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Comments
I drive approx. 25,000 per year and as my bones get older am not sure I can take the extra noise and firmer ride. I do like the Acura RL's exterior and interior. I am having a hard time taking a decision.
A friend of mine has one and it is very impressive, especially at the price. It might be a good compromise.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
I asked them why did they even replace the AFS unit and steering wheel sensor if it appeared that it was in accident. They replied we didn't realize it until after installing the parts and doing further investigation.
Does this seem legit? If they started it and left the parts in shouldn't they finish the job?
It seems pretty dumb to me that they didn't realize it was in accident until after installing the parts.
Anyone have any other ideas what it could be before replacing the headlamp unit?
Lee
If it's 4-5 months old by the time I get the updated navi DVD, shouldn't they reduce the price accordingly? But no, they said there are no plans to do that. What a ripoff. Is it always so hard to get these each year? I just got a pre-owned 05 RL back in September and I really want to get the nav system updated. My local dealer says they can't get one either. Any ideas?
JJ
When the lease is up, I'll look again at the new - and old - RL vs. TL. Meanwhile, the TL handles and rides very well, is quiet and powerful, and looks good in and out. It is a little sporty for my taste, but I think I'll get used to that.
Thanks to our hosts and all you posters for lots of good input.
We are wondering if it is better just to do the trade-in or if we have a chance or making more money on our own. Just concerned that there may not be a demand for this vehicle and that we should just cut our losses rather than dealing with selling ourselves? Any advice??
I will most defenitly will drive the 2008 Accord for several hours this spring as I most likely will opt for it. The ease to get in and out is as good as my older model RL. The Accord has 2008 technology, styling, ride and just a smaller RL at a much better price with better resale.
SH-AWD will get more power to the rear wheels. Maybe even a 6 speed auto transmission or a DSG. Who knows for sure about that. Honda and Acura have patents on new advanced transmission with more than 5 gears so stay tuned until Chicago auto show.
And what about the image of the RL? Did anyone notice the new Accord? Sort of degrades to exclusivity of this model.
So it would require at least a quiet cabin to even get me to look at the 2009's when my lease is up this Dec.
Just so you know, Tayl0rd has been posting in this RL forum from the beginning (early 2004). With all due respect he likes to stimulate the direction with posts that sometimes aggravate us owners. Deep down he loves the car or he wouldn't have spent this much time here. Can't blame him for that, as the RL is a GREAT CAR . I have 40,000 miles on my 2005 purchased new in Nov 2004 and perfect ever since.
JJAcura
- Acuraphile
All I could tell you is to drive them both and pick the one you like best. The Accord would have to be awfully good to get me out of my RL. Plus my Acura dealer is first rate. Honda, not so much. Good luck.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
ACURAPHILE, And so it is......that fine distictive quality of my Celestial Silver 2005 Acura RL aptly dubbed "Quick Silver" continues and it is aging well. You are probably correct about the redesigned RL taking place in 2010 or 2011 but we could begin a new series of apocryphal stories NOW and liven up this forum AGAIN.
~JJAcura
Take it for what it's worth.
My dealer guys confirm the refresh/remodel/update will be an 09 model out this year.
I remember you in 2005 running up heavy miles. And now with 95,000 miles you are an inspiration for me keeping the car beyond the warranty. Just one question Tony... can you tell me if the tires you are talking about are the Pilot Ultra performance All-Seasoned Michelins? (and were not the same as our OE's) I've been considering getting those next time around... before the snow flies next winter...by that time I will have about 50,000 miles on my 2005. also...How long do you plan to keep the 2005?
JJAcura
That's no secret. I've always held high hopes for the RL. Thank the Legend for that. But Honda continues to disappoint. Eclipse2, I have an '08 BMW 550i Sport. I drove the current gen RL several times just to convince myself to like it, but it just has far too many compromises for me. And, IMO, doesn't live up to any of the hype bestowed upon it back then (or now.) I'm still keeping my eye out for a great successor to the second gen ('93-'95) Legend. Although it, too, was just a FWD car.
The RL still needs to be bigger and more meaty to compete in the $50k sedan segment. IMHO.
Yes, these are the Ultra Performance Michelins, not the OEM's. Much quieter, stick like glue regardless of road surface, weather, etc. I paid about $238 per tire on special order from Costco, and will replace with the same when necessary.
I'm looking to replace the 2005 with a 2009 model, but, in the interest of fairness to all, I'll still have to drive the competition's boxes again.
Regardless of what they say in the LPS forums, this is a great car; and I've had great dealer experience with the two dealers I've been to locally. I've always had good luck with Honda/Acura and routinely put over 200,000 miles on my cars, but also I am a great believer in preventive maintenance. Also, to those of us where maintenance cost is a factor due to high mileage demands, a brake job on my RL is under $400, while the comparable job on an Audi A6 was $1400, although BMW gets my praise for included maintenance for 50,000 miles (about 1 year's worth for me).
I was hoping the trunk would be larger this time around (one of my complaints). Taillights look similar to the Accord. Overall, I think the '09 has taken on a similar exterior to the TL, only longer, with the more pronounced lines.
JJAcura
Great car and comfortable ride, but a lot of road noise coming from the tires, both the freeway and at moderate speeds in city.
In reading through the forums I don't see that this is a common problem. I did note a comment about tire over-inflation.
Anyone experiencing excessive road noise on their RL?
We are replacing our 1998 MB E320, which is a quiet ride, but this RL is noisier than even the TL's we've test-driven.
Of course, I too wish the new RL looked like the Jaguar XF, or the Aston Martin line, or the Bentley Continental GTC, or, or, .... Still, technologically, this car is superior.
For me, Honda/Acura is/are great 200,000 mile cars. If I only drove 10,000 miles per year, I might be driving an A6 or A8; 5 or 7 series, etc., never having had a problem with any car in the first 50,000 miles. The equation changes when high mileage kicks in; maintenance costs and reliability become a larger factors.
Financially, the RL can't be worth the development and production cost for the number of units sold.