Msnowdon

I am really torn on which car to buy? The RL is a great car, but is everything worth 11K more.

Thanks

cM3go

Get an RL, it is one sweet vehicle.

mg7726

test drove the RL and it's nice. if i could afford it, i'd buy it.

nikko

RL is a very nice car, if I had enogh money I'd buy RL.

Msnowdon

Was it worth the extra money? What are you really getting, and SHS-AW in California is kind of a waist.

If I put 5K down, plus my trade, it would be $150 more a month then the TL. The TL I would need to put down the 5K.

TheTriads

For $50k, I would spend it on GS430 or something E class benz. The RL is a very nice car, don't get me wrong. But it doesn't have VTEC engine nor 6MT. So go with the TL.

Msnowdon

The RL is only 44.5K car these days.

Michael

cM3go

um... the RL has a Vtec engine

03CoupeV6

It's amazing how people are quick to state facts that are anything but. The new RL has VTEC, and is SH-AWD not SHS-AW or whatever the guy up there said.

toynaround

My biggest complaint on my TL, after driving 10k miles, is the front wheel drive and torque steer. I assume the RL does not exhibit this characteristic which would make it very tempting if fits your budget. What did you think of the RL handling?

Peter

Msnowdon

Sorry, I work for SHS!

The handling was great, but after owning 4 other Acura's the torgue steer doesn't bug me.

Michael

Steel

It was nice, but as someone said for 50k I'd go somewhere else. (And who buys an RL that's 44k? no options)

The TL was a better buy, faster, a little sportier (imo), and less money.

tdjvfr

I own an '05 TL 6-spd. I had the RL for a three day loaner. The RL has nice features but I can tell you, it was a bore to drive. I can't wait to pick up my TL.
The RL needs at least 50 more horsepower and a 6-Spd. It felt so slooooww.

EMF213

It felt slow?? Really?? Wow, I would have thought it would feel close to the TL being that it's 300 HP but heavier....
I really like the RL, but I think it should be a $42k-$45k car.

svtmike

Why would the RL not exhibit torque steer? It may be less, but power applied through the front wheels should still cause some torque steer.

Mike

cM3go

the RL is AWD

mg7726

unbelievable the misinformation in this thread. maybe you all shouldn't buy the next sh-awd tl, b/c that car's going to be shit slow too....lol

PG2G

At least the RL is a pretty rare car. You may want to consider a M35 though, those are pretty nice.

Msnowdon

The RL is being discounted big time in Southern California, I have two email for one at $43,500 after destination charge.

The M35 would be more in the 50K range, and I am trying to stay out of there.

I am still not sure which car I am going to get.

Michael

crazymjb

I heard the TL handles much more like a sportscar, and has better accel times but I am too lazy to double check. BTW, of course it has a fricken VTec, I assumed that before I even checked the specs. For 43 I would say taht seems like a pretty good deal, but it wouldn't be my first choice for that price. The new benz diesel is pretty nice, 37 mpg, 750ish MPT, plus the thing will last at least 300k miles with minimal or no engine troubles. There older ones could make it over the 1 mil mark. Sure, by then its crap, but it must be cool to see the ODO reset(then resell it, technically its not tampering). If I could afford an RL I would go by way of lexus, or BMW(preferbly, but better deal with lexus).

Guy Legend

The RL has everything standard. The car is being discounted from $50k to $44k. However, this isn't true everywhere.

And the RL does have a vtec engine, SH-AWD is useful in all conditions, and the RL is a steal for $44k.

Go for the RL if you can afford. TL is great, but the RL is one league ahead.

svtmike

Yes it is, therefore power does get routed through the front wheels. So why wouldn't it exhibit at least some torque steer?

Mike

tdawgy808

i went into the dealership wanting the RL, but it just wasnt as fun as the TL. I'm 25 not 45, so it just seemed like the smarter thing to do. Money wasnt an issue, but the torque on the RL seemed lower and just seemed more like a "cruiser" car.

Guy Legend

As soon as it is needed, much more of the power gets shifted to the rear wheels. Torque steer is only an issue with high powered front wheel drive cars.

The RL's SH-AWD also transfers grip laterally from side to side which makes it's cornering ability excellent.

funk101

...at least on our Prelude. It really enhances the handling on our car in turns. I haven't driven the RL, but if it helps a much as it does on our car, it is well worth it. Especially when coupled with the AWD.

Is there an A-Spec package on the way for the RL?

ludachrisvt

iTrader: (2)

If you are older with a family get the RL if you can afford it. It will (hopefully) give you alot less trouble ... looks awesome and handles like a beast. But if you are a younger guy still cruising for chicks and having fun the TL is a better choice.

Msnowdon

What older?

Guy Legend

Yeah, the Prelude was technically the first to have this kind of tech. God bless the lude.

Anyways, SH-AWD is supposed to take it a step forward. Even though the car weighs 4000lbs and is front biased in weight distribution, it is an amazing handler.

And yes, the A-Spec kit will soon be available. Here's the concept of it in New York.

mickey3c

get the M since it was rated better than the RL. If you got 50k to blow on a car, then you check out RL, M, BMW, audi, MB, etc.

The M was better rated

JohnDoe2

The RL's cup holders alone make it worth the extra $$$

Guy Legend

If you are going by ratings, why are you mentioning the BMW, audi, and MB?

The M did finish at the top in most comparos (mostly because of its performance), but the RL was second - well ahead of all the German competition.

mickey3c

comparison silly... and what you like. regardless of whether or not some auto writer likes a particular model does not mean squat when you are shelling out cash for what you want.

Do you brag that your 50K car was better because someone else thought it was.. Of course not it is because you like it. And I did drive both the RL and the M. I would agree...

tls02

I went to buy an RL. My wife and I both test drove it and we thought that it was a very nice car. That's just it, it's just a nice car. I was looking at my wifes face and there was no excitment in it. We then drove a TL and we loved it! Yes, we could afford either car, but we want a car that looks sporty and is fun to drive. We bought the TL, (traded in my '02 TL-S. We were then contacted by Acura, by phone and letter) to take a survey. I responded by telling them that I wanted to buy an RL, but the car was just "too bland". I might have waited for the M35X but it was not available until March. I bought the TL in November... and I'm glad that I did. I love it! It's a great car! Good luck with whichever car you go with.

crazymjb

I wouldnt but the M35X first production year, there are a ton of systems I would want to see street proven.

ChRiS_nYc

if you have the $ get the RL... different class- pure luxury

Msnowdon

I have a TL waiting for me at the dealer, but can't decide if I made the right call. I am going to drive both again.

Michael

rets

Michael, go to testdrive again, they should let you do that as many times as you want since you're going to buy one of them... Try the different roads and conditions, weather, and find the best ride for your need and mind. Good luck.

Gadgets

I worry about rattles and production issues on first year cars, what systems are you referring to?

EZZ

Most of the systems are street proven...its called the G35x. Same ATTESA AWD system and the exact same engine and tranny. Nothing in the M35x is new...except maybe the chassis and it is still the same FM platform with new reinforcements.

The RL sales are bad right now. Its pretty much taking a beating to the new M and the new GS. For $45k, there are many many new options out there. Anyone thought of the SRT8

Msnowdon

Everyone talks about the M and GS, but to get them loaded like the RL, it would be over 50K. The RL at 43.5K is in a league of its own.

Michael