gallih28

I currently have a 2003 CLS6 with 173K miles, black on ivory, in very good shape. I love the car, but know it won't last forever. Saw a 2012 TL SH-AWD 6MT with 92K miles listed for $17K by a local Acura dealer. Haven't driven it yet, but it's very tempting. A few questions:

1. Thoughts on the 4G TL 6MT SH-AWD from anyone who's driven one? If any of you have driven both cars, how do they compare?

2. Would the high mileage be a concern? I would assume that they'd be highway miles, which would be easier on a clutch and certain other components than a ton of city miles.

3. Any thoughts on a reasonable trade or sale value for my CL, and does anyone think it's likely to GAIN value as time passes given that they only made the 6MT in 2003, and that I have one of about 250 black on ivory 6MT models?

Thanks!

03-6/6

i cant answer your questions, but im pretty sure thats gonna be my next car also.

Humberwho

Assuming that money is a concern, I would just get another 03 CLS6 with lower miles. They can be found (getting rare though) with about the same miles as the TL you are looking at for about 10 thousand less. Then in five or six years find the 4G TL with the same miles as the one you are looking at now for about 8 to 10 thousand less as well. As far as the value of you current CL I think 3000 to 4000 is about right.

gnuts

iTrader: (1)

I don't see the reason for getting another car if the CL is like you said in very good shape. One of the best things about this car is it's easy to work on and relatively cheap to fix. And why consider another car with high miles? You'll be in the same boat except with a car payment. Unless of course you need the 4 doors or extra seat I don't think it makes sense. I'm also not a fan of the look of the 4th gen TL. Interior is nice, but the exterior is

JarrettLauderdale

I like the 2012 facelifted version. It retains some of the sharp angles, but the grill is now proportional to the headlights.

Honestly, I do a search on Autotrader about once a week for one of these. I restrict it to the 2012 and up 6-speeds and can easily see that being a replacement for the CL pretty soon. I wish they still installed the umber-colored interior in those years, though. It just gives more character to the car. Though I'm sure people said the same thing years ago when they made cars with maroon interior.

brian6speed

iTrader: (5)

I am not a fan of the 4G TL at all, or any new Acura .

Exterior and it's driving dynamics are lacking. Acura luxury is a joke compared to other luxury brands. Not a fan of Acura awd system either.

Last Acura I would purchase was 3g TL.

Would recommend a 07-08 TL Type S instead.

I am waiting for new Civic Type R.

You could probably get 300k miles out of the Cl easy.

Humberwho

Here is one for you, looks like a killer deal too::

Cars for Sale: Used 2003 Acura CL in Type-S, Hyattsville MD: 20783 Details - Coupe - Autotrader

gnuts

iTrader: (1)

he has a CL6 already and says it's in great shape. He doesn't want another, he's asking about trading it for the 4th gen.

Humberwho

Yes I am aware of the original question. However an alternative, since he loves the CL is to get a different CL with less miles, since the only issue with his seems to be miles. Rather than spending 17 thousand for a less appealing (imho) car with 92 K why not get a CL with less miles than the one he has now and save a bunch on dough? Besides this is a CL forum and being huge CL fan, I like to see the car supported and appreciated.

R J Poseidon 6

Geeezus .... who isn't!?

What do you think they'll retail for Bri? $40k to $45k?

Terragotti

I went with 16 Maxima, ill come back to acura when they drop that New shaped RLX. Those curves look killer. Kept the CL, they couldnt offer me enough

R J Poseidon 6

A wise decision.

gallih28

Thanks for the advice, everyone! I test drove the 2012 TL in question today. Loved it until I let out the clutch to start the test drive and realized that it was living on borrowed time. Deal breaker right there. Will keep the CLS6 for a bit longer!

Humberwho

+ 1

'03CLS6

I'd keep the CL

rondog

iTrader: (1)

Get a 2010 TL 6 speed in good shape, save some money and put the RJ grille, kit and wheels and it will look better than the 2012. I used to be in the same boat as you.

coopcoop30

I've looked at the same car as a replacement for my CL but I just can't do it. To me the CL is the better looking car.....a driver's car. I was close to buying a TL recently. I think an S2000 will be added to my garage and I'll keep the CL for as long as possible.

gurot1

I am in the same boat, looking at a manual TL. Test drove a 2010. It was weird how comfortable it felt to drive. It almost felt like I was driving my CLS6. The interior is definitely quieter. There was a lot of traffic so I didn't really push it. I did WOT throttle in first a few times. Seems to have similar up and go as my CL-S but smoother. My CL-S has intake/headers/pulley, CT swaybars and koni yellow shocks (on stock springs again, after my Comptech springs broke years) and XLR8 engine mounts. The ride was a little softer than the CLS, but still firm. Less rumble on exhaust, but that would be due to the CT mufflers and the headers/intake on the CL. The stereo was nice. The middle seat in the back is for kids only...but that is one of the reasons for me going to a five seater. I do not think you can fit three baby seats back there. I at 5'10" could not sit in the middle rear seat without hitting my head on roof. The rear bucket seats were comfortable. It felt like the CLS had more side bolstering on the front seats. I did not play around with the audio/nav/climate control, but it does have dual climate control. The shift on the CLS seemed more precise...on the TL it felt a little spongier when shifting gears. The clutch engagement was smoother in the TL.

gnuts

iTrader: (1)

But the looks are
The new accords are nice.

gurot1

agree with you that the new Accords look nice.
The TL in black looks pretty good. Not sure about in the States, but the 6 speed TL demands a premium over the auto TL here in Canada. I have seen TL Elite sh awd for same or less than the 6 speed!

2003CL6

I'll take my CL over any car listed in this thread, including the civic type r.
Sorry to hear the clutch was on her last leg. Those particular TLs have been growing on me, although the OEMwheels are disturbing to me. Change those and get a decent color and that 2012 TL isn't as bad as it once was after it grows on you.
Just keep these CLs clean and a bit lowered and well-kept, and your life will be hard pressed to get much better in the vehicle department.

gurot1

I picked up a 2013 tl sh-awd 6 speed manual a few weeks ago. It was interesting how comfort it was to start driving it and it felt like 'my' car very quickly. I still need to learn all the features of it. It feels nice and quick although it feels a little sluggish until about 3k RPM. The clutch is hard to really feel out. The sound system is nice. Don't really feel the need to add a sub (maybe it has to do with me being older ). I wish the trunk had a hook on the side like the one in the CL to which would make it easier to hang a suit in trunk. Wow the clutch in cl feels so light now when I switched back to it one day.

gnuts

iTrader: (1)

congrats! the SH-awd will be nice to have in the winter. What are your plans for the CL now?

gurot1

That's what I have been trying to figure out. The CL is parked for now. Won't get too much if I sell it. I've had it for almost fifteen years now. It is the car I learned all about working on cars on. I tell the wife and kids that I have had the car longer than them and it gives me less problems . I hadn't been planning on getting a new car this year initially so I had the rear fenders repainted last summer due to Honda rust. Got a new gas tank in it the week before I bought TL lol. Part of me just wants to sell it...but the other part wants to fix it up a bit and keep it (need to clean out engine...maybe do a 3.5L upgrade). It runs fine so It would be a good backup if something happens to TL. Weird thing is I miss the aluminum pedals I had put on the CL!

Nexx

holy cow and i thought 3G TL owners delusional about the greatness of their cars but you CL owners seem one up them.

gnuts

iTrader: (1)

what are you talking about? This thread is full of CL owners talking about potential replacements. For the OP it didn't really make sense to sell a reliable car to get another used car. The CL6s don't go for much any more so in a lot of cases it just makes sense to keep it. Also are you surprised people on the CL side love their car? Of course they do or they probably wouldn't be driving it. No one in this thread said anything about the CL being the end all be all. Geesh.

gurot1

That was spot on gnuts. I know the cl6 is not the best car ever made; however it served my purpose quite well (if only I could squeeze a third seat in the back!) ... and it is great not having to worry about making car payments...would rather put that money to use in other ways. It was also great being able to do most of the mechanical work myself. That being said, I am enjoying the new ride. Time to buy some new rubber for it and maybe some nicer rims. Not sure about jpipe yet.

teh CL

iTrader: (1)

coopcoop30

Delusional? How so? My CL outperforms, is more comfortable, looks better (subjective), is cheaper to fix and is more reliable than a lot of cars on the road. I'm saying all of that and this is a 15 year old car. Like someone said earlier......this is a CL forum......what would you expect?

DMateo

you took the words right out kid my mouth