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Acura CL
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Yeah, I did not like the trim originally, but I don't mind it anymore - even staring at it at stoplights =:)
I own a '99 3.0CL. Bought it brand new in Nov. 99. I want to know if other 1st Ben 3.0CL owners have had the same problems that my CL has (I don't know whether this has been covered before, since I was too lazy to search through all the previous messages!)
The V6 in my CL burns approximately 1/2 quart of oil between oil changes. I use Moil 1 5W-30 synthetic and have used it since 10K miles. Currently the engine has 17K. When I picked my new CL up I asked the dealer if the oil should be changed at 1K miles, going along with the age old advice that it should, to flush out any casting material that may still linger in the engine. The dealer said there was no need to do that, and that I should leave the oil in the engine for 3750 miles. Of course, I was a bit skeptical of this, so I checked with their service department and they told me the same thing.
Now, this isn't the first new car that I've ever purchased. I also have a '90 Mazda MX-6 CT with turbocharged engine and a '99 Subaru Outback. With both of these cars, I changed the oil at 1K miles and neither of them, even the turbocharged Mazda at 62K, burns a drop of oil between oil changes (BMW, I always change oil and filter every 3K miles.) Does anyone else's V6 CL burn any oil? I am wondering if leaving the original oil in for that many miles could have been a mistake. Also, I drove my CL the same way during break in period that I did with both my other 2 cars.
Problem number 2 is with the CL's brakes. At about 13K miles I brought it in for warranty work because the brakes started to pulsate and squeal. The Acura service kept. ended up machining the disc rotors and replacing the pads, which made a big difference when I got the car back. Now, at 17K though, the pulsation and squealing have returned. I am planning on returning to the dealer soon and will demand that they replace the disc rotors instead of just machining the current ones. My cousin-in-law owned a Honda Accord and had many problems with the brakes and I was wondering if it could be a common problem among the CL/Accord line.
The CL also had transmission problems when I first got it. I don't know if anyone else has heard of the problem or had it, but I read that others had a problem with the engine shaking at lower RAMs. Well, my CL had the problem. The first time I brought the car back, the service department looked at it and said it was a known problem and that they were awaiting a fix from Acura. I had heard that some dealers replaced the torque converter, which helped. Well, at the time I just accepted it and drove with the annoying problem. Several months passed and my patience with the problem dissipated. I brought the car back again and demanded that something be done, that this was unacceptable for a brand new car. To make this long story short, they ended up replacing my entire transmission. The problem went away after that, although I did notice that with this new transmission, I'm running about 500 PM higher at 60 MPH than before. I believe engine turned at 2000 before, now it is 2500. I questioned it, but Acura said that the new transmissions were programmed a bit differently. It wasn't hurt my fuel consumption though.
I've also had the same rattling/buzzing noise from behind the gauge cluster that some have had. I didn't bother getting this looked at and the noise seems to have gone away as quick as it appeared.
Well, I know this is long, but I just wanted to know if anyone has had the oil consumption problem and the brake problem that my CL has.
Paul
'99 3.0CL
Flamenco Black Pearl/charcoal gray int
17K miles
K&N air filter, no other mods
Ben ==> Gen
Moil ==> Mobil
MX-6 CT ==> MX-6 GT
BMW ==> BTW
RAMs ==> RPMs
PM ==> RPM
good luck
I used to own a 99 3.0 CL, that I traded in a few months back. I changed the oil the first time at 3500 miles, and it never burned any oil at all, because I checked the level every once and again and it was fine. I replaced my brakes (all 4 wheels) at 26,000 miles and they were only squeaking then because they were gone. Other than that, they were quiet for the whole ownership. Never had a tranny problem. It pulled just fine (besides always shifting into 2nd gear a little too quick).
I DID have the buzz behind the guage cluster, but Acura fixed that after the third time and it never returned.
Other than that, before I traded it in, I hadn't changed the oil in 7500 miles! It still looked good and drove fine.
I think I spent more getting my M3 back in perfect condition than I did in my entire ownership of the Acura. This is not a blast on BMW, but the work had to be done and I was willing to pay for it. The M drives like a dream and I am not dissapointed that I traded in my CL.
Hope this helps!
Obi
1990 BMW M3 Alpinweiss II
21,400 miles
I followed the maintenace guidelines changing the oil every 3750 miles or so, and it does not burn oil.
My brakes started occasional squealing at about 30,000 miles, and I replaced them at 37,000. I actually thought this was too quick.
I've had no noticable rattles or buzzes. My only gripe has been the door alignment problem, which was discussed at length about a year and a half ago.
Given the rather plain appearance of the new CL, I'm very happy with my "last generation" model.
lanning
Well, first generation CL is a nicely dressed up Accord while the second generation is an Accord on steroid. A coworker test drove a V-6 Accord and loved it - he used to drive a 90 Mustang GT. Then again, he currently drives a Civic.. yikes.
http://SalesCircular.com - no more buying newspapers for store circulars
I'm glad to hear that other 3.0CL owners and former owners are/were happy with their CLs.
I actually just checked my oil earlier this evening and it was where it should be. It's been about a month or so since I last changed it. Hopefully it will stay at that level.
As for the brakes, like I mentioned, I will be taking it back to the dealer and be demanding new disc rotors and pads. Other than that, the car runs well. I also, prefer the look of the 1st gen CL over the 2nd gen. 1st gens have a unique look to them, while the 2nd gen, although it is handsome, looks like most other sport coupes on the road today. I do wish that I could have the 260HP V6 from the CL Type-S though!!! Maybe the navi system too!
Is/was anyone dissatisfied with the performance of their 1st gen CL? While it is pretty quick, I feel that sometimes it's all I have to do to keep up with other cars on the road. I know the engine makes power at high RPMs, so you have to really lay into the engine sometimes just to keep up. Sometimes I feel like I'm gonna get dusted by some soccer mom in her Ford Windstar! I wish the aftermarket would make more affordable performance parts for the V6. I've heard rumors of a supercharger for the 3.0 V6, but I would bet that will probably run about 3 grand for a full upgrade kit. Unfortunately the aftermarket seems to cater to the rice boys and their Honda Civics.
Lately, I've been considering selling to get something a bit quicker. I would love an Audi S4, but they are a bit pricey for me (the wife and I just had a baby!) I've also been eyeing the Subaru WRX. It's really quick, although it is nowhere near as luxurious as my CL. I'll probably end up just keeping my CL until it's paid for.
Later!
Bought my 2001 CL-S on March 28, 2001. So far, gas mileage in the 20's in everyday driving and no rattles or squeaks! Hope it stays this way. Think I have about 3,800 miles on it so far! CAN'T stop driving it and my commute to work in only 3 miles! LOL.....
I made a movie yesterday. Take a look! I think it's a riot. I even sent it to Acura. Think they need to spice up their CL ads- the two that I've seen so far!
Enjoy.
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/SmashCast?u=912729&smashID=100086987&mode=view
fastdriver
LOL.. They only give you certain songs to choose from. Born to be Wild would be great too!
fastdriver
i don't know if they were designed for that or not, but i wasn't about to drive 40 minutes to a dealer and wait an hour for an 1/8" problem...and i'd feel more like an idiot if they ended up doing the same thing.
recommends Saabs for people with lower back problems since they have firm supportive seats, and
I agree after driving one)
I just hope that the new Accord will be slower than the Type S for a couple more years - hmmmm
Oh - no more squeaks and rattles now that summer is here. I had similar problem with my previous Acura too - squeaking was more pronounced in colder weather.
"premium" is the difference between the 2nd generations...cl premium and cl type-s. i don't know why it's premium, probably 'cuz it sounds better than "base".
Plus, I am an auto broker and I still couldn't do any better! I wouldn't pay over $19,000 for that car. They DO NOT hold their value! Nobody seems to want these cars.
I liked mine. But I can see why the new style makes the old one obsolete.
Obi
1990 BMW M3 Alpinweiss II
To change the subject, thanks to all for the info on the roof rattle. I will make sure the local Acura dealer corrects this situation. I am really pleased with my CL-S and will stand by my decision to buy this car over a Ford Cobra. Lee in Miami, Red/Tan Cl-S
Good Luck
Yea, that placement for the hand brake would be good ergonomically and without wasting much space.
Does anyone know what invoice on the nose mask is? I thought perhaps I could work out a deal with the dealer when I pick up the car.
The best place for the bra and mudguards and most other Acura stuff is here:
http://www.ahmotor.com/product/ahmcat7.htm
I bought the mudguards and bra from them.
fastdriver
Invoice is $27,330
MSRP is $29,980
Destination is $480
Hold Back is 2% of MSRP (about $600)
When I tried to lower my purchase price by telling the dealer I knew about their 2% hold back, he said that he does not get the hold back. He said that the franchise owner gets that money, not him.
That seems like a lie to me. What's the secret? What's the truth?