HEAVY_RL

iTrader: (1)

HEAVY_RL

iTrader: (1)

neuronbob

Enough. Any more BS and bans will start flying. You guys are better than this.

b3nsonx

Awesome car, I would love the SH-AWD V6 with tech package.
Maybe one day..

Max Effort

I drove a TLX FWD while my 06 RL was in for service and I was just not impressed. Like others have mentioned, it feels small inside. The front seats have decent legroom but it's more cramped in the rear seat area. I found the handling taut but it tended to "plow" into corners. Maybe the SH-AWD version will be better. Unfortunately I'm far more likely to find a TLX in AWD than I ever will an RLX though. Still think I'll stick with my RL.

Nersh7

Being that you could get a RLX that's a year old for the same price I don't think I would downgrade.

In all honesty I'm actually a little scared for where I will be in a new vehicle in lets say the next 7 years. At this point I find myself in what I consider is the nicest vehicle Honda/Acura has to offer (outside the NSX, that would certainly be an upgrade, but we're talking DD's here). Unless the next few generation of RLX's are pure gold I'm not sure what I'm going to do for an upgrade...

I have to much disdain towards domestic vehicles so unless I find myself with an abundance of money, I will probably be in a German car. Or maybe I'll just have multiple great Japanese vehicles.

Finally, with everything that's been going on with Brockoli around here... Why isn't he banned yet?

TampaRLX-SH

I drove an Advance PAWS TLX. I like it. It felt like the car I would have expected to be the next generation to my previous 2005 TL. That said it does not feel like a replacement to my RL. Aside from new tech it just did not have enough of the substantial feel and detail the RL has. I still think it is a great offering for the price point and I will still drive a SHAWD when they hit the lot to be fair.

My frustrations finding a market replacement for my RL has made me aware of some personal needs that may no longer be available to me:

1) Styling is subjective, but no matter how good something looks, it must also have a solid and durable feel.
2) New technology is attractive but does not trump the basics of a solid, well engineered and reliable car.
3) To improve efficiency most all new models I have scrutinized do not feel long term durable. More and more I am realizing how tank like the RL is, and the appeal that has to me.
4) Materials used on interiors may be tactile & visually appealing but will they hold up? The new cars I have test driven suffered interior scrapes and scars to trim. My 8+ year old RL interior looked in better shape than a few new cars that were exposed to a few test drives.
5) Small details seem to be lost. I am surprised how many misaligned panels, orange peel and paint blemishes, poor fitted weather strips, etc I am seeing on cars north of $45K. Tech feature dazzle seems to trump the detail of well built vehicles.

None of these are specific to the TLX, and I found it on par with other products I have looked at (including $30K range vehicles), but it does not lure me away from my RL. If I needed 2 sedans I would consider the TLX as a second vehicle. But now it seems I will continue to wait for the Sport Hybrid RLX to replace the RL, or more likely, keep the RL and wait for the '16 MMC RDX to park alongside the RL.

Owning the RL had prejudiced me in surprising ways. If I did not own my RL I would likely have a TLX SHAWD Advance as my next car.

oo7spy

It's more fun with him around.

Nersh7

Fair enough haha

TonyCD

Ignoring all the whatever…

The TLX seems to be getting good reviews. It seems like the basic character of the car changes between the FWD/I4 and the AWD/V6. Both sound like good cars and good value for the money.

BUT, neither is intended to punch in the RL's class. The car seems to be (I haven't driven it) an attempt to straddle the TLX's compact size with the availability of TL-AWD drivetrain and power. But that leaves a lack of room, especially in back, even compared to the somewhat cozy RL. And the luxury obviously can't measure up at the size and price. It's a car for another group of buyers.

Rob144

Quite true TampaRL. I'm not sure there's a new car that's competitive with the overall build quality, solidity, and feel of the 2G RL. When I think about what I would pick today, I don't see too much that can replace it. The RLX just seems too contrived. And not as special as the RL.


I sat in the new V6 TLX, and it was nice, but not nearly $50K nice as optioned on the showroom floor (yes it was gussied up with stuff). The little things I noticed were hard plastic on the lower door panels, versus the soft-touch RL. The seats were not as comfortable. I prefer buttons to the dual screens (though I suspect I could get used to it).


Aside from SH-AWD, the RL never became an Acura flagship of style, features, or build quality. Granted, it was a Honda for the rest of the world, and the style was somewhat muted, but Acura's design language mostly got co-opted by the MDX (the bigger dash with fluted NAV screen, the angular tail lamps, shield/plenum, many buttons).


So, I'm spoiled when I exit a car and the door doesn't close with a gentle push like the RL. I'm spoiled when there's hard plastic everywhere on other cars. I'm spoiled when a car doesn't handle very well. I'm spoiled when interiors rattle. I'm spoiled when I see ho-hum paint quality on competitive models. I'm spoiled when there's no real wood trim.


Knowing I'd have to give all that up for my next car, I'd consider the I4 TLX, a TSX wagon, or even an Accord coupe.

BDoggPrelude

I saw a TLX in person for the first time in a parking lot the other day. If I could only use one word to describe it, the word would be "underwhelming." I just think that in the class the TLX resides in, it needs to be more aggressive, distinct and memorable. It just looks like Acura removed all of the little details, leaving a bland shell of a car. Sure, there will be guys on this forum that buy one, drop it, install an aero kit and a nice set of wheels to make it look more unique...but the average buyer is not looking to do that. When they are spending $50k, they want a car that looks unique off the showroom floor. There's nothing that defines the TLX and sets it apart from the average sedan on the road.

SSjTrunks112O

nice car, but good with my RL.. I agree about having to take on an extra car payment for the model below when these RL's can go 200k+ easy.. When I buy a car, I buy it for the 10 year longhaul so longterm reliability is a must!

knv8

yea ive thought about it and I'm not paying 35k for a 4 cyl and I'm also not paying 45k plus for the shawd v6. I'll probably stick to my rl a little longer, maybe get a cpo in the future.

shs111

I didn't think I would, but I traded my 2005 RL for a 2015 TLX AWD. Someone got a great car when I traded that RL, but I honestly have no regrets. Love the TLX. Love the technology (including the safety technology -- backup camera, blind spot system, etc.) and really like the handling and the drive. Yes, it's a bit smaller but that difference seems to disappear pretty quickly. Compared with the RLX (AWD Sport Hybrid), I have to say that I'm also glad I went for the TLX rather than shell out an additional $20K. Love Acura.

DanL07RL

ditto!!

Roogs

Here, here.

The only ONLY feature of my RL I would want to change is MT vs AT and the new TLX doesn't even have that option. So if I am staying with AT, why not stay with a car that was years ahead of itself and is running great?

Even BMWs have essentially eliminated manual transmissions which makes me sad. Unless my car is in serious need of expensive repair or auto technology takes a massive leap forward where it makes my car obsolete, I still see myself in my 06 RL.