What are your thoughts on a 97 Acura CL 3 liter V6 automatic with 71,053 miles? Price is $3,250
Generally the V6 engine in those older Acuras burn out the automatic transmission. A few model years later, it was part of a class action lawsuit. If you get it for <$2500 and a mechanic says its in good shape including no transmission problems, it could be an alright knock around car.
What about the 4 cylinder ones?
Don't have any experience with them, but from what I've heard they are good engines and don't put as much wear on the transmissions. You still want a mechanic to check it out though.
The 4 cylinder engines are easier to work on since they take up less space in the bigger car like the CL or Accord. Not sure about the auto transmissions as we only had the manual transmissions.
Even in 4 cyl CLs, were the automatics weak as opposed to the manuals?
Back then, most Honda automatics were a lot weaker than their manuals, just some were OK and some were horrible. The 4 cylinder ones were alright in general, but can't talk specific to the 97 CL. Remember the 2001 Civic?
What about it? Was its automatic a weak transmission as well?
You mean the Civic? Here ya go: http://carcomplaints.com/honda/civic/2001/
The 1997 Acura CL is the same platform as the Honda Accord. It shares a lot in common with the Sixth Generation Accord.
TMK, the Sixth Generation Accord and First Generation CL were one of the more RESILIENT Honda/Acura's ever built, because a lot of it was carried over but refined technology from previous Accords and Legends. The CL took over for the Legend.
The generation you have to worry about is the SEVENTH Generation Accord and the SECOND Generation CL. Those are the ones with the problems with the Automatic Transmission.
As for the price, assuming the mileage is legit, it seems like a fair price*, considering Acura's have a slight markup because they are Honda/Acura's. Honda/Acura nerds are willing to shell out a little bit more for "classic" Honda/Acura with lower mileage.
If it was any other car brand, I would balk at the price. But with Honda/Acura, I get it. It has a following. Try to negotiate as low as you can get, because there is a market for older lower mileage Honda/Acura.
*Assuming everything checks out.
P.S. - I still run my 1999 Honda Accord since the beginning, now with 270K+ miles.
Things that may need to be done as part of maintenance besides fluid changes is the timing belt and water pump. Make sure to inspect it to know if it needs to be changed or not.
