Zoot

Hello I am a newbie, so I don't know if this article was discussed or not... Here is an Autoweek article (couple weeks old) that talks about the possibility of Acura dropping the CL. http://autoweek.com/cat_print.mv?content_code=02075202. I hope this doesn't happen! Maybe the soon competition from Infiniti with their G35 coupe will motivate Acura to keep trying! Once again, sorry if this was already discussed.

Zapata

Welcome to the board! Yeah, i posted this a while back. Hopefully, the 6MT this year and the more sporty '04 will help save the car.

Scooter

im aware that '04 will b a design change for both the CL and TL, so we'll see.

Samer007

the 04 gotta be a knockout to save it

Infamuz

If sales dont pick up, I have a feeling bye bye CL.

Styles__69

how do u think the cl being dropped will affect u guys?
(just curious)
like would it be a good thing for u ...or a bd thing?

Samer007

it would be bad, becuase in the long run they will not make parts for our cars anymore. or they will just be harder to get. And the resale value will go down.

Think about those oldsmobiles

Zapata

However, we share alot of parts with the accord coupe and their are plenty of them around

Red Nj-s

I dont think it would affect much. Maybey lower the resale value a tad, and make parts a little harder to get.

Nicky Pass

So that means the Redesigned CL won't be out until the year 2004?????

momentum3.2

More than likely, 2004 will be due for major overhauls...Honda typically has followed a trend of a 4 year life span of the vehicle generation, and they typically tantalize us with options before they redesign the entire vehicle. However, with sales in the dumps, it'd be hard to say if major changes will come or not. Still though, cars are redesigned 6 months to 2 years before the model is launched...we could just be seeing the beginning with the 6MT...

If they do drop the line, something new will come. I'll still drive my 2001, or trade it for a 2003 just because I love the car. And there will still be parts, look at the 94-97 honda accord...that car has more parts for it than freakin' civics...Anything with Honda/Acura on it will have parts available for the next 10 years. IMO...

92legend

I'm hoping that they will drop the TL and CL, bring the Legend back, and make a coupe and a sedan version of it to replace the CL/TL....

bdimc2001

LOL , that's the same thing

gavriil

Let's see what Nissan/Infiniti did.

First they bring the Z car back. A sports coupe with RWD and an omnipotent engine. Then, on that coupe, they built the luxury version of it, the G35 to go against the BMW 3 series 2 door, Mercedes' CLK, etc. At the same time, the 4 door sedan version of the G35 is also based on the same platform and drivetrain as the Z and the G35 Coupe BUT at the same time, they are phasing out the I35!!! And that move is key. The I35 is irrelevant now that the G35 is out with 4 doors and priced the same.

IF Honda/Acura had any similar aspirations, I cant see where they would be based upon. You cant just come out with a new RWD luxury coupe platform. It would cost $60K. If you base it on a high volume Honda coupe though, it will cost $35K. SO where is that Honda/cheap coupe platform? I cant think of one.

The new Accord MUST be that new platform which the new 04 TL will use. And if there will be a 2 door it MUST be based on the same platform. The above means that 99% the car will be FWD, possibly AWD (especially if the new Accord will be AWD optionally). In other words, bullshit. If you expect a RWD cool loking, Acura 2 door, balanced 50%-50% like the BMWs, you will probably be disappointed.

2 more points:

Look at Lexus. They have NO 2 door luxury coupe. And there are no plans for one as far as anyone knows. So what if Acura axes the CL? The TL and MDX continue to be the bread and butter. The MDX makes for 50% of Acura's sales. Combine that with the fact that people just dont buy 2 door cars unless if they are REALLY special. Meaning, very, very sporty and exciting.

Final point. In my opinion, there is a possibility of a 2 door luxury coupe from Acura to NOT be based on the next TL plarform but on the new RL/NSX RWD platform. And I would add the S2000 there. So now, you have a nice volume plarform with:

RL
NSX
S2000
CL (or whatever the name may be)
AND an unidentified Honda CL (just like the relationship between the G35 Coupe and the Z350).

Now you're talking. Volume will bring prices down and consumers get their cake and eat it too, by getting their beloved RWD, balanced, great handling coupe, with a kick ass engine (cos that is the only thing that Acura does not lack), for under 35K to start in the case of the CL.

Such a thing though will take at least 3-4 years. Why? Well, we are probably 1.5 years away from seeing the next NSX and RL. And most probably, the RL and NSX will come out at least 1.5 years before any CL/Honda CL cars based on that same platform simply because there are no rumors for them, plus Acura is too busy with that RL and NSX and above all the new Accord/TL cars.

Blah, blah, blah....

snorlax52c

isn't the lexus SC430 a luxury coupe? if it isn't what would you conisder it?

gavriil

All 2 door/coupes are not the same. The car is priced in the $60Ks. That is there to go against the SL clearly. Even its retractabel hard top proves that. You cant see that car as going against our Acura CL/S

Zoot

Actually it's not. The TL replaced the Vigor and the RL replaced the Legend... :P

FTM-1

Why would ACURA rename the TL this has been the bread & butter of the ACURA line. The sales for this car have been outstanding since 1999. The car was hard to get in 1999 & 2000. The CL just has not found the correct nitch. I don't know what would make the car more attractive to buyers. The 6 speed tranny should have been in the car from the start of the new design.

cob3683

Actually, Lexus states that the SC430 targert is the CLK.

gavriil

That is probably due to the price being closer to a CLK 430 Cabrio. Still though.