2005 Acura RL, quite disappointing

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?

Don't you think Honda corp makes enough midsize cars? A kick-ass large sedan is not too much to ask for.

Why'd you buy the car, then?

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.

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.

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.

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

------------------------------------------------ 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.

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.

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?

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But what are looking for in a vehicle, is it strictly price, is it hp, is it cabin and trunk size? Surely, if you were wanting a V8 wouldn't you go down that track to begin with? If it's just price, okay, go get a Toyota Avalon and save $15k, but would we see you back here soon after complaining that the Avalon is boring? Personally, I think the Lexus IS 350 is great value, 306hp V6 with a list price just over $36,000. And don't go and compare the IS 350 with the Avalon. Again, it comes back to what you're really wanting.

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.

HP, cabin, trunk size? All of the above. I'd be OK with a 300hp V6, but the new RL is just too small. At 6'3" and about 250, the driver's seat is usually pretty far back when I'm driving, and from the pics I saw of the new RL, the occupant behind the drivers seat would have virtually no leg room. I'm sure the new RL is a fine car, but I have owned many Acura's in the past and have been pretty loyal to the name brand, so I'm more disappointed with Acura (Honda Corp) for not designing the RL as a larger full-size sedan that would compete with other top flagships (Lexus, Audi, M-Benz, BMW, etc). The new design of the RL (now a mid-size vs. full-size) looks like Honda just up and quit, thinking "Why should we design a full-size RL when we know we can't compete with the other big guns?". I'm just disappointed because I now have to leave the Acura brand because the engineers at Honda were thinking small instead of thinking big. I'm sure I'll be very happy with my used LS430.

HP, cabin, trunk size? All of the above. I'd be OK with a 300hp V6, but the new RL is just too small. At 6'3" and about 250, the driver's seat is usually pretty far back when I'm driving, and from the pics I saw of the new RL, the occupant behind the drivers seat would have virtually no leg room. I'm sure the new RL is a fine car, but I have owned many Acura's in the past and have been pretty loyal to the name brand, so I'm more disappointed with Acura (Honda Corp) for not designing the RL as a larger full-size sedan that would compete with other top flagships (Lexus, Audi, M-Benz, BMW, etc). The new design of the RL (now a mid-size vs. full-size) looks like Honda just up and quit, thinking "Why should we design a full-size RL when we know we can't compete with the other big guns?". I'm just disappointed because I now have to leave the Acura brand because the engineers at Honda were thinking small instead of thinking big. I'm sure I'll be very happy with my used LS430.

HP, cabin, trunk size? All of the above. I'd be OK with a 300hp V6, but the new RL is just too small. At 6'3" and about 250, the driver's seat is usually pretty far back when I'm driving, and from the pics I saw of the new RL, the occupant behind the drivers seat would have virtually no leg room. I'm sure the new RL is a fine car, but I have owned many Acura's in the past and have been pretty loyal to the name brand, so I'm more disappointed with Acura (Honda Corp) for not designing the RL as a larger full-size sedan that would compete with other top flagships (Lexus, Audi, M-Benz, BMW, etc). The new design of the RL (now a mid-size vs. full-size) looks like Honda just up and quit, thinking "Why should we design a full-size RL when we know we can't compete with the other big guns?". I'm just disappointed because I now have to leave the Acura brand because the engineers at Honda were thinking small instead of thinking big. I'm sure I'll be very happy with my used LS430.

Yep, got the idea the first time.

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So what do you favour then?