I just bought my 2010 RL after intending to pick up a used TL. I looked at TLs and the TSX and then I saw the creme de la creme. I said, "What's that?"

Don't get me wrong, TL is a fantastic car but I just thought my 50 year old 6'1" frame and low sore back felt at home at in RL. This car is so luxurious I'm not sure I deserve it. But, it was really for my wife for tolerating my 25 year active duty military career.

Lots of really bad reviews on the RL I noticed.

Looks like an Accord. Uh, not really. I traded an Accord for the RL.
Same as the TL and TL is $10,000 less. I like the TL, but this seems a lot different. A whole lot different. It is LearJet vs Gulfstream 5.
Skinny steering wheel. I am not driving slalom courses and hey, it's made of wood. Compromises must be made.
Too slow. I don't think so.
Too noisy. Quieter than the TL I drove.

Perhaps some of these reviews are from the "if it's not a BMW" or "doesn't go 0-60 in 6 secs or under," we don't like it crew.

Was curious what other RL owners thought of these reviews.

 

The RL got two years of great reviews. I believe it was Motor Trend's 2005 mid-size luxury sedan comparison that placed the RL first, and 2006 when it was barely edged by the V8 M45 purely due to power and RWD. However, that was the end of the too old 5 series generation of the time. By the next year, the 535i was out and with the same power going to the rear wheels in a German car, the RL was toast when it came to the magazines. By 2009, the new E-class was out, and Audi was quickly making improvements to close ground on its German counterparts.

At this point, the RL needed an update, and Honda had every intention of giving the German hard-on fanboy "journalists" what they wanted, a RWD V8. However, the recession of 2008 brought Honda to a halt. The V10 NSX and the V8 RL were scrapped for fears that the boom of luxury sedan sales was going to fall off a cliff. It was a pure business move, and Honda probably choose wisely. Having always been an entry luxury brand, there was too much risk trying to break into a segment they have never dared enter at the worst economic time in modern history. Honda has never produced a V8 production, and the recession made sure they never would.

So, we were left with a face lifted MMC 2009 RL touting 5 year old technology as Honda worked on the Insight. The competition caught up, and Honda got smashed for putting out a "flagship" that could barely compete with other makes secondary models. Was some of it unjustified? Yes. Was some of it justified? Yes. However, the review guys don't care about two major aspects that the everyday consumer does, reliability and safety. The RL's drivetrain and frame make it the safest of the group even today. The reliability is only second to the Lexus GS. If you game me the choice of 8 brand new mid size luxury sedan to drive the hell out of for an hour, the RL would be bottom of the list. If I had to buy one to drive everyday for as long as possible, well... We all know what choice was best.

 

007 is completely right

 

I have owned a TSX, TL and Accord. I have stayed away from German mostly due to repair cost, scared the crap out of me. I also have seen the reviews for the RL and it has surprised me as well. I have an 07 RL and it is comfortable to drive and the winter has been no problem with the AWD. I admit that I am a Honda buyer, its just comfortable for me and Hondas have treated me well.

I read one older RL review where the writer was told by the dealership that the RL is just an expensive TL and I could not disagree more. My 06 TL was not even close to the 07 RL as far as refined feel and interior.

I have also read that the exterior of the Rl is "boring" I guess I like driving something that doesn't look like I spent large coin on it but drives like an expensive vehicle.

 

if I werent looking for a sporty ride, I'd be in an RL.

 

To the OP (2010RL), if you just picked up your RL off lease, congrats on a great ride and a solid choice. It will serve you long and faithfully as long as you keep up with the maintenance, which the car tells you what to do anyway. When I first got my RL back in 2006, it was heavily discounted cos it seemed not to appeal to the buying public. For me, the combo of conservative good looks, a (at that time ) state of the art AWD system with torque vectoring and Honda reliability were my reasons for choosing the RL. I did not care that others panned the RL in favor of the more powerful Infiniti M35 or BMW 535i - the RL seemed the best value at the time and it drove really well from day one to the very last day of service under my ownership in early Oct 2013. We sold the RL because we decided to replace it with a different kind of car, not sold by any of the Japanese automakers. But I remember our RL fondly and I still like the value Acura represents - hence we still have an MDX.

Someone on Acurazine once compared the RL to the smart quiet girl who sat at the back of the class; not showy, not wearing Dior or anything like that but the kind that people would call a real keeper once you get to know her. I think that is a fair description.

If your car is still within 50K miles and 4 years from its in service date, I would seriously consider an Acuracare extended warranty. I did not have many issues with mine through all 90K miles of ownership but my warranty paid for itself with an A/c stator coil replacement and motor mount replacement plus one or two door handles. All of which are known issues with the 2006 RL. Then again, I did not pay much for my extended warranty. Yours may have different ( and probably fewer ) issues. This website will provide you much info on how to save money while keeping the car in great shape.

Good luck with your new ride.

 

Not bad advice for a 2005 or 2006 RL, but he bought a 2010. That car is bulletproof, and the house will win that bet.

 

OP, an '10 RL is a great choice. I think the main criticism at the time of your car's model year was that the competition had caught up and there were better choices.

Since you bought used, you got a lot of car for the money. A car that is reliable, comfortable and suits your needs.

In the end, that's what matters. Enjoy!

 

The RL has always been a competent car, just a bit low on the fuel economy and a bit older in terms of the technology compared with the competition. I always found it comfortable, capable, and coddling during my family's ownership of our 2005 and 2011 models.

They just upgraded to the RLX and I have to admit, there is much to like about the RLX over the RL, though we will see how I feel about it once the newness wears off.

You can see some thoughts that my brother put down on our recently departed 2011 RL by clicking here.

 

Thanks everyone. I do in fact have a year left of manufacturers warranty and 12K miles remaining so piece of mind for awhile. I will definitely be on the lookout for an extended warranty given all the options and technology on this car.

I wanted a Legend so bad when they first came out in the late 1980's but couldn't afford one. I think I just made up for it. What a wonderful car.

 

i miss my rl. but that said i had an 05 and bought the 3 year extended warranty and only used it once for the driver side door handle. other then that my rl was pretty much bulletproof. never should have bought the warranty but since it was an 05 i did it for a peace of mind. what a waste of money but i did sleep better at night. lol

 

The Japanese make the best electronics in the world. It just doesn't make sense to say that you want to spend $2k today to cover a $500 repair tomorrow. Seriously, you bought a solid car. Put the money in a 6 month recurring CD and go on vacation in 3 years.

 

Well, my Legend dances on a wet & greasy road in a way that our NSX, GT86 and S2000 cannot, without a high level of driver skill and concentration; the SH-AWD system is simply brilliant.

It's not as involving as the other cars, but it's certainly more sporting than any other barge its size.

Congrats to the OP; you now know something all those hacks & bar-room experts don't! Enjoy.

 

I love the rl amazing cars

 

I meant in the looks department.

 

Its been said that the TL killed the RL's sales and I think it's true. Which boggles my mind why they are making the TLX. Why is Acura creating its own competition? I love my RL and to me it looks and drive way better than any TL. However I see history repeating itself again.

 

It's a business. Acura can't compete in the $60k segment. They do wonderfully in the $40k segment.

 

This is the thread that I needed. We're a Honda family, had a 97 Acura RL loved it but it got too expensive for us at the time. Now I'm contemplating getting back into an older RL. 03-04's still a few around with 100K or so. But saw an ad for an 05, next gen, and I'm tempted to up my budget. When these came out I thought the testers touted its lighter weight due to AL. Nope, I researched, only 90# less, even with shorter WB and OA length. MAYBE 1 more mpg. Tires more expensive at 17" AWD is OK but costs weight and mpg. MSN Driver Reviews, more than one, say it squeaks and rattles. Could that be due to the "flow" that AL can undergo in time, when held by a compression fastener?
Any other comments, comparisons, or encouragement? Thanks,
Don

 

Hey 007, your posts very informative. You an Aggie? I'm contemplating getting to Dallas next month, visiting relatives and friends, and snagging a rust free RL to drive back to (icy, salty, rusty) NH.

 

Indeed I am. I don't know who commented that the RL squeaks and rattles, but they were smoking the funny stuff. That or they are used to driving a Rolls.

 

Having owned a 2010 TL SH-AWD and currently have a 2013 Accord Touring, both are great cars but, the 2009-2012 RL is the best of all worlds.
I'm still considering a 2011 RL but, the new RLX hybrid is VERY appealing unless the Accord magically begins offering an AWD.
The RL does fly under the radar but, that's not a problem for me. Rock solid, sticks to the road and the tech isn't crazy confusing.
I didn't use half the tech on the TL!
Personally, I hope the RLX hybrid reviews are crap...old...stodgy...underpowered?
That means I'll get a better deal when the time comes!
My 2007 E350 4matic completely loaded was one of the finest cars I ever drove BUT, it wasn't $15K better than the TL. Wouldn't have leased it if I hadn't gotten a no-brainer deal through a friend.
Acura seems to offer the best VALUE for the $ in an AWD high-end/lux sedan, IMO

 

i have a rlx and even though it's a great car i wish i would have stuck with my 09 RL. Besides the technology being a bit behind it's a great car overall plus the awd drive was a definite plus. i miss her if anybody wants to buy my old car its located in pa with 42k miles and full loaded. i rather someone from this site purchase it and appreciate it for the car that it is.

 

Do you have a listing for the car?

 

http://m.cars.com/for-sale/#vdp?paID...10473&partyId=

 

Lived a few years in DL 40 yrs ago, got to know of the Aggie/Longhorn rivalry. As in: Longhorn to Aggie leaving bathroom "at Austin they taught us to wash our hands". Aggie to Longhorn, "at A&M they taught us not to pee on our fingers"

 

I agree. I left the brand after 20 years because I felt Acura was losing it's way in the styling department. The early pictures of the RLX looked boring to me.

I do like the looks of the TLX.

 

I agree the TL overlapped the RL as the RL was to be boosted into a full sized RWD V8 at the timeframe the last TL launched. But that plan went went bust and the RL suffered, languished and was butchered into oblivion.

I do not disagree that the RLX is not passionately styled. But I believed it is intentional. The RLX is now the 'stately' sedan and now the TLX is much more sporty, edgy and aggressive. Likewise, the RLX got larger, the TLX smaller. I believe this was purposeful from Acura to diffuse the overlap they caused in the attempt to upsize the sedan lineup (TSX, TL and cancelled RL RWD V8).

Yet in flagship /mid sedan class I do not find the BMW 5 or 7, MB E or S or Audi 6 or 8 significantly more dramatic (considering price points and similarly packaged). Frankly I find the BMW 7 significantly less appealing styling-wise than the RLX. I think Acura just gets a younger eye, and critique, likely BECAUSE of the price point.

Still, styling is very subjective, and I like the conservative approach taken with the RLX over where they where going with the 'power-phlegm-keen-edge-you-are-so-full-of-it' styling camp they tied to convince me was not just a very bad dream.

Fortunately the risk taken with the TLX should again pay off for those who want an attractive, sporty and edgy design on their Acura. And for those who want a conservative executive sedan, they got that too.

Last, I wish the mentality often shown in these forums would stop pounding people who desire restrained style, refined performance, reliable engineering and smart packaging because it does not fit their shallow perception that all cars must be the top dog of their personal taste list or it should not exist in any form.

 

It's a double edged sword. sometimes I'm upset that the RL doesn't get the respect it deserves, then sometimes I'm thrilled that I was able to get a car for $12,000 that looks and feels brand new and was $50 grand five years ago.

 

I'm considering a 2011 RL.
Some of my issues with the 2008 RL is the screen brightness and the camera brightness compared to the 2010 MDX.
How is the 2011 screen and camera compared to the 2008?
it is the same or more like the MDX?

 

I think the TLX/RLX will only make any sense when the Electric Six version of the latter arrives. It'll be suite a bit faster/more expensive. Maybe they'll drop the P-AWS version?

My Legend squeaks and rattles in a way that expensive German rubbish tends not to. I've fixed the fuse box covers, but now the rear sunblind's started, unless in the 'up' position. Dunno how to fix the wood/plastic dash flexibility conflict in cold weather...still, there's more than enough to compensate.

Yes, the dull screen is annoying too.

I love the car's discreet exclusivity/unknownness, like Marko does. The car deserved to sell less badly than it did, but hey.