2003 cl type-s 6spd
1st and 2nd gear are very strong, then i shift to thrd and the rpms are unusually low with very little throttle response, but then in 4th the car gets all its power back. Any ideas? Clutch or tranny? I just bought it but I assume it's had a rough past.

 

more details please!!!
like...when you shift into third, what RPM range are you in?
video???

 

If I am pulling through gears hard and shifting in high rpms (around 7k) then 3rd gear doesn't even catch and it smells like burnt clutch. If I shift normally from 3500 rpm it always shifts but I can instantly feels the power decline and rpm always drops to around 1100 - 1300. I will attempt to get a video later today.

 

I had a clogged up catalytic converter that caused my car to bog rpms down(thought it might have been the clutch) never had a burnt smell though, No CEL'S or nothing just bogged in 3rd pretty bad

 

the cat would be a great starting point!!

 

Thanks for the replys! I'll definitely start with replacing the cat. I looked it up and they seem to be fairly cheap (around $150) so either way I imagine it would increase throttle response in all gears, especially if the stock one is clogged.

 

You're replacing the cat because someone said theirs got clogged once?!
Follow the smell! It's prob your clutch, since you say it smells like CLUTCH....