DRO916

2001 Acura CL Type-S
Clean Title
140k
Black ext/Black int
No Navigation
Springs
Body condition: scratches/dings and one fist-sized dent on rear QP
Interior condition: 8/10


1998 Subaru 2.5RS
Clean Title
96k
Black ext/Black int
Bone stock except for OE replacement springs/shocks
Head gasket replaced (known issue)
Body condition: scratches/dings
Interior condition: very clean, but passenger side window motor needs replacing


The question:
If both were asking for the same price, which would you choose and why?

• My only real worry about the CL is the transmission. He claims to have had it replaced this past Fall for $1800. I've heard that their transmissions are known to still fail even though they've been replaced.
• I'm not sure what other known issues are for a 1998 RS.
• Are there any real differences between a 1998 vs. 1999-2001? Just wondering if they get the butt-end of the stick or are they're usually avoided.
• For me, I plan on using it as a commuter car, and would mod sparingly. Bike rack a must since I go MTB!

richardparker

iTrader: (7)

the subaru is probally more of what your looking for.

CH46ESeaKnight

I'd take the Subie. If he paid $1,800 for a replacment tranny, who knows what he got. To have it done right by the dealer cost around 5K.

StreetKA

iTrader: (8)

CL will be more comfy but bc of the tranny issue i wouldnt buy it. subi is rare and nice. with some extra money you can do swap Sti motor/tranny and you got a beast. im sure subi will be better choice for you as long as you can not afford CL 6 speed.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

I vote Scooby. Im a sucker for the 2 door Imprezas, especially in STi guise.

Nersh7

x2

Rajca

iTrader: (8)

subi. hands down. dont want the feeling of a costly trans replacement on ur head. or u can try to find a 6spd cl

ghttf

GC8 Coupes are the shiz. I almost got one a while back. If you like small fun cars it's great. Wouldn't recommend a CL over it unless you do a lot of highway driving.



Make sure it's a manual-the 4spd auto sucks and tranny swaps are complicated because Subaru uses only 1 electrical harness for everything. However both transmissions are likely to fail if you add a turbo kit.


JOIN THIS FORUM there is alot more info available if you become a member.

http://www.rs25.com/forums/

DRO916

Thanks all!


Yeah I joined that forum a few days ago lol to read up about it. It's funny because even all you CL guys are saying get the RS. I guess my plans at being a CL owner will have to be postponed for now .............

StreetKA

iTrader: (8)

as long as your tranny wont fail you'll be satisfied. i recommend to look for 07-08 TL/Oddysey tranny at the day 1

ghttf

Well the CL definitely looks better and more modern and I cant think of a better car for highway driving for the price...it's really comfy and I get close 30 mpg @ 80mph

Only one thing has gone wrong with mine- the airbag light and it was fixed under warranty anyway.

But if you like to drive on tracks or just for fun a 2.5RS has it beat.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Awd > fwd

friesm2000

iTrader: (4)

or the H6 swapped in, with some turbos slapped on there at the same time (engine is only like an 1" longer total, so it will fit in there, just a slightly tighter fit at the front (but the stock H6's are tighter there anyways), then the tranny goes in the exact same spot so no worries there

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Meh. I prefer the H4. With alot of boost.

friesm2000

iTrader: (4)

or the h6 with alot of boost

friesm2000

iTrader: (4)

and absolutely no bitching that it has not been done before either http://www.perrinperformance.com/pages/show/32 , but imagine a lighter chassis stripped and caged though

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Too heavy though, no?

Interesting build. Im not impressed by the power numbers though.

Costco

23 psi and 600 whp is not impressive to you? Ah who am I kidding, with a typical LSx only 10 psi will put you at the 500-600 whp mark

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Cost to power ratio makes it unimportant.

Subies are a bit front heavy to begin with. Toss in the H6 and that thing must understeer like a bitch.

immauser

iTrader: (1)

judging from the picture of the acura cl... its not a 3.2, but only a .2 type-s.... i would definitely go with the subaru

friesm2000

iTrader: (4)

i know it may be a little front heavy, but there are ways around tyhat some though, like moving the battery to the back first of all, a cf hood for second and a couple of other things

the numbers, may not be superhigh, but what you are getting is a wide power band with quite a bit of low end torque at the same time

brian6speed

iTrader: (5)

from the sounds of your guys posts, it would sound like he asked which car to use as a track car. He already stated it was for a commuter car, so i am not too sure why you are saying awd> fwd and talking about engine swaps. The cl is fine fwd for daily driving, it only becomes noticeable if you push the car above 8/10's. 9 out of 10 cl owners will never want to or try to even push the car that hard. I also wouldn't say the cl is no fun to drive. I have a blast driving my manual cl. Looks wise the cl is far better, to me that subaru is as plain and as boring as can be. It wasnt an option but if it was me i would pass on both and only get a cl if it is 6 speed.

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

I posted AWD > FWD because he said he likes to go mountain biking. Throw a roof rack on the Subie and have some fun driving to the trails.

friesm2000

iTrader: (4)

true, but...... see civic's \/; lol

and yes i will get you most people will never fully push there car, and yes the CL wins handsdown in the Looks catagory, but the subie would win in the fun factor though especially with a engine swap (let alone easier and cheaper to modify)


and another thing, the one he is looking at is auto, so no 6-speed fun there lol

and let alone he never mentioned if he has to drive in the snow or not during the winter, which would be another deciding factor for the AWD

98JDMCL

id take the subi...

Im pretty sure for the same price you can get a 02 WRX unless there both $2000.00

dave586270

iTrader: (3)

That's a nice .2 CL-S, lol. The auto's are a nightmare for sure, i'm on my 3rd tranny in my '01 CL-S. First replaced at 66K, second replaced at about 100K!

Rapture

Meh, you can't really ask for an unbiased opinion of this nature on the CL forum. Most everyone is biased against the 5AT (including some who have probably only ever owned the 6MT)

I'd say the Subaru mostly since afaik the CL looks a little lol with a bike rack.

LUTHOR-CL

The subaru looks better with bike rack

friesm2000

iTrader: (4)

but the subaru does have issues with those head gaskets though, but still not as expensive to fix as a tranny though (2k vs 4k or so)
but then also once those head gaskets seem to be done (and correctly with surfaceing the head, and the uprated head gaskets) they don't seem to blow again, subaru just tryied to cheap out with single layer head gaskets, and it bite them in the ass (new gaskets are multi layered btw)

then also they are known for a couple of oil leaks, but those are kinda well known and extremely easy to fix, and stay fixed for a long time, when you have to pull the motor out for head gaskets


then also if the subie is an auto, they do not take kindly to lack of maintence, but still last alot longer then ours though even without maintence

newbster

I am new to this forum but not to Acura CL ownership. I have had my Acura CL for almost a decade now and it has approx. 271,XXX miles now. It has honestly been one of the most reliable cars I have had. Other than routine maintenance, it has not required much else. I would not let the transmission scare you because with good maintenance and driving, it will last a long time-I am still motoring on the original one!

I would say that if you prefer something sporty and do more city driving, stick with the Subaru. If you want a smooth highway cruiser, the Acura would be better. For me, I personally would pick the Acura because having driven many Subaru 2.5H4s, I haven't been impressed with their power especially with the auto. Their engines sound nice but not particularly smooth or fast and are generally agricultural in nature.

Have you driven both? If so, what are your thoughts?

Lowriderhps

hey can i ask u something real quick???... it has to do with a 2001 Acura CL type S transmission.

fuzzy02CLS

iTrader: (2)

Neither

OperationDarkie

iTrader: (1)

Imo i wouldn't even mess around with a 2.5 rs once you get to about 300 HP that tranny will blow, 2.5rs trannies are notorious for not being able to hold power, get a wrx at a minimum, and make sure it isn't an auto.

friesm2000

iTrader: (4)

but even then an STI tranny is basically a direct bolt-in (with all the necessary parts of course)

AnthraciteBeast

iTrader: (3)

Exactly

Track ---> Subaru

DD ----> CL