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I often get asked when I'll get a Benz or another Bimmer. My reply is that clients seeing me in them will probably remark: "He's driving OUR money!" I've gotten an opposite reaction over the years with my Legends and RL: "He has a good eye for VALUE."
Back in the late '80s, a leading auto magazine rated various coupes: M-B, BMW, Lincoln, and Acura. They actually "invented" a new category, PANACHE, which scored points for all but the Japanese"interloper" and enabled the Benz to get a tie with the upstart Legend.
I agree that "image" is a major reason for the over-abundance of BMWs on the road. It is a high price for a smaller car and even though there are those willing to pay such a tariff, I "WOOD" not be one of them. But, hey, it's your money to spend as you see fit.
I don't think the ride is cushy at all. Initially, I thought the seats were a bit stiff when new. Now that they've broken, I think they are just right.
Personally, I would go with the RL over the BMW 530. I was looking for a car that was reliable, well built, decent room, conservatively attractive with good value and low maintenance costs. The RL is better than the BMW and Mercedes in that aspect. Having a car for its name just isn't important to me. I'm sure the BMW handles very well, but if I wanted to good handling car I would get a sports car in additon to my RL.
A voice from the somewhat younger generation.
Car and Driver, with the other mags, perpetuated this reputation, even as some of the BMW's took on almost Buick like qualities.
In my car ownership history, I've owned an 86 Acura Legend, an 87 Mercedes 300 and an 87 Porsche 911. I still own the Acura and it has 160,000 miles. From time to time it requires new parts, but has been very reliable and economical overall. Everything in it works, and I drive it cross country.
The MB was robust, but I doubt it would have made it as far as the Acura. Imho, present MB products are inferior to ones from the 80's. Any BMW's I see of the same vintage as my Acura, are usually in a very sorry state.
Despite this, the lure of the 3 pointed star floating above your hood as you go down the freeway is very strong. Likewise, the kidney shaped grill and the almost universal approval of the BMW are also a big draw.
But, these cars, imho, have become cliches. When they were "status" symbols, MB and BMW sales volumes were miniscule. Today, they are relatively large volume brands, which undermines the very exclusivity their brands use to prop up silly prices.
This is where the RL buyer benefits. No 3 pointed star or kidney shaped grill, but a vastly better car than the MB E320 or BMW 530i.
The value equation is very stark. But, the RL does not offer any product or quality compromise. It is a much better product than the nominal competition from MB and BMW.
I hope that "common sense" may also prevail in another area. We've had the controversy of road racers in "tricked-up" small cars ("rice-rockets"), usually Honda, Acura, Toyota, and Nissan, who have not only killed themselves, but, an innocent by-stander on her way to church last week. To top it off, he was a friend of the victim's son! So, the police are now on patrol again, the media has run off several stories on these "enhanced" street-illegal machines and how costly it is for some conversions. Many have been altered WITHOUT going through the "re-construction permit" process. It's unfortunate that a few irresponsible ones may spoil things for the majority. Of course, that recent movie about street racing hasn't helped, either!
Thanks.
Pat
Host
Sedans Message Board
Inquiring minds want to know....thanks!
wing5nut
Otoh, I wouldn't wait for them to come down a whole bunch (like $33k or whatever you hear as the best) if you're wanting a particular color. Lots of the left-overs were stragglers in the tan color or demos. In addition, Honda had lease support on these at the very beginning to, in the words of a salesman I spoke with, keep inventory down and have the decks cleared for what may be an entirely new car in the next model year.
Why not offer $39.5 and walk if he doesn't come down to at least $40k, then see what you can do by phone or email with other local dealers? You can always come back. Or, even wiser, you could shop the others first to see what the local price floor seems to be before you talk to him again. But give yourself room to go up when you give a price.
Take care.
Joe W.
wing5nut
wing5nut
My '96 RL Premium w/ 87K miles is worth only ~$11-$12K wholesale That's a territory of couple year old Civic!
wing5nut
Have noticed lots of talk about prices. Leased mine 3/01 for 1.5K down, no sec dep and 15K/yr for $502/39 mths. Best I could do shopping dealers in VA/NC area.
Take care.
Joe W.
The touch up bottle they gave me was exact with my current paint. I ditched my touch up kit I got from the dealership. The color wasn't exact because my paint color had changed by then.
The place is called Autobody Dimensions in Gaithersburg MD.
On finances, I suggest looking at the option of taking the supported deal but paying nothing down. Depending on your local/state taxes, that leaves your first payment at 1900 or less and raised my payment to 544, taxes included. (I hate cap cost reductions and the risk exposure they provide the driver.)
Good luck. Enjoy.
If on the other hand, you are satisfied with the power that the RL has and wish to continue driving the car for a long time (> 10 years ?), then the RL is the perfect car for you, since it is guaranteed to be almost problem free till the end of eternity, lack of power/brand cache notwithstanding.
just my 2c
Later...AH
Are they dependable or do they need to be repaired
often?
I chose to lease my '02 rather than keep it for the car's life, because I've kept every car I've owned for many years in order to avoid depreciation. Now I'm at the point where I can pretty much get what I want (within reason) and have decided to enjoy my ride and the new toys, rather than sitting in traffic and wondering how nice it would be .... etc. while I look at all the new rides around me. In addition, there are a lot of cars out there I want to try (including, perhaps, the V8 version of the RL when it's available), and I look forward to going back to the buffet table in another three years.
But if the question is long-term cost, then hunter is certainly correct. A lease is an extravagance. But if that is your choice the current RL lease is excellent.
Add to that that I've always paid cash, so the $40k I would have spent on the RL is currently earning interest that will reduce the cost of the lease considerably (because I'm earning more than the lease mf is costing).
But even with that factor the car is costing over double what its cost would be if I were holding it for 10 or more years.
Life is short enough, and I probably have time to drive about 6 more leases before I get a used Corolla and start to hope no one takes my license away.
Take care.
Joe W.
So far as depreciation goes, it is true for several reasons, especially vs. the TL-S which is so very popular right now. The first is that the RL is not very popular as a mass vehicle. Another is that Honda doesn't advertise it. And of course almost every large luxury vehicle made in the over $40k market depreciates heavily: Jaguar XJ and Infiniti Q45 are among the most notorious, but you could include the 740iL, the MB E series, and especially Cadillacs and Lincolns. Out of all of these, by the way, the RL is reliable. Its depreciation is a reason it is such a terrific used buy.
Take care.
Joe W.
M
They're not that easy to find here. I was lucky because I have friends in the business who tipped me off on it. There's a private party unit in the paper ('98 model) asking $27.8K. He'll have to come down on that one.
Some features are convenience items, others are engineering. My '96 is well-equipped and handles nicely. Even though I wouldn't mind some of the "improved" handling characteristics, it's almost unnoticable. There are front-wheel vibrations at speeds over 65 mph on concrete roadways (none on asphalt) which tire balancing does not seem to cure. Anyone else with this problem? Is this absent from later models?
surprised at the amount of noise you can hear
in the car cabin. I don't know if it was just
this one car. Maybe he is spoiled by driving
toyotas for so long. They seem to have a quiet
ride. The used car prices they offer for the rl
can't be beat. the lexus' barely depreciate
at all so you don't get as much for your money.
Also, the above mentioned incentives did not apply to the 3.2TL, which were in high demand all through its current iteration. The previous model 3.2TL (prior to 1999 model year) was a total failure and needed generous incentives to move them, similar to the ones needed by the current 3.5RL at the end of the 2001 model year. These incentives do not bode well for the future re-sale of the car. So if you intend to keep this car for a long time ( >10 years, when re-sale of the car does not matter at all), then I am all for it, since the build quality of the car is EXCELLENT and the reliability should be stellar too.
Later...AH
Take care.
Joe W.
Thanks.
at 98's with 33 (about)miles and would expect to
pay about 24000. Just keep in mind that this
car is not very popular and the salesmen know
the buyers are few and far betweeen compared
to tl's ect.
rroyce10 "Real-World Trade-In Values" Oct 23, 2001 6:10pm
The '02 has some nice refinements and I am happy as a lark with it--a real pleasure to drive. It is so quiet and never a rattle or squeak. I have been checking the miles per gallon and it is well below what Acura advertises. I noticed that many others had this complaint. However, I always run my air conditioner and I am certain that it reduces mile per gallon--this must be taken into consideration and I am sure it has probably been overlooked by some of those complaining about it. The only other complaint I have is that the CD changer is in the truck and not in the center armrest (as it was in my '97)--this is a real pain. I would have been happy with a single disc changer in the dash like the TL.
While the stying of the RL is not as slick as BMW and Mercedes, I have still received compliments on how sharp my car looks (charcoal metallic). I could own a BMW or a Mercedes to show off, but I don't like driving a show off car (my ego is healthy enough without it!!!). My dealer told me that many of his wealthy customers like an understated car like the RL which suits all of their needs and ego as well. It's like the Rockefeller's who drove Buick's instead of Cadillac's!
For my money, the RL is one of the best made cars in the world for the price. Honda engineering and quality are superior for numerous years of driving without big maintenance bills like BMW and Mercedes.
Where else can you get a car of this quality and performance for $499 a month? Repeat customers usually don't have to make the supplemental down payment, if any.
GO RL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the articulate 'apology' for a most under-appreciated car, adam.
Take care.
Joe W.
Thanks for the info on parts at Comptech. FYI, Wreck is a version of "Ramblin Wreck", the old alma mater, not a prediction (I think). BTW, I am also contacting my local dealer. If purchasing used, as I did, does the roadside assistance, TLC, etc. transfer? This is not a major deal, as I have AAA, but just wondering.
Take care.
Joe W.
I spoke with Acura Customer Care, and the roadside assistance, etc. transfers as long as the car is within the warranty period. They took care of it over the phone. Thanks again for your help.