I have the new car bug and have had it for several months. If you ever have caught this it is nearly impossible to shake. Wish there was a shot for this.

I have an 06 RL with 167500 miles. Still excellent condition. A few minor issues starting to show up that need addressing. More concerned about major issues in the future, especially considering the complexities of the systems in the vehicle.

I can get a new 2014 RLX Advanced (black seacoast my preferred color scheme) available for $48,888 plus $900 shipping from Georgia to Texas. 136 miles on the vehicle. At an Acura dealer. VIN 6564.

The issues causing my concerns:

1) Vehicle problems presented in this forum most especially the front suspension noise.
2) I will be buying sight unseen.
3) I really would like an Advanced Hybrid (Black seacoast) for around $61K but think it may be six months or more for this to be possible. I would love to own the most technologically advanced vehicle with 377 HP but the cost difference as I see it now is $14K plus.
4) I think the $48,888 vehicle is a great deal.

Would love to hear all of your input.

Thanks and God Bless

 

My first reaction is that if it's just the distance Georgia to Texas, why don't you go there and drive it back? That way, you'll know for sure.

My second reaction is that it should not be too difficult to find one closer to you for 49K. For example, there are 44 new RLX within 100 miles of Zip code 77001. (I just picked that Zip code at random...I don't know if that's your part of Texas.)

Your closest dealer should be able to zero in on the deal for you and get you the desired car from another dealer close by using the exchange programme.

 

For what it is worth: Did not drive the PAWS but based on the comments in this forum I think you are comparing two very different cars when it comes to performance, driving experience, weight ratios, and power/transmission engineering.

 

jmoser1134, obviously you are the only person who fully understands your financial situation and so only you can decide if spending the additional $14K is the wise decision. I personally would wait and buy the Sport hybrid for the following reasons:
- All reviews to date of the Sport Hybrid have been glowing to say the least and it does appear to be an exceptional vehicle.
- It appears that you prefer to hold on to your cars for a long time and hybrids seem to be the trend of the future mainly due to increasing CAFE requirements. The point is that the "urge" to own the hybrid version may never go away as they become the norm.
- The fuel economy of the Sport Hybrid may save you thousands of dollars a year depending on how much driving you do. (Of course the interest you earn on the $14K you would save with the PAWS version could also add up in a hurry.)
- If the $60K that you'll need for the Sport Hybrid sits in a well-managed investment portfolio for another year until they become available at the price you seek, you may be able to accrue a good portion of the $14K price difference.
- Good things come to those that wait.

Just my two cents - listen to your gut but let your brain make the final decision.

 

I just purchased my 2015 RLX advance in Sept and no regrets. Though I would of liked the SH AWL, I was not willing to wait. I was told at that time they did not know if or when it would come out. IMHO if you can get a new 2014 RLX Advance for approx 49k, that a great deal considering I paid 8k more for mine. A new car is a new car, and the only difference between the 2015 and the 2014 is a heated steering wheel. And to address some of the problems brought up in this forum, sometime with a 1st year production /redesign you get a problem car and sometimes you don't. As long as the company stands behind it and fixes the problems, that what matters. It a great car and I wish you good luck with your decision.

 

I thought about a PAWS RLXS briefly as deals are awesome. 48k for an Advance is stellar. However, like you, I'm an old RL hand and I didn't want to settle. Sport Hybrids are out there, mostly Techs but a few Advances, and judging from the experience at my dealer, people are buying them. If you want to wait a few months for the "me first" crowd (ie me ) to die down, there could be discounts at that point, if there are any left, and I'm sure there will be.

So at this point, it's up to you and your pocketbook. If you think it's worth paying the premium for the hybrid, then just do it either now or in a few months. I thought it was worth the effort to do it now. If you want to wait until Hybrids are more available, the PAWS is certainly not chopped liver.

 

Do any of the RLX's have the slow "throttle response issues" noted by some in the TLX forums? Or did that not impact the RLX models.

 

i had a very brief test drive on Friday of the 2014 SH-AWD Hybrid. It was not long enough by any means to form a definitive conclusion or create a "must have" feeling. The dealer did not want many miles to accumulate on the car-it had 52 when I drove it and most likely the fact I mentioned a few weeks ago that I was in all likelihood going to wait for the 2016 model worked against me. My wife and I each drove about 3 miles so needless to say no real chance to get the car up to speed or really judge its attributes. We were impressed though and will wait to see what next June brings as far as upgrades and availability of the car.

Rather than buy/lease a 2014 of either the PAWS or SH-AWD there is merit to waiting until the MMC. It is nice to have a freshly produced car and to have a choice of colors-both exterior and interior. A word of caution to those hoping for increased production-the GM of the dealership stated that Acura will produce 20 Hybrids a month for the 2016 model year. If that is the case then the Company has decided to make this a rare car only for those willing to pay full or close to full freight on it without many if any incentives or discounts. Can't blame them for that-they are in the business to make money not discount the car like they have had to do with the PAWS models in 2014 and 2015.

Maybe they will offer the SH-AWD in a gasoline only version as well. That might be enough to stoke demand somewhat and offer greater availability. If you can wait as I will do-time will tell.

 

Some thoughts on your recent experience:

• I am rather surprised that a dealer would give a rather perfunctory test drive in a car that is such an engineering marvel. How can anyone truly get a feel for how a car handles on such a short drive? As the current owner of a 2014 P-AWS RLX, I would want a more extensive test drive myself just to determine the differences between my car and the Sport Hybrid model. Since the car already had over 50 miles on it, it's not like it's "pristine" and never been test driven before.
• The mystery deepens as to Acura's intentions with the Sport Hybrid model if the dealer's info is correct that production will be limited to 20 per month once the 2016 model is issued. Obviously it is difficult to establish what the true market for the Sport Hybrid is right now, since sales in the first few months could be skewed by early adopters, like some of our members of Acurazine that have already purchased the car. On the other hand, Acura is doing nothing to publicize and market the Sport Hybrid either, so who can say that it could not sell more than 20 a month?
• If production moving forward is actually limited to 20 per month, Acura may have decided that this model will be a limited edition like the NSX that will command a premium price and will probably not be supported by incentives or aggressive lease programs, so the ability to get one at a great price could be difficult.

 

Yes, after thinking about my "test drive" experience over the past few days I am amazed that the dealer did not try to stoke the excitement of possibly acquiring this car. Not many people would commit to purchasing or leasing a car in this class without a more representative test drive. All of our fellow members who have the SH-AWD Hybrid are raving about the driving experience and I do not doubt that for a minute. However to commit to this car-I will need a real test drive-which looks to be next year now.

 

The 1st generation RL was NEVER discounted!!!! It was never intended to be a volume production vehicle either.....The new Hybrid RLX will be just this....pay sticker or walk.....

 

I have a 2014 RLX Advance. It is a sweet car and is averaging 28.3 mpg (70% highway/30% city). This is considerably better than the 21.5 mpg of my 2006 RL with the same highway/city ratios. I agree with George Knighton's comments (in an earlier thread) about the RLX PAWS making the RLX handle like a one size smaller car. It is a big, nimble car. IMHO, the new RLX Advance for 48K is a heck of a deal for a terrific car.

 

To Pens Fan's experience: it's unfortunate that the dealer didn't let you do much of a test drive. It's not like the RLX is a Lambo or a CTS-V--both of which one can arrange test drives before a purchase. This car is best tested on a moderate speed, winding road on which the handling features come into play, which I'm sure you already know. I was lucky to have had a robust test drive, which for me sealed the deal.

 

Thanks for all of the advice. Still am unsure

14 Adv - $48,888 plus $900 shipping (sight unseen purchase)
15 ADV - $52,800 in Houston which is almost local
14 Tech Hybrid - $1K below invoice in Houston (almost my color scheme) No dealer motivation to sell at any real discount as they may not see another.

No advanced hybrids in the color I desire within striking distance.

I may just have to wait it out for the 16 Hybrid. Hopefully spring 2015. Hopefully enough produced so dealers want to sell inventory. It is hard to pass up such great deals on the non-hybrids. Taking medicine for the new car bug. Lets just see.

God bless

 

Had to take medicine for 2 years=waited for Q50Hybrid and almost pulled the trigger but the feedback that I read, my drive, and the trunk size turned me off. Almost got the A6TDI Prestige but did not see a value for the price. Almost got a Lexus hybrid but did not like the drive (was not for me).

If given the chance to take medicine or pull the trigger I would take medicine again now that I know what the drive in the RLX SH AWD Hybrid feels like.

As posted by other above, only you know you $ threshold, if you can hang on then a future RLX SH AWD Hybrid will not let you down (here is hoping to trouble free experiences).

 

Keep taking your medicine!
Until there is evidence that the tsb for the rear suspension corrects the problem (my dealer has ordered the kit) and until there is a similar tsb for the rear suspension, I would not purchase at any price unless you can take an extended test drive and verify that the car does not have the dreaded clunk and rattle. Sight unseen? No way. By the way, the clunk and rattle is not a wear or age-related defect. If the car has it, you will know immediately- even as you exit the dealer's parking lot.

 

If he can live without the Advance Package's features, I'd be tempted by that Sport Hybrid.

:-)

Is the Tech Package ELS or Krell? Both are good, but Krell is outstanding.

There's a pretty big price difference between the vehicles he is considering, so I am guessing that his financing is straight and he knows it.

If that's true, maybe get the best you can get, which would be the Sport Hybrid Tech below invoice.

But of course this is just one dumb old man's opinion.

 

Tech package is ELS, not Krell, and I can confirm that it sounds pretty darned good from my test drive.

The deal for the hybrid Tech is stellar. $1k below invoice is great if you are willing to settle for not having the ACC/CMBS/LKAS/Krell of the Advance package. All depends on how you feel about getting the best deal, which you won't with a hybrid Advance.

 

If I were in the OP position I would opt to wait for the exact car of my liking. That way I will have the least of regrets after purchase. Sure I may be able to save money on current deals but if I want to keep this car for a very long time I better have the car of my dreams. Just my 2 cents.

 

+1 ^^^ Plus never buy a car that you haven't seen in person even with 52 miles on it... I'm kinda in car industry, have seen brand new cars being repainted / repaired etc due to...