lazybuttalex

hey..well right now i drive a prelude..but wanna upgrade to a luxury/sports car..first i had big dreams of a G35..but then reality hit me..so then i found a CL-s...i wanted the TL-s..but i still want manual..so the CL-S was my option..
how do u guys like the CL-S? is it realiable? fast? would u recommend me that car?
whts the pros and cons? thanks guys!!!! is the 2003 and 2002 the same?


EDIT: yes i am a noob..-_-..but we were all noobs at one point..

SERIOUS CL-S

2003 has body color grill/door handles, blacked out headlamps, red/clear taillights, no road lamps, diff. wheels.

SERIOUS CL-S

2003 has body color grill/door handles, blacked out headlamps, red/clear taillights, no road lamps, diff. wheels.

I would go with the 2003, most people end up putting on some of thoes pieces above anyways.

And if a 6 speed is an option than I would get that hands down, if it was in good condition, low miles, and right price.

some of the automatic's have tranny problems, which doen't mean that if you get an auto you will problems, I have not had any problems with mine so far (knock on wood), but it's nice to have one less thing to worry about. I really wish I could find a 6 speed for sale around this area.

123456SPEED

The most unique thing about the 03 over the 01-02 CLS is the 03 came with a 6 speed manual tranny option, only about 2500 were made. I had a Prelude and Legend Coupes before. The CLS is a natural progression for more features/ options but less handling than a Prelude.
I looked hard at the G35 coupe too, but the interior is not worthy of a $30k+ car, and the car is not as refined as the CLS IMO.

03silvertypeS

i have an '03 CL-S 6 speed and i absolutely love it! it has close to 70k miles on it and it still runs like it's brand new (well a little more kick w/ my mods, but you get the idea). If i had it to do all over again, i'd still buy it w/out a doubt and wouldn't look any further. I haven't found another car that remotely compares in overall performance, looks, design, standard features, etc. Plus if you can find one in your area, you should be able to pick one up for just under $20k in good shape w/ lower miles. I got mine earlier this year for $18,700 w/ 49k miles. I was looking at the new mazda 3, but w/out a doubt i made the right choice w/ the CL.

lazybuttalex

thanks guys...

lazybuttalex

i have another question..wht color does the gagues light up?..or does anone have pictures of the inteior at night?

o1s

green? yellow? i'm color blind, so i can't tell what color they are at night.

Lord Helmet

They light up with white lights.

knight rider

iTrader: (1)

The CL-S has a lot of bang for the buck.

Xeon headlights
260 HP 3.2 litre V6 (same block as NSX)
Traction Control
Variable Steering Assist
Heated Mirrors
Passenger Side Tilt Mirror (for backing up)
Homelink system
Driver and Passenger Side Electronic Seats
Driver and Passenger Side "Walkthrough" seats (for easy access for rear passengers)
Heated Seats
2 person memory seat (and mirrors)
Bose 6 speaker, 6 CD in-dash stereo system
Auto Temp AC
Tilt and Slide Moonroof
auto tint rearview mirror (for the idiots that like to hi-beam you)
[Navigation System] optional (try to find one with it, you'll never go back)

and all the usuals:
perforated leather
power everything
antitheft system
valet trunk lock (which I used this weekend at the company Christmas Party)
cruise control
blah, blah, blah

AND [drumroll]..............................

all the information you need right here on Acurazine

lazybuttalex

hmm u tellin me all this makes me want one even more....must..find one...but some of my friends r tellin me to look into the acura TSX..i mean that car is nice and everything..but the thing that kills me is that..it only has 200hp...so ya...

phipark

The TSX is very, very, very nice. But you hit the nail on the head, it's weak.

o1s

torque is your friend.

Lord Helmet

Anyone who's had a TSX as a loaner for a few days will tell you it's a nice car but it's gutless.

lazybuttalex

ya....i am in love with the CL right now..after lookin at the gallery section of this fourm..ahha..but does anyone have a picture of the inteior at night?..so i can see how things glow?

o1s

123456SPEED

sorry best I could do , quick shots.

lazybuttalex

wow..not that bad..n it even tells u the outsdie temp? ahah thats tight! thanks man

123456SPEED

Lighting has a slightish green seafoam? color, which I don't like as much as the Lexus type whiter LED lighting, but it's not bad. Hard to take good pix cause car was parked under lights shining in, my aluminum dash was reflecting light, and the Navi screen was washing out the other lighting. it's better in person.
in daylight it;s the reverse, white dials with black lettering.
Go test drive one soon!!

03 CL TypeS

The CL-S is a great bang/buck car. As mentionned above, you get a lot of standard features (Navigation was the only option actually).

Also as mentionned before, the 6-speed manual only came available in 2003 and about 2700 or so CL Type S's were equipped with it. The manual cars do not come with VSA (stability control) nor traction control. They do however have a limited slip differential, which feels really good in the corners. Manual transmission equipped CL's do not have any transmission problems, other than a leaking rear main which is fixable under warranty (and there's a service bulleting about it). All other CL's and TL's of this generation were automatic.

5% of all those automatics suffer transmission failures. Acura has extended the warranty up to 7 years / 100,000 miles for the transmission in order to make up for the manufacturing defect. My recommendation: stay away from the auto and buy a 2003 CLS-6.

The CLS-6 relatively quick, if you compare it to the competition on the market in 2003. A good driver will hit low 14s on a good day. I hit 14.3 @ 97mph with an Icebox CAI as the only mod (+10whp). The track was badly prepped. I'm positive the car can do better, even if stock, but it's not a 13 sec car without mods. By the way, an Icebox + headers will give you 30whp on these cars, which is very substantial.

There are a few downsides however:
1. Depreciation much higher than other Honda/Acura models
2. Annoying squeaks and rattles
3. Front-wheel drive (wheelhop, lack of traction, not ideal for a sports luxury car - a 330i or G35 will handle much better)
4. Shape is arguably ugly (sorry guys, but looks-wise, our cars are NOT hot in stock form)

Summary: the best of all CL's are the 2003 6-speed Type S's. They are very nicely equipped, realtively fast and give you great bang for the buck. If you couldn't be bothered by the fact that it's a FWD car and looks as exciting as a math book, go for it. Just keep in mind that a Bimmer will keep its resale value much better (and make up for it however, with higher maintenance costs).

Hope this helps!

123456SPEED

Ouch, I ain't got no squeaks and rattles since the sunroof opening was taped by the dealer. and even I have ranted on the CLS looks, but it has grown on me.

I get a lot of compliments on mine but mainly cause it's anthracite (rare color), 6 speed, and even rarer 6 speed w/Navi. I like that the CLS overall is a rare car, not on every corner and it has Honda reliability and loaded with features.

03 CL TypeS

I think I'd like mine better if it was Anthracite, lol!

As for squeaks and rattles, I occasionally get this sounds as if tiny marbles are dancing around in my roof.

And the passenger side silver console trim squeaks upon the slightest acceleration/deceleration. I guess it has to be reglued into place, but I haven't had the time to go to the dealer yet.

At least the sunroof stopped squeaking - just in time for the winter - hooray !!!

lazybuttalex

thanks for the good detailed pro and con...i probaly wont get one..for another year or so..im saving on my own..and im only 18.i got..a few Gs saved..so aint that far...but...a year really isnt that long...

damn..i kinda wished i didnt spend all my money on my prelude..ahah..but eh...turns heads for now...til i get that CLs!!