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Comments
If I got in an accident tomorrow and it was demolished, I wouldn't hesitate to go over to my dealership and buy an 06 RL.
Whenever someone comes over here and starts talking about all of this crap, they are showing me that they have either never driven, researched properly, or even sat in an RL. I therefore discount their comments. I am certainly not suggesting that this forum should not be about debating issues regarding the RL, as every car has its advantages and disadvantages. However, throwing out silly baseless comments is not the way to do it, and, frankly, reveals some serious insecurities about posters who write them.
For the record, I spent months driving the 5, E class, and the A6 before deciding on the RL. All of these cars are great and have certain advantages over others. No one car in my opinion has everything better than another. For me, the RL was the best combination of factors.
Well, sorry for the rant!
Still, the RL looks like other 50K cars in my mind, inside and out.
On more thing. We need to admit that any 50K car is going to have difficulty selling. Many simply cannot afford it or do not want to sink that much money into it. Even the M sales are small if you compare them with cheaper Nissans.
I myself question the inflation of car prices lately. There is diminishing returns as the price of any car increases, and Acura customers seem to be particularly keen on value I think (Acura cars have always been values in their competitive segments). With the RL, I think that Acura is having trouble convincing its value-based customers from stepping up from a TL to an RL. Acura needs to appeal to the passions inherent in the RL and stop trying to push value content. They are speaking to deaf ears.
Your feelings are understandable. Nevertheless, this is a place for people to come to discuss the RL, and people are free to express any and all opinions, positive or negative, whether they've driven the car or not.
This is a place for a free exchange of thoughts and opinions and there really aren't any requirements other than those described by our Membership Agreement, of course.
All are welcome.
* Styling - I love it, not everyone does and I agree it may be an acquired taste.
* One-size fits all - some people don't like the fact that you can't pick and choose options. I do - I hate the dishonest ads for other LPS cars "starts at $38,000", etc., when that price gets you a stripped-down car that is barely better than many non-LPS cars.
* Speed - face it, the RL is fast enough for 99.9% of all situations. Who really needs to do 60 in 1 or two seconds less??
* Rear seat room - maybe it doesn't have as much room in the rear seat as some other sedans. It has enough room unless you plan to carry 3-4 adults for a long drive or if a couple of them are hefty or extra tall.
* Not worth the price compared to a TL - very subjective, of course. However, I've spent a lot of time in both my RL and a friend's TL. The TL is a very nice car but in no way, in my opinion, compares to an RL. The TL may be a bit faster and sportier, but the RL is quieter, rides better, is more luxurious, and has several very nice features that are not available on the TL.
* Cachet - here's one of the big rubs. Acura simply does not have the cachet of a BMW or Mercedes. It probably never will. However, I love the fact that I don't see 20-30 RLs every time I go for a drive. In this area, BMWs are as common as Chevys or Fords in the Midwest.
So, keep the posts coming, but at least be honest when you critize our beloved RL.
I still think back to their advertising for the first RL - "starts at $XX,000". I owned an eight year old Legend at the time and was seriously considering a new car. I liked what I read about the RL, but I just assumed that the starting price was like a Lexus I'd seen and that you would have to add another $7,000-$10,000 to get much of a car. So, I never checked it out. One day I was at the dealership for service and decided to look at it. It turned out that the only option was the Navi at $2,000. I ended up buying one a week later. I always thought what a horrible way to advertise a car.
Seeing their current advertising, I don't think they've learned yet how to truly sell a great car.
I'v never owned an Acura (may someday) but I've had 5 Mercedes, over the years. The last one was a 99 ML430, and let me tell you, "cachet" didn't cut it. It was one of the most unreliable vehicles I've had. It had to be flat bedded 3 times, and there were innumerable trips to the dealer for one thing or another. My present circumstances require that I have a rugged 4wd vehicle, but when that changes an RL would certainly be on my short list. I find the Car and Driver long term report a little worrisome, however that doesn't seem to be the concencus on these boards.
Just like back when the 190 came out. I test drove it and thought it was an awful car, but so many people bought it just because it was a Mercedes. A cheap Mercedes, but a Mercedes, nonetheless.
Acura sales executive Dick Colliver kicked them up a notch telling Automotive News the RL "hasn't performed to expectations."
Mike McGrath, Acura dealer council chairman, delivered the coup de grâce when he said, "Maybe Acura doesn't have the brand image" to sell a vehicle at that price.
As I stated previously, I love the car without reservation, but I am outrunning my lights, it appears.
George
I said..."Meanwhile it would be good to hear from SGL1 again because maybe he can describe the size and type of screwdriver he said he used on this "simple" adjustment."
"Sorry for the delay, guys. Here's the scoop: You'll need a fairly large screwdriver, about 3/8" diameter, to fit snugly into the hole. You'll need to push it thru the rubber gasket to get a snug enough fit to accept the twist. Remember the head of the screwdriver will not be used, it only needs to fit snug thru the washer. Expect minor pressure/torque when turning the screwdriver.
Be careful that you don't turn too many times as I did initially, but adjust both sides equally. If you're using your garage wall as a guideline, pls remember that the slightest movement will be enhanced down the road. You'll need ten turns of the screwdriver.
Park your car in a parking lot at night, take 50 steps back and make sure the headlights don't shine in your face. If they do, adjust accordingly. You'll know you went too far if passing cars flash their light at you often.
Driving my RL was great, but is now even better now that I can see everything at night!
This was posted months ago. Does anyone else have any comments about the low beam alumination?
(PS: Acuraphile...I always thought Pat was a female. Would you agree or disagree with that?)
(PS: Acuraphile...I always thought Pat was a female. Would you agree or disagree with that?)
Pat is required be gender-free.. Pat has to remain unbiased. That's why this Forum is the essence of Decorum!-;)
:sick: :confuse:
Consumer Reports gave the previous Acura 3.5RL a top rating calling it a refined and well-rounded luxury car. The April 2004 CR recommended only two up-scale luxury sedans, the Lexus LS and the Acura 3.5RL. The Acura 3.5RL is a CR top used car choice.
Though it's a very nice car, the current RL's price/value ratio is unacceptable to thousands of potential purchasers accounting for falling RL sales. It may not be pleasant, but that’s reality.
As I have said before, Acura has a history of reliability, and there is no way they let that slip with this car. I bet the 06s will be quite reliable. Mine has been after 4,000 miles.
A messenger merely carries a message. It was much more than that. CR writers determined the content, gave it direction, and put a negative spin on it.
Sales is another topic.
Maybe after most of the fleet is converted to RWD....
Is there any upscale marque that will remain with FWD?
Is the technology package worthy?
In terms of the A-SPEC, how are the handling and ride? Also, does it cost around $5,000 to install as it is on the TL?
Thank you very much,
I like this a lot. A big time creative focus!
Did you see the article in the latest C&D about all the problems they had with their long term RL? Eight unscheduled trips to the shop. Very uncharacteristic of an Acura.
Aside from that, the staff seemed to really like the car.
I always find it intriguing when the discussion of poor RL sales come up that RL owners readily dismiss the opinions of non-RL owners :confuse:
I shopped the RL against the M35 and found the RL to be lacking in basic needed features (e.g back-up camera) and to be grossly overpriced. Also the many problems the RL has didn't help its cause any.
Now I really do believe that the RL has lackluster sales because folks are buying something else (duh) - hence the opinions of folks who bought that something else is not the wrong answer :shades:
I was at the dealership last week and they had an RL with Tech on the lot. The MSRP was $53K+ :surprise: And that did not even include a backup camera. I found the RL to be grossly overpriced without forcing runflats on you and adding $500 for the backup camera standard on the competition. Is the tech package worth it? Not in my opinion. The RL with tech costs way more than its competition. :confuse:
So do I. But is it OK for non-RL owners to post contrary to your opinion? Because I don't own an RL but do think it is a solid car and the reasons for it's lackluster sales are more complicated than the simplistic arguement that "it's too expensive".
Your list of "basic features" is a little non-basic...back-up camera? Yeah, that is a basic need for any LPS. :shades: No, I personally feel the RL is well accessorized (as agreed by auto magazine reviewers who have said it is "well equiped", etc... I think there are multiple reasons for its poor sales (or the A6 for that matter) but both cars are very good automobiles IMO. One big issue is advertising, as Acura had not done very little TV or print ads that play up the car itself, rather than its electronics...
An opinion is just that - an opinion. My point is that when someone states they did not buy an RL for whatever reason then that reason can NOT be dismissed or swept under the rug regardless of how trivial it may seem to others. When I made my decision last fall the RL lacked a backup camera (important to me), laser-guided cruise control (an outrageous package price option for '06, but not available for me), and a full sized spare (a requirement for me). There were several other things but you get the idea.
I have stated in this forum that the RL is a great car in many ways and has a lot going for it; but it is NOT a perfect car by any means and for a variety of reasons it is not selling well. Those who bought an RL (particularly those who paid near MSRP between 10/04 and 2/05) do not want to hear about the RLs real and/or perceived shortcomings. However I suspect that Acura Corporate does care and does not dismiss so readily why I bought someone else's $48K car after owning three consecutive Acuras!!.
You returned to the RL forum to grace us with your presence.
Where have you been? How's your car running? I paid the full retail price for the 2005 because that's the only way you could buy it in the early weeks of the 2005 introduction. I believe it was the same at Infiniti when the M was introduced. Both great cars. In my case I had owned 2 Acura's before this one and many Hondas before that. Yep I'm stuck with this PERFECT CAR now that I love and when someone beefs about sales well then...that's their problem not mine.
Regardless, it is my policy to avoid redesigned models until they have been in production for at least a year. I'm glad I did. The new RL seems to have an unusually large number of teething problems, and the price has fallen $5,000 to $10,000.
Sounds like you really enjoy your car, like I do. Interestingly, I am not that interested in everyone's discussion of if this car sells well, I own it for 3 years and 60K miles so I will enjoy it for that time and move on. The reason I come to the forum is to try and see if there's something going on with the car at a given milage which I will need to fix. Most everyone I come in contact with here in Mass. loves theirs, has had minimal problems and thinks the car is wonderful.
I bought the ipod link and still I am bummed about how bad it is, but that was an option and it's the worst implimented part of this otherwise fine machine.
I drive at least 20,000 mi a year, my last car was a Porsche Cayenne and MB S500 before that. I tired of spending a fortune and suffering through terrible quality and huge gas bills. I let go of the prestege and spend about 1/2 with a lot less hassle.
So if someone comes here looking to buy an RL, I would tell them go do it but I have no vested interest in if they do or now.
By the way, one of the coolest features is to burn lots of files on a CD-R and have them show up on the nav screen, with titles and track names. Now if only the ipod contents could be visable from the nav screen....
http://www.vtec.net/articles/view-article?article_id=514370
Here are three questions I have
1. Does the suspension and wheel/tire upgrade seriously hurt the ride? I don't mind having a stiffer ride, but a go cart feel is not something I want (well, I do but my wife doesn't).
2. Do the upgrades affect steering feel at all? In other words, my current steering on center does not feel as precise as the BMW 5 that I drove when test driving, and I drove my brother's 550 recently to compare steering and found it much sharper on center. Also, would these upgrades increase steering effort?
3. What do you think a reasonable price is to ask for for these upgrades? If I were to order from ebay and ship it to the dealer, they would kill me on labor costs.
Len
The Motorola E-815 pairs perfectly. I have no problems whatsoever. Verizon is my service provider.
George
Sorry, I overlooked the fact that you have Cingular service.
Thanks!
I have it and found the Motorola V551 an excellant cellphone that pairs well with the RL ...
NO DROPPED CALLS EITHER!
Hello to my friend Acuraphile too!
JJ (Visiting daughter in Houston)
I have it and found the Motorola V551 an excellent cellphone that pairs well with the RL ...
jjacura, yes I'm still reading. I took delivery last Saturday and love the Lakeshore with Taupe. Next month I will have a year with Cingular and will definitely look at the V551. Thanks for the info.
Len
I have a 2005 RL and it needs its 1st service B (oil change & tire rotation). I asked around, most Acura dealers quote me for $150. Is this a fair price? can we take the RL to a non-dealer service place? Any recommended mechanics? I live in San Jose, CA. Thanks!