MORTOYZ

I know this isn't about my TL, but I couldn't resist bragging about getting to drive the new 2005 RL.

I got to drive 3 different RL's today, and I've got a white one sitting in my shop right now.

All I can say is WOW!

Don't get me wrong, I love my TL. But this car is unbelievable! If you get chance, take one for a ride you will be amazed!

chkelly

why is it "wow" ? Details..you have given none

J RIDE 81

DETAILES!!!!!!! Does it driver nicer then the TL!!!!!!

jimthegreek

The car drives 1000% more solid than the TL. There is no body roll, the AWD makes the car more responsive. From a stand still, you gun it and you get no torque steer whatsoever. The navi in the vehice is phenomenal. I know what my next car will be in 2006, when they get the bugs fixed from the first year.

jimthegreek

Acura dealers should have the RL's in stock now. They started shipping to dealers on monday.

MORTOYZ

Think of it like this, imagine everything the TL does, the RL does all that and more in a slightly cooler, more high-tech sort of way.

The car feels big. Very roomy. It has the cool F-1 shifting paddles on the steering wheel. Audio is awesome. The Nav and stereo are controlled by a upper-center console push nob like the new 5-Series BMW. Interior voice tells you all kinds of stuff, like what station you are tuning the radio to.

Though I didn't really get on it, you can definitely feel the 300hp and all-wheel drive. The front brake calipers look like they came off of a race car, with a big Acura logo on them.

That's it for now, I'm gonna go look at it some more.

dabuda

i was at my dealership today...no RLs yet

SouthernBoy

Three words:

No Manual Transmission.

That means I can't even consider the RL.

J RIDE 81

Thanks for the info!

tizo

drove the RL yesterday... they are so advanced in features, the salesmen are in a class to learn about it... they were told not to even try to explain everything about the car to customers, as it would take up the whole day and things would probably still be forgotten... i liked everything about the performance, stability, and stopping (there is plenty of stopping power)... love that the headlights turn with the wheel (actually watched them as the salesman turned the wheel, haha)... the XM "fin" on the roof looks like a shark fin and is more or less a like or dislike (i`m a dislike)... the center console is nice, but definitely something to get used to as it`s not as easily understandable as the TL`s... beautiful navigation with more option, but no touch screen... the wood trim is real and looks great... it has a split opening arm rest, auto adjust steering wheel, and a "welcolm" greeting as you turn on the car... sound system is definitely top notch... oh, and of course the paddle shifting (need i even go into detail about that )... but as they told me, don`t even try to explain everything, it`s not happening... go to the dealer and just sit in it (driving optional)...

J RIDE 81

Sounds crazy, I'm kind of jeolous

PeterUbers

iTrader: (1)

I dunno...

as nice as the new RL sounds... i think i'd hold out for the new GS430 even though I know I may be paying another $5000.00

The tech toyz are nice and everything, but i think my interest in them would dissipate over time. Just my 0.02

Ron A

Sorry, gotta move RL stuff to Cars & Bikes.

dtrose

Can Acurazine not have a RL section? "Cars and Bikes" is kind of a lame area to put these types of thing. Forum Moderators needs to create rl.acurazine.com

varanelli

Saw five RLs at Pohanka Acura tonight. Very nice. Two anthracite (one already sold), one dark blue, one white, and one maroon.

First impressions:
Don't like: wood trim in interior
Like: everything else

The '06 model will have a hybrid option. Flame away, but you heard it here first.

6mtV6

The "fin" on the RL is actually for the Onstar service I heard. The XM antenna is integrated into the back window. I read this somewhere on the Acura site. Could be a typo.

Ken1997TL

Thats funny I like the wood. Did you see a dark interior or a lighter one?

Repecat

Acura of Portland (OR) has 4 RLs on their lot. They are not releasing them for demos yet, but I got to sit (and drool) in one today. THAT is a lot of car! Gadgetry galore.

varanelli

Both. I like it a little better with the darker interior.

Bitium

I'm with you on that one, but don't worry there is hope for a 6-speed TL with SH-AWD in the near future.

Msnowdon

I was thinking about getting one until I say the new Infiniti M coming out spring of next year.

Michael

Ianbiz3

F1 paddels?? I love those

Salut

Amen to that brother...

From your screen to the Acura gods ears...

Salut
Ciao

dallison

can't wait to see them

HQuakers

Saw some as I passed by a dealership on Route 1 near Trenton. They were sooooo hot.

iNteGraz92

if you want a maxima looking car, get a maxima

1SICKLEX

Like if you want an Accord looking car, get a RL? Remember this bub. THe GS was out in 1998 with that bodystyle Nissan blatantly copied with the 2004 Maxima. Since the GS is an evolution of it's previous version, yes people will have the Maxima jokes.

wck3

RL is definitely a real nice car. Is it comparable in qualities and what not to the TL? Yeah. The major differences are the F1 paddles, the traffic link in the navi, the AWD, the mirror blinkers and of course the 300 hp engine. However, with only those things in mind, I'm not paying 20k more for a slightly better TL. Just my $.02 though.

03TL-S

And now the new gs looks like a cross between an avalon and a maxima. Very ugly car...lexus just never gets the styling right.

Teh Jatt

why do i have to agree with u on this everytime lol

Type S Lady

I only got a chance to sit in a pearl 05 RL one on Saturday only to wipe the drool from my mouth. It's very nice, I think they are finally on par with it the other upscale sedans. It was very nice to say the least. To bad it's way out of my range.

MADCAT

Someone give me some money !

brahtw8

I posted this review on nsxprime, where the RL is also being discussed in OT.

I drove the RL on Saturday.

I was not impressed. The interior wood looks horrible. The rear seats appear to have less room than my 04 TL. The engine is not nearly as responsive as I had expected for 300 hp, and it is overall far too soft and slow for my tastes. The sunroof is on the small side.

I don't like the loss of the touch-screen Navi. The controller is okay, but I feel they could have had both.

I could hardly notice the AWD on the test drive. It is really more of an absence of torque steer and front wheel hop than something that manifests itself overtly.

I should have pressed it a little more, but it just seemed more comfortable at an easy pace.

I have no desire for one. YMMV.

jdone

One of my co-workers showed up this am with a new RL. He hasn't let me drive it (yet), but it looks like a helluva lot more car than a E-class Benz or a five series BMW. It looks like an Accord only in the way an S-class Benz looks like the C-class-ie-only vaguely.

candler99TL

I been waiting on the new RL. Drove it and was not impressed with the car it has a lot nice fetures. The car is not worth $50,000. and they made it smaller than the2004 RL. So iam not going to buy this over rated over priced TL with RL badges and it also looks more like a honda. Ive owned 5 honda-acura cars and this is the most disapointed i been SO iam buying a Chrysler 300srt8

corey415

The 04TL is smaller (in length) than the 99-03 TL. Does that mean it sucks also??

If it's not worth 50G's, then how much do you think it's worth? Have you even been in the car or driven the car?

I am not sure why there is so much animosity toward a car that is a step above the TL. Perhaps people are jealous?

brahtw8

Perhaps people expected it to be more of a step up than it appears to be.

legendguy

The RL wows you from the start when you step up to door (with fob in pocket) and open the door with no key and no pressed buttons. The seat, mirrors, and wheel all adjust to you and then you put your hand to the side of the wheel and just press and turn the knob to start. Is this worth 16K? Not yet. But the stereo is great, the wood deluxe, doors shut with a thud, the interior is soooo quiet, you know you are driving a luxury car. The tech features are nice too ... headlights that turn when you steer, tire pressure monitoring, real time traffic info. The SH-AWD makes the drive seem rock solid and secure. I have not pushed the SH-AWD to its limits or driven in snow, but I think it will prove to be great. P.S.>I do not think it is fair to compare the RL to the TL since the TL is a real bargain for $35K and that makes anything else hard to compete with it. The RL is a bargain when compared to a $65K BMW or Benz which is what equivalent costs. P.P.S.> I am biased because I picked up my Lakeshore/Ebony RL on Tuesday.

Msnowdon

If I could dump my 911, I would buy the RL, but seems like it is going to be the RL as I can't sell the 911.

Maybe the RL will be next time.

Michael

wck3

I tend to agree with everyone else on this one. 50k for AWD, 30 more hp (on a heavier body that makes the hp nonexistant), real-time traffic info (only in selected areas), turning headlights?, TPMS, and other minor nit-noid stuff seems a bit too much. In comparison to the TL which has an excellent package of performance, value and features for roughly 31-33k the RL is a bit over-priced IMHO. Comparing the RL to a MB, BMW, or a Jag is not the best idea. MB, BMW and Jag have a completely difference performance record and are more of a pleasure to drive than the RL. Don't get me wrong, I love Acura. However, I love Acura because of the quality for dollar, reliability and lower cost of ownership. I love my BMW's for performance (responsiveness/agility/speed) and quality craftsmanship. Two completely different cars in my mind. The RL is a nice car, no doubt. However, it would be more attractively priced at 45k. Acura priced the TSX and the TL so close that they destroyed the market on the TSX prior to delivery date. I believe Acura Marketing believed the same situation with the RL and TL.