The Acura CL was a mid-size luxury coupe that was produced by Honda Motor Company between 1996 and 2003. This vehicle served as an indirect successor to the popular Acura Legend coupe, although the vehicle was based on the Acura TL platform. The CL leaned more towards the luxury motoring equation as opposed to pure performance, offering its owners a somewhat spirited yet luxury-oriented driving experience, with the comfort and reliability that they came to expect from Acura and Honda products.
The first-generation Acura CL offered a choice between a 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine and a more powerful 3.0-liter V6, with a choice of automatic and manual transmissions. The second-generation Acura CL came only with a 3.2-liter V6 that offered 225 horsepower and its regular form. For buyers looking for added power and handling, Acura offered the Type-S model, fitted with a 260 horsepower V6 with larger tires and a firmer suspension. Only a five-speed automatic transmission was offered in the second-generation CL, with a noticeable exception in 2003 when the six-speed manual transmission was made available.
The Acura CL has proven itself a very reliable vehicle that should provide as owners with plenty of years of continuing service. However, even the most reliable vehicle can find itself susceptible to unexpected breakdowns and other mechanical maladies. These breakdowns are usually the result of worn or failed components such as the air-conditioning compressor, alternator, water pump and other engine components. Having these components repaired or replaced takes the experienced hand of a certified mechanic and hundreds of dollars in parts and labor. The Acura CL’s factory warranty was designed to take care of these problems on behalf of the owner, but such warranties have already expired, leaving the owner with the unfortunate possibility of paying for these repairs out-of-pocket.
In order to avoid these situations and to save owners money on major automotive repairs, many third-party companies offer extended warranty coverage on vehicles such as the Acura CL. These warranties are not a continuation of the standard factory warranty. Instead, these warranties are offered as separate plans that come with their own types of coverage, conditions and benefits. With an extended warranty, not only can vehicle owners take care of major automotive repairs without spending one dime in out-of-pocket costs, they can also enjoy benefits such as free roadside assistance, free or discounted car rentals for the duration of repair and the ability to select the repair facility of their choice.