Sup everybody, been lurking on the forum a while, recently registered, and I think i have a half decent post here. Question is, which car is better for reliability; I'm considering purchase of one or the other in the near future. I know both cars are covered by the recall notice, but from research (Lemon-Aid Car Guide, etc.), the CL seems more apt to suffer tranny breakdowns than the TL. Any input you guys can offer either way?

 

They should be the same. I believe they share the exact same tranny (not sure about part #'s though).

Reason why you hear about CL tranny failures more is that there are more CL enthusiasts online than TLs. The TL guys either don't speak up, or more often than not, they don't even bother to visit this site. Generally, it's an older crowd...you can even tell if/when you attend a local meet. If you were to ever take a poll...the first gen CL happens to populate most of the "younger" drivers.

 

Yeah, you can actually fit a family into the backseat of the TL. You ever try to fit a baby seat into the back of a CL?... not that I have a kid or family or anything.

 

i was thinking about getting a CL but TL = more roooooooooom

 

The problem also is that the CL-S was out for a year longer than the TL-S. The '01 CL-S cars that had their transmission produced in the USA had the most problems. The '02 TL-S and CL-S also suffer from the problem but it is not quite as bad (although the problem still definitely exists) and in '03 there are a much smaller number of CL-S and TL-S cars with a failed transmission (because they made some modifications to the transmission to help relieve the problem).

There is no fix for the transmission problem however. With any year that you buy, regardless CL or TL you have a chance of the transmission failing. '03s probably have the least chance of failing, especially those that were made in late '02 or during '03.

Anyways, I wouldn't choose the car based off of some website's reliability ratings for the CL/TL. If you want 2-doors or you like the look of the CL better, then go for it. Same goes for the TL. If you want to avoid tranny problems all-together, see if you can find a used 2003 CL-S 6speed. No automatic transmission in them to fail at all

 

They're basically the same car. Pick whichever one suits your needs/wants.

 

I have a 00 TL and it's still on it's original tranny!(knock on wood) It has 37000 miles on it!

 

CL looks better and is a bit faster.

 

Got 6-speed? I've got a CLS with a 6MT so I don't have to worry about the Tranny re-call. You might want to think about getting the 6-speed just for that reason! Other wise, my neighbor has a 2001 TLS and loves it ... no tranny issues. His dad has a 2002 TLS with no tranny issues. I went with the CL because a made the mistake of test driving the 6-speed and just fell in love with it. If I hadn't, I would have gotten a used TLS and probably been very happy with it.

 

The TL's have had tranny problems up till the early 2004's (early batch that were produced) then they resolved it before they mass produced the car. You'll have that 2000 tranny as long as it takes as well I got a 99TL with 90K on it and its drive is flawless, I love it. But I looked at the 6MT CL-S and drove a used one being sold and damn if I had the $$$$ I'd be on it in a heartbeat. I think there is a turbo for the 2003 6MT CL-S too. If you got the cash I say the CL-s.

 

They both weight about the same amount... The CL-S 6MT would run a TL-S though. It's got an extra gear and is like .3-.4 seconds faster in 1/4 & 0-60 times than the automatic.


CL/TL-S (auto) - 0-60 in 6.2 1/4 in 14.5-14.8
CL-S 6MT - 0-60 in 5.8 1/4 in low 14s

 

The TL-S was introduced as a 2002 model.

There is no turbo kit for the CL-S. It was a custom job. I believe his name on the CL forum was allmotor something...

 

Ah I see well you can do it and that was that guys second turbo he's done on a CL-S but I know you can get a supercharger for it you just have to fork out the cash.

 

they are the exact same car mechanically...same engine, suspension, interior, dash....just pick what suits your lifestyle best, 2 doors or 4 doors.

 

id go with the tlcuz its bigger and better looking imo.

 

They are 95% identical. They do not share any body panels and the wheels on the TLS are .5" smaller in width.

The TL stereo system also includes a subwoofer than the CL doesn't.

As far as the engine, transmission, etc it is all identical with the exception of the 6MT offered only in the '03 CL-S.

 

Get the TL-S, I have one and I think I am cool... Naw, for real the TL is the bomb, it has a lot more room than the CL, and since you have smaller doors you don't worry about small parking spaces and shit..., the TL also has more options and stuff.... good luck with whatever your choice....

 

If you go with the CL, get the 6MT.