TyWebb13

Hi,
I am considering buying my first Acura and have my eye on a few 2002/2003 TL's and TL Type-S's. I am wondering if it is a bad idea to buy one of these due to the risk of transmission failure.

The owner of the one I have my eye on the most said the transmission was rebuilt at 80,000 miles. Does anyone know if the rebuilt transmission is more robust and less likely to fail?

I would like to hear some opinions.
Thanks!

niju321

it depends on where the transmission was rebuilt...if replaced at an acura dealer after feb05-ish...there would be improved oil passages, clutch material, etc that is supposed to IMPROVE (not cure) the problem. if just rebuilt at an aamco type place probably just as likely to fail. as you haven't stated how many miles the car you are looking at has, it's impossible to say how long your transmission has left, but at this juncture, with warranty support expiring for most and goodwill assistance becoming harder and harder to get, i wouldn't recommend the car UNLESS you have enough money to deal with the inevitable transmission failure. also note: 105k service is often $1000+ and many cars you are looking at haven't had it done!

that being said, i love my 99

01tl4tl

welcome to the forum
you can simply scroll down the main thread list and the special section Problems
for all you need to know,, and everyones opinions on getting a used TL

If you can get a trans warranty somewhere that actually covers the trans replacement WHEN it fails- and it will eventually!,,may be 20k or 80k more miles,,but...
then its 2000-2500 dollars to get back on the road

as said above the timing belt service is important- lets call it critical at a certain point-before it fails~..thats 1000-1500$ service

so if a car is 3 grand its a score- put away 2 grand for the repairs and enjoy
6-8 grand...too risky

TyWebb13

Thanks for the opinions! It's a 2002 with 128,000 miles. The seller said previous owner had the tranny rebuilt at 80,000, but doesn't know where or have a warranty. He has taken good care of it, including a new timing belt. Price is $6500.

I would love to get one of these cars, but it doesn't sound like a very good idea since the whole reason I want a Honda or Acura is for reliability and so I can drive it past 200k miles. Maybe I will go with an Accord and then get an '04/'05 TL in a couple years when their prices come down. There is a big price jump between '03 and '04 due to that redesign, and maybe because of the tranny issues.

01tl4tl

the trans issues continued into 05 gen3 models,,ck their section of the forum for advice on that

a honda is far more reliable, cheaper to operate and maintain- for the same price or vintage of TL

totaledTL

Actually don't quite a few Accords in that era have transm. issues also?

01tl4tl

I dont work in the dealer and dont know beyond my TL of other model probs
Ck hondazine!!

HondaProtegeX2.3

a acura is just a honda in sheeps clothing. they are over priced honda's and is just something different for someone to say they own something that isnt a honda but is. your just pay for the name and extra amenities that come with it. a honda accord will always be more reliable. if you have a chance go get a 02 accord ex sedan with a 5 speed and then drop a j series swap now that would be clean

HondaProtegeX2.3

all cars have there recalls for something. no car goes with out a recall on some part thats faulty, honda and acura have made great cars but seems like theres automatic transmissions are garbage. you just gotta pray that it doesnt fail you sooner then later. Honda makes great manuals transmissions lol better then the autos at least. to me honda and acura has crapped out on alot of shit to make there money but hey its what we get for nukeing them and we think our standards are high but they still give us the low grade crap that other countries dont want. while everyone else gets bad ass shieet like euro r's and what not

dc2kid

iTrader: (2)

honda accords 98-02 have transmission problems both the 4cyl and v6 models,i dont know about the 03+ accords

01tl4tl

try the internet for probs on different models and years
start at consumer reports, and azine, hondazine etc