gets even better with some suspension modifications.

Interior, while in a dated 6-year-old chassis, is still comfortable and luxurious. I haven't quite driven a car where I feel right at home other than my TL-S (obviously I haven't driven Ferraris )

Anyway, the bottom line is, the TL-S is a bang for the buck when new, and even better used right now, because it's a buyer's market. Sucks for the owners, but good for prospective buyers.

I would say get it. And mod it.

Good luck.

 

UPDATE: I bought a 2003, TL Type-S .. I LOVE IT MAN !!!!!

I want 2 things out of a car - 1. reliability, and 2. fun. I think I got both. And if the transmission goes out, oh well. Pop in another and keep going right?

This car just COOKS off the line!, it always seems eager!, and it handles well! I just filled up the tank for the first time, and even with putting my foot in it, alot, I got 23 MPG!

So now I have 2 Acuras - my 1990 Acura Integra 5-speed is as much fun to drive as the day I bought it new some 133,000 miles ago, and the new TLS! And in the next few months I have to buy my 16 year old daughter a car, and if I have my way, it will be another Acura!

 

Congrats and good luck on the purchase. What color did you end up getting? Did you "spring" for a TL-S with Navi as well?

 

Congrats!! If you think the TL-S cooks off the line, you should have tried the I35.


As a 2002 Maxima owner, I'd get the I35 w/Sport pkg if I could do it over again. It's equally as sporty as the 5.5G Maxima SE 4AT. Though not as sporty looking, it does have the JDM Nissan Cefiro look.

 

Congrats On A Great Purchase !!!

 

Congratulations on the purchase, and welcome to the TL owners club!

Now mod that sucker. Intake and headers would give it so much more power for not much money at all. About 185 for an intake, and somewhere between 200-1,000 for the headers, depending on which brand you get. I got my OBX SS headers for 310 shipped, and I couldn't be happier with them. Then do some suspension mods to improve handling. Lowering springs and sway bars (around 500 for both) would make it feel like it's a different car.