Thrill Rides
The Wet Dream Versus the Wetter Dream

By Jonathan Wong
Photography: American Honda, Wes Allison

It had been two weeks of nonstop traveling, and my body was completely drained. The weekend, I figured, would offer more than enough time to recuperate because guess what? The following week I would be heading out for the Acura press lead for the ’02 NSX and CL Type-S—both cars redesigned and upgraded with the enthusiast in mind. And in this case, getting to drive these cars would not only be a perfect story for the pages of Super Street, but it would also be another perfect opportunity for me to brag about how I got to drive these cars and you didn’t. Especially the NSX. And in one night, it all came crashing down on me.

You know how most of the time you get these annoying little colds that really don’t do you any harm except for a little nasal congestion and maybe a runny nose? Those are easy. It’s the ones you get every couple of years—that really nasty flu—that just destroys your whole week. Well, that’s what I got the day of my departure—a striking fever of 103 degrees that would not let up no matter how much I tried. I visited a shaman for advice, I begged a priest for forgiveness, and I switched from a regular conventional oil to a synthetic brand, but no luck. I would remain sick until my body would say otherwise. This sort of thing only happens to the unlucky…and Super Street editors.

Try as I could, I enjoyed my free dinner and met briefly with the Acura staff, which you’ll remember is now made up partly of one former SS original, Matt Pearson. Breaking away early for some much- needed rest, I downed what was left of my NyQuil and prayed for the best. Come morning, I felt a little better and did my best to hide a hacking cough that would only bug the hell out of people as the day wore on. This trip also served as a Super Street reunion because I paired up with former feature god Karl Brauer (now lord of Edmunds.com) to beat the living hell out of these cars. Or at least try to, anyway.


The Journey Begins Here
I grabbed three rolls of tissue and shoved them in my backpack. They would serve not only to aid in keeping the snot from dripping out of my nose but also to keep all potential pants drenching to a slight minimum. I know it’s so cliche to say that, but what else did you want me to say? That I wouldn’t be excited to drive an NSX? That I think the CL Type-S gearbox is the smoothest thing to happen to an automobile since boys and girls started making out in them? I’ll say ’em! Anyhow, moving onward… With a slight bit of strategic planning, it took Karl and me less than a few seconds to grab a CL for the first leg and enjoy the NSX on a more difficult stretch of road. We jettisoned from our San Jose quarters and headed toward the ocean, a trip that included fresh air, plenty of scenery, and the ever-present hacking cough by yours truly.

Within moments of getting the car warmed up, I took full advantage of the CL, totally underestimating its capabilities. It was my goal to de-virginize this baby; instead I was taken advantage of in all the best ways. Each shift feels like warm apple pie. The shortened gearbox is so precise that it—along with the limited-slip differential, self-adjusting clutch, and dual-mass flywheel—made the car an instant favorite with me. We only got to drive the manual six-speed, but you can opt for the Sequential SportShift automatic version should you find yourself more willing to succumb to just brake and gas pedals. We’re sure both are adequate for even the pickiest driver. More impressive, however, is the 260hp V-6 VTEC engine, and since this is the Type-S version we’re praising, its sweet spot kicks in right when the needle touches the 4,400-rpm mark. This is where the smiles come in and the “Holy shit, that’s fast,” falls out of our mouths. In other words, this car kicks some serious butt.

From an outside perspective, the CL Type-S isn’t an eyesore. It may not warrant the same kind of response from a double-D–breasted Playboy Playmate as a BMW or a Mercedes S-Class would, but at least the college sorority girls will give you props for it. Besides, college girls are more fun anyway. It’s got loads of room for a two-seater and feels extremely plush, sometimes too comfortable for its own good. The audio system is a Bose essential, and if you’re linked up to the navigation system, you’ll learn that getting lost in the CL Type-S won’t be an easy task. Another fine feature is the suspension. It’s no Type R, but it’s still tight. Thanks to stiffer front and rear springs along with sportier shocks and larger-diameter sway bars, the task of turning becomes just as much fun as going in a straight line. And how could you go wrong with the 17-inch wheel package and HID headlights?