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"Benefiting from a host of upgrades for '02, Acura's senior sedan gains only new wheels, taillights, and minor trim changes to set off its comprehensively appointed '03 package. The RL's mechanical features include a 3.5L/225-HP SOHC VTEC V-6, electronically controlled four speed automatic transmission, double wishbone suspension, four-wheel dics with ABS, stability control, and front/front-side airbags. On the luxury front are leather upholstery, wood accents, a full complement of power assists, climate-control A/C, Bose audio, and OnStar. A DVD nav system and cargo net are the sole options."
And yes, Motor Trend lists the price as $28,980-$33,480. Be sure to take this magazine with you when you visit the dealer. Everyone will have a nice laugh over that pricing.
And I believe this is the first VTEC engine in the RL. Acura.com doesn't mention the 2002 having a VTEC. Perhaps the RL is sharing the TL's engine? It should have the Type S engine (IMHO).
Relentlessly,
L
Thanks.
Relentlessly,
L
To make a long story short, I'm thinking of getting a White 1998 RL with 48K miles for 22k. Does this sound like a good deal? I want a car that makes my 1.5 hour a day (65 mi ) commute easier.
Any input will be greatly appreciated...
The 3.5L engine in the RL is COMPLETELY DIFFERENT from the 3.5L engine present in the MDX/Odyssey. The 3.5L of the MDX/Odyssey is of the J-series of SOHC engines from Honda, which also includes the 3.0L engine of the Accord and the 3.2L engines of the TL/TL-s.
The J-series engines (3.5L of the MDX etc) are Transversely mountable engines with a 60 degree "V" angle. The 3.5L in the RL is a Longitudinally mountable engine with a 90 degree "V" angle. The 90 degree "V" angle is ideal in a V8 engine, while the 60 degree "V" angle is ideal in a V6. The 90 degree V6 needs bandaids like balancing shafts to quell vibrations.
Normally Automakers go for a 90 degree V6, ONLY when they need to make a V6 on the same production line as their V8 engines. For example, the Oldsmobile 3.5L DOHC engines have a 90 degree "V" angle, since they are built on the same production line as the Northstar 90 degree V8 engines of Cadillac. Putting balancers to quell vibrations is cheaper than building an entirely new production line. I wonder why Acura put a sub-optimal 90 degree V6 in the RL ? And not even providing it with Variable Valve Timing technology that Honda already employs in almost all other cars of theirs, leaving the RL engine, just a notch above such old school engines as the General Motors Pushrod engines ?? Strange, very strange...
Later...AH
Trying to keep its environment friendly image, Honda may not want to develop any V8 engines. And without V8 engines, I guess Honda would be extremely lucky if they can sell 40k/year in $40k+ range. I think Honda knows this and thus it isn't too eager to make improvements to RL.
2 pictures at:
http://www.thehollywoodextra.com
For those with RLs that have an outlet pointing upward in their armrest, Belkin has created a cell phone adaptor with a pivot arm. I bought one at Staples and it works great. It bends so the armrest can close. I no longer have to charge up my phone with the dash outlet.
I just upgraded to 17" wheels and tires on my 2000 RL. Although most charts at tire dealers list 17" compatible wheels and tires for this car, they generally will not fit without slight modifications. (I was told the standard RL Acura wheels have an uncommon offset that is not standard for most aftermarket wheel manufactures.) I went to a 17" chrome wheel with a 225/50-17 tire. The front fit fine, but the rear wheels rubbed on the fender wells going over bumps. I was able to bend over the inside lip on the wheel wells and slightly trim a piece of plastic from where the rear bottom panel connects to the wheel well. This allowed enough clearance to fix the rubbing problem. Most people may not be willing to make any modifications, so be sure to have the tire shop test fit BOTH the front and rear wheels prior to finalizing your purchase. (The tire shop I went to, America's Tire Company, only tested the front. They were however, very accomodating to help fix the problem and let me try several different tires without additional charge.) I would not recommend purchasing these items online, as most online vendors assured me the wheels would fit and your only recourse may be to send them back.
I was amazed at how much better this new tire and wheel combo handles compared to the stock setup. And it also looks great. It was well worth the slight modifications for the end result.
(http://www.hondanews.com)
"For 2003, Acura's flagship sedan receives subtle refinements that enhance its already distinctive styling. A new interior color, Slate Gray, is available as are three new wood trims: Auburn Camphor, Golden Camphor and Black Camphor. The 3.5 RL also receives three new exterior colors: Carbon Gray Pearl, Polar Blue Metallic and Champagne Mist Pearl. In the rear, a new taillight lens design features a clear turn signal portion. The alloy wheels also receive a new design. The 2003 RL is equipped with the Lower Anchor and Tethers for Children (LATCH) child seat restraint system."
There is also mention of dual 8-way power front seats. I think the current is 8-way driver, 4-way passenger.
Go Bluejays.
Joe W.
First time poster, but a grateful reader of recent months.
I live in Switzerland and am about to buy my first Legend...or RL. I've got two cars under consideration, one a 1995, the other 1996. I'd be grateful for some advice or comments from this group about my best purchase. Here's the details....sorry to say I can't give a trim designation for either vehicle at the moment because they are both sight unseen and known here as Honda, as opposed to Acura Legends:
1995 (Sept) Honda Legend 3.2i
54,000 miles
5 speed
No CD, original timing belt and water pump
$9,000
1996 (Aug) Honda Legend 3.5i
71,000 miles
Automatic
CD, new timing belt and water pump
$10,700
Both cars are the sedan models (wife and 2 kids, you know), and according to the sellers are in mint shape with no electronic problems etc.
Obviously the key choice is between what in the States is called the RL and the last year of the Legend. From what I can make out the '96 has more torque, particularly at lower revs, and benefitted from a number of noise reduction measures. I know detractors argue against the RL series by virtue of it being less sporty than the Legend line, but to be honest I am not as much interested in hard cornering and flat out speed as I am in comfortable cruising on vacations and all round mechanical reliablility.
A major question for me is whether the '96 RL models had teething problems and whether is it a year to be avoided.
Basically I'd be very grateful if some of you hear could comment on which of these two cars you would opt for and why?
Thanks for any help I can get on this,
Dave Meddings
Good luck.
Joe W.
Oh yeah, almost forgot - I will always take a "manual" transmission over "auto", so in this case my vote goes to the Legend.
Another pet peeve of mine is the "now you see it, now you don't" lease deals. One week, the lease pmt. is $427/mo. Wait a week and "the plan has changed." Now the monthly pmt. is $503! What's up with that?! It's like shooting at a moving target, and performing due diligence and making an informed decision cannot be prolonged much. Just venting my frustration, and don't expect much help here.
Also, can anyone confirm that the '03 RLs will have a VTEC engine? Other changes supposedly are minor.
Maybe this is just their way fo getting back at public for becoming too informed and smart-assey. Actually, I don't know how to behave when I walk-in into dealership, whether let them know right away, that I know what's the deal, or play dumb and see how they'd treat you. But they invariably treat people like dummies.
Few weeks ago, I CarsDirect found RL for me for $34,800. I passed only because it was not my color choice, and I wanted to bide my time for '03. But when time comes, I'll go thru CarsDirect, no way I can bring myself to deal wtih dealers directly.
You either have to let them fool you, or you have to be clear that they lie to you, and you know it. I am not comfortable with either proposition.
By the way, does anyone know when is the earliest incentives might kick in for '03? Do they have them in Feb/March season?
Try this: Do your homework on current rates, rebates, etc., and enter the dealership with a price in mind: your offer (low), your target (mid), and your max. When they give you a ridiculous song and dance, say "I'm ready to buy today -- here is my card (scribble the offer price on the back). It looks like you need to think about whether you want to sell this car or not. Get back to me if you decide you can sell for my price, unless I buy before I hear from you." And then, walk out.
Most of the time you won't make it out the driveway without the sales manager coming out. If you've done your homework, don't budge. The worst they can say is 'no.' and then you can always come back and meet their lowest price.
No need for hassle. They're sellling. Let them use your offer, not MSRP. The price is never marked down -- it's marked up from their true invoice.
Hope it works out. Good luck.
Joe W.
Another dealer told me that if he had to trade his stock RL with another dealer (since he did not have my color), he would have to mark up the price by $800. I think this is gouging because my understanding is that dealers typically trade their cars with each other and do not pass the cost to customers. Come on, be fair.
Overall, my shopping experience with the Acura dealers around me has not been great, which hurts Acura's image of being customer friendly.
So to get a great deal, "Just say no". At least until you get what you want. Just my $.02.
Relentlessly,
L
You need to find a dealer with 10-20 RL's on the lot. They will be willing to move them. Also you can use them to jockey with a local if they have something you want. I am in KS and the area dealer wouldn't give me the time of day. Bought from a dealer in KC, 200 miles and got a great deal. I did the whole deal by e-mail. I was looking in KS, and adjoining states.
Finally, don't deal with the guy that picks you up at the lot. Use the internet sales person. In general, they are trained to cut through the crap. When I got mine it was the GM. I ended up with one of the usual joes for the delivery which was no big deal.
with 65,000 miles. I bought it from a dealer in the Los Angeles area after having a bad experience with another dealer in buying a 1998 TL.
This car is in excellent condition and looks beautiful. Got the car for $15,993 including new floor mats and detail of car inside and out. Also got a full tank of gas.
I plan to drive the car for ten years. I had an '87 Accord Lxi that I had since new that I just sold with 194,000 miles. It still ran great. I am bored with current Honda styling and wanted Honda reliabilty with more luxury. Hence, the RL.
Would it be wrong to sleep in it tonight?
Cheers
mrjazz
Cheers
kidbebop
I had considered a 2000 Accord EX V-6 sedan from the same dealership, but got the RL. Saved $3.5K and got a better vehicle with a longer remaining warranty (balance of the 7 yr/100K EW).
Just had the car detailed last week. It doesn't look like a six-year old vehicle with 70K miles.
Where would be a good source for these OEM wheels from a 1998 RL?
Cheers
kidbebop
Since the DNX is a 4-door performance sedan, this could be the next generation RL.
Software Ver.: 3.42
Does anyone know if they will publish an update later this year?
SBurke
The NAVs after that, are DVD based, with one DVD convering the entire continental US.
Later...AH
Also, sometime back I had read on the list of a product called 'Zano' for surface protection. Has anyone on the board used it? If so, is it worth buying?
I also have a 2000RL and have used Zaino since the car was new and it is a great product.
I have also used it on a 1988 Mercedes (paint was in great shape to begin with) and the finish is fantastic.
For more discussion on Zaino, search Town Hall using "Zaino" and you will find many discussions.
Later...AH
Also, we are wondering if we should wait until some 2000 models come off lease?
Also, why is this an unpopular car? I guess that is good for those of us who want to buy a preowned one, but I'm just curious.
And, lastly, what does everyone on the board think about this car as a reliable used car? My husband doesn't care at all about status names (even though he's a doc and has been told he should be driving a Mercedes ;-) ) and he would be totally happy with a new Camry or Maxima but we are hoping to get a lot of years out of the Acura. I know I've asked a lot of questions, but I would appreciate any feedback. Thanks!
The RL is unpopular because it's is dated, looks like the old Legend and has about the same power for a car that's almost 10 years old. The new Accord has way more. And I believe the MSRP has been about the same ever since it came out in 96. Most people that get luxury level end up with a other brands and gladly pay the extra $5-$10K over.
I was considering this last year but it was slightly out of my range even with the great deals they had/have on it, They quote me a price of $39 with the navi for a 2002 at the end of last year, I think it's cheaper now. It was slightly underpowered but it felt really luxurious over a TL/Type S, which had way more power but the TL was smaller inside and some parts looked like a slightly bigger Accord.
I'm sure it is very reliable (it is made in Japan, unlike most other Acura's that now have the extended warranty for the faulty transmission.) Why not get the 2002, I think it's a damn great deal, still thinking about it myself!! It's like middle ground between every other car out there.
Good luck.
An engineering analysis of the cause of the failure of the transmissions was done, and the "faulty" component corrected sometime during last year and hence the latest cars arriving are free of this "problem".
Later...AH
Concerning, the Certified Preowned Warranty coverage, the salesman said that for $700 we can get a "wraparound" bumper to bumper coverage to 100,000 miles or 6 years, I believe. Does this literally mean, any little thing that goes wrong will be covered? For instance, stereo, air conditioning, power windows, etc? Does anyone have experience with this additional wraparound coverage and the ease of getting things fixed when needed? With this coverage, can we literally count on not putting any money into this car other than regularly scheduled maintenance?? This is a very important aspect which will motivate us to either buy the preowned Acura or a brand new vehicle. Right now, our '94 Jeep GC (80,000 miles)is starting to have problems every few months.
For me, if the CarFax report came back clean and, especially, if the dealership was able to show me the service records (i.e., a trade-in) I don't think I'd even spring for the warranty. No need to worry about 100k in a "normal" Honda, in my mind. Now, if they offered it to 200k, that would be different story but no such luck.
In any case, your ownership experience will be DRASTICALLY different from owning a Jeep unless you are one of the rare, unlucky ones.
Good luck.
Joe W.
There was no water in the overflow tank and no hot air would come out of the AC vents (I had turned on the heat for the last mile in an attempt to cool the engine). There was no water in my driveway and the car had a new water pump/timing belt 18 months and 25,000 miles ago.
They filled the radiator and have run it for an hour at 2000 rpm without a leak. What's up with that?
Sorry, I guess I should have resisted more.
Take care.
Joe W.
YMMV