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I actually like the TL's sporty performance and price. My wife, on the other hand, likes the RL's bigger cabin. In my opinion, the TL cabin is more than sufficient and has a zippier 225-hp engine.
Since we are Acura novices, could you folks help convince me why I should pay another 8K (or 12K for a 2001) more for a RL? (besides my wife says so.. :-)
i would guess that the TL and RL get to 60 in the same time. Edmunds has the 2000 RL at 60 in 7.5 seconds. The pre-1999 RL was 9.0 seconds. The TL just seems quicker because it is rougher. The RL delivers more torque at lower RPMs than the TL which is more useful for acceleration. The RL has many sound dampening devices which make you feel as if the car is not working. however, it really does work.
Finally, if you want a sport shift, try shifting the RL as a manual. The owner's manual says that you can and I have done it many times since my recent purchase. You will get to 60 even faster.
Thus, if you want the same level of acceleration and performance in a refined package, buy the RL. Otherwise, save the money and buy a TL.
Also, I believe the RL has at least two more coats of paint on it than the TL.
The car is quicker than many realize. Since it is so quiet, you do not get the sense that the engine moves you. In general, it is decently quick and if you stomp on the accelerator, you push the RPMs to 4000 in every gear.
i have been trying to shift like a manual. My perception is that the car becomes a tad quicker as you push through the gears at top torque for a longer period. You have to be careful since you get engine noise, but it is not as noisy as you would expect. The result is the potential to redline the engine. The performance is very good for a sedan, but I will not give up the coupe.
My wife used the car one night and got lost. The Nav system brought her straight to the highway. She claims it is worth every penny.
Overall, I am very pleased that me, honda guy, stuck with the flagship car. My fifth Honda is making me smile when I look at it and when I drive it. One person who rode with me to NH scolded me for driving the car like the Legend when it is a luxury sedan. It is a tribute to the changes which Acura made to the performance that I can drive the car Like the Legend.
Lastly, on the RL vs TL decision, My previous post reflects where I came out in the decision to buy an RL. My wife and I like the Mercedes styling of the RL. The front end of the TL is not as impressive since it is a copy of the Nissan nose. I'd rather copy Mercedes. Also, chekc Edmunds ratings on the 2000 TL. 0 to 60 in 7.7 seconds. The RL proves that greater torque at lower RPMS is more important than higher total horsepower at higher RPMs.
reception problem in 00 RL. Getting HISSSSSing on
fm reception...How to fix/solve when antenna is in
windsheild??
He said the difference is primarily an illusion. The rl windshield is more vertical, taking the A pillar further out in front of you and making it seem more spacious, the same with many of the other dimensions. The tl, otoh, is more 'sleek' (slanted), you sit lower, etc and it seems more compact as a result.
Another visual oddity that makes sense if you think of it is that the same car will seem larger if you change the interior from a darker color (black) to lighter (parchment).
Interesting.
Take care.
Joe W>
fellow Acura owners feel the same as you do. And
I am willing to bet all of us fellow Acura owners
will tell you that the RL is worth every penny
and will remain trouble free.
With the prices being quoted on the thread anyone considering a FWD sedan, or a sedan would
be crazy not to take a serious look at this car!
Oh yeah, those HIDS are awesome aren't they. Wait til you get behind the wheel of another car
without them! It will drive you "nuts"
Thanks!
Take care.
Joe W.
I am looking at either buying or leasing a
new 2000 Acura 3.5 RL with Navi and I have several questions.
First, given that it is a 2000 model, is there
greater merit from a financial stand-point to a
lease vs buy? Second, I can buy the car with zero
down at an APR of between 7.5 to 7.75% over 5
years. If I decide to lease the car instead, should
I be looking at money factor that equates to the
APR that I would pay if I were buying the car? In
other words as a smart shopper should the money
factor on the lease equate to say 7.75 divided by
24? If not, what would be the likely money factor
that I should pay on such a lease?
I am aware of the pros and cons of leasing vs
buying.
I have excellent credit and the cost of the car
that I have negotiated is about $35000.
The Money Factor is the Interest Rate / 2400. If you have good credit, it should be around 0.003 (7.2%)or so. If the maker subsidizes the lease, it can go to .002 or even lower. Be careful about this, a high money factor is a way for the dealer to stick it to you even after you settle on a good price for the car.
DO NOT pay the "Acquisition" or "Disposition" fees. These are totally arbitrary fees that are cooked up by the dealers and banks to gouge you. I have leased several times, and these fees dissappear quickly as you head for the door. My Lexus dealer even OFFERED to drop them as an inducement to buy. The same for "Doc Fees" and even "Messenger Fees". The dealers make profit on the sales to cover these expenses, yes?
Be very careful of what is included in the "NET CAP COST" - the final price you agree to pay. This is what is financed, and you pay interest on ALL of this. This should be ONLY the car, and NO fees or other charges of any kind rolled in, or you will pay triple for them at the end of the lease. I prefer to lease with $0 down, $0 out of pocket out the door except for the DMV fees. It is better to pay a higher car payment at 8%, and use the "down payment" (CAP reduction) money to pay off 18% credit cards, yes?
One more item - I keep my cars immaculate, and sell them privately a few months before the end of the lease. Because of their prime condition, I usually MAKE money at the end, enough for the down payment or some custom wheels on the next one - as much as $2500. Take great care of your car and use Zaino to protect the inside and out and you can do this too.
Good Luck!
Good luck. The RL will have more room and very subtle handling characteristics.
Would appreciate your comments since I'm also looking at a new 2000 RL to purchase
I just bought a 2000 3.5 RL with navi for $35100, excluding ttl. I have not driven it a whole lot but so far I am very pleased with it and also feel that I got a great deal on the car. I have been in the market for this car for close to 6 months and am glad that I waited.
Thanks to all who have answered my various questions over the past few months.
I test drove the Lexus LS 400, Infiniti Q45, Mercedes E320 and BMW 528i. IMO, I would rate the LS 400 the best of the lot; I did not care for the E320 - and I have owned two Mercedes over the past few years. The BMW was excellent -superb handling but a little too small in terms of passenger room - also a bit spartan. The Q45 some how did not seem to appeal to us after driving it - can't put my finger on what it was the issue that bothered us. What the Acura lacks is the power that some of these other cars have - but it is not a factor for me because the appeal in being able to go from 0-60 in a second or two faster is hardly a factor for me - perhaps it was when I was 20 years younger:) It has more than sufficient acceleration for my purpose.
The factors that I was looking for were reliability, value, comfort and handling. Other than the handling which certainly was not quite up to the superb standard of some of the others, but not inadequate by any means, the Acura was at least as good if not better than some of the others. As far as value is concerned the Acura won hands down! The Lexus was the only other car that I would have considered - but it would have cost me $20K more than I paid for it and there was not that much of extra value to warrant that difference.
I have never owned an Acura before - and I hope a year or two down the line I will feel as positively as I do now.
A final comment - for some one who is seeking to own an "in" type of car, the Acura does not fit the bill. It is not a factor for me.
Congratulations on your new RL. I am really leaning that way myself because it is such a great value.
If you don't mind my asking - what was the residual and Money Factor they gave you for the lease?
Handling is much better with the AVS. No tire squeal around corners even when pushed hard (this is after gently breaking in the tires for 100 miles).
Has anyone managed to solve this problem or get any feedback from Honda?
I financed it with zero down for 5 years at a rate of 7.5% through the dealer after I told them that I could get that rate from outside sources.
2. need4spd, I do think RL sway too much! I don't drive race car but I still think the handling of RL is worse, not just compared to other competitors but to it's own predecessor "Legned". There is a good tip from bpatron on #127, #120 on fixing this problem.
HIGHEST PRICE IN BOTH DEALERS WAS 33750. NO MATS MUDGUARDS OR LOCKS FOR MY PRICE 33000. THEY BOTH HAVE GOLD ONES FOR EVEN LESS!!!
or search on prnewwire.com for honda
The owner's manual claims that you can shift the transmission as if it were a standard. I have been doing so on and off since I got my car 1700 miles ago. You have to be careful of two concerns. first, the engine is very quiet. Thus, you must remember that you should be shifting. Second, it is only a four speed and you must avoid neutral with your foot on the gas.
As far as the radio goes, I have not had any reception problems.
I generally go between 3500 and 5000 miles depending on what kind of driving we have been doing. Oil changes are cheap maintenance and the lifeblood of an engine, better safe than sorry. Lately I have been using Castrol Syntec blend. I may go full synthetic with my new RL.
You also really can't compare it to a turbo, which can really have oil related problems that one needs to be careful about.
You can have the oil change done anywhere and it will not affect your warranty.
Thanks.
Take care.
Joe W>
While previous reports showed sketches of the TL-S, RS-X (nee next Integra) and the X concept vehicles (SUV type), the car point site mentioned that the 2002 RL will be equipped with a more powerful engine. Whether this is accurate news, and whether the RL will be all new remain to be seen.
If it's all new, please, please Acura, make it with a V8 and AWD. And please don't make it ugly like the nexus LS 430 or Infiniti new Q 45.
Here is the link:
http://carpoint.msn.com/autoshow2001/default.asp?content=preview
As the previous press release said, the 2002 RL will use the GM OnStar.
I am amazed that nothing is leaked yet. I am willing to bet that it will still be FWD with V6.
FOR SILVER. WORTH EVERY PENNY. CAN ZAINO BE APPLIED IN WINTER.THE GAPPER
Hopefully there will be some good rebates on the 2001's. January 7th will hopefully tell the story. Do you own on RL now?
I have a TL for my wife. At the time we bought it (in August 1999), I was considering the RL, because I thought it was a better deal (MSRP for TL, invoice for RL, the difference at the time was around $ 10,000, plus the RL is still made in Japan).
I _thought_ I should be able to upgrade my current car (Acura Integra GS-R that's been with me since college) to an LS 430 type car this year. But, the current Nasdaq downturn, and the uncertain economy make me think that it's wise to wait. There will be some good deal, the dealer won't be so greedy, etc. I am sure I am not alone in this thinking. When times are not so rosy, people will defer car purchase first than home purchase, as we witness in the Bay Area house prices which still going up.
As it is, new model or not, the current RL with $ 5000 rebates still make it a good deal. And, when the new RL come up, the 2001 model will hopefully be discounted some more.
BTW, this spelling check software UI is a pain. I only want to check one spelling (nonetheless), and I have to ignore several good words (ie. RL, Paris, etc.).
And, posting, if you wait for a while, it forced you to logout, and login again. Good thing I copied my post to the clipboard first at the first sign of trouble.
I agree the spell check is a pain