1998 Acura CL Consumer Reviews

Wonderful Driving Experience

Written by: RMOOS on 02/21/2008

Vehicle

1998 Acura CL 2 Dr 2.3 Premium Coupe

Review

The VTEC engine is well built and engineered, just like all Honda vehicles. I'm impressed and still hope to drive this car for over 250K miles. Great used car for the price. Is very much underated for what you can do with engine versus the price of a new model. If you can find one in relatively good condition buy it like I did.

Favorite Features

VTEC engine, smooth ride and handling.

Suggested Improvements

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Great Car!!!

Written by: easydental on 01/31/2007

Vehicle

1998 Acura CL 2 Dr 3.0 Coupe

Review

I bought this '98 car new in 3/99. Now I have 140,000 miles on it. Car is trouble-free, very reliable, and a great performer. Apart from usual maintenance, this car is very inexpensive to own and operate. Still solid after all this time.

Favorite Features

Simplicity of the car, functionality of the interior, predictable reliability, great power and handling for both city and highway driving. Very comfortable. Great service through any dealer.

Suggested Improvements

Sound system could be better. The sound system in my Civic LX is better than my Acura.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Everyday Driver

Written by: snowdogg on 09/12/2006

Vehicle

1998 Acura CL 2 Dr 2.3 Premium Coupe

Review

Bought used with 42K miles - hard to believe it is only a 4 banger... really moves out with the 5 speed. Everything still works and I put 65 miles on it daily commuting. Never any problems mechanically. Have replaced the exhaust twice (Vermont winters are hard on a car) and gone through 2 sets of tires in 80K miles. Did the timing belt, etc @100k. Fuel economy runs 32-34 mpg. Needs heated seats, a better climate control system and upgraded stereo. Never understood why a car like this didn't come with foglights (I added aftermarket). I intend on giving this car to my son in another 3 years. All in all one of the most enjoyable cars I've ever owned... Honda/Acura does build a quality product.

Favorite Features

High revving V-Tech engine, 5 speed transmission, crisp handling, fuel economy (runs fine on regular unleaded), very few sold - stands out a bit from the "crowd".

Suggested Improvements

Std foglights, heated seats with memory feature, more precise climate control and rear window that opens - even a little would improve ventilation. Actually, none of the above will happen since Acura stopped production of the CL in 2003.

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Wish they still made the CL's

Written by: mlp211 on 05/06/2006

Vehicle

1998 Acura CL 2 Dr 2.3 Premium Coupe

Review

Fun to drive, great comfort, put Yokohama AVID V4's it handles great in every weather condition, on dry roads its a blast. Love the 5 speed tranny.

Favorite Features

everything

Suggested Improvements

none

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Great Car Great Value

Written by: easydental on 02/05/2006

Vehicle

1998 Acura CL 2 Dr 3.0 Coupe

Review

Bought this car new and have had only one problem with it. The passenger-side windows attenuator went bad 2 times. One time it was covered under warranty. The 2nd time it cost $350 to replace at the dealer. This is a great car. Very reliable and dependable. Somewhat sporty and has great torque to blast you out of tight spots. Inexpensive to maintain (it really is a somewhat upgraded Accord Coupe).

Favorite Features

Simplicity of the car. Instrument panel. Accessibility to features.

Suggested Improvements

Can't think of anything! :)

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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I'll never give it up!

Written by: Tankerkev on 09/30/2005

Vehicle

1998 Acura CL 2 Dr 3.0 Coupe

Review

I bought this car over seven years ago, but it seems like yesterday. It still looks great and is very reliable. It has a luxurious cabin and smooth ride that helps me unwind on the way home from work. It has features that you normally have to pay much more for. I'll never sell this car, keeping it in my family until it quits, and I don't ever see that happening!

Favorite Features

Sunroof. Auto Climate Control. Leather.

Suggested Improvements

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Good Car, Not So Good Tranny

Written by: Tim on 07/07/2005

Vehicle

1998 Acura CL 2 Dr 3.0 Premium Coupe

Review

Bought the car from a local Acura dealer with 66k miles in Feb 2004 (3.0 premium). Car was (then) mechanically perfect and ran flawlessly. Now at 85k, the tranny is slipping and has been periodically for the last 10k miles. Fortunately, I have a warranty that will replace it. Wish I could drop a 5-speed but the cost would be around 8-10k, way too much money. So except for the one huge problem, this car is fantastic. Build quality is typical Honda, interior has held up great, very nice all around. I'm actually thinking of getting a 2.3 stick as a 2nd vehicle.

Favorite Features

Steering wheel radio controls, plush interior, automatic temp control, exterior style, uniqueness (I maybe see 1 a day, if that, unlike accords), and pretty much everything is standard.

Suggested Improvements

3.0 transmission. I believe Honda/Acura extended the tranny warranty for the 2000-2002 CL 3.2 as they are notorious for failures. Too bad they won't extend the older CL's.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Ode to the CLs

Written by: MB Finck on 06/29/2005

Vehicle

1998 Acura CL 2 Dr 3.0 Premium Coupe

Review

I am a huge fan of my Acura CL. I was really disappointed when the line was discontinued. With under 115k on it, I can't see any reason to trade it in for at least another 85k miles. Was originally wanting the Honda Accord which had just been redisgned, but because of extended backlogs ... I looked at the Acura CL instead. It was fate ... I have been loving my car ever sense.

Favorite Features

The sporty look and feel to the car make it a blast to drive. The car still has a solid feel to it, even after 7 years.

Suggested Improvements

Sort of a moot point, my suggestion ... bring it back and make it more in line with the RL class and not the TL class. The market could stand a few hot, upper end coupes to compete with BMW and Mercedes.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Awesome car

Written by: Jess on 04/13/2005

Vehicle

1998 Acura CL 2 Dr 3.0 Premium Coupe

Review

I think this is about the 15th car I've owned in my life and it is without a doubt my favorite. I love to drive this car! It is fast, smooth, stable, quiet, and comfortable. I work out of my car and drive 30,000+ miles per year. With gas prices climbing I have been driving "economy" cars and went out on a limb to buy this car used. It not as fuel efficient as the econoboxes but I will never go back. I actually look forward to making long trips on back roads with this car. I owned a Miata a few years ago and this car is faster with way more comfort and polish. I had to rebuild the auto transmission at 110,000 but everything else works great.

Favorite Features

The engine is awesome. The car eats potholes and rough pavement while always feeling connected to the road. The view out while driving is impressive to everone who gets in the car. The brakes are excellent.

Suggested Improvements

I don't like the climate control system, occasionally will seem to be running heat and a/c at the same time. Memory seats would be nice. I guess the newer models have them. It really torque steers alot under hard acceleration. I don't know if there is a fix for this.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Harry's 2.3 CL

Written by: Harry on 04/10/2005

Vehicle

1998 Acura CL 2 Dr 2.3 Premium Coupe

Review

I've usually driven coupes, including two top-of-the-line BMWs. There isn't a better combination of elegance, looks, economy and comfort (I'm 6'2") around for twice the price. I get 31-34 mpg on the interstate and 22-24 in LA traffic. It is quiet with great ergonomics and despite its 4-cylinder engine, it's fast and responsive enough for all but the most egregious showoffs.

Favorite Features

It feels like a one-of-a-kind car made just for me.

Suggested Improvements

Resume making a 2-door TL!

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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