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Car Forum / Acura Cars / January 20062005 Acura RL, quite disappointing
Acura sure missed the boat on their 'new RL'. As a current RL owner, I can't express how disappointed I am with this car. I was really hoping that they were going to create a true flagship for the Acura name brand, one that could compete with the Audi A8's, BMW 7 series, Mercedes S-Class and the Lexus LS430's of the world. Instead, they shrink down the RL so it now is not even classified as a Large Sedan anymore, it is a midsize car. That surely does not sould like a flagship to me. The Accord keeps getting bigger and the RL gets smaller? What gives? The RL is about the exact same size as the TL but $15,000 more. Heck, the RL is only 3 inches longer than the Accord. Looks like instead of buying a new RL, I'll be looking at plunking down some cash on a real flagship, a used 2003 or 2004 Lexus LS430. >Acura sure missed the boat on their 'new RL'. As a current RL owner, I >can't express how disappointed I am with this car. I was really hoping [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] >plunking down some cash on a real flagship, a used 2003 or 2004 Lexus >LS430. You're disappointed because it's too small? 300HP with a fancy AWD and this is all you can find to say about this car?  Signature"I refuse to answer that question on the grounds that I don't know the answer." - Douglas Adams Don't you think Honda corp makes enough midsize cars? A kick-a.s large sedan is not too much to ask for. >Don't you think Honda corp makes enough midsize cars? A kick-a.s large >sedan is not too much to ask for. Why'd you buy the car, then? Signature"I refuse to answer that question on the grounds that I don't know the answer." - Douglas Adams The first generation RL is a large sedan, and I am very happy with it, that's why I bought it. That being said, my next car will also be a large sedan, not a midsize. I need the room, too many kids and stuff. >The first generation RL is a large sedan, and I am very happy with it, >that's why I bought it. That being said, my next car will also be a >large sedan, not a midsize. I need the room, too many kids and stuff. I think I understand, now. In you original post, you say you are a "current RL" owner. I took that to mean you own the new gen RL. Signature"I refuse to answer that question on the grounds that I don't know the answer." - Douglas Adams I remember as a kid, our family of 4 plus our dog all fit in the 78 tercel. You must have some pretty fat kids if they won't fit in a midsized car.... But anyways, I would say for the money the TL is the better value, perhaps look at it? > The first generation RL is a large sedan, and I am very happy with it, > that's why I bought it. That being said, my next car will also be a > large sedan, not a midsize. I need the room, too many kids and stuff. > I remember as a kid, our family of 4 plus our dog all fit in the 78 tercel. > You must have some pretty fat kids if they won't fit in a midsized car.... [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > that's why I bought it. That being said, my next car will also be a > > large sedan, not a midsize. I need the room, too many kids and stuff. I have a family of 5, and yes, I do have an overweight daughter, but it is not her fault as she has a chromosome deficiency, so yes, we need room. Maybe you should choose a Suburban then... >> I remember as a kid, our family of 4 plus our dog all fit in the 78 >> tercel. [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > is not her fault as she has a chromosome deficiency, so yes, we need > room. >Maybe you should choose a Suburban then... I had a '88 Suburban. Great truck, lotsa room, but wouldn't corner worth sh.t. Signature"I refuse to answer that question on the grounds that I don't know the answer." - Douglas Adams > Maybe you should choose a Suburban then... I already own one, don't need two surburbans. What I do need for a second vehicle (to replace my aging 1st gen RL) is a full-size sport sedan that is as fun to drive as a sports car, but can also double as a family hauler. After doing a statistical ranking analysis on 13 categories (ranking the top 20 sedans on the market today), it is no coincidence that the top rated car was the LS430 (tied with the BMW 754Li). The M-Benz S500 was 4th and the new Acura RL was 15th. Nuff said. >> Maybe you should choose a Suburban then... > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] >754Li). The M-Benz S500 was 4th and the new Acura RL was 15th. Nuff >said. It might be 'Nuff said' as far as you're concerned, but...... In Motor Trend (6 cars) and Car and Driver (8 cars) comparisons of similar cars, the RL came in 2nd each time. In the Car and Driver review, the Lexus 430 (your #1) came in 3rd -- behind the Acura RL. (Respective links are below.) http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_0503_6degrees/index.html http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=15&article_id=9391 It would appear that these two respected magazines are using different criteria/categories and ratings than you are. Perhaps you'd be willing to share yours with us . The very first sentence in the car and driver review sums up my feelings on the 'new' RL: "The Acura RL misses the top slot in this test mainly because of the company's habitual restraint. Acura engineers could have made the RL bigger but instead made it smaller (retaining much of the previous model's interior volume). They could have gone to a V-8, but they used a VTEC V-6. They could have changed to rear-wheel drive but chose to adapt a front-drive platform to a novel all-wheel-drive system known as SH-AWD, which can shift torque fore-and-aft for traction and side to side to generate extra yaw for cornering." I'm sure the new RL is a great mid-size sedan, but Honda missed the boat on rolling out a new flagship. The Lexus in the car and driver review is a GS430 which is a totally different and sub-par car compared to the LS430. The categories included in my analysis include length to wheel base ratio, width, height to front head room ratio, weight, front leg room, rear leg room, luggage capacity, turning circle, horsepower, torque, 0-60 times & gas tank size. Out of 20 topend sedans sampled, the Lexus LS430 scored the best with the BMW 745Li coming in second. Now if things like rear leg room, trunk size or turning circle (or others) are not important to you, then the results of this test could be totally different. Notice MPG was not included as I am not that concerned about gas milage, if I was I would probably be looking at a Prius or Civic. >[snip] >The categories included in my analysis include length to wheel base >ratio, width, height to front head room ratio, weight, front leg room, [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] >about gas milage, if I was I would probably be looking at a Prius or >Civic. Thanks for sharing your criteria. I see that a very large portion of your categories deal with size. I would say that my criteria would include almost none of those items -- at least not anywhere the top of the list. Now I understand what's driving your dislike for the RL. I hope you find and get what you're looking for. >Acura sure missed the boat on their 'new RL'. As a current RL owner, I >can't express how disappointed I am with this car. I was really hoping [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] >plunking down some cash on a real flagship, a used 2003 or 2004 Lexus >LS430. A flagship HAS to be a large car? The RL has more features that are optional and extra on most other 'flagships'; it has a very, very slick AWD system; it's a very well built car that has won or come in second on several luxury car comparisons and all you can say is that it's a bit smaller? Lastly the 2005/06 RL is universally thought of as a huge improvement over the very weak and disappointing 1st generation RL's that you seem to like. I guess everyone has their own opinions about stuff but I'm confused about yours. >A flagship HAS to be a large car? The RL has more features that >are optional and extra on most other 'flagships'; it has a very, [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] >RL's that you seem to like. I guess everyone has their own >opinions about stuff but I'm confused about yours. To follow up on my own message, here's the opinion on the 2nd Generation RL from one of the participants (static808) at the RL forum at AcuraZine (http://rl.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?p=18593#post18593). ------------------------------------------------ I own a '05 RL and my wife has a '04 TL. TL vs. RL is no comparison. The TL is sporty and faster but I can't wait to get into my RL. The ride is smooooooth and I really enjoy the gadgets. Its a luxury car and my wife agrees...Its the ultimate road-trip car... People can say the RL is not selling well, it looks like a Honda Accord, etc... In the end, get the car that fits your needs. I've owned BMW's, Mercedes, Hondas & Acuras. My decision came down to Fit-n-Finish, Interior, Gadgets, V6, AWD and Price. On another note, I work for a financial firm and have people in my parking lot who own some high-end German vehicles (E350's, S500's, 745i's and lots of brand new 530xi's) and several of them have stopped by to check out my Black Acura RL. They are very impressed at high quality interior, overall exterior fit-n-finish and high-tech gadgets in this car. They also can't believe I can say XM Channel 80, Fan Speed Down, AC On, Display Traffic List and never touch a button. They always say, this is an Acura ?! Why didn't I hear about it.....I did, enough said. I've driven an LS430 and the main problem I had with the RL was that I don't consider its six cylinder engine as realistically competing with a v8. That opinion did not change, even after I drove both vehicles. Personally, I think the TL is a much better buy and purchased one recently. It's a great car. > Acura sure missed the boat on their 'new RL'. As a current RL owner, I > can't express how disappointed I am with this car. I was really hoping [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > plunking down some cash on a real flagship, a used 2003 or 2004 Lexus > LS430. If you're looking for a flagship that is as good as an Acura and more roomy for your family, check out the new third-generation Avalons. |
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