Quick background. Purchased a new ’06 at a great cost. As many experienced here, Acura was throwing in lots of discounts when I purchased it late in the year (Oct 2006) at an out-the-door price of less than $40k. It was a fantastic, trouble free cruiser. I put nearly 90K on it and loved every minute.

Fast forward to a year ago. My wife was driving the car and was involved in an accident. Someone t-boned her. Luckily, not her fault and everyone walked away without injury. However, the car did its job, absorbed the impact (right at the passenger side firewall) and the car was deemed totaled. I really worked over the insurance company and got over $19K (another story all together).

Like many of you, I have been lurking waiting to see if Acura would correct the serious design flaw (at least in my opinion) with 2009+ with the new RL. I was anxiously waiting to see the new car, what become known as the RLX. I like it, but don’t love it. I still have a soft spot for the ’05-’08 generation. Understated design, relatively uncommon, great value for the money, etc.

So, I pulled the trigger on an ’07 Tech package. I have always wanted a black/tan car. This car has 50K on the clock with ebony black chrome aspec wheels (only – no other aspec bits). Great to be back in the RL ‘saddle’ again. Brings back many fond memories. I still prefer the Acura/Alpine nav system over competitor options (i.e., comparing to our ’10 Lexus RX 350 w/nav). I really like the ability to interact with the system while in motion. Love the stereo system (still have my DTS and DVD Audio disks), all-wheel drive, etc.

Any way, with so many leaving the brand (for totally understandable reasons), I came back into the fold.

A couple of observations/plans for this particular car:
There is no shark fin antenna? The XM is not active, but unclear whether this is needed?

I’ve added the splash guards, wheel locks, trunk tray (luckily it already had the wood wheel and shift knob and came with all-season mats, good window tint, etc.).

Next up may be to add a clear bra. Local guy quoted $650 for the front bumper, mirrors, plus 24” of the hood, front quarter panel using Xpel product.

Trying to decide whether to upgrade the nav version. I need to verify the current version.

Contemplating an extended warranty. I don’t like being exposed should something break.

Also considering H&R springs/rear spoiler to add a more sporty composition.

Bottom line – I love these cars! Although I was never a frequent contributor previously, I spent plenty of time lurking and learning from others.

It’s good to be back! This is still a very desirable vehicle. Here’s to many years of happy motoring.

 

Welcome back my friend! I love the color combo! I hope this one does you as well or better than the first! You can't go wrong with the H&R either! Rear spoiler will definatley add that sportier component as well!

 

Thanks 253!

By the way, I cleaned the exhaust tips. They look much nicer now they are clean.

 

Good write-up! I feel exactly the same way about my '06. After owning for over 5 years I still look forward to driving every time I get behind the wheel. Usually after 4 years I'm ready to try something new but not with this car. There is nothing out there that offers all the ammenities of the RL at a reasonable cost. Can't imagine paying more for another vehicle and getting less in return.

Acura hit a home run with the pre-MMC design IMO. Seeing my car parked next to or around other cars, it still stands out especially at night with the night lights accenting the highlights in the paint.

I like the RLX enough to wait and see what the production model looks like (and costs), but if I needed to get a replacement car in the future my first choice would be an '08 or '07 RL.

Good luck with your ride!

 

Very sharp looking car! Congratulations!

 

Nice pick up! No need for the fin to get XM. Many like it, but I personally think it looks better without it. My CPO came with a 90 day XM trial and is same MY and package as yours. People have added the fin for looks only as I have not heard of anyone actually attaching the antenna to it.

 

congrats

 

I echo the others: Welcome back!

Nice specimen you got there. Looks like it was well-loved and intelligently upgraded with tasteful accessories.

Not sure, but I think the shark fin on '05 and '06 RL's (I have an '06 with it) may have been for OnStar, which eventually was discontinued, rather than for XM. Pretty sure you have no worries about your XM capability.

If you get the extended warranty, get Honda's own AcuraCare -- the aftermarket ones are riddled with exceptions, exclusions, deductibles, etc.

I'm in the minority on the lowering springs, but I'd think carefully before I made suspension mods. I went to the A-Spec suspension parts. Neuronbob and others here love them, and insist they don't degrade the ride. In all honesty, I think that on my car they somewhat did. Body control is improved, but the car now suffers from fore-and-aft head toss on heavily expansion-stripped Interstates, and just generally isn't quite as isolated. it's just as quiet and it still rides well, but there's no free lunch.

 

Prudent purchase. I'd purchase the "fin" to complete the look. I also have the A-Spec black chrome rims but yours looks brighter. Are you sure they're not just the full chrome? Sometimes I think I'd rather have the full chrome to give the car more pop. Keep those seats clean with Zanio leather products (the best).

Also, if you do some quick research on this site.....you could probably sell that wood-shift knob for $300! ha!

 

I used to be a "new every two" kind of guy before I got my '06 RL in 2006...I still have it.
Welcome back!

 

Congratulations.

Given the same situation I would do the same. There is nothing out there I see as a replacement for my RL at this time, especially to write that size check. I too will wait and see with the new RLX for at least one model year.

But if my RL had to be replaced today, I would replace with an 06-08 RL as well, even if the search took awhile. Fortunately my RL just hit 44k and looks, drives and presents as new. No car I have ever owned has enchanted me past 3 years, except this one. I am leaning more towards keeping the RL and buying a new RDX or the next MDX to keep in the garage with the RL.

Starting in 07, Acura dropped ONSTAR which was part of the telematics in the sharkfin antenna. Some 07s had the fin, some did not which was discussed in this forum, likely a parts changeover. Acura also changed the XM antenna to a diversity 2 piece anteanna around that time and the shark fin returned.

I would still get the extended warranty. The cost alone is worth it for piece of mind never knowing everything done from the previous owner and service centers.

 

Looks like it is in great shape. Nice colour combo.

 

Thanks for feedback guys.

As for the shark fin, I'll not add it back - especially if it would be for looks only. I did like the look and the ability recognize it in a parking lot.

Still on the fence on the H&R springs. I'll likely wait for that upgrade. I've felt the RL is not a sports car and more of a luxury cruiser, so I'll limit how much I spend on this. Still not sure about the spoiler either. It is fun to think about upgrades!

In the pics, the wheels do look like full chrome, but in different lights, they have a dark 'hue' to them, so I suspect they are ebony chrome.

In terms of Acura Care, I'm not sure it is an option. Since it is past the 4 years/50K mile mark, I assumed it would not be eligible for extended coverage. Wrong assumption?

Thanks again for your thoughts and input. This community of RL aficionado's is another great reason to own this car.

 

If you are every pulling a wheel off, there is a part number on the inside of the wheel. That will tell you which chrome you have.

 

whoops!

peace of mine.

Had to correct that before db22 and Heavy spank me.

 

OP, nice ride! If you're not able to get anything from the XM button, the previous owner may have disconnected it to install an iPod adapter. In that case, it's just a wire that needs to be reconnected in the trunk. It should be behind the trunk liner just to the inside left side of the trunk as you peer inside. Good luck with the new addition!

 

tno - thanks for the tip. I don't believe the car has an ipod adapter, however, these is an aux (headphone) jack. This will work find for my ipod.

XM likely works fine, I simply get the channel 1 message loop.

Does anyone know if a car that is 5+ years old/50K+ miles is eligible for AcuraCare?

Thanks,
Dave

 

Dave, as the big mouth who namedropped AcuraCare, I figured the least I could do is look this up.

Curry Acura, which others here have cited in the past as one of the best sources for the AcuraCare warranty, says on its site that the car has to be '08 or newer and have under 50k on the clock.

Dang it.

 

tno - thanks for the tip. I don't believe the car has an ipod adapter, however, these is an aux (headphone) jack. This will work find for my ipod.

XM likely works fine, I simply get the channel 1 message loop.

Does anyone know if a car that is 5+ years old/50K+ miles is eligible for an AcuraCare extended warranty?

Thanks,
Dave

 

------> acuracare

Looks like you're in 3rd party warranty territory.

 

Okay, thanks guys. That is what I thought/feared about extended warranty. I do feel a bit exposed without a warranty, but not clear on what provider will actually provide the peace of mind that comes with having a warranty.

 

A third party warranty saved my ass, most dealerships have a preferred vendor I'd start there.

 

 

My bad ...

 

It's all good. I want to see how long it stays. I did it twice in Ramblings when the servers were messing up and the Mods took them both down.

I feel like an outlaw over here. It's like the wild west.