stromer2

I would like to buy a upgraded car (2003 3.2TL) to replace my 1991 Legend but I keep hearing horror stories about the frequent tranny failures. I have read a lot of threads on this subject. The information seems to indicate an Acura design problem and they do not have a fix - they just give you another tranny and you hope it lasts a while. My Legend has never had this problem in 180,000 miles.

I need a reliable car and a car of this stature and price should be reliable. I am not interested in constantly worrying if the car will make it home without a failure.

Is this tranny problem blown out of proportion? One thread indicated there was only a 2% failure rate. Many others said you will have a failure one day or another.

How many people have had no transmission problems? A few or a lot?
Please give me reasons to buy or not buy. I have the opportunity to buy either a 2003 3.2 TL with 52,000 miles for $16,100 or a 2003 3.2 CL Type S with 71,000 miles for $13,800.

Thanks for any wisdom on this - I do not want to by a Lemon.
Rick

oulaw29

I have a 2002 TL-S bought with 56K for $16,100. You need to look around more thats too much. I got headers, cat-backs, intake, pulleys, and romp on it ALL the fucking time, tranny feels good to me. knock on wood

Leo Type-S

u better not get a tl-p.. get a type-s.

cross ur fingers.. cuz i think this 2006 year has brought a correct tranny replacement..

sheikh3.2TL

keep ur legend cuz i just got an 01 TL with 58k and the gas mileage sucks bro....... my 4 dr 91 legend was better in gas mileage
the tranny so far feels fine, i was worried at first but hell i wanted so i got it acura got that warranty till 100k so when i heard that i was like i got a lil while ............ good luck

MikePA

If you really read a lot of threads, you'd know this same question has been asked and answered dozens of times. You'd also know that there's now an upgraded replacement tranny that appears to have eliminated the endless tranny replacement cycle.

snowman81

Don't know what your definition of "sucks" is but I get about 23 mpg city and 32 mpg hwy. I'm not complaining. And there have been members that have gotten better milage than me.
As for the tranny, if you get an 03, make sure you are covered by the extended 7yr/100,000 mile warranty. Only certain VINs from the 2003 model year are covered. The car is reliable, I've had mine for 3 years and haven't had any problems with the tranny since after the replaced it and did the oil jet kit.

AcuraBuddy

DO IT DO IT DO IT get the TYpe S while u are at it.

Bob_F

I think the transmission is definitely a weak spot for the second generation TL. Some forum members have experienced multiple transmission failures in less than 100,000 miles.

Consumer Reports gives the 2000-2003 Acura TLs a "black dot" for reliability based on their subscriber-based reliability surveys. That's their lowest rating and it's rare to see that for any Honda/Acura product. The 1999 TL gets a slightly better "half black dot" but it employs a different, four-speed, transmission design. On the plus side, the reliabilty ratings are otherwise excellent.

Hopefully the latest transmission improvements have eliminated the problem such that a replacement will last much longer. (I wonder if existing owners could retrofit their existing transmissions with the improvements to avoid a failure down the road.)

As mentioned above, if you do buy a TL, make sure that the transmission is definitely covered under the extended warranty. And you might want to have a good mechanic check the car out before buying. You don't want to buy a car that's being sold because the transmission has started to act up.

FWIW, I just bought a 1999 TL and I love the car. I bought it with the understanding that the transmission might be a problem down the road.

Best of luck with whatever you buy!

Bob

CL Platano

You complain about trannys when the Legend is known for blown head gaskets

Phrosttz0

we all love our TL's go get one and find out why

acutee

IMO, I think the gas mileage on the TL is the best, with that kind of performance. If you have low gas mileage, you should look into the cause of the problem. I have 300z before aand gas mileage is poor.

kgrules12

I just got off the phone with yet another salesmen, (Stockton Acura) and she said that MOST 99-03 TL transmission have to be replaced ever 50-60k miles. I currently do not own a TL for this reason, I am still debating whether or not I would want to take my car in ever 2-3 yrs to get another tranny and I think this is the question you have to ask yourself! Are you willing to do this??

dvsxlt247

damn this question has been beaten to death no ly. I aint answering anything, ive said enough opinions on this same question. Search the forum for similar threads.

MikePA

This is a laod of crap.

AcuraBuddy

Dont think just do, the TL is calling your name and saying "Buy Me and take me to your casa"

uncming

I'm at 83K and still going strong, with no signs of any tranny issues (knock on wood)

bkzjimmy

happened to me twice on my 91 legend.

AcuraBuddy

Why should you buy an Acura, here let me break it down for you
A - Awesome
C - Comfortable
U - Ugly Free
R - Rocket power
A - A sure buy

fsttyms1

Thats a load of crap. many have far more miles than that. And the ones they are replacing them with now are so far showing that they will hold up.

If your that concerend about it dont buy the car look else where. If you buy the car im sure you wont regret the purchase. its a great car!

CL Platano

Absolutely agree, so sick of these threads get atleast 2 a week and then they begin to bash. Don't buy it, go buy a Camry instead, they are so fun to drive

BIG_KOUT

i donno what this gas milage sucking talk is about. I average 28 mpg....... 60%hw/40%city


ive got an 03 TL-S with 38k on it, no engine mods, and its driven every day. No signs of tranny problem once again knock on wood, but if you don't drive it like a dumbass the thing should hold up perfectly.

JAMROCK

go grab your tl son i just trade a 93 legend for a tl and trust me i dont regret it i love thecar

MikePA

two bad they dint include some punk2ashun an cap letrs wit ur tl