I think I am going to struggle with this for the next 3 months while I wait for the 03 CLS 6MT ... For example - check out the below deal !!

http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/v...&ac_afflt=none

Kinda hard to not consider something like that

Help .... I am so torn ... wanna be loyal to Acura, but the BMW M3 is a bad a$$ sports coupe! 5.5 0-60 .... wow ... solid.

 

I had a 95 M3, friend has a 98 and my other buddy had a 99....they are fun and solid (not problem free by any stretch)- but overall great cars. Just comes down to what you want.

 

It's good that you want to be loyal to your honda but there comes a time when you have to step up your game. Get the BMW M3!!!

 

What is importat?

The biggest issues are:

FWD vs. RWD
New Vs. Used

You might want to compare insurance rates as well. The M3 is a great car. Have to wait and see how the manual CL turns out.

BTW, I try not to be loyal to any brand. Keep an open mind.

 

M3 is an M3.......so you know exactly what you get with it, precise handling, spirited driving, BMW marquee. You buy it and really dont have to do much to it, just drive it. Meanwhile, CLS you need to lower it, sway bar it, even koni yellows, tires, and all of this to get handling close to the M3, but with CLS FWD is just there and its hard to change that 68/32 weight distribution.

The car on the autotrader with only 15k seems too good to be true, I would be wary of such low miles, but if that checks out, dont bother waiting for the CLS.

 

I totally agree with Bluto. It depends on what you want.

New or used, FWD or RWD...

I can't imagine that the Beemer could be more plush than the CL-S. Me personally. I like the a new car. It is neat to have a car that is new from the start.

This is my 3rd new car.... Hey.. You have 3 months to figure it out.

 

Dude, my homey loke. word is bon don't be lis'nen to dem peeps. u bee do gots to gots dee M3 yo. da ladies bbeee dooo likesis da BMW!!

 

I have both. '01 CL-S and '99 M3. It just depends on what you want. Performance? M3. Nice quiet ride? CL-S. Cost of ownership for CL-S is a lot cheaper. Let me know if you want to know more.

 

M3: WTF was that all about?

 

Go with the M3! The CL-S has nothing on an M3, even with an M6 tranny.

 

provench - everything you need to know, buddha can tell you.

The best way to compare two cars: Talk to someone who owns/owned both.

Other than a manual, I don't think the '03 CL will be drastically different than the current car. But, more HP would be pleasant surprise.

 

I must be the only person in the world who thinks this... but here goes.
I hate the OLD M3. It doesn't feel precise (like all the magazines say),
seats are uncomfortable, it sits high, I don't like the clutch feel, the shifts
are WAY too long and you'll beg for more room in the rpm department.
Sure, it was fun... having great throttle response and excellent mid range
torque. I had one for 3 weeks and while I respect the car... it's definitely
not my cup of tea. The following week I borrowed an NSX... now that's
a machine. But, back to reality here. The CLS, even though it needs
mods and not built quite as tight... it just seemed more comfortable.
More dealer choices, cheaper maintenance, poor people don't think you're
some sort of snob cause you drive a Acura and styling seems to stay
fresh a few years longer. Last gens 3 series looks MUCH older than last
gens CL. Sure, you BMW fans will flame and get all puffy... but honestly
you should just save all your arguing. Besides, you guys got the new
M3 to stand by. I'd give up my first born for that sucker.

 

I wouldnt want a 4 year old car 2003 vs 99

15000 miles or not

Just my 2Cents

 

If you asked me 2 years ago, I would say go with the M3. The fact that the new M3 bodystyle is out, it seems that the old M3 is dated. I personally like to have the newest body style out. I love the old M3. I think it looks good, and has potential. I would hold off until ou see the manny cl-s, and then make up your mind. I would go with the CL-S manny though.

 

Go with the CL-S...nuff said.

 

Yep.

 

You want the M3. If you go with the CL you may as well get an accord and spend the extra cash fixin' it up since the CL is an Accord with worse suspension.

 

provench, how did u order your cl-s 6mt? i didnt know dealers had them for order, i tried the local dealer the other day, but told me that they werent confirmed yet.

were u given official or any sort of pricing for the 6MT?

tks

 

Welcome to the board Kuulingan!!!

Provench, I also think that old M3 style is dated and ugly. The CLS is alot nice and stands out more I think. I haven't driven either but I doubt the driving experience will be that diff. except for mayb the size. I think the aftermarket for BMW is a lot more $ than the Acura one, something to consider.

 

Well - I think unless the LA Auto Show shows the CLS 6MT to be a total flopola (very unlikely), I am gonna go with the CLS!

As for the availability of the car, dealers got the first allocation that included how my 6MT's they would like for '03 model CLS's on 12/14/01 ... due on 12/18/01. I believe ALL Acura dealerships get this on the same day and it is monthly.

So - there are no details, except that it is 6MT, but there is speculation that slight front and backend tweaks, body kit, and an HP bump are very likely.

If you think you might want a 6MT I would go talk to your Acura dealer and grab a spot, cause after the Jan 3-4 LA Auto show the details will be out and the spots are gonna go VERY fast I think. The production is going to be limited ... at least initially.

Personally I think Acura is something major up their sleeve, so I am betting on it and got in line ... #1 in fact at my dealership.

Acura, Bring on the 03 CLS 6MT !!

 

thanks :P

 

really?!! .....cl-s MT breaking into the 13;s would be tight!!

would the pricing for the 6MT be more than the current cl-s? or would be be less or similar? since manual tranny's usually run less than their auto counterparts