Prior to purchasing my car a few weeks ago, 2005 RL, I was doing quite a bit of research online and came across this forum. I then stayed here for several days reading everything I could. You may not know this but all of your opinions were added to the discussion in my head.

All in all, I am a bit of a tech geek and thus the RL matched up quite nicely with what I was looking for. My wife has a Lexus and prefers the interior to the Acura but she loves driving my Acura??? Go figure...

Anyway, just thought I would say thanks, you all really helped a lot.

 

What did you read?

I'm on the cusp of buying an RL myself and would appreciate any guidance.

 

I read every review I could find on the internet. This car beat out the every v6 competition out there in its class including Mercedes, BMW, and Audi. I did not want a v8 since I drive sometimes more than 2k miles in a month for my work and gas mileage. I think the gas mileage is the same or better than my Pontiac Grand Prix that I gave up. When you included the Tech that comes standard, I just fell in love. Then I started negotiating with the dealer and found that this car I could get for $5k less than my buddy just paid for his 525i.

I came to this forum to see the problems and issues. Although there were several listed, as long as you get a car that is still under Mfg warranty and even better if you get it certified, then almost all the issues have been cleared up. I have had it for three weeks and as I said before, my wife is getting cranky...

I had to drop it off for some minor service repairs and they gave me an 09 TSX to drive and while it is a nice car, I am missing my baby right now!

 

Welcome to AZ! Don't forget to post your purchase details in the "RL Owners sign in" thread at the top of the forum.

Enjoy your car!

 

My Two cents:

As high tech as the RL is I would advise to make sure your able to get an extended warranty. I just recently ordered and received the a RL Service Manual I got from E-bay. I consider myself somewhat mechanically inclined but from my reading of the manual very little is an "easy repair". A Honda Diagnostic System(HDS) is almost a must to have to do any "shade tree mechanic" repairs dealing with anything that is electrical or has a sensor.
I just returned from a Mass. to Florida, then back again road trip and it was an extremely confrontable ride. Avg MPG was 24.5 at a crusing speed 70-80 mph. I'm very happy with the choice I made.

 

That seems like pretty poor gas mileage. I just drove 400 miles from NJ to central PA and back and got 30.2 mpg, driving 70-75 mph.

 

These posts remind me that when I first purchased my '06 RL out of state w/ 4 miles on the ODO, I drove 200 all highway miles home. I averaged 30 mpg according to the MID.

Since then I have taken many 100 mile all highway trips with no higher than 26 mpg.

Any explanation for the above posters' and my mpg variances at similar cruising speeds?

 

It can depend on a a lot of things.

1. Do you use cruise control? I don't.
2. Is the terrain hilly or flat?
3. Is there a headwind or tailwind? Winds can easily knock/add 3-4 mpg off.
4. I'll probably get flack for this, but I think air filter can make a difference. I use a K&N.
5. Fuel type, I use 91 or 93, some people might be using 89.
6. Temperature outside, colder temps could cut mpg as could winter fuel mixes.
7. Tire inflation - I pump it up to 35 in the front and 33 in the back.
8. Added weight in the vehicle.

I'm sure there are others - maybe synthetic oil adds some mpg.