acs01

New to the board and just wanted to get some feedback from the acura crowd. I'm getting a new car within the next 3 weeks and have narrowed the choices to the following cars & options:

2002 Saab Viggen (no options, comes loaded) pros: great seats, good ergonomics(sp?), tons of room; cons: no nav, no xenon, old body-style, most expensinve.

2003 G35 Sedan Leather (Premium, Sport, Nav, Xenon) pros: RWD, 260hp/260lbtorque; cons: bad/cheap interior, no manual trans, seats are worst of the group.

2003 CLS (6 Speed/Nav) pros: best seats of the bunch, least expensive, good 6 spd trans; cons: dated exterior styling, fugly wheels.

I'd appreciate any info from those on the board that have experiences/opinions on these three cars. I've driven all three and really can't make up my mind (I think 1st choice would be the G35 coupe, but I can't wait that long). For what its worth, I'm coming out of a 97 M3 & had a 97 prelude sh before that.

TIA,

Andrew

scalbert

Of course coming to a CL site and asking you would expect bias towards the CL. But many people here do like the G35 which is a decent car. But IMO, I don't like the interior styling enough to consider it.

What dealer have you gone to drive the CL?? I traded an '01 CL-S for an '03 6-Speed back in July and have enjoyed it ever since. The engine is incredible and so is the shifter. My other car is an E46 328i and it tops the Bimmer in engine sound, feel and shift quality which all those things are tough to do. But handling is a little lacking but with the addition of sways and when I burn off the stock Michelins things should get a bit more even, but not quite, in that department.

Zapata

CLS 6mt fo sho! I didn't like the wheels at first but LOVE them now

SilverCL225hp

I would recommend you to get the G35, if not, then the CL Type S. I still trust the reliability of Japanese cars way more than cars from the other countries. By the way, why go for a four cylinder car(even it's equipped with turbo) instead of a smooth powerful V6?

Slimey

The Saab Viggen was also in my list of potentials this past winter/spring when I was car shopping. You listed the appropriate pros/cons. I would add 'strange ergonomics' to the cons of the Saab (you must have liked them more then I did). I didn't think the cost made sense either when comparing to the 6MT CL-S. It's quite expensive for what you get.

I didn't consider four door cars, so the G35 was not on my list (I don't like Nissan/Infiniti cheapass design either, but that's a different story).

I've been very happy with my 6MT CL-S. A very responsive luxury coupe that can be easily modded to be less 'luxury' and more 'sporty' if you desire. Look at $5K - $10K in mods if you want the full aftermarket package of suspension, wheels, tires, intake, headers (and superchager!!) upgrades.

Beltfed

Out of the above, I like the Viggen the most.......you can get good discounts on them which is nice. I think it looks great, extremely unique and exclusive. Downsides are its aging platform and the torque steer is a bit out of control.

You might want to hold out until November for the G35C, at least to check it out in person.

stickman

I am biased now, but 6 weeks ago I also had to make a choice. At the time I had a 2000 TL. I went for the 2003 CLS 6spd because:

- You still cannot beat the Acura price point
- 260HP & 6spd is good enough for me
- Manual transmission was a must
- 2 door Coupe was a bonus for me
- Reviews had it almost equal to the 330ci ( )

The G35 is tough to beat, but if you want a manual then your choice is easier. If you want a manual coupe, the CLS 6MT is probably the best buy out there today (my opinion).

Good luck!

1SICKLEX

You should get a hellified deal on the Viggen, since a new SAAB 9-3 is here.....
I say wait and check out the G35 coupe...

eclipse23

Out of those 3 cars I would say the Saab if it didn't rattle.

BlueCLS6

I have driven a Viggen and obviously a CL-S 6MT, but not the G35 (I would love to take one out). I am blown away with the quality of the Acura's interior, it is top notch. The Viggen had a typical Saab interior, strange ergonomics but easy to get used to. Don't like Saabs reputation much, especially as my best friend's Dad has worked for Saab for many years I have been in every kind. The Viggen is a solid performer but has... WICKED TORQUE STEER upon boost. The CL is much more driveable, I love it!

Klamalama

2002 Saab Viggen (no options, comes loaded) pros: great seats, good ergonomics(sp?), tons of room; cons: no nav, no xenon, old body-style, most expensive. TORQUE STEER, TURBO LAG!

2003 G35 Sedan Leather (Premium, Sport, Nav, Xenon) pros: RWD, 260hp/260lbtorque; cons: bad/cheap interior IN SPADES, no manual trans, seats are worst of the group. Also, THE INTERIOR SUCKS.

2003 CLS (6 Speed/Nav) pros: best seats of the bunch, least expensive, good 6 spd trans, HLSD, conservative styling; cons: uses premium gas.

Styling is subjective. The only specific item I'm not crazy about is the grille. The rest looks perfectly fine to me. I LOVE the wheels.