ppl,

what are the major differences between the 97 and 98/99 3.0s with the premium package. i know that the 2.2 in 97 changed to 2.3...but that's about it.....preparing to buy a CL so please tell me how are they different between the years...

thanx

 

The '97 and '98/'99 have different consoles (I like the later, better). Some changes include placement of the seat heater switches, optional fog light switch, clock setting buttons, and different shifter baseplates on the auto. The '98/'99 models have more wood trim surrouding the console. A number of '97 models don't have wood trim on the console at all.

Try and check out some of the members pics to visually see some of the differences.

The '98/'99 models have steering wheel controls for the radio (the '97 does not).

I also think some of the brake components are different between the '97 and '98/'99 models.

The grill is also different between the '97 and '98/'99 models.

The rims are also different for each year.

I have a 3.0CL Premium and don't know what differences there are between the 2.2 and 2.3 (except the obvious engine change).

I hope this helps; and I'm sure others can add to this list.

 

In addition to what dustbuster said, the 98 and 99 models have the side skirts and bottom portion of the front and rear bumpers painted to match the color of the car, whereas the 97's have black plastic (not painted to match) in these areas. This is one of the major reasons why I think I will buy a 98 or 99 instead of a 97.

The dash is no big deal to me on the 97's though, because you can buy a wood dash kit for relatively cheap.

 

A few more subtle differences with the 98/99 3.0 Prem

No horn buttons... just hit the center of the steering wheel

A cruise control cancel button

HomeLink garage door opener built in (on the ceiling inbetween the map lights).

Different font on the gauge cluster, and orange gauge arms (useful if you ever get indiglos)

 

I would definitely get a 98 over a 97, just cause there's not that big a difference in price now.

however though: the painted sideskirts don't matter too much if you get black, and the steering wheel audio controls don't matter if you plan on changing the Bose sound system (which I recommend cause it sounds pretty bad)

 

wohh.. i had no clue on the diffs in horn and crusie control buttons... and a homelink garage door opener too?!?!?! DANG! i wish i bought a 98... =( (but i still like the 97 front grill better tho)...



hg

 

yo ... aint no differance yo.. i have a 97 and i dont care about the audio switch cuz i got a new deck... garage switch.. please you dont need that shit.. just keep it somewhere else... only thing is the foglight... but doesnt matter really.. if i were you i'll get the cheapest cl out there hehe.