Very Worried
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,079
Likes: 22
From: Dodge City, KS
Originally Posted by Beeza
Im suppost to purchase a 01-03 acura TL type S later on today, but with all these tranny problems im reading about, how worried should i be ?
Dude, the only reason why you read about it so much on here is because this is a forum and thats what people do on forums. of cource your not going to see the rest of our members check in every few weeks with a "everything running good thread" :P
Go buy the damn car, you wont regret it.
Go buy the damn car, you wont regret it.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,821
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Originally Posted by Darkshear
Dude, the only reason why you read about it so much on here is because this is a forum and thats what people do on forums. of cource your not going to see the rest of our members check in every few weeks with a "everything running good thread" :P
Go buy the damn car, you wont regret it.
Go buy the damn car, you wont regret it.
All Hail the Chief
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,641
Likes: 0
From: Lynchburg, VA
I know this may sound weird coming from a very satisfied '03 TL owner, but I say find something else.
If I'd had known about the prevalence of the tranny problems when I purchased my car, I would have gotten a Lexus GS. I love my car to death, but I hate the worry I incur every time I drive my car thinking about if/when the tranny is going to crap out on me.
And based on the reports, Type-S seems to have more tranny problems than TLP. If you feel you could deal with the worry and hassle of a bad tranny, then by all means, buy the car, there are many many positives. But just be forewarned that you could be in for a big headache down the road.
If I'd had known about the prevalence of the tranny problems when I purchased my car, I would have gotten a Lexus GS. I love my car to death, but I hate the worry I incur every time I drive my car thinking about if/when the tranny is going to crap out on me.
And based on the reports, Type-S seems to have more tranny problems than TLP. If you feel you could deal with the worry and hassle of a bad tranny, then by all means, buy the car, there are many many positives. But just be forewarned that you could be in for a big headache down the road.
I agree i feel that way too sometimes when i get in my car, but i just love the car so much i really think its worth the risk... becides, if it blows, it blows. you got the warranty till 100,000 miles. granted, most people plan on going past that but i have no doubt by that time you will get a good tranny... not to say you dont have a good one now...
becides, what other options are there? a Lexus GS? dude, you would have to get a GS400 to even compare to the features and power of a TLS. and a TLS is cheaper by about $7,000 that a GS300 so how can you jump to a GS400 and keep it economical?
TLS is the best deal for everythign you get... unless you go G35, thats the only other real option that compares....
becides, what other options are there? a Lexus GS? dude, you would have to get a GS400 to even compare to the features and power of a TLS. and a TLS is cheaper by about $7,000 that a GS300 so how can you jump to a GS400 and keep it economical?
TLS is the best deal for everythign you get... unless you go G35, thats the only other real option that compares....
even lexus had a recall not that long ago if i remember. i would say buy it. the tranny thing pisses me off since honda should know better but the car is amazing and turns heads whereever i go. you won't regret it. shit, even volkswagon/audi had to do a huge recall for axles that were prone to breaking under acceleration. it happens. you can't do anything about it. drive it. then you won't be able to stop from buying it.
SSTS
SSTS
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Resident Troll.
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,570
Likes: 1
From: Richmond Hill, Ontario
get the TL its a great car... you are going to love it.... as fsttyms1 stated every car is going to have its share of problems but as these problems are fixed it only makes the car better in the long run!
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA
Great post. I have been lurking around and almost dropped the TLS off the shopping list for my wife's new car due to the complaints. Like with most cars, you only hear about the problems. Are there any telling signs that a trans is going to be problematic? Anything I should look for? I am mainly looking at 03s with less than 25K on them.
The G35 is the next one in line on her list.
-GT
The G35 is the next one in line on her list.
-GT
TL-S driver
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,898
Likes: 0
From: Springfield, NJ
yeah, you definitely hear about it because that's what people talk about the most. Keep in mind there are only a small fraction of TL owners on this board. I know a few TL owners that do NOT have any problems with their cars. I guess it's only a selected lucky few.
Banned
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,328
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
Think for a minute.and put it into prepective..there are ONLY several hundred people on this messageboard, only small % had problem.
So imagine HONDA building 100,000's of TL's. And only the few cars having the tranny problems? So chances are getting a tranny problem is low.
So imagine HONDA building 100,000's of TL's. And only the few cars having the tranny problems? So chances are getting a tranny problem is low.
Phil 4:13
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: Norfolk, Va
Don't buy the small percentage stuff.
There is a known problem with the transmissions on these cars, so its a roll of the dice. Which would also make me worried if I were you. Especially on a somewhat expensive car such as the TL.
My advice:
If you think that the car will surpass 100k under your ownership don't get it, b/c if you do and the tranny breaks - its coming out of your pocket (upwards of 2500k or more). Once you eclipse 100k you are no longer under the recall.
If it does not surpass 100k while you will be owning it - GET IT!! its a very fun car too drive and it looks good too. And if the tranny breaks they will replace it, no questions asked.
Belive me I was one of the ones who thought my tranny was good then it went to shit.
There is a known problem with the transmissions on these cars, so its a roll of the dice. Which would also make me worried if I were you. Especially on a somewhat expensive car such as the TL.
My advice:
If you think that the car will surpass 100k under your ownership don't get it, b/c if you do and the tranny breaks - its coming out of your pocket (upwards of 2500k or more). Once you eclipse 100k you are no longer under the recall.
If it does not surpass 100k while you will be owning it - GET IT!! its a very fun car too drive and it looks good too. And if the tranny breaks they will replace it, no questions asked.
Belive me I was one of the ones who thought my tranny was good then it went to shit.
I'm not just worried about failures, but rather the drivetrain power loss is freightening at 25%. What is this, the fucking 80's? Other makers' automatic transmission have significantly lower drivetrain loss. Ours must be one of the highest in the industry.
USDM UA5 A-Spec
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 675
Likes: 0
From: Mountain View, CA
IMO get it. I have had no tranny problems, neither have my friends with their 2nd Gen TL's. Plus if things go bad, make sure u got a Acura Certified Vehicle so you can fix it. My family and relatives use Honda/Acura vehicles with the "so-called" tranny problems and none of us have had to go replace our warranty(6th Gen Accord, TL, CL, Odyssey,..etc.) It's one of the best cars I've ever driven and now I own it. You'll be happy with your purchase believe me. As for the mileage, in my family... I've never heard of any well kept Honda vehicle not passing 180,000 miles. The most miles in my family is 310,000 miles on a an accord and still running strong. My two cents.
Banned
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,328
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
Every car has problems. This one too. But not as bad as you make it. Every review of this car is exceptional. I wouldn’t fall into these horror stories because it’ll probably not happen.
But if you have an 04, you should read this:
http://www.automotive.com/acura/48/t...lls/51361.html
Originally Posted by valeo77
Don't buy the small percentage stuff.
There is a known problem with the transmissions on these cars, so its a roll of the dice. Which would also make me worried if I were you. Especially on a somewhat expensive car such as the TL.
My advice:
If you think that the car will surpass 100k under your ownership don't get it, b/c if you do and the tranny breaks - its coming out of your pocket (upwards of 2500k or more). Once you eclipse 100k you are no longer under the recall.
If it does not surpass 100k while you will be owning it - GET IT!! its a very fun car too drive and it looks good too. And if the tranny breaks they will replace it, no questions asked.
Belive me I was one of the ones who thought my tranny was good then it went to shit.
There is a known problem with the transmissions on these cars, so its a roll of the dice. Which would also make me worried if I were you. Especially on a somewhat expensive car such as the TL.
My advice:
If you think that the car will surpass 100k under your ownership don't get it, b/c if you do and the tranny breaks - its coming out of your pocket (upwards of 2500k or more). Once you eclipse 100k you are no longer under the recall.
If it does not surpass 100k while you will be owning it - GET IT!! its a very fun car too drive and it looks good too. And if the tranny breaks they will replace it, no questions asked.
Belive me I was one of the ones who thought my tranny was good then it went to shit.
'Big Daddy Diggler'
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 11,016
Likes: 4
From: Yonkers NY
figure it this way. The tranny has a 100k warranty on it. If the car has 60l miles on it, then you have 40k miles to play before you pay if the tranny goes. Try to get the lowest mileage possible. Get it from an acura dealer and it should be certified pre owned and come with a 7year 100k mile warranty.
All Hail the Chief
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,641
Likes: 0
From: Lynchburg, VA
Originally Posted by MADCAT
Think for a minute.and put it into prepective..there are ONLY several hundred people on this messageboard, only small % had problem.
So imagine HONDA building 100,000's of TL's. And only the few cars having the tranny problems? So chances are getting a tranny problem is low.
So imagine HONDA building 100,000's of TL's. And only the few cars having the tranny problems? So chances are getting a tranny problem is low.
The percentage of tranny failures you see on this board is most likely in-line with the overall percentage you'll see with the general 2nd Gen TL population.
I don't see how you get around the tranny problem though. I get my service done at Duncan Acura in Roanoke, VA....think rural SW Virginia. The service manager there said that they have had, and I quote "an abundance of transmission failures" on the TL's. And there aren't even that many around here, compared to your bigger cities.
And the worst thing about all of this is that when your tranny decides to take a $hit on you, they replace it with another flawed rebuilt transmission. So there is no telling when that will break as well. That is why you hear of owners on their 2nd, 3rd, and even 4th trannies. If Acura had come up with a true fix to the problem, then I would have no qualms about purchasing a used TL. But they haven't come up with a solution, so you're always at risk as an owner.
Don't get me wrong though, I LUVVVV my car!!! Keeping her for good!!
USDM UA5 A-Spec
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 675
Likes: 0
From: Mountain View, CA
Originally Posted by TL_Fo_Life
u will never want to drive another car.
@ slide or die @
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,166
Likes: 1
From: s.FL
WELCOME to da gang!!
-a while back someone published that statically less than 4% of TLs have tranny problems.
The first mistake you made with the TL was meeting us... Now you'll see how 1grand spent will turn into 2grand, 3grand...5grand, crash with civic, 9grand...
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-a while back someone published that statically less than 4% of TLs have tranny problems.
The first mistake you made with the TL was meeting us... Now you'll see how 1grand spent will turn into 2grand, 3grand...5grand, crash with civic, 9grand...
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=->
Banned
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,328
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
2nd Generation TL was and is the perfect car. Why do you ask? Because all the new cars are designed around those original specs and added upon that.
High value for the money is what the TL brought to the market. Making the 3 series look like a stupid buy. TL is the perfect size, looks, and power.
High value for the money is what the TL brought to the market. Making the 3 series look like a stupid buy. TL is the perfect size, looks, and power.
Originally Posted by BiggyMcWang
Haha you will... cuz never is a long time... but nothing less than this car. No more stepping down!!! Just level or up form here on.
USDM UA5 A-Spec
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 675
Likes: 0
From: Mountain View, CA
Hahaha.... yeah until you are ready to burn money. I plan to drive my car the rest of it's life... but if I can grab a 5 series along the way... I will. Gotta say though, after getting a TL... those 2 doors start looking ridiculous and impractical... maybe I'm just getting old!!
woooo!!
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,985
Likes: 20
From: California
Originally Posted by Beeza
Where can/should I host the pics ?
sign up for an account if you dont already have one. make an album for your car and start uploading pics from the comp. then you can link the pictures from there to here.
Thread Starter
1 B3AKOHE
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Houston Tx
Originally Posted by subtledreamer
go to: http://www.acurainspired.com/gallery/
sign up for an account if you dont already have one. make an album for your car and start uploading pics from the comp. then you can link the pictures from there to here.
sign up for an account if you dont already have one. make an album for your car and start uploading pics from the comp. then you can link the pictures from there to here.
Thx , Ill do that in the mornin after work
