Hi All,
I am looking very seriously at the CL and was hoping I could ask you a couple (OK a few ) questions about it. My first (and largest) is should I wait for the '02 or are the changes small enough that the current savings on the '01 are worth it. Second, does the navigation work well, or does it end up wrong most of the time, like others tend to. Also, I know that it takes DVD's, how often do you have to purchase them, and are there other service fees (dealer didn't seem to want to answer for some reason)? Third, is it rather simple to remove the factory radio, or is it tied to other things, like the Nav? I will put in a DVD player of some sort if it is easily removable, so that is sort of important . Why is there no manual trans, or is that a wished-for item for this car too? Lastly, what are the things to watch out for on it? I guess this is mostly a what-is-your-opinion question, I am kind of looking for the small problems that you get used to (short fascia that is easy to get scraped up, easily warped rotors, that type of stuff). Sorry for all the questions, I'm sure allot of them are seen many times a day so sorry for the repetition as well . Please feel free to email me if you want to (evdonahu@cisco.com).

Thanks in advance for the help,
--Evan

 

1. Acura has one of the best Navi's i have seen around... That thing always get's you there.. and you can watch A really dvd with some mods to the system... No service fee. Might have to pay for the New DVD.
2. Manually would be nice but not sure when its coming..
3. The factory radio is made by Pioneer. It has a million screws not sure if it is tied to the navi, think only the ac is.. you can put a stand alone dvd player and add a switch and play it through the Navi.. I changed out all my speakers and added some amps.. Sounds a lot better then Factory now..

Little things to watch out for are the mirrors on the o1 a little big the create blind spots.. And the big thing is curb rash on the rims the stick out more then the tires.. Not sure what is going on with the brakes on the newer modles.. I have warped rooters because they run hot.. Some the hood paint chips easly but i live in chicago and all are roads are full of rocks.. I just think it is typicall I have had a couple acuras and this paint is not that bad.. the o1 cup holder sucks get the one out of the tl and replace it..

Get a v-1 radar you will need it this car loves to go..

My .02

 

if i was buying it I'd go 02 cause the front spoiler plus they got better mirrors and plus I think they updated the Navi. plus they got all the little bugs out of it(not the CL is a bad car)but little things

 

if you're worried about price, go for the 2k1....if not, go for the 2k2, it has minor cosmetic changes like the mirrors, front spoiler, etc. also, def get the navi, u will regret it if you dont, esp since its only $2k...some ppl on this board have a dvd player running thru the navi, its pretty tight..also, dvd upgrades for the navi are $150...make sure you have the current version in the navi before u take delivery, i tink the current version is like 2.04...good luck

 

what changes to the front spoiler are you talking about? im looking at the 02 brochure and it is exactly the same as the 01

 

If you want a MANUAL, then you should wait and buy a 2002 literally next year (2002), not this fall.

A manual tranny is coming out next year, in early 2002. If you use the forum's "search" feature, and limit the search to the last 5 days, you can find the latest threads that talk about it. Here's the most recent:

I test drove the 6-speed

You can find out tons about the Navi by doing a "search" as well. I have the Navi, I love it, it works, but its "voice" is integrated into the factory head unit. You can upgrade your speakers and power amp and still keep the factory head unit (which some say is a Pioneer, some say is an Alpine, some say a Techniques-Matsushita, what-ever). It's decent enuf unit, and if you have the Navi, you can upgrade around the factory head unit with good results.

New Navi DVD's are released every year around the beginning of October--cost $152. You don't HAVE to get a new one EVERY year. Vol. 2.05 is coming out 10/01 and is definitely the one to get.

If you wait for the 2002, since the 2nd generation brake pads will be on the car, you won't have to worry about the "warped rotor syndrome."

So, it's simple decsion: If you want to save $$$$, and don't need a manual tranny, then get as late a 2001 as possible and make them give you a free update for the Vol. 2.05 Navi DVD when it is released (that is, if you want a Navi).

Good luck

[ 08-21-2001: Message edited by: technoid ]

 

Thanks all for the help. I have decided to stick it out and wait for the manual, which the dealer says won't be too far into '02. Hope you all don't mind if I lurk for awhile until i get to own one