Topic: CD Article: Acura Vigor/2.5TL/3.2TL, 1992-1998

[Autos_Editor]

Used Vehicle Review:

While the Acura Vigor and 2.5TL/3.2TL are generally mechanically reliable, there are a number of very common problems that crop up, such as lazy power windows and door locks, faulty heater fans, starter failures, harsh-shifting automatic transmissions, and engine oil leaks.     More...

[initial_D]

Like the boxy look of the Vigor.  Also like the old legend too. the 2 door coupe looks very hot. There is some troubles with the automatics. Heard or know at least 5 Vigor/Legend needed repairs to the tranny, after 120K tho.

There seem to be a lot more Legends on the road than Vigors, don't think it was a good seller here.

[footlong58]

Like the boxy look of the Vigor.  Also like the old legend too. the 2 door coupe looks very hot. There is some troubles with the automatics. Heard or know at least 5 Vigor/Legend needed repairs to the tranny, after 120K tho.

There seem to be a lot more Legends on the road than Vigors, don't think it was a good seller here.

Of all the Vigors and Legends we get in day to day, I've never come across one with a transmission problem...  Most common problem Vigors/2.5TL's have is by far the distributor o-rings needing to be replaced...  Maintainence wise, they are not much different than newer Acura models...

I like the drivetrain layout...  Inline 5 mounted somewhat behind the driveshafts, and a traditional mounted transmission... This makes for a well balanced car...  They are fun to drive, and have pretty good power for their day...

[sirAQUAMAN64]

All the ones I see now are all pimped out 

That's what happens when the used values come down.

[a4_tom]

I like Vigor's styling more than TL, it looks sportier.

[baumer00]

All the ones I see now are all pimped out 

That's what happens when the used values come down.

I agree with that, all the ones you see now are ghetto fabulous, chromed rims and lowered and look kinda stupid if you ask me

as an aside one of my earliest car buying memories is going with my parents to look at the vigor in 93, we came close to getting it but my mom was lured away by the monstrosity that is/was the mercury grand marquis (that thing was a tank!)

[Loudpedal]

All the ones I see now are all pimped out 

That's what happens when the used values come down.

As soon as I read this I caught a mental visual of a green Vigor, with gold tinted windows, chrome wheels blaring "urban" music...I'll try to shake that visual off. 

[baumer00]

Don't forget about the CD hanging from the mirror 

[Wolfe]

Our next door neighbours had a 1993 Vigor. I had to borrow it once to pick my parents up from the airport the ride was very good and it felt nicely balanced. The inline 5 felt smoth and powerful. It was a very nice car. Our neighbours owned a BMW before the Acura and replaced it with a shiny new BMW 325i last fall.

There seem to be a lot more Legends on the road than Vigors, don't think it was a good seller here.

I always thought their Vigor was that much cooler since there weren't many other ones on the road.

[Loudpedal]

I liked the Vigor until I learned that the wood on the dash was Zebrano wood.   IMO it is irresponsible of a carmaker to use wood that is/was borderline endangered. 

[a4_tom]

Zebrano wood seems to be a popular kind of wood trim in early 90s, every Cadillacs used those wood. Vigor was the only Japanese car used that wood trim.

[Howswedeitis]

The Vigor was a joke when it came out...at the time there were surely much
better cars in that range...the Saab 9000 turbo for one. I remember test driving
one only to come away from the experience thinking that the Vigor wasn't
more than an Accord with a 5cl motor a la Audi 90/100/200 at the time.
You hardly see any on the road anymore as they quickly became rust
buckets after a few years. The later TL wasn't much better albeit was
a little larger so you could more easily call it an "entry level" luxury car.
To be sure, these cars did little to elivate the Acura brand to
the level of the more established players...

[a4_tom]

The 5-cylinder unit in Vigor sounds much noisier than in Audis. Audi's 5-cyl sold to Volvo to use in 850 to today's S40 and S60 T5.

[initial_D]

Of all the Vigors and Legends we get in day to day, I've never come across one with a transmission problem...  Most common problem Vigors/2.5TL's have is by far the distributor o-rings needing to be replaced...  Maintainence wise, they are not much different than newer Acura models...

Weird!

A very good friend of mine had a Legend coupe a few years back, the tranny was rebuild, the mileage was around 90K, car was from a co-worker, seller paid paid for the rebuild. He also did mentioned there was coupe he looked at had to rebuild too. One guy transferred from the East had to replaced the transmission on his Vigor, but I think the mileage was over 180K at that point.

Before we bought the Millenia, we looked at the Legend coupe also, one seller mentioned that the tranny needs work. Think that car has 80K on the odometer. We shy away from the Legend, would prefer a 2 door over a 4 door car.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

The Millenia S was my pick outta the entry level luxury lot 

[a4_tom]

Unfortunately, Millenia was so underappreciated that Mazda has to use Mazda6 V6 to replace it.

[initial_D]

Unfortunately, Millenia was so underappreciated that Mazda has to use Mazda6 V6 to replace it.

Giant Dwarf would be a good person to answer that, if he is still on speaking terms with his dearest mother-in-law. 

We would said the 6 is far short of the Millenia in terms of an entry luxury car. But then, not people misses the Millenia.  There was a $6000 cash rebate on the last model year Millenia.

Anycoocoo, off topic. The car that the wife really liked was the Infiniti J30t, in Pearl White. There was a mint condition one at Hyatt Infiniti at the time when we were shopping. But the wife is uncomfortable with RWD in the winter. Even tho we love the Millenia dearly, it wasn't our first choice.   

[Howswedeitis]

The 5-cylinder unit in Vigor sounds much noisier than in Audis. Audi's 5-cyl sold to Volvo to use in 850 to today's S40 and S60 T5.

Not exactly....Volvo sought the help of Porsche engineering for design and testing of the
5cl and 6cl engines in the early 90's. The Volvo engines today are based on the initial
5cl offering in the 850 and 6cl in the 960 at the time.