Even though I just picked up my 03' CL-S 6spd w/ Navi less than 6 months ago, I really like the new RL . I'm going to the dealership tomorrow to go check it out. If they give me a decent price on my CL, I'll probably end up trading it in. Does anybody on this forum know much about the RL? Any advice would be appreciated.

TIA,
AL

 

Supposed to have a bit more power and a lot more comfort. Personally, I like the way it look. I really want to test drive one. One of the guys I work with said he didn't really like it a lot, but I think he's spoilt by his 7 series. Let us know how it works out for you.

 

My two cents? Lets give it a year and make sure the bugs are worked out!

"Every RL comes standard with a new all-wheel drive system that is modestly called Super Handling All-Wheel Drive, or SH-AWD. In a typical all-wheel drive car, when cornering under power, torque is directed to the inside rear wheel. This promotes understeer. Thus, it's nearly impossible for an all-wheel drive car to handle as well as a two-wheel drive car. Acura's SH-AWD uses an elaborate rear differential, with twin clutch packs, to direct extra torque to the outside rear wheel. The over driving of the outside rear wheel produces a yaw moment that pivots the car into the corner, thus reducing understeer. SH-AWD takes its cues, not just from wheel slippage, but from the RL's standard stability system."

2003 CLS Six Speed
Icebox

 

Yeah I would wait till the next Model Year. They are having problems with the SH-AWD system. Not again

 

It's a totally different car than the CL, 6 speed of not. A little slow but handles well for the weight. I think the all wheel drive is mostly for handling and does not do much for bad weather driving like a standard AWD set up. Interior is nice but not much bigger than an Accord, small trunk. Lots of gizmos, exterior styling and brakes are not up to the level of other parts of the car. I personally prefer the TL, for $20k less.

 

The 6 speed rocks, the new RL is auto only, right? And it is the 1st model year, wait a year till the wrinkles are ironed out. If you got that much $$$ burning a hole in your pocket send me some!

 

Well, its a tight ass car! The only downside is that it is expensive. If you want the A-SPEC edition, it will cost you $56K. I took a Black A-SPEC out last week, and after driving it, I WOULD never trade in my CL-S6 for it. My car after all the mods i have done, has a ton of more power then the RL.

 

Never buy a car in its first year of production said the man who broke that cardinal rule and ended up w/ a car that had 2 failed trannies.

 

My point exactly Chief F1!!

By the way, how do you license a $60K car? Sales tax here is 7%!!!

 

Funny, cause the 99TL has been rock solid, compared to the 00-03 M.Y.

 

It's 8.25 soon to be 9.25% here but, and this is a big but, I am tax exempt. Seneca Indians are explicitly exempt from state taxes in NY by the Treaty of Fort Stanwix.

 

Holy taxes batman! 9.25%!!!

 

The car was recently reviewed by Car and Driver magazine, and CD is fairly favorable to Acura in general. Usually though, the say something like "This is a real nice effort by Acura BUT..."

This time, there were no "buts". They thoroughly endorsed the car. Said they got everything right the first time.

I was eyeing these things over last Monday around noon as my ride was in for an oil change, tire rotation and an alignment. I am not a four door kind of guy, but I got to admit I am drawn to this car. I could afford one if I wanted to do the macaroni and cheese thing for a few years. No thanks. I'll stick with my 03 CLS6 navi.

Besides, I develope quite a mental block when I realize that this car costs ONE TWENTYITH OF A MILLION DOLLARS!

 

2nd gear clutch pack is different in the 5 speed auto vs. the 4 speed

 

Techno innovations aside, i am a "looker" judge of cars. I ended up behind a new RL and first thought was "small" and..a suttle hint of the 1st gen CL..(rear view). After watching it turn and getting a side view..."tiny"... Sorry but, that's why i love the 2nd Gen. CL and now older TL so much.. a fuller presence of a car... The new TL...my pulse goes nowhere and it just looks plain "wimpy".. i am just talking looks now..The RL.. just a "bug" looking thing.. I hope to God the next CL sets a sturdy look about it...

 

I agree/disagree. The 05 RL is very G1 CL looking at the rear and overall forgettable, but the TL is a nice sporty looking car. I'd buy the TL over the RL for looks. I prefer coupes tho. The RL is bland, the TL is sporty, the CLS is in-between but good lines cause it's a coupe.

 

My 99 had 4 trannies replaced with the 5th one on its way out when i sold it. As far as the new RL goes, if you drive the new TL and RL back to back, the RL will dissapoint with its handling and power delivery when compared to the TL.

 

If I didn't have a CLS 6MT (with all the CT goodies installed and then some) and I liked driving an auto, I'd definitely take a serious look at the new RL.

 

Let me tell you my personal experience then. My family currently owns four vehicles, and three of them are the first year of production: 2001 Acura 3.2CL coupe, 2003 Infiniti G35 sedan, and 2004 Lexus RX330. So far all of them are running very fine, except some very little bugs. It really depends, if you are very unlucky then you would pick a problem vehicle, but most of them are fine even for the first year. I say Lexus, Infiniti, and Acura vehicles are very reliable and "big-problem" free.

 

Not attacking, but what cars do you like, in terms of looks?

The RL doesn't look as stately as the previous gen. It doesn't look very sporty either. It's alright, overall. The interior is definitely where it's at with this car.

 

goldy,,
hey, i can dish it and take it so.. i am not worried about getting slammed...
by just "looks" i mean, when you see something new or, down the road of time,
it gets your heart going or, that inner voice of, "niiiiceee"..quick
examples, the CL of course, the now older TL, the G35 coupe, 350Z,
the Porsche line up (so so with the Boxster).. hey, even the lexus RX330
was finally done "right" style wise.....heck, the WRXsti ....
i just wasn't moved by the new TL or now, the RL...i wouldn't want to buy
either...like i mentioned, just going on looks alone......hey, and, as you know
in So Cal...we like our looks......