Does the 05 RL have AC'd seats? I can't find it on the web site.

If not, I'd be really disappointed.

 

Start crying now. Only Canada got the cooled/heated seats in North America. The American edition carries heated seats only.

I don't mind though. The car drives and handles so extraordinarily well, I'm smiling every second I'm behind the wheel. And all the "toys" on my RL work perfectly. I'm totally satisfied with my investment.

 

yeah us Canucks get AC front seats and they work damn well too. Our seats also have 3 stage heating/cooling rather than the hi/low heat for the U.S.

I am sure in 2006 they'll add the AC option to the seats in the U.S.

I have no idea why we only got them other than maybe to make up for the fact we don't get xm (apparently xm isn't in service here yet) or onstar/acuralink.

 

thanks for rubbing it in!

 

My guess is Acura wants to give the RL new features each year.

'06 with the intelligent crash system, A/C seats

'07 Hybrid option (?) Maybe a 6 speed auto?

'08 More HP?

How knows? Pure speculation on my part but the previous RL went for years in between new features. I hope Acura learned its lesson.

 

I suppose there's no way to special order ventilated seats from the factory for US models?

I guess Acura wanted to stay under $50k, but ventilated seats are so nice in the summer... the new M and GS have 'em.

Also, no rain-sensing wipers?

I really like this car but there are a few features that should at least be optional and it's making my decision that much harder.

 

have you used rain sensing wipers? I have on the 2001 Lexus LS430...unless they have fine tweaked the wipers since then (or other brands have better ones) then they are pretty much useless other than the "cool" factor.

 

I agree, the rain sensing wipers on two Passats that I have owned didn't work well at all. Maybe I didn't keep my windshield clean enough or they weren't the best rain sensing systems out there, but I find the speed sensing wipers of the RL to work better for me.

 

I respectfully disagree with the two previous posts. My experience with rain sensing wipers in by Benz was GREAT ... Really loved that feature and wish it was available in the RL.

 

cool...guess the system works well on MB models.

I like the idea of rain sensing wipers and if they worked well I would want them but if they dont seem to do much (like on the LS430) then I am glad I dont have to pay for the feature.

The main problem I noticed with the system I have used is that it was slow in the sensing of rain. The windshield would be pretty covered in water before it would do its thing.

 

My only experience was with a loaner Volvo V70 XC AWD while mine was in the shop. I didn't realize it had the feature until it started operating the wipers - it worked surprisingly well. I had to use the loaner to drive from Chicago to Atlanta and back and we had some nasty weather spots along the way. I guess there's a quite a range of how well these systems are implemented.

 

I've only experienced the rain sensing wipers in the MDX. They were excellent. I'm sure the RL will get them soon.

 

Yes, our 9-3 and 9-5 have them, and they're great. I have a feeling, however, that they work better than other systems because you have to calibrate them each driving session. Meaning, you get in the car, and if it's raining, adjust the wiper stalk to 'auto' mode, it does one test sweep across the windshield, and you're set until you turn off the ignition again. The one HUGE drawback to this (for me, at least) is that if it's not raining out, and you happen to drive over a puddle or something and get splashed, they won't turn on. To me, this is a safety oversight and I wish there was a way to program the sensor to pickup on sudden water events in order to clear the windshield quickly in what could be a life-threatening situation.

So, perhaps by having to calibrate it each time, the Saab system works better for normal rainy driving, while the others work better for unexpected water 'events.'

 

yeah...it is the sensor that bugs me about the system in the LS430. I dont think it is sensitive enough or maybe it is in a poor location.

I need to try out other systems to see how they work.

 

What are the chances of ordering an RL from Canada to have the AC option on the seats? I wouldn't get the car without that. For 50K it better have AC seats.

 

AC seats are awesome especially in the SL500, but I wouldn't not buy a car because it didn't have them.

 

You wouldn't want to roder one here because the price is too high here compared to the exchange rate. Basically (using today's exchange rate) you'd be paying like 6 grand more just on the car's price and I have no idea what import charges and stuff you'd have to pay on top of that.

I am pretty sure they'll add the a/c option to the seats for the 06 model RL there in the u.S.

 

u would turn down sh-awd, one of the best interiors, and an all round stellar car (and japans car of the year) because of ventilated seats!!!!

if u need em that bad (i can sorta undertand ur point...you are paying 50K) .. wait until 06 rolls out.

oh, and get an A-SPEC - it looks HOT