Thinking about 2003 RL w/Navi... Needs your inputs!
12-02-2009, 06:32 PM
#1
Thinking about 2003 RL w/Navi... Needs your inputs!
I'm thinking about getting '03 RL with navi. Is there anything I need to be aware of (such as common problems/issues)?
http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/ctd/1492178921.html
http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/ctd/1492178921.html
12-02-2009, 07:27 PM
#2
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Very nice.. mine is white as well and an '02.
Common problems? The driver's window switch controls were buggy on certain VIN ranges but these were recalled and fixed.
Passenger side airbag weight/position sensor sometimes goes out.
These are very very reliable cars.
Mods: Toss in a cold air intake, remove the intake resonator and you'll have a very pleasing engine tone.
Convert the Onstar unit to bluetooth and have an integrated system..
Convert the gauges with new LED's of whatever color you wish.
Have you driven a 1st gen RL?
The '02 - '04 have a somewhat firm ride with far less body roll than previous RL's. I'd almost call them sporty except it IS a 4000 pound FWD car and you soon learn this going 10 mph over the speed limit on a corner. On the other hand, its a very smooth ride and very quiet with the right tires.
Common problems? The driver's window switch controls were buggy on certain VIN ranges but these were recalled and fixed.
Passenger side airbag weight/position sensor sometimes goes out.
These are very very reliable cars.
Mods: Toss in a cold air intake, remove the intake resonator and you'll have a very pleasing engine tone.
Convert the Onstar unit to bluetooth and have an integrated system..
Convert the gauges with new LED's of whatever color you wish.
Have you driven a 1st gen RL?
The '02 - '04 have a somewhat firm ride with far less body roll than previous RL's. I'd almost call them sporty except it IS a 4000 pound FWD car and you soon learn this going 10 mph over the speed limit on a corner. On the other hand, its a very smooth ride and very quiet with the right tires.
Last edited by Ken1997TL; 12-02-2009 at 07:31 PM.
12-03-2009, 01:56 AM
#4
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Keep in mind the '04 RL got some very nice last year improvements.
6 disc/tape/XM in dash receiver, 3rd gen navigation with voice controls (same as the '04 - 06 TL)
An extra 2 speakers, power lumbar, fancier gauges and bits of trim.
One of the easy cosmetic improvements for a '96 - '03 RL is the chrome shift plate, 1st gen TL and RL owners love to either swap the '04 RL piece or just make their own.
Here's a photo of the '04 chrome piece:
6 disc/tape/XM in dash receiver, 3rd gen navigation with voice controls (same as the '04 - 06 TL)
An extra 2 speakers, power lumbar, fancier gauges and bits of trim.
One of the easy cosmetic improvements for a '96 - '03 RL is the chrome shift plate, 1st gen TL and RL owners love to either swap the '04 RL piece or just make their own.
Here's a photo of the '04 chrome piece:
Last edited by Ken1997TL; 12-03-2009 at 06:17 PM.
12-03-2009, 06:36 AM
#5
yup if you have a choice I would definitely look for an 04. All of them came with navi are there was only one model.
The 04 also got some nice electroluminneacsent gauges along with what ken already mentioned.
at the very least I would get 02+ if you could because like Ken said the ride was firmed up in that year. It included larger sway bars, stiffer springs with revalved shocks, and stiffer suspension mounts.
The 04 also got some nice electroluminneacsent gauges along with what ken already mentioned.
at the very least I would get 02+ if you could because like Ken said the ride was firmed up in that year. It included larger sway bars, stiffer springs with revalved shocks, and stiffer suspension mounts.
12-04-2009, 08:28 AM
#7
Don't be afraid of the 02-03 though. It's also a very good car. The first gen DVD nav isn't bad either. It works really well, despite it's dated look. It does a good job routing (even though I wish it had more routing options) as I recently relied on it 100% for a trip all over the northeast. I double checked it's routing via google maps and sprint navigation on my phone, and it was usually the same if not better as far as routing.
The little trim tidbits could be added later but sorta a pain.
take a look at both if you can though. If you can deal with the older nav and no xm or voice command along with less interior goodies. You would do well with either
The little trim tidbits could be added later but sorta a pain.
take a look at both if you can though. If you can deal with the older nav and no xm or voice command along with less interior goodies. You would do well with either
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12-04-2009, 11:45 AM
#9
me to 
putting white LED bulbs in the older ones makes things alot better though.
the 04 cluster will not work in the previous models since the temp and gas signals are different in the 04.
putting white LED bulbs in the older ones makes things alot better though.
the 04 cluster will not work in the previous models since the temp and gas signals are different in the 04.
12-04-2009, 05:27 PM
#12
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LED swap I did in my gauges was $22, looks classy and almost stock 
12-05-2009, 12:02 AM
#13
Actually, the 04s for Hawaii and Alaska markets did not come with NAVI.
I agree the 04s have some great features, including the upgraded dash and audio system.
But my favorite color was the light blue available in the 03 and maybe the 02s as well.
The car looks great for 86k miles. I am always impressed to see how well the leather seats have held up in these 1G RLs. I wish Acura would return to this level of leather quality.
I agree the 04s have some great features, including the upgraded dash and audio system.
But my favorite color was the light blue available in the 03 and maybe the 02s as well.
The car looks great for 86k miles. I am always impressed to see how well the leather seats have held up in these 1G RLs. I wish Acura would return to this level of leather quality.
12-08-2009, 01:50 PM
#15
Very solid vehicles. I bought my 02 (non-navi) with 85K miles and am very pleased with it. I am in Portland too and you can check it out if you like. They are very difficult to find with lower mileage as people keep them forever. Also, problems finding an aftermarket stereo kit to fit aftermarket stereos, if you have need for that. I went with a IPOD connector to the OEM stereo, and am not sure if Navi models can do that. All my music is digital so that would be a problem for me. Good luck!
12-08-2009, 04:09 PM
#16
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Very solid vehicles. I bought my 02 (non-navi) with 85K miles and am very pleased with it. I am in Portland too and you can check it out if you like. They are very difficult to find with lower mileage as people keep them forever. Also, problems finding an aftermarket stereo kit to fit aftermarket stereos, if you have need for that. I went with a IPOD connector to the OEM stereo, and am not sure if Navi models can do that. All my music is digital so that would be a problem for me. Good luck!
The connections should be similar if not the same on the navi models.
12-09-2009, 10:28 AM
#17
unfortunately no.
the non nav model RL's use a standard Honda/qAlpine 8 pin din connection while the nav equipped models use a different 12 pin conncetion.
heres a quick picture. Non nav on the left Nav on the right.
now that one on the right isn't for an Rl Its actually for a Kenwood FM modulated cd changer. The RL one is exactly the same except it only has 8 pins instead of 12. Still arranged the same way though.
its funny cause they still both use the same MBUS wiring I believe just different connectors. My plan is to get a regular ipod interface for a non nav and equip it to my nav RL after double checking the connections and splicing it in with what I hope will be some sort of solid state switch so that I can switch between ipod and cd changer at will.
the non nav model RL's use a standard Honda/qAlpine 8 pin din connection while the nav equipped models use a different 12 pin conncetion.
heres a quick picture. Non nav on the left Nav on the right.
now that one on the right isn't for an Rl Its actually for a Kenwood FM modulated cd changer. The RL one is exactly the same except it only has 8 pins instead of 12. Still arranged the same way though.
its funny cause they still both use the same MBUS wiring I believe just different connectors. My plan is to get a regular ipod interface for a non nav and equip it to my nav RL after double checking the connections and splicing it in with what I hope will be some sort of solid state switch so that I can switch between ipod and cd changer at will.
12-09-2009, 01:46 PM
#18
Three Wheelin'
Very solid vehicles. I bought my 02 (non-navi) with 85K miles and am very pleased with it. I am in Portland too and you can check it out if you like. They are very difficult to find with lower mileage as people keep them forever. Also, problems finding an aftermarket stereo kit to fit aftermarket stereos, if you have need for that. I went with a IPOD connector to the OEM stereo, and am not sure if Navi models can do that. All my music is digital so that would be a problem for me. Good luck!
12-09-2009, 08:20 PM
#22
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Maybe mod it with Legend parts?
Besides the steering, what did you think of it?
12-09-2009, 08:54 PM
#23
Agreed, it will not handle like the TL-S. But with aftermarket springs/shocks and bigger wheel/tires will handle better. Don't know what to do about the steering though. I drive a S2000 on good days and you wont believe the difference, but the RL is a comfortable cruising car. I picked up a set of 02-03 TL-S wheels for very cheap and waiting to powdercoat them and put new tires when the weather gets better. Every time I drive the RL, one thing comes to mind - "understated elegance".
BTW, drove a 2008 or 09 TL recently at the dealership (loaner) and hated it. Felt very noisy inside and the interior and exterior felt very un-Honda/Acura cluttered!! I was actually glad to get back in my car at the end of the day.
BTW, drove a 2008 or 09 TL recently at the dealership (loaner) and hated it. Felt very noisy inside and the interior and exterior felt very un-Honda/Acura cluttered!! I was actually glad to get back in my car at the end of the day.
Last edited by 9000revs; 12-09-2009 at 08:57 PM.
12-09-2009, 08:56 PM
#24
12-09-2009, 09:13 PM
#25
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I think the suspension is ideal for the car. Not much roll or floating.
If it had the steering feel and heft of the 1st gen TL, it would be ideal IMO.
If it had the steering feel and heft of the 1st gen TL, it would be ideal IMO.
12-09-2009, 10:12 PM
#26
I actually started a thread on a acuralegend.org about the steering issue.
apparently the EDM version Legend had several Steering rack revisions. Every 2 years it was revised. The US version had a revision mid 97 and then 98+ all used the same rack.
I have yet to dig deep into this but I'd like to swap in an EDM 02-04 rack to see what the difference is.
apparently the EDM version Legend had several Steering rack revisions. Every 2 years it was revised. The US version had a revision mid 97 and then 98+ all used the same rack.
I have yet to dig deep into this but I'd like to swap in an EDM 02-04 rack to see what the difference is.
12-09-2009, 10:15 PM
#27
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apparently the EDM version Legend had several Steering rack revisions. Every 2 years it was revised. The US version had a revision mid 97 and then 98+ all used the same rack.
I have yet to dig deep into this but I'd like to swap in an EDM 02-04 rack to see what the difference is.
I have yet to dig deep into this but I'd like to swap in an EDM 02-04 rack to see what the difference is.
12-09-2009, 10:29 PM
#28
the one i drove was 2003 white/beige with navi
car was smooth and quiet inside but it failed short of my expectations. i think i was expecting too much from all the raves about the RL
most i liked was airy feeling of interior and power steering wheel column. its so much easier to adjust steering with this power column. something that every car should come with.
and little more about steering feel... it felt super light around parking and gained some weight as speed increased. so i'm guessing RL comes with speed sensitive steering? anyways... i'm used to very stiff TL-S steering feel but RL was too light for my taste. my friends used to have '01 CL-S, '03 CL and '03 TL and they weren't light as RL's so i didn't feel much confidence in RL's handling during the test drive.
another was engine response/accel pedal feel. i'm not sure if the RL i tested today had accelerator problem but it felt very numb and engine didn't respond quickly enough. but engine pulled strongly upto highway speed with ease when it was revved up to 3500rpm. with smooth ride and quiet interior, it sure gains speed very easily.
those two areas can be improved with some mods but it just didn't click for me to buy one. i guess i'll just
on your pictures 
car was smooth and quiet inside but it failed short of my expectations. i think i was expecting too much from all the raves about the RL
most i liked was airy feeling of interior and power steering wheel column. its so much easier to adjust steering with this power column. something that every car should come with.
and little more about steering feel... it felt super light around parking and gained some weight as speed increased. so i'm guessing RL comes with speed sensitive steering? anyways... i'm used to very stiff TL-S steering feel but RL was too light for my taste. my friends used to have '01 CL-S, '03 CL and '03 TL and they weren't light as RL's so i didn't feel much confidence in RL's handling during the test drive.
another was engine response/accel pedal feel. i'm not sure if the RL i tested today had accelerator problem but it felt very numb and engine didn't respond quickly enough. but engine pulled strongly upto highway speed with ease when it was revved up to 3500rpm. with smooth ride and quiet interior, it sure gains speed very easily.
those two areas can be improved with some mods but it just didn't click for me to buy one. i guess i'll just
on your pictures
12-09-2009, 10:49 PM
#29
Agreed, it will not handle like the TL-S. But with aftermarket springs/shocks and bigger wheel/tires will handle better. Don't know what to do about the steering though. I drive a S2000 on good days and you wont believe the difference, but the RL is a comfortable cruising car. I picked up a set of 02-03 TL-S wheels for very cheap and waiting to powdercoat them and put new tires when the weather gets better. Every time I drive the RL, one thing comes to mind - "understated elegance".
BTW, drove a 2008 or 09 TL recently at the dealership (loaner) and hated it. Felt very noisy inside and the interior and exterior felt very un-Honda/Acura cluttered!! I was actually glad to get back in my car at the end of the day.
BTW, drove a 2008 or 09 TL recently at the dealership (loaner) and hated it. Felt very noisy inside and the interior and exterior felt very un-Honda/Acura cluttered!! I was actually glad to get back in my car at the end of the day.
yea... base TL doesn't feel that nice driving it. when i shopped around cars in 2007 to replace my '05 TSX, first thing i drove was '07 TL and didn't really like it but ended up with TL-S though. this is how it happened...
1. test drove '07 infiniti g35x and really liked it except cheaper feeling interior materials compared to acura. and with only one infiniti dealer in the state, they won't budge on the price so i walked out.
2. test drove '07 is250 awd. great looking exterior/interior. rich feeling interior materials. but not much faster than my tsx and it was too cramped inside. also tsx handled far better than is250. so i walked out dissapointed
3. stopped by at the acura dealer again and test drove '07 tl-s. wasn't expecting much since i already drove the tl before but tl-s had whole different driving dynamic. although it didn't come with the awd that i wanted, everything clicked so i signed and walked away with new tl-s.
4. only few days later purchasing the tl-s, infiniti dealer called and asks if i'm still interested.
12-09-2009, 10:52 PM
#30
I actually started a thread on a acuralegend.org about the steering issue.
apparently the EDM version Legend had several Steering rack revisions. Every 2 years it was revised. The US version had a revision mid 97 and then 98+ all used the same rack.
I have yet to dig deep into this but I'd like to swap in an EDM 02-04 rack to see what the difference is.
apparently the EDM version Legend had several Steering rack revisions. Every 2 years it was revised. The US version had a revision mid 97 and then 98+ all used the same rack.
I have yet to dig deep into this but I'd like to swap in an EDM 02-04 rack to see what the difference is.
12-10-2009, 01:18 AM
#31
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Cold air intake is a HUGE improvement on the RL. Stock, the engine is basically strangled to keep it quiet at all times 
Oh and you can tighten the throttle cable, it helps.
Oh and you can tighten the throttle cable, it helps.
12-10-2009, 01:04 PM
#32
I need to look for a cold air intake option. The car is detuned for the huge engine (for Hondas/Acuras) at the time. I feel an intake and an exhaust might help. I dont want to make it too loud though then it loses its function as a comfortable daily driver. Yes, the white one is my car.
12-10-2009, 01:04 PM
#33
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The CAI is only noisier if you step on the gas, otherwise its just as quiet as stock. It has a VERY nice growl when you actually wish to move 
12-29-2009, 08:14 AM
#34
The Box
Very nice.. mine is white as well and an '02.
Common problems? The driver's window switch controls were buggy on certain VIN ranges but these were recalled and fixed.
Passenger side airbag weight/position sensor sometimes goes out.
These are very very reliable cars.
Mods: Toss in a cold air intake, remove the intake resonator and you'll have a very pleasing engine tone.
Convert the Onstar unit to bluetooth and have an integrated system..
Convert the gauges with new LED's of whatever color you wish.
Have you driven a 1st gen RL?
The '02 - '04 have a somewhat firm ride with far less body roll than previous RL's. I'd almost call them sporty except it IS a 4000 pound FWD car and you soon learn this going 10 mph over the speed limit on a corner. On the other hand, its a very smooth ride and very quiet with the right tires.
Common problems? The driver's window switch controls were buggy on certain VIN ranges but these were recalled and fixed.
Passenger side airbag weight/position sensor sometimes goes out.
These are very very reliable cars.
Mods: Toss in a cold air intake, remove the intake resonator and you'll have a very pleasing engine tone.
Convert the Onstar unit to bluetooth and have an integrated system..
Convert the gauges with new LED's of whatever color you wish.
Have you driven a 1st gen RL?
The '02 - '04 have a somewhat firm ride with far less body roll than previous RL's. I'd almost call them sporty except it IS a 4000 pound FWD car and you soon learn this going 10 mph over the speed limit on a corner. On the other hand, its a very smooth ride and very quiet with the right tires.
12-29-2009, 10:28 AM
#35
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01-06-2010, 08:57 AM
#37
01-06-2010, 07:48 PM
#38
If you have an 04 its as simple as purchasing an adapter that plugs intto the xm port. some replace the xm and some work along with it.
2003 and older I will have something worked out by the end of February I hope.
01-07-2010, 08:14 AM
#39
Thanks man!!
01-07-2010, 08:21 AM
#40
The Box
