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Acura CL
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Comments
Anyway, my initial thoughts about modifying the sound system are now on hold. Other aspects of the car? nothing abnormal so far.
Total install time was 18 hours (I work slow and methodical) I did half on Saturday, half on Sunday. The level of difficulty is relative. I've done installations that have taken 60 hours. I will say that it was time consuming running all the lines to the trunk. (The handiest tool to go through grommets and under carpeting is a wire clothes hanger!)
I mounted the metal brackets to the metal floor between the wheel wells, just behind the rear seat. This can be tricky because the fuel tank is directly below this area. I used a drill stop on the drill bit and checked depth clearence to select fastener length (sheet metal screws). I notched out the forward edge trunk carpet/pressboard in two places to allow reinstallation. It looks great. The power driver mounted nicely behind the center console trim panel on the right side.
Subwoofer placement is not critical. There does not have to be a "line-of-sight" to it as is true for tweeters and midrange speakers. Low frequencies (20Hz to 100Hz) are nondirectional. The bass blends in nicely without being able to pin point the radiating source. The only time I can detect the bass coming from behind me is when the crossover contol is tuned above 100Hz. This is too boomy for my taste, so I usually don't leave it set this high.
P.S. I drove out to AudioLink in Yorba Linda (CA) to pick up the PD-2 ($99) and Acura specific adapter harness ($35). They also have a website with a phone number if you wanted to reach them directly.
The rear of the head unit has two receptacles. Only one of the two is used in my car. I don't have the nav/OnStar system. There are about 20 wires in this harness. There are no connections that resemble a conventional RCA phono line. The signal in these lines are similar to the output of a standard head unit (audio plus tone adjustments) except they are very low voltage, hence the need for a power driver (interface unit). The AudioLink adapter harness connects between the head unit and the car wiring. It is a simple plug-in installation. The harness provides feeds for the power driver (12V, signal ground, switch-on power signal, audio LF RF LR RR). Case ground, RCA phono outs, and switch-on signal output are the only remaining connections tobe made at the power driver.
In one of your earlier posts, you referred to the Bose system as not being Hi-Fi. You are absolutely correct. Bose designed the system this way intentionally. As the volume is turned up, the amp senses when it is starting to distort (clip) and automatically rolls off the bass to preserve power to play mid and high frequencies loudly. The effect is impressive to most listeners because there is a total lack of distortion. However, more discriminate listeners (or Bassheads, like myself) find it disappointing. As the volume is turned up, instead of hearing and feeling more bass, just the oppisite happens, overall bass response diminishes. The trick of installing a subwoofer in a Bose equipped vehicle is to access the signal before the active equalization (EQ) process which occurs in the amplifier. Unfortunately, the most accessible signal source, the rear speaker leads, are post EQ. That is the reason the head unit has to be removed. There are reasons not to pick the audio signals up at the amp (left side of trunk) but I won't get into that here.
P.S. Make sure you have the security code number for your head unit before you remove it!
Some of you peeps have mentioned the audio system, and I'm also a little concerned. During my test drives, that's one thing I noticed-- my previous car (actually right now it's still my current car, but it already seems previous:D) has some nice aftermarket equipment including two amps and a sub, so the smaller woofless Bose system in the CL will take some getting used to.
welst10, I coulda sworn I saw somewhere that the CLs like 5W-30, but I just scanned the Acura web site & couldn't find that reference so maybe I was seeing things. Pre-ownership euphoria-induced hallucination maybe. I'll try to remember to ask the service guys at the dealership what they put in when I'm there tomorrow.
All right, I gotta go plan a trip somewhere. Later!
I've passed the 10,000 mile point with my 2003 CL-S (MT), and for the most part, the car is performing flawlessly. A bit heavy & numb, perhaps, but it generally handles well - making my daily commute into as pleasant an experience as possible. On the rare occasions that I have to travel long distances, the car truly shines. It is a wonderful interstate cruiser.
All is not well in CL-ville, however. Straight line performance is generally lacking, and I'm not sure why. The car is not the fireball that it should be most of the time, and it does not eagerly race to the redline like every other Honda automobile that I have owned.
The only reason that I know that things aren't right is that *sometimes* it does run right. There are occasions that - when I put my foot in -the motor *does* race to the redline (and maybe a bit beyond). Lately, due to increasing frustration I've been trying to figure out what causes this. I always fill up with 93 octane at my local gas station (a major brand service station, always the same place). Originally, I thought that the problem might be outside temperature related, but since I get the same performance problems year-round, I've ruled that out.
I'm beginning to suspect that the 93 octane at the local station isn't really 93 octane, as I notice that the best performance occurs only after those rare occasions that I fill up some place other than the regular place. During the next few weeks I'll be trying to prove this correlation via direct experimentation, but in the meantime, does anyone know of any way for a civilian like me to test octane?
With outstanding reliability and performance,what more could one ask for? When I first saw the early prototypes at the NAIAS in Detroit I decided this was the most completely equipped car for the money and the bonus of 260 hp was icing on the proverbial cake.
I will miss most the roar of the rush of air at full throttle.So sweet!Also the mileage has been fantastic,almost econocar-like.
However I will be staying in the family as I will be picking up a new Redrock MDX/nav on Thursday.BTW my dealer thinks the demise of the CL is iminent.Certainly hope not the case.
Keep the board alive as I will continue to visit.
Good luck! I LOVE my 2001 CL-S. It is 21 months old, 20,700 miles and not ONE problem. I love the slight roar of the exhaust when you get on it. Lately, my gas mileage isn't in the 20's anymore because I find myself making use of those 260 horses more and more! Two friends of mine at work have the MDX. They love them.
Don't fret if they get rid of the CL-S. Take a look at the Motor Trend Car of the Year in the current issue! My eye is on that RED G-35 coupe when this lease is up or a Cadillac CTS with that new V-8 engine.
I rarely post here because I have nothing to talk about or complain about. VERY different than my PREVIOUS 1999 Motor Trend Car of the Year- Chrysler 300M!! I had PLENTY to say about that car!!! I STILL do, much to the dismay of the 300M group here! I bad mouth Chrysler, their "award winning 5-STAR" dealers and their factory reps EVERY chance I get! I will NEVER buy another product that is connected with that company no matter what it is or what it looks like! They are #1 on my S___ list!
fastdriver
As far as Motor Trend Car of the Year, I think this is an award given for the best execution of a totally new design. I agree with the choice of the G35. However, ss you,ve indicated by past experience, this award is not an indication of quality or reliability.
As far as the CL model going away, I suspect that this will happen when Honda starts installing the 6-speed transmission in the new 240-HP Accord Coupe (in a couple of months). That is OK by me. I'd prefer that CLs do not become as common a sight as Accords.
Happy Holidays To All!
LOL..... You are 100% right about Motor Trend Car of the Year!! A long time ago, I read in http://www.autoextremist.com that this award is a JOKE! It's just like the Academy Awards, Emmy's etc. Phony and fixed.
I really have not seen a G35 in person or read any reports about them. I did bookmark a G35 topic here, but I have not started to read any of the messages there yet. I still have a way to go on my CL-S lease, so I can't get too excited, but that red beauty in the current issue of MT would look great in my driveway! ;-))))
I have seen a Honda Accord coupe. I like the way it looks. I just love a great looking car, in the right color, that is RELIABLE and never sees a dealer for repairs every month. At least for the first few years when they are treated like a Rolls Royce. I don't care what name is attached to it.
fastdriver
Thanks for the cool link. I've got it bookmarked.
My wife's cousin is always raving about the great treatment she gets when she takes her J30 (one UGLY automobile) to the Infiniti dealer for repairs (free coffee, loaner car, etc.) We don't have the heart to tell her how much she would be missing if she owned a Honda (my wife drives a '93 Del Sol) or an Acura.
You MUST read the "G35 -Problems and Solutions" postings. The latest is a complaint that he engine runs and sounds like a two-cycle engine.
cls6spd
Will read about the G35 soon. Can't believe that an Infiniti can be a piece of crap. I had a J-30 in 94. It was a great car, but a little tight fitting inside. Has a great BOSE stereo- best radio I ever had. Unfortunately, BOSE designs the radios to the car and the manufacturer's specs. The BOSE in my CL-S is NOTHING like the J-30's was. When my lease was up, I was going to get another J-30, but I didn't like the attitude of the dealer. They were like what many people say Acura dealers are like- JERKS!
I was never back to the dealer for ANY repairs. EXACTLY, the way it should be for the first several years.
Today, I did receive my extended warranty for the transmission. Guess my car falls into that category. So far, 20,700+ miles- NO problems yet. By the time my lease is up, the car will still be under the regular warranty- 4 years, 50,000 miles. Time will tell if my tranny will be one to act up.
fastdriver
The car really hauls [non-permissible content removed] when it works, so I'm really hoping that it is a gasoline issue.
It is a very nice, I like it a lot. untill i got a recall letter for replacing the front Camshaft.
They discovered that some 2003 Cl's needs to replace the front Camshaft, they said that at 4000 RPM and above it doesn't produce the HP it is supposed to.
Well I replaced the front Camshaft. And every thing is fine now.
I regret not buying the type S. But i had a great deal on the 2.3CL i payed little less than the invoice.
Did any one receive a letter to replace the front Camshaft??
Any idea how to enhance my HP.
Thank you and it is pleasure to join the group.
The dealer said that they are seeing lots of them Mine made it to 49,500, but I was hearing occasional noises when shifting. Never did it when at the dealer. The cl got better mileage than my wife's Golf 1.8 turbo. I have not had a single problem until this and it is fully covered by warranty. I am a bit shocked because I never expected a Honda product to be defective. I feel like asking if they can put in a six speed instead :>) Does anyone know if the six speed is any good?
I did not realise that there was a townhall discussion on the CL. I used to be active when I had my 01 Wrangler. I have had my CL-S for exactly one year now. It has been great and has me served very well. Look forward to talking about this car with you all.
I read some posts about people looking for a body kit for this car. I am active on a board cal acura-cl.com. It is a wealth of information for the ownners of this car. Anyways, they are in the process of getting the Sema Acura-cl body kit to become a reality. Check it out if your interested.
I'm not saying that every CL-S behaves this way, but I have heard others describe their cars in a similar manner.
FYI, I've put nearly 11,000 miles on the CL-S so far, and the clutch action hasn't really changed. I owned my S2000 for a little more than two years and approximately 17,000 miles.
How's the weather there in Newfoundland?
The type S has "torque sensitive" steering. I wonder if there is a design defect. This bums me out as I would like to purchase a 6 speed CL.
Mine is a 2003 6-speed.
efficient automobile. since the winter months rolled in, (i live in albany, ny) my fuel efficiency has dropped significantly to 17-18 mpg. last summer/early fall i was averaging 26-27. i even got 30 mpg on two different tankfuls. i have always pumped premium fuel. my commute has changed somewhat. instead of 336 miles round trip, i now travel 10 miles round trip. 2.5 of the those miles are urban driving, the other 7.5 are highway driving. i use the sequential shift mode to drive my car and am no leadfoot or jack rabbit starter. in other words, conservative and defensive is my driving nature.
my question is: what mpg's are you getting?
I wouldn't worry. The gas companies put in gas additives in the winter which seems to decrease gas mileage.
fastdriver
But if you don't want a 4-door....well, how about the '03 Accord coupe?