amoss

Looking to buy a 2003 CL 6 speed and have a couple of questions.
How good is the stereo system, the head unit in particular. Is that something that will have to be replaced for really good listening?
How good is the nav system. Are there many problems with it and if so are they expensive to fix?

I ask these two particular questions because I don't think the center stack with a nav and an aftermarket head unit (probably double din) would look very good. Just my opinion. So, if the head unit is something that may need replacing, I had just as soon not try chasing down a car with nav. On the other hand, if both nav and head unit are durable and very functional, I would prefer to keep the stock look and try to find a car with nav.

Additionally, any tips as to what to look for, or look out for, when making my purchase, would be appreciated.

Nice forum!

03-6/6

i like my stock radio. 6 disc is nice. i dont have navigation in my cls6 but i really wish it did. the nav is gonna be outdated and slow.

Tosh

You'll be lucky to find ANY 6-spds in decent shape out there! Get the black interior...
I don't think there's anything wrong with the head unit, but I did immediately swap the $0.50 Bose speakers.
On a CL-S with NAV, the climate control has small buttons instead of full knobs, so choose accordingly.

Ponto

I agree with the above that I like my stock radio. However it's all relative as the definition of "really good" can vary. I wouldn't say the radio is really good, but personally there is no way I could justify upgrading it. I am also non-nav and really haven't heard much either way about them.

Outside of the obvious, the biggest tip I would give is to see if the timing belt/water pump have been changed.

TheWeez

Stock stereo is pretty good. Many have issues with CDs jamming as it gets older (it's old now). I recently replaced mine with an AppRadio 3 as it was jamming often.

The factory navi is absolute junk. Just avoid it if you can. Sure you can buy the latest maps for $99 but you still have 14 year old software running the thing. Even the cheapest new Garmin will be 10000x superior to it (or use your cellphone). I'd gladly trade out my factory navi if it was an option.

amoss

Thanks for the advice, that's what I was looking for. Leaning toward non-nav with the anticipation of replacing the head unit. Have actually found a couple of 6 speeds that appear to be in good shape.
I am aware of the timing belt/water pump maintenance. Is there anything else to look for? How durable is the clutch?

Thx

Tosh

Seems you're hell bent on replacing the head unit, even though all four of the replies so far say it's OK....?

amoss

Should have said in case I have to replace the head unit. I don't want to replace anything not needing it.

thx

CL-S progression 01

iTrader: (2)

I like the gps in the window and it's replaceable at a reasonable price. I got a deck in my CL with the screen but opted not to get the fancy one with navi and all that jaz. As all I wanted was built in satellite radio.

Tosh

Perhaps if you ask here in the forums, someone with a nice CL-S 6-spd is looking to sell. Great cars all in all: even with the 5AT issues I would buy one again.

Oldsman71

iTrader: (1)

Stereo is fine. It sounds good and gets loud enough for me. I don't have nav. Only problem I have with the radio is the volume control knob on the radio itself. So I just use the steering wheel volume control. The car itself is an absolute blast to drive.

TheWeez

I'd never take the auto even if it had 0 miles and was free. The headaches of dealing with broken transmissions and the constant worrying that it's going to grenade itself isn't worth it at all. Why anyone would consider a vehicle with major known issues and no fix for the problem is beyond me. I don't care if it's a Porsche or a Lambo. I don't care if it has a warranty (you still have all the hassle of dealing with bringing it in, getting a loaner, and being without your car while it's being fixed). There are thousands of other vehicles out there without the horrid transmission issues that I'd go with first.

amoss

Exactly what I plan on doing.

Tosh

Weez, I haven't been stranded or burned yet, so maybe I'm still a Honda fanboy. I have been sleeping better since I learned that an 06-07 Accord V6 AT is a pnp fix.

Radio volume and tuning knobs can be cleaned: Pull knob off and spray contact or switch cleaner into rotary encoders. I've seen video, but am overdue on this myself.

TheWeez

That's still something you have to worry about that you shouldn't. You might be able to put in an Accord transmission but have fun dropping the $3-5k to make it happen. Again, not something you should have to do. Why would you buy a car where you may have to drop several thousand dollars and days of your time to correct something that should never have happened in the first place.

It's just silly to try to justify. "The latest Android phone is great. I mean, you have to spend $125 to replace the screen cause it fails after a couple weeks but it's still a cool phone." You wouldn't try to justify it with any other purchase, why in the world would you do so with a vehicle? It's going to cost you around 1/2 of the total value of these cars to fix it.

JarrettLauderdale

As much as I respect your point, as it is very valid, I do not agree with dollar amount you've thrown out. This site seems to assume that all of the members take their cars to shops to have shops do the work. Why? This is a car enthusiast site so it would make sense that there are a few of us around here that work on our own cars, even when it comes to engine/transmission replacements. There are currently 10 2005-2006 Honda Odyssey transmissions for sale here in Texas on Car-Part.com for under $1000 in various mileage conditions. For me, the repair bill would total the cost of the transmission, the rear main seal and rear main housing seal, pan gasket, fluids and any wear items such as axles or ball joints whose replacement was warranted. Maybe $1750 for an extensive overhaul and the lowest mileage used transmission.

CL-S progression 01

iTrader: (2)

Unless you have pulled apart a complex automatic transmission I would err on the side of not doing the work yourself. I have the acura bible which tells you step by step what to do there are 244 pages dedicated to that transmission. I doubt most people could do it with the book, a hoist and a week of time. I had all the above and still would never even attempt it. Even tho I have done ever single mod myself... I know where to draw the line... I am not using my only vehicle to learn how to dismantle a transmission.

The manual transmission has 74 pages dedicated to it. So by my calculations it's easily 4 times more complex and probable 10 times the parts inside.

Plus there are things only a seasoned mechanic would know... I.e. How much wear car you low hold gear have before it will cause premature failure of other parts? Mine was off by a fee thousands of an inch and he caught it.. Think I would have?... Lol hell no

But good luck to you when the time comes sir.

P.s there are 22 special tools you will need to properly dismantle the transmission. How much will that cost?

TheWeez

There's a reason that auto repair shops, places with people that are ASE certified and have years of experience, typically send transmissions out to be done by a specialist. They usually don't even touch manual transmissions and there are less moving parts there. It's not something most mechanics can do much less random members of an internet forum.

So you can get a transmission for $1000. Are you gonna just assume it's good to go and install it? No, you rebuild it because you don't know if it's OK and for all you know, it could go out in 10 miles (I've seen it happen). So there you're talking another $800 or so if you want just want the rebuild or about $1500 if you want them to install it too. You wanna install it yourself? Have fun. Pulling the engine with the transmission out the top or lifting the engine then swinging out the subframe and dropping the transmission takes a lot of work and isn't something the typical weekend wrench turner is going to do.

Even if you could get a new transmission for $1000, that's still $1000 you shouldn't have to spend and won't have to spend if you do with another car or find a manual.

ASpirational

iTrader: (1)

This is what I spent on purchasing and having the local neighborhood shop swap an '07 Accord unit in for me.

amoss

Thanks again guys for the info. I appreciate the manual vs automatic talk, but an automatic is not a consideration for me. From what I have read, researched, and talked with others, the CL is an extremely well built car with the auto trans as the only weak link. Moving from a "sports car" - Toyota MR2 Turbo to a "sports coupe" - the CL; I still want the enjoyment of the manual unit.
Once the sale of MR2 is completed, I will be moving quickly to purchase an 03 type S six speed.

JarrettLauderdale

Who said anything about rebuilding it? I fully expect a used transmission that I install to work well, assuming it came from a wrecked car and not a car in the junkyard without any damage. The time I spend removing the old one, installing the new one and the risk associated with the possibility of having to do it all over again should the replacement fail is worth not spending $5000 on a shop doing the work. I'm a little different because before I got into my current career I went to school for automotive mechanics. I've pulled and swapped many engines, even a few in the junkyard with hand tools and no hoist. I'm not offended by the assumption that most people don't do their own work, I just don't see why it's not even an option in the price discussion for most members here.

And to your point about the matter in principle, again, I agree.

For what it's worth, I have two CL-S 6-speeds so in no way am I campaigning for the automatic version of the car.

CL-S progression 01

iTrader: (2)

I must say aside from the transmission tho this car is down right amazing in all aspects except fuel mileage, which is not bad but just ain't good either.

It's never left me stranded, always starts, no b.s ing around. I am going to shed a tear when it's time to move on that's for sure. I find it hard to imagine my next car being this solid

R J Poseidon 6

Hey, I actually like my OEM radio. I did however, add a Bazooka & it now sounds a shitload better. I could've gone solo baric Kicker or whatever but, this was already amped & it is light (very important to me since it's 6 speed)

Tosh is correct about the volume knob being an easy-fix. I too am an OEM LOVER. You can see my car in the pics section...

As far as NAVI is concerned, yea, you could use a Garmin (best non-OEM) or your phone BUT, the phone will drain your battery, interrupts your ability (a little) to make / receive calls, etc. It is in no way slow. I just purchased a new disc (2013) which will be the last update to be made for our NAVI's.

Hope this helps!

TheWeez

The factory navi is slow as heck. I can't just type in the place, I have to hit a button, wait for it to narrow it down which takes a second or two, next letter, wait a second or two.....

Biggest issue is the navigating. Every time I used it over the years, I'd get to the destination and realize there was a much faster way.

It loves to go "Take a right, take a left, take a right, take a left...." and make you zig-zag block after block rather than saying "Go down 6 blocks and take 1 right."

Miss a turn and it takes forever to recalculate. So long that often you've passed the street the new route wants you to turn on so it's back to re-routing again......

Anyone who believes the factory navi is decent hasn't used anything else in 10 years.

A $100 navi will give you FAR superior:

• Destination input and response
• Graphics
• Maps
• Lane directions
• Routing
• Traffic
• Map updates
• In-sun performance

I'll also add that you get more trunk space without the navi. The 4" or so that it hangs down may not seem like much but it gets in the way more than you'd think. I can't push my cooler back into the trunk and it's stopped me from loading plenty of stuff over the years. Yes this is fairly minor but with all the other negatives against the navi.

You pointed out that the 2013 maps is the last map update they will be making for the system. Per TomTom and other stats, on average 15% of roads change every year. That means that your maps are going to be very outdated after a year or two. For someone buying this car now, chances are they're going to want to hang on to it a bit. They're going to have some really outdated maps.

R J Poseidon 6

Dude, I have - I just don't give a fuck as much as you apparently.

It works fine. Plus, navi isn't intended for people that know where they are going. I haven't had issues but then again, well ..... I'll leave it @ that b/c as I said, I just don't give a fuck.

To the others, what he said makes sense. I'm happy w/mine.

YeuEmMaiMai

1. Stereo system is not that good imho
2. The Navigation system is slow by today's standards but it works well.

CL-S progression 01

iTrader: (2)

Back in the day u had to wait a min or two to load a web page... And now I don't wanna wait a half second lol..

Same with the gps, it's technology, it is there to save me time and not dick around trying to use it. I punch in ten locations a day sometimes and waiting while u are simply trying to put in a locating is quite frustrating... To me at least. My time is valuable, my gps's time is not... So move it. Lol

aznboi2424

iTrader: (10)

I did the non-navi to navi conversion on my car and I don't regret it. But the navi does suck compared to modern units. The graphics aren't good and it's fairly slow. The routing is weird sometimes too.

I still have my stock audio system but the CD player jams. I just listen to the radio though.