I love my 1G RL to death and when it dies I'll get another, but I just can't compare with all those who keep their cars spotless and in perfect working order at any cost. my car is 11 years old and about to cross the 200,000mi barrier, and there's a lot that's not perfect about it. But I use my car every day and for everything (did you know we can fit 10-foot sections of pipe in there?), and it's the little things that I'm going to miss about it when it finally does kick the bucket

most of the tiny bulbs in the climate control are out
and in my seat heater switches
the shift selector plate light is out
my '3.5RL' badge is missing (presumed stolen)
one of the rear AC vents is busted
the square of carpet under the passenger seat is missing
my air filter is missing 2 of its clips
the small oval-shaped piece on the right of the shift plate is missing
my rear-view mirror doesn't auto-dim (I've adopted a first-class slouch technique)
The center of my front air dam is held on with a steel bolt and fender washers because the plastic clips have been torn out so many times
the driver's side power seat doesn't recline or move the rear up/down. fortunately, the seat is comfortable how it is, and it still moves forward and back

But all the parts that matter are still in great shape!

so what are the little things that are wrong with your car that just wouldn't feel the same if they were fixed?

 

Everything works here. Just under 61,000 miles here though.

 

i could come up for alot of things for my RL but here's a short list:

-driver's power mirror switch doesn't always work correctly
-busted front passenger side lower ball joint, causing a squeeky noise and shimmy at 60-70 mph; both front upper control arms seem loose also.
-front passenger window run channel is ripped, causing some wind noise on high speeds
-rusted front bumper beam
-rusting at bottom of front grilled
-various door dings here and there

that's about it for now.

 

The sunglass holder broke so i made a "cover"
Some squeek when i hit bumps
Shift selector light is out
Rear tranny mount is bad

Other than these issues it runs great and never skips a beat....just hit 185500 miles yesterday.

 

Steering rack is slowly leaking.
Right windshield wiper stopped working.
Telescoping steering does not move back and forth anymore, just up and down.
There's a leak in a muffler pipe and muffler is rusting.
yesterday one of the yellow fog lights gave out.
Some rust spots.
I think one of the rear bushings is going bad.
Cup holders up front do not always open and close as wanted, had to bend them back in shape with some success.
Missing 3.5RL badge, they just left the L left in it.
went to change battery and when looked found battery bracket did not come with card, and smaller battery was in place, bracket mounts are not centered so sears did not have an replacement.

 

Well, Jimmay i think you jinxed me. my sunglasses holder broke today!

 

hahaha mine broke because i punched it

 

Im starting to think this is a trend with the lettering missing. Not too long after I purchased my RL my Acura and my 3.5RL emblems mysteriously dissapeared! I seriously think someone in my neighborhood swiped them and is probably wearing them in some form of jewelry! Thieving Bastards!

 

Is there a market for old car emblems? I think I still have the "3.5 RL" i took off my old 96 RL before she went to car heaven... Maybe i'll put it on ebay...

 

X2...mines just sitting on my toolbox

 

I just bought a new one online,not sure I'd have bought an old one since new ones have the adhesive on them. New was about $20 once shipping is taken into consideration, so I'm not sure it would be worth even $5 to me if i had to get my own adhesive and a possibly scratched emblem. go for it though, I'm sure someone will buy them.

and I forgot to add to the list: my speedometer dies intermittently at temperatures below 50°. a hard left-hand turn usually solves it for that trip: i think I over or under-tightened a screw when doing the instrument cluster LED conversion, so it's my fault.

 

203,661 miles on mine she drives like a dream vsa light on, sunglass holder missing, steering coloum motor gear broke, everything else is good. rl badge fell off the other day when i wased it.

 

108350 Miles right now. check engine light on (get new gas tank, small worry)

The BIGGEST problem I have with my RL right now is this:
Quite often I put in my key to turn the car on, it doesn't even crank... I take out the key and put it back in multiple times before the car starts. I got fed up one day and cleaned the key with my shirt real quick, and the car started up on the first time. Is this a sign I may need a new key soon?

Besides this problem I just have the heater seat bulb out, and a creaky sunroom cover when I push it back.

 

I think this problem is common. Try turning it slower. I know sometimes if i turn it too fast it wont start.

 

if you have other keys try them to see if the problem goes away.



I hate the fact the RL didn't come supercharged leaving me to fend for myself. :lol:

 

141K miles and everything works

 

Still happens!


Dennis, you supercharge it first, i'll follow suit!!
I actually don't have a spare key because I bought it used. There's the red key but I don't want to rely on it!

 

And for anyone reading, do NOT ever use the red key!

 

Ken!!

Use the key to cut new ones!

 

I never knew that about the red key! Not that I'd ever use it, it's still in it's original package...going to be an antique soon....ha

 

red key is only for programming the imobilizer system. If you put this in your ignition it will delete all keys from it's memory.

the red key is made specifically for your cars immo system. They cannot be changed between cars.

 

Ok, Here goes: The 3.5 leaks oil like it owns stock in BP. The car makes a humming (think compressor kicking on) sound when you start it cold - lasts for a minute or two. I have ABS and TCS lights on (even doing the work myself, it's way too expensive to fix on a whim). I have a intermittent short in the ignition. Usually fixed by raising or lowering the steering wheel. 249K and it still gets me from A to B. I've owned Swedish cars for most of my adult life and I'm no stranger to 300K plus. All-in-all a decent first Japanese ride.

 

72k and nothing. The po had curbed the wheels some and there is a little corrosion from the wheel weights.

 

94K and have the not cranking when turning key quickly syndrome and now temp gauge does not work. Otherwise, fine.

 

98 RL with 76000 miles (no miles)
- the lights in my dash are going out one by one
- my cigarette lighter/ adapter is out
- my alternator is making noise.
other than that, everything is fully functional!!

 

^That is super low miles!

 

I hate the fact the Japs got really cool add ons on the exclusive Legend and we didnt get them here!

 

Rear adjustable seats? Wood trim?

 

Yeah they got rear reclining heated seats with stereo controls in the armrest. Wood gauge surround. Power folding heated side view mirrors. I believe they also got a rear shade. There's also the usual Jap only stereo upgrades, antenna bumper poles, window visors, etc etc.

 

US models are always stripped down

 

1). the biggest thing that ticks me off is the clear coat on the hood, roof and trunk is splotchy and coming off.
2). I had some transmission work done on my RL back in October 2008. When I got in the car, my navigation was working, but the satellite was not showing up in the top left corner of the screen. Therefore, my car was not driving on the virtual map. The HD is fine. I am wondering if anyone has a suggestion on how to fix this problem. The acura dealership said there was a navigation recall BUT, my VIN # wasn't included...BOLLOCKS, I say! Is there a way around that?
3). One of my foglights just doesn't work
4). Some of the small lightbulbs are going out.
5). Back windows will roll down, but not up.
6). Auto feature on the sunroof works, but if I don't stop it, it sounds like the motor is grinding.
7). ABS light comes on when it is extremely hot or extremely cold.
8). My RL emblem fell off...but I STILL have it. Been lazy putting it back on.
9). Sunglass flip down thingy broke.
10). Driver's side sunvisor connector popped out...guess I'll have to gorilla glue that in. LOL!
11). I hear rattling in the front end when I hit small bumps, but had my upper control arms replaced...I wonder if I need to replace my lower control arms.
12). Is there a REALLY good leather cleaner out there....good enough to clean in the creases? My car will look BRAND new if I could get the leather cleaned AND the top part of the car repainted. I heard there is a Acura Paint recall. Anyone know about this?

I rarely EVER check this site, so PLEASE email me if you know something about any navigation or paint/clearcoat recalls on a 1997 acura rl premium.

howellaruehl@gmail.com

 

what year is your RL

1. that comes from not washing and keeping the paint clean
2.leave your car on and parked with clear view of the sky and hit ok on yournav screen. after 20 minutes or so the gps should be able to figure out where its at. There are also diagnostics you can perform by holding down three buttons on your nav screen. try downloading the service manual from pdftown . com
3. lightbulb?
4.gonna have to replace them
5.broken regulator probably
12. leatherique...google it.

 

1). I wash my car and took care of it.
2). I have tried that...nothing.
3 & 4). Yeah, I know...
5). Again, I know.
12). OH I am googling it now. =D

Thank you

 

I think a prize should be given out to any 1st gen RL owner who still has the RL emblem attached.

 

hruehl

before you bought it, it eas not cleaned properly




I still have my RL emblem. I debadged thoug.

 

All of my emblems are still on

 

Still had my badges on my 96 but i am debaged as well. I think it looks soooo much cleaner

 

My emblems are still on too

 

Still have mine on.. tempted to either debadge 'Acura' and '3.5 RL' or replace the 3.5 RL badge with Legend.

 

Legend would be good.