Guys,

I've been driving an 03 TL-S since 06. 255k on it.

I have a chance to get a CPO TLX with tech package and 3k miles. Sticker is just over 40k. Selling price is $34.9k.

Since its CPO, it's got thencpo warranty.

Sounds like a hell of a deal. Do I jump?

 

That does sound like a good price.

And a quarter of a million miles on your TL?? That's amazing.

 

Benjamin,

Not a sh-awd, just tech package

 

Still sounds like a pretty good price.

 

Guys,

Anyone think that not having a manual emergency brake is a bad idea?

I'm so close to closing a deal.

 

No, the electronic brake is superior and comes on automatically if you have Brake Hold on when you shut down. Manual emergency brakes get used far too infrequently which can create problems.

 

Thanks mapleloaf. Now the only thing holding me back is the transmission. Having replaced the unit 3x in my 03 TL, I'm a bit hesitant over the new 9spd unit. Looks like issues have been out there with this unit in chryslers, jeeps and range rovers in addition to the tlx.

A bit gun shy over this.

 

How much did the replacement transmissions cost you? Did Acura pay for one of them?

 

#1@ 65k. Acura paid 100% under CPO
#2@ 130k. Acura paid 90%
#3@ 220k. I paid 100% from Indy rebuilder. 3 year warranty unlimited miles.

 

Go for it! Sounds like a good deal.. barely used!

 

If I may ask, what was the $ cost of rebuild #3? Seems like Acura really treated you right. Acura paying 90% at 130k is flat out amazing imho. That was 30k past the end of the warranty, right?

 

Warranty was 107k. So 23k over. Acura did right by me. Since I paid 10%, I got 3yr 36k on that.

#3 was about 2700 with the 3 yr unlimited mileage. I could have paid less with a lesser warranty but not with how much I drive.

 

I wouldn't NOT jump on the deal if your biggest concern is the transmission. They've come a long way since the horrible 2nd gen trannies.. even in the 3rd gen. the 07-08's were a lot better than the 04-06s.

 

well the thing is the 9 speed transmission is SOURCED FROM the transmission manufacture ZF.

Honda did not make this tranny in house.
the 8 speed DCT found in the 4 cylinder is made in house from Honda

 

It may be a good deal price wise, but the first thing that comes to mind is why was it traded with only 3K.
May be for lots of reasons, some good, some bad, but it's pause for thought.

 

Yep. I know that. That's why Chrysler and Land Rover are having same issues with that model. 2014 Cherokee was delayed due to same issues.

 

It was a service loaner supposedly.

 

Yet another reason to carefully consider. Loaner cars aren't typically treated well by the dozens of drivers that have been in the drivers seat.

 

That honestly doesn't scare me with the CPO warranty. The thought of chronic trans issues does. Having been down that road. I keep my cars a long time.

 

LOANER cars get abused but you have 100K warranty so you should be OK. I think you can get a brand new one with 2K more. I would get the brand new one.

 

Personally, I would stay away from loaners.
They get abused and I would doubt they even put in the proper octane gas.

 

Id be less concerned about the trans issues than i would be about it being a service loaner. But with it only having 3k on the clock there really hasnt been much time/miles for it to be abused to badly. Oh, and my This ZF could never be as bad as the glass trans in the 2nd gen.

 

most people are equating the ZF akin to the honda transmissions of years past.

this isnt the case.

 

the ZF 9speeds are suffering from software problems.

if you can deal with the lunging and weird attributes, get the car!
hopefully ZF and Acura can come up with a patch/update soon!!!!!!

 

Understood, but if the shifting issues caused by software are not rectified in a timely manner, I would think this would eventually cause a hardware breakdown.

 

but you're not worried because it's a CPO.

 

I'm not sure, but I think the OP means that the CPO warranty covers the tranny up to 100k?

 

new car limited power train warranty is 6 years/70,000 miles.

but the CPO warranty i think extends the limited powertrain warranty

 

All 9 speed trannys are suffering from software issues? I read your message to say that they all are. Just trying to keep this on the up and up not just FUD.

 

CPO goes to 7/100 on powertrain. 5/62 on everything else.

 

Honestly, If I didn't go through the 2G TL tranny issues, I would have bought this car last night. My 2g is bulletproof otherwise. I have 15mo remaining on my trans warranty.

 

Bulletproof and 15 months on tranny warranty remaining. Are you just getting itchy for something new? Which I get driving a 12 year old car, but just curious.

 

NB...a bit itchy, and cosmetically, the paint is tired. Just had the car in for oil change and they commented on how solid the car drove.

255k is more than I've put on any car. Only thing it could use is all the cooling hoses replaced and some paint.

 

Sounds like time for a new car to me. You've driven it way past the standard life of most cars already.

 

but explained earlier; its not a honda transmission in the TLX.

 

At this point, trans are trans. Issue are issues. I'm not blaming Honda/Acura for this, as the issue starts with ZF. No one know the long term durability of this unit, nor the abilities to get the software sorted correctly. Chrysler just pushed out their 3rd update and reports have them also replacing 12-15 units a week.

Acura evidently pushed out TCM update in the last couple of days, coupled with an Idle relearn, may help.

Each manufacturer has their own software based upon the application this trans unit is placed into service in.

I'm doing my due diligence here.

 

 

You do have the advantage of having us beta test this car a little, enough to know what you are getting into. I wish I had known about some bugs/normal operation in the SH-AWD Idle Stop "feature". I might have decided to go with the FWD Advance instead.

Yep, there are some bugs, minor ones for some and major ones for others. As with anything else, YMMV and hopefully, if you go the TLX route, yours will be trouble free (or at least minor issues)!

 

If "issues are issues" as you say, maybe your best bet is to just stick out your 2G at least until your tranny warranty dies. You have 15 months. Maybe just revisit the TLX in 15 months and by that time, some bugs will have been ironed out and you can still get a CPO TLX but probably significantly cheaper.