Guitaryojedi

OK, I think I got a great deal.
2016 RLX SH-AWD Advanced: Slate Silver Metallic / Ebony for $61,589.

My current RLX P-AWS' trade-in was $30,000.

They seemed desperate, so they told me they will deliver the car to my house.
That is great, since that dealer is 65 mile away.

So, I just pulled the trigger.

Thanks guys!

hondamore

Congratulations Guitaryojedi!! You should start preparing your facial muscles now in anticipation of the non-stop smiling when your Sport Hybrid arrives and you get to drive it as much as you want. Have fun.

pgeorg

Congratulations! I wish you many safe and fun miles with your new SH.....Welcome to the club, Guitaryojedi! One thing you will notice right away is that the suspension is much softer, and much more compliant that the 2014 P-AWS. It might take you a few miles to adjust.......

TampaRLX-SH

Congrats! I'd say you got a good deal on the SH. Who knows what dealer $$$ they get from Acura, but that is the published dealer cost. Some have reported no deals on the SH. We will look forward to your observations of the SH compared to the PAWs. One of these three? https://www.cars.com/for-sale/search...=GN_REFINEMENT

Guitaryojedi

Yep yep, one in the middle! (Gold Coast Acura)

Just drove to my office this morning, and it's a completly different animal

It will take few more days to get used to it, but SH-AWD is way more powerful,
and pgeorg is right, suspension is much smoother.

One thing is, while I'm driving, I normaly rest my right hand on the shift knob.
But as you know, RLX SH-AWD has Electric Gear Selector.
So when I noticed there's no shift knob, feels like I just shot a terrible Airball.

TampaRLX-SH

Looks like they had the car for about 6 months, so they were eager to get it off their overhead.

You will also love the HUD and 360 Cameras. Indeed, the SH is a very different animal. Almost every review I read where the writer had previously experienced the PAWS model has commented the same. Our secret is trickling out.

fsmith

Congrats, and welcome to the club. We are maybe 400-450 strong now? For me, it has been the best car I have owned. A total delight to drive. After 19 months, I still smile at the thought of having to drive somewhere!

Guitaryojedi

Yeah, I already liked RLX P-AWS a lot, so I knew I would love RLX SH-AWD Hybrid more.
Same as fsmith. The best car I have ever owned. No doubt.

To be an honest, I don't really care how many RLX SH-AWD are sold, though.
I just drive whatever I like, and that includes ZDX.(lol)

My Acura History: RDX(1st gen) - ZDX - RLX P-AWS - RLX SH-AWD

Malibu Flyer

Welcome aboard the SH ship! It is nice to have another Sport Hybrid owner in SoCal. If you want to really have some fun, try a trip through a winding road in the Santa Monica mountains. It will put a big smile on your face, especially when you slip it into "Sport Mode". On a freeway trip, jump into the car pool lane, put LKAS and Adaptive Cruise Control on and actually enjoy a SoCal freeway ride.

I look forward to hearing you comparison of the PAWS to the SH.

neuronbob

Welcome!

RLX-Sport Hybrid

Welcome to our very small club! We all love our cars and I'm sure you will too!

bigred123

Hello,

I have found a dealer advertising a used 2014 RLX Sport Hybrid Elite (which is the Advanced model in the US). I've seen a few reviews with people saying there were issues with the 2014. What has everyone experienced, or should I wait for a newer model to purchase?

I'm in no rush, but wanting to upgrade my current 2008 TL and been looking more and more at the RLX SH in my compares.

Thanks in advance!

neuronbob

Welcome to AZ!

The only issues with the 2014 RLX Sport Hybrid are:

1. Lower screen radio controls have less information than the 2015 (Canada) and 2016 (Canada and USA) Sport Hybrids, not a huge deal
2. Navi cursor acting funny, fixable by updating the navi software
3. You won't want to stop driving it once you've experienced it in the curves.

I have a 1/1 issue with fuel economy, but I'm still working with Acura to figure that out. Everyone else has awesome fuel economy.

The issues you read of are probably for the PAWS RLX, which did have some suspension issues, which have been addressed.

Good luck!

bigred123

Thanks. I saw some other potential issues with the battery and something draining it (so car wouldn't start in the morning). But I guess you aren't experiencing that? Anything I should be asking for (i.e. replace brakes, etc.) I've mostly owned TL's in the past and the maintenance costs haven't been an issue (nor for my Pilot and MDX) - anything to watch out for on maintenance costs with the RLX?

Thanks!

neuronbob

The best person to ask about maintenance costs is George Knighton, who has driven the most in his SH. I've got 16.5 k miles in 20 months with the car, and my only maintenance is two oil changes and a replacement cabin filter. That's it! Grand total of maybe $200, if that. You can't beat that! I haven't had any issues with the battery draining. This car is pretty reliable. Jump on in...

bigred123

That's great news. Thanks neuronbob! Going to test drive the car tomorrow and, if all goes well with that, negotiate a deal.

PS - Congrats on your Cavs win. Quite the upset in the finals, and although we were miffed that you beat our Raptors, it was great to see Lebron come back to his home town and win it for the fans. Now if only the Leafs could accomplish this feat!

George Knighton

Maintenance costs?

There are maintenance costs?

0_o

bigred123

No deal (as of yet)....

Went to dealership today to strike a deal, but all they would budge was $300! Pretty miffed about that so I walked out on the deal. This car has sat on their lot for 8 months, and I'm in no hurry so I will play the waiting game with them. I came up from my original offer and wanted a total of $1K of the price, but they didn't move off their $300K discount on the 2nd round so I walked. To be fair to the dealer, they had recently dropped the price on the car by $1,000 - but still $300 off? It's like they don't want to sell it (we were $800 away AFTER TAX when I walked). The car has 2 Type A services does, so a Type B I imagine is up next - they wouldn't even through that in (shouldn't cost the dealership much as I would do the service at their dealership) as a sweetener.

For comparison, I test drove a used 2013 GS350 AWD (first year of their re-design, like the RLX). Really liked the car from the outside (much more than the RLX), and the car had a more "drivers' feel in the car (from the turn signals to hugging the road in general). Didn't get the feel like that in the RLX - although I could have been in shock at the mere size of the vehicle (much bigger than I had anticipated, that's for sure!). However, I find the interior design of the RLX to be far superior.

One thing that did concern me with the RLX though was twice while I was driving it I pumped the gas pedal wanting acceleration, and the car rev'd....but didn't engage right away (was a slight sub-second delay) which seemed odd. Didn't happen any more during the test drive - but then again I was more in bumper to bumper traffic so not comparable. Has anyone else experienced this "hesitation"?

Still on the fence what to do...but the good thing is, I'm in no rush! I'll wait it out with the dealer for now. I normally purchase new cars and keep them a long time, so my negotiations are much more successful (I can always find another dealer that will be more hungry when there is a bigger inventory to source from).

Decision, decisions.....

hondamore

Bigred123, Dealerships seem to be more willing to deal right at the end of the month, even more willing at the end of a quarter and even more willing at the end of the year - or at least that has been my experience. You've made the right first move in walking away to let them know that you'll only pull the trigger when the deal is right for you. Throwing in a quick, "Maybe I'll just wait for the 2017", or "Maybe I'll drive by the Lexus dealership to see what deals they have", go a long way to get the salesperson to understand that bigger discounts will be required to close this deal.

As I mentioned in another thread, once/if the 2017 RLX's show up, the discounts for the 2016's will increase.

The game then becomes waiting long enough to get a deal, but not too long that the car is no longer available. This is where you have to decide how badly you want the car (without ever conveying that to the salesperson) and planning accordingly.

It is a great car - I wish you the best of luck in your quest to acquire one.

neuronbob

Ah, yes, the art of negotiating with a car dealer. I absolutely HATE that about buying a car. Ugh. Good luck! I guess the car will sit on their lot eight more months. Unless they are really motivated at end-of-quarter.

bigred123

It's a used car (2014 SH Elite/Advance) - so I don't think the end of month numbers matter to them. You'd think they be motivated to move it at least!

bigred123

I don't mind it at all when buying new (in fact, I quite enjoy it!). However normally I'm looking at vehicles that move off the dealership more frequently (TLX, MDX, etc.). And buying used is another game whereby you don't have the luxury of buying the next one from the other dealers lot - all used cars are very different, even with the same mileage and options!

pgeorg

Yes that hesitation is there.......i think its from the Cylinder Deactivation and ECO behavior of the SH. If you use Sports mode, that disappears completely. Unfortunately Sports mode is to crazy for daily use, so that is why i mentioned in another thread i would like to see a "Normal" mode also.

bigred123

Thanks....that's at least reassuring it isn't just a problem with this car I had the car on Sports mode for most of the remainder of the test drive, which could also explain why I didn't get the hesitation. Thanks for confirming this!

pgeorg

You're welcome bigred123. What most of us do is press the Sport button right before we need instant full power......then turn it off again:-).

bigred123

PURCHASED!!!! Dealer finally agreed to meet me half way. Black on black Elite/Advance unit. Prior Honda Executive driven car. VIN #21 so very early off the line.

Now debating the extended warranty - they have offered me 7 years, 160,000 kms (100,000 miles) for just under $2350 Canadian (about $1800 US). I haven't purchased one before (Honda/Acura has been very reliable for me), but with all the gadgets in this car I am seriously considering this. Comments from anyone would be gladly appreciated!

PS - How do I update my signature? It appears to be non-editable in my profile!!!!

Thanks!

bigred123

That's what I will be doing now too then

pgeorg

Congrats bigred123! I hope you have many safe and enjoyable miles with the SH, like the rest of us!

I decided to buy AcuraCare (Extended Warranty) for my 2016 SH, although i don't think i will need it. I went with the AcuraCare Plan D62, 6 years — 120,000 miles, $0 Deductible, $1,505.00.
I think you its a good idea, if you're going to keep the car for a long time.

fsmith

I also bought the extended AcuraCare for my '14 SH-AWD due to the amount of new technology and the fact that I keep my cars for 6-8 years and always fix anything that breaks, even if not critical. I think I paid around $2,000 US for the full extended warranty. I would note that we now know that the new technology in these cars has been rock-solid, but I think I would nonetheless do it again even with that hindsight.

neuronbob

Congrats! Go drive that puppy.

Signature editing is glitchy lately. Click "settings". Click "Edit signature". Click "Preview signature". Your current signature will appear and you can edit it.

Malibu Flyer

I also purchased the extended warranty. I got a 0 deductible, 8 yr., 100,000 miles for around $2,000. Important things to watch for are the deductible, and whether it is an Acura warranty or a third party one. I would only get the Acura one since it is good at any Acura dealer and for the way it works. With several of the 3rd party ones, you have to put out the repair cost and then try to get reimbursed.
I got the warranty because one or two claims would easily save money, given the high tech in the car. For example, there was a recall on the headlights [no charge of course since it was a recall] but the headlights cost over $2,100 to replace. I have a 2014 SH Advance and bought it in Oct. 2014, when the car first came available so I was somewhat nervous about the tech reliability.

Keep in mind that you can buy the extended Acura warranty from any dealer. Call around and price it at several dealers, including ones far afield. It is usually the Finance Manager who deals with the warranty sales so when you call ask for him. You don't ever need to visit the place you buy it, just supply a credit card and they will sign you up and mail you the warranty. It's very simple. I ended up buying it where I bought the car but only after pricing it elsewhere and then asking the local dealer to match the price--which they did.

Enjoy the car and let us know your impressions.

bigred123

Interesting...I actually hadn't thought of this, so thank you! How long do I have to purchase the warranty from? I was thinking my prices were in-line with what everyone was quoting, except given this is an ACPO vehicle there is about a 40% discount off the maintenance costs. I will definitely be calling around tomorrow!

Malibu Flyer

i believe you can buy an extended warranty any time as long as the new car warranty is in effect.

hondamore

Congratulations bigred123!!! Another member of the exclusive Sport Hybrid club. I hope you enjoy your new ride as much as the rest of us.

By the way, all of the Canadian spec RLX Sport Hybrids were made after the US run, so #21 is still a "late build" 2014 and it is one of only about 50 ever made.

bigred123

Wow....that would be good if that's the case. Have emailed the business manager to confirm. You guys are all super helpful. THANK YOU!!!

pgeorg

The plan prices and years/miles available might be different, depending on how many miles there are on the car at the time of the AcuraCare purchase. For US prices, you may go here Available Plans | Hyannis Honda and see how much it is with your current milage, or with 40,000 miles. I don't know if you can purchase AcuraCare from the US, but you can email them. I have always bought my AcuraCare from them......

bigred123

Thanks. Unfortunately looks like you purchase AcuraCare in the US and AcuraPlus in Canada. They are not transferable between countries, however both cover you for North America. I think the prices in the US are cheaper (based on the current exchange rates). I am going to purchase the warranty as the discount on the warranty with the car being an ACPO vehicle makes it seem worthwhile. It will give me some peace and mind given the electronics and computers on the car...one repair will likely cover my costs....and I'm pretty picky about having things fixed when they breakdown!

TampaRLX-SH

Another good review for the RLX SH. https://savageonwheels.com/2016/06/1...h-awd-advance/

TampaRLX-SH

I do not believe this was posted prior (at least my searches did not reveal it). It is old, but a very enthusiastic review of the SH.

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1...#disqus_thread

TampaRLX-SH

8 Cars That Are Much Faster Than They Look - Page 6