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2001 Acura 3.2CLAcura introduced a new two-door high-performance luxury coupe based on the 3.2TL sedan platform. Only the high-performance 3.2CL Type S version was available at first, but last Friday at the Canadian International Auto Show, Acura unveiled the base 3.2CL
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56 Reviews from Epinions.com
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2001 Acura 3.2CL
Author's Review
If youre looking to read a techno bits and bytes review of the new CL, this will not hit the mark primarily because there is plenty of information published on the raw numbers and the CLs competition. When I was researching this car it was difficult to find simple information that related peoples overall impressions of this relatively new Acura model. When it comes down to final decisions, you have probably already gotten past the raw number grind and just want to know if the car is what you think and want it to be. Ill start by simply saying that the new CL-S is exactly what I wanted it to be and more.
I have only had my new CL-S for about 2 weeks but sold my 8 year old Acura Legend to get the new CL. Consider how many Legends Acura sold and how long that body style dominated the market. I loved my Legend. Parting with it was not easy but after test driving the new CL for two days the car sold itself. It can be argued that as a loyal Acura owner I am biased toward Acura but I really think that part of any car review is a review of the company and dealership that sold you the car. So to cut through my Acura sales pitch consider that my entire purchase experience took just over 20 minutes. Ive spent more time checking out at the grocery store.
As I said, I did all of the number crunching before purchasing the CL and many are saying the same thing: its a great car for the money but has some shortcomings if your looking for a pure European sports coupe. I would basically agree but I will add something that I would have liked to have learned when I was reading reviews. Unless you are only driving this car on European roads or on a race track, the ultimate driving machine does not have the CLs combination of luxury and performance for the everyday driver. Its that simple. For the money, the CL covers nearly all of the bases. Its very fun, very fast, very solid, well engineered and very comfortable and affordable. What other sports coupe can say that?
The most surprising aspect of the new CL is the comfort of its ride. You simply do not expect a car that handles as well as this to be this comfortable. And its very quiet. I really didnt want to compromise the luxury that I enjoyed in my Legend and the new CL does not disappoint. The quality of everything is better, from the leather to the feel of the buttons. From the minute you sit in the deep bucket seats you cant help but think that Acura has really designed something special. When you compare all of the fit, finish and features that the standard CL offers with the competition (BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Lexus, etc.) no one comes within $8,000 of the CL and some are more than $15,000 more. There is simply no way I could justify spending more for a label.
The bottom line: The CL is the fun, fast sports coupe I was looking for and I didnt have to mortgage the house to pay for it. Its backed by one of the best names in the auto industry, Acura. Its got more power than the average driver will ever be able to use legally but will present you with options in many driving situations that can only come with 260hp under the hood. The CL is the benefactor of all of the NSX engineering and RL comfort. The engine does not need a tune up for 100,000 miles and has a 4 year, 50,000 mile warranty. It has standard options that are only offered in option packages with the European competition. And say what you want about its looks, I think it looks far better in person. And do we really need another BMW 3 series on the road? The CL is different in a very good way. Its not trendy or cool (yet). Its just rock solid engineering and luxury at a great price and its a blast to drive.
Engineering and luxury
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Pros: Price performance
Cons: Back seat leg room
If youre looking to read a techno bits and bytes review of the new CL, this will not hit the mark primarily because there is plenty of information published on the raw numbers and the CLs competition. When I was researching this car it was difficult to find simple information that related peoples overall impressions of this relatively new Acura model. When it comes down to final decisions, you have probably already gotten past the raw number grind and just want to know if the car is what you think and want it to be. Ill start by simply saying that the new CL-S is exactly what I wanted it to be and more.
I have only had my new CL-S for about 2 weeks but sold my 8 year old Acura Legend to get the new CL. Consider how many Legends Acura sold and how long that body style dominated the market. I loved my Legend. Parting with it was not easy but after test driving the new CL for two days the car sold itself. It can be argued that as a loyal Acura owner I am biased toward Acura but I really think that part of any car review is a review of the company and dealership that sold you the car. So to cut through my Acura sales pitch consider that my entire purchase experience took just over 20 minutes. Ive spent more time checking out at the grocery store.
As I said, I did all of the number crunching before purchasing the CL and many are saying the same thing: its a great car for the money but has some shortcomings if your looking for a pure European sports coupe. I would basically agree but I will add something that I would have liked to have learned when I was reading reviews. Unless you are only driving this car on European roads or on a race track, the ultimate driving machine does not have the CLs combination of luxury and performance for the everyday driver. Its that simple. For the money, the CL covers nearly all of the bases. Its very fun, very fast, very solid, well engineered and very comfortable and affordable. What other sports coupe can say that?
The most surprising aspect of the new CL is the comfort of its ride. You simply do not expect a car that handles as well as this to be this comfortable. And its very quiet. I really didnt want to compromise the luxury that I enjoyed in my Legend and the new CL does not disappoint. The quality of everything is better, from the leather to the feel of the buttons. From the minute you sit in the deep bucket seats you cant help but think that Acura has really designed something special. When you compare all of the fit, finish and features that the standard CL offers with the competition (BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Lexus, etc.) no one comes within $8,000 of the CL and some are more than $15,000 more. There is simply no way I could justify spending more for a label.
The bottom line: The CL is the fun, fast sports coupe I was looking for and I didnt have to mortgage the house to pay for it. Its backed by one of the best names in the auto industry, Acura. Its got more power than the average driver will ever be able to use legally but will present you with options in many driving situations that can only come with 260hp under the hood. The CL is the benefactor of all of the NSX engineering and RL comfort. The engine does not need a tune up for 100,000 miles and has a 4 year, 50,000 mile warranty. It has standard options that are only offered in option packages with the European competition. And say what you want about its looks, I think it looks far better in person. And do we really need another BMW 3 series on the road? The CL is different in a very good way. Its not trendy or cool (yet). Its just rock solid engineering and luxury at a great price and its a blast to drive.
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