Mike734

I'm seriously thinking about leasing the new RLX when it comes out because I am so bothered by a few things on the RL. What bugs you? For me it's:

1. The rear view mirror doesn't dim the lights behind me enough at night. I end up raising the shade to help block the glare.

2. I don't like the way the defogger ramps up the fan to 5'units of speed when I select it. 2 units is plenty.

3. The Bluetooth phone capability is pretty lame especially with respect to phone book.

4. I don't like the way the transmission shifts all around 3rd 4th & 5th when driving around 40 MPH. I usually leave it in D3 and live with the higher RPMs.

5. The mileage is sub par. 18 MPG, city just doesn't cut it today.

6. The rear seat room is too small. The RLX looks like it will have lots of room.

7. Love DVD-A but there aren't any DVDs available. XM can suck my balls. I look forward to digital radio and streaming music.

8. The Nav system has not been updated by the new DVDs. That just pisses me off. Hopefully the new system will be top notch.

I will drive a hard bargain when the RLX comes out and will try to lease one for as good a price as I can. I know the first year of any Honda product is problematic. That is why I will only lease.

Happy new year guys.

HEAVY_RL

iTrader: (1)

Seems like a solid list, I'm curious to know if you have been shopping around and if there is a car that meets all your needs now?

Mike734

I love the AWD system so any car I get will be AWD. I'm Hopeing the RLX will be the one.

getakey

You're going to have to wait a while for RLX AWD. Won't be out until late 2013.

Yumcha

Make sure you test drive the competition too! There are lots of options!

Mike734

That's perfect. I've only had the 06 RL for a few months. I can wait.

Carbon Legend

only thing that bugs me is the damn review mirror rattle from the Sub

projektvertx

iTrader: (2)

The things that bug me:

1. No phonebook transfer
2. No heated steering wheel
3. No dimming side mirrors

Rear legroom has been an RL problem since '96 (day 1). I can't speak for the Legend. As for MPG, you knew what you signed up for when you bought the car (as harsh as that sounds).

baboya96

Pretty solid list but to add onto it....
No placement holder for a pair of sunglasses (usually by the dome lights)
Not able to search thru phonebook

BDoggPrelude

-The phone book thing is pretty annoying. I don't know how many, if any at all, cars actually had that kind of capability back in 2004 when the RL was first released. May just be a case of the technology not being available when the car was built.

-Trying to find a place through the navigation system using anything but the address is futile. Both of our Acuras are this way. I'm assuming the newer navigation systems are a lot better.

-Chrome quality on the grill and trim pieces is absolute crap.

-Accessing the climate controls in the pre-2009 models is painful.

-Honestly though, one of my biggest pet peeves about this car are the windshield wipers. They effing suck! I've replaced the inserts with the PIAA's and all that. They still miss a giant section right in the middle of the windshield. Trying to use them at speeds anything over about 40mph is ridiculous. The arms just don't allow the blades to apply even and constant pressure across the glass. Definitely the worst windshield wipers of any vehicle I've ever owned.

Altogether, I'm pretty satisfied with my car. It is not better or worse than I expected. Most of the gripes are petty and are things Acura had no control over...except those damn windshield wipers. Argh.

lumpulus

Don't see what all the fuss is about the phone features, especially the phone book. I've had my 06 RL through at least 10 different devices, and it worked perfectly on all of them. As to the phone book, I haven't needed to use it, not even once. I love the dial up feature in the nav for making reservations though.

My RL has 110k miles on it now, and BDOGG has it right about the chrome parts on the grill not holding up well. The only real issue I had with the car as a whole was the POS Michelin OEM tires. I can't see myself going for an RLX unless they fix the "beak".

getakey

bdogg - what's the issue with finding a place in the navi? I use find a type of place in Category all the time, e.g. restaurant by name or sort by distance, closest bank, post office, etc.

I'm completely satisfied with car, but if I had to pick a pet peeve, it would be the HVAC and the Range. I have to change temp in HVAC depending on conditions. Range is useless when 3 gallons left in tank.

oo7spy

First world problems. It's nice to see the spirit and joy of the season last so long, though.


What is wrong with the Bluetooth again? I see 3 comments that a simple test drive/research would have uncovered and one that is impossible to ask for out of any electronic, especially one that is 8 years old.

I suppose since we are all on the bandwagon, though, I wish I could select the A/C modes from the climate control console. That is why I will upgrade to the MMC console someday.

Mike734

I assume you've tried rain-x? I live in Seattle, so I do experience rain. So far I have been happy with the wipers using oem replacements. I think you should try rain-x or some of the easier to use, spray-on windshields treatments to improve your experience.

projektvertx

iTrader: (2)

I guess that pretty much addresses it. For what it was back in the day, our system is a huge innovation. I definitely do appreciate EVERY other aspec of the Nav/Bluetooth/Voice controls. My ONLY gripe about it is phonebook transfer. ONLY one.

DiabloSVRacer

I'm thinking about getting the new 2014 Mazda 6.

oo7spy

Fixed.

mayflowerman

FYI: There is a TSB about the wipers getting fixed to add more tension to better deal with snow and ice. Might take care of your rain issue.

ichi d

this bugs me the most when it snowing.

06silverRLion

Great choice! That is one beautiful car. But not as much technology as in our RL and RLX.

EL19

iTrader: (4)

My windshield wipers are fine. My chrome has held up well too (120k+ miles)

My only gripes are I would like a heated steering wheel, button lighting burning out, sunglass holder, and better mpg but its not that big of a deal. Otherwise my car is pretty solid.

titomang

My only gripe would be the limited aftermarket wheels that are available for the RL due to the oversize front calipers. Other than that I love the car.

-Bruce

getakey

Actually, the condition of my center arm rest is really bugging me! I need to take it to an upholstry shop

HEAVY_RL

iTrader: (1)

Yeah that and the door panel material is garbage

getakey

yes, that too

M T L T L

what bugs me is that I can't disable the headlight washer spray. I have to turn off my headlights every time I need to spray windshield washer fluid.

getakey

must be a canadien thing

M T L T L

^
du yiees
buk Lau voice for those who know

ichi d

+1 on that.

Maintenanceman

And European.

GoHawks

For those of you complaining about what your RL lacks, especially those of you who bought yours used recently. Remember you are driving a car that was introduced in late 2004 as a 2005 model, over eight years ago. THat means most of that technology was being perfected 10 years ago.

When I bought my RL new in the spring of 2006, it was referred to as a "Best Buy store on wheels". It offered more technology than any other cars in it's class, and in some cases above it.

Acura's problem, as has been the case for the previous gen RL too, is that they haven't updated the car significantly for those eight years. While most cars go through a 4-5 year cycle before a significant redesign, with the RL Acura seems to double that. By the time the car gets redesigned, it seems archaic.

oo7spy

getakey

ok, one more thing: The way the outside temp is calculated and updated. I can drive for over 20 minutes and it will be wrong the entire time

NWAcuraFan

First let me say that I really enjoy the RL and don't regret the choice at all. That said, +1 to front caliper size which poses challenges to rim choices and root problem which is poor OEM choice with rims to begin with. A-Spec black chrome option is acceptable but the stock 17s don't do the car justice in my opinion. Other items that I will add as nuisances. Lack of RDS display on radio. Lack of cooled front seats (at least in US models). Lack of heated rear seats.

getakey

^ " Lack of RDS display on radio"
Forgot that one

Professor

1) Cheap leather (namely center console)
2) No cooled seats in the South
3) Stupid one-unit fog lights.

projektvertx

iTrader: (2)

Hey, we're having our "rich people problems". Let us bitch

Mike734

This is good. Let's keep it going. This forum has been weighted too far on the fanboy side since the beginning. It's time for a reality check. I'm sure some Acura people read this also, so maybe some of our complaints will reach the right ears.

getakey

Actually I am a big fan of the car. All of the things that bug me are pretty small items in the whole scheme of things. The new technology introduced with the RL is all pretty solid. What's odd is that the small things that bug me are all features that have been around for a long time. Strange how those things can get screwed up

oo7spy

"From the beginning"... Do you mean when you joined 4 months ago or when this site had "CL" in the url over a decade ago? You obviously have never left the RL side if you think this site is all fan boys. I have yet to see an RL owner ever claim their car is the best car in its class or that it doesn't have flaws, but I have also never seen a thread that has such a negative and meterialistic connotation to it as this one.