1997 Acura 3.0 CL Distinctive luxury and sneaky fast. By Tony Swan, New Car Test Drive .com

Folks who favor road rockets like the BMW M3 coupe pooh-pooh the Acura 3.0CL for lack of character. Others have criticized its pricetag, and for a shortage of doors--in other words, for not being a sedan.

After spending a week with a 3.0CL, we find these observations mystifying.

True, the V6-powered version of Acura's mid-size front-drive coupe lacks

a manual transmission, optional or otherwise--that sport-driving essential

is available only with the four-cylinder 2.2CL--and its on-road persona

is serenely quiet, composed and competent.

But for all its posh good manners, the CL can handle a slalom course

or series of s-bends in a considerably faster than average hurry, and its

all-around dynamics are on a par with most of BMW's superb 3-Series coupes,

though the M3 is in a class by itself.

Comments about two doors versus four defy comprehension. Yes, sedans

are more versatile. But coupes still have an appeal--sporty, intimate,

personal--that sedans don't. We don't think a coupe has to apologize for

being a coupe.

As for the price issue--well, let's look at that. With a base price

of $25,545, including destination and delivery, the 3.0CL is $3000 higher

than the 2.2CL, and at $27,105 the Premium version, our test subject, is

in near-luxury territory.

At a glance, that may seem a trifle dear. But check the standard equipment

list. This baby is loaded, and the basic 2.2CL is only slightly less so.