1997 Acura RL consumer reviews

I bought this car from my great uncle for a mere $1 and ever since I got it in the summer of 2019 it has been one of the most reliable cars my family’s ever owned. It’s been a good commuter as well as a good first car.

Bought car used at over 280k miles and still runs like new. The engine is very smooth and very balanced car for front drive. One of my favorite cars.

It handles like a boat, gets 14 mpg combined, and transmission is lacking on the performance side and has long term problems (like most)

All my cars are acura, starting from the my Sterling, then legend and RL. I have had 3 RLs, my opinions toward this car is : reliable on engine and trans. Let me remind you where the problems are easily from (1)rear coil springs (2)transmission (many idiots don't know they should use HONDA/ACURA trans fluid ONLY) (3)passenger sides window regulators (strangely, not driver side). I frequently helped friends' buying/selling cars, I really recommend this car, 1996~2002, almost same, parts not expensive. I am still driving it nowadays.

The '97 Acura 3.5 RL had 154,000 miles when I bought it and 168,000 when I sold it. I only had to change a couple of fan belts that were old and dried/cracking, and some type of exhaust sensor ($150). I got around 24-27 mpg on highway, and it rode smooth as can be, just like a two year old car. Some knobs and pieces in the interior were falling off/cracked/faded, etc. but ALL functions worked. It was a 14 year old car! Great reliability and performance for that year car. Great Car!

I have owned my 1997 Acura RL for about 5 years now and it is at about 215,000 miles and driving great. It has been very reliable especially considering the mileage, except for a known reoccuring issue with the car's EGR emission system. This issue haunts this year's model vehicle but is about the car's only real problem. It is somewhat easy to do self maintanence on and has a lot of features for an older , now, inexpensive car. Features like power windows, locks, leather seats, sunroof, keyless entry, and good power.

I bought the RL premium used in 2003, already 6 years old and not a problem since.. it is now 2007! Clean quiet ride with supurb handling and performance is there when I need it! Excellent comfortable drive for long distances and through the mountains. I would definately recommend this car!

Don't get me wrong, the car is fabulous, but those who spent $41,000 for it brand new is crazy. The car is just as nice, luxurious and dependable used (like i bought it) as it is new. This is my second car. I bought it 7 months ago when my 1991 Ford Probe decided to quit. This is definately a step up.