acura3204

Hello,

I am interseted in buying a used all wheel drive car. I live in north jersey.

I would like to get all your expert advise on whether i should go with RL or lexus GS 350 or BMW 53OXI. I am looking at buying a used car.

foam4me

What is your budget?

037

Here's an easy answer.

1. RL is cheaper
2. RL is loaded
3. RL has SH-AWD
4. RL more reliable than BMW
5. RL has more power than BMW

acura3204

My budget is under 30k. The car is for my wife so I need a safe all-wheel drive with the gadgets. How is the quality and maint on the RL

TSX69

You may want to add that the RL is more reliable than the AWD GS350 as well (which just got another recall recently). Consumer Reports actually gave that thing a bad rating & even tho the RL has not had a spotless record, I have heard of more problems w/ the current generation GS350.

I have had some experiences w/ the RL & GS350 & both are very fine cars but I would choose an Acura bc I think that it looks better & is a better value.

037

can't comment on RL quality, but I did drive a TL for almost 3 years and no serious problems what so ever. 08 RL would come with 4 year/50k bumper to bumper and 6 year/70k power train warranty.

vladfrenkel

Hi,
I could only comment as recent 2008 RL owner and current 5 series (550i) owner. Here are the facts:
1) RL has better electronics
2) RL will be overall more quiet and comfortable
3) Overall build quality better in RL
3) BMW will have firmer suspension, even comfort suspension (not comparing with Acura A-spec of course)
4) BMW will get better mpg figure (19/28 posted for XI model)
5) BMW will be one year older (if 2008 RL you're considering as header mentioned) - last 530XI was marked as 2007 model (If I'm not mistaken got replaced by 535xi in 2008)
6) RL has more power, although it won't be much faster than 530xi (posted 0-60 figure is 6.8 seconds for 530xi - similar to RL as I believe): http://www.carfolio.com/specificatio...ar/?car=124674
7) Price - cause we're comparing 2008 RL vs 2007 BMW is similar (approx $32500 both in private value with normal use mi - higher than your max limit I've noticed)
8) BMW still will be for approx. another 2 yrs under free maintanance/warranty program
9) BMW available as a Wagon (even cheaper in private value resale) - if that something as interest to you
10) Multi Contour seats in BMW (if you could find one with it) are unbeatable

Now here are mostly feelings:
Fun factor - always recommend to try both before comment.
If you want your wife to drive it - I'd recommend to test drive with your wife.
My wife, still misses RL suspension, complaining that BMW sport suspension is too firm for her taste.
Certainly whichever one you choose - both are stunning vehicles

Blazing GT

It would be hard for me to choose between the GS350 and the RL

037

take a 90 deg turn at 30mph and slam gas midway, choice made ez.

neuronbob

RL is way cheaper and comes with more than the rest. 2005s are running in high teens-low 20's, 2006s low-mid 20s. Plus, you get Honda reliability. Next question?

470hpGS400

iTrader: (1)

All three good cars. I was and still am a Lexus owner and will continue to be for some time. I thoroughly prefer the Lexus build quality over this top of the line Acura model, but, do not confuse build quality with reliability as the GS350AWD has suffered in some areas. But the early 05/06 RL had a lengthy list of issues also which for the most part have been eliminated for the 08 model year.

I had every intention of getting a 545/550 at the time of the RL purchase (not big on the new GS style) and that changed as soon as the wife sat in one and said ,"this is ugly." I would have to agree, the interior to me just leaves so much to be desired with the RL such as pleasant and inviting cockpit. The RL is fully loaded with everything and it is next to impossible to get the options you may want on a BMW since they are preowned and almost everything is an option on a BMW to begin with.

Go drive each, as you can get a 100 opinions on a toilet seat but in the end it really depends on how well it suits your needs.

TSX69

2006 Acura RL ($28,189) vs 2006 Lexus GS300 AWD ($29,300) vs 2006 BMW 530xi ($29,897)
I went w/ the GS300 instead of the GS350 to keep the year/prices similar w/ the other 2

RL vs GS vs 5

Horsepower: 290 vs 245 vs 255
Torque: 256 vs 230 vs 220
MPG: 16/24/19, 19/25/21, 17/26/20

getakey

duh - RL

lpe387tt

Had experience with all three cars. The RL is just hands down (2008 Model) more reliable and option packed to be beat by the GS or BMW. The car is just a treat to drive. I have owned many top of the line vehicles, but being a new owner of the Acura family was a great decision that I don't regret. I would like to have better fuel mileage out of this car, but for the Sh-AWD in full swing I have no complaints.

RL is the Winner. The test drive will ultimately be the determening factor. Just depends on how your wife feels in the car. Good luck!!

afjock21

GET THE RL!

Get your wife, go to the place selling RLs, test drive, nuff said. You and your wife will ABSOLUTELY LOVE going out and getting into the RL to drive to your destination. I get giddy, like some young high school girl with a crush on the quarterback, everytime I think about heading out to the RL.. in fact, talking about driving the RL is gonna make me go down and take a drive in the RL to go buy myself some breakfast! CYA!!

btw, bmw, UGLY, ugly interior, just ugly....

geronimomoe

I was in the market last year for: 1) Acura RL, 2) Infiniti G35X, 3) Infiniti M35X, 4) Honda Accord. I went for the G35 X Sport because it fit my budget let's just say without endangering my other assets. (I could have gotten the RL but financing would have been different)

That being said, among your 3 choices, I'd go with the RL. IMHO, the RL is the best looking (inside and out) and most reliable of the 3.

However, is there a reason you're not considering the Infiniti M or G?

vladfrenkel

Don't know if you've seen it, but there is a good discussion about 530xi and RL, certainly good thing to check (written some time ago though):
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/dir...2522.f0e20e7/3

Allen-

I like the RL the best. Think of it like this: Which would you be more comfortable driving if it had 175,000 miles on it? The GS350 because it is a Toyota product, or the RL because it is a Honda product?

I think the RL will be more reliable than both. Toyota's quality is slowly going downhill and not as impressive as it used to be. Insurance will most likely be cheaper on the RL too.

The GS350 has a very polarizing front end. I don't like the quad-headlights and the oversized outside ones. It has alot of different lines and curves going that just don't mix very well. The RL has a tech-luxury-sporty-look. Sporty conservative I once heard a member call it.

I can already tell you that the GS will be the smoothest. 530Xi will be the roughest. I doubt your wife will be racing anyone, or flying through a canyon, so she doesn't need the BMW's over-taught suspension.

I don't like the BMW's interior. It's too black and dark. It doesn't show off the interior's rather nice design. Also, the RL's map screen on the navigation system is bigger. Another thing that has always bugged me with the 5-Series, is the two exhaust pipes on the left side of the car. Dual exhaust looks way better and has a more luxurious look.

Next time you take a drive, count how many BMW 5-Series Sedan's you see. I hardly ever see a RL, and everytime I do I stare at it like there's no tomorrow. They are such beautiful sedans.

Lastly,

SH-AWD FTW!

up_late

What kind of answers do you think you are going to get on an Acura RL board?

037

honest answers so far...everyone does their research, there's a reason we're all here.

geronimomoe

Exactly. Just because you don't own a RL (like me) doesn't mean that you don't like the car or enjoy the car. I'm a car enthusiast and like a good discussion or sharing of information. Hence, the reason for me being here.

Believe me, I was very, very close to pulling the trigger on a 2008 RL last spring..

afjock21

Great reponses from all of us here. I guess I would say to the OP maybe checkin this question on some other boards.. like, I dunno, a BMW and Lexus message board... I'd be curious as to what kind of reponses you'd get. Most likely biased answers, but I don't even believe the answers you get here are really that biased. Maybe I'm Acura brainwashed, but I don't think so. I would almost definitely rule out the GS. I never look at it on the road, period. The front is OK, I suppose, but the rear is a downright disaster. This car is practically already out of date. If you got money to burn I would consider looking at the BMW, but if you don't.. and wanna stand out from the bunch without sacrificing much, including stuffin much more cash in your pocket.. RL all the way. I think the photos of the outside don't do it justice either. The front end is by far the most stunning. And the overall car as a whole is quite a looker that will not seem old and bland years from now. It's not boxy, square, or dull by any means. This oval, potato wedge type look really looks quite nice. And as far as drawing looks, or receiving compliments.. that never seems to a problem. I guess not many of them on the road helps, which I love, but also the fact that is just looks really good in person. Even younger kids give me compliments.

Let us know what you do!

jftjr

Getting out of my '06 RL lease in a few weeks. I'm very much considering getting a used BMW 530i as a replacement. I live in South NJ.

I wouldn't want another RL. Yes, the RL has more HP, but the BMW feels far more responsive. SH-AWD's pseudo-RWD thing isn't a substitute for RWD. Yes, I know, there's some benefits to AWD, but this is NJ, not Wisconsin, and with traction control and a nice set of winter tires, it won't matter one bit.

RL's nav system is better. BMW's stereo is better. BMW's bluetooth is better. BMW's iPod interface is simply beyond comparison -- the 06 RL's iPod interface sucks wet hairy gangrenous moose parts.

And three words: heated steering wheel.

And you left out one other car from consideration -- a Mercedes E350 4Matic. Same price range, and a strong contender. I'm liking the Merc, my wife likes the BMW, and we're trying to make up our minds...

acuda

You might want to check the side impact ratings on that 5 series if you consider how well and if you would survive being T-boned a relevant factor in choosing a car.

I consider this relevant since I sometimes make left turns.


The RL and the S-80 did quite well. The MB did also.

http://www.boston.com/business/globe...de_crash_test/

afjock21

^

I would rather take my chances than drive a KIA!

vladfrenkel

I usually look @ Euroncap results:
Honda Legend:
http://www.euroncap.com/tests/honda_..._2007/283.aspx
BMW 5 series:
http://www.euroncap.com/tests/bmw_5_..._2004/208.aspx
Mercedes E-class (2002):

037

people who buy BMWs buy for the prestige not crash ratings...

fongz

The GS350 is a bit quite then the RL, but I think the RL is cheaper to buy when u buy it pre-own. BMW will costs you more money when something goes wrong. And the RL has all the options you will need to drive comfortablely. Plus the RL is one of the rarest affordable car on the road, I had only seen this car 5 times over the last 4 years, and trust me, you will be receiving alot of attentions when driving this car in city areas where there are fill with Asians (like Toronto). It happen to me everyday that people are checking out my car.

vladfrenkel

I'd not classify all BMW drivers are the same.
Even though I own 550i now, never cared about prestige much - I've owned an RL for quite some time Also if Genesis 4.6 would be as close fun as my current ride, this would be my upgrade not Bimmer (speaking of the badge weight - Hyuinday I'd believe is even lower on the overall prestige scales than Acura, at least for the time being)
Also crash ratings are always important - 70% of the time I'm transporting my child... We all know, this is only portion of overall safety figure. There are some accidents which cannot be avoided, but some could -I'd always take it into consideration this one as well even though accident avoidance statistics are hard to measure, but some inputs to it would be an overall slalom time and accuracy,tilt test as well as a Swedish Elk (moose) test. I believe 5 series had some problems with loaded-down portion with run flats during an elk test, which force them to abandon run flats in the first place.
Since then I believe Volvo, Saab, BMW and Merc showing pretty stable results...

afjock21

Correct on the Asian thing.. Them japanese fellows know a nice car when they see one. I think I will keep my RL past the 100k mark, shockingly, and go through with a timing belt re-tune fix her up ordeal. I get giddy everytime I drive it and know I'm 1-of-a-kind! ... But we'll see.. 3G RL might make me re-think keepin my RL past 4 yrs...

Rob L

I drove the GS350 AWD fora couple days and felt it was not as good as my 05 RL....and I am a huge Lexus fan. To me the RL is simply a better overall car.

Have no idea on the BMW 530xi but I'm not a big fan of BMW to begin with.

TOMH-RL-TLS

I have recently gone from a Acura 01 cl-s to 03 Lexus gs-300 to an Acura 06 rl & now back to a Lexus 09 gs-350 awd
I loved them all Purchased all new Dont knock the gs its may newest love

Allen-

Also, check out the Volvo S80. May be hard to find, but there are V8 ones out there! And they are not bad lookers either. I hardly ever see them, along with the RL's. They may not have the "prestige" of the other cars mentioned, but they are nice cars. Every time I see one, I give it a second look.

I like the RL better, but the Volvo is worth a look.