1996 Acura RL Premium review from North America
"Nice, comfortable, big car. Could be faster"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Check engine light is on - the computer says it is the EGR valve.
Rear windows do not open, they have to be helped manually.
A coolant hose got rubbed by one of the belts causing a leak - replaced the hose for $4.00...
General comments?
This is a BIG car. It feels and drives like one. At first I really loved the pickup from the stop lights, but now I have kind of gotten used to it, and it seems just OK. It doesn't have the greatest power for its size - the car is just too heavy.
RL drives nicely and covers road imperfections very well. However, the body rolls terribly when turning. I used to have an Infiniti J30t and I could take the same turns with twice the speed and I would be held nicely in my seat. In the RL, I have to hold onto the steering wheel to avoid being thrown out of the car.
Overall, very nice big car. I love the memory seats on it and can't wait to use the heated seats in the winter! Also, the BOSE sound system is just fantastic. It sounds like a professional sound studio! Acura is a good make.
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| First year of ownership | 2002 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2002 |
| Engine and transmission | 3.5 V6 Automatic |
| Performance marks | 7/10 |
| Reliability marks | 8/10 |
| Comfort marks | 9/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 4/10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 5/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 86000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 87000 miles |
| Previous car | Infiniti J30 |
| Date of Entry | 27th July, 2002 |