I was up in Allentown today so I decided to swing over to Lehigh Valley Acura and check out the new RSX.

I asked the Sales Manager if they had heard anything on the 6-Speed CL and they say it is still just a rumor and they haven’t heard anything about the 2002’s yet.
He said they have had many people asking about manuals for both the TL & CL and it seems to be holding up a few potential sales right now on 2001’s.

I know they aren’t the best place to go for the “latest” info, but I figured I would share my findings (or lack of as it may be).

Anyone else hear anything more positive lately ???

Shawn S

 

I just talked to my dealer when I was fighting about my actuator and they said it was coming , didnt know exact time frame , but they had been told it was coming in the 2002s.

 

I am hearing that there are no "major" changes for the 2002 and that the 6-speed will not be available until the Spring. How TF knows what's true and what's not. As usual we will just have to wait until we see it in on a lot or until Acura puts out official info.
I am going tomorrow to give a CL-S and a 6-speed RSX a workout with a "pro" driver friend of mine. Should be fun.
PNC

 

Dealers will deny the existance of anything they can't sell you RIGHT NOW. If they tell you the the manual is a couple of months away, you'll walk. Maybe you'll come back, maybe not. If they tell you the manual is a myth, they can sell you an auto TODAY. I think they keep up this front even when dealing with people who have no intention of buying anything anytime soon.

 

I understand your point of thinking if I was a NEW customer shopping for a car, but I basically told the guy that I was looking to trade and to give me a call whenever they hear something.

He saw my car sitting right out in front of the showroom.
He would have NO reason to lie to me.

I even tried to get a trade value for my car out of him, but he said they couldn’t do it until they knew what I would be buying.

Shawn S

 

Until I actually see the following characters on the shifter: 1-2-3-4-5-6-R and the left pedal happens to be a clutch instead of the e-brake, I do not believe all the rumors. Who knows, maybe Acura will give us a nice surprise.

 

I think its just part of the car salesmen culture of lying. Like how the value of your car varies depending on what you plan on buying.

 

I believe the rumors 100%. Bringing this to market is a little more difficult than people realize. It's taking the IS300 an whole year to get a manual because it's emission certification wasn't ready or something. Acura has put this little bone out there and you can bet it will come true. It's just a matter of WHEN. They could have hit some snags in testing or whatever.

 

i was at my dealer this morning, and it seemed like EVERYBODY knew the CL is coming in 6-speed, everyone from mechanic, to the sales person, to the service manager.

My salesman was trying to talk me into putting 500 dollars down to get the first one.

 

I was told by 2 dealerships in CT. that the 6-speed is coming in Spring 2002. Another dealership said they never heard anything about it?

 

I've been told by Tustin Acura (very big dealer) that a six speed CL-S is coming FOR SURE but not until after the holiday rush (Jan/Feb 2002). 6speed sales will most likely determine if it is passed on to the TL-S.

 

you have no idea what you are talking about, people order cars all the time, even when there are models on the lot, i work at an acura dealer and i already posted that according to the sales dep't they heard rumours of late winter/spring for the 6-speed
but there are no sales codes to order it at this time and that is all the information they have

 

There's a big difference between ordering a car that IS available and saying goodbye to a potential sale because what they want ISN'T available.

 

I've read in various magazines that the Prelude is being replaced by a sportier coupe based on the Accord platform for the 2003 model year. It makes perfect sense for Honda to release a manual first in the CL and then in either both the new Accord coupe or this new "sportier coupe" replacement of the Prelude. It's all a waiting game right now. Everyone is right, it's just a matter of time. . .

 

Could it be the Accord Type R from the UK is coming to America?

 

This part of it is very true: when you see the new codes in the computer that give the sku number and price, it's a 95% chance it's true. That's the best way to tell because the data has to be loaded into the main computer prior to sales.

It's the same with with my Sprint PCS phones. The retail store folks can look into the computer about two to three weeks ahead and see the new phones coming for sale. Rarely does it never appear, often does it appear later than sooner. I can keep it a secret for a long time, but not forever.

 

It was mentioned somewhere that this "new" coupe was probably going to be a sportier version of the Accord Coupe that would even further distance itself from the Accord line. I'm thinking along the lines of how the Solara looks nothing like a 2 door Camry. Honda would need something to fill that $24,000 - $27,000 hole in their lineup when the Prelude is gone.

 

Just take the Accord V6 coupe, give it a sportier suspension and a stick and its ready. I like the Accord coupe. I might have bought it instead of the CL-S if it wans't saddled with that 4 speed auto.

 

Exactly! The Accord Coupe looks great, but that 4 speed automatic completely turned me off it. The only other downside is I see one on almost every block . . .