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Used 1996 Acura RL Sedan Consumer Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
21 reviews

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Pros
Cons
4.75 out of 5 stars

Just close your eyes and hop into one

Ed, 03/15/2009
1996 Acura RL 3.5 4dr Sedan
4 of 4 people found this review helpful

No need to repeat others and state that the RL is a great car. Bought mine 6 and half years ago with 89K miles (now the car has 192K). Best ride, very luxurious, other than maintenance (oil change break pads, etc..) close to no issues for the 6years: O2 sensor, intermittent ABS light and rear windows regulators. Best car value, costs nothing to own and enjoy. Will get another one in a heart beat.

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4 out of 5 stars

I love my 1996 Acura rl butt....

Lisha, 07/30/2015
1996 Acura RL 3.5 Premium 4dr Sedan
3 of 3 people found this review helpful

I've only had my used Acura for almost 2 months now. Great car but the motor to adjust the steering wheel stopped working. My review mirror keeps falling off. On top of that my transmission is starting to make a weird noise. I'm scared to see what else is going to happen in another 2 months. On a better note it is good on gas, quiet, comfortable, beautiful interior, lots of space, great speakers, and handles country roads beautifully. I really wish it wasn't falling apart on me i love car.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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4.88 out of 5 stars

follow-up to 8/2002 review

prophet2, 03/28/2009
1996 Acura RL 3.5 4dr Sedan
2 of 4 people found this review helpful

It's 6-1/2 years later and my '96 RL is going strong at 153K miles. Some issues: tach malfunctioning, dealer estimates $1400 repair. Also, $1420 to replace steering rack assembly; $1427 for leaking rear main seal/O-ring; $240 for re-sealing power steering pump; $500 to replace rear tail light assembly. That's $5000, exceeding the car's value. An independent mechanic found nothing wrong with the steering mechanism. Fluid has leaked from a hose to the rack assembly and rear main seal area, making it appear that those items are leaking. His estimate is $675, saving me $2400. The dealer's service department has a reputation of up-selling service jobs.

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3.25 out of 5 stars

My first car, drove it 2 years...

Joel, 09/14/2008
1996 Acura RL 3.5 Premium 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I bought this car two years ago as my first vehicle ever. Spent $5000, and it had 150,000 miles on it (or was it 125?). Whatever the case, I now have 172,000 on it, and the AC still works. The man I bought it from had kept it immaculate - even the engine was clean. I ended up with some body damage in the rear, but drove it several thousand more miles. The only problem is in the power steering, now... there's a leak that reached a peak, and I would have to pay $600 to replace the part/ seals. That would certainly be worth it for a car with this much comfort/power and life left in it, if it weren't for the $3000 body damage. Moving on to a Civic for better mpg, and less miles on it

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4.88 out of 5 stars

Love the car

dianejersey, 07/16/2003
1996 Acura RL 3.5 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

The Acura RL was my husbands corporate car. After driving a new BMW for 3 years (not the smoothest ride) I was thrilled to purchase the RL from his company. It is the most comfortable interior of any car with the smoothest ride.

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4.63 out of 5 stars

Hard to believe!!!

Dan Klug, 09/10/2003
1996 Acura RL 3.5 Premium 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I would never consider a car with so many miles on it... however. I drove it home. Looked at the Volvo, C Series Mercedes, Lexus 300. This car is outstanding. The quietest car I have ever drove. Simple yet luxurious styling. excellent seats. I can't believe I waited so long to consider an Acura.

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5 out of 5 stars

Best 122k Mileage Car I Have Purchased

Gentle Ben, 09/19/2003
1996 Acura RL 3.5 Premium 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I purchased this 1996 RL with 122K. Took it to McCall Acura to check it out before I purchased it and the car check out like it was new. I haven't had one problem with it since I purchased it unlike my 2001 Infiniti Q45. If you are looking for a nice preowned luxury car then the Acura RL is the only ticket as far as I am concerned.

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4.5 out of 5 stars

Took A Chance On High Mileage

Bongotoo, 03/04/2003
1996 Acura RL 3.5 Premium 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I took a serious chance on a 1996 RL with 89,000 miles. I had planned to buy a 1999 RL but the prices were too much. The only problems so far include 1. The AC compressor went out while I was 200 miles from home. I cut the belt off and drove home without a problem. The dealer replaced it. 2. My ABS goes out intermittently. I haven’t had it checked yet but it has me scared. This could be a big one. 3. The Bose CD player didn’t work. I’ve been waiting since December for the dealer to have it repaired. I hope they aren’t jerking me around. In summary, the jury is still out on this car.

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4.75 out of 5 stars

Best quality auto I have owned

J. ANDERSON, 08/24/2005
1996 Acura RL 3.5 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

This vehicle is my first Honda product and I have been very pleased. The car is almost 10 years old and the paint looks awesome. The leather interior is the most durable I have ever had and currently looks to be must younger. These cars do not have the cheap plastic parts that seem to break on most other brands.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

Great Car

goemct, 04/15/2007
1996 Acura RL 3.5 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

This is my first RL. My last Acura was a 97 CL which I was very pleased with. It was going up on 212,000 mile so it was getting close to the time to get another Acura . The RL with 118k is not even broken in yet, it's a great car like new in and out.

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4.75 out of 5 stars

Love it!!!

bpddaddy, 04/03/2003
1996 Acura RL 3.5 Premium 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Hesitantly purchased the car with 99K on it. It's been great ever since. The ABS hum is questionable, however, the ride is unreal at the age. The wife and I fight over who's going to drive it. Repair parts are very high. Spark plugs ($11), Coils ($75), but I can tell the parts last forever.

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5 out of 5 stars

The car to get.

Mismith, 04/16/2002
1996 Acura RL 3.5 Premium 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

This car, is a car you can enjoy. Just get one!

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4.75 out of 5 stars

Acura RL, excellent choice

jeffs3000, 06/04/2002
1996 Acura RL 3.5 Premium 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Just an excellent all-around car. My wife drives this car, and she totally loves it. Super smooth, powerful, and fun to drive.

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4 out of 5 stars

Acura 3.5RL,

Acura RL lover, 06/20/2002
1996 Acura RL 3.5 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Got the vehicle with 50,000 miles on it. still drives like new with 89,000 miles on the odometer. very nice car. why buy new when you can get a used one for much less, but with almost the same performance as a new? no one is going to notice if your car was bought new after a few years. save yourself money and buy used.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

Best deal ever made

prophet2, 08/29/2002
1996 Acura RL 3.5 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Purchased with 36.8K miles on clock and have put on 33K smooth, trouble-free miles over past 22 months. Drives like a dream. Other than normal wear-and- tear items, only problem has been an oxygen sensor at 67K miles, replaced under extended warranty purchased by prior owner. Paid $20K + TTL for this immaculate unit, saving $3K+ from a new 2000 Accord EX V-6 I was considering and getting a superior vehicle.

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4.63 out of 5 stars

Boring but great care

nicke1, 09/19/2002
1996 Acura RL 3.5 Premium 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

It looks kinda boring to me (mine's a 96) but the performance and reliability are outstanding. I have become an Acura person. Now the car has 95,000 and looks and runs like new. Really, most people think its a year or two old.

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3.88 out of 5 stars

Poor Reliability

MikeFulmer, 12/04/2002
1996 Acura RL 3.5 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Dropped a transmission at 70K. Needed a new AC compressor at 80K. Window off the tracks at 95K. ABS sendsor needed to be replaced. I must have got a lemon.

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4.25 out of 5 stars

One Texan's Opinion

Mike Russell, 03/02/2002
1996 Acura RL 3.5 Premium 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I purchased this 1996 3.5RL off a 39-month lease. Buy pre-owned and drive luxury at a reduced cost. Built for comfort - performance seekers look elsewhere. Dependability and reliability is second to none. Power window regulator only problem between 68K and 98K miles. Time now to look for the same model in a pre-owned 1998 or 1999. Best car I've ever owned.

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4.75 out of 5 stars

Acura RL 1996

cf, 02/06/2006
1996 Acura RL 3.5 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Bought new 1996. Minor problems ie: one headlamp out-not working. Both fixed under warranty 1966. Aside from regular unavoidable replacements ie: tires, timing belt, battery, etc. i have had NO problems. Best car i have ever owned.

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4.25 out of 5 stars

Japanese, but still best overall

BostonMatt, 03/13/2003
1996 Acura RL 3.5 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Well Folks. Have driven prety much every vehicle under the sun. Owned Jaguar, Saab, BMW, Mercedes, Nissan, and Mitsu...While the Rl may not excel in any one area, not a 740il in overall elegance and performance, nor have a ridiculously solid build, like the XJ6, for most car buyers, by far one of thebest vehicles on the road today. Just bought a 1996 with VERY low miles, and couldn't be happier. Plush, quiet, just right...try one for a couple weeks, you'll see, trust me.

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4.5 out of 5 stars

where's the money

white ghost, 04/03/2006
1996 Acura RL 3.5 Premium 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Simply the best vehicle I've ever owned. An oil change every thousand miles followed by scheduled maintainece. Never a major problem, but, he's getting old and it's time for something alittle newer.

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