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Often, the poor quality of a vehicle can be attributed to the manufacturer.
Cost-cutting measures can lead to issues. Some new transmission designs could be unreliable (see examples like here, here, and here), while old technology has been dismissed by manufacturers promoting ‘lifetime fluid’—denying the need for regular changes, which typically last only through the manufacturer’s warranty period, not the car’s lifespan (source).
Such ‘lifetime fluid’ nonsense was not present for the luxurious full-sized cars sold during the Clinton administration. Owners back then recognized that even the finest new cars required more than just oil changes over their lifetimes. After 20 years and multiple owners, the transmissions in the 135 Acura Legends examined in our study typically fail when traded in. Blame should not fall on Acura’s engineers but rather on the recent owners who often neglect their owner’s manuals. These manuals explicitly recommend changing transmission fluid every 30,000 miles.
Most owners of these older Acura models tend to perform only basic maintenance like oil changes. Yet, before dismissing this full-sized, front-wheel-drive, 22-year-old vehicle from your used car search, there’s a bit of solace to offer regarding the final production of the Legends.
When maintained properly, these cars are a delight—fast, luxurious, and comfortable. I have owned four of these vehicles, including a 1987 first-generation Acura Legend, which I purchased from a Carmax auction back in 2010 for just $375.
I was able to finance that vehicle to a woman with poor credit who had just secured a new job, allowing her to pay $40 a week with a $200 down payment.
The ten-month agreement took two years to settle, but thanks to the excellent upkeep of that Legend and her timely communication regarding her employment changes, the vehicle served as her daily driver until the summer of 2015, when her credit improved enough for her to buy a new 2015 Honda CR-V.
Why did that Legend perform so well? Its engineering was exceptional, and its previous owner adhered to the owner’s manual as if it were scripture. The last driver became a long-term user instead of a debtor due to the proper maintenance of the vehicle.
Regrettably, finding a well-preserved Acura Legend that is over 20 years old is akin to discovering high school pants that still fit. However, if those pants happen to be sweatpants and the Legend you find has been previously owned by this individual, your chances could be quite promising.
So if you’re looking for a classic car, search for a responsible owner and check maintenance records against the recommended schedule. Proper upkeep is crucial.
Author’s Note: Most pictures in this article are credited to Tyson Hugie, an enthusiast of classic Acuras. For more information, check out his blog or visit his YouTube channel.
The Long-Term Quality Index is a joint initiative by Steve Lang and Nick Lariviere, aimed at providing used car buyers with insights into the long-term reliability of various makes and models, using real-world data. Our mission is to share accurate reliability information for free, indefinitely. Check out how each Acura model has performed. Interested in different brands or segments? Feel free to explore further. By the end of 2017, we anticipate close to two million data samples to assist consumers in identifying reliable used cars.
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