Having traded my 2006 RL/ASpec for my 2012 TL SH-AWD ADVANCE, I can echo what has already been said, the two cars are "just different" and shouldn't be compared as competitors. I certain miss some of the luxury features and the higher level of quality of the RL but I thoroughly enjoy the TL's advanced features and higher level of performance. If I could have kept the RL they would both be in my garage right now.

 

I am thinking of doing just that. I bought my wife a new 2010 TL Tech. We sold our 2000 S500 to buy it and I miss the “S” comfort, but love not paying $$$ for service. I have been looking for either a TL Tech SHAWD or a RL Tech SHAWD for myself.

Indiana’s weather is not bad, but I do like AWD during the snow and rain. We have a 2004 Tahoe 4x4 that I currently drive and we would keep it. Yes, we should have got her the SHAWD, but didn’t, oh well. She can drive the "new" SHAWD during winter.

I don’t like the higher price of the RL vs TL, but you get what you pay for (see debates above). I am looking at used 2010 RL and TL. The RL I’m looking at is $4K more than a TL, same year, mileage, and condition.

It is worth it?

 

Have you driven an RL? Test drive one, and drive it just like you would your TL. I would be amazed if you didn't think it was worth it, but that will answer your question best.

 

TL = Top of the line?

Someone got told a lie at the dealership

 

The very first reply in the TL thread (which he started -- "we're having a discussion"?) corrected him about the name standing for Touring Luxury.

 

Wow.

 

Mods, please close the thread!! This kid is bringing down the collective maturity of the RL forum! =)

 

Test drove a 2011 RL. It rides smoother than the TL. Cooled and softer seats, power steering wheel, sunshades, active headlights etc... They are physically about the same size, so there is not much room difference, but the RL seams bigger. The RL does not have push button start (still keyless), Hard Drive, and maybe a few other items, but should be minimal. New prices difference is about $10K more for the RL. Still debating…

 

stupid thread

 

When Acura comes out with a REAL 3RD Gen RL; I am pretty sure it WILL BE BETTER than the 4th Gen TL and there will be no doubts about it.

I believe ACURAZINE needs to make an entrance exam before letting people post messages.

1. TL stands for
a.) Touring Luxury
b.) Top of Line

If you choose a.) you may enter
If you choose b.) please get the **** outta here! you being here makes me feel stupid

 

 

It's hard to say the RL is better, but that's just because it's so ridiculously mediocre compared to ALL of it's competition. If someone offered to give me an RL for my TL? Sure, I'd take it. But I would never consider buying one.

 

Simply because the TL is better. Case in point!

 

The TL is better to you, that is what matters.

It's probably not better to someone with an RL.

 

Seems like you're a performance and gadget type of guy. In that case, the TL is for you. However, if you're looking for luxury and tiny little details that makes the car great, the RL is definitely better.

Each time I see the RL, the fit and finish on that car is superior to the materials TL use.

So, better in one sense? Maybe. Compare the 05 RL vs 05 TL, when they were relativity new. Tell me which is better.

 

His simple minded brain cannot process objective thought. He will say TL no matter what he is comparing.

 

Did anyone call paypal?

 

It sure is!!
As long as you don't want standard features such as:
5 Star crash ratings in drivers front and side impacts, passenger front and side impacts, and rollover
SH-AWD
GPS-linked solar-sensing dual zone dual mode auto climate control system
Voice activated radio, navigation, and climate control
Power telescopic steering column with memory
Power rear sunshade and retractable door sunshades
Keyless ignition with 2 separate driver memory for radio presets, climate control settings, entry/exit options, mirror and seat positions.
Adaptive headlamps
Navigation with traffic info
Perimeter Lighting Located On Headlights and Door Handles Activated Via Time Delay
Rear cupholders
And optional Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS™) Accident Avoidance System/PAX Tires
And those are the 2006 specs!

Now compare the 2011's to each other, and I admit that they are pretty close. That being said, the RL is still designed and marketed(barely) as their flagship sedan. There is no arguing that fact. I'm interested in what the 3G RL will bring to the table!

 

Having owned a 2G TL, a 2G TLS, working on countless 3G TL's and TLS, and owning a 2G RL. The RL is still better. The quality of the build is just better. SHAWD is just better. The TL is definitely sportier though which is better in that aspect and that aspect alone. But the RL(any gen) was the first Acura with anything any Acura has in it. That by default makes it better. (i.e 3.5 V6, 6 disc changer, 5speed auto, 6 speed auto, adaptive lighting, etc) All those trickeled down from the RL

 

fair enough but i think everyone can agree that the new TL is better than the new RL. I'm not talking 1st generation here guys!

 

In what way is it a better vehicle?

 

^no, you noob.

there hasnt been a new RL to compare.
when the 3rd gen RL comes out, then compare it to the 4th GEN TL

 

ok eazyrider is a retard, that has been established however i am VERY disappointed at acura in regards to the RL.

-navi? have you guys seen the 2011 navi? it looks like it's from the stone age. embarrassing graphics and rendering.. why couldnt they just add the one from the TL?
-no push button start.. are you serious?
-only 300 hp vs 305 for the TL
-no ELS audio system? again WTF are they thinking putting a better sound system in the TL and TSX?

my point is this; if the RL is the flagship (which it is) why are they purposely sabotaging it? i dont know any other car maker that will purposely make it's mid level car better than the flagship. and now with the 2012 TL the gap has been significantly closed (6spd auto, cooled seats, Blind spot info; which doesnt even exist in the RL i think). it's honestly embarrassing. they should stop selling it until they come up with a new re-design. acura definitely calls it their flagship, but i honestly dont think they even believe it. the fit and finish are definitely better in the RL.. thats really it

 

^2nd gen RL...comparing it to 4th gen TL....you're as retarded as the OP.

 

Its just a nicer vehicle. Looks better and performs better, can we at least agree on that?

I think so!

 

lame.^ go create some more useless threads, please.

 

Nobody agrees on such things. You like it. We get that.

 

What was the point of coming in here and saying this? Why didn't you just come in and say, "Hey guys, I have never driven an RL and probably haven't ever seen an RL, but my dealer, who didn't have one to show me, sold me a 'Top of the Line' TL and told me that the TL is the best in its class. I believe him over anyone else even though he is a salesman that will pitch anything to a fool to get them to buy his car. Just wanted to let you know that I have looked at both cars on paper and my 2012 brand new redesigned car is obviously superior to your 2005 technology even though I don't actually know anything about the RL's history and have never driven one."? Was it really that hard to come out and say, or does reading that make you realize how incredibly stupid you sound?

 

actually there buddy; your the retard. i dont care what gen i'm comparing; i'm comparing a brand new 2011 Acura RL vs a brand new 2012 acura TL that both can be had right now at acura. why the hell does the generation matter?? the fact that acura has allowed the 2nd gen RL to languish for 7 yrs now is who's fault? your response has to be the dumbest i've read so far...

 

the 2nd gen RL is based off technology from 2004.
you simply cannot compare the two.
if and when the 3rd gen RL comes out, then you can compare the two.

 

your missing the point; who the hell cares? i'm not comparing a 2004 RL vs a 2012 TL, i'm comparing a brand new 2011 vs a brand new 2012. the fact that acura has left 04 technology in their flagship car until now is embarrassing. simple as that. there is no other car maker that i know of that has newer tech in their mid-level car vs their flagship.

 

just to add; can you imagine BMW putting newer technology (ie nightvision, better navi screen, etc) in their 3 series and not the 5 series? BMW, and most other brands, clearly differentiate between the lower end vs mid vs high end cars. in acura it's a jumbled mess. i mean you can get a better sound system in the tsx than in the RL!

 

it is quite embarrassing, but when the 3rd gen RL debuts, what then?
the TL is the bread and butter of sales.

it doesnt change the fact that the flagship is still the RL.

 

All cars have nightvision, high end and low end. They are called head lights.

 

we'll just have to reserve judgment until the 3G debuts; until then we can only judge whats currently on sale. and the fact that the TL is the bread and butter doesnt mean it should undercut the RL.. can you imagine if there were higher end options only available on the 3 series and not the 5 or 7? or only available on the altima and not the maxima? doesnt make sense; when you splurge on the RL you should feel like your getting a better car than the TL, which is very difficult to feel right now when the TL is clearly superior in a few important areas.

 

^the altima's have been closing gap on Maxima's since 1999.
your point is moot.
again, the altima is the bread and butter but the lesser of the two in class.
butt, you can find all of the maxima's features on an altima. even the engine.

and beemers. I'm sure technology has trickled down into their lower classes as well.
MOOOT!

 

but the maxima's still higher.

 

Fixed.

 

and the RL is still higher

i dont even have an RL or a 4G TL.
i'm mute.

 

wow i've really under-estimated how dumb people can be... your really missing the point; while the gap between the altima and maxima is closing (and i'm going to put this in all caps so you can fully understand this) THERE IS NO OPTION THAT CAN BE HAD ON THE ALTIMA THAT CANNOT BE HAD ON THE MAXIMA! do you understand that? you can get the highest end 3 series and it will have more options that the entry 5 series, however you can have everything on the 3 series + MORE OPTIONS on the 5 if you so desire. same thing with the altima and maxima. NOT the same way with the RL. get it?