Used 2002 Acura TL 3.2 Type-S Consumer Reviews
Used TL for sale
I love my 2002 TL-S and so will you!!!
incinerary, 10/13/2013
updated 01/09/2020
2002 Acura TL 3.2 Type-S 4dr Sedan (3.2L 6cyl 5A)
6 of 9 people found this review helpful
I've owned this vehicle for 7 years and have put on 134,000 miles in that time. My car currently has 302,000 miles with the original engine and transmission with no rebuilds or replacements. It has overall been a very reliable vehicle needing less than $1000 in non-routine maintenance during my ownership. Some of those repairs include new hydraulic hood supports, EVAP Canister and Shut-off valve, right front upper control arm, oxygen sensor, both fog light units, right rear caliper, and other small miscellaneous items under $30. Some upcoming repairs it will need include engine mounts and the rear stabilizer bar and end links. I also always use Genuine Honda parts, which are all very easy to find online. Very impressive reliability if you ask me! A big issue with these vehicles involves the transmission, or is it the owners? As a YouTuber who has received many comments and questions on my videos, a vast majority of these problems come down to the owners not maintaining the transmission fluid (letting it get black!) and filter, or the solenoid screen filters were clogged (which is an easy fix). The notorious 'code of death' P0740 turned out to be a small dime sized solenoid screen filter that can simply be cleaned out with an air gun or brake cleaner. I also recommend doing a 3-quart drain and fill every 15,000 miles using Honda DW-1 ATF and changing the exterior ATF spin-on filter every 30,000 miles. Although it's pretty expensive at $63, I highly recommend using the Genuine Honda ATF filter. Sometimes people have had to resort to replacing the solenoid all together, but $325 is a lot cheaper than a $2000-3000 rebuild! After 302,000 miles, my car sometimes misses up-shifting into 3rd gear, or shifts slowly when very cold, but works just fine otherwise. Other than that, all I've done is keep up with all the fluid change intervals, including Mobil 1 Extended Performance Synthetic Oil and FRAM Ultra Synthetic Filter, lubricating caliper slide pins with 3M silicone paste, and the rest using Honda fluids (not aftermarket!) including transmission fluid/filter, coolant, power steering fluid, and brake fluid. I also use Lexol pH cleaner and conditioner on my leather seats and the result is a flawless interior after all these years (smells good too!). I absolutely love the styling on this car. The Aegean Blue Pearl paint is incredible and has garnered me many compliments. There's a little rear fender rust, but that can be repaired. The ride quality and heated bolstered leather seats are very sporty, comfortable, and supportive. There's plenty of space both in front and in back for adults. It has been a fantastic vehicle for both daily commuting and long vacation drives. The interior is cozy and quiet at under 87dB with mostly wind noise at freeway speeds. The Bose sound system sounds great and the stock 8" sub should offer enough bass for most people. I added 3 10" subs in the trunk, and there's still plenty of cargo space. The powerful V6 offers plenty of power for overtaking vehicles and the manual sport shift function is fun. Gas mileage is pretty good at about 27mpg combined between mainly highway driving under 70mph and some city driving. Now with my new commute I drive a little faster at 80mph on the freeway which drops it down to 24mpg combined. Keep in mind this car takes premium gas. Night time driving is great as the HID headlights are not a cutoff style beam, are very bright, and all original after 17 years. The central rear view mirror is auto-dimming and the passenger mirror tilts down when in reverse which helps a lot with parking. Their heating function works fast in the winter too. As you can tell, I could probably talk about this car all day. I love everything about it and struggle to find anything bad to say. I love it so much I started my own YouTube channel! I'll admit the transmission fluid needs some extra attention, but if you can manage that this car will be very reliable and fun. If you're considering buying this vehicle, check the transmission dip stick to ensure the fluid is red or at least a light brown and not dark, black, and burnt! It's your choice to take my advice throughout this review, but that's what it takes to get to 300,000+ miles on these vehicles. Acura's are very easy to work on and the parts are cheap and easy to find. There are also tons of instructional videos on YouTube as well as Honda/Acura service centers everywhere. Owning my TL-S has been an overall incredible experience and I hope it can last for years to come! I love my Acura and so will you!
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Acura = Advance
Blindside, 08/11/2009
2002 Acura TL 3.2 Type-S 4dr Sedan (3.2L 6cyl 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
This is my first Acura, had less than 50k miles when I bought it. I love everything about it, my friends are jealous of my ride. Now has 124k miles and no issues. I have upgraded the brakes and rotors to high performance quality, the engine with a Cold air intake and new sparkplugs. Upgraded the exhaust system also. Changed the factory headlights to 10k Blue HIDs. Even installed brand new aftermarket speakers with Amp and sub, and kept the original stereo. Love it all! Best car I've ever owned.
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Nice car, terrible transmission
Ralow, 08/09/2010
2002 Acura TL 3.2 Type-S 4dr Sedan (3.2L 6cyl 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
All the transmission issues you hear about the TL's are very real. I bought mine as a 1 owner trade with 109K. I did all the research and found that the transmission had the recall done and it was serviced at the local Acura dealer. So I went ahead and bought it thinking it might be OK. WRONG. Had to replace the transmission 3 weeks after I bought it & Acura wasn't willing to help out AT ALL even though it was only a few miles over the recall warranty. Needless to say, I ended up paying $4000 extra for a new tranny. The replacement is under warranty for 3 yrs/36,000 but I will likely never buy another used Acura again. Too much hassle and no reliability. Acura's reputation is tarnished IMO.
Great Car, Bad Transmission
Steve, 02/17/2007
2002 Acura TL 3.2 Type-S 4dr Sedan (3.2L 6cyl 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I have owned my car for almost two years and purchased it pre-certified. I have never had a problem until a few days ago, when without warning the transmission went out. My car is now waiting to be repaired at the dealer. Other then this major setback, the car has been outstanding, and I love it.
Still running
TomB, 01/14/2009
2002 Acura TL 3.2 Type-S 4dr Sedan (3.2L 6cyl 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
196,000 miles. Last week go 29 mph in very cold conditions, often get 30 and always 25+ even in town. Front brakes @ 89K, rears at 112K, but 4 transmissions, all paid by Acura cheerfully with loaner car for each 3 day repair. Great car but boring and I told dealer never another until they fix the trans. New Acura still has 5 spd that won't hold 1st or 2nd. 2009 is too ugly, so I am waiting or going Genesis or 328 BMW. Too bad, as I would love to buy from them again.