robarsan

There isn't much about my RL that I don't like but one thing that never impressed me was the round bulb pattern for the tail lights. The tail light design itself looks great but at night when you just see the round circle of lights, it just doesn't seem to compliment the sleek design of the car.

Anyone else have a least favorite thing?

TonyCD

My least favorite thing is the A-Spec suspension I put on it. While it improves body control, it makes the ride too stiff for the character of the car. I think many on this board would disagree with me -- for example, it's still softer than a stock Gen 3 TL -- but it's less to my taste. Honestly, I wish I hadn't done it.

blaser

My least favorite things are:
1) The interior vinyl bubbles
2) The clunk noise from the transmission shift when starting to drive.

$50K luxury car with quality problems of $10K car.

rlerman

View from the side a bit drab. Bulbs going out in dash and the difficulty to replace them. Cheap grade leather on center armrest. All pretty minor.

projektvertx

iTrader: (2)

The door handle plastic that feels way too flimsy for a 50K car. The lack of trunk space (however I did know about this problem when I bought the car...)

TampaRLX-SH

I had to think about this...

1) PITA headlight bulb replacement
2) Center and side armrest leather required replacement
3) This is more a Honda characteristic, probably from double wishbone suspension: the small road impacts and bumps seem to 'thud' more than most cars. As tires wear, it seems to get louder and contradicts the otherwise serene experience of the car.

MrG4Life

iTrader: (1)

I've only had mine for just about 5 months and so far my only peeve is the rear sunshade collapsing down when the car is put in reverse. From what I read here the reason for that is a safety issue.

Actually I lied... I have two peeves lol. I typically drive with one hand on the steering wheel. I like to rest my left elbow on the top of the door panel but the design of it makes it difficult to do that.

projektvertx

iTrader: (2)

My dad's LS430 does the same thing. Safety issue as you said. I think the only car I've driven that doesn't do that is my friend's '06 S430.

oo7spy

Get your mounts checked. I agree the leather is sub par for a flagship, but overall your point is misguided.

oo7spy

The A/C interface always bothered me. The heater blows on your feet, the max A/C blows in your face, and the only way to change it is with the Nav screen.

I'm pretty sure this thread topic has been discussed too, but I understand seeking fresh input.

projektvertx

iTrader: (2)

Still better than iDrive 1.0

knv8

I am going to agree with the aspec complaint, too stiff and not refined. And the MPG's is my other dislike.

Frenetic

Edit: Oh, how could I forget this: TIRE SIZE. I absolutely hate our limited tire selection and/or hate Michelin for not continuing their pilot sports in our size. Biggest issue for me. Damn you 245/50-17.

1. Center armrest "leather," or whatever it is. I started placing a small like-colored terry cloth towel on top of it in the hopes it won't wear/bubble anymore than it already has.

2. Cheap OEM battery that caused me more pain and confusion than any battery should warrant.

3. No leg room in the back seat.

4. No fold down rear seat.

5. Center console "creaks and groans" that took me forever to finally fix.

Other than that, I still enjoy my car!

BDoggPrelude

Fucking worst windshield wiper design in the history of the automobile.

TonyCD

Agree with the comments about tire size and headlight bulb replacement. This car seems to have non-standard sizes for everything: tires, wipers, battery...

Hard for me to be too critical about the rear seat room or trunk space. As projektvertx said, we knew the job was dangerous when we took it. Ditto the gas mileage. When I bought my 4,000-pound, 300-horsepower AWD luxury sedan, I wasn't mistaking it for a Prius -- and it's okay on the highway, really only awful around town.

Türk

I had an 2004 Euro Accord (1st gen TSX) and I miss the small "pockets" in the cabin.

In RL, there is no space even to put your mobile!

What about sunglasses?
Shit!..

M T L T L

1. The long over-hangs
2. No pocket for sunglasses (my 03 TL-S had in the roof)
3. No sliding out flaps on the sun visors ( my 03 TL-S had them)
4. Noise n squeaks from the center console

Chans

My least favorite thing about my RL is that I picked an 05. I say that because I have had all of the problems that come with it and had to fix them out of pocket. Propeller shaft, stator, headlight condensation, power steering hose, radio and the list goes on.

TonyCD

Ouch!

rlerman

I had many similar issues plus AFS, loose side mirrors, torque converter...but mine were all done under extended warranty. I feel for you, the receipts were hefty.

oo7spy

The visors slide out horizontally.

titomang

I actually don't think it's that bad. Granted, the LEDS could be a lot cleaner but overall it looks pretty nice at night, IMO.

Don't really have much complaint here other than the lack of variety of wheels due to the design of the front caliper.

MrG4Life

iTrader: (1)

The PITA it looks to be when I attempt to paint my calipers. Well it at least the front ones

MrKev

No folding rear seats and color of the climate control/ radio and steering wheel buttons at night

Blues Legend

The creaks and the dim monitor screen.

Other than that, I'm generally very impressed indeed.

oo7spy

You can adjust the brightness of the screen by turning the joystick ring.

Blues Legend

It's already on 11, thanks.

No, it's related to temperature & the screen is dim when it's cold. Like reversing out of one's drive in winter. Or most times, in the UK.

Maybe I should warm it with a blowtorch?

oo7spy

I've heard complaints about the screen brightness when using the reverse camera. Is that what you mean, or do you mean using the nav as well? I just the reverse camera, I understand. There isn't much you can do.

Nice Spinal Tap reference BTW.

TampaRLX-SH

Those of us in warm climates rarely experience this.

But in general LCDs perform poorly in cold temperatures. Several RL / Legend owners in colder climates have reported the Navi screen dim until warmed up.

I would not recommend expediting with the blowtorch!

badbusinessman

I live in Utah, and the dimness is soooo annoying!

What bugs me is the size of the hole from the trunk to the backseat... I wish it was big enough to fit a snowboard....

TampaRLX-SH

That is why it is call a ski pass through and not a snowboard pass through...

*ducking*

oo7spy

rlx015

Here is my list:
1. Bubbling on arm-rest on door, center console.
2. Dash console is not leather wrapped.
3. Weight of the car and under-powered engine.
4. Rust; body quality is not the greatest in all Honda cars.
5. Cannot pair iPhone 5 normally to place calls when using HF Link. Always have to manually select HF Link if placing the call (more minor then anything).
6. The worst thing is passenger handle defect: gasket was not properly installed and it rusted around the handle. When asked regional Acura ppl to assist, because I was 2nd owner of the car they said they can offer $500 off of the service that their body shop was quoting the work to cost $1290.00 (A RIP-OFF!!!).
I talked to the local guy and he first advised not really to worry about it, unless I will keep the car - then, he said he can change the skin (not whole door) and that would run me about 600-700$ with painting it, and all the labor...

Overall I am actually happy with this car as these are in my opinion somewhat small issues. I did big service recently, and will continue to annually change trans oil, differential and trans. case oil - so pretty much regular oil changes and other maintenance...

Will I purchase another RL? I am not sure. If there is one 2009-2012 on the market, I may for the good price. I am now leaning towards the Audi or BMW world for more responsiveness on gas, but then I may just go Audi A3 TDi and be done with it

I get my adrenaline dose on my Ninja

BDoggPrelude

My IP5 pairs to my HFL system just fine. Have to remind the phone to pop over to the HFL every once in a blue moon but works as advertised otherwise.

bd1980

The terrible wiper design, lack of small items storage, and the lack of cooled seats surprised me and bothers me, especially with my black leather (my Expedition, also a 2007, has them and I LOVE them).

robarsan

+1 on the thud factor. Most apparent when traveling the secondary roads up here after a harsh winter.

oo7spy

I can agree to this. They gave them to Canada. WHAT THE FUCK?

swake457

Agree on all the previous items plus a few more, mostly stupid things. Overall I've really enjoyed this car. I've got 126K on it now and several cosmetic issues need repair that I just haven't gotten around too yet. Still have the original rotors too, second set of brake pads. I may replace all the rotors this summer sometime.

- No MP3 adapter/AUX input. I have an '05 and back then this should have been standard on a 50K car. My wife's Honda Pilot from 04 had one!
- No direct fan speed toggle up/down. I know Acura added this in later RL's. Been thinking about buying that module used just for this feature.
- Doors close way too easy. It's like the little stopping points along the swing of the door don't easily hold. I had bought this car when my kids were younger and you could almost guarantee they would swing open the door and have it come bouncing back right at them.
- Leather seat material seemed a bit less durable than I would think it should be. My drivers seat developed a tear at about 60K miles and it was still in really good condition overall. I always keep the leather oiled properly. Maybe it was because it's perforated and not solid....
- Sensitive/demanding electronic systems kill the battery. So many gremlins in this car can be traced back to a failing battery. To the point that I consider replacing this battery in it's third year just to avoid the hassle of odd problems. I guess it could be worse, like Mercedes that require $300 batteries!
- Alignment is always off. More like the steering wheel is off-center. I've had both the dealer and my regular mechanic look at it more than once and every time they do it's a matter of days before it's right back to where it was. Always off center and pulling to the right, and for someone with steering wheel OCD it's annoying as hell.
- I've replaced 3 door actuators. I've owned mostly Hondas and two Acuras. Never had more than one fail per car. Whoever makes these models for Acura sucks at it.

On the plus side, the all wheel drive system is just awesome. I've heard Audi's and Subaru's are great too, but this rocks winter driving here in the north east.

Frenetic

My car pulls to the right as well. At first I thought it was an alignment problem since I never had it aligned. Nope, got it aligned at Acura and even the tech wrote on the service sheet, car still pulls to the right!

I asked the advisor, he had no idea???

I will say this, though, that after the big timing belt/tune-up, it runs so smoothly now. The engine feels stronger, no more slight startup engine shivers, it's quieter, feels almost new except for my aforementioned in this thread.

isaacmaestre

My 05' also pulls to the right.. I've had the front struts replaced (under warranty), miscellaneous suspension pieces (bushings, etc) and done multiple alignments. Now the car does it much less, but it still has a slight tendency to lean towards the right.