2003 Acura CL Review
2003 Acura CL Review
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Used CL for sale
Appraise This CarAcura CL types
- Coupe
- 3.2 Type-S
See Edmunds pricing data
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Powerful V6 engines, lavish standard features list, comfortable cabin, great value.
Cons
- Average interior materials, lacks the panache of some competing luxury coupes.
What’s new
Acura has made a number of changes on its already highly competent luxury sport coupe. The biggest news is the availability of a six-speed manual transmission on the Type-S trim. If that doesn't interest you, there's certainly more. On the outside, the CL gains new wheels, updated headlights and taillights, a revised grille and new exhaust tips. Inside, Acura has added LATCH child safety seat attachments, a dual-stage and dual-threshold driver's front airbag and an auto-up driver's window. Cars with the optional navigation system also gain OnStar, the vehicle communications service.
Edmunds says
If you are looking for a luxury coupe for about $30,000, you'll be hard-pressed to find anything better.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2003 Acura CL 3.2 2dr Coupe (3.2L 6cyl 5A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.31 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$251/mo for CL 3.2
CL 3.2
vs
$176/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Vehicle overview
Introduction: Acura's target market for the 3.2CL is aging baby boomers that are experiencing life without children for the first time in decades. No longer needing that silly SUV or monstrous minivan, these empty-nesters are supposed to rediscover the joys of coupe life... preferably in a CL.
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options: There are two trim levels to pick from; the base CL and the high-performance CL Type-S. Both CLs offer near-luxury equipment without a hefty price, and you get more than just air conditioning and a smattering of leather on the seats. You snag lots of standard equipment, including a power sunroof, an in-dash six-disc CD changer, heated front seats, two-position memory system for driver seat and mirrors, steering-wheel audio controls, rear heat/air vents, a micron air-filtration system and high-intensity discharge lights. A super-simple DVD-based navigation system with a smudge-free touchscreen is the only option, and this year it also comes with OnStar, the vehicle communications service. In addition to these items, the CL Type-S comes with a more powerful engine, a sport-tuned suspension, 17-inch wheels and minor cabin trim upgrades.
Powertrains and Performance: The base CL engine is a peppy 3.2-liter V6 that utilizes VTEC technology to produce 225 horsepower and 216 pound-feet of torque, while still getting 19/29 mpg in city/highway driving. The V6 remains strong in every gear, and it can scoot from 0 to 60 in under 8 seconds. A standard five-speed automatic transmission directs power to the front wheels. It's quite user-friendly, thanks to a shift gate located close to the driver and an intuitive shift pattern for the SportShift sequential-shift manual function. Most people should be satisfied with this configuration, but for those who aren't, there's the Type-S. Thanks to special engine modifications, such as a dual-stage induction system, increased compression and performance-oriented camshafts and valves, the 3.2-liter V6 in the Type-S makes 260 hp and 232 lb-ft of torque. While the five-speed automatic is also standard on this car, a six-speed manual is newly available. This close-ratio transmission includes a short-throw shifter and a limited-slip front differential. This piece of hardware is designed to allow a driver to apply throttle sooner through turns, thereby improving handling balance and steering feel.
Safety: The CL is equipped with side airbags; the front passenger seat has a system to prevent the side airbag from deploying if a small child or adult leans into the deployment path. Antilock brakes are standard, and other safety items include traction control and a stability control system. Traction control and stability control are standard except on cars with manual transmissions. Neither NHTSA nor IIHS has crash-tested the CL.
Interior Design and Special Features: Inside, standard leather covers the comfortable front seats. Type-S cars also have deeply bolstered, perforated leather seats; a Type-S shift knob and a metallic face instrument cluster. Though certainly functional, the CL's interior isn't as opulent as other cars in this class. As Acura calls the CL a 2+2, it should come as no surprise that backseat passengers will feel a bit pinched if they are more than average height.
Driving Impressions: Both the CL and CL Type-S are satisfying to drive. The Type-S, in particular, is entertaining thanks to its prodigious horsepower and available six-speed manual. However, being a front-drive car has its disadvantages: The CL's handling isn't as dynamic as that of other rear-drive cars in this class.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2003 Acura CL.
5 star(80%)
4 star(15%)
3 star(5%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
163 reviews
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Most helpful consumer reviews
4.63 out of 5 stars
Great blend of touring comfort and performance in a mid priced coupe
jimmbbo, 04/03/2011
2003 Acura CL 3.2 Type-S 2dr Coupe (3.2L 6cyl 6M)
Bought the car new after having had Honda Acuras and Preludes for a decade, and I wanted to move up.
Was struck immediately by its spirited performance, good handling and comfort for long drives.
The styling is refined and understated, but clearly not head turning.
Interior is well finished, and mechanically the car has been excellent.
Straight line acceleration is faster than it … feels, and it's a blast to drive in the curves.
The manual six speed is smooth, and perfectly matched to the engine and car... RECOMMENDED!
5 out of 5 stars
Love this car
Kane Jones, 04/28/2015
2003 Acura CL 3.2 Type-S 2dr Coupe (3.2L 6cyl 5A)
Bought a 2003 acura 3.2 cl 2 years ago from a friend of mine who owns a mechanic shop, and I must say that this car is an amazing car, the engine sounds great and at times I would just turn the radio off just to listen to the engine purr as it has a distinct sound to it that sounds so good, the only issue I've had so far is with the power steering making a whining noise which turns out … to be the power steering pump, but otherwise this is a great car, I updated the deck to a double din screen, hooked up a back up camera to it and installed an amplifier with an 18 inch sub woofer and now my wife is driving in style lol....I will buy another cl for myself.
5 out of 5 stars
11 years and counting
bill2003cl, 11/09/2013
2003 Acura CL 3.2 Type-S 2dr Coupe (3.2L 6cyl 6M)
My CD player just died and I had to consider whether to pat $400 to have it fixed or possibly getting a new car and going with getting the CD fixed. After 11 years and 150,000 miles, it's showing its age externally, but it still drives great. I just had the manual transmission fluid changed for the first time. With no radio for a couple of weeks I could appreciate how great the engine … purrs.
If you can find a used one with a manual, I would recommend it. It sounds like it should be good for another 100,000 miles and only an Audi or a BMW might seem like an improvement.
4.63 out of 5 stars
You want quick and reliable? Start here
airplane nerd, 09/29/2010
2003 Acura CL 3.2 Type-S 2dr Coupe (3.2L 6cyl 6M)
By a large margin, the best car I've owned in more than a half-century on the road. Impressive response to throttle inputs, smooth shifts, excellent torque, even in 5th gear, pretty decent mileage (22 with a lot of stop-and-go 25-mi commutes into DC and back). Virtually no shop time other than for reg maintenance, brakes went 60K before replacement. Finish holding up very well despite … outside parking at home. The kid wants to know when I'll be too old to drive it so she can have it, even tho she's not sure why there are three pedals. When they pry my cold, dead fingers from the shift knob, that's when. Or when Acura builds me a suitable and acceptable successor.
2003 CL Highlights
Coupe
3.2
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $28,200 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 21 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $251/month |
Seating | 4 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 13.6 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the CL include:
- Alarm
- Stability Control
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