Please advise - I'm considering the purchase of a 2003 Type S. I thought it wise to look at some "driver forums" before I purchased. Quite honestly, It's made me wonder.... I read a lot about transmission problems and brake rotor warping. My "driver's heart", research, and desire for performance/reliability sent me here. ConsumerRept recommends it, and makes no mention of brake or transmission issues. Respectfully seeking advice....

 

get one but wait till the 04s come out so it will be cheaper

 

The prices of '03 Type-S are pretty cheap. I got mine for $33,337 fully loaded+tax. You should be getting it for $31,000. I guess I got jacked 2g's...oh well...thats life

 

You are definitely doing the right thing by doing your research first. Forums are so informative it's great, you won't buy a car blindly that is for sure. I became a member on this forums months before I bought my TLS. I knew about all the sqeaks, rattles, tranny issues, etc. But I know Acura service, especially where I live so I went for it. I have had my brakes resurfaced and a few sqeaks and rattles repaired w/o a hassle from the dealer. The resale value and reliability of Honda/Acura is impeccable which is why I purchased it anyway. I have no regrets, I love this car. With any car you purchase none are going to be perfect or problem free. And for the price their going for, it's a win, win. Just my two cents!

 

The transmission problem in the '03s was supposedly fixed earlier this year. If you're looking to pull the trigger on an '03 this late in the model year, you should be OK. (Hopefully )

 

Dont worry about the brakes or the transmission problems. Those problems are rare. If there was a large quantity of cars with the problem there would be a recall...

Get the car and you will love it... Wait about a month when the 04 comes out and you will get a better deal...

 

You should already be able to get them for invoice. I’ve been quoted $31k for a TL-S w/navi, which is equal to the $30,500 invoice plus $500 delivery fee. There is also the issue of the holdback by the manuf., which gives the dealer a financial incentive to move inventory w/in a 30-day (give or take) period. Acura gives back to the dealer 3% of the MSRP if the car is sold w/in the stated period, so the dealer can sell at invoice and still make a profit. Keep in mind that the 2.9% financing on a buy expires today. It becomes a question of whether Acura will replace this expiring incentive w/something as good or better to move last year’s models off the dealer lots. I’ve been looking and see a lot of them still around. I’ve posed this question on the board, and I seem to be in the minority that Acura will extend the financing or possibly offer something better.

 

invoice on our cars is in the low 29000... I paid 31k out the door with taxes and fees. I bought an 03 TL-S Non Navi in August 02.