I have '97 - while its not the best luxury sedan ever made, its still a great car and was a good value compared to rivals. Super reliable, comfortable and smooth ride. MPG sucks though lol
I had a '99. It was a great highway cruiser. Also had a very solid feeling around town. But averaged 16-19 mpg (premium required of course) and I was gentle on accelerator.
@@user-hk9pn1iy8g I bought it used with 50k miles about 2 years ago and have put another 30k on it. No engine or transmission issues in its history. Only big ticket items I’ve done are strut and brake replacement, which is expected for a car this age. Reliability is strong in my opinion.
Well, it's been more than twenty years now and we're still waiting on that V-8. Based on the current state of affairs regarding emissions and such, I don't think Honda fans will ever get that engine in a mass produced vehicle.
I recall an article about Honda, including interviews with a few higher execs and engineers. It was around 2010 (maybe a bit earlier). They were unified in one thing, stop asking for a V8.
@@carlasghost656 That's a shame if it's true. If Honda would have put a V-8 in a few vehicles, Acura definitely would have taken off past damn near every luxury brand.
I recall that, in 2007, Honda's CEO at the time said that they were developing a V8 flagship sedan (i think a separate model from the RL), as well as a V10 front engine NSX. Unfortunately, the recession hit the car industry not long after in 2008, and not much progress was made before all plans were scrapped. There was even talk of selling Acura models in Japan (they're all sold as Hondas over there), but the recession also killed that.
I had 3 Acura Legends, 89 Coupe LS 5spd 93 Coupe LS 6spd and a 94 Legend GS Sedan automatic, They all Feel like BMW they Handle Well just FWD, Had a 2002 Acura RL Feels a lot like my 1995 W124 E320 down to the Seats, Shiftier Smooth Drivetrain, Its Mercedes E Class
The RL had the "C” series 3.5 motor while the accord , tl , cl & odyssey had the "J" series 3.0 , 3.2 , & 3.5 motors. The C series engine family has been around since the mid 80’s while the J series been around since the late 90’s it’s newer and has better technology which is why they made more power and actually had Hondas VTEC while the C series only had it in the Honda NSX
In terms of looks and features, this car came close to rivaling the big players in the segment, while the engine was a liability for it to ever be a true contender with the competition. Judging by the latter, this car was more of an Accord Plus. Honda failing to give this car a V8 really damaged this car over the long-term, leading it to being cancelled after 2021.
In retrospect, this was an overly finely crafted competitor for the Diamante, Aurora and Millenia rather than a true luxury sedan. And it cost a ton more than any of those. I'm pretty surprised it sold as well as it did.
Acura deserved the lousy sales this model got. They wanted it to compete against vehicles that were out of its league. Hilarious that John said something about a V8. Acura refused to offer a V8 or RWD, and the RL SH-AWD that came later was nowhere near the LS400, A8, S-Class, 8-Series, XJ, etc. To this day, I still don't consider Acura in league with those makes. They make better Buicks.
@@doug6191 They were testing a V8 RWD architecture back in 2000-01 and test mules of that were seen. Ultimately, transverse longer wheelbase '03 Accord architecture with AWD won out by late 2001. Acura was supposed to adopt RWD by 2004, but it got jettisoned.
@KA9 d00d I was under the impression the TL was aimed at the 5, E, GS, A6, etc., as the TL was similarly sized and priced against those models. Meanwhile, the RL was above the TL in Acura's lineup and served as Acura's top-of-the-line model, just as the LS was to Lexus, S-class to Mercedes, and so on.
I seriously considered buying this model, but I've been told that fuel consumption is terrible. That said, many people say that this model is very comfortable and is just as good as a Mercedes.
It looks like Acura’s version of the Lexus LS….which was Lexus’ version of the Mercedes S-Class. They all look similar from a passing glance, especially in the rear.
Acura made a huge mistake not offering any RWD sedans. No one was going to leave BMW or Mercedes for the RL(or the later RLX). This is why real luxury car fans don't take Acura seriously. I certainly don't.
Авто/Мото
One of the last classic Hondas, along w the 97 Prelude and 96 Civic.
I love this classic cars Honda and Acura
I have '97 - while its not the best luxury sedan ever made, its still a great car and was a good value compared to rivals. Super reliable, comfortable and smooth ride. MPG sucks though lol
I had a '99. It was a great highway cruiser. Also had a very solid feeling around town. But averaged 16-19 mpg (premium required of course) and I was gentle on accelerator.
It's an excellent car that looks great. Drive it for many more years in good health!
Have you had to replace the engine or transmission or just regular maintenance?
@@user-hk9pn1iy8g I bought it used with 50k miles about 2 years ago and have put another 30k on it. No engine or transmission issues in its history. Only big ticket items I’ve done are strut and brake replacement, which is expected for a car this age. Reliability is strong in my opinion.
yea , my 97s MPG is pretty damn horrible , love the car though
I’ve been looking for this review for years! Thank You!🙏🏽
Well, it's been more than twenty years now and we're still waiting on that V-8. Based on the current state of affairs regarding emissions and such, I don't think Honda fans will ever get that engine in a mass produced vehicle.
nope.
I recall an article about Honda, including interviews with a few higher execs and engineers. It was around 2010 (maybe a bit earlier). They were unified in one thing, stop asking for a V8.
@@carlasghost656 That's a shame if it's true. If Honda would have put a V-8 in a few vehicles, Acura definitely would have taken off past damn near every luxury brand.
I recall that, in 2007, Honda's CEO at the time said that they were developing a V8 flagship sedan (i think a separate model from the RL), as well as a V10 front engine NSX. Unfortunately, the recession hit the car industry not long after in 2008, and not much progress was made before all plans were scrapped. There was even talk of selling Acura models in Japan (they're all sold as Hondas over there), but the recession also killed that.
@@KardiFan2000 Yeah, seems like I remember hearing the same thing.
Although the exterior styling is sedate, the interior accruements are extremely impressive.
your vocab is refreshing to see in the comments 🫡
I had 3 Acura Legends, 89 Coupe LS 5spd 93 Coupe LS 6spd and a 94 Legend GS Sedan automatic, They all Feel like BMW they Handle Well just FWD, Had a 2002 Acura RL Feels a lot like my 1995 W124 E320 down to the Seats, Shiftier Smooth Drivetrain, Its Mercedes E Class
I think it was intended as a Honda interpretation of of a Mercedes. Without the body tags most people couldn't tell which was which.
Yeah besides it lacking a V8 this car was truly slept on
I’ve never understood why this 3.5 V6 only got 210-225hp when the TL & CL Type-S got 225-265hp out of a 3.2 V6.
Yeah weird how does the 2002 Honda Odyssey have 240 HP and have the same 3.5L in it.
The RL had the "C” series 3.5 motor while the accord , tl , cl & odyssey had the "J" series 3.0 , 3.2 , & 3.5 motors. The C series engine family has been around since the mid 80’s while the J series been around since the late 90’s it’s newer and has better technology which is why they made more power and actually had Hondas VTEC while the C series only had it in the Honda NSX
And this gen never got the 5spd auto..
@@allenparks8706 facts
Ditto! And my brand new 2003 TL Type S was $11,000 cheaper than the RL. Go figure.
In terms of looks and features, this car came close to rivaling the big players in the segment, while the engine was a liability for it to ever be a true contender with the competition. Judging by the latter, this car was more of an Accord Plus.
Honda failing to give this car a V8 really damaged this car over the long-term, leading it to being cancelled after 2021.
In retrospect, this was an overly finely crafted competitor for the Diamante, Aurora and Millenia rather than a true luxury sedan. And it cost a ton more than any of those. I'm pretty surprised it sold as well as it did.
Acura deserved the lousy sales this model got. They wanted it to compete against vehicles that were out of its league. Hilarious that John said something about a V8. Acura refused to offer a V8 or RWD, and the RL SH-AWD that came later was nowhere near the LS400, A8, S-Class, 8-Series, XJ, etc. To this day, I still don't consider Acura in league with those makes. They make better Buicks.
That Mellenia was a REALLY nice car, but reliability sucked. I always thought that gen Acura RL was just plain and boring, but they were reliable.
@@doug6191 ??? I thought this was supposed to go against the 5 series, e klasse, and gs series?
@@doug6191 They were testing a V8 RWD architecture back in 2000-01 and test mules of that were seen.
Ultimately, transverse longer wheelbase '03 Accord architecture with AWD won out by late 2001.
Acura was supposed to adopt RWD by 2004, but it got jettisoned.
@KA9 d00d I was under the impression the TL was aimed at the 5, E, GS, A6, etc., as the TL was similarly sized and priced against those models. Meanwhile, the RL was above the TL in Acura's lineup and served as Acura's top-of-the-line model, just as the LS was to Lexus, S-class to Mercedes, and so on.
Legend owners when they see one of these at the scrapyard 😁
Wanted one of these, but ended up with a 2003 Avalon XLS.
I had an 02 RL that was only a few years old at the time. Nice car. Could have used more power but it could get out of its own way just fine.
I have a 04 RL my first car and I love it.
@joelweekes4267 have you had to replace the engine or transmission or just regular maintenance?
@user-hk9pn1iy8g I changed the alternator, Fuel pump, and o2 sensor but the rest has just been maintenance.
@@joelweekes4267 I have a 1997 acura tl 250,187 miles
@user-hk9pn1iy8g that's cool bro,I have never seen a first gen TL in real life yet but I'm aware that it's like a miniature version of my car.
I seriously considered buying this model, but I've been told that fuel consumption is terrible. That said, many people say that this model is very comfortable and is just as good as a Mercedes.
I had a 1999 model. Around 18mpg and it only took premium. But it was a great highway cruiser. Very comfortable with a secure feeling.
Had 2002, 2000, now2005
Happy with all.😅
I got a 2004 and I love it,the fuel consumption isn't as bad as people say
@@joelweekes4267 Great!
I just paid the same for a twenty year newer Lexus ES350. 🤯
to me this always looked like a Japanese w140 S class
if this had 300hp/270tq with a 5A or 6A, would have moved out nicely. 60 in around 6 sec.
Okay lol?
does mw allow this content and not complain to yt?
It looks like Acura’s version of the Lexus LS….which was Lexus’ version of the Mercedes S-Class. They all look similar from a passing glance, especially in the rear.
True the first Gen Rl was actually the same size as the Ls400
I have a 1997 tl is that the same as well?@@joelweekes4267
guiero Ber el vídeo en español
Acura made a huge mistake not offering any RWD sedans. No one was going to leave BMW or Mercedes for the RL(or the later RLX). This is why real luxury car fans don't take Acura seriously. I certainly don't.
True! Especially since the 3.5V6 is mounted longitudinally.
Plus they never gave the RL a V8 when folks demanded it. Talk about self sabotage
Slow
Such a boring car I know why they didn’t sale well.