I drove a 6 speed CL-S today and had a few observations. First the transmission is wonderful.. Everything I expect from Honda/Acura. The only transmission I have used lately as good is the RSX and I guess the S2000 6 speed is a bit better. One oddity though. There is a stop/detent that one must go through to get to reverse. When one is lightly up against the detent I expected to be lined up with the 5-6 gate. But you are not. The 5-6 gate is slightly before the detent. This is unusual. In the opposite direction when you are up against the stop to the left you are lined up perfectly with the 1-2 gate. My only small complaint. One way the transmission could be improved.
The clutch was another matter. I found the engagement to occur very early in the travel and to be very ABRUPT. I was tough to shift without the car lurching. I've driven manuals for 35 years. I'm sure the clutch is great for zero to 60 times but not ideal for backroads sports car like driving. I'm wondering if the 6 speed owners found the clutch to be the same way? Does the abruptness smooth out any with clutch use?

 

I've driven a manual for the last 8 years and I noticed the same thing you did in regards to the clutch being abrupt. The CL engaged very differently from my current Accord. You really had to give it a little more gas than you might be used to as the friction point was fairly prompt. I must admit that I stalled it once on my first test drive, as have a number of others. However, I think that this is something that you would get used to very quickly if you were the drive the car daily.

 

Yeah, just something you get used to. I've driven stick (the MR2) for 10 years, and it was a little different. I'll admit, I stalled it once. Had the radio up too loud

 

The clutch does grab quick. It took me a good week to adjust to but now it feels great.

 

Man, you all are crazy. The best thing I noticed about the clutch on the CL was that it caught quickly. That makes for a much more sporty feel.

When I drove the RSX and the BMW 330 you had to let those clutches out so far for them to catch that you were practically chewing on your knee by the time it caught. To me, this made it more difficult to drive smoothly. and to get the performance out of the car. The longer it takes the clutch to engage the more time you lose during acceleration.

 

You know how in the auto the gas pedal is REALLY touchy until you get used to it? Maybe the clutch in the stick is the same way.

 

I'm not saying that a quick clutch is a bad thing. That definitely contributes to the sporty nature of the car. It's just that this may not be what many people are used to. My Accord doesn't engage until the clutch is practically out. I can change gears without pushing the clutch to the floor. I don't of course.....

Just would take some getting used to.

 

I agree. I definately has a sport feel. I now prefer it. It's a good match to the gearbox.

 

It took about a week to get used to the short clutch engagement. I stalled it a few times in the first couple days I had it and stalled the one I test drove about three times during the test.

Have also been driving stick for the last 20+ years.

Now that I'm used to the clutch & gearing I find this a really fun car to drive! Too bad it got bruised and now I have to be without it for a week or so (see my other post today).:'(