soloist3

Well, in my almost 6 month search for a clean CL-S 6MT I have driven quite a few..unfortunately all of them had been in serious, though repaired, wrecks Though fantastic cars aside from the obvious damage/repair work. Anyway, you might have seen my post above about the one I am thinking about getting out of Michigan...which I am kind of excited about because it shows promise for no cover ups and relatively lower miles.

Anyway, it's been a long time searching for a decent CL-S 6MT and, in the rare case I can't actually find one the runner up for me is the 03+ Accord V6 Coupe 6MT. While not as attractive in some ways they seemed to be a blast to drive...I got to drive one a few days ago, which I was prepared to be unimpressed with, but ended up having so much fun. The only problem, again, BONDO everywhere on the car, 3rd gear synchro GONE, so I had to kind of avoid 3rd gear. Didn't seem modded in anyway, no intake, no headers, but it pulled pretty hard through the entire RPM range. Anyway, just wanted to get some opinions from others that may have driven both, as, right away the Accord did seem noticeably quicker...now faster isn't everything, but, J30A5 v. J32a2, I always thought the J32a2 having so much more torque and a little more hp would seem quicker...then again most of the CL-S's I've driven had massive valve train noise, whereas the Accord I drove was super quiet, so maybe the J32a2 was losing power there.

Anyway opinions, thoughts, all welcome

03JamesCLS

Take a look at mine. I have some local interest.

https://acurazine.com/forums/member-cars-sale-49/2003-cl-type-s-6-speed-ssm-stock-great-condition-lower-bucks-county-pa-843268/

Let me know if you have any questions.
I've been traveling a lot recently, so I currently do not have any interior pics. I will have some early next week but I can assure you the interior is perfect!

SimonCL-S6

12k? My god ur worse than Pockros

brokslouky

Yea 12k isn't happening, 10k is a major reach. I got mine for $7,500 with 87k. Great shape!

AustinTaper

indeed! i paid $10K two years ago and it only had 62K miles. James, anything over 9500 is simply too much!!


To the OP, I have a friend here in Austin, drives a White 6 speed with parch interior, about 90k miles. I think he is looking to sell and his price will be fair. If interested, let me know and I'll have him reach out to you.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Honestly, I like the 7th gen Accord interior more then the CL. The Accords also hold their value more then the CL.

brian6speed

iTrader: (5)

Holding value at this point is kinda pointless. It actually means you will save money. Buy cl for 6k then sell in a few years for 4 grand and ur only out 2k.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

It could work out that way.

Lets look at it from another view -

The CL requires 91 octane or better. The Accord runs on regular. With gas hovering around $4 a gallon, the difference adds up over the course of ownership.

CL-S progression 01

iTrader: (2)

lol that's a solid point.. i do hate how it doesn't run off regular.. then again its nice to put in the preemo. u know it's good for her

A418t81

iTrader: (1)

The accords hold their value better which is weird IMO, so they cost more to purchase. I didn't like them any better than the CL...in a lot of ways I liked it less. Glad I went with the CL over the Accord.

SatinSilverAV6

iTrader: (2)

Both are great cars, but personally I would go with the accord. It is the better vehicle all around. it rides on a newer platform(shares the 04-08 TL Platform). The CL-S rides on the 6th gen accord platform. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't hesitate to own a CL-S 6MT as it is a great car. Also the Accord 6MT is more plentiful and should be easier to locate one with lower mileage that has been properly maintained. Good luck!

03-05 Accord J30A4 - Wards 10 Best engines!
06-07 Accord J30A5

clpassenubye

iTrader: (20)

You can make a case for either car but In my opinion Accords are plentiful and boring you see a lot of them on the street so if you want to be like many others get the Accord but if you want a car that isn't as common get the CL.

azeezp13

iTrader: (4)

They're about even I'd say, I'd probably give the slight nod to the CL. Looks are subjective, and as mentioned above the CLS6 is much rarer. The 7th gen Accord coupe has become somewhat of a chick car too just like the TSX has always been. Here are the #'s:

CLS6
J32A2 (260hp, 232 lb-ft torque)
6-Speed Tranny (with LSD)
Weight: 3500 lbs

V6 Accord 6MT
J30A4 (240hp, 212 lb-ft torque) / J30A5 (244hp, 211 lb-ft torque)
6-Speed Tranny (without LSD)
Weight: 3100+ lbs

So the CL obviously weights more, but has the power to overcome the difference. Yeah..I'd go with the CL.

typeR

playing devils advocate here ...one the CL was done before an SAE change in hp/lb.ft. standards were changed would now be 254 hp also putt the accord on 91+ oct it will add timing and in turn power dyno proven over at temple of vtec ... last all that said do the regular bolt ons on the 6mt CLS and it will smoke the similarlly equipped accord 91+ or not ... now all that said if i won lotto today id by 12 accord v6 and do a complete sh AWD 3.7 swap with all the bolt ons ... this should be the new CL just give it the acura make over


hopefully the new legend will come in a coupe version too

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Pros for CL
-Factory LSD
-Rarity
-Factory HIDs
-Seats are a bit more comfortable
-Slightly larger displacement

Pros for Accord
-More modern interior
-More modern navigation (if equipped)
-More aftermarket exterior support
-Lighter by about 200lbs
-Runs on 87 octane
-06-08 Sedan available with V6 and 6MT

brian6speed

iTrader: (5)

The accord dsnt come with LSD? That answers it for me. Does it have any aftermarket options?

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

3G TL LSD fits, so does the CL LSD.

zeta

iTrader: (1)

civicdrivr, I know this is ridiculous to say ; however, if one did not want to have the LSD, what year Accord 6MT's would fit the CLS?

typeR

none ... cl tranny can swap to accord but accord tranny cannot swap to the CL the LSD im sure is interchangeable thnough

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

03-06 IIRC. You will need to retrofit the crank sensor into the bell housing, or swap the CL-S bell housing onto it.

Im running an '06 TL tranny on mine with the crank sensor retro'd in. Been that way for about 7k miles with no issues.

dfv3.2CL-S

iTrader: (1)

I am bias and would say Cl-S 6spd all the way. Even better if supercharged

zeta

iTrader: (1)

So, I know from your build thread that NVA-AV6 recommended that the '05+ TL 6MT was preferable over the '04 TL-6 because of the potential 3rd/4th syncro set issue with them.

Also, it sounds like the '06 TL tranny you have has the boss(s) that is needed to retro the crank sensor over from the CL bell housing.

I'm inquiring because I have a feeling my driver side diff. bearing is on its way out after 130K. It has the 'play' that NVA-AV6 speaks of in your 'build' thread on page 43. It has not yet began to vibrate; but I do have a creaking noise that occurs at constant speeds.

Thanks again.

/threadjack

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Yea, they fixed the synchro issue in the '06. They is no boss per se, he just machined out the area that the crank sensor mounts using a jig he built.

soloist3

Thanks for the opinions all you you. Yeah, as far the interior goes, I like the the CL, far better, I HATED the interior and almost the exterior too, of the Accord. You have to understand, I am coming from owning, and I still own, a 95 Legend Coupe LS 6MT, everything is PERFECT in that car, placement of everything is natural, has, looks, class and style, I just want to get something not so rare (as in something with a J series motor and the new 6 speed trans...as Legend 6MT parts are hard to find AND super expensive). I've owned a 98 Accord V6 Coupe before, actually 7 years (longest time owning a vehicle), so I am familiar with it's chassis...I like that the CL still feels late 90's to me, interiors have got so clumsy, and ugly since then (maybe it's just me).

On the contrary to what someone had mentioned...most Accords are TRASHED at this age, CL's not so much...salvaged, yeah, probably more salvaged CL's (because people probably figured they were worth salvaging). Accords seem to almost always be completely modded out and NOT done well, which bugs the hell out of me.

Anyway, I am on the lookout for a black/tan or Anthracite Metallic/black CL-S, that's why is been so difficult I suppose, I really don't like any of the other colors. I was like that with the Legend too. To be honest, IF I every had the money, I would buy a 98 Accord V6 again and swap a J35/6MT into it...IMO, that Accord had the best style ever. But yeah, Black/tan CL-S 6MT or Anthracite/black...someday

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

6G Accord Sedan FTW

Id try to find an anthracite CL. Everyone (myself included) has black.

StreetKA

iTrader: (8)

also shifter cables goes the other way... when you're at the front of the car and look at the cable shifter in CL (the one with weight on it) is on the left and in accord is on the right so basicly if you put CL tranny to accord you will have 1st gear in place of the 2nd but bracket for shifter cable fits both

http://www.j32a.com/showthread.php?t=5

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Yep, forgot to mention that. Just weld a bolt in the hole on the other side of that arm.

1foxbody

I'm not trying to be smart but why are you guys saying the cl can't run on regular? I've put it in my car numerous times a lot actually. Once I started to do some bolt ons I stopped. Now I only run 93 premium. It's not like the car can't run on regular thou lol. My bro has been running regular in my old 02 cl-p for almost the last year without any problems but his car is stock.

gnuts

iTrader: (1)

You can run regular but you're probably running lesser quality gas and not getting as good gas mileage. The engine was built to use premium.
Does the CL-P require premium?

brian6speed

iTrader: (5)

I can run on just eating cheese burgers at mcd's but does that mean I should? Could say the same thing about quality of oil you use.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Check the general CL forum for a thread regarding hesitation. All the answers are in there.

soloist3

The CL can run on regular, but was designed to use premium fuel. Depending on the burn conditions the engine computer will retard ignition timing to prevent detonation and such...however it's NOT perfect, so you could have detonation happen for very short periods of time, say on a hot day, pushing the car hard on 87. Though mainly, the timing will remain retarded and gas mileage and performance will suffer because of it, whereas the Accord will do fine with either.

A418t81

iTrader: (1)

Drivetrain is what sold me on the CL. Love the diff and I wanted as much power as I could get and still have great fuel economy. With the intake and headers, the car is a lot of fun.

Epiphany

Another long term thing to consider is that the accord would probably be easier to resell, being newer, lower mileage and a more common car.

ParaSurfer1979

This is exactly why the accord would be harder to sell per your points. The CL-S is rare so it will sell fast and at a higher value than the Accord. It's fast, fuel efficient, nice luxuries & It's comfortable on the highway. Back in 03 I traded my 00 s2k on a new 03 CL-S6. I'd drive from Wilmington, NC to Atlanta to train w/ Delta Airlines. I'd make the 420mile trip with a quarter tank of gas left (came out to 32mpg on a 29mpg car) and the ride was quiet and firm (not harsh). I'd never see one like mine (Aegan Blue Pearl) the whole trip on I-20. My vote based on these things is for the CL.

1foxbody

Yeah I know what you guys mean that's one reason I switched to using premium gas. Oil is more serious though I only use mobil 1 10W-30 advanced full synthetic and only honda filters. I always figured the ecu would compensate for using regular gas, which it does like someone mentioned.

A418t81

iTrader: (1)

The timing model that the ECU uses is very sophisticated. It's also fairly aggressive. I'll occasionally hear my car tick when I jump on the throttle quickly after cruising for a while. The ECU very quickly reigns it all in, though. For us east coasters, California 91 is about the equivalent of our 89...so even though they are putting in "premium" even our midgrade is similar or better.

CL-S progression 01

iTrader: (2)

really ^^ how would that be?

A418t81

iTrader: (1)

When I was in college, I worked on the side for APR (see VW/Audi/Porsche tuner) and to calibrate our 91 octane files based on the logs were were seeing from the Cali 91 octane people, we had to drop down to 89 octane to see similar numbers as far as timing correction, etc.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Thats BS. Accords appeal across a very broad range. The CL is mostly unknown. Only now are they selling quick because they are worth so little.

A 2003 Accord Coupe EX-L V6 sold new for $25,900 (MSRP). According to KBB (not the end-all for consumer prices, but Im using the same source for both), it is worth $9,974 with 120,000 miles - suggested retail that is. It retained 39% of its value.

A 2003 Acura CL-S 6MT sold for $30,550 (MSRP). With 120,000 miles, it is worth $9,726 - again, suggested retail. The CL retained 32% of its value.

Im not saying that the CL is crap. If I could go back in time, I wouldnt change a thing. I would still be happy to own a CL. But Im not a fanboy and I will be quick to point out its short-comings.

A few more points:

-The Accord has traction control, even with the 6MT. The CL-S6 does not.
-The Accord is built on a new ACE body structure, and is safer. It received all-around 5 stars from the NHTSA. I cant find crash safety for the CL.