Advice on Possible Beater - 97 Acura CL

Eric Peterson · **Joined:** Mon Sep 01, 2003 10:24 am **Posts:** 494

I found a 1997 Acura CL, coupe, 5 speed, with 157K miles with the 2.2L. Onwer is asking $3500 OBO. Does anyone know anything about these cars (i.e., good, bad, or run away from it)? We may be looking for a new/additonal beater. Thanks.

I probably should have asked Jim Feinberg as he's owned almost every car ever made :-)

Eric

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Thu Oct 08, 2009 7:51 pm

These are all 2 door cars. Why wouldn't you go for something in a four door? Edmunds doesn't seem to think that price is very good, either, from my brief check there. Maybe if it was the 3.0...

--Donnie

Michael Westerfield · **Posted:** Thu Oct 08, 2009 10:26 pm

Should be the F22 just like a similar year accord. Shares almost all parts with an accord. Should be plenty reliable.

Eric Peterson · **Joined:** Mon Sep 01, 2003 10:24 am **Posts:** 494

Donnie Barnes wrote:

These are all 2 door cars. Why wouldn't you go for something in a four door? Edmunds doesn't seem to think that price is very good, either, from my brief check there. Maybe if it was the 3.0...

--Donnie

With Chris' current top job prospect in North Raleigh she may double her annual mileage. This also means I'd likely have to make all the daycare runs. Letting her take the Buick and continuing to pile miles on it would probably make the most sense financially, but she doesn't like driving it *and* doesn't want to rely on a 21 year old car every day for a longer drive. This would also be a back-up car, so a 2-seater is not much of a concern. Getting a mid/late-90s Civic HB would be a top choice, but it's hard to find a good cheap one that hasn't been riced. We've even talked about an early Miata.

It may just make more sense to let her rack up miles on the Matrix and wait another year or two for one of the new models that gets good mileage to come out, like the Ford Fiesta or Madza 2. This is not a pressing matter and it may be she ends up with a job closer to Hillsborough. If we can find a cheap reliable car that gets good mileage we'll consider buying one. I checked for 917s in the Hillsborough area but the only one I found didn't have a motor, tranny, or side view mirrors so I passed on that one :-)

Carl Fisher · **Posted:** Fri Oct 09, 2009 6:51 am

I'll sell you the Neon for cheap (I'm actually serious)- it's still good reliable transport. OTOH, the 01 Protege I just picked up for $3900 is so far pretty darn nice...

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Fri Oct 09, 2009 8:25 am

Speaking as a guy who tends to "buy new and hold" cars until they have high mileage, if she can define what kind of economical new car she could live with for a long time, that could be an option. Warranty and reliability can be rather nice for the daily driver. Of course finding that "keeper" is the hard part . . . which is a big part of why we keep cars sooooo looooong.

Dick
1984 Nissan 200SX 200K plus miles (long past being reliable)
1997 Mustang GT 128K miles (still pretty reliable and easy to get parts/service)
2001 Mustang GT 70K miles (reliable . . . so far)

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Fri Oct 09, 2009 8:32 am

Regarding the Acura CL, my concern would be with the fact that is was a fairly low volume car high "feature" car. Potential for lots of "stuff" to need replacement that is no longer available. One advantage of "common" cars and "enthusiast" cars is more long term parts availability . . . oem and/or aftermarket.

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Fri Oct 09, 2009 9:08 am

Sounds like Eric and Chris need to join the ES ranks in a Miata. More money, but kills two birds with one stone:

http://sccaforums.com/forums/thread/385152.aspx

89 Civics that are well prepped for ST go for this kind of money (roughly), but I doubt she'd really want to live with that kind of ride quality. Though I heard she likes 'em stiff... :twisted:

--Donnie

Keith Quistorff · **Posted:** Fri Oct 09, 2009 9:25 am

Donnie Barnes wrote:

Though I heard she likes 'em stiff... :twisted:

Well, that certainly puts a new spin on options. I think I found the perfect solution, can't beat the price & mileage:

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/1408101709.html

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Fri Oct 09, 2009 9:29 am

Keith Quistorff wrote:

Donnie Barnes wrote:

Though I heard she likes 'em stiff... :twisted:

Well, that certainly puts a new spin on options. I think I found the perfect solution, can't beat the price & mileage:

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/1408101709.html

So.
Many.
Jokes.

Well played, sir.

--Donnie

David Spratte · **Posted:** Fri Oct 09, 2009 9:34 am

Donnie Barnes wrote:

So.
Many.
Jokes.

Me first? It might be a more comfortable place to sleep for Chris's husband?

Eric Peterson · **Joined:** Mon Sep 01, 2003 10:24 am **Posts:** 494

David Spratte wrote:

Donnie Barnes wrote:

So.
Many.
Jokes.

Me first? It might be a more comfortable place to sleep for Chris's husband?

Good ideas everybody. I never thought that I could turn it into an apartment for the times when Chris gets mad and kicks me out of the house (i.e., like every 5 hours). TV, sleeping bag, beer cooler, and car magazine should provide everything I need for my new pad.

ep

Aaron Buckley · **Posted:** Fri Oct 09, 2009 10:28 am

I always thought a hearse would be a interesting tow vehicle

- AB

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Fri Oct 09, 2009 1:49 pm

Aaron Buckley wrote:

I always thought a hearse would be a interesting tow vehicle

- AB

It has been done. Possibly Gary Thomason. If not Gary, someone else from Southern California.

Karl Shultz · **Posted:** Sat Oct 10, 2009 1:14 am

Hey Eric - last weekend, I met someone who picked up a higher mileage (90K) but very tidy 2001 S2000 for $9000...

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Advice on Possible Beater - 97 Acura CL

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