Guys,

Have the option to buy an 02 CL Type S for around $15k. It has 43k on the odometer and is red.

No warranty comes with it. Looks to be in good condition.

What do you think?

Jonny

 

Stay away, the TL and CL are famous for dropping tranny eveyr 20k

 

thats true, but i do think honda/acura has a special warranty for those v6 models that give the problems....something to look into b4 u buy

 

Kelly Blue Book on that car ( using my zip ) in good condition is 14725 Trade-in, 17205 private Party, and 20975 retail. NADA ( which does not have a plug-in condition on-line) lists 16425 trade-in and 19025 retail. So the price doesn't look bad at all. Just be sure it's not being discounted because of some discreet damage or other problems....like being in a flood. Inspect it throughly inside and out...and give it a good test-drive.

You mention no warranty....that is an Acura weak point compared to Lexus.....and some CL's and TL's, as Och noted, had weak transmissions. A 4-year-old Lexus with 43,000 miles would still have quite a bit left on its drivetrain warranty.

 

How can it not have a warranty? The standard Acura warranty is the same as Lexus: 4 yr/50K miles. I guess if it was bought RIGHT when the '02's first came out it could have passed the 4 yr mark, but I'd check.

Och's comment is like telling people to avoid plasma screen because "they burn in like crazy". Acura clearly did have an issue with transmissions for awhile, but it's very possible that a) this car didn't have that problem; b) this car has already had it's tranny replaced; or c) it is covered under the Acura extended warranty that covers this problem, so if you do have an issue it will be covered.

Bottom line: that's a great price for a great car, if the looks don't turn you off. Have a reputable, trusted mecahnic give it a once-over, and then I'd say go for it if all goes well!

 

My ex girlfriend had one. Tranny went out at about 40k miles. It's a common problem - I looked into it for her and found numerous owners who were on their 3rd tranny before 30k miles.

I believe the extended factory warranty covering the tranny is now 10 yrs/100k miles (but possbily 7 years/100k miles, it's been awhile so I'm not completely certain).

 

While it is true that honda extended the warranty to 100K, during these 100K people go through 3-4 replacement transmissions. It might be ok for the 100k period, but after 100k the car is basically 3500lb of pretty sheet metal. The transmission costs an arm and a leg to replaced, and I dont think it's a sensible idea to replace it at your own expense.

 

Oh yeah, on top of everything, if you bring it to Acura for warranty tranny replacement, they "upgrade some software", basically reducing the output and performance so that the tranny is less likely to break again.

 

I would NOT buy it........Every person i knew that had a 2001-2002 TL (about 5) had tranny work done. IMO if u want to get a used Acura buy the RL or the NSX, stay far away from the rest.

Why not get a 98--00 GS3, they should be selling in the 15k range?

 

The tranny problem is definately a concern, but it is not a garantee you will have a problem. I have two friends with a good amount of miles on their TL-S and both are still on their original tranny with no obvious signs of a problem so far. Another thing Jonny forget to mention is if this CL-S is a 6-Speed manual or not. If it is a manual than the tranny issue is not an issue at all anymore. Personally, as another former Legend owner as Jonny knows me to be, I'm not really into the CL, but I can't deny that over all it is a solid car especially with the 6-Speed tranny.

 

Thanks Chris If it wasn't for my financing I would buy a Legend without a second thought. but due to the financing rules I can't buy older than a 99

RNM - I have been thinking about it but have not found any locally. ( Has to be from a dealer for financing reasons)

When I drove it the car shifted a little harsh - I don't know if I was just imagining it or not. Kinda scary though!

Hmm, what to do. If I could find an IS for $16k I would be all over it.

Thanks guys,
Jonny

 

Thanks for sharing this....I was not aware of that.

 

I've got a CL Type S w/original tranny in my garage and its a great car. It's not a Lexus, but it's still a nice car without a doubt. IMHO - good value @ $15K w/43K miles. If you can get a grand knocked off the price, that's an aftermarket warranty for piece of mind.

* There's no since in attempting to deny Honda / Acura's tranny issues, but they have stepped up to cover it to100K miles. It's a known issue, like many car manufacturers have. Sounds like some are on their "18th" tranny, but keep in mind that the majority are still on their first. Don't indict every Acura!

 

I have too much experience with these cars, I had a bunch of friends either with them or had them. My best bud has a CL-S. Its not a bad car but for a luxury marque, it leaves much to be wanted.
1. The seats are all cracked
2. Panels popping out.
3. Rattles and creaks galore
4. Every last one of them has gone through at least ONE tranny. On top of that outside the one that WORKS for Honda, they all hate the service.
5. Fog lamps always go out for some reason.
6. the Bose blows

On the plus side.
They are loaded, power everything.
Fast as hell
Handle pretty well for FWD
Bland looks means speeding with no cops looking at you
Hids standard

I think Honda extended the warrenty to 100k miles b/c of all the tranny problems. Or they at least extende the powertrain warrenty.

Its a nice car, but used, I'd avoid like the plauge.

 

They specifically extended the transmission warranty to 7 yr/100k, but a lot of 2001-2002 vehicles aren't too far off of that 100k mark (htough that's still kinda high for that year).

My uncle has a 2003 TL-S and he's on his 3rd transmission after 40,000 miles. Otherwise it's a great car.

If you can do manual, they offered a 6 speed in the 2002 and up models I believe. No problems with the manuals in this otherwise good vehicle

Edit: Are the 04+ TL's having transmission problems?