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Toronto Star Review
SH-AWD Toronto Star Review 09/04
Motor Trend Preview 09/04
Autoweek Preview 09/04
Edmunds Editors Review 10/04
Car & Driver Buyers Guide 10/04
Autoweek SEMA ASPEC RL review 11/04
Road and Track Preview 10/04
Car & Driver Full Review 12/04
Automobile Magazine Review 10/04
Smart Money Magazine Review (December Issue)
Popular Science Magazine Best of 2004 Award Winner
Honda Legend Japan Car of the Year Award & Most Advanced Technology Award
Given time I'll gladly furnish some additional vague references.
Your impression that the A6 and E320 have more rear space "may" be true but, frankly, I don't care because rear seat spaciousness it not an overriding concern of mine - rarely, if ever, do I have rear seat passengers - but I can see the importance of rear seat space if you haul around a lot of people.
I will acquiesce to your notion that acceleration and braking are very important performance specs but I will counter that an EVO, WRX, RSX and some other pocket rockets not only outclass the RL in that category - they also, clearly outclass many, many other vehicles in the + $50k range...so whats your point? (Although I must sheepishly admit that, deep down inside, I think the RL should outclass the Acura TL and the new hybrid Honda Accord, in every performance category - smile)
I respect your views and you make some good, salient points - but to bring this discussion full circle and avoid, as you state, "vague assertions" what vehicles do you consider to be in the RL's peer category and how, when it comes to HP, torque, acceleration, braking, skidpad, fit & finish, quality of materials used, and safety engineering features, are they superior to the RL? Back to you...
If you don't own an RL, don't want to own one, have just test driven one or just want to exercise your syntax and see your name in lights, then undertake a life of self-examination and try to understand exactly why you're posting in this forum. It's unclear to me why you're here, posting criticisms that may or may not be valid but certainly, deliberately, causing apprehension among those coming to know their new, complex cars. This goes to motive, so what is your motive and what keeps you here? Why the persistent interest in this car, one that you don't intend to own? Further, once you've posted, why the need to reply to so many other posts? It certainly smacks of ego. Now that you're a "published" author, feed off that for a while and permit us to have an honest discussion that's relevant to our new experience with the RL. Though you have every right to be here, you seem to be an alien presence.
On the brighter side: my Lakeshore Silver RL is due to arrive tomorrow. Are there any positive comments about the back-up sensors?
The point is that VDA provides for a conservative estimate. So, when you choose to compare measurements, make sure you understand the process involved. It is bound to make a difference.
PS. This would be my last post on trunk space. I chimed into this debate noticing some misinformation floating around that I could help alleviate with my understanding.
This is not the Edmunds "owners" forum; nor is it the Acura RL fan club. The exchange of information and opinions here has been rather civil. If you find your apprehension level rising, skip the posts that bother you.
We are in the process of shopping for an SUV. The MDX, GX470, LR3 and XC90 are the major contenders. I have gone into each forum and appreciated the different perspectives from both owners and non-owners of each. Sure, there are the occassional "trash talkers" who seem intent on promoting a negative agenda, but they are pretty easy to identify and ignore. But, in trying to decide how to spend my $40-$60k, I actually want to hear from people that have opposing views of the various vehicles we are considering, as well as happy owners.
I have been following the forum for over 6 months now and truly enjoy the lively discussions here. This is a very active forum with lots of member participation and this should not be frowned upon, but encouraged. While I am tired of the obsessive discussions about trunk measuring means or trunk or backseat space, overall the discussions are interesting and provide insight into the RL and its issues.
I have been quiet and just soaking in the information until now, as I felt compelled to reply to assertation that only owners or wannabe owners can post. That's just ridiculous.
Can anyone else confirm that both their mirrors tilt down when in reverse, regardless of the position of the "adjust mirror" switch?
Ok, what gives here???? This is really bizare!!!
Someone must be able to figure this out!!!
I've always enjoyed reading these forums, especially when I can get "real-world" responses to issues. Debates are fine, but it gets tiring reading debates based on "opinion" alone.
So, about those tilting mirrors?!? So there's at least one other person who believes they both tilted down at first, but once you moved that switch, now only one will tilt down when in reverse. And there seems to be a couple others where both of their mirrors still tilt down when in reverse? This is indeed strange. I would love to know how to get both to tilt down. Any ideas?
My mirrors only good down one side at a time as well. went to the dealer and tried a car on the lot and the same thing one at a time.
Anyway, I'm looking for valid reasons to choose an RL over an E500 or CTS-V or keep my current one. Where am I supposed to get that; from listening to some guy who just wants to convince me to buy his product?? No. I need it from owners and other people who are interested in the car. A car should fit your lifestyle. Maybe there's someone else here with a similar lifestyle to mine who has purchased or will purchase the RL. Their opinions/debates will be valuable to me.
Several other posters have already put you in your place about your insipid post, so I won't delve into it any further. I will say that you are one hypocrite. You don't even have possession of the car yet, but you think you are an "authority" on who can and can't speak about it??? I would wager that I have spent more time in the new RL than you have (several test drives AND playing with the features). So, until you have some keys in your hand and some mileage behind the wheel, my posts are probably more valid than yours.
If both mirrors tilt-down, then you won't be able to use the traffic-side mirror to see cars coming up behind you..
If you like both mirrors tilting down at the same time, more power to you if they work that way.. but, I would consider that a design fault.
regards,
kyfdx
(who doesn't have an RL, but will post his opinions anywhere he darn well likes)
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And good point about the parallel parking - I hadn't thought about that. But when I'm backing out of my drive way (straight back), I like to see the ground on both sides to make sure I'm not running over any animals, or stray neighborhood kids.
And speaking of backing up, did anyone get the dealer installed back up sensors, or had a chance to drive an RL with one installed? I've experienced them on other cars (BMW, Audi) and can see some value in it, but I would much prefer a backup camera like Lexus has. Anyone know if there's an aftermarket that can work with our Nav screen? Acura doesn't have one for the MDX, do they?
If any of you want this forum to be an "owner's club", then Edmunds may be the wrong place for you..
If you don't like someone else's opinion, I suggest using the scroll wheel.. I'm sure lots of my opinions get scrolled..
regards,
kyfdx
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It would be nice if all car companies used the same method so people can be fully informed by the numbers they are shown.
I was mainly confused as to if I had simply "imagined" that both had tilted down when I first got my RL, or if others had experienced the same (which others did post saying both of their mirrors did in fact tilt down), which makes me wonder if there is a bug in the car... Or at least inconsistencies between individual cars.
1. My RL now has 375 miles on it and I am still learning all about the navigation system. It is fairly easy to learn the basics without even looking at the manual. If you have any techy bent at all in your personality!
2. Love the blue lights in the interior at night, very soft and welcoming.
3. The heater is very quiet, love that, no loud fan noise, heated seats are excellent.
4. Acceleration on the freeway is great.
5. Fit and finish quality are excellent. I do wish they had put some wood on the center console.
6. I had wanted a sportier sedan, so chose this car. Rarely carry passengers in the back seat, so don't care about that.
7. I wish it had the status of the Mercedes I traded in for this car, but this is a nicer car in terms of quality. I would not buy a big Lexus sedan, they are too plush for my tastes. Reminds me of a Lincoln Town Car. To compare an RL to a big Lexus Sedan is silly.
8. Also considered the Audi A6, but do not like the new styling. Just another big sedan, IMO
9. I did not pay MSRP. Dealer threw in the spoiler and all weather mats. Also gave me another $1,000 off of MSRP.
10. No snow yet, so haven't really tried the all-wheel drive.
11. This car has virtually all the conveniences and luxury items that my Mercedes had. It is a beautiful vehicle and I'm really enjoying it. But I do wish they would have made the front end a little more distinctice. The car looks much more impressive in person than it does in pictures.
Lynnminny
Ask your questions, post your responses and if you see a post from someone whom - for whatever reason - you don't feel has credibility, just ignore it! It's that simple.
The personal insults are out of line here - I know that most of you know that, but apparently one or two of you seem to need reminding.
Thanks for your cooperation.
Do you have link to or picture of the Japanese Legend grill for comparison purposes? That would be interesting to see. Wonder also if there is an aftermarket grill replacement yet that might "jazz" up the front end appearance a bit for those who are so inclined. I think the back end, particularly with the optional low profile spoiler, is great but the front appearance could use a little more (but not too much) personality. A grill replacement that is tasteful but a bit more agressive might be a good addition.
Frankly, I like the grill on the RL better than the Legend. I think it comports with the American idea of a luxury car better than does the grill on the Legend.
http://www.caranddriver.com/idealbb/view.asp?topicID=58688
LIY
I agree that experience of RL owners is more valuable than mere theoretical chewing of numbers and assumptions. Especially experience of people who owned other cars of the same class is interesting.
I own my car for 1 month and am very satisfied with it. The reasons are:
1. Excellent handling and SH-AWD is not a gimmick. It really works and glues the car to the road immensely. Steering is very precise and I agree with the edmunds.com comment that "this car has a spooky ability to go wherever you want it to go. The driving dynamics is more on the luxurious side but after switching tranny to manual mode and using steering wheel shift pads driving is sportier.
2. Excellent stereo system combined with quiet cabin.
3. Voice recognition system that really works (I am not a native English speaker). It's much safer to operate nav system and a phone keeping hands on a steering wheel.
4. Impecable, high quality interior. Even though wood-like steering wheel and shifting knob should be standard.
5. Excellent, quiet and precise heating system.
6. NAV system very easy to operate.
7. The exterior is very sophisticated and for that reason many people in America will not appreciate it. I think Acura will set the trend for future luxury cars looking less sedating but rather dynamic (but not sporty).
8. Excellent ergonomics. With minimal movement of the right hand everything can be operated. The idea of memorized settings for 2 drivers is very good.
9. I expect the car to fair very well in crash tests.
10. Reliability is expected to be excellent.
Problems:
1. Uses more fuel than I expected. 16-18 mpg city driving and 25-26 mpg highway. In the winter it's probably going to be more fuel-thirsty.
2. Keyless locking started malfunctioning after first car wash. 2 days later it was O'K. After heavy rains I can not lock driver's door touching the outside handle any more. I'll go to the dealer soon.
Acura doesn't have prestige yet but it's getting there. I believe it's an excellent car.
Greetings to all Swift Boat Veterans.
However, I appreciate the very thorough references you made to articles which were all quite positive on the RL (although my reading of some did not necessarily endorse the car as "best in class").
The real essence of you post and the question you pose are quite important. To answer your question, I would say the BMW 5 series, Audi A6 and Mercedes e320 are certainly peers. Some might argue that the TL and even the Infiniti G35 and the new M are peers (even though the TL and G35 admittedly don't have the luxury and some of the appointments which the $50,000 cars have). Of these, I think you can make the case that the RL may be the best overall package even acknowledging the fact that some of these peers outaccelerate, brake better and/or have a bit more space in backseat/trunk. I accept the importance of fit, finish, AWD, reliability. This is why I may buy an RL.
However, the following point may shock many in this forum. I think that all of the $50,000 cars over time have had serious flaws (I also have some issues with the $35,000 cars like the TL -- torque steer, average handling). However, I hold the $50,000 cars to a higher standard. For years, the auto magazines fawned over BMW 5 series for its admittedly great road feel and handling but the it lacked backseat and trunk space and also was poor in the snow. Now we have redesign to partially address those issues but the exterior and interior electronics are poorly conceived and reliability is a huge issue. The old A6 was beautiful and luxurious inside but a slug unless you got the 2.7 turbo. The new engine is much better and I think it is a much improved car but reliability (and gas mileage are issues). The Mercedes perhaps has the most potential but the performance and gas mileage suffer a good bit when you go to AWD and the electronics have been a nightmare for some I know. Reliability also a big issue for Benz. My point is that Acura has designed the RL to be competitive with this group but they could have really distanced themselves from the competition. All they needed to do was be a little more aggressive on the performance attributes of the car (braking, acceleration) a bit more innovative with the rear end styling (I really like the front end) made the car just a bit more spacious. I know some will say this is asking for alot but I really don't think so -- especially when the $35,000 cars come closer to the goal than the more expensive cars. Frankly, I think if they had combined the SH-AWD with all these improvements, I would not mind paying over $50,000 for the car.
For a time/mileage update my car is now 34 days old, with just over 3500 miles. So far it is utterly flawless, and better handling than any of my previous 21 vehicles. By far.
Happy day all
I think I have spoken my mind in prior posts regarding these comparisons, but would like to solicit your thoughts. Kindly advise. Thanks.
Also, I have some issues transferring from handset to HFL, does anybody have the same problem?
Otherwise, I love HFL and the Blackberry 7100t, other than the T-mobile spotty service.
Thanks for your driving experience feedback. I purchased my RL 3 weeks ago and I'm still waiting for delivery. I noted your 5th comment about the lack of wood on the center console. I agree and questioned my dealerships sales manager about this, especially since the Acura MDX has it. He stated that a number of dealerships had also brought that up as an issue with Acura and that they will soon offer it as an accessory for new and existing RL's. I have no idea of cost or date, but when I pick my car up I'll be sure to lock that accessory in. I also went for the wood steering wheel and shift knob.
By the way, can anyone who optioned for accessories tell me what their dealerships charged for installation? Did they quote an hourly charge or flat charge? I ordered 4 accessories (mates, splash guards, steering wheel, and shift knob) and was quoted an hourly charge ($90). The 4 accessories were free because of a mistake by the dealership, but I think they hit me on the installation charges to make up for their error.
Interesting concept...offering FREE accessories and then charging an installation fee. I can't imagine my dealer doing it. My salesman offered 4 accessories on the car Free because they are common in this market... splash guards, wheel locks, all-season floor mats, and a trunk tray. Obviously these items require very little installation time but I would be turned off with your situation.
The difference is in less chrome compared to RL.