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Acura CL
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Comments
Symptoms were just after backing out of the driveway & putting it into D, I got a loud thunk, kind of like missing a shift on a manual. A few miles later, after shifting from 2nd to 3rd the RPM redlined & whined, it did this 2-3 times on the way back to the dealer.
Here the kicker, I had just picked it up from the shop (same day 4-hours earlier) after an oil-change, balance & rotate. The rotors are becoming another real problem (3-4 times now), I jokingly said to the service rep that Acura needs to extend the warranty on the brakes/rotors like the transmission. I must have JINX it, needless to say it has greatly lessen my opinion of Acura Q&A. My shop has 1 other TL/CL waiting on a tranny in front of me. At least my dealer has free loaners, so I'm not without wheels.
Bodble ::: your front seat rocking are some bushing that need replacing (requires new & improved parts to be ordered). That was one of the other thing that was on my list to fix.
And it's ironic that you mentioned rotors 'cause at a bit under 16,000 miles, mine is starting to have very slight shudder when braking under light pedal pressure.
I have not experienced any of the tranny symptoms posted by others, but there is the occasional hiccup that makes me wonder.
Most of all, it makes me wonder if I shouldn't dump the car before real symptoms start manifesting themselves.
I have to say, I am also dissapointed in the quality of this model Acura. It must be the US plant. My wife had a 99 accord which I specifically picked out with a "J" vin number (import model). It drove 4 years with no issues at all, but then she only drove 20k in 4 years.
Bodble2, noticed we have the same taste in cars. Did you already get the RX330? We love it. Dont anticipate as many issues as the Acura.
I'm also thinking of un-loading my CL before it depreciate too much. And going back to Toyota/Nissan/Mazda 3 manufacturers of which I have never had any serious problems. I’ve pretty much scratch off the up coming TL off my list.
According to the other CL site, the transmission may/will re-occur.
The other problem with Hondas is they get stolen like crazy.
I really do like the new RX330, just not sure I want to spend that much $$$. For an all-purpose vehicle, I'm thinking about the Mazda Tribute (plus 5year 0%, 4/50k warranty). It has been on the market 3 years, getting some of the bugs worked out of it. I know that the Tribute is not all rosy, but I don't think any manufacturer is totally immune to problems. At any rate I’ll get a fresh warranty.
I am in the process of purchasing a new CL in Texas. Then, I will drive it to California, where I work. But some people told me, even with the higher TTL and price, buying directly at California still would be cheaper. Is it true?
Thanks!!
Sure seems like they have been doing their level best to supress/hide any & all bad press regarding the transmissions/rotors. Just not sure whether to simply take it as a little bad luck or what. Sure gives me a sour taste in my mouth.
I can accept a few "one-time" small problems, but the re-occuring, or the major ones!!! Maybe everyones trannies are not as solid as they use to be, I don't know.
I see that Acura extended the warranty to 70,000 miles on transmissions for this model, most likely because of this.
The problem seems to be that it stays in gear too long and then jumps up or downshifts to the next gear.
I'm starting to think about trading it in now since I'm having too many odd problems like this with this car. I bought it thinking that Acura and Honda would be virtually trouble free.
Problem is that its depreciation rate isn't all that good either.
I think it's the way it is geared (transmittion wise), but the RX is a little shift happy, as in it likes to stay in high gears. Otherwise, I enjoy both cars.
They changed the tranny and ECU, I beleive this is the chip that controls shifting. Tech told me that early replacements were tranny only, but Acura found out the chip is the culprit for the problems. Supposedly the chip is allowing the tranny to shift too hard. Which I agree, I always thought the original tranny was extremely fun to drive with. Tech said that they are re-calling the early replacements to come in for a new ECU also.
With the new tranny, it is a remanufactured unit. Supposedly, case is old, but insides are new. It drives a little differently. Shifting is smoother, more german car like. Doesn't mean it's slower, just not as aggresive. And I think it tends to stay in the taller gears a little longer. But I think using SS can fix that problem. That's all folks.
The wheels have been put into motion... it looks like I'll be trading the 6MT in sometime in late July. The car has been supremely reliable, and works as advertised, but in the course of 14 months and 16,000-odd miles, I just haven't "bonded" with it.
If anyone is looking for a pristine, well cared for Aegean Blue (Non-Navi), at about that time, let me know! Bone stock except for a Momo short anatomic shift knob & matching shift boot, both in black leather.
I know Vandergriff discounted mine and i bought it 3 weeks after intro of the 3.2 cl. Others still think they can get MSRP+markup on a CL that's already discontinued.
samang :: I also notice that my CL is not as snappy as it once was. But the question is, is the problem truely fixed or is it prone to happen again ??
I'm trying to decide, whether to keep it or cut my loses and move on.
Can anyone advise ??
AL.
I was given a 2002 TL-S loaner and the tranny was replaced in 4 days. That was March 2002. Since then Acura has extended the warrantee on the tranny to 100,000 miles (2 weeks after I purchased the 7yr/100,000 extended warrantee). Since then I have had NO problems what so ever!. I just turned 43,000miles. The original Michelins are still good, but will be replaced soon, as a safety precaution. This car is truly a joy to own and operate, I get 22 to 25 mpg average around town. Think twice before dumping your CL or CLS, its a dangerous world out there.
HAPPY MOTORING TO ALL, LEE in Miami
And you're right, one does NOT want to trade one set of problems for another. I got 4-years left on the tran warranty, but 1 year left on the standard. And it is looking like brakes are going to be an on-going issue.
I can't afford to cut my losses, need the car to run another 5 years to pay off other car before I can sell.
I knew the new model was not going to offer a manual trans, and that's what I wanted.
The first gen (97-99) models also had auto trans issues. The Odyssey (not so) mini van also has had trans issues.
I looked at the then new Solara back in summer of 99, and discounted it because of the sloppy manual shift linkage.
What I learned was: If you want an automatic trans, buy a Toyota, if you want a manual, buy a Honda/Acura.
Our CL has been trouble free, except that the radio tuning button on the steering wheel does not work when the wheel is straight. I have to turn the wheel to get it to work. Didn't get it into dealer before the warranty expired.
I came away very, very impress. For $20.8 vs. $26-27 for the TSX, Mazda has made a huge turn-around. Plus Mazda warranty is 4/50k, and now includes loaner cars. Not over crazy about the center console, but could live with it.
Anyway it has got me thinking. Is this a big step down ??
Anyway I have like 12,400 on my 02 CL(I have the Base not the Type-S) so I hope I don't encounter any trans problems. Car has been solid and reliable. I don't plan on dumping my CL like everybody else here is. I am extremely happy with it. I just got an oil change done too. I have to take the car in too repair hail damage in July. I am not looking too foward to be renting a car.
Despite the tranny problems and lossing the car for 9 days, I still love my CL. Except for a few door dings, it still looks new in the parking lot and in my garage, even next to a new silver rx330.
I don;t know about ya'll, but I am keeping my CL!
http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=26&article- - _id=6705
I guess there are two ways to look at it. On the one hand it's the most powerful FWD you can get. On the other hand, it's the slowest 370hp coupe ever. Hmm.
AL.
Honda definitely deserves a black eye for this. Prelude owners struggled with this for a long time, getting accused of brake torquing and paying for replacement trannys until the much higher profile, mainstream CL and other owners started to experience the same things.
It's been awhile since I posted (under dee35), so thought I would check in.
Well, my bright red CL-S will hit 26,000 miles soon. Other than a few minor paint chips and scratches, I have had zero problems with this car. It rides like a dream and has tons of guts even on regular gas! I Zaino'd it about 18 months ago and it is still absolutely gorgeous!
I hit a 3 inch deep pothole this winter and my low profile tire blew out, but I'm told that's very common with this type of tire.
I'm sure it's time for new brake pads as I have a consistent shudder at moderate braking. I don't think that's too bad for the mileage, though.
I love this car!
Unfortunately it's time to let it go. My husband was promoted and his company minivan became an Intrepid. We don't need two cars. We really need an SUV, so I'm moving on to an MDX. That's the only way I will let my CL go. None of the other SUV's can compare. Once you drive an Acura you're spoiled for life!
I'd love to sell it direct vs trade, so if anyone's interested.....I'm in the Akron, Ohio area.
The dealer told me that the CL is being discontinued next year. That's too bad. I guess people prefer the 4 door TL-S for practicality.
Bye guys!
Dee
Did you also drive the RX330? IMO, it is a better buy than the MDX UNLESS you need the 3rd row seats.
You have a great memory! Yes, 5 days after I bought the car some guy in a mountaineer decided to reach down to pick up a piece of paper while driving down an off-ramp. He hit the back of my car, putting a nice dent in my trunk. You'd never know, though. The body shop did a great job!
I just got a trade in quote of 18,500 toward the MDX(which I got at 2650.00 under MSRP). That's a great deal considering you can't touch these SUV's for below sticker in some areas.
I did look at the Lexus on Edmunds but the option grouping is really confusing. By the time I added the same options on that I had in the MDX, I was well over MSRP. That's one of the things I think is so great about Acura. They include everything you could possibly want for one price. It's a better value and more horsepower.
Well, I'll be signing off now and hanging out at the MDX site. Have fun in your CL's! If "fastdriver" is still around, say hey for me!
Dee
Of course I'm still here! You have my twin!! Just gave it some Zaino this past weekend! Looks GREAT!! Sorry you're getting rid of yours.
Still have a little over a year to go on my lease. Not sure what I'll get next since Honda is ditching the 2-door CL. I love the Infiniti 2-door, but I have THOUSANDS of $$$$ on my GM MasterCard! Maybe a Caddy CTS?? I like the looks of those too.
Plenty of time to think about that.
Hope all is well.
fastdriver
Still got to got to get the dings out of the car from a few months ago.
Have the dealers supplied a free loaner car for you?