CadiGTi

I purchased a CPO 2012 RL 3 months ago. I knew production/sales of the 2011 and 2012 model years were very low. Mine was produced in March of 2012.

I did some research on Acura's archives on-line and was shocked at just how incredibly low actual sales were.

For calendar year 2011 just 1096 new RL's were sold in the US.

For the calendar year 2012 just 379 new RL's were sold in the US.

Those are ultra low numbers. It is surprising Acura actually produced the RL in 2012 after the numbers being so incredibly low in 2011.

For a regular production mainstream vehicle, the 2011 and 2012 RL must historically be one of the rarest cars ever sold.

HEAVY_RL

iTrader: (1)

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

the RLX isnt doing any better.

poor Acura...lost their ways.

oo7spy

Welcome back to 2013?

Terry RL

Yep, your exactly right about this being one of the rarest vehicles. But here's the truth for CPO buyers like yourself and I. The car is a steal. In 2013, my 2011 RL Advance with 13k, was sitting on a CPO dealer lot for 42k. I got it @ invoice 35k +incentives. The rarity of the RL makes it a great used car value. Not to mention the amount of toys you get for the price. The great driving experience, and like all Honda products this car is dead reliable. Additionally, was one of the few vehicles solely made in Japan. In sum, the final run of RLs are awesome.

That's why we own 'em. Not BMWs(Big Money Waste).

CadiGTi

3 cars back I had purchased a CPO 2006 RL CMBS in March of 2008 with just 4k miles. I drove it 3.5 years and put 170k miles on it. Other than the driveshaft (replaced under CPO warranty), the car was pretty much bullet proof. I have never been happy with any other car since that RL, until my 2012.

Ironically the RL is holding its' value better than the RLX. I could have purchased a 2014 RLX for about $3.5k more with next to no miles. As rare as the RL is, there are a few owners like us that really know what a great value the car is, and as a result, it appears that the RL resale value is actually stronger over the past year or so than they were just a few years ago.

The only feature I really miss on the RL is blind spot monitoring (especially in DC and NYC traffic). Some people complain the RL's Navi is dated, but I am a heavy Navi user and think it is one of the best Navs out there. I had a 2015 TLX V6 A-Spec for a few days and found the Nav in the 2012 RL to be better.

The last of the Japanese tanks (just slam the lightweight door of a new RLX vs the RL to feel a measurable difference).

Acura needs to look at the new Continental and learn how to bring swagger to their products once again. I saw it at the NYC auto show. Ford hit a home run.

Terry RL

I'm glad you bring this up, the build quality in the RL is superb. Every time I get in the car and shut the door, I get a strong feeling of solidity. As if the Acura engineers not only focused on design and tactile details, but details that you can't see, but you can feel. The material quality in the RL is still some of the best I've seen. Whenever I let someone in my car, very seldom, I tell them, look at how nicely that door closes. The "thud" sound, and feeling of solidity is matched by no other car. Then that person will immediately think I'm crazy. Until, the go to their Audi A6, and feel the hollow sound of the door closing, as if it was overlooked by engineers. The closing of the car door will not be without remorse anymore. Just hear me out; I agree with you all the way about the RL being the last of the Japanese tanks. All we have left is perhaps the Lexus LS.

3.2cls6speedmt

I have to agree with you on the thud of the door. I didn't realize how rare/low the sales were for 2012. I have been kicking tires on a couple of them and missed out on a sale in another state. It was a 2012 tech package with only 9000 miles. The only downside of the 2012 I have observed is that the leather is not as nice as my 2003 cls.

oo7spy

Original press releases of the RLX said the first MY would be built in te Legend factory in Saitama. Does anyone know if that didn't happen?

CadiGTi

My 1st Acura was a brand new 2003 CL Type S Navi 6 speed. You are right, that leather was phenomenal. Very thick, supple, and barley aged over 183k miles. Most every car has had cost cutting, especially the interiors, over the past several years.

I put 183k on that CL-S in 3.5 years (replaced the clutch around 120k). The leather (and car in general) was in like-new condition. The leather in the RL is a grade or 2 down, but better than most cars.

Audi has advertised that they cut 11 pounds per door on the current gen A6 compared to the 2010 model and won an engineering award for it. But, there is a substantial difference in feel / perceived quality between the 2010 and 2011+ A6 (Audi also took material costs out the interior of the current gen A6). They lost the older MB S-Class "bank vault" door solidity. Great looking car inside and out, but a lot of relatively cheap plastics in the current gen A6 and you have to step up to the top end "Prestige Package" to get perforated seats and seat ventilation features.

oo7spy

Fuel economy is prioritized over perceived quality.
Safety is prioritized over feature quality.
BOMs are prioritized over everything.

alfadoctor

Before we bought the 2006, we were driving a 1997 RL. It was that car that made us seriously consider getting another RL. We have never made a better decision. My wife makes me open the door because I am a gentleman, but she says it is because the doors are so heavy. So many cars including the Mercedes Benz in the C class are not the same build quality as the RL IMHO. They just don't have that "thunk" sound when you close the doors. That is to a driver the sound of a quality car.
The down side is that the plastic on the car on the front is showing some signs of aging in the chrome tape, center grille and windshield side moldings. So those will be on the list of things to be replacing later this year. The center console is coming apart and that will also be on the list.

3.2cls6speedmt

Did you consider the tl 4g six speed? Or were you set on an rl?

2012wagon

Future barret Jackson car, the RL?

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

Can anyone find a breakdown of '12's made w/ Tech vs. Advance package? I'm not sure, but I haven't seen any base '12 models.

Terry RL

Don't worry I gotcha; I've done so much research on the RL. I know every little thing about the 2011 and 2012 RLs. The 2012 RL is a carryover(no changes) from 2011.

http://owners.acura.com/vehicles/information/2011/RL/specs#mid^KB2F6BKXW

Tech:

-Navigation System, Acuralink, Real-time weather and traffic, BT-audio, iPod, Aux, XM note etc.
-3-stage cooled seats
-Adaptive Front Lighting System
-Simulated Wood on Steering Wheel and Gear Shiftier
-Perforated leather on Gear shiftier
-Backup Sensors

Advance(includes all Tech and Base features):
-Genuine Wood Trim on Dashboard
-Power Folding Mirrors
-Adaptive Cruise Control(ACC)
-Collision Mitigation Braking System(CMBS)
-Automatic Seat belt 'pretensioning'

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

Thanks, Terry!

My intended question is: Of the 379 '12 RL's sold in the U.S., how many were the Tech model, and how many were the Advance model!

CadiGTi

I really did not consider the 4G TL. I did drive a 6 speed SH-AWD 4G TL a few years ago and it was a blast to drive. The TL did not make me like it enough to buy. I like the 4g a lot better than the current TSX. The big problem I had with the TL was loving the 3G TL design so much and then being let down ever since.

If I were going for a real 6 speed stick the VW GTI or Golf R would be high up on the list as well as the Audi A4 6 speed. Each of them drive great, but not as comfortable or reliable as the Acura (I had a new 2007 GTi 6 speed for 1 year...fun but too many VW petty issues). My Acura dealer service is a major influence for my brand choice.

On days when I drive local (DC / Arlington / Fairfax Va), the traffic just does not let you enjoy the thrill of rowing your own gears and I was afraid I would regret the 6 speed stick living inside of "the dome".

SHUJeff281

I couldn't agree with this thread more especially after having just had a 2015 MDX loaner for 5 days while my 08 RL was in the shop. Don't get me wrong, the '15 MDX is a really nice car, but the second I got back in my RL and shut the door and heard nothing as I drove away from the dealership, I realized how great this car really is. Edmunds says the value of my RL is just over 16k, but you couldn't find a new car under 45k that even comes close to this tank.

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

Cars for Sale: 2012 Acura RL w/ Advance Package in Las Vegas, NV 89117: Sedan Details - 391746734 - Autotrader

oo7spy

I would call it a fair price but not astounding. That color combo is pretty freakin sweet though.

stagefoursurvivor

Regrettably, I report with a heavy heart that my DW likes the RL thereby dashing any small hope that I might wrest control for myself
In my few brief local treks I'm struck by the solidity and solitude