1997 Acura RL Consumer Discussions

Acura RL vs. Infiniti M35

• CR report on RL and M35

  Written by: ocim on Dec 24, 2006 11:58:18 AM

  Exclusivity is a nice thing? Yes, if you have it! I find it hard to believe that anyone would not buy an M simply because it is similar in appearance to another infinity product. Don't all BMW's and Mercedes' look alike? Isn't it better that all the models within a certain luxury brand look similar, rather than making them look like on of their mainstream products. In my opinion, the reason ... Read More

Luxury Performance Sedans

• "The Itch. . ."

  Written by: markcincinnati on Sep 28, 2006 8:47:27 AM

  Back in the days when smoking (in a car) was even done, a friend of mine -- a smoker -- would kid me and say "Mark gets a new car every time the ash tray gets full." Since I am not a smoker, I only related to this comment in a symbolic way. My friend, now not a smoker (and I never permitted him to smoke in my cars in any ... Read More

Acura RL Maintenance and Repair

• 1997 Acura RL Ignition problems

  Written by: luken001 on Jul 21, 2006 5:24:27 AM

  Occasionally, I turn the key in the ignition and nothing happens. If I then turn it fully left and then back to start, everything works fine. We've been having the problem for years but it is happening more frequently now. Anyone encounter this problem? Is it the ignition switch or a relay some place else?

Acura RL

• Forgive me. The title of this subject should have been - New RL Owner

  Written by: mitcht on Dec 9, 2005 8:29:33 PM

  Forgive me. The title of this subject should have been - New RL Owner. Friends, I bought my 2005 RL in Sept. Prior to this car I drove E320 1997 till I got RL. I enjoyed my previous car immensely. Now I've fallen in love with my new RL 2005. Before buying this car I had tested Lexus GS300 AWD, Infiniti M35, and Benz E350. I liked the E350 but MB's ... Read More

• Re: Assessment Time: [nebraskaguy]

  Written by: mitcht on Dec 9, 2005 8:09:28 PM

  Friends, I bought my 2005 RL in Sept. Prior to this car I drove E320 1997 till I got RL. I enjoyed my previous car immensely. Now I've fallen in love with my new RL 2005. Before buying this car I had tested Lexus GS300 AWD, Infiniti M35, and Benz E350. I liked the E350 but MB's reliability is not what it used to be thus I didn't feel like taking ... Read More

Luxury Performance Sedans

• Re: audirules [audirules]

  Written by: markcincinnati on Apr 19, 2005 2:02:36 PM

  My dealership sells about 50 cars per month -- they are an exclusive Audi only dealership. There are two in Cincinnati, both stand alones. I do not know how the other dealership is doing. The Dayton Ohio dealership (1) sells 10 Audis a month. The dealer that I have been buying from through my current 2 Audis (both 2003's) claims to have 30 A6's on hand and more in port and ... Read More

Acura RL

• Re: Like the old RL vs new [jhinsc]

  Written by: satire on Mar 13, 2005 12:51:25 AM

  "Is it just me or am I missing something?" No, it ain't just you. My credentials: 1997 CL 1999 TL 2002 RL And two Hondas prior to that. While the 2005 RL is a great car, two things truly annoy me. I am what they call "portly" at 6 foot 1 inch. Would it have killed Acura to add another cubic foot or two to the passenger compartment? Think about it. ... Read More

Luxury Performance Sedans

• Re: Leuxs GS300 [liy]

  Written by: ckelly14 on Feb 17, 2005 1:55:38 AM

  Good point! The AWD is only a $2000 option on the GS so I may have to look again. However, with the "base" AWD version starting at about 49K (does not include ML or Nav), I just feel you're not getting the driving dynamics of other cars in it's price class. I wasn't 100% serious about the Avalon, as it is a FWD car, but if a comfortable, luxurious highway cruiser ... Read More

Acura RL

• I'm Loyal!!!

  Written by: satire on Oct 28, 2004 11:11:54 PM

  So where's my loyalty bonus Acura???? In the fall of 1984 I went to Toyota to buy my first new car. The salesman (brother to my best friend at the time) refused to remove his $500 markup on a stripped Tercel that I could barely afford. Next day I went to Honda. Got myself an Accord hatchback at a great price because the salesman took pity on my financial situation. Eight ... Read More

• 2005 RL

  Written by: lynnminny on Oct 17, 2004 5:44:36 PM

  An Introduction: I presently own a 2000 Mercedes E320 AWD. This is my second E320. The first was a 1997/rear wheel drive. My present Mercedes has 52,000 miles on it and the repairs have already started. Axle- $2,000. Numerous sensors - another $1,000. We got Mercedes to pay for the axle and the parts on the sensors. Now the car is literally sucking oil and that is a repair that Mercedes ... Read More

• Re: my 2 cents [choe13]

  Written by: adamar1 on Oct 13, 2004 12:28:09 PM

  Your start our your message with the following comment to which I want to take some exception: "I'll be honest, i'm not a honda/acura fan. I do envy the quality, craftmenship that go into these cars, but i despise their lack value for the price or extra price for name tag philosophy." I don't understand your comment about "lack of value for the price" or "extra price for name tag philosophy". ... Read More

• Would I deserve one?

  Written by: prophet2 on Sep 22, 2004 12:30:55 PM

  Saw the Oprah show and those 276 motorists with their new Pontiacs. How about ACURA rewarding me for continuously having an ACURA vehicle in my garage since their introduction in April 1986? 1986 Legend (1986-87) 1987 Legend L coupe (1987-88) 1987 Integra LS (1987-1991) 1988 Integra LS (1988-92) 1991 Legend LS (1991-94) 1993 Integra LS Special Edition (1992-2002) 1987 Legend L coupe (1997-2000) 1996 RL (2000-present) 2003 RSX (2003-present) Also in ... Read More

• Response to "I am torn!" --message #1825

  Written by: adamar1 on Aug 2, 2004 4:30:54 PM

  I leased my first Acura RL in 1997 and fell in love with it immediately! I always drove GM cars until that time--I am now happily married to Acura. When my lease expired, I leased a 2002 RL. My current lease expires at the end of this month and I am seriously considering purchasing it for the residual value of slightly over $22,000, as the car has less than 34,000 miles. ... Read More

• What?

  Written by: markcincinnati on Jun 30, 2004 7:11:01 AM

  I do not dispute that Lexus (or most of them anyway) has joined the premium class of automobiles. However, any notion that Audi has somehow slipped backwards out of the premium class is, according to "independent" surveys just the opposite of what has been happening. Audi, through 1997, was a notch below premium, somehow always bubbling under the premium class (at that time basically BMW and Mercedes and perhaps another Euro ... Read More

• Re: [lexusguy #1401]

  Written by: lexuslx on Jun 15, 2004 7:54:36 AM

  Thanks! I would be trading in my 1997 Lexus LX 450 with 133k miles on it. I'm wondering which would provide the most reliable and cost efficient transportation over the next 2-3 years. I like the Lexus, but the Acura has so many more bells and whistles and would get around 10 mpg better gas mileage. The Lexus LX 450 (Land Cruiser) are supposed to be great reliable vehicles and hold ... Read More

• Re: legendman [markcincinnati #1199] Diesel

  Written by: legendman on Jun 9, 2004 3:04:59 PM

  >Turbo Diesel should be considered too!< A buddy of mine, a real estate agent, just sold his 1997 Mercedes S class for a 1997 Mercedes E class with diesel engine. He claims that the fuel mileage is signicantly greater than in a gasoline fueled E class counterpart. He reports that in Europe, diesels are all the rage, and given a few more years, that will happen here in the USA. I ... Read More

• Point of either question or clarification. . .

  Written by: markcincinnati on Apr 21, 2004 8:00:17 AM

  . . .the new RL is AWD not FWD -- true? The automotive press are all abuzz that for 2005 the price of "entry" into this class (premium, sporty, whatever. . .) is EITHER RWD or AWD. Hence the CTS, CTS-v, STS and Chrysler 300 and next the Dodge Charger. Mercedes almost all model-wide adoption of AWD will, so says BMW dealer, be followed by AWD variants of many BMW's (eventually ... Read More

• I agree

  Written by: jchan2 on Apr 4, 2004 9:20:10 AM

  Acura tried too much to be like Lexus in the 90's. The RL wasn't sporty, neither was the 1996-1997 TL, which as we know, didn't last long.

• Resale value of the Acura RL - request for info

  Written by: mary623 on Jul 20, 2002 8:55:17 PM

  Okay, need some help here. Looking to trade-in my excellent condition 1999 RL with 60K mileage for a new RL. Absolutely love the car and am Acura lover for life but the resale value is making me think twice. Example: a 1997 Lexus LS400 ( NADA comparable luxery car comparable to the RL) with 57,768 mileage (dealer retail)is asking $29,500 VERSUS a 1998 Acura RL with 40K mileage (dealer retail) is ... Read More

• 2002 3.5 RL

  Written by: adamar1 on May 18, 2001 9:42:14 PM

  I leased a 1997 RL (my first on-American car) and it is the best car I ever owed (after owing General Motors cars for years). I was reluctant to lease a 2001 because I considered it essentially the same as my 1997. I finally succumbed to leasing a 2002 RL principally because of the great happiness with the 1997--quiet as a mouse, never a rattle to be heard and mechanically about ... Read More

• no title

  Written by: demigodh on Apr 15, 2001 9:16:04 PM

  Hey, this is my first post to edmunds. I'll try to be as specific as i can. Ok, i would like to know the advantages/disadvantages between the 1997 Acura RL Premium w/o navigation as compared to the Infiniti q45. I'm torn between which one to get. I know the Inifiniti has the V8 but i don't know what the acura has over the infiniti. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, ... Read More

• new3.5rl 2000

  Written by: thegapper on Dec 5, 2000 2:25:56 PM

  just signed the deal 2000 rl silver for 33,000 will be picking up on sat.acura of bedford hills has 3 more left @ this price. traded in my 1997 cl for 13000