In recent weeks there has been serious debate on the forums about which car is better. I think most people can agree that the 530, GS, M35x and A6 are all very capable vehicles and all have their advantages and disadvantages - it all comes down to your personal preference.

So my question to you is (hypothetically speaking - as this will never happen) if somebody were to buy your RL from you for the same price you paid and you were forced to buy a new car (completely break even, they even gave you your taxes and other fees back). Would you buy the RL again? If not, which competitor would you buy?

My intention is just to see what people would do - not to start another middle school fight about which car is better (although this seems inevitable)

 

When it comes down to it VP, this will turn into a rockthrowing fight I'm sure. I'm not gonna throw the first stone though for once. I would buy the RL again, well I hope I would, being I just got it about 2 weeks ago. Eversince I got my RL I have received many compliments and questions like, "wow, what kind of car is that" and, "I havent seen one of those before, thats a real nice car". The only time I've had a negative run in with someone was the time the middle-aged yuppie drunk at the bar with the 5-Series tried ripping on my RL. Other than that the RL has been well recieved by everyone, including my friends who told me to get the GS or a 5-Series, they now understand why I wanted an RL.

 

For the fabulous audio system with its DVD-audio alone, I would buy the RL. Hands down !

 

I could have sworn that other cars on the poll list had fabulous DVD-A systems??
I know for a fact that the M35X has an option for a 14 Speaker DVD-A system. And the GS can be bought with the great ML system.

 

I have nothing else to compare the RL to.

This was my first $50 k car. For 24 years prior all I drove
were sub $24k vehicles.

For me, this car is heaven on Earth.

 

To bad its not a 50k car anymore.. That just pisses me off.

 

Everything that I wanted in a car.

 

Hmm, I might. I have nothing really against the car but the main reason I got it was for the AWD because of where I live. Well, I am moving next month and wont really need AWD as much so I dont know if I was in the market for a car if I would get the RL now.

 

I'd buy another RL in a heartbeat. This is my 6th new car in the past 7 years, and by far the best to date. '99 CLK Cabriolet, '99 E class 4-Matic, '02 Saab 9-5 Aero Wagon, '03 Saab 9-5 Aero Wagon, '04 Honda Accord (what was I thinking??). They each had different attributes to offer, but the RL possesses that rare combination of looks, style, appointments, power, efficiency, and handling. For my car-buying dollar, nothing even comes close. Gee...I just may have to hang on to this one for a little longer than those others.

 

I would have to say no, but that is only because I like to move up to the next level when I buy new cars.. so unless the RL gets a boost in power and a slight makeover, I doubt I would buy another. The E60 M5 SMG will hopefully be my next sedan in a couple of years

 

 

I would buy another RL, and will consider trading up to the 2006...or 2007...depends on what comes with those models. But, I need a truck and am eyeballing the Ridgeline...so, we'll see.

I bought the 2005, full well knowing the glitches Acura was having with this first year of production. It is my view that too much should not be made of the seemingly negative comments on this board and elsewhere about some of these problems...for myself, I am intensely interesting in getting the anomalies fixed on my own car and it's natural to focus on those items when the car is new and these things are being found out. I am otherwise thoroughly enjoying driving the Acura.

I am also intensely interested in having the car improved...I've mentioned some of those items I'd like to see in future Acuras on this board...6 speed tranny (and possibly 30 MPG with that when really stretching out on long drives), a fold down rear seat, a larger trunk, an Acura recommended trailer hitch, a backup camera, a moon roof that can be used when the car is moving, and better headlights, particularly high beams.

I'm seemingly in a minority, but I even like the styling.

F.

 

...to park next to the RL! Didn't want to mislead with that last post that I would ever consider getting rid of the sedan!

 

Love the ridgeline

 

<- waiting for V8, SHAWD v2.0 RL

:P

 

I imagine there are a few people waiting for the V8 version. I wouldn't buy it mainly because I don't need or want the extra power, but some people love it.

 

I would most definitely purchase the RL again if I had to only because I own one now. BUT, If I were a potential buyer and browsed this forum for information, I would run in fear to the BMW dealership for the 530Xi!

Every other post is about how my RL's ____ is broken, my RL's ____ doesn't work properly, my RL's ____ rattles like a baby's toy, Acura service sucks (I totally agree with this one, Honda service in general sucks), etc.

My car has it's quirks and squeaks, and is currently at the dealership getting all 3 tsb's done as well as a rattle in the rear sunshade area, but this is nothing compared to the other cars I've owned or have seen. I know that most other new car forums are worse - but c'mon guys, the issues we're facing arent really that serious and this is an absolutely amazing automobile.

All I'm saying is to please use constraint when posting. Does every single post have to be negative? Why arent there more "my car rocks" posts? I for one love this car and will keep this RL for as long as it lives.

 

My car rocks!

Ok, couldn't resist. But it gets boring posting "no problems today".

Isn't this a great list to select from? Seriously, there aren't any bad cars in the bunch so given all the various views about what makes a car desirable I kind of view these endless debates as "my incredible car is cooler than your incredible car". Fun but nobody is going to be swayed.

You bet I'd buy the RL again. It more than exceeds the criteria I had when selecting an LPS. Just the right mix of luxury and performance for my taste.

 

I'm happy with the car, but the local dealer isn't up to the level of service I expect with this car. I feel strongly that you vote with your dollars, so it's doubtful that I will ever buy another car or have them service another car of mine.

There are other local Acura dealers, but none of them are conveniently located.

I'm into luxury and if Lexus inproved HP of the engine in the AWD version of the GS, I would seriously look at it again.

Also, the AWD (OK, Sh-AWD) feature is a safety issue for me. In Northern California we never get snow, so it's wet weather that would be the biggest factor. In my next car I may not be so concerned about AWD.

Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy with the car. But that's just part of the ownership experience.

 

I agree with everything you have said; however, if you go to a BMW forum you will probably see the same complaints. People come to rant about problems.

 

Most car forums are like that. I'm a member of quite a few and it seems like 50%+ of new signups are there to ask questions about an issue they're having or to whine. It's human nature - the people who are out there enjoying their cars everyday are usually not on car forums unless their enthusiasts, like us. Cheers.

 

I think the logical thing is to post both the plus and minus aspects of the car. Harping about problems and only doing that is not that great and neither is praising the car like it is Gods gift to humans.

I think this forum is pretty good compared to others and I'd like to think if potential buyers came here they'd see all the posts and not just focus on the negative...but then again, humans seem to put 90% in negative feedback and 10% in positive so wtf knows. I see this ALL THE TIME in life from the industry I am in to people not wanting to go on planes after one crashes.

 

I'd buy again. Fast, safe, unique (...how many have YOU seen on the road?), comfortable, reliable...these are qualities I was looking for and found all of them in this vehicle...I just hope all of the gadgets don't poop out before the warranty...in fact, I'm going for an extended warranty tomorrow.

 

I like my RL, but since I buy a car every 10 years or so, it is impossible to say what will tickle my fancy when I am again ready for a new set of wheels. If the RL matures in a way that it offers the same bang for the buck for me compared to others in the same class, then yes, I would get another one.

 

I am surprised more people didn't vote for the A6. Any reasons why not?

 

I wouldn't consider it because: The A6 is a beautiful car but it is overpriced for what it is (IMHO of course) and unreliable compared to the Acura's I've owned. My sister in law likes Audi, has owned many , and she currently has an A6.

My wife is considering getting another RL to replace her aging '98 Mercedes - that's how much she likes mine. She doesn't even want to look/drive the competition but I will insist she does before making the final decision.

 

That makes sense. I guess after the initial warranty with Audi you are screwed as it will cost a forture to maintain. My cousin just bought a loaded A8L which is why I was wondering about the A6. Whenever I see one on the road I realize how beautiful it really is.

Now on to the search for a companion SUV to the RL. We are going to get rid of our 02' RX300 soon.

 

I have loved the look of the A6 for years and considered it when I started looking for my new car, which turned out to be the RL.

Although I wasn't happy about the new grill, I figured that I could get past it.

Three things ultimately killed this option:

1. MMI (Their version of BMW's I-Drive) It was just too complex to use on a daily basis and was necessary for too many functions.
2. Historic unreliability
3. Poor local reseller

Loved the interior, liked the body and didn't care for the new front end.

 

"Now on to the search for a companion SUV to the RL. We are going to get rid of our 02' RX300 soon."

VP911, You might want to look at the RX 400h. We have that now as companion to our RL and they are a great combo. The 400h is pricey of course but if you have liked your 300 you should really like the 400h, which is a 330 with testosterone and very respectable gas mileage for a SUV.

As for the RL, there is nothing currently out on the market that even tempts me to trade for. All of those alternatives listed here are great cars and would be welcome in my garage, but not instead of the RL. The only one on the horizon that is interesting to me is the Lexus 450h due out next year. After I have experienced what Lexus can do with a hybrid in terms of performance it will be interesting to see how the 450h comes out in reality. It won't be AWD though so that may be a problem for me.

 

hendjaz - what kind of real world gas numbers are you getting? How much city/hwy driving?

 

Just kidding, all you Audi owners, just kidding....
While Audi has some of the nicest interiors around, they dont seen to be as technologically advanced as even the RL. Acura put the effort into the nicest Nav system around and awesome sound with DVD-A. Audi has extremely nicely done leather seats and interior design.
Audi has had their AWD version around a long time and its great for what it is, but everyone I know including me, says, they are big boats. and feel like it.
I know, I know, they kill everyone in racing circuits, etc., and I would just love to see them someday sponsor an F-1 car and mix it up with Renault, BMW, Mercedes, and Ferrari ! Oh, shoot, they might not get to use their AWD for that type of racing; too bad eh?
Which car would I pick, hmmm. Ive had the Bavarian Motorenwerks experience, and while they are really nice, even their AWD version isnt as nice as Acura's in my opinion. The others, well, maybe Im getting to old to want to bother going through all the work again. I would however, drop the cash down for a BMW K1200S in a heartbeat! Silly me! DanF

 

We are getting about 25 mpg in mostly city/suburban driving. Very little open freeway/expressway driving so far. That compares well to the 15 mpg we got with the Volvo XC90 we traded. In the same kind of driving experience that the 400h goes through, I get about 17 mpg in the RL and an 04 MDX.

Also we don't drive the 400h with gas mileage in mind as it is fun to drive and hard to keep the foot off the gas; it likes to go and go fast. Only about 2K miles on it too so it is still being broken in.

Enough of the Lexus commercial as I definetely prefer Acuras and only wish they would add the hybrid to the RL as an alternative RL model (perhaps RL-H?).

 

Ahh ok. Thanks. We get 20mpg without RX currently - mostly highway/constant speed driving.

 

I have owned a top-of-the-line Audi, BMW, Lexus and Mercedes. My present 2005 Acura RL (costing far less then any of these) is the best car I have every owned.

Based upon my experience with it, if ever I buy another car, it will be another RL.

 

I would buy my RL again. It's the best choice for my taste.

Things important to me in a car:The only thing that I would improve is freeway cruising. It would be nice if the car were a little smoother and quieter on the freeways. This probably could be improved with some better tires, though.