joed4640

hello,

currently I drive a 98 jeep grand cherokee 5.9 limited. Awsome truck - but its got 115K and NEVER misses a gas station (10.6 MPG!!). So its time for somthing new. My search lead me right to an 03 CLS 6 speed.

I found 2 of them and I need to decide, here my options.

1) 03 CLS 6 speed 14K miles - everything but navigation. private seller I found on ebay - I can get the car for $17,500 plus the price to ship (approx $500). Ive never driven this car, or seen it with my own eyes - only pics. - and Im not sure about the warrenty info - hopfully someone can fill me in. The car has a new QT panel and rocker bc it was hit last year in a 'minor' collision.

2) 03 CLS 6 speed - 18K miles. everything but navigation. local Dealer car that is acura certified. drove it - and its SUPER clean. however - they have it stickered at $22,900


any opinons or advise appreciated - and im also open to looking at another car if someone knows of one - Im in western NY - buffalo.
thanks

agranado

you can probably get that sticker price down to 20 / sub-20 if you bring in enough cash... its certified, and super low milage (3 year old car / 18,000 = 6k miles a year)

The first option doesnt look too appealing to me seeing as it has that damage from a "minor" accident.

I wish I was in the same position you are. I'd love to get my hands on an 03 6 speed.

123456SPEED

Great choice, 03 CLS 6MT is the best, I've had 4 Acura coupes, all good. very reliable and the car is packed with features, only option is Navi, which I have, recommended. I bought my car used in another state. Only about 3500 6 speed CLs were made, all 03s. Only 800 of those had Navi, harder to find.

Common to Rarer exteriors - Silver, Black, Anthracite!, Red, Blue, white.
Anthracite was as 03 only CL color. All came with black interior, but black, red, and white came with tan interior too with brown wood (plastic) trim. THe black interior has the silver trim.
Happy shopping. I'f go for local and certified if possible.

joed4640

you really think that low? Ive never bought a car from a dealer before. Im thinking I will have my father purchase the car in my behalve - because he is a master barginer. Yea, for $20K the decision seems a little easier.

FWIW - the ebay car is dark blue/black and the dealer car is black/black.

love that dark blue - but im willing to make a compromise.

joed4640

Navigation sounds great! but defantly not a selling point for me....Ive seen alot of coversion kits on ebay selling around $800. ill had a hard enough time just finding a decent 6 speed.

123456SPEED

Price depends a lot on the local market, and 90% of drivers won't buy shifters, but the niche that want the rare CLS 6MT will seek them out. I like the certified cars cause you get a year of almost full warranty added on to the reg warranty.
Some 03s are near end of the 4 year /50k miles warranty.
THe blue is a great, and rarer choice. You won't see many at all.
298 blue 6 speeds were made, 230 No Navi, 68 Navi.
975 Black 6 speeds. black interior - 675, tan interior - 300.

RuthlessPastor

There's an '03 CLS 6MT w/ no navi at a private dealership here in Syracuse; it wouldn't be certified. It has 45,000 mile on it and they're asking 20k. I drove it and the suspension and turning seemed very "floaty", if that's an actual term. There were also some scratches on the interior; needless to say I didn't buy it. This is an FYI for your comparison.

GuddsCLtypeS

id go for the dealership certified one, it'll come with a warranty and u can also purchase an extended one to go with it. and as others have said, u might be able to talk em down a couple g's. buyin the one from the private seller is always a risk, especially if u havent seen or driven it. plust the dealership is black/black, i recently bough a silver/black CLS-6 and the only thing i woulda cared about having is one in black/black, navi isnt too big of a deal for me..still love the car tho!!

123456SPEED

I don't really trust the dealer(s) that much either. I bought a 95 Legend Coupe used from an Acura dealer, it was 'Certified' and had gone thru their 1xxxx points 'certified inspection' program. but their 'detailed' inspection didn't catch that the headlights were way out of adjustment, the passenger seat wouldn't move, the driver window was off it's track some and didn't close right, a sensor was staying on for the ABS system.

Didn't look inspected to me at all, it''s mainly a marketing spin, but if you get the warranties in writing that is best.

CL Platano

Be ready to spend tons of money modding , this site makes you do it or you're banned

fuzzy02CLS

iTrader: (2)

I'd only go with the dealer one. The price isn't that high. The car only has 18K miles, & it's certified. Is it high? yes, but not much. If you could get them to go 21K, that would be a good deal.

Are you trading the Jeep?

Lord Helmet

I couldn't agree more.

joed4640

Great news! my uncle just purchased a new TSX there 3 weeks ago - and knows the salesman. so $20-$21K is probably feesable. also, there is only 13,000 miles on it. so ill prob end up with that.

they wont give me ANYTHING for the jeep bc it has 115K on the clock. anyways I dont think ill have a prob selling it bc the 5.9 Limited is rare and sought after. anyone want it?