I am getting quotes for a 2005 RL for $43,500.

A guy at work called his sister that works for American Honda to see whats up, and she said that the car is selling so poorly that they shut the line down already. She wasn't able to find out about any special incentives from Honda to the dealers.

This is making me think, that I should pull the trigger and get one.

Michael

 

If true?? I wonder how well Acura will support the car in the future? Whats the risk of owning a "dud"?

 

I'm about to lease an RL, but the possibility that the production line has been stopped is a showstopper. I hope it's not true. I've Googled it on Google News and there is nothing about this. Any further information on this would be greatly appreciated.

Incidentally, I've been test driving it today. It's a fantastic car. The only problem I've had is that I can't get decent reception on XM stations with higher number channels such as 131.

 

I should say they stopped the production of anymore 2005!

 

If true?? It could be because they are going to make significant changes/adjustments and need to retool the line some??

 

I believe your friend's sister is mistaken. A check today (tomorrow's time in Japan) with two friends living in the Saitama Prefecture (near Honda's Sayama plant) verifies that the production of RLs continues. However, I was cautioned that managers routinely alter production routines when problems are detected. Not sure what the latter means, but I am asking them to verify.

 

I'm confused. Do you know that it's just the 2005 line that been stopped or are you just speculating? Can you be precise about what you actually heard?

 

DCRL - I am truly impressed. What a researcher you are!!!

 

It'd be sweet if they stopped producing the car as long as Acura would fix any problems that owners may enocunter. I'd love to have the production stopped simply because people are I guess that dumb to not give the car a look for whatever odd reason and choose to go buy an over priced BMW 5 series and well, I'd be one of the few out there who realize just how good a car this thing is.

 

Are we looking at the same numbers? I don't see where the RL is selling that poorly. If their goal is to sell about 20K units, it looks to me like they are not that far off that target.

Also, does anyone know how the car is selling in Japan?

 

Msnowdon, you are getting an absolute steal if your quotes are true.

Go for the RL. I'd consider getting the 18 inch wheels too, especially since your price is so low.

 

Yeah, that's one helluva price!

You know, the CL never made it's sales goals, yet Acura kept that car around for 2 generations. Also, the previous RL was not a big seller, yet Acura never stopped production of that car. Is it too soon for us to worry about the future of our cars?

 

Thanks for the compliment. I used to work for the airlines and know people all over the place. Anyway, since someone mentioned BMWs, I have to repeat what happened to me just the other day. A fellow who parks on my lot (about five cars over from me) had a new BMW. He walked up to me and spoke to me for the first time ever (even though we'd seen each other on the lots dozens of times before). He told me he really liked the looks of the Acura and asked if I liked the car. I said I loved it (and that is understating it!). Anyway, he said he had traded in his old BMW for the new one in just a "knee jerk action", following his old habits and was very sorry he did. He said that BMW had changed everything and none of it for the better. He was wondering if he might be able to trade "over" to the RL. I said he should go for it and that he wouldn't be sorry. (I traded my Mercedes E Class and am very happy I did.) If he decides to do it, I'll report back.

 

??? I do not understand what you are saying? Are you suggesting that the RL's only "true" competition is the BMW 5 Series? I know and understand how good the RL is. I also know and understand that the RL does not have a monopoly on good; so apparently does a lot of other people. For me (since I do not possess an unlimited amount of money) all vehicle purchases are a compromise between my needs, wants/desires, and money. I seek to find the best possible balance between the most car for the best value.

I first became an Acura owner in March '01 with an MDX purchasesd at MSRP. Even at MSRP I considered it a great value and consider Acura a "best-bang-for-the-buck" brand. Still do after owning an '02 TL-S and still owning an '04 MDX. I see the current TL in the same way - but I do not see the '05 RL that way (and again I am apparently not alone). No way would I pay anywhere near MSRP for the RL; even at current Houston quotes at ~$45K I'm not yet ready to pull the trigger.

I do like the RL; its still on my short list of 2 cars along with the M35 (the BMW by the way was NEVER even an option ). If they have indeed halted production I will absolutely NOT get an RL now. Clearly there is something wrong IF production has been halted early. I am in no hurry and can afford to take my time.

 

Let me say that when I said producted halted, it was due to enough product being out to market. Who would have thought that there are in excess of 50 cars in just Orange County.

If Acura continues to sell at the current pace, they are only 3,800 unit short of the goal of 20,000 a year.

 

Take a look on carsdirect.com. They list it under my zip (valencia) for $45,109. I just bought a Ridgeline via the carsdirect method, and was very pleased.

Ian

 

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From: XXXX@XXXX.dealerspace.com Add to Address Book
To: XXXXX@yahoo.com
Subject: RE:RE:2005 Acura RL
Date: Wed, 11 May 2005 11:30:10 -0700


XXXX,

We could do $43,750 on the RL and give you $17,500 for the trade, would we be able to earn your business?


XXXX
Internet Sales Specialist
XXXXX
9XXX
XXXXXX
(714)XXX-9900

 

Wait a minute! Maybe they are giving you a lousy price on the trade-in so that you think you are getting a great price on the RL.

 

I traded my 1997 Mercedes E420 for the 2005 RL as well. There are certain qualities I miss from the Benz, mainly the low-RPM torque from the V8, and the larger interior space in back, but I'm quite happy with the RL! A neighbor saw me in my parents driveway last week, and walked over to look at the car. He commented that a buddy at his work had just traded his BMW 7-series in for an RL, and was quite happy with it. The neighbor also owns a 740iL, and said he loves the RL, but would only consider it if the backseat was bigger (which I can understand - he's coming from a 740iL)...

Randy

 

why would they stop the line? this is very stupid. They sell RL's (legend)in japan too where they are made. Do you know how many they sell in japan? I'm going to e-mail my friend from japan and find out unless someone already knows.

Plus last time I check the car was coming out in europe in september.

I call BS.

 

I don't see stopping the line as a problem. They probably have stopped the line for a couple weeks to update for the 2006 model year cars.

 

IMO, not now... except they're gonna sell '06RL in the middle of Summer. The short "stoppage" is very possible due to any kind of causes or reasons. To stop 1 or part of production lines is possible. To temp stop all lines for the major tune up or problem-corrections is also possible.


Even the Marysville in Ohio, they stopped to provide the factory tour to the public in July 04 due to the necessary update, testing, and adjustment for the upcoming '05 models. At that time, most of models' lines were up running, they just cut one or a few to tune up.


Honda Co. did get some profit boost in the 1st quarter, but they didn't get the satisfying increase from Legend, the boost was from other models' sales oversees.

 

That IS a big deal, because this is an all new car which is the flagship and pride and joy of the company. Sales will only fall after this year.

Smart companies DO halt production of slow selling cars b/c you DO NOT want your dealers with say, 90 day supply of cars. Dealers at that point start discounting like crazy and the rebates (remember the huge rebates on the last RL?) start kicking in to push sales you then have a huge mess.

A $43,500 RL is a STEAL, if buyers don't snatch that up, it then reallly proves Acura and upmarket do not mix.

 

RL only came out last October. If Acura were halting the line to gear up for a summer '06 release then it can only be because of changes/tweaks/enhancements and to better compete with the '06 tag on the M and GS.

 

I agree.
If one looks a the latest VINS at the dealer's lots, (I have) they already have #'s in the 17xxx range. These are cars already in the lots. Cars are arriving weekly, and I am sure there are many in Japan waiting to be shipped. I can see 20,000 units being accountable from the above.
Yep, tool up time for 2006!
Steve C

 

Honda changes often but not THAT often. No way they are going to change anything major in a year.

 

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050503/latu114.html?.v=7

 

'Cause it compared with 1GRL's final year... Wish we could see this type of numer every year from now on.

 

That would probably correct. I have heard that the 05 production stops in June and the 06 are due out in September.

Does anyone know how sales of the Legend are in Europe and Japan?

 

Actually April Sales are down:

April - 1304
March - 1376
February - 1412
January - 1371
December - 1967
November - 1941
October - 1320 (intro month so numbers don't really mean much)

If one looks at this websites historical data (e.g. the RL Owner Sign-In https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25 ), buyers were paying MSRP (or near MSRP thru January). Discounts began to be reported in February with some lingering MSRP sales. Discounts were common in March and were in fact increasing into May (current pricing in Houston now is ~$45).

What I see in the sales figures is an overpriced car struggling to find its niche. After the initail surge of Acura diehards (who postponed their '04 purchase to wait on the '05) in Nov/Dec, sales starrted trailing off rapidly in Jan. Discounts helped keep sales going in Feb and Mar. Sales continue to drop into April in spite of increased discounts. May's sales figures (with even larger discounts) will be very revealing.

 

Msu79gt82,

Dude you economics teacher would be very proud of you. Good work.

Michael

 

Maybe not "major" changes...but enhancements none the less. Look for cooling seats, & radar assist cruise at least. he need some color combo offerings also.

Steve C.

 

To stay competitive I'd say that cooling seats, rear back-up camera and other minor tweaks must come w/o a price increase at all (I doubt they'd lower the price).

 

I passed on the RL, it was a hard call to make.

The RL is a great car, but for me, keep the cash in the bank for the next few years seemed like a better idea. Got the TL love it, would love the RL more, but there is something about having an extra 11K in the bank that sits better with me.

There are some great deals out there, and if anyone would like information, please send me a message.

Thanks

 

Can't go wrong with the new TL - may consider that option myself. Congratulations and enjoy the ride.

 

Up here there are only 2 RL's at each of the two Acura dealers in the city. But boy are they short on TSX's! There's a waiting list to get one in some places.

 

Vin # on a new RL that just came in is 19,xxx.

 

I still think that they want too much for the new RL. $49-52 grand for one? I think not. I'm looking at BMW's and Mercedes once I get into that price range......

 

Just checked on Carsdirect.com, the price for an RL is ......

$45109

I guess this is defintely worth the one way ticket from here (SFO).

 

My best deal so far,
as of last week & dealer wants to talk more:

46,900 Inclusive of
7y/100k acura warranty
wood wheel & shift knob
that inclludes dest.charges of course,
This does not include taxes, license.

My only hold out at this point is color combo availability & a late # VIN
Steve C.