Not sure what to say other than I am happy with my TSX (had it for just over a year now). But part of me REALLY regrets pulling out at the last minute in getting my '03 CLS 6MT.

Saga here ... http://www.acura-cl.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57714

I guess the problem is ... balz ... I miss that friggin 3.2L ...

The TSX is a great handling car, but MAN do I have to wonder if I just put a more aggressive handling package on that 6MT CLS it would have been a mean machine (sure I won't get much argument here ... my a-tsx guys most likely would lynch me).

So not sure what I am going to do about this other than hope Acura brings back a 30K luxury performance sports coupe, but I think my move back to more power is imminent. By the way - just looked at some pics of the CLS interior ... to be honest ... I think it still looks good, the exterior is conservative ... but guess what ... that means it still looks decent.

ok ... last question ... would it be TOTALLY dumb to unload my TSX (maybe at the 2 year mark where it would have probably 20K miles at the most) and score a used '03 CLS 6MT for hopefully cheap?

I think I need a friggin shrink .... is there one in the house?

(Shawn S. - don't laugh at me too hard)

P.S. Even though I have twins, we use the Odyssey almost full time with them ... so having a 4-door hasn't been huge ... at least not yet. I am hoping it will stay that way so I can move back to Acura's next coupe (not RSX ... been there ... )

 

cl-s > tsx


end of story

 

No.

 

which question?

 

shoulda got the cls mang

 

 

I hear ya bro ... probably looking at 1-2K loss on the TSX, but I think with that ... what I owe would be about the same or less (assuming I can get a $20-22K CL-S)

I have searched, but any idea what reasonable is for '03 CLS 6MT?

Here's what acura.com has for certified used ...

 

Here's what horrible Shawn .... read that thread ... EVERYTHING you said about why I wouldn't like the RSX-S was true!!! TSX is not nearly as buzzy ... 2.4L is better, but no CL-S engine.

Here is what I did in short ...

01 CLS 5AT -> sold to order 03 CLS 6MT-> backed out -> RSX-S -> G35 (big mistake) -> TSX

 

So let's say this ... as an example

Owe 25K on TSX, sell for 23K .... but 03 CLS 6MT for 23K or less ... still owe 25K, but have CL-S.

Dumb?

 

youll be basically paying the same thing now.. maybe less. per month for a better car.

 

Kinda what I am thinking ... what helps me here is that the CL-S is not selling well. Time to take the diamond in the rough off of some dealer's hands who is wondering how he will ever move it

On the other hand ... the TSX is hot (for now) ... so I should be able to do a private party sell and make out decently (low miles in first year a bit of a help).

Anyone else have thoughts? How about above certified used CL-S's?

 

I would keep the TSX. In fact, I like the TSX better than the CLS. My neighbor has a red one and honestly, it feels much more solid to me than does my CLS.

 

If it was me, I'd sell the TSX and get the CLS-6MT. Of course, I test drove both and got the CLS in the first place ... but that's just me. In the long run, your TSX will most likely hold it's value better then the CL. It doesn't really sound like that matters to you so do it! I got mine used and have no regrets. I know it won't hold it's value as well as the TL or TSX but I'm going to keep it for awhile so that doesn't really matter too much.

Of course, you could just pump up the power on the TSX (icebox, headers, exhaust, etc) and be happy with it.

 

Get a good deal on a 2003 6spd and rejoin the club, take advantage of good resale on your TSX and not so good resale on CL-S. I'm driving a TSX loaner now and the 4 is so buzzy, no way this is close to a CL-S, sorry !!

 

Tranny didn't blow up on ya did it Red ?

EDIT: CLS 6MT > TSX

 

Nice edit ...

So how about handling? Easy enough to tighten up the CL-S and make it any way close to the TSX in the handling dept?

 

Cl > Tsx

 

Do it. You're in a good position with the popular TSX and the CLS which is cheaper and not that popular. I just sold my first 03 CLS 6 speed and got another one with better color in and out, Navi, and half the mileage for only $700 over the sale of the first one.
Just do it, the CLS 6 speed is worth it. But I'm surprised anyone who would buy the TSX would want the CLS, so different. good luck.

 

ok ... I might have found a middle ground ... wait out for a S/C for the TSX. Thoughts? Any concerns/issues other than it probably won't be cheap? What am I looking at here .. 5K installed?

 

new > used (except depreciation sucks)
Yup. Also, I don't think I will ever buy a another used car. Bought my CL new. You never really know how it was treated till later.

 

By waiting a year I got an 03 CLS 6 speed Navi with 7500 miles for $10,000 less ($23,700) than a new one. My first 6 speed was a used certified Acura with 3500 miles on it, plus it had a much better warranty than a new one. If you like to pay for the steep first year depreciation go for it, I'd rather let someone else pay it.

 

Out of the box the TSX handles better then the CLS?

 

__________________________
Defintely.
Note: out of the box ONLY

I know some of you would start saying OH CLS with sway, coilover, strutbar, light weight rims with nice tires can handle better than TSX... " GOOD FOR YOU"

but overall everyday use CLS > TSX

 

Anyone have any stats on the handling? I did some searches and this is MUCH closer than I thought (600 ft slalom seems best measure vs. using pure skidpad)

I found both around the 63.5-63.8 numbers

(http://www.motortrend.com/oftheyear/...y/index13.html for TSX)

Not as many sources for the CL-S 6MT with the HLSD

 

And by the way ... I am still SOOO up in the air on this I can't stand it :-(

So I had a 2001 CL-S ... how bad "really" is the fit and finish on the '03's? To be honest I didn't have that many problems with rattles in my 2001 (except the known sunroof issues,etc ... that got fixed)

My biggest concern is once I make this move ... I am in the CL-S for a while since resale will likely crash. And by the way ... went to the mall today ... I kid you not ... I saw THREE '03 6MT's !! I don't think I have seen one in months until today ... are you guys setting me up?

 

One of the times I brought my 03 CLS 6MT in for a service, I got a TSX for a loaner. It was a nice sporty car and would be good for a daily driver. But after a couple of days, I really missed my car and when I got back into it, I could feel the hugh difference in performance.

Definitely trade the TSX in for the CLS 6MT if you can.

 

Yeah man ... there is no doubt a huge difference in straight line performance.

Did you get a good feeling for handling difference (not sure if your CL-S is stock or not in the handling category)?

For one ... the TSX interior is very nice, but to be honest ... I was very happy (and as I still look at it continue to be happy) with the CL-S look. I don't think it looks dated at all.

 

ShawnS - What are your thoughts man? I respect your opinion cause to be honest ... you told me the RSX-S (owned before TSX) would be no good for me ... and you were right

 

My CLS handled way better than the TSX... but I have CT springs/sways, konis and better tires.

As far as interior, the TSX was alright, but was far from what I was use to in my CLS.

 

Interesting ... yeah hard to compare when it is that modded.

Man ... knowing what I want in cars seems to be mission impossible. I think I am going to have to go test drive one .... just got to find one in Raleigh area and see how it feels to me. This TSX is a great feeling car ... if it had the Accord 3.0 V6 ... I wouldn't even be in this quandry :-D

 

You know, what you saved on the TSX you could consider adding all the CompTech mods to it and have a pretty fast car that handles well too. So if you decide to keep it, if it were me, I'd go with CT i/h/catback/suspense/brakes. You could get about 191 WHP/159 TQ with the CT engine/exhaust mods. Considering how much less the TSX weighs and with this much power, you'd be pretty close to a stock CLS 6MT in performance.

 

Hey Prov..simple answer.. Get rid of the Ody and get the CL-S