Faults:

Replaced transmission at 94,000-free of charge from dealer- Transmission has a 100,000 mile warranty. Replaced ball joints in the front suspension at 132,000 miles. Had front end alignment done at the same time. Replaced ABS sensor on front right wheel at 120,000. Got timing belt and water pump done at 130,000 miles. Also had tensioner done at same time. The timing is a fiber glass reinforced unit so it can well over 100,000 and will not break. Left headlight went out at 140,000. Bulb was fine, but something called an inverter was bad and had to be replaced.

General Comments:

The car is relatively reliable and very comfortable and very smooth. Handling is not that great; what with about 61% of cars weight on front wheels.

Faults:

The front brakes warped at 34000. Dealer resurfaced, and they of course warped again at 39000. New rotors under warranty, which warped at 67000. Will get new OEM size Brembos in a few weeks. Is it really such a big deal when a performance-oriented car company can't put decent brake rotors on a car, year after year, model after model?

Plenty of rattles, which I fixed myself, with some direction from the Acura-cl.com forums.

And of course, the ticking time bomb auto tranny, which was replaced at 49000. Dealer just installed some kind of jet fix kit at 69000, but this made it feel worse. Hope nobody gets killed rear-ending me when it suddenly decides to shift from 5th to 2nd. Remarkably, this is an epidemic for 99-03 Honda V6s pushing automatic 5-speeds: Accord, CL/TL, Odyssey, MDX. How is it kept so quiet? They even squirmed out from under a NHTSA investigation with some bogus technical mumbo-jumbo...

General Comments:

I hope I didn't hammer in the last nail in the resale value coffin. On the other hand, I don't care: I really do love this car. It's roomy and comfy, agile, tasteful, solid, relaxed yet responsive. I plan to keep it for 244000 miles, which is the distance to the moon...

Faults:

From day one this Acura CL had several fit and finish problem. I never wanted to drive it home, but I did and have never been fully happy with it. Acura HAS DONE SOME THINGS WELL AND SOME NOT. After owning an Acura Integra, I thought I could expect a well engineered CL, it's not. My standards are high and Acura is hardly a contender in the luxury/performance cars. The brakes and transmission are a joke and were not meant for a high horsepower 2- door car. I was lucky and the dealer tried three times to repair the rotors that warp easily. When that didn't work, Acura gave me $600 in cash to do my own repair.

I must say the dealer has been very good about fixing everything, however I average a repair about every 4000 miles.

The newest problem is the AC readout displays "20".

To Acura's credit I have not paid for any repairs, making the car a low cost car to own. I love cars, and many of the loaner cars have been as good or better that the CL.

General Comments:

I don't think I will ever trust Acura to purchase a new car from, as their quality is too hit and miss. Many people who know me have purchased Lexus knowing all the problems I have had.

Faults:

I had to change the front brake pads, but that might have been from stomping on the brakes at 120 m.p.h. when the state trooper came by on the other side of the highway on a 1,000 mile run recently.

Was a slight incorrect fit on the driver door rest that the dealer replaced perfectly at no charge. My Acura dealer is amazingly good, polite, careful with my car. God, I am happy.

1 factory recall to check 2nd gear. No problem on mine.

Nothing else in almost 5 years of ownership since spanking new.

General Comments:

This automobile is just a fabulous piece of machinery. After the reliable '89 Legend I owned, I got this S-type and it has just been a rocket. I drive hard and it takes everything I give at it. When you consider the experience Honda has at engines in Formula 1 and other top racing forums, the technology embedded in the car is superior to all else, dollar for dollar.

It is very balanced. Ride, handling, braking, power, matches up perfectly. This car can dance. If you want firmer ride or more power, the aftermarket parts are right there and waiting.

The interior is just gorgeous. Leather still smells new! Seats are fabulous, fit is excellent.

Get the factory rear spoiler, it makes the car look much better.

The fact that 2 doors are not big sellers in the US has ended this and other lovely machines from being around more.

Dollar for dollar, you can't get a better car in the used vehicle market. The prices are great for the CL-S.