Hi guys,

My 1998 daily driver 3.2TL has finally gotten too expensive to maintain. I am thinking of a 2003 CL-S MT as a new daily driver but I wanted to hear from owners. I would guesstimate that any CL-S I can find these days will have 120,000 or more miles.

Also what can I expect to pay for an MT CL-S? I thought somewhere around 6,000 would be reasonable, but all I can find are dealers selling them for 12k+ Am I way off on what a 10+ year old car is worth?

 

In regards to the price of an MT 03 CL-S, I am not the one to answer this since others know better.

In regards to the dealer price, they are retardedly outrageous. A 2001-2003 CL in my area (overpriced British Columbia) you would pay around 5 grand for a CL with 160-260k km at a dealer, maybe a smidge less as a private sale. I've seen members on this forum nab em for 3500 (in NY area).

I love my CL to pieces but my auto tranny just decided to slip its way towards the light at the end of the tunnel (it's dead Jim) so I have to ditch it... 100% fun while it worked though

 

Prices vary by state. I would think you could get one in the 7-9 range. Make sure timing belt has been done at least once.

 

As gnuts said, $7-9k seems to be the going rate for a private sale, depending on condition.

Those asking $12k will be asking that for a while, not many are willing to pay that when you can get a 3G TL for that these days.

As far as maintenance, you have to remember that its a 10 year old car. Joints and bushings are beginning to fail. Depending on its life, the engine may be tired. Im willing to bet the valves need to be adjusted, and as previously mentioned, the timing belt should have already been done. And, if it has never been changed, the clutch may be going as well.

I really dont think getting into a 10 year old car to save money from fixing a 15 year old car is really worthwhile, unless you know the service history from day one.

 

I drove the 3.2TL to 201,000 miles until it developed a blown head gasket. I fixed it up myself over time and then recently sold it for 3.5k (amazingly and with full disclosure).

So I figure for 5.5k or so I could get into a CL for a while with an MT for entertainment. But I haven't seen them in that price range so maybe the whole idea is moot.

You are probably right though. It was just one idea I had floating around. I still have a 1996 Honda Accord that was bullet proof until this year when the A/C won't stay fixed and with the heat wave I am not driving it. I've been driving my 370Z and watching people in downtown parking lots ding it up.

 

Since you have another fun car, why not use that $5500 on a beater Civic with working a/c? Itll save the Z from dings.

 

That is a perfectly good idea.

I have no good reasons for the CL-S idea except I always liked the design and wanted a V6 daily. Yeah not really the best reasons.

 

The breaking point of my car is that its a auto, which kills alot of fun. I wish I had a manual.
I paid 10k for mine from carmax here in Nevada.

 

Holy hell, when did you buy it and how many miles were on it?

 

January 2012. 95,600 .
Yeah, my father talked me into it and I pretty much got shafted. I know.

 

damn i paid 10k for mine but that was 7 years ago. thats a bit much in todays market.

 

See, proof that I got screwed.
Oh well .

 

With all due respect, dont listen to your father when making a purchasing decision

Carmax does lifetime warranties though, right?

 

you could have bought mine for like half that lol. actually i bought it 6 years not 7 years ago.

 

MT's are sooooo much fun, but yeah the guys in this thread make some valid points...

 

For the price of a 6mt CLS I'd throw in a few grand more & get a newer TL 6mt.

 

I paid $8000 for my 03 MT CL with 99,000 miles a year and 1/2 ago. The car had all the service records and had just had the 100k tune up/valve adjustment/timing gear service. Also the tan leather was nearly perfect(even the drivers seat). I've rolled the car up to 118,000 miles w/o issue besides replacing a blinker light, tires and oil changes. These are amazing vehicles if you can get one that was well taken care of by the previous owner and I have no doubt mine will take me to 200K+

Harv

 

I have loved mine and just put it up for sale in the market. I have done everything. The car needs nothing and is a perfect driver. They are a hoot to drive especially after the header install. I will miss mine

 

Why are you selling?

 

Oh good god. That is the exact color I wanted (ABP). How could you do this to me?

 

come up to austin, I know a couple of good ones here, both 2003 6-speeds. One is my co-workers, white/parch, under 100k miles and selling for a fair price (not sure exactly, but I bet 7-9K), with headers but not much else. Another forum member here has a Red one, with less than 40K miles! No clue what he is selling for but I can introduce you if interested.

 

HA! I know right.
Uhmm, I have it warrantied until 150k , but includung that my car is more like 12k. I get a rebate or something if I dont use it though. Have not used it in the past 10,000 miles.

@P.Diddy Sorry but I can not own a red car it would drive me crazy. I just dont like red in general. But with the money I would have saved I could have bought a paintjob !

 

Diddys red is actually pretty damn nice in person. But if you dont like red, that doesnt make a difference

 

I like red on cars it shines nicely, just can't own a red vehicle.

 

My 2003 CL-S just turned 50,000 mi. 6-sp man in absolutely mint condition. No dings, paint chips...interior showing little to no wear. Anthracite gray/ Blk leather . I've had virtually no problems with this car. I wouldn't take less than $12,000 .

 

Well mine just sold...less than 24 hours. Best friend and his wife bought it, couldn't be happier, they are beyond excited

 

If you decide to sell, good luck.

Congrats! Hopefully they take good care of it. Tell them to sign up here too.

 

I'm honestly scarred to sell my CL . They are kinda "rare" and I just like it. But want moar power. I like inifiniti g35s.

12k ? mine blue booked at like 7k excelent here with 104k.

 

I've been thinking hard about selling the CLS6 and getting an 04-06 TL 6MT. However, I've driven both cars and the CL is definitely more fun to drive. It's more of a 'drivers car'. That, and the fact that the CLS6 is so rare, it feels nice having a car that no one knows about.

Still though, those TL-6MT's look really appealing to me..

 

Eh.. ^^ like you said I enjoy being in a car not many people have. TL's are everywhere. I drive my girl's 06 all the time and although it's auto, its just not the same at all. I'd love a 3rd gen type s 6mt but the CL's faster mod for mod for a LOT cheaper

 

Just bought an 03 CL 6MT with 169K all maintenace done, interior perfect, with Navi for $4500 here in Florida. Car drives like new. Seemed like a good deal to me, he was asking 6K.

 

Clean title?

 

Hey Civic, if you are talking to me, yes, clean title.. If not, sorry

 

Mine was 8k at a dealer in Ohio (from Buffalo, NY) and it had 142,xxx

Clean carfax, one owner, with up to date service history, a hole in the driver seat, and ~800 in new parts from the dealer (suspension, tune up, ect.)

I just waited, and looked for a few months once I decided what I wanted. Keep your down payment handy, and don't rule out a trip to get it. Personally I'd rather
pend a few hundred on a retrieval trip and get a clean/exactly what I wanted car, (and save $ in some cases) than to get one close to Buffalo (too salty, my 03 cl is cleaner than my finances 08 fit )

 

Depends. 6MT usually 6-7.5 depending on maintenance and condition of vehicle. If you look for clapped out ones .. prob 4-5

 

I looked into this when I bought my 6-speed with 141,xxx miles a year and a half ago... The CL has hydraulic self adjusting valves.

For the record, my car was $4,400. As for what I see people asking for 6-speed CLs these days, it's roughly $6500-9000, depending on condition and mileage.

 

Where did you get this info?

 

It says in the owners manual directly to have the valves inspected at 105k/7 years.

 

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...nal&listType=1

 

^ I saw that earlier today and even though the milage is perfect thats way to much IMO