Hi all,

I originally owned a '01 Mercedez Benz CLK430 and recently switched to 01 Lexus GS430 since I am looking for a smooth quiet ride. Bought this GS July last year with only 41K miles. It now has 55K miles. Before I bought this GS I did research, but obviously not enough. Everyone said it is the car to own and keep, but ever since I had it, it never drives right....after more and more research it seems like the suspension system for this GS is somewhat a flaw plus many other small defects….I’ve been struggling to get my car and have spent too much money on it….Comes find out many other member (from clublexus) experience this same problem. The sad part is, some still haven’t gotten it fixed after lots and lots of money…..

Anyway I am thinking to switch to Acura RL 2nd. I don't want to make a same mistake again, so before I buy it I am trying to do this research.

For those who owns RL 2nd (or even 1st) gen, can you tell me:

How is the car driving (smooth, quiet, or rough)?
Are there any known problems out there for this car?
What should I look for or avoid when buying it?
Is there certain year model(s) I should stay away from?
Is there any flaw in design?

Again I am looking for a quiet, smooth (some called “boring”) ride, so all stock and no mods (I’ve done with this mod thing before with my CLK and no more)

So please give me honest feedback before I make this decision.

Thanks in advance for your help
HT

 

I have a 2007 with 151,000 miles. I am the original owner and have owned it for four and a half years. Other than routine maintenance the only thing that I have done is replace both armrest in the front. The ride is quiet and smooth and for me has plenty of get up and go. The best advertisement that I could give would be I still love driving the car. It has a great sound system, XM, bluetooth and the best navigation system that I have encountered. If I had to get another car today it would be a 2009-10 RL.

 

The ride is plush. Soft and quiet would be my two leading descriptions.

'05 is the model year to stay far away from as it is the first after the design change. '06 to early '07 models have had a brake recall. '05 & '06 have issues with the propeller shaft and differential. Anything after mid-'07 will have as good of chance as any to not have an issue.

That being said, the door handles seem to be the weak point of the car inside and out. The RL has a fancy keep-your-keys-in-your-pocket feature that "senses" the keys. The outside door handles have been known to have issues that can throw a monkey wrench into this feature and cause the car to lock up and the alarm to go off. The inside door handle has literally broke off in a few peoples' hand.

On the other hand, the RL has received glorifying reviews for reliability. If you want a solid, soft, and luxurious ride, you have stumbled into the right forum.

What is your budget? The '09+ has a Mid-Model Change (MMC) with updated looks and a bigger engine. The '11 has incorporated some new features as well with a new 6-speed tranny. You won't go wrong any way, but you have options.

 

Thanks for the responses gentlemen.

I am hoping to sell my GS430 for around $14K. It's already paid off. I am also in the same boat when looking for cars. I don't like to buy the first model right after the design change. Currently looking at the 07. Think my budget is around 20K max. So anything newer than 07, 08 I don't think I can afford...

Any other members offer any other thoughts about this RL that can convince me enough to sell my current and switch to it?

How about the 1st gen? Any problem with it? I may buy the 04 if it's reliable enough....

 

Supposedly the '04 is "bulletproof". You will have difficulty finding an '07+ for $20k.

 

Good luck. I agree stay away from 05. 06 is OK, and my 06 has been the least troublesome car I have ever owned.

07+ has the rear camera as standard, as well as an audio input jack for an mp3 player...nits, really, but nice to haves.

Watch out for PAX tires if you get the ACC/CMBS model. I think the the ACC/CMBS is pretty cool feature, but you will likely not replace the PAX tires and go for something more conventional, and there are hidden costs in this approach as well documented in this forum.

Availability of newer models becomes more problematic as the sales volume seems to drop by half each year...a rare car.

YEAR====>SALES
2010====>2,037
2009====>2,043
2008====>4,517
2007====>6,602
2006====>11,501
2005====>17,572 this number probably has some 1G in it, but likely not many
2004 Cannot tell how many 2G sold between 10/14 to 12/31

 

According the what? year built (being last model of the 1st gen) or from people commenting/reviewing?

I agree I prob. need to raise my budget up....

 

I just bought an '06 last month and absolutely love the car! Very comfortable and quiet ride with all the features I need. I wasn't even in the market to buy when I purchased mine. I saw it on the dealer lot and took it for a quick test drive. I was sold. If you're willing to travel a bit, you should be able to find an '07 in the $20k range. I just looked on Craigslist here in Portland, OR and found 2 ($20,990 and $19,995).
I can't comment on any of the repair/maintenance expenses yet as its still new for me, but based on what many others on here have been sharing I'm not expecting any crazy surprises.
Definitely do the test drive and see where it goes from there.

 

I also recently purchased my 06 RL with 66k miles and I have to say - I do not know what I was doing buying brand new Altima few years back with V6 engine in it - wasted more money and hated almost everything on it...

RL so far has been nothing but great experience. Yes, there are small things you will run into that will cost you here and there a hundred or more, but due to "piece of mind" part - I got 4yr/48k miles warranty so until I pay off the car I will have it covered. After that - don care much as I can trade it in ...

So far I have noticed flickergin passenger headlight - so replacement of HID bulbs may cost close to 100-150 for the bulbs plus replacement (not sure where to do it - dealer or other shop); I plan on doing 3x3 transmission flush just to be on the safe side - not sure if it was done since I am 2nd owner on this car. Also rear differential I plan to do a flush on as well.

I have scheduled service for right front caliper replacement as it seems that brake recall on master cylinder may have caused one of the pistons to make squeaky noises while braking - since it is less than 30 days dealer is honoring replacement free of charge.

Other than that, downside on the body of the RL 2nd generation is molding on front and rear bumpers. Chrome pieces of molding tent to loose chrome paint easily, scratches off or actually peels off during the time. I asked dealer for an estimate and to replace one it takes about 350$ with parts, plus labor. Naturally I would not do it there since online parts cost about $80-90 a piece. Bad part is - you have to take-off front/rear bumper to get it installed :/

 

This came out of the "Nothing but problems with '05 RL" thread. I strongly suggest you read it and the "Differential whine, propeller shaft whirl" thread. These will give you a good starting point for things to look for when you start to test drive.

 

Thanks...Will do...

 

BTW does anyone know of "things I hate about RL" thread or page? where it lists all the common problems? Maybe that will help me out....

I definitely stay away from 05 now that I read all these threads....If I can find a good/cheap 07 I'll buy it...if not I'll hunt for a low mile 04.....

 

Please don't take this a wrong way...I am not looking for a perfect car as I know there's no such thing. I am looking for cars that have problems where I can afford...Not problems that cost a fortune and happen to majority of cars....

I am also expecting high cost maintenance as I'd own benzo and lexus before so this will be about the same....

 

bottom line if you're looking for a quiet comfy reliable car the RL is the car for you... There are only a few quirks as others mentioned above but in terms of bang for your buck you can't beat the RL... the only other advice I would give you is too find a reputable mechanic rather than counting on the dealer if you buy w/o warranty because the dealer will rape you for the smallest of things.......good luck with your purchase, the RL was the best car i've owned to date, but I'm only 23 so I got a lot of years left to top it haha

 

If you are looking for a "comfortable" ride, you should avoid 2009 to 2011 RLs. I had a 1998 RL that had a very smooth, cushy ride. But the ride in my wife's 2009 RL is much too stiff for my tastes. It is much stiffer (harsher) than my 2004 TL 6MT with a "sport" suspension. I attempted to talk my wife into having an aftermarket suspension installed but she doesn't want to change it from stock.

 

From Wikipedia: The MMC RL suspension was upgraded with higher rate coil springs, larger diameter anti-sway bars and stiffer bushings all around.[18] The MMC RL sports a new larger front anti-sway bar of hollow construction, 30 mm diameter overall with a 6.5 mm wall thickness and a larger rear solid anti-sway bar, 19 mm diameter solid.[19] The pre-MMC models sported a solid 29 mm front and 17 mm rear sway bar.

The 18" stock wheels may have an effect also.

 

Sounds familiar!

 

I just sold my Corvette last Friday and after a lot of research I had decided to buy a TL.

Then a friend of mine who works for an auto leasing company here in Dallas called me up and told me about a really nice 2006 RL that he just had come in on a lease return w/ 65k miles.

He brought it over, I drove it, and I was instantly sold on the RL. As a previous TSX owner and having driven many TL's, the RL just blows them all out of the water.

I've only been driving the car for just under a week now but I absolutely love it. It is one of the best cars that i've ever driven not to mention how luxurious and comfortable it is.

I would suggest going w/ a 2006 or later model but I recommend that you get one as soon as possible. You won't be dissapointed!

The great thing about the RL's also is that you rarely see them. This is a big deal to me as it keeps the car rather exclusive. I've already received many compliments and walked out of my office to see people checking it out.

 

Congratulations on the "new" car. See what some have done to make it even more exclusive!

 

Here is how much I love and enjoy my RL (owner for about last three weeks): Each day I literally get quick thought of "how nice it is going to be when I drive my car again" and over and over and over - that's how much of enjoyment RL offers at least to me ... LUV IT!

 

Nice job on the "Legend" emblem.

+1 on checking out an '06 RL. This is the first car I have owned for longer than 4 years. It's still fun to drive, still get compliments from strangers even though the car is 5 years old.

I had one car handle replaced and the diffenential replaced just because it was making a tuning fork sound at 30mph on very cold morings. All under warranty of course. Other than those two things, the car has been rock solid and a luxury that I will have a hard time giving up. It was also paid off two years ago and to get something new and back into car payments doesn't interest me.

 

My parents just sold their '06. My dad went kicking and screaming saying it was the best car he had ever owned. My mother for some reason wants to go back to a Volvo station wagon. Old habits die hard, I guess. No real problems except for the PAX tires. For new tires and wheels it was about $2000 so if the car has PAX factor in the cost of the replacement.

 

I'd NEVER sell my RL for a volvo... I had a couple of them.. and the ONLY ones worth anything are the OLD ones pre-Ford. I had a 99 S70 and a 2004 S60R.... the newer "R" was full of problems... the 99S70 was a tank... I sold it to a relative..and it's still going strong.. it's pushing 175k miles and it still pulls like a freight train... that thing is one fast brick... a T5 model with an aftermarket exhaust.... once ford got involved, they started cutting corners to make a buck and the old volvos that ran forever became a thing of the past....

you will like the RL ... it is a great car for the money. it's as good as any 5 series for similar money only better. if you want tos pend big money and have big power, yeah you can get a V8 powered 5 series or M/B... but if you compare a standard V6 powere BMW or M/B E class - and look at what you get for hte money - a used RL blows it away in terms of value, features, and performance.

I have no doubt my RL is a FAR better car that over half the stupdi 5 series running around ont eh streets... b/c the average 5 series is not a bad a$$ 545 or 550i... they are 525s... people fantasize about the 550i.. then see the price tag and they get a 525i.... now they have 535i's which are pretty kick a$$ in terms of power.. but price wise.. that will cost double or more of what you will pay for a used CPO RL...

if you compare an 06 or 07 RL to what BMW sold at that time... your RL will have more power, handle better with AWD, and have more features, be more reliable, and cost you less.

the only thing BMW has on it is the handling/feel will be sportier in the BMW than the RL.

if you want more h andling, ,buy the aspec kit for $600 and pay $300-400 to put it in and you have BMW handling too...

bang for your buck the RL is the best kept secret in teh luxury sedan world.

if you have to have something seriously sporty.. don't get it, there are certaij asepcs of the car that detract from a really sporty feel.. the throttle tip in sucks. when you hit the gas there is a delay... once you are moving, it's not bad..but there are a lot of times when i hit the gas and it's like there's turbo lag or something..except I don't have a turbo!

my wife's 2007 MDX is much more responsive feeling... you hit the gas and you go. they did something to the RL's throttle tip in to make it feel more smooth and luxurious... but as a result, yo udon't always get immediate throttle repsponse.. which I do not like.

otherwise.. the RL is a great car.

good luck

 

The RL is a relative bargain because you're getting the most luxury Acura has to offer, Honda reliability and build quality, and car features that you'd find in 'super sedans' or the flagship luxury models offered by other companies that charge nearly double the price. I'd say the closest competitors in price for the RL is the infiniti m56, Cadillac sts and BMW m5 but of course the best value for the money will always be the RL.

 

It's all a matter of what you want.

Naturally, since you've come to an RL board, we love our RLs -- myself very much included.

But what I hear you saying is that you value "a smooth, quiet ride" and infrequent, inexpensive maintenance above all else. The second generation RL is more a mix of a midsize luxury sedan and an all-weather executive sport sedan. And since it was Honda's test bed for a number of new technologies, it also has some components that can be costly to replace if they fail.

I notice that you've chosen luxury nameplates for your last two cars; maybe that's a priority for you. If so, the '04 RL may suit you well. If not, you may want to look into the much-improved comfort sedans from mainstream makers; I'd particularly direct you to the Toyota Avalon, 08-09 Hyundai Sonata Limited or the Hyundai Azera.

Whichever way you go, enjoy the hunt!

 

i'll concur, my girl's got her 525, only for the panache, not the performance, her car is plain-jane, virtually no toys. i take my rl any day.

go for the '07/'08 years, so far my problems have been intermittent headlights flickering, sh-awd whirl (only in the winter), all fixed nothing serious.

 

Nice Pics, Chas2........I want to change mine up to say Legend instead of RL!

 

what year model is your car?

I test drove a 05 RL yesterday and to be honest i wasn't impressed at all. It's rougher than my GS...louder engine...and not as smooth as the GS...maybe the tires on that RL is cheap that caused those problems....but it was lots of road noise and rough drive....good handling though...I'll test drive a 07 and let you know....