petemc

In the thread that I started to get update information on the problems and quirks, mrdeeno asks for help because he is in the same position as msu79gt82, they are both undecided between the RL and the M45.

With a goal to try to provide the help, this thread is focused on current RL owners.

What are the THREE things that you like best about your RL? C'mon now, you've only got THREE choices so you're going to have to think about it before you write.

Having just thunk, here are mine:

1. I love the interior. Fitment is absolutely great, all materials used are first class and the seats are really comfortable. Exterior sound insulation is good, but there is a lot of road noise with the stock tires (I now have 18" wheels and the Pirelli Nero Zero tires). I am very proud to have passengers in my car, and most are very complimentary.

2. The sounds system is exremely good (and I am a committed audiophile). DVD-Audio sounds excellent, CDs sound great, it plays MP3 CDs and I love XM radio...no commercials, just music and available wherever I drive...cool.

3. The ride. This car belies its size and handles really well, especially around corners. Steering is very predictable, with good feedback. Ride is not spongy or hard, but a good compromise between the two. Power is sufficient for most driving situations.

So fellow RL owners, what would your choice be?

...let's not worry about duplication, if you agree with someone else's pick, just say so.

...did I mention that it would be great if you limited yourself to THREE picks???

Pete

mrdeeno

Thanks, petemc!

I don't own an RL, but I can tell you 3 things I love about the RL (in ranking order) that are influencing me the most right now (until we see what they have coming in '06):

3: long term reliability
2: sh-awd
1: interior

NJRonbo

1. First and foremost, the ride. Smoothest and most
comfortable ride I have had the pleasure of being in command of.

2. Navigation system is second to none. In my old
car I had the very expensive Magellan RoadMate 700
and it's a TOY compared to the navigation in the RL.

3. Voice navigation. It may not always be percise,
but it sure is a nifty feature.

catsailr

1. My wife likes it.
2. Ride and handling
3. Interior

mrdeeno

Forgot to mention value. Not at the msrp price, but for the deals I have been hearing about.

I know this is a 4th, but move the long-term reliabilty to 4th and make value 3rd instead.

Hopefully they up the ante with the '06 model so the selling price is closer to msrp, but without hurting the value too much.

delacura

1. Interior
2. Price/Value
3. Navigation

shepsan

The single factor that screamed out to me about the 2005 RL and motivated me to buy it rather then a GS-430, M45, E320 or 740IL, is that the RL provides greater leading-edge technology and luxury then any of the others at a much lower price.

Secondly, the RL’s navigation-communication system is simply superior to any other on the market today.

Third, the SH-AWD allows me to control twists and turns better at high speeds then any AWD or rear-wheel drive car that I have ever driven.


I am thrilled owning and driving this superb autombile.

mg7726

while i don't own one, i've testdrove the RL for the third time last week while i had my oil changed.

1. the ebony interior is gorgeous. dash gauges are immaculate (layout and color combo better then any i've seen to date, imo), build is top notch, and i didn't detect any rattles.

2. SH-AWD, take an entrance/exit ramp or take a near 90 degree corner and you'll realize why TL/TSX owners want it on their acuras so bad.

3. MP3 - i can tune my own lists. there is no need for FM or XM now.

427

Hummm ... Just narrowing it down to three items is a challenge.
Here be my list:
1) The interior of the car blew my mind when I first saw it ... Incredibly gorgeous!
2) The handling is phenomenal ... Especially since I added the A-Spec suspension.
(It corners flat now ... No more body roll.)
3) Something nobody has mentioned yet ... The paint job is 1st class, custom quality!

msu79gt82

Thanks guys this is great! This is a very good thread.

I agree 100% with the Navi (loved it in in my old '01 MDX and '02 TL-S; and still love it in my '04 MDX).

I admit that early in the year the RL was easily #1 on my list; however the high price (to me anyway) played a huge part in bringing the M35 strongly into the picture. Current pricing is making this a very difficult choice indeed.

curry7

1. Driving it
2. Cranking tunes in it
3. Driving it some more

gizmowizard

1. The ride and handling.
2. The internal and external style.
3. All the gadgets.

hondamore

1. The "super" handling with Honda reliability
2. The smoothness of the power with Honda reliability
3. The technology and gadgets with Honda reliability

vp911

1. Tech toys
2. Handling
3. dvd-audio

Rob L

1- the interior specifically the amazing gauges and blue accent lighting

2- the SH-AWD system which gives it the great handling

3- the stereo and navigation system with the voice command

ck37

1.SH-AWD
2.Interior finish
3.Exterior Styling (this has grown on me big time)
I get a lot of stares and compliments daily.
4.Audio is a definite improvement over the TL. Especially when it comes to XM.
5. power. Shocked huh? Well to all you test drivers out there, drive one with a few miles and i don't mean 10 or 20 or even a hundred but close to a thousand and she opens up pretty good. Sport shifting is suprisingly pretty resonsive, not as delayed as I thought it would be. This car does move. You just need to know how to utilize the power.


Sorry, this car has too many pluses for just three

Vik,
Do you notice a big difference in road noice with the 18"s and new tires?

AS3.0CL

i don't own one but i have test drove one. so the 3 for me is

1. paddle shifting
2. sh-awd
3. the ride

bkw

1. build quality - sooo much nicer than the american built hondas
2. tech heavy
3. awd makes it a practical daily driver

peter97

1. Interrior- the layout and quality is a constant enjoyment.
I don't know about the rest of you, but a subtle little thing like how the door almost self closes is a daily reminder of how different this car is to other cars (I see/feel this difference every time I drive my wife's 05 MDX w/touring and wished it had the RL's quality and features. Especially since at time of purchase, there was only an 8k difference between the two).
2. All the technological features (better navi, bluetooth, adaptive headlights, sh-awd, music system, etc), which enhances the handling and driving experience.
3. Price/value..it's an incredible combination. With other cars in its class, you have to keep adding on options to be comparably equipped but not comparably priced.
Even though I bought early, and sad to see others get steep discounts under msrp, I don't regret the price I paid. I would do it again in a heart beat!

AcuraRLBlue

1. SH-AWD enhanced handling
2. Crush test performance ratings
3. Look

melly

1) SH AWD - this car powers out of corners in a way that absolutely belies its weight / size.

2) Interior refinement / technology - materials, fit/finish

3) Solid feel - driving 5mph or 95 mph, the car it absolutely stable!

kph3

1. Interior is beautiful in taupe color
2. SH AWD...great in curves
3. All the tech goodies and the driver interface to them.