I know there are a hundred reasons. For starters the horrible styling of the 2009 didn't help anything. But I am in the market for another car again and I've been researching 06/07 midsize luxury cars. Time and time again the RL is rated very well in comparison tests. #1 by edmunds, #2 by motortrend, and #2 by car and driver. What happend? All these experts loved the car?

 

Same with the 1st gen RL, excellent car that has terrible resale value.

Oh well, just means you get a lot for your money

 

We said it was the best car that people did not know about, a real Gem. Just be glad you have one.

 

Weak marketing efforts by Acura, add in the higher value of prestige (in the eyes of customers) in that price range, competing with the GS, 5-series and E-Class.... Acura has a hard sell. Like you said though, there are a hundred reasons.

 

Whoever said the consumer masses where intelligent, informed or self thinking?

Why do you think Madison Avenue does well? We are easily convinced to what we need and want as consumers. We are sheep as a consumer species.

That works to BOTH sides of the equation. Marketing doing a BETTER job that you need brand X. Or Acura's marketing NOT doing the job that the RL is well worth it.

Most RL owners had to fight the grain and seek out this car, no thanks to Acura. Not even dealers typically represent it correctly.

But the numbers are where people flock to BMW or MB because they have been told that is what they need and want, yet many cannot accurately compare same market models, features or personal appeal.

I do believe, however, RL owners are the very discerning car owners.

 

I'm wondering if he will still have one? Is he replacing the RL or adding to the stable? If he's adding... Why not add another RL?

It is the best bang for your buck for a mid-sized luxury sedan. I am personally happy I have this exclusive vehicle. Only down-side is less aftermarket items for a low volume vehicle.

Personally, I believe the typical Honda buyer is a practical person and emotions do not dictate major decisions. Not that the RL is boring but it is a "Mature Vehicle" and could be said that the RL has conservative styling. I would argue that it is a "Timeless Design".

A lot of decisions are based on emotions and people get excited over presentation/perceived image over substance.

Final thought: IMHO The 05-08 RL Is by far the best looking mid-size sedan on the exterior among all sedans less than 50K. Interior-I have yet to see any car that makes me covet (irregardless of price).

 

I am replacing my RL, with what I do not know. I wanted to get a brand new car in the low $30's but nothing compares to my RL. Except for possibly the TL which I would get wo SH-AWD if it wasn't so damn ugly. So that brings me to used cars that compare to my RL in that price range (cars that were $50k 2 or 3 years ago). There is a high probability I will replace my RL with a newer low mileage RL, but I'm still exploring all my options. The infiniti m35x is also looking good to me. Which is why I'm digging up old reviews and comparison tests. And time and time again the RL and the M35 are the top 2 cars in their class.

 

I agree the 05-08 RL (who ever designed the 2009 should be shot) is one of the best looking mid size sedans. But I think I like the exterior of the Lexus GS better and the interior of the new TL.

 

Briny319, I saw your "about to say goodbye to my RL" post.

I could write a book but I will refrain.

Concise summary: Keep what you have ..Some service costs for maintenance will be a fraction of the cost of another vehicle.

Imagine having a paid off RL and no more car payment. I took my V6 Accord to 350K and I am currently rebuilding the tranny to take her to 500K before the engine needs rebuilding (starting to burn a little oil (rings)). I did not have a car payment for 6 years. Yes I know a RL has more techno stuff but it's still a Honda.

 

If I had a simple old accord and I was content with it I would keep it.

I have had to many tech problems with my RL to keep it out of warranty. It was originally my plan to keep it until it died. But within 2 weeks of buying it my ac went. 2 months later I got stuck with the car not reving past 2k rpm, and other little problems ever since. The car has proven to have average or below average reliability from 50-83k miles. I'm not taking any chances beyond that. If it was paid off I'd keep it. It's not. And won't be for another 3 years. I'd rather get a newer car with less miles and get a new warranty. I can keep mine with 83k miles and pay for another 3 years. Or I can get an 06with 30k miles and pay for 5 years for about an extra $25 per month. Sounds like a no brainer to me. Overall I am very happy with the RL (when it works) which is why I will probably get another. But I would like more tech features like ipod interface, rear dvd, active cruise, etc etc. Which is why I am exploring the M35x. I love tech toys but they are usually the first things to break...

 

steve- the mod you did your grill looks pretty cool.

 

Just posting a thought. Don't take it the wrong way for I don't know all your details/situation and am certainly not clairvoyant.

Let's play this scenario out. You get a slightly used awesome car with extended warranty. What happens in 3 years when you are in the same boat. You could find yourself in a never ending swap out cycle. Always under warranty but always paying for a car.

At some point you may have faith in a car (out of warranty). The prize is eventually no car payment. It is a gamble and that's why I play with Honda's.

I wish you the best but hope to see you go RL again. I purchased mine with 83K on it and am keeping the faith. I will confess I have worked on all my cars for 25 years and not afraid to work on the RL either.

 

I didn't want to get used car because I was afraid in a few yrs I would be in the same boat. But If I buy a 06 RL with less than 30k mi and get an acura warranty that is good for 5 years and 84k miles from now. The car would be age 8 with +100k miles before the warranty is up. Just in time for the car to be paid off. Then I can keep it if I wanted to gamble on repair vs no payment which I might consider depending what kind of new tech toys come out in 5 years. But I would still have to deal with lot's of expensive service to keep up with the car. Which I may have to do if I want to drive a car like the RL.

So that scenario sounds better than my current where my car is under warranty for another 10k mi and less than a year. And I will still have over 2 years of payments to go.

 

I saw from your pics you aren't afriad to work on your RL. I am to affraid...

 

If I had a choice I would not work on it. I have had bad experiences with dealerships and do not trust them anymore.

Not to mention they have earned the AKA Stealership label.

The grill mod's easy (Bumper removal not required). Go for it on your next RL.

 

I've also had plenty of bad experiences at dealers. Which is why I go to one of the few that are very good. But they generally charge double... I've got to learn how to do more things on my RL. I bought the service manual but it is way over my head.

 

Hey whats up !!!....let me introduce myself...everyone calls me "goose"...from SFV in So Cal.....i'm in the market for a used '05 or '06 RL....currently in an '06 G35 Sedan 6MT....lease is up in a few months.....member on G35Driver.......

This will be my first Honda...and i have a few questions regarding RL's.....my research on the RL's have shown that this is one of the most problematic cars that Honda has ever produced...is this correct?

If so, what kinds of problems have you encountered and what can i expect?.....i found an 05 RL with 35k on the odo for $21,400....clean CARFAX.....1 owner.....does this seem like a good purchase?

any info would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!!

 

I have a 2007 with 108,000 miles and not had problem 1. Get the routine maintenance done and sit back and enjoy. Checkout the link:
http://www.cars.com/go/advice/Story....=&aff=national

 

You have an 07 with over 100k?...dam you drive ALOT!!...but thanks !!!....sets my mind at ease and will look harder for deal on an 06.......if you see one send me the link.....thanks again!

 

The RL is the best mid-lux car that no one knows about. Further, it is one of the best Hondas ever built despite its initial tech teething issues. I only moved on because I believe that muscle cars are as good as dead (as we knew them) in the next few years because of the new CAFE rules; I wanted the ownership experience before they went away.

The reason it doesn't sell has be discussed here more times than I care to count.

Bottom line: It's Acura's fault. They didn't want a car forced upon them by Honda, they didn't market it other than a few commercials when it came out, and it's simply too bad. The kisses of death were the economic meltdown and the new grille.

A true shame!

 

Only the 2005 RL is problematic. All later years have excellent reliability. And when I saw the 2005 is problematic, it's really not that bad but it's not what you would expect from an Acura.

I would personally only buy a 2006 or later.

 

Poor marketing and a relative bland styling. It is a handsome car but honestly it looks like a souped up Honda Accord. Sure some Germans or Lexuses are bland but they have the prestige and cache already. For Acura trying to break in the midsize market they not only have to have a great styling (see 3g TL) but it has to rank favorably in driving dynamics.

 

Bring back the Legend name and they'll be set.


Poor advertising is mostly to blame. Styling is good but nothing realy to strinking like its competitors. Aside from A-spec'd models of course.

 

Amen.

When was the last time the Acura LEGEND was advertised in the USA? I can tell you whenever the Acura brand comes up in conversation, LEGEND is identifiable. RL? Wha???

And for a car no longer advertised, I still have to explain my car as being the current Acura LEGEND. Oh yes....people KNOW that.

Yet Acura will not accept copying the luxo apha numeric naming convention of the Euro brands has not only failed miserably, it gives Acura no identity.

Hyundai gets it. Did they decide to take on the monumental task of getting on luxo brand radar by copying naming conventions? Did they choose to name the Genesis model XYZ 3.5? Like it or not...they are on the radar. Equus (or what it may be named in USA) will cement that.

And Acura feels that experimenting with over wrought juvenile design language will give them brand identity. Yepper....the ugly brand.

Retro is the new black in the automotive industry. Acura should get back to meaning something, with models names of distinction and 'Precision Engineering' as the mantra. I think, like Hyundai's success, would be better suited in the current climate where gaudy, flashy drama is now unappealing.

Acura has sold out on it's own success as a class act for the short shelf life of juvenile fashion.


Fools. No,,, jackasses.

 

I disagree. Hyundai might be starting to get it. But may I remind you of the first "luxury" model Hyundai introduced in the US was called the XG300 and later XG350. The name was later change to Azera I believe.

 

Not to hijack the thread into the merits of Hyundais as luxury segment contenders, but that is my point.

They may have attempted the alpha numeric follow the leader mentality in the past with a highly questionable vehicle as a luxury market offering, but they learned their lesson quickly and now is making inroads with a vehicle of real substance AND a name of distinction.

 

Agreed. They made their mistake, cut their loses and moved on. But I still think their new vehicle is of little substance and the quality is no where near luxury. Maybe upscale, but that's it. I think their new Genesis would be great if the quality of the materials used was a little better and they weren't having so many problems with them. Go on over to the genesis board and read about all of the problems that dealers can't fix, or can fix but can't get the parts to fix.

 

And I agree here as well. I am not ready to run out and buy a Genesis. But I am impressed with the effort to be on the radar, which initially appeared laughable. I agree with the approach, and I too will wait and see the substance.

What angers me with Acura, for quite some time now, is that they HAVE substance in the vehicles and have chosen to play the image game. A game, which in my opinion is failing and taking shine off excellent automobiles of substance. And now the wrapping (styling) is also contrary to the substance of these vehicles....and that angers me.

This was my conversation two years ago:

What do you drive?
Me: An RL.
What is that?
Me: An Acura
Oh, the LEGEND? What a GREAT car!
Me: Yes...

This is the conversation today:
What do you drive?
Me: An RL.
What is that?
Me: An Acura,
Oh ..those UGLY cars?

*sigh*

Good job on the image management Acura.

 

Exactly everyone now knows acuras as ugly. It started with the MDX then they had to go and ruin the TL and RL. What are they thinking. The only redesigned acura that I think looks good is the TSX and I'm not sure if it's better or worse than before but it's good just the same. But the older RLs and TLs look so much better...

 

You guys have me a little worried on the 05 which is what I have. This is my 3rd Acura replacing an 91 Legend that had almost 200K trouble free miles. And had to pry that one from the wifes hands. Aaa who am I kidding, I loved that car just as much as she did. We purchased this car from a local dealer after going in to buy a new TL and felt the TL was a step down from the Legend. They had 1 new RL on the lot and like what was said before, we didn't like the styling update. They had 2 used ones and both were 05's. One was already sold (that one was used and abused) we purchased the better one with lower millage. So far after a year with the exception of changing the battery, the deflated driver center console armrest. No problems yet(knock on wood).

 

 

to the original post-
I think in this price segment (and up) buyers want the cachet that the Germans and Lexus offer (however they achieved it, they have it). Buying even a 3 BMW brings you into a line of cars priced up to $80k+ with a somewhat prestige reputation. The RL is linked to the more mundane midline ol' reliable unexciting Accord or even Hondas in general.
the near Lux segment requires more panache for the extra bills or some stand out image, sport, or styling.
this is why I think Acura going up price is a mistake. VW Phaeton anyone?
I love the RL, and have eyed it for a while, -but the economy, the coupe goodness of my CLS, and higher mpg slowed down my grabbing one...and Acura's current design mode is bringing the perception of the brand down even more.

 

Honestly the name change and extremely bland exterior styling of the 96 RL(Legend) kinda started it all. If the 91-95 Legend would have been named an RL I think the current incarnations would be more popular.

As far as non car folk know the Legend was killed off in 95 and Acura never replaced it. I mean c'mon how do you go from a sexy 95 Legend to the 96 RL! I mean don't get me wrong I own a 2003 RL, but the facelift in 99 closely resembles the Legend. (hence y I bought it . )


Advertising is the real killer though. I mean my local dealer has like 6 new TL's 4 TSX's but no RL's!

How are people supposed to know current Acura offerings if there's no RL's in the showroom!