New March Motor Trend has an article on their one year with the 01 CLS; about 9500 miles spent with a black one. Very complimentary article and balanced set of what's hot and what's not. The love the engine, mixed reviews on the tranny shift pattern; too short on head room. Check it out on p. 128.

 

scan it up

 

 

I would, but I didn’t get mine in the mail yet.

Shawn S

 

Here you go. . .

 

Honest, decent review.

 

Seems like a relatively positive review.
They scraped the SHIT out of the wheels, but at least they didn’t blow the Tranny.

Shawn S

 

good article. I'll say most of what they wrote can reflect on many of our experiences here. It's unfortunate they have a false sense of reliability with their auto CL. Imagine if their tranny had blown like some of ours have in the middle of a busy LA highway. I bet their tone of voice would be slightly different.

thanks speed_racer for scanning the article.

 

Also...they mentioned that the airbags are now dual staged, dual threshold device. When did they include that? 2002 or 2003?

 

Can't understand why use Eclispe and Camry as alternatives. Sucks!!

 

I've never noticed a lack of head room in my CL, and I'm almost 6'3". Maybe they didn't notice that the seat height could be adjusted.

 

5 passenger? Fifth passenger must have a sore ass!!

 

where are the guys who are always quick to label certain magazines (i.e motor trend) sold-out or bought-out by other car companies?

Guess they wont be coming out on this one huh

 

Have to agree also with two or three considerations - I am 6' 3" and have plenty of room, but I ride like a low rider! And better tires make a huge difference (Sumitomo HTR+ 235 45 17).

Plus get the 6 speed manual - at all costs!!!

 

And I am not really a newbie, just Dave in disguise!

 

last i checked, our car was ment to only fit 4 people...they have 5 people listed...no wonder they complained..

 

I almost didn't get my TL-S because of the lack of headroom. Almost. I'm 6'4" so I now definitely sit more reclined than I did in my Maxima (ordered sans sunroof). My kingdom for another inch of headroom! I would have loved to have the option to lose the sunroof in favor of the headroom. I wonder if the '03 TLs have the additional headroom like the '03 CLs do?

 

They like it....they really like it

 

Just have a problem with the comment that one editor wrote about not choosing the CL-S over the G35 coupe. It would make sense if the G35 coupe were available at the time of the test. I was taken by the G35 when I first saw it (except for the interior, ugh.), but let's see how the G35 stands the same type of test. My brother has a G35 sedan and has already had the A/C go out twice and other misc. irritants with the car. I know-the CL-S has a tranny issue, but I still think bang for the buck, the CL-S and TL-S are the best.

 

Great review. Don't know where they are getting the lack of headroom from. I'm 6'2" and have no problems.

 

Editor must have been 7' 3" ... At 6'1", I find no problem with the headroom. I do agree that the A/C controls on the NAVI are a pain in the ass. And what's up with the seats having a "mind of their own?" WTF?

 

I don't think the editors even knew how to use the seat adjustments. I am 6' 3" and the headroom isn't all that good but I am comfortable. Too bad they never found out about the easy sunroof fix. I will agree with the assessment of the wind noise around the mirrors, it's still there on the 2003s. All in all it seems like a good review. Though it does sound like the 2003 is the best year to own.

 

They said the seat had a mind of its own...uh...maybe they missed the MEMORY FUnCTION...duh

 

Why are M/T's long term tests for 10k somtimes, every car tha I know of that C/D has taken has gone like 40k before they give it back (I think) I still subscribe to MT, cause they get different news and all that, but CD and Road and Track are far better mags IMHO.

 

unless the CLS/TLS sticker for under $27G, the WRX is still the best bang for the buck.

As for the A/C glitch in your bros G, it is in its first year of production so bugs are a given.

 

Umm not really. WRX is an econo-car with performance of a m3. WRX offers speed with absolutely NO luxury while CLS/TLS offers a bit of performance (tho no where comperable to the wrx) with very nice luxury.

But its about personal... if u want cheap speed then wrx is right for u but if u care more about luxury with performance being 2nd then CLS is still up there.

So who are U to say no-no to someone who find cls and tls as the cars for the best bang for bucks?

 

i'm over 6'3", and i've never concidered headroom a problem

 

when i was 18 i would have wanted a WRX. Back in the day it was Camaro's and 5.0's. But now that i am an old fat bastard i would never want to sit in a car that wasnt comfortable and nice inside. Now the attributes of the CL appeal to me more. Luxury with a mix of performance.

 

It was Shaq.

 

same.

 

Did he not state "best bang for the buck" I didnt think the qualifier for this designation was luxury. My mistake.

 

the g35 has 280 hp, not 260. THEY LIE!!!

hehe, theres also some other problem they they said about it but i dont remember

 

that term isn't just for performance, kid

 

Mine too. Every 3rd or 4th time I scoot the seats forward, they fail to return all the way back. I will talk to lame dealer at 15K in May or so. Good thing they didn't mention all the TSB's.

 

Python the G35 Sedan has 260, 280 for the coupe.

 

Wouldn't the best "bang for the buck" award go to the Dodge Neon SRT?

I wouldn't trade in my CL-S for any Nissan Product, long-term I really believe the Nissan's won't be very nice to own

BTW, BMW has a ton of TSBs too. Believe me I know.

 

You got me there, CLSter. For $20G there's nothing faster.

 

I thought TLS/CLS's engine is DOHC and the TL/CL is SOHC ???

 

Both the premium and Type S motors are SOHC.

AC Controls-I don't see what's so hard. You push the AC button on the NAVI and there's all the controls. Not that I have any reason to go off auto control most of the time.

Headroom-It depends on where your height is. ie. legs vs. torso. I'm not quite 5'10" and I fit OK, but its still too easy for me to hit the headliner if I move just right, like turning around to back up.

 

Would be funny if the transmission would crap out on them....