skinkman

Hi, Newbie here - fan of acura cl 03 type s
Hi folks,
I just joined the forum today. I can't remember how i suddenly started researching the Acura 2003 type S, CL 6MT, but I am hell bent on finding a good one. I have used this site as a guest to confirm that that is indeed the car I want and the breadth of information and knowledge is very admirable. The mercedes forums was equally filled with very expert characters.
I have owned a 1994 e320 coupe for the past 8 years. After 207k, i have decided I want some more fun in a stick and from my research on this site, my specs are:

silver external (preferred)
black interior (much preferred)
6 MT (no other)
Navigation (needed to must have for me)
low mileage (needed 0-60 preferred. Others considered)
No Modifications (much prefer stock, plain.)

I live in Maryland and in a sense the above is a WTB ad of sorts, but any advice from experts on things to look for would be wonderful.

Look forward to getting to know you guys before and after I make my purchase.

Thanks,
skinkman

RendanCLS

The CL is a very nice car, the 6 spd is very reliable, I'm not exactly easy on my CL and it has given me very few problems, nothing major. Finding one with around 60k miles might be tricky, because who would get rid of this car with miles like that? Main things to check I guess would be that all the maintence has been taken care of. Make sure the clutch is in working order. If you find one just take it on a 30 min test cruise. Oh yeah, welcome to the site and good luck.

TheWeez

The navigation in these cars SUCKS. It'll tell you to go left then right then left then right then left then right then left when it could have told you to go down 6 blocks and make one left. Every time I use it to get somewhere I realize that there was a MUCH faster way to get there once I get there. The navigation system is from 2001 and it really shows. Even the 2010 maps update doesn't make a difference. Skip the navi and get a Garmin for a lot less. If you are insistent on in-dash navi then get a 3rd party unit and mount it in your dash.

Getting an unmodified car shouldn't be hard. There aren't many mods available for the car so most of them are stock. Gonna be hard to find a 7 year old car with under 60k miles. This isn't a sports car so it's not being stored in the winter. 60k miles is only 8.5k miles a year which is stupidly low for a daily driver.

brian6speed

iTrader: (5)

Its a nice car, i love mine. if i was looking for one right now around that mileage, the white car from this thread

https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-cl-2001-2003-50/25-6mts-sale-autotrader-com-white-blk-navi-58k-miles-%2414k-755892/

would be on the top of my list. Its not silver but has black interior and thats rare. As for the navi i just got an alpine in dash screen and hooked a navi to that.

Joe5.0

Good luck with the search.

My opinion is to stick to your guns and BE PATIENT. The right car will come up. Do not be afraid to fly somewhere to get the right car.

Also, dont be afraid to buy a car that has been mildly and tastefully modded. Most people at minimum put lowering springs/struts on the CL-S because it sits so high stock. Also the normal intake and exhaust mods wont hurt anything as long as they are dne correctly.

I know alot of ppl dont like to buy cars modded, esp a stick shift, because the previous owner most likely drove more aggressively. This may be true, but I will say I run my car to redline VERY often, have had numerous drag strip outings, numerous road course days, and TONS of redline shifts. I'm still on my stock clutch (125k), have no mechanical issues, and still get 26mpg combined.

skinkman

Awesome fellas. Thanks for the replies. Keep them coming.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

If you're hell bent on finding this car, dont bother with the navigation models. The navi is outdated (read: nearly 10 years old) and the OnStar doesnt even work anymore. If youre willing to travel to find one, search Auto Trader and Cars.com. Theres a few out there. Good luck on your search and keep us posted.

Rapture

I can't even find a 6MT around here that's even worth getting. Everything I've seen has been abused, has too many miles, needs work, etc. I honestly think you'll have to compromise a few things if you want a 6MT CL-S

I just got a ABP 5AT CL (ABP is the best color ) and I'm satisfied.

skinkman

you are right. I am finding that the ones with low mileages have owners who won't budge on price at all. One outside of Philly has 39k but the owner won't listen to anything close to KBB value. 14k is what she wants. It's not my ideal colour so I will have to stick to my guns as advised.


http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/ctd/1529073737.html

here's an incredible below 7K miles. Not the color I want at all obviously, but someone could find a gorgeous buy. practically new.

i am seeing a few with high 80k mileages at pretty good prices. I might just budge on one of those.

What is the protocol for buying a car from the midwest when one is on the east coast?

1. I will not fly over, but I will pay for local inspection

2. Do you pay in full before delivery? I am sure you do but what would be the safest method in case it is far from as described (Do I ask for a notarised note of description?)

Thanks again guys. Very helpful information so far.

It would be great if we could get expert members in local areas to vouch for cars for members for a fee, rather than giving the money to independents. I would trust the judgement of experts from this site personally

gnuts

iTrader: (1)

it's almost worth getting a clean 6speed with a bit higher mileage that has had the timing belt service (105k / 7yrs) already done. Then you don't have a big maintenance for a long time.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

True.

Id much rather take a solid 120k mile CL-S6 over a 25k mile well-worn CL-S6

skinkman

So about the Navigation:

I obviously won't turn a good car down if it has it, but from what I've been reading does one lose climate control functionality if the Navi doesn't work? sounds like more trouble than it's worth if this is true?

I won't mind the console in case i want to fit a gizmo in using the harness and space for the Nav system, but climate control is important lol.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

If you remove the nav screen you will lose some climate control functions. Thats why I went with a non-nav model.

Rajca

iTrader: (8)

waited and searched 2 years. then the right one came for a hell of a price (for those who know what i paid), just wait it out. one will pop up for the right price.

RendanCLS

Just steal one, everyone is doing it lol