2003 Acura CL Type S from North America - Comments

I have been used car shopping on and off for several months to replace a much loved 1978 Alfa coupe.

I hadn't thought about an Acura particularly, but I did visit a used car dealer a half hour's drive away to see a 2003 Type S. I was attracted by the "Yahoo Autos" ad's effusive car description vs. the price that was being asked. This dealer specializes in used used BMW's, Infiniti's, etc at "wholesale prices", he said. The Acura was certainly in mint condition for having 75,000 miles on it. Also, buried deep in the ad's verbiage had been the single word, "supercharge". I figured this to be an overenthusiastic misprint.

But once on the lot and with the hood popped, there in the pristine (obviously steam cleaned) engine bay, was a honker of a supercharger jammed between the engine and radiator. That, plus the car's silver color, the wing on the trunk, that black interior and a nav screen. Too juicy.

After a half hour test drive I made one of my not infrequent, instinct-type quick decisions and bingo!, my wife and I were proud owners of our first supercharged car. What could go wrong with that? The Acura cost us $11,800 out the door which I thought was reasonable. The dealer wouldn't budge off his "wholesale price" in any case. It was only after we got home that I dug into the Internet and found masses of information about the car as well as sites like this, where people either love the car, or froth at the mouth about it (and points in between.)

In crawling in, over and under the car later that day, I found that it has Comptech everywhere on it -- the aforementioned supercharger, headers, exhaust, sport coil springs along with Konis, sway bars, transmission oil cooler, strut brace and probably other stuff. The wheels are 18" A-spec (I am getting to know the lingo fast) running 285x35xZR18 rubber. The Acura dealer said the rims cost $4,500 for a set. All the Comptech pieces I priced in the Internet add up to about $9,500 incl tax, but not installation. I don't know who had the car, if the Comptech goodies were an original dealer installation or what, but it was done by someone who knew their stuff.

The first time the local Acura dealer saw this car for service, per their records, was at 50,000 miles, all for routine servicing. I had them change all fluids and in general check the car over to start from base zero.

The car is impressive, tight as a drum and just very, very smooth, with a lot of pent up power very evident. Everything in the cockpit works just fine, which is a relief. It all feels like quality.

I believe there is an element of karma involved in owning any car -- and by that I mean good karma. My karmic attitude is helped by the fact that the VIN number of my Acura is over 1,000 past the cutoff for the factory warranty extension related to the spate of automatic transmission problems people have had. On my car, the corrective fix was added during assembly. At any rate, now the adventure (and an element of suspense) begins. What does that car sitting out there in the garage have in store for us? If it were a horse, I'd give it a lump of sugar every day.

Buick is a much better buy and much more reliable.

For the people who say the Acura is built to the same specs as the same platform in Japan, that's not true! That's like saying the Walmart frosted flakes is the same as the Kelloggs frosted flakes. It's not the same!!! Sorry... but the vehicles built here in North America are different, and the Japanese spec vehicles do not have the "bad quality" issues that the North American vehicles have. So why do most recalls involve vehicles made in North America?

I've been shopping for a 2dr coupe as I like the big doors to my wheelchair in. I've owned an 87 Accord Lxi hatchback that was by and large my favorite car ever (except for the collector cars I've owned like 66 Fairlane XL w/390 HO, 4SP or my current 71 International Travelall). The 2.0 liter gave me nearly 30MPG and top speed more than twice 60 and still not redlined.

After I got crashed into, I replaced it with an Integra GS 1.8 liter that almost was equal, but smaller. That got crashed into as well.

I had a brand new 99 Grand Prix GTP with the GM 4L60E transmission that burned out at 66K miles. That transmission was rebuilt with a coupe holes drilled and Corvette servo to push fluid. GM still uses same transmission.

I read that Acura has similar issues. Acurazine the Acura forum has many tips to fix the issues noted. A cooler may help delay the inevitable. Since I can't use a manual, thank you all for helping me make a better decision.

My tires cupped. What kind of struts are people replacing the OEMs with? I have some smooth roads, but don't want to be jarred around on the Chicago crappy pavement.

Thanks!