Redesigned for 2001, the CL II moved up with a 225 hp 3.2 i-VTEC V6, richer equipment and a more serious premium-coupe brief. The rare 260 hp Type-S with its 6-speed manual is the enthusiast pick, while most cars use the 5-speed sequential automatic.
The real buying filter is simple: gearbox condition, timing-belt history and the general state of the V6 cooling system. Against a Ford Mustang, the CL II is more about fast comfort than muscle, but neglected BYBA automatics and weak maintenance records quickly turn it into an expensive catch-up job.