Shurik

I am in the process of deciding between CL-S and TL-S
the TL is $20 more amonth, and is leasing for 42 month, as opposed to CL's 39.
I am not sure which one to pick, as i kinda like them both.
Any ideas?

SmoothJyzz

Basically, do you want a coupe or saloon with a subwoofer?.

dee

4thGSi

Get a CL-S your on this board hehe. Anyways it's a matter of preference 2 door or 4 door, do you have kids to haul or not, etc etc. Just go wich one you like both are nice cars...

Shurik

That's the problem - I can't decide what I want more...

astro

I had a CL-S for 50,000km's and now i have a TL-S...

the TL is quieter, feels more solid, the doors close tighter, wind noise is less and it has a stock sub, which to me is more important than the gay CL tweeters...

The CL-S is a bit faster, lighter, and looks really smooth, especially dropped with rims....the TL-S looks more like a family car, that's the biggest difference...sporty and sophisticated or refined sedan...

Crazy Bimmer

Flip a coin, thats what I did.

Shurik

Yeah, 4 doors is a plus.
Sometimes I look at TL and it looks really like a family car, and I hate that. Next time, I look at it and I really like it. It's like swinging back and forth all the time
Same with CL - one day it reminds me of thundrbird, next I really like everything about it.
It depends on the angle of view I guess too.
2 door vs 4 door is not much of an issue to me, I am 23 ,
no kids, and it's usually me and my gf in the car....

I actually thought that CL is a bit slower, that's what it looks like from the data supplied by various mags.
If you go to yahoo->2002 car guide, then go to acura, cl-s
and click on the performance data link on the bottom, you'll see
that numbers for 2001 are worse than the same thing for tl-s.
I wonder why....

spiroh

I would go with the TL-S personally.

gto2050

You drinking or riding? Salon? Or do you wish to get your nails done while you travel?

yayaya143

TLS with body kit, then it looks kinda sporty. If you have no kids, I would get a CLS, chances r ur next car will be 4 door for the kids.

Shurik

yeah, but body kit is out the question for me now.
This car is really pushing my budget\ as it is.
I am getting a spoiler, just because I can't live without it
but that's it.
Tint will come also.
That's what I am thinking:
next car will be tl-s
this way I'll try both
With family and kids coupe just won't do...
so, I guess, I'll enjoy it while I can

hatemystocks

If I were to do it over again, I would probably buy the TL-s...

I think the TLS with the bodykit looks much better than the CLS...

I dont see much advantage for the CL....

SmoothJyzz

goto: The original German spelling is saloon (hit www.mercedesbenz.com), and that was a misquote. the original post was saying it all depends on if you want the coupe or the saloon.

we're still all good though.
dee

Kahn Man

I like the TL-S better. I think it has a nicer looking front end. The dealer was telling me that the TL is actually a bit stiffer than the CL because the B pillar between the doors stiffens it. The other thing to consider is which front seats you like better. CL has bigger side bolsters.

I think the TL-S is a sweet enough car that even with 4 doors, it's still tits. The back seat will come in handy some day.

tankmonkey

that's a laugh... the tl has 2 more (large) holes in the unibody structure than the cl does, which would theoretically make the tl less rigid.

of course, I like the cl, so I'm prolly biased...

Shurik

It looks like most people (who replied at least)
like the tl-s better.
Ohh...

Do you know which one is faster?
I am talking about the stock version

aciurczak

It's a wash. They have identical engines, transmissions, and weight (within a few pounds). There is no difference between the two cars that explains any significant speed differential. The widely varying times on different magazines/boards are due to different test procedures, different surfaces, and possibly minor variations from car to car. Do you want a two door or a four door, that's the primary (virtually the only) question. I have a TL and CL-S. I think the subwoofer in the TL blows, and prefer the CL-S stereo. Others may disagree. Both cars have minor creaks and rattles (TL a bit more, as it's older).

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

Well, this was my major decision, but it was made easier by the fact that I owned a CL already ('98, but I'm talking the 2door vs. 4door issue). My fiance wasn't too big on me getting a new car, but I won her over with the more room / 2 more door thing!! I love my car. Don't get me wrong, I love the CL-S too, but I'm very happy with the TL-S and glad I made that decision. It's sporty enough to hold me over and refined enough to keep me happy. Check the pics in my sig to see my car.

As for performance, in 10 races, the CL-S would win 5 and the TL-S would win 5 (stock vs. stock).... that's how close they are. Like aciurczak said, they use the same drivetrain, engine, exhaust, etc. and they are within 100 pounds of each other which isn't a huge deal. Biggest differences are probably the stereo, seats, and fog lights (TL-S has real ones, CL-S has 5 watt road lamps standard). Decide between the size and door difference and off you go. If you're really unsure, drive them both, then make a decision..... Good luck!!

bb_00

Here are some pictures of my friend's CL-S and my TL-S.
I'll let you decide which one you like more.

yayaya143

ahhhh bb_00, you shouldnt have done that. SHouldnt have posted the pics of the CLS and TLS like that. I wanted to get a TLS with bodykit sooo bad cause I think the body kit really makes the car soo much better than CLS. If the CLS can look exactly like the TLS just without the 2 doors, i would have gotten the CLS.

bb_00

I was doing some research a few months ago and here are what I found between the differences of the TL-S and the CL-S.

Here are few other differences just by looking around:
- the obvious front end, back end, lights, number of doors.
- wheels (CL-S spokes out more, center in more, TL-S more flat)
- seats (CL-S has better shoulder support, more perforated surface, TL-S more comfy)
- center backseat (CL-S has storage compartment, TL-S is used for 5th seat)
- speakers system (CL-S has 2 tweeters & 4 mids, TL-S has 4 mids & a subwoofer)
- door locks (CL-S flushed, TL-S raised)
- grill and different inner mesh (TL-S bigger and honeycombed)
- front Acura symbol is bigger and puncture through (TL-S)
- steering wheel Acura logo (CL-S engraved, TL-S emblemed)
- key and alarm remote (CL-S red Acura logo, black remote and TL-S white Acura logo, silver/titanium remote)
- side mirrors (CL-S smaller/round, TL-S bigger/square)
- side mirrors (CL-S normal tint, TL-S anti-glare tint)
- side mirror mount (CL-S flat black, TL-S color-matched)
- B-pillars (CL-S flat black, TL-S shiny black)
- cupholders (TL-S more supportive)
- exhaust tips (CL-S square, TL-S round)
- driver's auto window roll-up (TL-S only)

In addition:
CL-S:
- All steel-unit body type
- 3510 lbs w/o nav, 3525 lbs w/ nav
Please refer to http://www.acura.com/model_CL/cl_spec_results.asp

TL-S:
- Highly rigid unit-body structure
- 3558 lbs w/o nav, 3574 lbs w/ nav
Please refer to http://www.acura.com/model_TL/tl_spec_results.asp

The difference in weight is about 48-49 lbs. The different body type also explains why the TL-S body structure is stiffer than the CL-S.

cnatra

I think the new front end on the TL-S looks better & I defintely like the tail lights better on the TL-S.
The TL-S has REAL driving/fog lights. The road lamps on the CL are a joke.

I think the front seats are way better in the CL-S.

If your young & no family then 4 doors shouldn't be a big deal.

You haul passengers much?

2 door vs. 4 door styling

soopa

you only think that because your CL was beat on... smashed up... and just plain used

trust me... i said same exact shit goin from my TL to CL.

the stock sub sucks, so whats that matter.

id rather have a good stock place for my highs (which are directional) then a wasteful 9-inch sub on my rear deck putting out omnidirectional bass


it really comes down to styling IMO... oh and... auto-up driver window


go for CL... you like our forum better!

bioyuki

When in doubt, go for practicality. If you're not sure whether or not you need 4 doors that means sometime in the near future you MIGHT. So play it safe and get the TL-S .

If you want more opinions from a TL standpoint go to www.acura-tl.com

Crazy Bimmer

Also if you buy the car, the TLS has a better resale value.

ComptechType-S

I'll tell you what.. Get the TL-S drive it around for a while and if you dont like it i'll trade you my CL-S

Since getting the CL, I tend to want a TL now. It would probably be the other way around if i got the TL.

cnatra

Well I just bought a 2002 CL-S & there was no difference between the TL-S & CL-S remotes.

The mirrors are identical for 2002. My CL-S has the larger body color mirrors with the "blue" anti-glare tint.

again, the "improved" cupholder design is identical on both cars for 2002 , read Chod's FAQ

I would call them oval , but hey thats minor

I would have to say this is all pure speculation as far as which car has a more rigid structure.

BOTH are unit-body structures that utilize the SAME engineering design. Here's a quote from my 02' CL brochure,

"The extremely rigid unit-body strucutre of the CL was designed using sophisticated modeling and stress-analysis software, then tested rigorously under real-life conditions"

The same can be said for the TL , differences are probably negligible. Same engineering design & same manufacturing process at same assembly plant.

Some would say the coupe with it's single smaller opening is more rigid others would argue the sedan with it's B pillar splitting
the doors is better,
toss a friggin coin or go get a structural engineering or a mechanical engineering degree, a super computer & a few days lab time.

The TL was introduced in 98' as a 99' model the CL was introduced in 00' as a 01' model.
Any structural improvements to the 02' TL or all comsmetic?
Inquiring minds want to know.

Shurik

I don't have passengers that often
sometimes I give a lift to someone from a bar, but that's pretty occasional
yeah, I guess it all comes down to styling
At some point of course I will wish I got four doors
but how often is that gonna happen...
I guess I'll take one more closer look at both of them
at the dealership and then make a final decision
Seems like the only real difference is 2-door vs 4-door
the rest is pretty samll stuff like cup holders and fog lights, but
that is not going to make me choose on eove the other

cnatra

I've seen other posts stating that the TL-S rims are different from the CL-S rims.

Major design difference?

Any weight advantage??

bioyuki

The CL-S rims are 17x7 and the TL-S are 17x6.5. The 17x7 rims are EASILY curbed as they stick out far from the tire. The TL-S rims are safer from this (I've rubbed my tire a few times and no scratches yet) malady.

cnatra

How long you plan on keeping the car?

Your only 23 right?

Marriage in the cards anythime soon?

Maybe in 6 yrs you buy a new 4 door if you get married??

spiroh

Who asked you!! You and your ghetto TL-P

bioyuki

The CL is based off of the TL so the share pretty much the same body structure. Changes to the 02 TL include: Type-S variant, cosmetic (front grill, projector style headlights, clear tails etc). Also changed is 25 pounds more of insulation material in the floor to reduce NVH. Can't think of anything else off the top of my head. The Acura brochure says that over 500 changes were made though between the 01 and 02 TL.

bioyuki

Oh yeah, new brake pads to with a lower metallic content to prevent rotor warping...

cnatra

This is probably true.

So if your leasing the residual will be higher.

Sedans almost always sell better than their coupe cousins.

One reason I bought the CL-S is the dealer was dealing more on the CL's & not much on the TL-S , plus the TL-S has a higher sticker/invoice to start.

I've always preferred coupes too.

Shurik

Well, Since I am going to lease it's either 39 months for CL
or 42 months for TL
marriage is in cards in about 1.5 years
maybe even sooner

so, it's not a long term relationship with the car, well
not relly long term.
But 3 -3.5 years is still a long time
I really like outside of TL
but I really like inside of CL
I just sold my 94 LeSabre today...
Sitting in a CL gave me that sort of "privacy"
feeling, knowing that there is nothing behind you, and noone
can open the rear door all of a sudden, not that I had any issues before, but just a different feeling from a 4 door.

cnatra

Which is common to both cars now

cnatra

Well OK , so marriage in that time frame , kids before the lease is up??

If so then 4 door.

If not CL , then when lease is up a new 4 door or whatever is more practical at the time.

Who knows what will be out then?!?

cnatra

THX for the info.

Shurik

A wife will be enough for a few years
no kids
I guess CL, it is a better deal, and cheaper insurance too...
Damn, there is going to be only a little over $100 difference between lease and insurance... this sucks

Well, the color is what I also have to consider
My gf really wants a parchemnt interior, cause with my 20% tint
black is too dark for her
ANd parchemnt only comes with white or black
I really like emerald green on TL's before, but new noble green
kinda sucks, especially if have seen old green

white is out of the question for me, so black
CL looks much better in black, as TL totally looses its appeal
in black
I wish they made parchment with blue exterior
choices are pretty limited, unfortunately