EazyRider562

Can someone break it down to me?

I'm really happy with my TL and wouldnt trade it for the world.

I'm guessing TL means top of the line?

RDX is sporty, not as luxury.

RL, is smaller than TL, but still nice.

Aman

The RL is actually supposed to be top of the line, the TL in the middle, and the TSX as the entry-level. Acura just never properly updated the RL and the TL is miles ahead of it (IMO). Don't think this generation will last much longer.

I think TL is Touring Luxury, don't know about the others though.

EazyRider562

Oh so RL was supposed to be better from the beginning, but then they started to put more time and effort into the TL, so the TL is actually the better of the two? Interesting!

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

the RL is the flagship. The best one.

butt, the TL is the bread and butter. it sells more.

then there is the TSX.

EazyRider562

How can something be better than the the TL?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^thats the way it is.

EazyRider562

Is it bigger? more luxurious?

Ken1997TL

Better interior materials, more features.

Sit in an RL, the leather is nicer. It has sunshades that are powered, the rear headrests fold down at the push of a button. Many features the RL has, the new TL recently acquired.

The car come out nearly 8 years ago though, so it's near the end for this generation.

EazyRider562

So would you prefer an older RL or newer TL?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^they are two different types of cars.
it depends on what I wanted out of a car at the time of purchase.

the 2012 RL is not "older" at all.

jjsC5

When I bought my 2012 TL I could have bought a really nice new RL for only $3,000 more. There are a couple more features, but it also gets worse gas mileage for some unknown reason (same powertrain) and I'm guessing it might actually have worse resale value because it sells so poorly.

EazyRider562

Is the TL faster is the thing?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

faster by a little.

but the main thing is, the TL is more sporty.
the RL is more luxurious.

EazyRider562

the RL looks more compact tbh

EazyRider562

so basically you would take a TL over an RL? I think I would...

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^it depends on what I needed in a ride.

i have an 06 TL. because I was looking for something sporty with 3 pedals. the RL is classier but doesnt come with 3 pedals.

Price also is a determining factor.
~40k+ is getting into better car territory.
I love my acura's but for 45-50k.....there might be something else.

gibbyisgibby

As far as i know RL stands for road luxury, wiki says its refined luxury but im 90% sure thats not right

cjTL

iTrader: (2)

Bear in mind that the current RL was launched in the time of the 3G TL. The difference between a 2005 RL and a 2005 TL is much more noticeable. The RL's interior is far more luxurious than the 3G TL's is. The current 4G TL kind of eclipses the RL. Recent sales numbers will back that up....only a few hundred RLs sold a month. It's in desperate need of a makeover.

EazyRider562

So the 4G TL is better than the RL? But the RL is more expensive??
I'm happy I decided on getting my TL then?

cjTL

iTrader: (2)

Depends on what makes it better for you. The TL is likely more fun to drive. Whereas the RL is a bit more luxurious.

EazyRider562

I see... Would you consider the TL a sports car?

I have an '09 Acura TL w/tech package? Any recommendations that you'd recommend? For a little more HP? Simple but effective improvements?

cjTL

iTrader: (2)

Sports sedan, yes.


Hmm maybe a cold Air Intake (one of the most common performance mods on any car), and then a brand called ATLP has a custom exhaust system made for the Acura TL. I'm not too big into performance mods, but I'm sure others can chime in here.

EazyRider562

Where do I get an intake? what would you recommend for an 09 Acura Tl w/Tech package?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

Easy, there are tons of stuff that you can do.

Exhaust mods:
PCD's (being developed)
Jpipe
test pipe
catback

Intake mods:
intake
port and polish manifold and runners(only do this if you have exhaust mods)

EazyRider562

Would you recommend that I go to a car shop and get some recommendations?

How much do you think I need for the first step? $500? I'm in love with my TL and would love to invest some more money in it!

Linmk2

I was working for an Acura dealership when the RL first appeared. We referred to it as the "Replacement Legend"

EazyRider562

LOL really? you'd think they would've come up with a better name than that.....

That might just be what your dealership cronies called it, a nick name they came with and it stuck with the newbies who came in? Possibly?

Linmk2

That's just what we called it at the dealership. At the time we were not too keen on cars being named just by letters. The Legend was top on the line before the RL appeared. When the RL came out to replace the Legend, that's where the "replacement Legend" term came from. Frankly, I still like names better than the letters. Except in the case of the Acura Vigor. What kind of name was that?

mikemannj

As I was waiting for my salesman I sat in the RL, and I love the car's leather seats. They remind me a lot of the leather I used to have in the Lexus ES350. Also, I found the layout of the gadgetry a little less confusing. Aside from those two things I liked the TL in every other aspect.

Ken1997TL

Renamed Legend too. I've heard a couple Acura people call it that.

Vigor? Vigor and vim. Vitality and energy. I actually liked the name and the car

Ken1997TL

Tough decision and it is based upon preferences and budget. I needed room so I got a TSX wagon. I've owned 3 TL's and an RL.

I do like the 2012 TL quite a bit and like how it drives. The RL rides a little nicer. The TL does come in a 6 speed manual so I'd probably go for that.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^6MT ftmfw!

George Knighton

An argument might very well be made that the RL's version of SH-AWD is slightly more advanced than the TL's, even in the 2012 model year.

The 2014 TL might change that, but by then the RL might be a completely different car.

The RL might end up being a hybrid based on the new V6 replacement for the J Motor, or it might be an iteration of the V8, or it might even be rear-biased with a new SH-AWD.

Rumors are all over the place and this is one of the few secrets that Honda's been able to keep the past few years.

Well. The "gadgetry" is less confusing because it is a generation behind. Once you experience both RL and TL in motion, I can virtually guarantee you that you're going to prefer the experience of the TL.

The navigation system of the TL is much superior to the RL's. The screen is better and the voice command resolution is better.

The RL just got left behind because of the economic changes and a change in priorities at Honda. Its proposed revisions went on the shelves while Honda changed directions and worked out what exactly it was that they wanted to do.

Next year might bring us a very impressive RL. We'll see. :-)

Don't start tacking things onto a J37.

Think a complete package through all the way, or don't do anything.

Otherwise you're just going to be spending money to make more noise.

EazyRider562

At least some people at least agree now that the TL is top of line of its class!

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^no.

people agree that the 4G stole features from the 2G RL.
wait till the 3G RL comes out....

potmilkz

if dealer offered RL at the same price as i bought my TL, id have no problem going for a RL lol. but TL was cheaper and did the job just as the RL did so initially i went with the TL