hello, I'm new to acuraworld, but, I kinda fit your dad's profile, in that I was looking to get a 2002RL.
I have a 2000RL that's been great, but these $4000 dealer incentives are really tempting; so, I've been test driving 2002's around to see if I should get another for the wife (still kinda pricey for me--even with the discount). I eventually decided to stop the sillyness and wait for the next gen RL (possibly w/V8 and RWD!), although I'm sure it will be priced a lot higher and probably out of my range.
Basically, I couldn't really tell the diff between the 225hp in the new one and the 210hp in mine (although, it was kinda tough to push it, with a salesperson tagin' along for the ride). As for everything else, the 2002 pretty much felt like my 2000 except it was newer (ahhh! that new car smell!) The OnStar was cool, but I guess I can get by with my cell phone. If your dad has the navi, the bigger 7" screen is nice (My 2000 has the bigger screen too). I'm not sure if there is a significant diff when moving to a 2002. Other incidentals I noticed was dimming side mirrors, the body colored side skirts and mud flaps (as you mentioned), I think there is a special latch between the cushions for specially equipped baby seats, and you can easily find your way out of the trunk if you ever find yourself trapped in it (latch to open from inside). I think my 2000 also has the 7 sensors to monitor side air bag deployment and speed of deployment, that the 1999's didn't have; and also, I think vehicle traction control was added in 2000. There might be more, but I didn't really notice. If you ask me, I'd wait to see If I could afford the next gen RL's. In the mean time, you can paint the black side skirts the body color and pretty much pretend that you've got the 2002! That's what I'm gonna do... (I'll also have to get some new wheels since those look different now too... maybe I'll look into some 19's--if they'll fit, 18's if not)
