Considering a CL (Preferably Type-S) As a Second Car… What Do I Need To Know?
 

Hello CL Enthusiasts & Acura Enthusiasts alike,

I currently have an Acura (TLX Type-S) and I am considering getting another older Acura to daily and one of my considerations is a Acura CL… watched a few recent reviews of it on YouTube.

I want to know all the things I should look out for when considering one of these CL and CL-S

I know the transmission is one of the biggest fault points.

im looking to preferably pickup an automatic CL Type-S or 3.2 CL

always loved the coupe and the design. Found a few in my area ranging from about $2000-$6000

any insight and info will be greatly appreciated from you guys about the CL :thumbsup:

^
If you are serious & persistent you'll find one to your liking; however, it's important to keep in mind that these cars are over 20+ years old & popular with the 'Frankenstein' swappers. Therefore, when sourcing 'some' OEM components you may find them 'discontinued', especially with the six speed.

Hold out & get a Type-S, they are more desirable over the Base model if the modification 'urge' ever presents itself.
If you have to have an automatic, try and find one with 1) low miles, 2) an already rebuilt transmission or better yet, 3) an already 'swapped' 06-07 Accord V6 transmission. :shrug:

Otherwise get the CL-S six speed, which are even harder to find in decent shape.

With both models look for rust, most certainly if it is a northern car.

The passenger side front beam, for example, as it connects to the rear beam, has a tendency to rust out because of the A/C drain outlet on that side of the firewall.
The OEM rear beam, (#1 below) is discontinued, so if it is corroded your only option is to source one from a salvage yard.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazi...8bf3b7edac.jpg
Make sure the recalled airbags have been dealer replaced to avoid possible 'shrapnel' in the event of safety restraint deployment.
Other than that, right now, I can't think of anything else to add. :)

alright thank you for the insight!

Unfortunately I do live in the northeast so definitely be on high alert for rust. Definitely will hold out for a Type-S model and funnily enough most of the CLs around me for sale are Type-S models.

Will be reaching out to the various sellers of the CLs for sale in my area to take a look at them in person. And definitely have your post bookmarked to aid me in my visual inspection of the vehicle.

Autos = :yuck:

Hope you like slow heavy cars with questionable life expectancies.

Shouldn't talk about yourself like that.

:huhsign:

Might've been funny if I was fat. But, you can make fun of my 2G MDXs if it makes you feel better. Nothing fast about those things.

Well this wasn’t very constructive, manual is not ideal for my use case…as for the slick comment below…that’s your opinion.

:chuckle:
From a dig, very likely not, by a long shot.:sad:
:ponder:
Nevertheless, a 3,446 pound CL-S6 with an adroit operator, and a good 20-25 mph roll (with no missed 3rd gear shifts :D ), may still not stand a chance in overcoming the 4,221 pound turbo TLX-S; however, that little 2G J32 sixer will surely surprise you as one looks over their right shoulder. :)

As mentioned above, they are popular with the frankenstein crowd for a reason, lol. ;)

P.S.: If possible, when you find likely future auto CL-S candidates to investigate, post them here in your thread.:thumbsup:
Good Luck!

My opinion is based on owning many hondas and acuras to include: Supercharged 2G CLS 6spd, 3G TL Type S 6spd, 3x 6th gen accord 5/6 spds (H22 nitrous, H23, J32 supercharged, J35 high compression on e85), 7G accord K24, 8G accord 6spd (J35, J36, J37) and 1G TLX v6 aspec.

^That said the 2G is a heavy car with most of that weight being on the front, which in turn overtaxes the suspension and brakes. Autos by design suck away power with their fluid vs mechanical coupling. Not to mention that the 6GA/2G CL/TL auto trans is known to be flawed. If you want to buy one go ahead. Just be prepared for the eventual trans rebuild/replacement.

fair enough, I just think ultimately having 2 Type-S models pairs nicely in my eyes. My use case for the CL is to drive it around town for grocery getter tasks and go back forth to work. I want a CL cause I like the look and I think they’re dope as my dad used to have one along with a Acura Legend.


I have budgeted out money for a trans swap or rebuild whichever makes the most sense if I do pick up a CL… I’m also looking at a TL Type-S as well. But my first choice is a CL a lot of what i have came across for sale near me are abit rough around the edges some more than others.

Don't rebuild, go with a 2007 Accord V6 BAYA transmission. Rebuild will just break again.

Here are a couple of prime examples, it appears as if they are still available? :dunno:
18k-Mile 2003 Acura CL Type-S for sale on BaT Auctions - closed on September 21, 2023 (Lot #121,238) | Bring a Trailer

2003 Acura CL Type-S for sale on BaT Auctions - closed on December 10, 2023 (Lot #130,273) | Bring a Trailer

This was a picture of the mileage on my formerly supercharged auto CL-S when I purchased it in late 2019.:thumbsup:
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazi...44d3d8269a.jpg

both of those were auctioned off and it appears I’m too late to bid on them lol FB Marketplace and Craigslist has turned up varying results however

^
Hey MarcoTLX, have you had any luck on finding a 2G CL-S to your liking, or did you give up the ghost?
Not much of a reasonably priced 'prime' selection out there currently?

:rofl: :ugh:

I looked at and drove this one today - located in Knoxville, TN. It is a local car, and appears to have lived in Knoxville all its life, and has been serviced at the same dealer from which it was purchased since new. It is overall pretty good. Lots of door dings and scratches. Driver's headlight bucket needs to be replaced. Has new tires, and timing belt service just done. Drives well, feels solid. Dealer won't budge on the price, which after taxes and their "doc fees" will be right at $11.5k out the door, if you're paying TN sales tax. The interior is in really good shape.

Here is the full link:

https://www.harperacura.net/used/Acu...0012cb433b.htm

A fellow Tennessean, eh? Though, Knoxville is like a 2 hour drive from me lol.

I would look on Facebook marketplace, rather than a dealer. That is a clean car though. But it's not worth that much for how old the car is. That's Suzuki Cappuccino money right there.

🤯 Dealers are outrageous. The sad thing is that someone will actually pay over $10k for a 20+ yr old car and think it's a fair price.

In contrast, I sold my 07 TL Type S 6spd in good cond with new clutch and timing belt for $9500. Dealer offered me $6k.

It’s a one owner car, sold new from the dealership that’s selling it now - lots of service records and a clear carfax. Thats all pretty cool IMO.

However, there’s not a body panel on it that doesn’t have a ding or dent. It looks like it lived in a garage parked next to the kid hauler. The passenger side has door dings from the front fender all the way back. It’s kind of ridiculous. That said, the paint (except the rear bumper cover) is still shiny and the leather is in good shape.

To get it whipped into shape, it needs some TLC and some parts. It is overpriced, and I told them that. Someone who wants it worse than I will buy it.

Good for you!
I loath dealerships and their BS.
When I purchased my six speed, it was through a broker; however, I had to close the sale at the dealership.
So somehow they (dealership) were not making as much as they would have liked because the car sat on the lot like 60+ days.:ugh:
I remember sitting with the finance ass clown and he proceeds, using 'scare tactics', to try and sell me some kind of special insurance (I forget now what specific type of insurance), claiming it was 'highly probable' :blahblah: that my car would end up in a sealed freight container to South America, LOL!
I was like WTF are you talking about & gave him the best 'stink eye' I could muster and told him to hurry his ass up, because I have another appointment to make.
What a f'ing herp derp, he was.:rofl:

"Would buy again!"
These CL-S coupes are worth having, but I don't think you're finding a 'keeper' for under $5k unless you roll over an old lady. I bought a nice silver CL-S again 5 years ago that had 52k. If I needed one >right now< I would get that white 7k miles one in Ohio for $17k...

Grab a CLS6, if possible. I have a 02CLS 5AT, and since in 2024 alone, I've spent an average of $300/month on maintenance and replacing/upgrading parts. Granted, I opted to upgrade most of the parts that needed to be replaced. Just understand what youre getting yourself into: full suspension rebuild, transmission issues for the 5AT, valve timing reset, replacing power steering pump and possibly the rack and pinion as well.. list goes on but best of luck! Once you're prepared for what's ahead, or if youre lucky, this is an awesome car with lots of potential. Just be mindful of the parts that should be tended to asap so you dont end up on the side of the road at 2am Thanksgiving morning lol

Wait a minute, was this a red San Marino Red no navigation 2003 manual CL Type S?