XSNRGSR

I know most of you hate accords, but come on...they are less expensive and have some of the same features.

I am currently looking at an Accord coupe 6MT, and a CLS 6MT. They are both blue, and are within 2000 miles of eachother on the odometer.

From what I can tell, the accord is missing only two features: A LSD, and HID headlights. I am ignoring style since they are two different cars. Both cars have leather, heated seats, moonroof, etc...

The accord is selling for over $3000 less.

Oh, and the accord is faster...........feel free to yell at me for that.

So why buy the CL-S?

03silvertypeS

First off, I only have one problem with accords; it's the same problem I have with civics, cavaliers, and camry's, they're EVERYWHERE! You can't go anywhere without seein a bunch of them. If it weren't for that fact, I'd probably have one, but you don't see THAT many CL's out there. I love having a different car than anyone else. If you want to be like everyone else, by the accord, civic, or camry. If you want to stand out from the crowd, buy the CL. If you don't, I guarantee someone else will and they'll love every minute behind the wheel of it.

XSNRGSR

I understand what you're saying. But talking strictly features, why go with the CLS? And I don't see 2-door accords nearly as often as the other cars you mentioned, but still more than CLs.

andre

there is a very nice 'newer' white (on tan) accord (dont know the year) that i work next to with factory skirts, tail, leather, aftermarket 19" rims, etc and looks beautiful. you cannot get any of that oem stuff for a CL...and hardly any aftermarket body kits, tail, etc.

accord is faster? really?

i personally like the uniqueness of the CL, but if you dont mind that, i'd go w/the accord.

CL Platano

Since when is a CL-S 6mt slower than an Accord??? Plus the CL turns way more heads than the Accord..

XSNRGSR

The accord ran a 5.9 0-60 and a 14.5 ET at 98mph. This is from the "crappy" drivers at C&D. They also managed to get a CLS to run a 6.0 and 14.8 (I have also seen 6.2/14.9 quite a bit), so if the accord is not faster, it is at least equal.

XSNRGSR

Both are 6MT by the way. The accord has a 240hp 3.0 VTEC, and we know what the CL-S has.

Accord V-6 Coupe 6MT Curb Weight: 3294
CL-S 6MT Curb Weight: 3446

n00dleboy

the lsd and unique factor alone > * accord.

in vancouver it's probably got the highest asian density per square mile compared to any other city in NA. Just go to richmond and all you see are honda/acura/bmw... i go there almost every weekend and probably ever run into 1 cl EVER.. i probably run into 1 cl once a month, and then about 5% are 03's and about 1% are 6speeds..

GreenMonster

Cheaper... sure, Faster... maybe... More exclusive....

Why buy the CLS ?? hmm... Sounds like you're trolling... You're not Torqueaholic are you ??

Don't buy the CLS. Buy the accord so you can look like every Tom, Dick and Harriette out there... http://www.v6performance.net/

123456SPEED

It's personal preference really. and $3000 is a lot of money. I prefer the more exclusive CLS and couldn't get attached to the Accord styling. Before I got my CLS 6MT I drove the 6MT Accord coupe and that shifter and engine is what really motivated me to go ahead and sell my automatic Legend coupe cause I wanted a 6 speed. Yea, I bought a CLS 6MT. I guess it felt like too much a step down from a Legend to an Accord plus I've driven Acuras for many years.
I prefer the CLS dash and interior. HID headlights are really nice.

Neither car's body is a styling triumph IMO but I've read that mixed responses on the Accord coupe's plain and overdone styling is bringing major tweaks to the Accord coupe body I guess on the next year model?

There's no really big feature separating the 2 cars. For me the Accord is uglier and too common. I like the more refined feel and exclusivity of the CLS. If the Accord has side curtain air bags that is definitely a plus. I know it has mp3 option.

zoltanh

Keep in mind what you are asking, you are on an Acura CL forum asking if you should get an Accord or CL-S. I think your answers maybe skewed.

n00dleboy

1) if 3000 is a lot of money for you then go for the accord.
2) if 3000 is penny change, then go for an S55 AMG.

XSNRGSR

I don't even know what a "torqueaholic" is.

So it sounds like the only reason to buy a CL-S is that not alot of people have one.

My question was aimed at performance/features however. Let's assume both cars are equally attractive, is the extra $3k worth the LSD and HID headlights? Is there something I am missing?

zoltanh

Uhm, another thing to keep in mind is that the accord only has 3 year/36,000 mile powertrain and bumper to bumper warranty. The Acura is far superior in that respect.

zoltanh

If #2 is the case, might as well get the s65.

NiteQwill

Faster? I think not. Maybe you should go look at some NA slip times before claiming that. Back in January 2004 when I first purchased my car, I would smoke my friend's Red Accord 6MT continuously (this guy is trackaholic too, so driver's error is not there).

The luxury of the CL-S for me sold me to the car, you just can't find it anywhere else. Plus the easy modifications to increase HP is amazing.

LSD works wonders, you will never really understand the importance of it until you find yourself in your own ass taking a turn slightly too much. The same is for HIDs, you won't understand until you turn night into day in front of you on a dark highway.

Time For Sleeep

LSD is a feature that is definitely worth the money.

HID's are as well. When you have HID's on a car, you never get seem to like anything else.

Same thing w/ exclusivity. If that's not your thing, then that's cool, but knowing the fact that I can roll out everyday and not see more than 1 other 2nd Gen CL is definitely worth it to me.

And probably the clincher.... the CL's definitely got comfier seats.

I do love the gauges on the Accords these days now though...



Edit: From your first post, it really looks like you want to go the more economical and thus, the more sensible route. I can't give you enough reasons on why the Accord would be a better decision financially. Sooooo it all boils down to preference, and your decision between the two can't help but be purely subjective.

NightShredder

They made a 6 spd MT in 2003 for the Accord? I thought 2004 was the first Accord 6 spd out. I also thought the CL was the first (excluding the NSX) in the Honda lineup to have a 6 spd (2003).

Chopsie

Wow, quite the popular thread here.

IMO. CLS Vs. Accord

3.2L SOHC VTEC 260 HP, 3.0 SOHC VTEC 240 HP
CLS.
More supportive/stylish interior. Perforated Leather > Crumpled leather.
Dual stage intake system on the CLS
Helical Limited Slip Differential
HID's
Overall a better more classy looking car IMO.
Better Sound deadening material.
Better looking gauge cluster, the Accords dials are fawking huge grandma.
Same Mods the CLS WILL be the winner (driver variations of course).

Accords are a dime a dozen.

Chopsie

S2000 6 MT.

NightShredder

But the Accord in '03? My ignorance is apparent here.

milano6

94-95 Legends had an available 6-speed.

XSNRGSR

I didn't believe the Accord could be faster either. I have looked at N/A track times, the accord is still faster in many situations. And in every car review I have seen, stock for stock, the Accord 6MT is faster than the CLS 6MT, but not by much. I know this isn't the only reason to get a particular car. Besides, the CLS had a slightly better skidpad than the Accord.

Time For Sleeep

Stop beating around the BUSH! .

Get the Accord if you feel you're on a budget.

But I guarantee you won't ever look back on getting that pig of a coupe we call the CL.

Chopsie

Yes, but was later in 03. They were not on the lots the same time as the newer (7th gen?) accords.

NightShredder

...learn something new every day. Thanks.

Get the Accord I can tell you want to. After all they are both Hondas so they will be reliable.

kevin79925

the cls is easier to modify.. the accord has its headers welded onto the engine i think?

XSNRGSR

I obviously like the CLS enough to join this forum. I was very very close to buying the ABP CLS 6MT I found, but when I was online doing my last bit of research, this blue Accord 6MT showed up. I did some research on it, and was quite surprised by the features and performance. It seems like a very very close rival to the CLS, so I was just checking to see what CLS owners had to say about thier cars, and about the 6MT Accords. I have recieved quite a response, thanks.

123456SPEED

Irritated that I had to wait 8 years for a 6 cylinder/manual sihifter from Acura
after I had my 95 automatic Legend coupe (couldn't find a decent 6MT Legend then).

and now the TL has it and the Accord coupe too.
Best shifter I've ever driven though, worth the wait, sort of.

I know, the NSX always had it too.

Time For Sleeep

Hhah, you got such a big response cause you brought up a very taboo subject. CL vs. Accord. The CL owners are obviously just padding their CL owner biased egos.

03 CL TypeS

I think he's trying to figure out why choose the CL-S solely based on features. And as has been mentionned before, the CL-S has an LSD + HID.

I think most of us took the CL-S over an EX V6 Accord for more than just "the features, on paper."

Time For Sleeep

Oh. Almost forgot. We have better forums too. :ghey:

Time For Sleeep

Oh. Almost forgot. We have better forums too. :gheyhug:

skgarach

Right on the money.

My best friend has the 04 accord v6 6speed. (identical to the 03 except for XM radio), i was actually looking at getting one but i found my cl-s for less than the lowest priced accord v6 6spd.

I think the HID's, limited slip, and better looking interior make it worthwile.

One last thing to add. The CL's trunks are MUCH bigger, but the seats don't fold down.

03CLSMT6

The accords and our cls, dont have much difference to them. The accord has more of that newer TL feeling when you get inside to them. Honestly, I dont mind the accords... The interior does not rattle like our cars.. PLus they just released half electric motors that have more power and more fuel efficient and almost fast as mt.... ONe thing is for sure... Honda = Acura.. So do the freakin math.. Im not sure if the accord would beat the cl, but it wouldnt be too much of a difference as far as race goes.. But I am def. a fan of the factory body kits on the accords. Vs the ricer ones we have for our cars.

Time For Sleeep

Oh yeah, I just thought of a couple more things.

CL's = The Automatic power window on driver's side only. I think Accords have it available for passenger side too. I never understood that.

CL's... ALSO have the automatic side mirror that goes down when you throw the car into reverse. THAT ALONE should be reason enough to buy the car. . Unless the Accord has it too...

m&b6speed

my friend has an 04 accord 6spd and when i get into it it feels like a watered down version of the cl. the leather isn't as good, didn't like little things like the trim and stuff. LSD is deff. worth it. and HID's in my opinion are a must-if you dont have them now, you wont understand

dont get me wrong, it drives very nice and accelerates at the same rate-or so it feels.

i feel the cl is more comfortable, fun to drive, and much more rare.

black on black 6spd cl-s w/navi-160 or so made
black on black 6 spd accord w/navi xxxx??

its really up to you

GreenMonster

Yes, it came out in January of 03 IIRC... I bought my CLS in Oct. 02. I had visited the Honda dealerships looking at the Accords (and almost bought an 02 leftover). The 03 sedans were on the lot in September, but the coupes came later... The 6MT's came a little later then the auto coupes...

I didn't want to wait for the 6mt accord coupe, and there was talk about dealers marking the car up over MSRP, so I did the deal on my CLS.

I like having a car that's not like the others...

GreenMonster

Torqueaholic was a member here who got banned numerous times for being a pain in the ass... He loved the AV6 vs. CLS debate. Sorry about the confusion, but I was just checking to see if you were him Carry on...

Seriously, Have you driven both of them ?? Drive 'em and decide which one you like better...

$3k is a decent chunk of money, and to be totally honest, I'd have trouble picking between the 2 if I was in the market for a used car today. I'm a cheap bastard, but I went with the acura because it's the luxury brand of honda. There is a reason why the accord is $3k cheaper...

It all comes down to what you like better. I bought the CLS because I liked the way it looked better then the accord coupe and I wanted something that was different.

Chopsie

Hello New Orleans