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Acura CL
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Comments
As far as brighter highlights, the 2001 CL and newer have standard HID - I really like it.
Lou Gehrig?)
But seriously, I do have one problem with the CL. There is hardly any bass from the sound system. I'm not a big Bose fan to begin with. But, even so, there should definitely be more low end there, even from Bose speakers.
It almost sounds as if the speakers are wired out of phase. The sound system in my new Chevy (Chevy, for cryin' out loud!) literally blows it away. It's not what I would expect in a car of this class.
Has anybody else noticed this with their 2001 (or any year w/ Bose) CL? If so, were you able to correct it (I hope)?
Thanks.
My girlfriend didn't like the styling of the Maxima at all, so I doubt if the stereo would have swayed her. Actually, she dislikes Japanese styling in general, and was originally going to buy an American car. I guess she settled for an American built Japanese car! (Bear in mind that she is Japanese.)
I'm going to call Bose on Monday, and see what can be done. I have a working relationship with their Pro division. Maybe they can steer me in the right direction.
I would imagine that a lot of folks would like to know a simple way to improve the stock sound system without resorting to subwoofers and huge amplifiers.
They do make a blue now for the CL-S. It came out recently. I saw one a few weeks ago when I was in West Palm Beach, FL. There is a picture of one at http://www.acura-cl.com Try either a search for it- not sure how that works because I never used it- or try clicking on page 17 or so. The name, Aegan Blue, is in the title. I'm just thinking now- not sure if it's for the regular CL or the CL-S?? I have pics of my CL-S that I just got on March 28, 2001. So far, I'd have to say that it's the best car that I have ever owned. I think I've had some pretty nice cars over the years. I just want to get in it and drive ALL the time! I hit 2,500+ miles today since 3/28. If you click on my name above, you will find the link there.
fastdriver
if you ever drive agressively they are appreciated
more.A simple solution is to get sheepskin seat
covers of a high quality which means thicker.I
put just one on my 98 CL to reduce wear of the leather and it is more comfortable plus does not get hot.The other solution for me is to lose 50 lbs.
A good sound system is a MUST for me in a car, and I am extremely disappointed with the Bose system in the CL-S, enough that I may not buy the car unless improvements are made in 2002. I mean, yes the 260HP is awesome, but if you are stuck in traffic the majority of the time during you daily commute (like I am), you will get more use out of the stereo, than the engine.
The sound system is ok to me since I don't listen to just the bass. If I want bass, then I'll crank up my home system. I'd rather listen to the engine sings. Side mirrors are fine and not blocking my front views. Although the large A-pillar tend to block my view a little when turning.
It's normal that the front tires look underinflated due to the weight over the front, the low-profile tires and the radial "bulge".
I'm not looking for super bass - just a normal supply of low end, which is just not available from her CL Bose system, currently. However, I did stop by an Acura dealer during lunch and listened to one on the lot. It sounded much better than hers, so it might just be defective speakers, amp, or maybe they wire some of them incorrectly at the factory. Sometimes the dealer staff cranks the stereos while they are detailing. Maybe they blew the woofers.
I notice that some people are complaining about the seats. I find them to be quite comfortable. We have the standard CL, not S type, and find the smooth leather to be much more luxurious than the perforated type in the S. I also prefer the softer ride and steering over the S.
The only other negative that I've found, if you can call it that, is the extremely light weight steel used in the trunk and hood, almost bordering on flimsy. It doesn't seem to fit with the rest of the car's rigid structure.
Overall, though, the CL is an excellent value at under $26,000.
The bad thing about perforated leather is when you have to clean them - need a toothpick to get the conditioner out of the holes or just let it sit like that.
Thanks for the info. I have a 2001 CL-S that I purchased on 3/28/01. I love this car compared to the 1999 Motor Trend Car of the Year that I drove before this. As a matter of fact, I got rid of that car 3 months early because I did not want it in MY name at 36,000 miles with no warranty.
Anyway, I digress, as usual. Years ago, to me, a stereo was a stereo. I'm no audiophile. Then, I bought a 1994 Infiniti J-30 that had a BOSE radio! WOW! Could I notice the difference in sound! Beautiful. This is my second car with a BOSE system. I don't think this one is as good as the one in my Infiniti. It's HEAD over heels better then the 360 watt, 11 speaker, Infinity upgraded system that was in my 300M, but the CL radio doesn't seem the same as my Infiniti J-30. It's true- there is no "boom-boom" bass sound. I don't usually listen to music booming like that, but I think it's needs more bass too. Do you think BOSE knows this and just builds the radios to Acura's specs or do you think there is something that they can do to improve this "problem"? My car has NOT been to the dealer yet, so they couldn't have blown any speakers or anything. I could live with it, but if it could be made better, that would be nice. What would you suggest we do? Do the Acura dealers have BOSE "specialists" that could check this out or should we call/e-mail BOSE?
I know that many people in the http://www.acura-cl.com forum complain about the lack of bass. They can't all have defective radios or blown speakers!
Thanks.
fastdriver
I will admit, I put an aftermarket Nakamichi In-Dash CD player in my 90 BMW M3. Now THAT system sounds better than my 99 Acura CL ever was. Honda/Acura and Toyota/Lexus have always had crappy sound systems.
Obi
1990 BMW M3 Alpinweiss II
I'd probably have similar problems with any of the other cars that we are considering. Also one dealer was offering $2800 under MSRP. Is this a usual offer or is it year end clearance price?
Finally any known reasons to wait for a 2002? What changes are in store?
Thanx for your time.
Good luck with your purchase decision
I've had my 2001 CL-S since March 2000 and have had few problems in the 20,000 miles I've driven. The biggest thing was a broken stabilizer bar which I was able to take care of as time permitted. (The car drove OK with it broken) I also had them take care of a couple of rattles while they had the car. That was my only service other than routine maintenance. You should find a good independent Honda/Acura shop in your area. Also, a Honda dealer should be able to work on you Acura since they're really the same thing. Acura is simply a marketing nameplate used in North America. In fact, my dad once took my mom's Honda to an Acura dealer when the master cylinder blew during a trip to Las Vegas. They had no problem fixing it.
Niagra Falls was beautiful and I proposed to my girlfriend and she said.....
Lee in Miami, Red/Tan CL-S non-navi 14 mos new.
I don't see why you just leave your lights on when you drive since they turn off automatically. Unless you are talking about making the high beams as DRL, like GM does. That, I don't know.
With the exception of the lack of bass from the BOSE system, when compared to my 90 Maxima SE, I'm very happy with the car. A few words of caution: that engine will hit the rev limiter without any advance warning in the form of vibration or straining sound :-)
Lee -congrats - also canadianc - I may have to visit your part of the world - what is the best time of the year?
UGH! - I DON"T want to hear about rattles. I had my mind (feeble as it is) made up on a Solara B4 I drove the CL-S. The CL-S is sooo much more car for not much more money. Maybe they will take care of that in 2002 also???
i had a rattle in the center brake light too, but i stuck 2 rubber bumpers on the bottom corners between it and the glass, far enough down so you can't see it - no more rattles.
that's it. the other sounds i hear are just the leather rubbing against itself (on the back and bottom part of the seat). i have a fix in mind for that, but don't drive my car enough (it's garaged 50% of the time), and don't have it with me now to fix.
I just went down to Pleasanton Acura here in the San Fran area and they have a 01' CL-P for $26,888. It has a spoiler and gold package added. It is a blue/purple looking color with tan interior. Is that a good price for this car? I am thinking of leasing this time and I have never done it before. But if I decide to finance, is that a fair deal? Thanks
Do anybody have a rough estimate of the millage/gallon on your 2001 Acura CL type S? I got my car 9 months ago and I a getting not more than 14 miles within city. The sticker says 19 to 29.
how bad is the city driving there?
the worse i got was around 20-something, moderate city driving and lots of hills.
To mdaniel: I am almost at 16,000miles and still only a slight rattle from the sun roof when the inside shield is open.
To sanju: I have been getting 21 to 24 around town and over 32 on the highway. Hi Test gasoline only. I use Citgo and Amoco. Tire pressure 32 to 35 psi.
Dont forget ZAINO BROS polishes, I just put a 3 coat finish on the car and it still looks like brand new. Happy motoring from Lee in Miami, Red/Tan CL-S non navi
gas consumption - Hmmmm... I gas sanju has a major leadfoot and gets stuck in traffic an hour a day. I've been reporting my mpg around 24 with 50/50 around hilly areas. Looks like that car has something wrong with it if you are not idling in traffic that much.
I'm not one to mod my cars because they are generally leased but I did put in a cold air intake from Xephyr Performance. The ol' butt dyno says there is a pretty good power increase along with a wonderful noise (growl). I have changed my high beams to closely match the HID headlights and changed the "road lamps" with different bulbs that are brighter and a better match for the HID's.
I still love the car. I bought winter rims (TL rims) and snow tires for the winter and the car was fine. No rattles, no squeaks but I did have the sunroof "booming" fixed under warranty. It has been a great car and I still have another 27 months to go.
By the way, the mileage is pretty steady at 24-26 MPG.
I drive my car almost in the silicon valley. Traffic is not that bad where I drive. It takes me maximum 15 minutes to drive 5 miles to go to my work place. I also take 92 gas from Chevron. If I put 15 gallons in my tanks after about 200 miles I get the yellow signal(low fuel) back.
some people take their cars to the dealer and have them look at it and whatever...i just bought silicon lube spray for like $3 and sprayed it on a paper towel and applied it onto the rubber.
no more sunroof rattle.
Thanks
yeah, it's the rubber stuff around the edge of the sunroof rubbing against the inner edge of the opening. i opened the sunroof, put sil. lube on the front and then closed it and tilted it to do the back edge of the sunroof.
gto2050 - yeah, I do agree that the Bose stereo is weak in the bass department. As I recall, my old Acura Integra had a tighter bass and it was not even a Bose system. Overall, the CL stereo is decent, but they should add more speakers and a larger bass. Still, I enjoy listening to engine just as much as any music that I might be listening..... double my pleasure
The trim that runs down the center console just looks too cheap and fake on the new CLs and TLs.