2001 Acura CL 3.2 from North America

Summary:

My car has been a pleasure to own the last 3 years

Faults:

At around 70k or 4 years old, one headlight bulb 'outgassed' requiring replacement of both lamps due to different intensities at $100 each.

90k, paint on top of steering wheel wearing off revealing black underneath tan color. Found a new one on Ebay for $40.

General Comments:

My car has been a pleasure to own the last 3 years. I've owned it the last 3 years and its close to 100k, and as far as I'm concerned, it still runs and drives like new.

I've used this car to deliver pizzas for like 40k miles. I have a trailer hitch installed and haul 2000 pounds up and down the west coast from time to time.

I rarely ever run the engine up, but when I do, the car is quick, smooth, and misleadingly quiet.

I replaced the front brakes when I bought the car and again very recently. Both times I went with dealership pads ($50) and autozone rotors. I recommend the dealer pads mainly because I believe non-OEM pads are sub par at dissapating heat. Many seem to complain about warped rotors, this could be partially to blame. I changed rotors with pads because they are cheap at Azone and this will aid further to prevent warpage, having a rotor with the maximum amount available.

I bought the car with Michelin tires on it. Belts separated (2nd time with Michelins) so new tires were in order. I went with Yokohama YK420s. These tires deserve a lot of praise. First off they are quiet. Braking and cornering are good in wet and dry weather. With 25k on them, they still look new.

I've never owned a car for longer than 2 years. The fact that I've owned this for 3 years, speaks volumes. It is a good mix of styling, reliability, performance, and economy, but it is not great in any of these areas. If the exterior styling would have been more exciting when it came out, maybe they would have sold more cars and it might exist still today. The interior styling has not aged well at all. It looks like it could pass for 1990, not 2001.

At this point, I'm at a crossroads. I'd like to get a newer TL, but this car has done so well, I'd like to see if I can get 200k out of it. I'm just bored of the styling inside and out, though. I don't know what to do.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th October, 2006

2001 Acura CL 3.2CL 3.2L from North America

Summary:

Comfortable, and fast with some problems

Faults:

Rotors constantly warping.

Inner axle joints worn makes the floor shake between 40mph-60mph.

Drivers seat leather waring really fast.

Rear view mirror auto dark feature went bad/ the fluid leaked out causing a air bubble.

New tires at 40,000 miles.

General Comments:

It's a good car, comfortable and has nice cruising power, but its slow to accelerate and does not feel agile even for a two door.

I have been using red line oil in the motor and its keeping it nice and clean, it working good.

The trans gets a fluid changed once a year and so far no problems with the transmission (using only Honda fluid).

It seems to be loosing its pep, when it was new it was much better. Next car will be a manual not an automatic.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th August, 2006

2001 Acura CL Type S 3.2L from North America

Summary:

Great car if you can overlook the 4 transmissions

Faults:

Transmission replaced at 44,000 miles, 72,000 miles and again at 97,000 miles. Acura did cover the replacement costs.

General Comments:

I'm on my 4th transmission at 97K and Acura only covers up to 100K. Since I won't pay for the next one, I'll get rid of the car and never buy another. What a shame Acura does not stand by their product.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 5th June, 2006

6th Jun 2006, 21:35

Wow what a terrible warranty... only 100,000 miles and you will have to sell. They covered everything up to 100,000 miles only. My 2004 Chevrolet warranty ran out as I have 36,000 miles already. My next car will be Acura.

12th Jun 2006, 08:46

I have had all these same Trans issues now at 98k my check engine and VSA light came on. Its going back in to the shop again. The only other item is that rotors warp every 10k miles. Otherwise, it's an excellent vehicle.

26th Aug 2007, 21:07

Honda/Acura does stand by their vehicles more than most other manufacturers as they will honor their warranties without a lot of headaches. Also, they did find out what the problem was with the transmissions in these cars; it was a problem with the oil cooler return line that did not lubricate one of the gears very well, causing that gear to wear out quickly. One of my relatives had one of these cars and the warranty covered the first tranny replacement at 45K, but of course did not cover the next one 120K later. They did, however, put a 3 year/50,000 mile warranty on the tranny that they had to pay for post-warranty. It is a shame that an otherwise good vehicle got stuck with a bad transmission design.