Acura EL 1.7 owner to be

[JorgeNowo]

Hi guys

I've decided my 2nd car will be an EL 1.7. I need a car good on gas but with style and the EL with premium package has it all. I drive 70 km to work each way every day so I'll put some 35000-40000 km/year on the car. Due to budget constraints, I need to look for cars with high mileage (120-160 k).
I've been told that the Acuras can run for a very long time hassle free.
Does anybody have any experience?
Any recommendation?
Thanks for your time!!
Jorge

[TeLLY]

Coming up to 150000km on my 2002 1.7, and the only problems I had with it are those that happened while I was modifying and not paying attention. Due for a timing belt change very soon, but otherwise the car runs great and hasn't cost me very much to maintain (cost to modify is another story, LOL). Stay away from the 01 models, as they had a suspension problem that was fixed first in 02 (mine ran fine when on stock suspension) and apparently they got it right in 03. Good luck with your choice!

[RiceBoy]

I had an 01, and yes, I had the front suspension problem, which didn't rear its ugly head until around 70,000km. Other than that, just a few rattles that eventually got fixed. But if you can swing an 02 or even an 03, which was when they added adjustable rear outboard head restraints (if that extra bit of safety is important to you and your rear seat passengers), that would be the best deal. 02 was also when they added variable speed intermittent wipers and a gas cap holder on your gas door. That might not sound like a big deal, but the variable speed intermittent wipers are a nice convenience (and let's face it, that should have been standard on the EL from the get go), and the gas cap holder ensures you don't drive off without your gas cap (which I did once in my old Civic, but came right back when I found out my gas door was still partially open when I got home, not more than 2 minutes later). The TSX I now have goes even farther and has a plastic rope attaching it to the car, so there is no possible way you can drive off without it!

What you will like about the EL is this thriftiness on gas. Although I am quite suprised at how much I get out of a tank on my TSX. The EL is a nice fun ride too and oh so manoeuverable and fits in some fairly tight parking spaces. Parts and service is inexpensive...basically everything pretty much costs as much as it would for a Civic! Just make sure that whoever owned it before kept up with teh maintenance and you're set...that engine should last you at least until 300,000km, if not more.