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Can Honda get its mojo back?

510 messages,  Last post on May 14, 2013 at 7:27 AM

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Messages Page 50 of 52

#488 of 510 Re: Honda sales for 2012 [fintail] by hpmctorque

Jan 05, 2013 (4:06 pm)

Replying to: fintail (Jan 04, 2013 8:16 pm)
Honda's 5-speed automatic, introduced for the 2000 model year in certain Acuras, and later in Hondas, was indeed problematic. The company was quite good about replacing bad transmissions, but they weren't good about coming clean with an explanation of what caused the problem, and exactly what the fix was. The company was also inconsistent regarding replacements. Some owners had more than one transmission replaced while others had to fight to get even one replaced.
 
We dodged the bullet because our TL, which we bought new, has the older 4-speed. That transmission has generally been reliable. Mine has been trouble free. The 5-speed was introduced in the second year of the '99-'03 TL platform run.
 
The '00s-'03s were the problematic ones. There was a high incidence of failure, but the majority didn't fail prematurely. Honda never disclosed the percentage of transmission failures. By the '04 model year the problem was pretty much solved.

#489 of 510 Re: Honda sales for 2012 [hpmctorque] by stickguy

Jan 05, 2013 (6:35 pm)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Jan 05, 2013 4:06 pm)
one of the reasons I decided to get rid of my 2005 Odyssey a little early (75K on it I think) was not wanting to worry about the trans. Plus is was about to need some other stuff (tires, Tbelt). And of course, my wife was tired of having a minivan!
 
Of course, I also have a 2000 3.2TL with the original tranny that has 167K on it, so what do I know!

#490 of 510 Re: Honda sales for 2012 [stickguy] by hpmctorque

Jan 05, 2013 (8:36 pm)

Replying to: stickguy (Jan 05, 2013 6:35 pm)
Your 2000 TL is in the majority of transmissions that didn't fail, but a significant minority of failures gave the '00s-'03s, especially, a bad reputation. Sorry to tell you, but your '05 Odyssey's transmission was probably okay. As for the timing belt, I believe it's good for 105K.
 
Did you change the fluid in your TL's transmission, and, if so, at what intervals?

#491 of 510 Re: Honda sales for 2012 [hpmctorque] by stickguy

Jan 05, 2013 (8:43 pm)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Jan 05, 2013 8:36 pm)
Timing belt is a years or miles deal, and it was up on years.
 
I changed the fluid in the TL a year or so ago to be safe. not sure when or if it was changed prior to that. Most likely at around 105K, since my sister always did what the dealer said was due. So if it was on the maintenance schedule, probably when it was done!

#492 of 510 Re: Honda sales for 2012 [hpmctorque] by fintail

Jan 06, 2013 (11:39 am)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Jan 05, 2013 4:06 pm)
I suspect the V6 put out more torque than the unit could handle, or the applications where it was used were too heavy - or maybe there was just a bad batch of a certain component. I've met more than one person who experienced a failure, esp in Odysseys.

#493 of 510 Re: Honda sales for 2012 [fintail] by hpmctorque

Jan 06, 2013 (3:05 pm)

Replying to: fintail (Jan 06, 2013 11:39 am)
Could be any of those things. As far as I know Honda never came clean on the problem. Regardless, the problem went away by the '04 or '05 model year, and, as you know, now they have new CVT and 6-speed automatics.
 
My take and experience with Honda/Acura, of which our family has owned several, is that they're not the most exciting choices, but they're solid, reliable and relatively low maintenance. I'd consider another TL if they sort out the styling, but I don't have any particular brand loyalty.

#494 of 510 Re: Honda sales for 2012 [hpmctorque] by sandman_6472

Jan 07, 2013 (8:11 am)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Jan 06, 2013 3:05 pm)
Yep...solid, reliable and low maintenance is exactly what my Civic is but just a tad on the boring side. Had a free coupon for a battery check, was there at 6:45 this morning and they plugged it in and the reading came back as "good"...bought in 4/10 so it's still good to go though I did have a starting issue last week. I have an Interstate model and it's pro-rated if it fails before 48 months I believe. But yes, this car doesn't ask for much to keep it going though I've already done the tranny fluid change, brake fluid change, and do oil changes once a year since I rarely drive more than 4k/year now, if that much. It's 6.5 years old now and probably due for the coolant to be changed but with only 35.4 on the clock, I was planning to wait another year or two.
 
But I am getting a bit itchy for a new car actually. Seems silly really but that itch won't seem to go away. I'm trying to be strong here...but for how long I'm not sure!
 
The Sandman

#495 of 510 J35 Back on "The List" by anythngbutgm

Jan 08, 2013 (1:03 pm)

http://wardsauto.com/vehicles-amp-technology/honda-35l-sohc-v-6
 
http://wardsauto.com/site-files/wardsauto.com/files/imagecache/large_img/uploads- /2012/12/web-honda-35l-v6-10-be-specs.jpg
 
"For delivering exemplary fuel economy and simultaneously pulling like a freight train at hard throttle, Honda’s improved 3.5L V-6 earns its fourth Ward’s 10 Best Engines trophy since 2005.
 
 We’ve always cherished this 60-degree titan as an unsung hero whose power easily surpasses the numbers on the spec sheet."

#496 of 510 More Positives for Accord by anythngbutgm

Feb 22, 2013 (9:47 am)

All-new 2013 Honda Accord Coupe Earns Highest Safety Ratings in Midsize Class
 
The 2013 Accord Coupe is the only vehicle in its class to earn a NHTSA 5-star Overall Vehicle Score and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating with GOOD ratings in all test modes.
 
Not surprising, Accord has been a top safety pick for generations.

#497 of 510 Re: J35 Back on "The List" [anythngbutgm] by stickguy

Feb 22, 2013 (11:17 am)

Replying to: anythngbutgm (Jan 08, 2013 1:03 pm)
I assume that is the 3.5l V6 in my 2013 RDX? If so, it really is a sweet engine.

Messages Page 50 of 52

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