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Acura CL
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Comments
Audi is a sedan (and you seem to be interested in a coupe).
There is a bit of a storm gathering over the automatic transmission issue with certain Honda models, including the CL. But you can get the manual.
330Ci would be THE CHOICE if you've got the $ and you can live with its less-than-solid reliability.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Is that enough for you? I don't want leather, so that doesn't count.
Obi
BTW, the lease for a base CL was $289 month for 48 months. How much was your Maxima lease again?
Nothing wrong with IRS, hell, I would like it. Don't like leather, though. And the engine in my Maxima, I tell you, there is nothing sweeter. No rattles, no problems, no worries.
Obi
I also wonder if there is a significant difference in the failure rates of US v. Canadian cars? My point being that US cars experience significantly more highway (meaning high-speed)use. Also, distance per trip is significantly longer for US drivers, resulting in higher and more sustained heat buildup in the tranny.
I posted a while ago inquiring about the availability of the CL-S in December, when I was to return my leased 2000 Maxima SE. Well, I couldn't wait any longer (you know the feeling, right?). So I leased a CL-S w/o nav, silver w/ebony interior, for 36 months. Payments: $470/mo inludes all taxes and fees. I only had to pay the first month's lease up front. Did I get taken? Or is this considered a pretty good deal?
The penalty for my impulsiveness was that I still owed three payments on the Maxima. But in the 10 days I have the CL-S it's already been worth it!
The car's just great. Meets and exceeds all my expectations. Stereo's good but not great -- no subwoofer punch. Now I'll just have to hope about the tranny problems not occurring as so many of you are reporting on.
BTW, I also drove the TL-S. Similar, but I noticed the ride was just a bit softer than the CL-S, and the sedan also leaned slightly more in the curves.
Rod
You haven't owned a stick for long, have you?
Curious if other CL-S owners have also found this to be true?
Mike
I thought Acura had to either make them brighter or eliminate them. I guess the latter was easier!
Did they make them a dealer-installed option?
Just wondering if they are all like this or just mine.
Plus, even though Acura extended the warranty to 100,000 miles, I would still feel shafted if the transmission failed. We know several people that own Hondas/Acuras and have put near or past 200,000 miles without any problems. So while 100,000 may be good for another make, it is far below the standards set by Acura itself.
Yup. I'd rather drive a car I don't like than drive one I love but worry that it may may have a mechanical problem that would be covered under warranty anyway. Boy, that would suck.
I stopped leaving my house too, because I may end up being a victim of crime, and stopped eating because the food might be tampered with. I just don't trust those tamper-proof seals.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go to the bomb shelter to check my stock of Anthrax antivirus.
OH NO!! Hang in there. You can get counseling for those "fears"! ;-))
19 months old, 19,300 miles and no problems yet with my CL-S! Better than my PREVIOUS "award-winning 99 Motor Trend Car of the Year by far!" ;-))
fastdriver
Btw, anyone just bought a 03 CL? How much did you pay? I got two quotes over the phone for a 03 CL base model: both are $27000. I am wondering whether I can cut another $500 off this price. Thanks.
All joking aside, you can leave your headlights in the "on" position and let the auto-off feature turn them off for you.
Bodydouble said it- leave the lights ON! That's what I've done since day one because at night, I want the lights to go on when I unlock the car.
I would think that since Honda has acknowledged and extended the tranny warranty to 100,000 miles, that they have discovered the problem and solved it.
Guess all those Chrysler lovers are right- damned Honda "PERCEIVED" reliability! LOL...LOL...LOL...LOL... No problems yet! Knock on wood!
fastdriver
When I was looking at 2003s to trade for my 2001 I couldn't get more than a "Uh yeah, I'm pretty sure, that is, uh, ummm...these are all fine!!" So we passed. But I'm sure there are 2003s out there without the problem. You'll just have to be positive of what build dates have the fix and them check them out. With apologies to the Isells and RRoyces out there, DON'T TAKE THE SALEMANS' WORD FOR IT! It's too much money to risk without taking one minute extra to confirm it yourself. Especially since the warranty extensions were only for 2000-2002 models.
On the other hand, some people think the 2 percent chance your transmission could melt is not worth regarding, so long as you love the car and get a sweet deal. Good luck either way!
I was hoping to buy an Accord EX V6 coupe for $24500, but those greedy honda dealers won't sell under sticker. Good luck to them with selling accord at $26000+. I'm getting my acura for $26500 + $500(spoiler)+ $227 (license and doc fees) + tax. I also got 4.9% APR for 48 mos.
Thereafter, you can follow the manual, or just go for 3000-4000 mile intervals to play it safe. They're only $30, and your engine will last forever with oil changes at that interval.
I've never heard anything about that first tranny fluid change, but it makes sense, if you subscribe to the belief that a virgin engine (and transmission) will "shed" some metal during its initial usage period.
A trans fluid change is a little bit more $$$. But, again, it's insurance, if you believe in that stuff.
bodydouble, what kind of oild do you use? I know manual says 5W-20, but I've heard a few people say using 5W-30 is better.
I'm not sure about the Acura website, but the Honda website has an owners' section where it tells you what needs to be done to your car at what mileage intervals (If you don't have your owner's manual handy).
If the manual says 5W-20, then stick with that. What would be your reasoning for using 5W-30?
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
That's one thing I don't like either. That BOSE is NOTHING like the one I had in my 1994 Infiniti J-30! That was a great BOSE.
About the only other thing that I don't like is the sun roof opening size. That's stupid. Aside from those two minor things- 19,800+ miles in 19 months and NO problems! Best car I ever owned. ...AND of course, that ZAINO shine! ;-)) (GP)
fastdriver
As far as car audio systems go, I have always replaced the original system with an upgraded system (multiple amps, subs, processors, EQ, etc.) The only upgrade I have planned for the CL is to add a subwoofer. Overall, the factory sound system is quite good, I just prefer to have a little more bass.
A complete replacement of the factory system could get VERY complicated. The wiring diagram in the service manual shows that the audio system interfaces with the nav sys, driver and passenger multiplex units (?), and in 2003s with nav, the OnStar sys.
Upgrades to the Bose system such as adding an amp(s) with speakers is possible with the appropriate adapter. Bose systems are peculiar in design. They use signal levels and speaker impedences that are not compatible with most aftermarket equipment.
fastdriver - Do you use Zaino?
Anyway, for this CL, I agree that replacing the head unit is probably too difficult. I'm looking into adding a powered subwoofer and replacing all 6 Bose crappy speakers (not just bass, the high and mid ranges are not close to the MB-quart I listened to in a store). If anyone has replaced the speakers in a recent acura, I'd greatly appreciate some info/advice.
P.S. When I say that the overall sound of the Bose system is quite good, I'm comparing it to other factory systems I've owned.
ZAINO- what's that? LOL...................
fastdriver