Should I buy a 2003 Acura CL Type S? It has 230,000 highway miles, looks decent, drives good, has no issues. For $2500? I might go down a little with the price but it's a very rare car.
Eh too many miles. Don’t pay too much for it. Transmission will go out anytime soon.
If you really like the car why not? If it is mechanically sound, why not? Have fun with the car. Just keep in mind that because of a limited production run, and if the car happens to be a manual one, repairs may or may not be harder to get/ cost more/ harder to diag if problems appear since there may not be any major dedicated forum. Also if the car is just labeled as such and not actually a type S, always a good idea to cross check it if you are just getting into it.
@bruceree
This is an automatic one, are there any transmission problems I should look out for?
Like people have said, be prepared to overhaul the trans. Try to negotiate the price down because of said issue, if you know how to check fluids look into the trans fluid and see if there is anything silver and flaky, it it smells different, just some excuse to drop the price lol
I put 429K miles on my Acura CL type S then turned in front of a Ford F150 going about 50 mph in a 35 zone. Other than the $3k transmission overhaul and $1100 parts & labor every 100k miles to replace the timing belt, water pump, belt tensioner & spark plugs, I loved it. Acura's last mid-size 2 door coupe. The 6 speed manual was only offered on Type S models in 2003.
If you find a older copies of April Consumer Reports annual auto issues, and look up 2001-2003 Acura CL, there's a black dot in the transmission column noting 'much worse than average' in auto transmission problems. I would definately give it more weight in consideration if it has the 6 speed manual.
I had a 2003 CL Type S 6M, bought it new and got rid of it 2 years ago with 165,000 miles. Needed a new clutch. It was a good car and very few issues, fun to drive. The one you are looking at is high mileage and, in my opinion, overpriced. I would look at something else or get the price down below $2000.
Yeah I'm looking for a reliable daily and if my transmission ever went out I probably wouldn't ever be able to get it fixed. I found a 1998 Camry V6 with 175,000 miles for $900, probably a much better decision.
They have transmission issues. Too many miles for the car too. I don't think it is a smart move.
Neither do I! I have reconsidered for a 98 Camry V6. Posted about that too if you want to learn more.