TMO

Hi, I found a 1998 Acuara 2.3 CL and it really cought my eye. The only thing that bothers me is the mileages. It has 218000 km (135 500 miles) but the car runs great, the body is in excellent shape and the interior is clean. There's some customisation done to it such as intake, exhaust, lowering springs and upragded 17" alloys. My question is what can i expect from this car with this much mileage? Does it still have lots of life in it? Will I need to make big, expensive repairs on it?
Tell my what you think please.
Thank you.
p.s. if you have a 98 or 99 2.3 CL for sale in Barrie/Toronto area(Canada) please let me know i might be interested.

I Fear No Five O

As long as the car has been regularly maintained on time (such having the oil/filter changed when needed, water pump changed, timing belt change,d and etc.), then you shouldn't expect any expensive repairs. With that mileage, just make sure that the water pump and timing belt have been changed already. And if it's an auto transmission make sure it's working properly and not slipping. I hear those auto's can be problematic, but it's more common with the 3.0's. Basically, if the car has been taken care of and not abused then it should last you a while. I hope this helps and good luck.

pjosh

Anything over 200 will usually run you into EGR territory. I had to clean/replace mine (clean out the carbon/replace the egr valve) at 240,000kms. I wouldn't let that hold you back though. Check out the front end suspension too - make sure your cv joints/ball joints...etc - all that kinda stuff is in good shape too (no rips in boots, no clicking noice when turning...)

trewatts

i just bought my 98 2.3 in november and it had around 125k. pretty much all hondas are great, reliable cars. they will last as long as you make them. just be wary if its an automatic...

1998/2.3CL

shit i bought my 2.3 cl for 4 grand with 145k on it.. and now it like 155 i think LOL run great! all i need to do now is replace the radiator and i want to hook up one of those transmission cooler since am ganna replace the radiator. SO ANYONE SELLING ONE CHEAP PM ME! =] thx
another thing is i live in michigan NO ONE HAS THIS CAR in my city LOL! which is great =] GET ONE MAN!!!

With the mod in the car. ask if he/she could lower the price =D make up some BS like saying you dont like aftermarket parts and you want yoru car stock etc. maybe he/she can lower the price for you lolz. good luck on the buy.

twizy

Before you decide to buy it, check the spark plugs and make sure they are not fouled with oil. I bought my 99 CL with 121k miles on it and it turns out 1 plug was oil fouled. Consequently, the car burns alot of oil and spews alot of black smoke. Good luck with your buy.

TMO

thanks alot guys for the info, the car has manual transmision so i'm good for the trany problem. But I just moved in the area and I dont know anyone that works in a garage that could check the spark plugs, the water pump and the timing belt. What should I do in order to see the condition of these parts without any mechanic or tools? I also fond a 99 3.0 CL with 120000 km(75000 miles) which looks in great shape but I dont know if it a manual or auto yet. If its an Auto i wont buy it cuz of the problems. But can you tell me if it's a good choice if i consider buying this one?

Dan3952

Can you explain? My car burns oil but I have no reason to believe it's anything to do with the plugs.

Dicorp

3.0 only come in auto

twizy

Sure, an oil fouled spark plug can mean 1 of 3 things (or possibly more). Either 1) Worn valve seals or 2) Stuck piston rings 3) Defective PCV valve. The first 2 symptoms may also lead to a vehicle burning oil. So if your spark plug has alot of oil on it and your car is burning tons of oil, theres a good chance its one of the first 2 symptoms.

TMO

Ok at least i know now that 218 000 km (135 000 miles) is not that much for an Acura CL, but the only thing is b/c of the mods, it make me think that the car was driven by a young driver who would did alot of beating to it. With that in mind I think the car might not be as reliable as I expect. But I found another one completly stock, lady driven, one owner, regular maintanace but 220 000 km (137000 miles). Do you think this is a good choice if I decide to buy?

trewatts

^^^hellz yeah^^^
manual tranny? what year?

TMO

Its a 98 with Manual tranny, and black in colour. In really great shape too.

TMO

If I buy this car what should I know about things that can wear or break? Such as rust spots, anything in the steering part, anything in the engine, anything that usually breaks on all the cars.

asianspec

iTrader: (1)

all you need to do is to bring it to a mechanic to get it fully checked out.

TMO

Does the first gen cars have any problem with the VTEC? Like somekind of failure to it?

asianspec

iTrader: (1)

not really. V-tec doesn't engage when you have a dent in your oil pan. Ask PimpCL23 for more questions. Sometimes i can't engage v-tec since i have a problem with the cat converter.

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Only if the vtec sylenoid is bad, or if you don't have enough oil

asianspec

iTrader: (1)

that too

Salemgh

ok... I'm seriously starting to get a headache from that "VTEC" engages thing.
I drive a 99 2.3CL with 74k. I don't 'feel' any VTEC... is my car supposed to act different if the VTEC engages? How could I know if my VTEC works or not?

God knows how much I searched for this answer....

Thanks guys.

5-speed

in our cars, you wont feel or hear VTEC.

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

You should feel a bit of a push or hear a bit of a roar from your intake but that's it, I do on my 3.0 anyway.

Dicorp

If u listen carefully in 2nd gear, ull hear the change in sound around 4800rpm. An intake makes it harder to hear IMO, its just all constant noise. How do u know if its working? if u can redline your car, its working.

Dan3952

Ask if it burns oil (nobody is going to admit it unless you ask), I think it's putting extra carbon on my egr valve

Also ask how many inches it's been lowered, it could help prevent the bump steer that I get with the car but if it's been overdone it could need a rear camber kit

TMO

Hey thanks alot for the intel, now that ived purchased a 98 2.3 CL. I need some info. I read the Noob Guide completely but I don't completely understand de specs of the wheels and suspension. I would like to know by how much I need to lower my suspension (front an back) so that it's not too low to hit the bumps and that it's not to high? and which particular springs and struts will allow me to do this in a way that is ajustable?
Also, what is the perfect size of wheels and tires, so that it looks really nice and that can drive realy smooth?
Thanks.