dishwatercider

Hey all,

New to the forum, looking for some opinions on which car to get. I have spent the past few months test driving luxury/sport combinations and have narrowed the field down to Acura. My wife has given me about $30k for a budget and I'm trying to figure out how to best spend it.

On the one hand, I like the sportier 07/08 TL Type-S. The steering is nice and tight and you can really feel the low end torque. And, I'd still end up with a couple grand left over for any further modifications.

My wife on the other hand, loves the RL for the luxury and the CMBS package, which she wants on hand with future kiddos in the car. If I got an 06-08 RL (I don't believe the 05 came with CMBS), I could have a decent amount of cash to throw into sporting it up a bit. Alternatively, I could get an 09+ RL, leave it fairly stock for now, and just slowly sneak in upgrades over time.

The biggest problem with her love of the CMBS package is how hard it is to find cars with it for sale. It looks like either people don't get it, or those that do just keep them forever.

I realize I'm probably asking a question that everyone will have their own bias towards, but if anyone could help guide me, it would be owners themselves.

Any sage advice?

oo7spy

I think you will be hard pressed finding a good condition '09+ CMBS for less than $30k. I thought '05 came with CMBS, but you probably want to stay away from '05s anyway.

I think the question that will best answer your question best is do you want more luxury or more sportiness? TL = sport, RL = luxury. The TL has some luxury, and the RL has some sport, but my prior statement is almost entirely true between the two cars. What means more to you? Also, does MT mean a lot to you?

037

I'm selling an 09 with CMBS for under 30k w/ 120k warranty, PM me if curious.

dishwatercider

Sadly, MT is out of the question. The wife doesn't know how, doesn't care to learn, but will be driving any new car I get. A wise man once pointed out that you can either sleep in the bedroom, or the garage. So, I pick my battles wisely.

I think if I sported up the luxury, we'd both be happy, but I'd have a harder time luxury-ing up the sport for her. She could live with an AT Type-S, I just wonder if its really worth the fight, given the performance loss with the AT versus the RL's general performance. I guess that's more what I'm looking for answers on, if - 'fun of an AT Type-S > fun of the RL + happy wife'.

037

I think you can have both luxury and a little fun

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftDl-zZWT30

and in case you want to see what you'd get with a type-S here's the video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70rWyM87SsY

037

and...all the lights are already included

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBFf1Q6GA8s

and of course if nobody wants it the way it is by the time the auction is over I'll part it out and sell it to someone who doesn't care for mods *sigh*

dishwatercider

Wow, that RL has a sweet note to it when you punch it! I don't see a mod list on the eBay page, do you have a thread you could point me towards? Clearly its dropped, custom wheels, some nice paint over the beak, but it sounds like there might be others I can't see in addition?

dishwatercider

Are the fogs/drl HID as well? Those are crazy bright. Also, those may be the brightest reverses I've ever seen. Nice job!

037

yes, it's got a short ram intake.

Here's my page for the entire history on the car along with some photos

https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-rl-photograph-gallery-91/037-09-rl-cmbs-redondo-red-709423/

wheels were custom drilled for this car, no other RL has them.

037

HID everything outside, LED everything inside, I'd say it's an all in one package that you were looking for with good price and extended warranty to boot. If you like what you see let me know, I just pulled out the 2011 Navi DVD out to start selling bits and pieces to get my money back, I can put it back in.

Here's the original ebay auction before I dumbed it down for people looking for a "regular" car.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=280719606424

dishwatercider

Dang. I'll read over everything and PM you for any further details.

037

sounds good

BDoggPrelude

We own both a 2007 TL, (not a Type-S), and a 2006 RL CMBS. We've owned the TL for almost 3 years and it's the wife's car. The RL we picked up last month and it's my car. I could have easily picked up a TL Type-S instead of the RL but after driving the RL there was no question in my mind as to what I wanted...and my previous car was a modded Prelude Type-SH. You will give up a tiny bit of performance to the TL Type-S but you gain an enormous amount of luxury and refinement with the RL. Another reason I got the RL is exclusivity. TL's are a dime a dozen. I can't drive anywhere without seeing them. I rarely see RL's. I personally like having something different.

dishwatercider

BDogg, I notice you have a black 2006 RL CMBS A-Spec in Colorado. I can't imagine there are too many of those lying around. I test drove one just like that in Colorado Springs last month, but it sold hours after I took it for a spin. Did you happen to buy it recently?

BDoggPrelude

Yup. Bought it from Pikes Peak Acura last month.

oo7spy

After more thought into this, I came up with the same conclusion that BDogg is getting at. The amount of performance you will lose is almost negligible when you account for all the features of the RL. The RL can still be a beast if you don't care about MPG. I rarely get a chance to push its limits, and I get a thrill driving it everyday. Unless you care about hundreds of milliseconds at the track, the RL will have enough sport to satisfy you and luxury to boot.

Do you live in CO? SH-AWD is definitely a game changer when it comes to snow.

TonyCD

There's more than one way to define "performance."

To be specific, there was a thread on this board a few years ago from an RL owner who got into an impromptu race on the highway against a TL. Once they got into a long, tight sweeper, the RL held its line perfectly. The TL driver foolishly tried to keep up, couldn't and kissed the side barrier (no apparent injuries). In real-world driving, SH-AWD ensures balanced handling and banishes understeer in ALL conditions, not just in rain and snow (where, of course, it also shines).

theNHBRL

i would have to say i agree with the 3 above, i used to own a 3g tl 6sp, and of course i loved her but it was time to go into my dream car i always wanted the rl before the tl, but at that time, money was a problem. now that i could afford it im here with my Rl which i love and which i do miss the 6sp i still love the luxury feel with the sport feel to it, also for $2k more of what i sold my tl i got every option i didn't have on a tl, especially the AWD. but see its all up to you because yes most of us are saying the rl is great but its your opinion on what you feel is best for you, only down side from my tl and this rl is gas, bigger tank and the mpg. i was keeping the tl for the fiance but she wanted audi but now she wants Rdx so we are looking for and rdx for her.

23109VC

a 3G TL Type S will feel a LOT sportier than any RL. You won't have to mod anything on the TL-S to have fun with it.. BUT it's a FWD car...and so if you push it in the turns, it will plow/understeer. Driving at 7/10s... the TL-S will be more fun. If you push a TL-S to 10/10ths... it will understeer whereas the RL will use SH-AWD and rip through the turn...albeit feeling softer/more body roll....

the RL is less responsive...the transmisions hesitates when you take off sometimes, and the accelerlation seems to be programmed to come on more slowly.... my other car is a 2007 MDX...and even though I know the MDX is supposed to be slower.. similar power but MUCH heavier... there are times when the MDX feels snappier because it is more responsive...

the comment above - what do you value MORe. sportiness or luxury - is the best advice. the RL can be made sporti-er.. but it will NEVER be "sporty".

personally.. I think a TL-S might be a better car if you care about performance. you could slap some springs/sways onto the TL and while it will still be FWD... it will handle really well... you are VERY limited wiht mods on an RL..

you can do aspec suspension..but man.. it rides like a truck... i test drove an aspec suspension RL and felt it was just "wrong". a luxury car that rode VERY VERY rough.

why not look into an 09+ TL. you'd get a newer design, lots of space in the back for kids, and you can get them with AWD.

dont' get me wrong.. I like my RL. it IS very exclusive...you rarely see them... and there are a lot of very nice features on the RL that you don't have and can't get on the TL...

if you want more luxury.. look into a set of H&R springs for the TL... maybe upsize your wheels.. it would cost you a few grand for nice wheels/tires and the suspension.. but you would have a unique car.

the RL is also much higher quality. i hvae been in plenty of TLs.. they are nice. the RL is on a whole different level in terms of fit/finish/quality. I hear many people complain that TL's rattle a lot... my RL with 55k miles is rattle free and looks/feels as new as when I first got it... it's super tight, and looks EXCELLENT.

it all comes odwn to what matters more. if you really want a sporty car.. look at a TL.. or heck, even a used TSX V6? to me the new TSX V6 is basically an upgraded/newer version of the older TL...

if you want luxury and sport is lower on the priority list - check out an RL.

the CMBS is not something I'd make a deal breaker if you go with an RL. if you can find one iwth it.. great.. but i honestly don't think you're going to be unhappy if you find an RL that is the right color combo, good condition.. but it was a "regular" one. a "standard' RL is packed iwth features already...

good luck.

dishwatercider

Thank you all for your input, I ended up buying 037's RL yesterday. After driving it with the mods he put it, it really does seem a ton sportier than the models I tested, fulfilling my desire for sport and the wife's for luxury.

While the steering isn't Type-S tight, and the same feeling of loads of low end torque isn't there, it's still a very impressive car in the sports realm. And since its not likely going to any tracks anytime soon, in day to day driving, it should be plenty.

I see what you mean about the acceleration lag, its certainly designed with luxury in mind first. But the SH-AWD is killer, and is going to be useful since the car is going to spend its life between Texas and Colorado.

Either way, greetings, fellow RL owners!

TonyCD

Congratulations, and welcome!

You got a well-equipped, well-loved car whose subtle excellence is only going to grow on you in the weeks and months to come.

When you really notice how good the RL is, is when you drive somebody else's car or see/hear them struggle with other cars' limitations. It just doesn't lose traction, doesn't plow like a front-driver, doesn't suffer from torque steer, doesn't give you a backache, doesn't tire you out on a long trip, etc, etc. And the thoughtful little touches throughout the car literally number in the dozens, maybe the hundreds. (There's a sticky atop the board that lists these.)

Enjoy!

meowevil

iTrader: (1)

Congratulations!!!
09+ RL would be my vote specially you get it from a member here with all the mod. (save you lots of $$)

meowevil

iTrader: (1)

oh yea, POST PICTURES or it DID not happen :P

037

037

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mk54NEhMYe4

dishwatercider

^ hopefully those pics speak for themselves.

The cops gave us many frowny faces for getting those pics, and in the video you can see 037 run up and tell me to go when two street cops started taking interest in our self-invented parking job. (4:40ish) For the middle pic, we waited for a traffic cop to take off and snuck into his spot, figuring they wouldn't be back for a bit.

I'm looking forward to all the little features and the comfort... it's an 1800 mile trip home to Austin, and another 900 between there and Colorado Springs...

037

might be a good idea to mount those Energy Saver's before you go, it is a long trip and you can make some space in the car for your tall friend

theNHBRL

well congrats on the buy. man that car is gonna get miles on her. but lovely the 037 babied her and modded her before you got here. yet i know she will not be dont. you probably going to add other stuff.

well congrats and welcome back to the rl fam.

hey 037 what hids color are on there?

037

I'm gonna guess and say low beams 10k, fogs 8k, high 10k, reverse 5k.