buckevan

Hey guys,

I'm new to acurazine. I came on here to get good feedback from you guys. I'm looking to buy a 2003 Acura CL Type S, with roughly 90,000 miles, maybe a little more. The asking price is $9450.

I've read many things about this car, it's great and all, but the auto trannies are prone to going out. I asked the dealer, and he said that they have rebuilt the transmission on this car, and it comes with a 1 year 12,000 mile warranty, and I also have the option to buy an extended warranty (not sure what it covers). Does this sound like a good buy to you guys? I'm also trying to find out with the dealer if the timing belt and water pump has been replaced since it has pretty high milage.

Any advice would be great before I purchase this car! Thanks you guys

JBlueCLS6

iTrader: (2)

Cars worth tops 7 and you should avoid the automatic like a chick with the hiv

rush

iTrader: (1)

$10,000 for a auto he'll no if it was a 6spd maybe but not an auto

SimonCL-S6

i agree on avoiding the automatic. But 7??? in what world

buckevan

Thanks you guys. I'd be sharing this car with my girlfriend, she doesn't want to drive stick or even want to learn how to. Haha. Is there anything else I should know about this car you guys?

Aman

TB/Water pump service should've been done. Ask about that. Could be anywhere from $500 to well over a grand for that depending on where you go. It's due at 105k or 7 years. You might need new spark plugs and a valve adjustment at 110k or something like that, but it's pretty much free sailing after that. Aside from the transmission worries, though.

Sucks that your GF doesn't want to learn stick though maybe convince her that a new transmission is more expensive than as many stick lessons as she'll ever need.

buckevan

Thank Aman, good info right there

buckevan

So if the transmission has been rebuilt, does that mean it's all good now? Or would it have been better if it was totally replaced with a new one?

harvthesecond

I paid 8 K for my pristine 03 cl-s 6spd with just under 100K miles. Interior looked and smelled new even. Leather is immaculate(not all cracked/tore nasty like typical higher mileage leather seats), and the 105k service was just completed(prev owner was a stickler for keeping up with maint). I wouldn't have even considered the car if it had the auto trans after reading all the complaints about it.

Good luck

buckevan

Wow, you got yourself a good deal then! Are the autos really that bad? The trans has been rebuilt, that doesn't necessarily mean it's not gonna fail again, does it?

dave586270

iTrader: (3)

They really can be that bad. I'm on number three
Ask the dealer if it was 're-built' with the trans oil cooler bypass fix or if it was the later 'rebuild' where they actually fixed the housing to give the second gear more room for lubrication.
But other than the 100K service they are great!

buckevan

wow, number 3? yikes... the cl i want is almost at 91000 miles, the rebuilt tranny comes with 1 year 12000 mile warranty, but i'm still hesitant to buy the car. About at what mileages did your trans break down? Like was it 30,000 miles apart from each other?

monkeybutt

If you just gotta have a CL and need an automatic be prepared for a swap to a newer model tranny from Odyssey or TL to remedy the problem.

black label

There's really no rhyme or reason to it, it could last 5000 miles, it could last 105000 miles. It's kinda a shitty situation because they are great cars but it's a little scary to buy them at this point because of the glass tranny.

All that said $9400 seems a little steep of a price. 2 door cars depreciate rapidly because they typically aren't as desirable as a 4 door. I'd think between 7-8K would be fair depending on the condition of the car.

JBlueCLS6

iTrader: (2)

The real world.

Pricing Details for a Acura CL 3.2 Type-S 3.2 Type-S

3.2L V6 6-speed Manual

Customized True Market Value® Prices
Trade-In Private Party Dealer Retail
National Base Price $5,900 $6,921 $8,169
Optional Equipment $0 $0 $0
Color Adjustment - Black $-6 $-7 $-8
Regional Adjustment - for Zip Code 08844 $-18 $-21 $-25
Mileage Adjustment - 90,000 miles $169 $169 $169
Condition Adjustment - Average $-1,239 $-1,426 $-1,634
Total $4,806 $5,636 $6,671

NH-643M

Please don't get an automatic CL. Those transmissions are ticking time bombs. Either get a 6-speed CL Type S, a new girlfriend or both.

CLassy02

That makes two of us. Same here.

ParaSurfer1979

Are you guys using the honda fluid or redline atf? That stuff does wonders in our trannies.

buckevan

Thanks everyone for the help! I'm going to pass on the acura CL :P

turbo_911

Good thing that you are going to pass on it. And like others said it doens't worth $9450, I wouldn't even pay $7k for it.... because it is an AUTO. Run away from them like you are running from a lion or tiger lol.

If you really want auto car, look into 04+ TL or 04+ Accords if you want to be in Honda/Acura family. Also don't get accords from 98-02 that are V6 and auto lol.

pickler

just a note, i own a 2003 TL since i bought it brand new. never had any tranny issue. i have read many horror stories about transmission problems with TL/CL cars. i figure if they have done 75,000 miles with no tranny issues then chances are they are going to be fine. if they have had rebuilt/replaced tranny then they will proly brake.

timberland73

iTrader: (1)

Not really. I have a 99 TL with the 4 speed auto and my trans died at 120K. Like previously mentioned, there's no rhyme or reason. The 4 speeds weren't supposed to be as likely to break either.

invisiblewar

if youre going for an 03 find the 6spd and dont pay more than 8.5k for it.

black label

It's a nice thought but it's just not true. I've seen many TL/CL's suffering the glass tranny failure for the first time after they pass the 100K mark.

ChucksCL-S

My old 2000 TL made it to 164,000 miles on tranny number one, I sold the car with 272,000 miles on it still on tranny number two. Only changed the fluid now and then.

TurboSupra

Solid car, but in this economy I'd offer 5. Mayyyybe 6 if its pristine.
The only way he could get that price is if it was a 6spd w/ mods. Like a test pipe.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Whats with you and that damn test pipe?

rcappeillo

I paid 9300 for my 03 cls with 69,900 miles on it,asking price was 10000..What made me jump on this car was the fact that it was garaged and very clean,it had a clean car fax and full service records from when the car was purchased new.....

TurboSupra

Proof.
That the prior owner is an informed enthusiast.
Not the average Joe who only knows about RS Akimoto intakes.

JLai

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

You are quickly becoming my new best friend on here. Im still confident you are trolling though. And Im cool with that.