So my mom has been thinking about getting a new car. She's leaning towards getting either the RL or the TL and wanted to have my opinion so I went by myself so i could get a feel for both of them. When I got there I told the salesman what my views were of the TL and the RL and he said ok well that's good but let me give you the chance to drive both of them. I drove the TL tech version first and I thought it was an amazing car, and that it's always eager to have something thrown at it to test it and I loved it so much I wanted to try a step up the TL SH-AWD...sadly when we got back the ONLY one on the lot was being solddd as soon as we got there!!!!! But instead I asked to get a feel of the RL the salesman told me if would be a totally different feel and that I would like this one better, I said it would rather appeal to an older person because of the styling and more younger guys like me like the TL. After driving the RL SH-AWD. My views have totally changed. It's faster, it comes with almost all of the same features and more, it handles better and although decieving to the eye it is a lot better than the TL. I was taken back because I've always been set on the TL looks and performance wise but the RL is more than meets the eye I guess you could say. Hm...if I had gotten the chance to test the TL SH-AWD I do believe that the story would've been totally diffferent and I would hands down pick the TL but the TL tech vs the RL? What do you guys think....although it hurts to say it I think I might like the RL better in this one.

Rl

I just realized after reading your question that today while getting my transmission fluid changed and new spark plugs, I never saw an Acura RL at the dealership. There wasn't one on the showroom floor where they had a few TSX's, a couple of TL's, an RDX, and an MDX. None immediately outside, either. I'm sure they may have had one somewhere on the lot, but ... dang.

Anyway, there's probably a reason RL's don't sell and Acura has seemingly left that model for dead until rumors of a complete re-design surfaced. Aren't they supposed to be unveiling the new RL at the New York Auto Show in a couple of months? I don't think it's worth paying a price premium for it over the 4G TL. But that's just me.

Don't forget the huge price difference between the TL-tech and the RL.

Acuraman205...As Rocketsfan said, the new RL will be featured at the New York autoshow in April....you should wait to see it prior to making a decision. IF your mom can't wait until the new RL comes out, I would say get the TL AWD Tech over the RL as the current RL is almost done and its seriously outdated. That's just me though...

RL doesn't sell well, price is too high, people around this price prefer to shop for BMW or Mercedes etc...

Owned an '06 RL before trading it for my current '12 TL. Different cars with different driving experiences. My RL was Aspec'd which sharpened its handling but my TL is still a much better handler. I do miss the interior and some of the creature comforts of my RL but thoruughly love my TL. Today I'm not sure the price differential is justied.

The RL is an amazing car. As been said. the Rl just aint got that NAME. No one brags about owing a RL. If I wanted to spend the buck, I would take the RL or TL. Since I got 3 cars, the RL price could not be justified in my mind.

As already mentioned, the new RL is right around the corner so I would stay away from the current model.
If your mom doesn't mind buying used, check out the 07/08 RL.
It's basically the same car as the new one minus the tranny (5AT vs 6AT) plus an arguably more attractive design.
You probably could find low mileage examples in the mid 20s or less.
I seriously considered one before purchasing my TL. It was super comfy with a more luxurious interior with excellent fit and finish.

doesnt the RL use the old NAV interface? it also doesnt have the ELS audio.. i'd pass on that car; especially at $50K

The Bose system in the RL can go head to head with the ELS. I had an 06 and Im not sure the Bose was not better.

If you have the money for an RL, then look at a TL SH-AWD with Advance.

The current TL has a significant advantage over the RL insofar as some of the electronics are concerned.

Compare, for example, the screen, maps and navigation functionality of the RL with the TL, and you'll come away seeing that the TL is a full generation ahead.

The RL (Legend) will get its leap in the next generation.

I prefer the looks an feel of the TL. But if the dealership offer you a deal on the RL then jump on in. I know the RL are not selling well and if not selling well they are force to give a discounted price. For the money, people suggest on the TL than the RL. When I had an 08 RL they discounted me $10,000 from there sticker

Have fun

It the dealer is willing to discount $15-20K from the brand new RL, then the RL is a better buy than the TL.

If they put 6 speed manual with SHAWD in RL.

never.. its like putting a manual in a 7 series, it doesnt make sense. you want the sporty characteristics; get the TL.. you want the nice comfortable luxury cruiser, get the RL. it would be stupid if they had an RL with a manual transmission

TL = sporty
RL =luxury

But Acura still needs to make more of a difference between the 2. You get pretty much the same thing in the TL that comes in the RL at a cheaper price. Ride quality is the only difference I see. I guess if you want, you can find a reason to justify paying more for the same features and a more luxury ride.

^^^^^

Not to worry. Acura will fix this similarity problem with the upcoming new 3G RL.

That's exactly what I'm expectin. Can't wait to see the production versions of the NSX and RL. They did really good on the RDX and ILX imo.

ILX = Laughable. It's a Civic. Could have been a WRX eating compact, instead, it's life in the slow lane again....for more money than an already overpriced Civic.

I have no expectation that the RL will be any profound Acura super-tourer as the those running the company currently have shown no interest in developing vehicles in that direction.

Under the watch of current management, the S2000 has been killed off, you've gotten the Crosstour, the Insight, the ZDX, some charlatan hybrid CRX wannabe compact, and no sport development on the Fit, Civic, or Accord coupe. If it's not an overpriced, underperforming hybrid, or a bubble ass strapped onto an Accord frame, they aren't building it right now.

RL expectations: If Honda hasn't made it blatantly clear that they're hybrid junkies, they will with their flagship Acura. Direct Injected 3 Liter V6 @ 250hp with a 40hp electric motor on the flywheel, and 40hp electric motors on each of the rear hubs. It will be advertised as 370hp and 35mpg, and won't really do either very well. Expect the same on the NSX, with a 30-40hp bump on the gas engine through stroke or revs. Also expect a price bump on the cost of a new powertrain and 3 electric motors.
$55k base - $65k loaded.

(I might add that I hope I'm wrong.)

Why do people keep saying that the RL has the same featuers as the TL. The RL has a lot more than the TL and also sit inside both. You will see the differences.
Some features that is in RL but not in TL:

Active front lighting system
Adaptive cruise control
Integrated sunshades
Collision Mitigation Braking system
tire resonators to reduce tire noise
power folding side mirrors
rear parking sensors is standard with tech package

your right; there are options only available on the RL that are great; however there are upgrades that the TL has that the RL doesnt. i posted this perviously:


-navi? have you guys seen the 2011 navi? it looks like it's from the stone age. embarrassing graphics and rendering.. why couldnt they just add the one from the TL?
-no push button start.. are you serious?
-only 300 hp vs 305 for the TL
-no ELS audio system? again WTF are they thinking putting a better sound system in the TL and TSX?

this will hopefully all change when the 3G RL is released, but until then i would not buy a new RL except if it was heavily discounted

If my mom is looking at the RL, I'll get her a Lexus...

I would go hands down for the rl. However I prefer the tsx v6 tech beige interior and black exterior to either.

RL is not for the younger crowd. It's something my 60 y/o mom would drive. I prefer my TL w/tech package, I'm a young lookin' 30 y/o guy, what can I say?

Personally, you can determine which you should be in, pretty plain and simple imo.

Your 30???!

Yes sir!

My wife and I are both in our mid-60's. Cost is not the object, as we previously owned a Lexus LS430 and a Lincoln Town Car (Cartier Ed.) before that. When we decided to get our first Acura (late 2008) we test drove both the TL-Tech and the RL. We were ready for something a little sportier than what we'd been driving.

The interior of the RL is very nice, but the plushiness and soft mushy ride was not what we were looking for. After driving the TL, that's what we ended up choosing - and liked it so much that we came back a few years later and bought another TL (2012). As my wife aptly puts it, "We're not dead yet" and the TL is a lot of fun to drive, even at our age. Old people like to have fun too.

In this time and age, 60s is not old Cap'n Preshoot

Looks like the RL market is all but dead.

Young guys don't want it, and old guys also don't want it.

What has Acura done to end up this bad !?

Acura doesn't know what they represent! Are we just a "value added" arm of Honda (tweaks to Honda designs + $) or are we going to be go "whole hog" luxury/performance? I'm really thinking the NSX and redesigned TL for 2014 will be last hurrah for Acura. If they don't go over big, say goodbye. JMHO.

lol If you buy the RL, you'll be one of the few on the road.

At the end the day boys and girls, it doesn't matter what you get with the Acura name, it's pretty much all quality!


I LOVE RACING my '09 TL w/ tech package every day of the week.

Yes we all know you love racing. So does the state of California and that is why they suspended your drivers license.

Back on topic, I personally don't think there is enough to the RL to justify the price difference over the TL. I don't see a whole lot of 4G TL's around here and even fewer RL's. In the last 2 years I think I have seen 2 RL's and only one of those was a newer model.

In my view, TL has it all over the RL. Styling, performance and technology. I seriously considered the RL in 2005. Today it is still basically the same car. Acura needs to step up their game with the new RL. I look forward to seeing it in April.

I agree with you!

Ichishima's personal car used to be the previous generation RL/Legend with a 6-6 conversion.

I missed the "mom" part of the post. Get her a RX350.