I owned a 2003 CL-S 6M that I bought new. It is still to this day one of my favorite vehicles I've ever owned. It did everything well and it was flawless as far as reliability and build quality were concerned. I was looking at a 3 Series coupe, very glad I chose the CL instead.
I have a CLS 6 Speed in the same color as that tester, only difference is that it has the factory wing and no navigation. These cars are criminally underrated.
Criminally underrated car. I bought mine just recently in brand new condition, unbelievable how it's 20 years old. Same one as is in the video, but with the spoiler. Damn, it's a fun car that I cannot wait to mod
@@jonmcclane7433 did exactly that on my 2000 TL and it really woke the car up even as a non type s automatic. I can only imagine how good these bolt ons would be on a CL6
This is my exact CL paint/interior color wise minus the nav screen. I just wanted to comment for those that don't know, but this car is really such a phenomenal driving machine, and the Honda plant here in the U.S. that produced this car really did it right 100%. Thanks for posting. I had been looking for this episode.
The six speed Acura CL-s one of the best cars Acura has made. The six speed was reliable and fun drive. Avoid the 5 speed automatic because it was unreliable.
@headliner733 it was caused by some overheating issue I believe. The 2004 Acura TL automatic transmission was a carryover from the previous generation. However, it was slightly improved but still suffered the same overheating issue. I had a 2005 acura tl with 148k miles with an automatic transmission. It never gave me problems, but it did act shift funny a couple of times. If it was a six speed manual TL I would have kept it.
@@ubiased23 my TL had 5spd auto and it was trash. Fixed three times in one year at dealer. Sold it and got a Diamante VR-X Never had an issue with the Mitsubishi trans, bulletproof. With a higher torque engine.
Me too. We probably got lucky not having one with the transmission issues. Still was an amazing car for it's day. Had a true car friend that had one RiP steve dogg
@@RBEmpathyYep That’s my old account but it needed AC and Power Steering. It still needs AC lol. Also It had nails in the tires. It was 2800 because it was the title wasn’t clean. Somehow the last owner blew up the original engine so it was replaced. Everything is stock and in good condition except the paint. No Nav Map but that would be cool. Engine had 100xxx and 160xxx on body when I got it. Put around 40k miles in 4 years but I don’t drive too much besides fun honestly
I have 2003 Type S with the 6 speed manual (6MT) transmission and without the "NAVI Package" as it was called. It is the charcoal colored one just like the one featured here but mine had the dealer installed deck wing, splash guards, and later, the body side moldings. I took delivery of it on September 30, 2002. It was exactly what I ordered. Here ore some rarities: 1. The Double Wishbone Front suspension: No other manufacture was using such of a sophisticated set-up in that size of vehicle. The Lexus IS was but it was rear wheel drive. I think the Infiniti G series was too but again, that vehicle was primarily rear wheel drive with, like the Lexus, had an all wheel drive option. 2. The color. "Anthracite", the charcoal colored one. It was introduced on the 2002 TL, but not available until 2003 on the TL and I believe only on the Type S. It was the last year of the 3 year run for the 2nd generation (the final generation) CL. 3. The 6MT. Only offered during the vehicle's final year of production. And only about 1/3rd of that production was of the manual transmission. (Number 2 & 3 made the vehicle rare if you ask me.) The car has over 256,000 miles on the engine. I've had the clutch & flywheel replaced at the dealership at a cost of over 3 g's but it was well worth it. It's my daily driver. It would have had much more than that but when I added a new 2010 TL Tech SH-AWD 6MT to the stable, the TL began to take on the long distance assignments, mainly because of it's infotainment system. Some 16 year old driving a Ford pickup truck hit me after wrecking and totaling a Grand Cherokee in a 3 vehicle motor vehicle collision. The pickup truck and my car were also totaled. I replaced it with a 2019 TLX A-SPEC and later added a 2024 TLX to the stable so the CL is not accumulating mileage at the rate it once did...but, it is still accumulating mileage...
Bought one in 2007 black 6 speed it was AWESOME. Would race my buddies brand new mustang and would always edge him out. It was totaled by a teenager on her cellphone
So why do people complain about the auto transmission here? Do you think it is the style od driving problem? Overheating when driving very aggeresively? I am considering buying one but it has automatic transmission...
Fun car back in the day. It'd just be a nice daily commuter and on Friday nights, you could hang with Mustangs, STI's and EVO's unless they were heavily modded. Throw on a Comptech supercharger and you're golden!
Driving mine right now this spring/summer. It's such a joy to drive. It's not too harsh but it's not too soft. It's just perfect. My 2001 RL is a little bit on the soft side but ultra comfy, and then my 1991 Integra that has been lowered and has Poly bushings would absolutely beat you up in comparison. The CL nice Happy medium
12 years after this model I purchased its successor. The 2015 Honda Accord EX-L V6 Coupe for similar money comfort sound and performance. My Honda actually does 0-60 in 5.4! I've owned it for 9 years and 98k with zero problems. Highly recommend if you can find one. Also extremely easy to do your own maintenance on!
Mine is silver as well. Acura’s rarest car (actually w/nav is the rarest but is old now). My car is modded with suspension, engine, tranny and exhaust upgrades. Stock this car is quick. Now I have problems with traction and is not really good in rain. But when it’s dry… it shows off. I have taken down S2000s, 350z, Máximas, 330i’s, and a few more. I would love to force induce it but it would compromise reliability. Car is a dream.. it really is. And tough as nails too.
Lovely car, I had the 1997 CL 3.0 here in Canada. One of the best reliable, easy going car yet fun I’ve owned.Quite peppy for 200hp auto, or course not a single problem in a full year of daily used and 13k kms. I’m always checking the market or a CL type S 6 speed.
A good friend of mine bought one of these with "low miles" years ago. It was lightly modded and gave him nothing but headaches. I guess the history might have been rough. I found an all stock one with 150k miles for 5k. Even has the nav...im tempted. Do these consume oil like the 3.5s in the later tls?
@@GameOver321 its way below market value if its a 6 speed…..its becoming a collector item considering how rare find it is….dont touch the automatics unless you plan doing an AV6 swap tranny
I owned a 2003 CL-S 6M that I bought new. It is still to this day one of my favorite vehicles I've ever owned. It did everything well and it was flawless as far as reliability and build quality were concerned. I was looking at a 3 Series coupe, very glad I chose the CL instead.
I had a black one and loved it. However, the wheel hop sucked. Otherwise, one of my favorite cars Ive ever had.
@@elementkxI did innovative 70A soft poly motor and trans mounts, got rid of the wheel hop completely and very little vibration! Decent tires help too
@@msport_erick I wish I would've known this 10 years ago. Maybe if I ever get my hands on another one.
Same here. Bought new with black exterior and ivory interior, no Navigation though.
I have a CLS 6 Speed in the same color as that tester, only difference is that it has the factory wing and no navigation. These cars are criminally underrated.
By far the best daily driver of all time next to the 94-95 Legend 6 Speed and the 3rd Gen TL Type S 6 Speed
We have the exact same car. No Nav Yes Wing 6mt anthracite metallic. Less than 500 ever made
Criminally underrated car. I bought mine just recently in brand new condition, unbelievable how it's 20 years old. Same one as is in the video, but with the spoiler. Damn, it's a fun car that I cannot wait to mod
Headers and a catback exhaust will really wake up this car.
Intake and Exhaust and a new set of Enkei wheels and you got a really awesome car.
@@jonmcclane7433 did exactly that on my 2000 TL and it really woke the car up even as a non type s automatic. I can only imagine how good these bolt ons would be on a CL6
Don't rice out 😅
you can tell this was motorweek's favorite honda.
The standard 5 speed automatic were the weak points on the CL, TL and Odyssey.
What was wrong with automatics in these cars?
@@KubaEm12the automatic transmissions are unable to handle the power from the V6. Causing them to overheating and burn out the internal clutch packs.
@@applepoop10 Thanks!
This is my exact CL paint/interior color wise minus the nav screen. I just wanted to comment for those that don't know, but this car is really such a phenomenal driving machine, and the Honda plant here in the U.S. that produced this car really did it right 100%. Thanks for posting. I had been looking for this episode.
I enjoy my 6 speed CL! My favorite Acura!
The six speed Acura CL-s one of the best cars Acura has made. The six speed was reliable and fun drive. Avoid the 5 speed automatic because it was unreliable.
That automatic is the worse than the Taurus automatic. We expect it from Ford but not Acura.
@headliner733 it was caused by some overheating issue I believe. The 2004 Acura TL automatic transmission was a carryover from the previous generation. However, it was slightly improved but still suffered the same overheating issue.
I had a 2005 acura tl with 148k miles with an automatic transmission. It never gave me problems, but it did act shift funny a couple of times.
If it was a six speed manual TL I would have kept it.
@@ubiased23 my TL had 5spd auto and it was trash. Fixed three times in one year at dealer. Sold it and got a Diamante VR-X Never had an issue with the Mitsubishi trans, bulletproof. With a higher torque engine.
@@Skyisthelimit4me what year was your acura?
This things a beast when you do CAI and exhaust stock tune. Woke mine up even gnarlier sound during RPM
I wanted one of these so bad. Looked at a used one back around this time but just didn’t make enough back then. Too bad. It was bright silver.
Me too. We probably got lucky not having one with the transmission issues. Still was an amazing car for it's day. Had a true car friend that had one RiP steve dogg
I bought mine new in black. It was a great car to drive with the manual 6 speed. Never had any issues with it. I wish Acura would make them again.
Automatic transmissions are scum of the Earth. I love my CL 6speed.
Got mine for 2800 in 2020 Runs like new
Dang, you got a 6 speed for $2800? They sell for thousands more than that now..
That’s an amazing deal! That’s just as much as I got my 01 TL for
@@RBEmpathyYep That’s my old account but it needed AC and Power Steering. It still needs AC lol. Also It had nails in the tires. It was 2800 because it was the title wasn’t clean. Somehow the last owner blew up the original engine so it was replaced. Everything is stock and in good condition except the paint. No Nav Map but that would be cool. Engine had 100xxx and 160xxx on body when I got it. Put around 40k miles in 4 years but I don’t drive too much besides fun honestly
Love these comments. Love my CLS6.
I have 2003 Type S with the 6 speed manual (6MT) transmission and without the "NAVI Package" as it was called. It is the charcoal colored one just like the one featured here but mine had the dealer installed deck wing, splash guards, and later, the body side moldings. I took delivery of it on September 30, 2002. It was exactly what I ordered. Here ore some rarities:
1. The Double Wishbone Front suspension: No other manufacture was using such of a sophisticated set-up in that size of vehicle. The Lexus IS was but it was rear wheel drive. I think the Infiniti G series was too but again, that vehicle was primarily rear wheel drive with, like the Lexus, had an all wheel drive option.
2. The color. "Anthracite", the charcoal colored one. It was introduced on the 2002 TL, but not available until 2003 on the TL and I believe only on the Type S. It was the last year of the 3 year run for the 2nd generation (the final generation) CL.
3. The 6MT. Only offered during the vehicle's final year of production. And only about 1/3rd of that production was of the manual transmission.
(Number 2 & 3 made the vehicle rare if you ask me.)
The car has over 256,000 miles on the engine. I've had the clutch & flywheel replaced at the dealership at a cost of over 3 g's but it was well worth it. It's my daily driver. It would have had much more than that but when I added a new 2010 TL Tech SH-AWD 6MT to the stable, the TL began to take on the long distance assignments, mainly because of it's infotainment system. Some 16 year old driving a Ford pickup truck hit me after wrecking and totaling a Grand Cherokee in a 3 vehicle motor vehicle collision. The pickup truck and my car were also totaled. I replaced it with a 2019 TLX A-SPEC and later added a 2024 TLX to the stable so the CL is not accumulating mileage at the rate it once did...but, it is still accumulating mileage...
Bought one in 2007 black 6 speed it was AWESOME. Would race my buddies brand new mustang and would always edge him out. It was totaled by a teenager on her cellphone
Have exact same car just auto trans Currently have 180k on mine smooth as new
Own a 2001 Type S. 170k and it still runs like a top! Even has the Nav system.
So why do people complain about the auto transmission here? Do you think it is the style od driving problem? Overheating when driving very aggeresively? I am considering buying one but it has automatic transmission...
bought the car for 500 dollars today lol
The TL should have had it available too.
The TL did
@@IDontLiveHereLikeYou Not in a 6 speed manual and LSD
@@HOTPLATEGAMING I was talking about the 3G and the 4G TLs. My bad
@@IDontLiveHereLikeYou ahh got ya! All good
@@HOTPLATEGAMING you own one of these? Does it just drive like the 3g accord?
I like these. But the touchscreen nav system is garbage. My TL Premium Navi had it and it broke and couldn't control my HVAC.
Honda Accord/civic, and Acura variant, are Picasso's on wheels.❤
I have one of this (same color) but with the stock navigation. 6mt of course.
It’s seriously the best
I love these manual Acuras so much that I have owned a silver, white, and red one.
Fun car back in the day. It'd just be a nice daily commuter and on Friday nights, you could hang with Mustangs, STI's and EVO's unless they were heavily modded. Throw on a Comptech supercharger and you're golden!
Driving mine right now this spring/summer. It's such a joy to drive. It's not too harsh but it's not too soft. It's just perfect. My 2001 RL is a little bit on the soft side but ultra comfy, and then my 1991 Integra that has been lowered and has Poly bushings would absolutely beat you up in comparison. The CL nice Happy medium
12 years after this model I purchased its successor. The 2015 Honda Accord EX-L V6 Coupe for similar money comfort sound and performance. My Honda actually does 0-60 in 5.4! I've owned it for 9 years and 98k with zero problems. Highly recommend if you can find one. Also extremely easy to do your own maintenance on!
Mine is silver as well. Acura’s rarest car (actually w/nav is the rarest but is old now). My car is modded with suspension, engine, tranny and exhaust upgrades. Stock this car is quick. Now I have problems with traction and is not really good in rain. But when it’s dry… it shows off. I have taken down S2000s, 350z, Máximas, 330i’s, and a few more. I would love to force induce it but it would compromise reliability. Car is a dream.. it really is. And tough as nails too.
I have this car lol I love it !
Lovely car, I had the 1997 CL 3.0 here in Canada. One of the best reliable, easy going car yet fun I’ve owned.Quite peppy for 200hp auto, or course not a single problem in a full year of daily used and 13k kms. I’m always checking the market or a CL type S 6 speed.
Peak acura
My dream Honda. Some dude has a CX EG w the swap and it’s insane.
Great review. Great car. Had mine 3 years LOVE IT!
This should have been a Legend Coupe
A good friend of mine bought one of these with "low miles" years ago. It was lightly modded and gave him nothing but headaches. I guess the history might have been rough. I found an all stock one with 150k miles for 5k. Even has the nav...im tempted. Do these consume oil like the 3.5s in the later tls?
No oil consumption at all if it was maintained properly
@@golfcon thanks. Do you feel that's a fair price? Car is all original minus the stereo head unit
@@GameOver321 its way below market value if its a 6 speed…..its becoming a collector item considering how rare find it is….dont touch the automatics unless you plan doing an AV6 swap tranny
Oh the good old days when u could say tranny and everyone new it was a transmission.