Hey guys,

Sorry to ask such a general question- but I am/will be in the market for a CL 3.2/Type S w/ 6 speed relatively soon. Some questions to please be answered:

1. What are the major differences in the model years of the 3.2/Type S (I am not interested in anything less then the 3.2)

2. How do they handle in the snow?

3. Is the navigation system worth paying extra for in a used car- and if so, how much more should I expect to pay?

4. How much does the price differ (on average) between the Type-S and the regular 3.2?

5. MPG?

6. Tips on what to look for when buying?

7. Whatever I forgot/is important.

Please note this car will be driven in Albany, NY as a daily driver- it has to be able to handle all inclement weather well .

Thanks!

 

Hm.. you seem to be all over the place.

Decide whether you want a CLP or CLS (CLS is much more power). CL-S has 260hp and also has to have Premium 91 octane +. Mileage is about 22miles per gallon and factor in more expensive gas, it gets slightly more costly to run. Also check your insurance before you buy. It will go up.

Nav is well worth it. I did not think I needed it but wound up really liking it.

You are in NY and apparently they are stealing the HIDs...

No idea on snow handling.

Don't get the extended as the tranny is good for 100K...

Hope this helps a bit.

 

It seems he wants the 6sp so yeah no need to get it. However remember on some of the late 2003 Auto models the Tranny is not covered as Acura deemed them to have the "fixed" tranny already inside.

If you can still find one get a 6sp with Navi, you'll wish you went with the Navi if you don't.

Also check out this FAQ it should help you out a bit too:


http://www.geocities.com/gamesmgr/chod/acura/

 

Well, as a fellow Westchester county resident... maybe I can help you out with the snow part......

I have a TL-S which is basically a 4-door CL-S. One season I drove in the snow with the stock tires, and the car was pretty good. Last year I got dedicated snow tires for the winter... and the car was absolutely awesome. So.. if you're really going to be doing that much driving in the snow.. invest in some snows.

The other stuff is easy.

1) 2001 and 2002 were basically the same. 2003 added blacked out headlights, half clear/half red tails, and new rims. Also the 6-speed was an option in 2003

2) see above

3) I didn't get it. Personally it's a waste of money. 98% of the time the car is used for work.. and I know where my office is... so I didn't need the Navi. When traveling I print up Mapquest directions or get directions from someone at my destination. To me.. not worth the extra $2k.

4) couple of thousand depending on condition and mileage

5) I average between 23 and 26 depending on how I'm driving. On long trips it's usually 27-29mph or so.

6) Nothing really.. it's a good car.. so just make sure it's in good shape.

7) make sure the warranties are transfered to you. Other then that you should be fine.

FYI... no real problems in Westchester with HID theft, but just in case I added the shock sensors to the alarm. Better safe then sorry. As for warranties... just remember that the extended warranty is only for the tranny... anything else after 4yrs/50k is not covered unless you have an extended warranty.

 

Thanks guys!

So the '03 is the only model that comes w/ an optional manual transmission?

Juniorbean, where in Westchester are you from? I'm from White Plains.

I'm sure I'll have more questions as I narrow down my search- know of any good cars in the NY/CT/NJ area?

 

Correct, and since there are so few of them good luck finding one

 

Damn , it'll be more expensive too..

 

I've got one that I'd make you a great deal on

 

Let's hear it:

kennyherman@aol.com

Why do you want to sell it?

 

i want a six speed

 

Hmm, I'm also interested in the RSX-S and possibly the TSX if you're a dealer (preferably used, and yes, I know the TSX is new! )..

Thanks!

 

Gas mileage is great on the highway for the 5 speed auto - 5th is so tall that i get over 30mpg if it's purehighway.

Snow handling is pretty good, the FWD helps alot and the VSA in the auto does its job.

 

I work in White plains (Harrison actually) and live in Cortlandt Manor.

As for the 6-speed CL-S... they're not selling for much more then the autos... so you shouldn't have to pay that much more.

 

Shouldn't be. If you find a new one that a dealer has you can probably get a deal. They don't realize how rare they are yet. Just a slow selling car to them.

 

Small world, eh?

Any problems with the CL I should look out for?

 

Yeah.. lol.. there's a decent amount of us Westchester folk hanging around here

As for the CL.. the tranny's the big question mark on the auto... so just make sure you get all of the warranties transferred to you just in case you need them....

 

If you can, drop me an email- I'd assume that you're a true car enthusiast (and not just an Acura fanatic)- I organize alot of events with my friends cars- mostly Ferraris- and am in the midst of organizing a big drive/rally for the completion of a friends Ferrari 330 P4 in mid-April, maybe you'd like to join us?

 

1. I think the difference between 01 and 02 are minor, like painted mirror housings. )02 to 03 saw the biggest change with the 03's offereing the 6 speed, plus having different wheels, black headlight housing, clear and red tails and silver interior trim for the type s models.

2.I have a TL and with stock rubber it handles great in the snow.

3.The Navi can be had for cheap in a used car, becuase for some reason it doesnt get counted that much when the car gets sold or traded to the dealer. So you can beat them down to a few hundred over the price of a non navi car. Also the navi is great and will help you from time to time. If you like gadgets, this is the thing to get.

4. The price difference can be between 100 to a couple thousand. There are so many variables like vehicle condition, mileage, navi, year, ect. In a perfect world an 02 CL-S with 20,000 miles in excellent condition and 02 CL-P with 20,000 miles in excellent condition would have roughly a $1000 difference in price.

5.average about 25 mpg for me

6.Along witrh the usual checks on a used car, like accident, motor damage, make sure you check the tranny, which will still be covered under warranty. Other than that, the car is failry new and has thus been problem free other than the glass tranny.

7. Get the type-s If you find an S and a non S on a lot, then there will be a difference in price, but if that lot has only an S it will make beating the price down a lot easier. The type S power is just so much better and makes driving the car so much more rewarding.