As a 10 year Acura driver and a coupe enthusiast I test drove a CL-S today. It’s a step up, Way up! I liked the CL-S; it’s very comfortable, efficient, loaded, techy, and smart. The dealer told me that the CL is the Legend Coupe replacement. The Legend was $42k in 1995- that’s what I drive now. CL-S is the best 4-passenger Honda coupe since the Legend, no doubt. With the G2 CL and the new 6-speed (like the G2 Legend) Acura is listening to what the CL buyers want.

But with the CL’s cool smarts and tech features something important has been left out, it has lost the ‘Honda’ personality. It does everything very well but with not enough character, looks. or passion, required in a sporty coupe, esp an Acura coupe. My Prelude and both Legend coupes had it but the CL doesn’t. They put in the tech and the power and left out the fun. There’s a quality feel and the obvious power rush you get in the Legend. The CL gets you there but with less fun. In the Legend you feel like you need a cigarette after a fast run, in the CL you feel like you need to clean it. The Legend is exciting, the CL is efficient. I guess that’s where the $10k went. I’m not complaining, the CL-S is a major achievement and my favorite new car under $40k, maybe it’s Acura’s fault for designing the Legend so well.

I now realize I shouldn’t compare the 2 cars and neither should the salesmen. They were made for different segments. I wish Honda would heavily tweak up the CL with more sporty character and looks, it’s got the goods already but clear tail-lights and new grills ain’t doin’ it, it’s too generic looking for a sporty car. Honda can do it, look at the NSX, the S2000, even the Prelude and Accord coupe. This is where the trade-off shows, exterior design and character. It’s an economic choice that Honda made.

I know CLers love their cars and I like the CL too. I think it is the CL faithful that are making a huge difference in what Honda offers in this segment. There is a lot of knowledge here and you guys know the most about what Acura is doing. I just want Acura to keep on improving. They came a long way from the G1 to the G2 CL.

At $30,000 Honda has done a bangup job with the CL, just imagine what another $5k could offer in design, styling, sportiness! Can anyone hear what I’m saying, I’m not bashing the CL, I just want Acura to make it more fun and sporty. Maybe my expectations are too high or there is not enough market for what I want without going German, but if Lexus offers another midline coupe (SC300), watch out Honda!
Thanks for reading my opinion. I’ll still like reading this forum (thru the flames!!).

 

i have never driven a legend so i cant compare the two cars. i can say that my cl-s is pretty fun to drive, but it is modded.

 

WHY would you expect "flames". I've never driven a Legend either, but I have seen many of them and do like the looks. I also like my CL-S. There are a few things that I'd like to see changed i.e. a moonroof that opens ALL the way, the moonroof switch moved to where that ridiculous sunglass holder is, more wheel controls for the radio and AC controls etc. While it may not be a "looker" like some other cars out there, many a head has turned when I drive by. Not sure if it's the car or that Zaino shine! I know it's not me!

<b> In the Legend you feel like you need a cigarette after a fast run, in the CL you feel like you need to clean it.</b>

Ahh..... so that's why I use so much ZAINO!

 

95 legendcoupe, you are probably right. The Legends (G2) were sweet ass. Alot of personality. But like you said, cost alot more 10years ago. But, it was that same high price that killed it. The CL-S may not have that "x" factor that i think you are talking about. I tend to get bored of cars real fast this car continous to bring i smile to my face when i drive it. The 6-speed shoulg be that much more exciting. But, honda has definately taken a more "sterile" approach these days. Well, they listen to customers so lets see what they do next!!

 

my first car was a used 91 Legend. I loved that car!

my second car was a 00 accord coupe v6. I loved that car too!

my 2002 cl-s is the best. I could have gone with the is300 or maxima or used 330ci but the cl-s just feels so good all around. It may not look the best but once wings west comes out with a nice subtle body kit i'm going to make some heads turn!!!

sidemarker

 

for a second i thought you said that you are making a nice subtle body kit. i was about to come knockin' on your door.

 

I agree! I could have gotten something else too, but I didn't like the is300. The Maxima is nice, but more "blaher" (new word) than the CL-S. I love my car.

The one thing that really puzzles me is WHY Honda doesn't make a ground effects kit for the CL, yet they do for the TL? Am <b>I</b> missing something here or is Honda?

 

i think its unfair!

the 1st gen cl was taken out for 2000 and brought back in 2001 with a redesign and new engine. Acura did a half as job with the 2nd gen cl. for example, cl is the only honda/acura without a oem body kit. and i dont know how many of yall are bugged about this but, i really like that damn A badge on the steering wheel!!!!! the 2002 cl is the only honda/acura without a nice plastic badge on the steering wheel!!! freakin civics and rsx and odyssey's have them but our car! why are we left out????

sidemarker

 

Cuz it is made here only for here.

 

the funny thing is,it seems honda is setting them selves up for failure...in a market were the personal luxury coupe doesnt have big draw....they went with a sterile atleast when it comes to looks design....dont get me wrong...i love my car...its the best car ive ever owned...and i like the looks...a real sleeper...but perhaps they might have gone 5 -8k more and made it a car that still appealed to few, but with the few as the expectation,i have a feeling most of us here still might have found a way to purchase at 35K for the base type S, if say even sportier suspension ,bigger brakes ,telescoping steering wheel,RWD ,or better AWD,more power say 300/275...18's optional ...KIT optional...,nav opt, bringing it into the 40's loaded...instead like the late entry of the 6 mt...they'll say /...see no one want one so lets shut it down...my comment on the 6mt is based on an earlier post,i fear many of the buyers of the manual,are currently in an auto and may not afford to get and right into the car they truly wanted all along...i hope honda doesnt see this as failure of the manual concept....its just bad timing in my oppinion...

 

Gotta agree. Honda sesms to be making a habit of this...as far as the sterile approach thing is going. They have been recieving a lot of flack from the media to for their overly "enthusiastic" sterile approach. The other japanese luxury car makers seem to moving forward at lightening pace. Lexus is cranking out winners left and right. Acura seems to have sputtered a bit. They seem to have taken a strp back after the "Legend years". Hopefully they will catch up now.

 

Man that plastic badge on the steering wheel has me pissed also. I like that thing. My roomate spent $10k less than me on his RSX and it has one! WTF???

I know it's a small thing but I think it sets off the interior.

Oh well, I still love this car!!!

 

Like hearing what ya'll think. I actually usually do go for the clean understated look but the CL went too far. I don't need real flashy. Rumors are that Honda may drop the CL sooner than later because of poor sales. It's their own fault, I don't know if they were in a rush to get it out in 01 or mainly just designed it as tradeoff for all the tech and less style for cost etc. I know it would be a fab car for $20k or under. Just not worth $30k to me without any style appeal. Maybe I'm too superficial on the looks of things. I'd buy it at $18k to $20k quick. I've seen some used ones at $22k+ in the newspaper.

Now the Vigor flopped too but at least they were trying something a little unique that didn't work. With the CL, Honda knew exactly what the coupe market needs and they were way too conservative. They thought the tech and features would be enough but sports ccoupes need that certain something style.
I hope they are listening to what coupe drivers want, I want to buy another Acura coupe after my Legend has faded.

 

CL-S is NOT a track car (like the new Z), it is 4-passenger, 2-doors, intro-luxurious HW crusier.. It is a practical too... jst look how big is the trunk.

The first and foremost problem of the CLS is its weight... 3550 lb is too haevy for any fun in a car like the CLS on the twisties.. Next are the tires...then the useles moonroof... then the rattles...etc..

However, It is the best coupe you can buy for the money.

All of you sports car lovers are looking for more rally-like cars with more performance. I am sure most of you woould love to have Brembo brakes, 4WD, a turbo, etc....ALL Standard.

I would recommend you buying the new Z or a used Supra.

The CLS was good for what it was designed for. However, there was enough Interest from sports cars lovers who can pay the $32k and get the CLS... and then start complaining....Simply you bought the wrong car.

 

I think your missin the point bro. No one is complaining about the CL-S. No one is disagreeing that the car is not intened to be a race car. I think everyone is trying to say is that they mabe missed the mark a little. Sales would reflect that thought. I bought it and love it. But as far as looks it is a little bland.

 

As a former Gen II Legend Coupe owner I can vouch for its quality.
The CL has TONS more “Bells & Whistles”, but the overall quality is down significantly.

On a more positive note, the Legend was 43,000 in 1995 and a CL with that kind of quality in 2002 would probably cost 60K and I for one probably wouldn’t be driving one.

Shawn S

 

That is the point i was trying to make. You said it a billion times better then me.

 

they did a half ass job on the redesign cuz there is no factory kit and no plastic badge on the steering wheel? sorry man but do you know how freakin stupid that sounds?