[pjchappy]

On my way to STL last Wednesday, my transmission went on my 2003 Acura TL Type-S.  Going to cost me $4400 to replace. . .and it cost a pretty penny to tow back to KC from where it broke down (don't have AAA ).  On top of that, the car was broken into at the tow place Wednesday night/Thursday morning (before being brought back to KC).  Tore apart my dashboard and jacked my new radio.

There is clearly a conspiracy that is preventing me from buying new speakers.  It has been ongoing for about 4-years now.

I was able to make it to STL after borrowing a car.  However, the entire incident ruined my last minute mini-vacation, as I couldn't get it out of my mind for more than a few minutes.

One amazing thing was that whoever broke in didn't snag my Ray Bans.


Paul

[AVnerdguy]

Did you have Acura do the warranty inspection on that transmission? They gave me an extended warranty after replacing the original shaft/gear that was under recall & investigation.

[pjchappy]

Yeah, I've looked into it.  I'm passed the extended warranty, which was as a result of a class action, I believe.


Paul

[AVnerdguy]

Sorry to hear that. It was worth a shot - I  thought maybe you bought it used and didn't know etc.

[pjchappy]

I appreciate the input. 

I originally was going to sell the car for scrap, but I was surprised at how much it is worth (with a working transmission. . . ).  The fact that I really do not want a car payment also pushed me towards getting it fixed. 

I may sell it at the end of this year, though.  The transmission will have a 30-month/30,000 mile warranty.  Any takers?


Paul

[pjchappy]

Just got my car back, with its new transmission.  Next, I need to order a new stereo.  The similar replacement model is $120 more than the one that was stolen.  I just bought that stereo back in November 2010, dammit.

While I'm at it, I decided to fully open up the pocket book and fix some random scrapes and a cracked fog light.  Will take it to the body shop tomorrow for an estimate.

Now, where did I put that winning lottery ticket?


Paul

[twitch54]

Bummer on all your troubles but hopefully when it is completly done it will provide you some long term satisfaction ....just like a new car !!

[S Clark]

I drove my old 94 Acura Legend through two paint jobs and just let it go last month at 199,681 miles - still without a major repair.  An AC compressor, a fan motor, and an idler pulley bearing were my only expenses.  I never had a more comfortable ride. 
Even the Blose stereo still worked.

[viggen]

I had a 2003 CLS which to my horror I found out about the faulty transmission design from various Acura forums AFTER my purchase.

Do make sure you have the second gear oil kit installed.  It was part of a recall fix. 

Mine started to grind a bit in the morning especially when I shifted between D and N.  And, mine already had the oil jet installed.  I coast a bit down hill while the engine is warming up.  So, I traded it in for at Carmax for a Z4 back in 2007.

Previously, I had a '90 Legend and drove it to 160k.  Paint peeled and AC stopped working.  But, no engine or tranny problem.  I also had a '90 Prelude that I spun out on a freeway and up a curb.  The tranny was torn open.  I could still drive it off the freeway.

Somewhere along the line, Acura/Honda seemed to have said I don't give a sh*t.

[pjchappy]

I had a 2003 CLS which to my horror I found out about the faulty transmission design from various Acura forums AFTER my purchase.

Ditto.

Mine had the fix, too.  Regardless, right now, it has a new (rebuilt) transmission with a 3-year/50 thousand mile warranty.  That gives me some peace of mind.


Paul

[Gopher]

My mom recently (few months ago) had the transmission go on her 2001 Acura TL.  She had only like 75,000 miles and though she was outside of the warranty, the dealership did a partial good will and replaced it for a thousand bucks.

See what they're willing to do to make it right, the trannies are a known problem

[JakeJ]

Maybe I missed it, but is this problem specific to automatic transmissions?

[pjchappy]

No.  The TL and CL (same transmission) had an issue that was allegedly corrected by the installation of a cooling device.  Eventually, there was a class-action lawsuit in which Honda ended up extending the warranty on the transmission to 10-years or 110 thousand miles (for certian VIN numbers).  My car had over 110 thousand miles. . .regardless, I believe it was not one of the relevant VIN numbers.


Paul

[Russell Dawkins]

On top of that, the car was broken into at the tow place Wednesday night/Thursday morning (before being brought back to KC).  Tore apart my dashboard and jacked my new radio.
Paul

Doesn't the tow place have insurance against this? Same thing happened to me years ago and I didn't think to ask.

[pjchappy]

Doesn't the tow place have insurance against this? Same thing happened to me years ago and I didn't think to ask.

Whether they do or not, I haven't gotten around to dealing with this yet.  I will call. . .and if I don't get a favorable response, I will write a demand letter.  If that doesn't work, I will go from there. . .

Insurance or not, they were custodian of my vehicle; therefore, they are responsible for the damages.


Paul

[Levi]

Did you have take your Acura to the $tellership?  I find them very expensive.