Occasionally a car comes along that has styling that doesn't get "old", and is still appreciated years after its production run has ended. I'm thinking the 2005-08 RL will be one of those classics.

I was behind a sparkling clean silver RL for several miles this morning and I had to say (again) what a great-looking car it is. Beautiful tail lights, graceful rump, sensuous flowing lines from the front fenders to the rear bumper, and a beautifully-integrated grille and front end. Just nothing controversial or over-wrought.

This is just one helluva good-looking car, and I see no reason its styling won't continue to look modern and pleasing for many years to come. In my book, that equates to a classic, and I predict it will go down in the books as one of Honda/Acura's finest efforts.

One need only look at the misguided '09 re-style to see that it's not easy to hit one out of the park every time ... but I think they did with the '05-'09.

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One thing I really like about the RL look is the stance. It has an aggressive wide presence I like. I like the front too, the rear design is my least liked. My favorite apsect of the RL is the interior/dash.

I don't think the 09 improves on any of these areas from pictures, and with less mpg there's not enough power increase to justify the higher fuel use IMO.

 

I agree, after 3 yrs of ownership I still admire my Celestial Silver from all angles. I have the 19" Ronjon Legends on mine that just further complements the 'timeless' design. My wife actually took my car out for an evening with the girlfriends and since I was running late she basically jumped in the car still running in the driveway to leave(she wasn't happy with me ) and I got to enjoy her drive away(just the car view, not the fact that she was leaving ) with a great 3/4 rear view of the car. Damn nice, if I do say so myself. There are so few on the road where I live, not to mention any with aftermarket 19" wheels and therefore never get to see it driving down the road. It was a pleasure!! I don't think the 09 hits the mark as well.

 

RL's are scarce in my area. About a month ago, I finally had one pull up behind me at a street light. That was the first time I've seen one on the road up close and I was a little surprised at how elegant, poised, and classy it looked.
I see my car every day, but there is something different about seeing one on the move.
Gets my vote for a classic design.

 

The 05-08 RL's overall styling may low-key, but it is cohesive and "confident". It will age well, and look good years hence -- even after the G3RL comes out.

It might be too soon to write the '09+RL off, though. I remember when the 1.5GRL came out -- I thought it was overdone with the big grille, raised trunk, and larger tail-lights. But these days it looks pretty good on the road, and quite a bit sharper and more contemporary than the somewhat bland 1GRL.

The 05-08RL will probably show up in Winding Road magazine as one of those used-car gems. A car ahead of its time, but a victim of marketplace circumstance, poor marketing, and slow sales.

Rob144

 

I like the way my newly polished exhaust tips contrast with the celestial silver. The shape of the car is juuuuust right, especially with the lip spoiler.

I like the aggressive stance.

I also appreciate that this is a luxury car for those who love the Honda S2000--to get that power you have to get the rpms up. I didn't come to this understanding until I bought an S2k.....which is itself another classic...

 

The RL has a real classic design. It is so much like a lot of the other nice branded cars. While i do marvel over the classic design the of the 1st gen RL, I realize how much nicer of a car that the 2nd gen is.

The car I almost bought was the ES350UL. Even after I bought an the RL I still had some buyers remorse. Well today I looked at a beautiful starlight white which is an absolutely brillant white pearl color, but now the shape of the car is now looking dated to me. The interior looks like it came from your mother's Buick. I no longer drool when I see an ES. I will go for the RL.

 

I agree with you, I felt the exact same way about the 1G RL and it's remake. Now I find the 1.5G to look much better and still classic. Other than the grille< I find that as I look at different angles of the 09 that it has an elegance similar to the 05-08, but with a modern flare. Only time will tell if it stands the test of time. I've read many posts about the real life version being much better than pictures, I'll make my judgement I guess when I see it.

 

I couldn't agree more. It wont be a classic in terms of it appreciating over time, but it is a timeless design that no other cars look like. My wife and I are considering purchasing a used 06 or 07 in a couple years for herself and marvel at the RL every time we see it. Most recently, we were at her dads house last week and saw a red RL with tinted windows look beautiful. We said nothing in front of her dad, but as soon as we got in our car we talked about how good it looked. The only thing holding us back is if it big enough for kids ( car seats and enough space in the trunk)

 

I love the way this car looks! I, too, think it's a timeless design that will hold up very well over time.

I love the way the rear looks more than anything else. Not sure why, but it just has that distinct shape and geometry, coupled with the unique looking tail lights.

 

The 05-08 is definite a classic. Looking forward to get in 5+ yrs when the prices are lower.

 

We just did a 3k mile road trip to Colorado. The trunk is fine as long as the wife doesn't overpack.

As a parent, it is big enough for a kid and probably two or three small kids.

Now you have no excuse, you have to go buy one.

 

Man, your wife is a TOUGH one!

No ONLY did she make YOU ride in the trunk, she has you, as a PARENT, sizing up the trunk for how many KIDS fit in there.....with all her luggage!

No wonder you are softening up to the 09 RL shnoz....you are truly beaten down.

My sympathies.

*ducking*

 

The RL.....with a trunk big enough to fit three small children....



My English was definitely poor there.

 

I have to agree.

Where I moor my boat I can park on the grass right up to the pier. This past weekend I was waiting for my wife and kids to show up. I was sitting on the boat admiring the RL, even though it was dirty, I have to agree that the hunkered down stance and the headlights are my favorite.

Not sure it will be as timeless a say the second gen Legend coupes (I still admire one when I see one on the road), but it'll be close.

 

Still loving the look of the RL/Legend after 18 months of ownership. I've owned one other classic car, a Boss Orange 1969 AMX 2-seater (the wedge-shaped prototype for the 1984 Toyota Supra). It was way more in-your-face. The current curvy Legend has a graceful and cohesive design that still manages to look seriously authoritative on the road. Kind of an automotive Angelina Jolie. Every time I see another one I do a double take, then realize that's *my* car!!

 

definitely a classic and timeless, a 2005 RL will look great in 2012 and beyond. I would imagine a few years from now some car rag will do an article on this car. It basically provided all the features a $100K car warrants and some additional for under $50K in 2005.

From a "family tree" perspective, all the new generation Acuras pay homage to the 2005 RL.

Its the blueprint for Acura's technology (ACE, SH-AWD, NAV, Dashboard layout, non-touch screen knob, Voice activation, NAV Traffic and so on....)

 

Current RL and TL owners are all suffering from "narcissistic personality disorder."
See diagnostic criteria as per this link: http://www.mentalhealth.com/dis1/p21-pe07.html

:-) and *ducking*

 

I like everything about my 2006 RL's looks except for the rear end. The 2009 rear end looks better IMHO. The 2009 front end, well, that's a different story. I agree with the statements about the 2005 -2008 RL's bold stance. Love that look and it seems Cadillac copied the look for their smaller sedan re: fenders.

 

The funny thing is, last weekend my family from Toronto came and they brought the RL and MDX, and it was parked with the black TL on the driveway, and i realized that the RL really has that classy look.

And the Aspec look just makes it all that much better.

And it definitely is the stance that really gives it that nice look.

 

I love my car, but I can't imagine anyone referring to it as a classic. Anemic sales and an all around indifference by the buying public usually doesn't lead to labeling a car a "classic". However, for the price, it was a great decision, and it certainly will continue to be highly regarded by those of us who have purchased and enjoyed owning the car.

 

I've said it to my friends numerous times that I believe that in 20 years or so, the RL will be looked back on not necessarily as a classic (per se) but as one of the last truly understated luxury cars. Luxury used to be about subtle grace and now it's about being flashy and who's got the most 'bling'.

 

This is amazing that you think so highly of your cars. Unfortunately I'd predict this car to be one in a long list of Hondas that is a fantastic car which will never be truly appriciated by the masses. Hence, cult car. Not a classic.

 

You think it's amazing that some people think the design of the car they purchased is classic??
Give the designers credit where credit is due. This isn't some homogenous design you see repeated on other models. This is a unique design that will look good for years to come in my opinion.

 

My wife had a 1G RL in 1998. I saw one up close at the service lane while having the 15K mile service done on my 06. The 1G looks GOOD. I think the 2G RL will also look very good 10 years from now. Its a car that will carry its age well.

Now, servicing all that tech out of warranty, that is a whole other story...

 

of course a classic..even the first gen RL are classics..used to own a 96 3.5rl..luved it..luv the wide body n the grill..both gens will never get old....