quick question re: Acura RL vs. CL transmission
12-02-2004, 11:26 PM
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quick question re: Acura RL vs. CL transmission
I posted here because I need a quick response and the RL board doesn't seem to get the action that this board does and I figured you guys here would be up on any other Acura tranny problems. Having owned a CL -S I'm aware of the transmission issues. I'm going to look at a '99 and '00 RL's tommorrow, both with around 98,000 miles.
Has the RL been plagued with the same tranny issues that the CL has or does it have a completely different tranny?
Has the RL been plagued with the same tranny issues that the CL has or does it have a completely different tranny?
12-02-2004, 11:41 PM
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ah, OK, so it is a different tranny. Be nice to have the 5 speed and manual shift option, but, given the failure rate, I guess a reliable 4 speed tranny can give a lot more peace of mind. Thanks for the quick reply.
12-03-2004, 03:10 AM
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it should be alot better in lasting, but that doesnt mean its an entirely different design. if you are really worried about tranny failing, get a lexus. to this day, i havent heard of more than ONE failure on all the GS line!
The only failure i did hear about was the synchros (not sure, it was along time ago) gave out on a GS3 when it was alot newer, but it wasnt a major problem and i dont think the entire tranny was changed even on that car!
1sicklex should know in depth how strong the gs trannies are. but i can tell you that if you want to a strong drivetrain, look to lexus as they are literally bulletproof. people have run gs4's with SC's with stock tranny, and they havent had any problems. having driven a GS4 for over a year, i know that car is literally bulletproof.
but i think for the price, you should do well with an older RL. do a search in the RL forum to see if anyone has had failures. If you get several posts about it, steer away!
The only failure i did hear about was the synchros (not sure, it was along time ago) gave out on a GS3 when it was alot newer, but it wasnt a major problem and i dont think the entire tranny was changed even on that car!
1sicklex should know in depth how strong the gs trannies are. but i can tell you that if you want to a strong drivetrain, look to lexus as they are literally bulletproof. people have run gs4's with SC's with stock tranny, and they havent had any problems. having driven a GS4 for over a year, i know that car is literally bulletproof.
but i think for the price, you should do well with an older RL. do a search in the RL forum to see if anyone has had failures. If you get several posts about it, steer away!
12-03-2004, 08:43 AM
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thanks for your thoughts. I have owned a number of Lexus's (Lexi??) and agree they are very reliable, even with higher mileages.
I like to drive and own different cars so I thought I'd look at the RL right now, but, just wanted to check out the transmission issues because of the CL -S. I've actually had quite good experience over the years with numerous Acura's I've owned (many Legend coupes, early model TL and the CL -S which did get a new tranny under the warranty).
Dealwise, with similar mileages, I'd probably be looking at a '95 -'96 GS 400 for about the same price as the '00 RL.
I like to drive and own different cars so I thought I'd look at the RL right now, but, just wanted to check out the transmission issues because of the CL -S. I've actually had quite good experience over the years with numerous Acura's I've owned (many Legend coupes, early model TL and the CL -S which did get a new tranny under the warranty).
Dealwise, with similar mileages, I'd probably be looking at a '95 -'96 GS 400 for about the same price as the '00 RL.
12-03-2004, 09:50 AM
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Yeah, but even if you do end up getting a 96' GS its not like you are just settling for it. That is a great car that will run for well over 150K as long as you treat it right. It seems that Lexus is the only way to go if you are looking for reliable performance that has class.
12-03-2004, 05:45 PM
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the postscript:
The seller of the '00 3.5 RL took very good care of the car (original owner and every bit as anal about maintaining it and detailing it and parking it at the far end of the parking lot so no one can ding it as I am). He was willing to give it to me at a very fair price.
The seller of the '99 3.5 RL took reasonable care of the car, but, it just was not in nearly as nice a condition as the '00 (even with 3,000 miles less) and he was firm on his price so I wound up buying the '00 for a few hundred dollars less than I would have had to pay for the '99. In the final analysis, it wasn't even close and the '00 is sitting comfortably in my garage.
And in the end I could only have bought a reasonable condition '95 GS400 for the same money as this exceptionally well kept '00 RL (not a single thing not working, not so much as a burnt out bulb anywhere, the interior could honestly pass for 40,000 miles, etc. so it just wasn't any contest and I'm quite pleased with my first RL.
The seller of the '00 3.5 RL took very good care of the car (original owner and every bit as anal about maintaining it and detailing it and parking it at the far end of the parking lot so no one can ding it as I am). He was willing to give it to me at a very fair price.
The seller of the '99 3.5 RL took reasonable care of the car, but, it just was not in nearly as nice a condition as the '00 (even with 3,000 miles less) and he was firm on his price so I wound up buying the '00 for a few hundred dollars less than I would have had to pay for the '99. In the final analysis, it wasn't even close and the '00 is sitting comfortably in my garage.
And in the end I could only have bought a reasonable condition '95 GS400 for the same money as this exceptionally well kept '00 RL (not a single thing not working, not so much as a burnt out bulb anywhere, the interior could honestly pass for 40,000 miles, etc. so it just wasn't any contest and I'm quite pleased with my first RL.
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08-25-2008, 03:50 PM
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Trans Issue on 98 RL
The interior shift is stiff. I took it to a transmission specialist who said it could be the shift cable? But he acknowledged that he doesn't know much about Acuras. I haven't found any info on this - could it be an issue with low trans fluid, etc.? I'm taking it to a dealer tommorrow, but i want to have a better idea of what the problem is...
08-25-2008, 04:13 PM
#9
You'll have more luck in the RL section. Plus, this topic is over 4 years old. Lastly, cross posting the same thing is frowned upon....
https://acurazine.com/forums/1g-rl-1996-2004-77/what-hell-shift-cable-683940/
https://acurazine.com/forums/1g-rl-1996-2004-77/what-hell-shift-cable-683940/
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