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Acura RL 2006

61 messages,  Last post on Apr 10, 2012 at 10:09 AM

You are in the Acura RL Forum.

What is this discussion about? Acura RL, Sedan

Messages Page 2 of 7

#3 of 61 Acura's next RL by alees

Sep 13, 2006 (12:54 pm)

I currently own a 2005 TL and have driven the 2005 RL model extensively. My feeling, shared by others I've seen on this Board, is that Acura needs to raise the bar when it revises the RL in the next couple of years. The RL is a fine car, but the competition makes it difficult to justify the strange market positioning. It's as though Honda lacks the self-confidence to place itself squarely in the luxury-sport category.
 
While cabin materials and technology elements are first class, the RL lacks punch and a few obvious additional goodies. If Acura can upgrade the basic concept by providing a larger engine (for example, a 4.2 V8 making around 350hp and 310fp torque) and add to the gearbox so that 6 speeds were available on the auto transmission, that would be a start. Add in heated rear seats with side air bags, and maybe a standard seat-back dual DVD system with Bluetooth headsets and separate rear climate controls, and you'd have a true luxury car with enough performance to make life interesting. It could hit the stands at around $58k, which would be thoroughly competitive and would distance it enough from the TL so that there would be a clear market separation.
 
The reason I bought the TL is simply that the value for money equation was far greater for the TL than for the RL. Whenever I drove the RL I appreciated its sophistication, but it lacked the punch I wanted. So the TL, netting out at about $14k less than the RL, gave me 80% of what I wanted plus some fun factor that the RL lacked. I can't help but think that the RL gets shopped but ultimately rejected by a lot of people, either for the cheaper TL or for the rear-wheel drive alternatives like the BMW 5-series or the Infiniti M-series.
 
So come on, Honda! The Acura brand is worth putting some weight behind. Let's see a meaty revision of the RL sometime in 2008.

#5 of 61 Re: Acura's next RL [alees] by lorenzo2

Sep 14, 2006 (6:02 am)

Replying to: alees (Sep 13, 2006 12:54 pm)
06 TL with Nav according to forum buyers is around 32k I paid 40600.00 for a 06 RL. It's a no brainer why I bought the RL. I gave my son my 2003 TL so I'm not a stranger to Honda (owned 4 other Honda's), the RL is second to none for the price.

#6 of 61 Re: Acura's next RL [lorenzo2] by garnet

Sep 14, 2006 (7:59 am)

Replying to: lorenzo2 (Sep 14, 2006 6:02 am)
"Second to None for the price" how right you are!
 
In July, purchased new 06 RL for $40,950; sold '96 RL with 80K miles, mint condition, that had been purchased new, to a private party within days, for $7500; bottom line capital expenditure for the lakeshore/toupe steal now beautifying our garage: $33,450. That's right, a Buick price for a spanking new RL, with list of luxury car features standard --GM's worse nightmare.
 
Consumer Report: Shame! Shame! Shame!
 
gar

#7 of 61 Good Deal? by scottm123

Sep 26, 2006 (8:41 am)

I was just at the dealer last night getting the MDX oil changed.
They know I'm looking for a second car, leaning toward the Lexus IS or '07 G35x.
I like the RL, but dislike the $53,000 pricetag.
 
They have an '06 RL w/ Nav and Tech packages.
It was driven by the dealership's owner's wife and has 6,200 miles on it.
 
It's Silver Metallic on Black, and has extras like wood shift knob and steering wheel, cargo net, all weather mats and a trunk tray.
 
They're asking $41,000
 
That a good deal?

#8 of 61 Re: Good Deal? [scottm123] by Bushwack

Sep 26, 2006 (11:51 am)

Replying to: scottm123 (Sep 26, 2006 8:41 am)
That may not be a bad price if it has the A-Spec package (i.e.: 18" wheels).
 
Depending on where you are in the country, a new '06 RL w/ Nav (not A-Spec) should sell for in the $41 - $41.5K range.

#9 of 61 Re: Good Deal? [Bushwack] by scottm123

Sep 28, 2006 (12:18 pm)

Replying to: Bushwack (Sep 26, 2006 11:51 am)
Auburn, MA Acura
RL with Nav & Technology Package, they're asking $53,000 on the sticker and then play games and explain how they'll give me a deal and drop $1,000
I think I got too good of a deal on the MDX that they're trying to make some money back, LOL
 
How can they drop $12,000 off of MSRP? That's gotta be way below invoice, right?
 
I know that the MDX forum shows people claiming to get fully loaded MDXs for $35K-$37K.
 
Sticker on my fully loaded 06 was $43K and change, and I paid $39k out the door.
I'm very happy with the deal, but others claim it's not so good.
 
I wouldn't pay $53K for a loaded RL, but for $41, it would be a no brainer.

#10 of 61 good deal with tech pack by johnhayd

Sep 28, 2006 (11:15 pm)

a good deal on an '06 with tech pack is 45-46k. non tech: about 40-41 is a good deal. check out acurazine.com for more info about what people have paid.

#11 of 61 RL for $41.8 - Great Car by rsboregon

Sep 29, 2006 (6:16 am)

I just bought a brand new 06 RL with 20 miles for $41.8 in Portland, OR. No tech package. I thought it was a good deal. My sales guy was nice, and I didn't want to continue to negotiate to get a few hundred more off the price.
 
I have to say that after a week I love the car. I spent weeks comparing to Lexus GS, IS, BMW 3 and 5, and Infiniti M. I read reviews and drove all cars. I have no regrets about my choice now that I have bought and driven the car for a week. I have owned BMW, Porsche, MB, and this is the best car I have ever had. Period. People complain about body looks, or that it looks like an Accord. That doesn't bother me. What matters to me is what it looks and feels like from the inside. And, there it can't be beat, at least not for the money. It handles great for a sedan. The sound system is the best I have ever heard in a car. It doesn't have the depth of the sound stage of my high end tube amp system at home, but it comes pretty darn close with the right disk. The car is very comfortable, and I think it looks superb from the inside. I am still wading through all the possible settings, but the manual is good and the system is pretty intuitive once you figure out the basics. Voice activation is good, and the hands free link for the phone has been great. The fact that there are so many people who would spend $10-12K more for a BMW 5 is a testament to marketing and the willingness to pay for perceived status over function. Their loss. The RL is an underappreciated vehicle in the US.

#12 of 61 No Full Size Spare, not even a spare ... by dunde71

Oct 07, 2006 (8:56 am)

A 50K dollar car and not even a spare tire. The reason they say is it comes with run flats which are expensive and wear quickly. If you do lot of long distance travel on weekends and get a flat on the highway as you wont find any autoshop open on weekends ... I guess you will have to wait till Monday to get it fixed. Its a nice car with so many high tech gadgets and AWD but I dont understand why they designed it without even a spare which is pretty basic and even an ordinary 20K car has it.

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