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Acura RL vs. Infiniti M35
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Comments
And yes, I agree - the RL should have a rearview camera. I'm perplexed it does not, because it's an option on other Acura vehicles and the RL is their flagship. . . Then again, I think the RL should also have cooled seats, intelligent cruise control, lane departure warning, and a compass!
It's an extra fee on top of your regular XM subscription price - either $1.95 or $2.95 per month sticks in my mind as the extra amount.
Then again, I think the RL should also have cooled seats, intelligent cruise control, lane departure warning, and a compass!
A friend has intelligent cruise control and he hates it - he says anytime a car changes lanes in front of him, it's like the brakes are slammed. As a result, he only uses it when there isn't much traffic, which is exactly the way I use my nonintelligent cruise control.
As far as lane departure warnings, from what I read they are very problematic due to old lane markings, contruction markings, etc. One reviewer said he turned his off after about 100 miles because the warning went off so often.
The only Bluetooth related problems I've had were due to Verizon, not the RL. Several of the advertised functions on the RL wouldn't work with the Verizon phone since Verizon had required some functions to be disabled. However, I recently downloaded a program update for my phone and it now works very well.
To me the RearView Camera is a much more usefuil option than the NavTraffic.
I would tend to agree; however, I had the backup sensors installed and they work great. I'm not sure I'd find a camera that much more useful.
As I posted earlier decision was very very difficult. RL vs M35x.
I chose RL. Why not M?
Because for me RL is a little more luxurious, offers the same performance as M35x and offers great value(at $45,300).
BTW I get a lot of compliments from different people on my RL.
Please do not fight over which car is better, it's about which car is better for You.
Good luck.
In summary you can't go wrong with either and if I had enough cash it'd be great to own both, wishful thinking!
-------------------------
"Thank you for contacting XM Satellite Radio.
We are happy to hear about your interest in XM's NavTraffic service!
The service is powered by NAVTEQ Traffic, a new product from NAVTEQ, the leading
global provider of digital map data for vehicle navigation systems. XM
NavTraffic is the nation's first satellite traffic information service that
enables a vehicle's on-board navigation system to display current traffic
information for a driver's route. It is offered as a premium service.
NavTraffic service is offered at $9.99 per month.
If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to send an additional email
or you may contact a Listener Care Representative directly at 1-800-XM RADIO
(800-967-2346). For commercial accounts please contact 1-888-689-2300 or email
commercial@xmradio.com. "
It's only $9.95 per month if you don't have XM radio as well. If you have XM radio, the extra charge for NavTraffic is $3.99 per month. It was just increased from $2.95 per month.
----------------------
"We are sorry, but the NavTraffic service is not available at a discounted price,
as we are unable to offer the package without a basic XM subscription first
being applied to your radio. The monthly NavTraffic price is $9.99, plus the
standard $12.95 monthly price for our basic XM service. Please let us know if
you would like some further information.
If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to send an additional email
or you may contact a Listener Care Representative directly at 1-800-XM RADIO
(800-967-2346). For commercial accounts please contact 1-888-689-2300 or email
commercial@xmradio.com. "
I don't know what to tell you, but I've now called XM three times, including just now, and all three times I was quoted a price of $3.99 per month on top of the $12.95 XM subscription price.
I have yet to research OnStar - what is the monthly fee for that service?
Looks the the cost of actually using the RL's "technology" is going to be very expensive :surprise: I must say that the user fees involved with the RL's so-called advantage in the LPS market is moving me towards the M35.
I'm not sure what you're saying here. The costs of using the technology on the RL are no different from its competition. Unless you're saying that something is available on the RL (NavTraffic?) that isn't available on the M35, your comment doesn't make sense. Even if that's what you're saying, so what - you simply make the decision to pay for the service, or don't pay for the service. At least you get it for one year without paying extra and you can reassess at the end of the year.
As an undecided shopper I eagerly read what folks have to say about both cars; pro and con. It seems to me (from the overwhelming majority of posts) that the RL's claim to fame so to speak (its technological edge) is the SH-AWD and the AcuraLink tie of RealTimeTraffic to the Navi (and the "related "OnStar" that not all LPS cars offer). What I am saying is that the RL's big pluses miss the mark with me. I have no NEED for RealTimeTraffic; although if it works perfectly then I guess it would be a nice "freebie." I also wonder if that is not hurting sales a little? I mean the RL's "marque" advantage is only available in 21 cities nationwide
The comment makes sense to me; although I can afford an RL and can afford the software charges, I do not consider these options to be necessary for me - ESPECIALLY at $20+ per month (I still do not know how much OnStar costs). I can get an M35 loaded with what is important to me for less than the RL AND includes "essentials" not available as even an option on the RL (e.g. RearView Camera and Full Size Spare).
I wonder how many people will actually renew these services after the trial period? I know that OnStar renewal rates are low. Clearly the RL is a great car with a lot of nice touches, but it also misses the mark on many important features standard elsewhere (e.g. RearView Camera and Ventilated Seats). What I meant by my earlier comment is that $20+ monthly charges for features not at the top of my critical list is causing this still undecided shopper to lean in another direction.
The RL comes with a year's worth of OnStar included.
Verizon has a deal with OnStar details can be found at http://www.vzwshop.com/onstar/.
I would never renew OnStar just for the cell phone functions. The emergency services, however, might get me to renew, though I'm not sure. I don't know the cost, but I believe just the emergency services is about $10 per month.
I like my local radio stations, as well. However, for trips I much prefer XM to CDs because of the wide variety as well as the comedy channels and the news stations. I often enjoy listening to types of music which aren't in my CD collection. On a recent road trip, we went from jazz to classic country to big band. We'd either have had to carry a lot of CDs along and changed them out, or just listened to the same six during the trip.
I don't plan to renew NavTraffic since my commute is all on city streets and I rarely encounter traffic problems that could be avoided by use of NavTraffic. However, if I had commutes like some of my coworkers that can vary from 45 minutes to two hours depending on accidents, etc., I can guarantee I'd have NavTraffic.
1. You have to focus your attention on the screen instead of looking all around
2. If you're parallel parking with a small, low car behind you, it's hard to tell when you get too close
3. When it's raining, if your camera lens gets spattered, everything gets distorted
As a result, he said the only time he really depends on it is in our awful parking garage at work with all its pillars and other obstructions.
On the comments;
1. Focus - yes you have to look at the backup camera screen. That's the point of the feature!
2. I find the M camera to be excellent. I can see to the ground and it is accurate. I haven't had any problems telling how close I am to something.
3. Haven't had any problems with rain, but suppose this could happen. Guess you would just have to wipe the lens off.
And that was my point - with a backup sensor you don't have to look at a screen. You can be looking around, paying attention to other drivers, etc., while still listening to the beeping.
3. Haven't had any problems with rain, but suppose this could happen. Guess you would just have to wipe the lens off.
Yeah, that's exactly what I'd want to be doing - getting out in the rain to wipe off the lens so I could see.
But, I guess we've both ended up with what we want - you're happy with your camera and I'm happy with my backup sensors.
The new A4 was just tested by IIHS, and it received the highest scores possible. Way to go, Audi.
No test completed yet on the Infiniti M.
Go to link titlefor more details.
The RL: The RL is definitely quieter, the seats are the best I've experienced, the fit and finish is absolutely perfect, the dash is exciting - both day and night (I really like the displays under the speedometer and above the NAV screen, which shows wheel torque ratios, and many other items that are only displayed on the NAV screen of the M). And the SH-all wheel drive feels like the car is on rails. I was really impressed with the way this car drive!
M: The 1st M35x I viewed in the show-room had some padding sticking out from where the passenger side dash board met the center console. The fit and finish is good, just not at the same level as the RL. The seats are too firm - similar the the Acura TL, and the ride is much stiffer - giving more road noise and vibration. I really don't care for the orange dash lighting system either. I'm afraid I'll get tired of the car in a year because of the dash.
I think the new style of the M will be hot for a year, but after that the most important features will be the interior amenities and ride quality. My feeling is that the RL wins on both.
Sounds like I've made up my mind. I'm still shocked that it turned out this way. But I hope this helps others in their decision. . .
Derick - Funny you mention that, because those were also the factors I liked about the M, but I agree that everything else considered the RL won my business. I too picked up an RL last week - Lakeshore / taupe! What a great car. I'm sure I made the right decision! Paid invoice for the car - couldn't do better at any local dealers - still I'm thrilled with the price. . .
Rather than divert this comparo, it would be best if we talked this over with you in a separate discussion. I created one for you and move your post to it. Hop over to Acura RL vs. Acura TL to continue.
Have fun!
Here are two comparisons that I have not yet seen mentioned in the forum....
1. If you are big, or tall (or both, as I am), the M is definitely the more comfortable car. It has a "skosh" more room, as they used to say on those jeans commercials. If you are a larger than average person, a skosh can mean a lot. (Also means a lot to the rear seat passenger who rides behind you.)
2. For those who sometimes venture our without fastening your seat belt, the M does NOT constantly complain by ringing bells at you when you do that, as the RL does. (I know that's really a bad thing. Please hold the seat-belt lectures.
Robin
Even 200 "seems" like a lot. What kinds of things can you contol with the voice on the RL that you cannot on the Infinity M? :confuse:
In truth, you must like both your car AND your job.
Derick, how did you do that? Did you use an internet buying service, rather than a local dealer? If so, which one? :confuse:
Yes Infiniti's are loud on purpose, I like the roar!!! :P
I am right in the middle of comparing these two cars. I have test driven them and the performance in both cars is fine for my needs. The one option the RL has over the M is Real Time Traffic with the Nav system. I haven't read much on this list about this option It seemed VERY impressive and useful to me during my test drive. The M does not have this option. Does anyone have experience with this and can help me in my decision?
Also, I'm interested in the Bluetooth cell phone function, which both cars have, but has one maker perfected it more than the other?
Thanks, in advance, for your help and insights.
I have the M35X and the bluetooth works great with my Motorola V710. The voice dial is excellent and so is the voice clarity. People do not know you are on a hands free system. The voice comming back at you are a little on the bass side but very understandable. Perhaps there is an adjustment but it has not been an issue so I have not really explored it. So far just enjoying the car and the BT is very conveniert. No more things in my ears!
Uh you have an M35x and are still comparing cars
Reading some of the other RL forums NavTraffic has been hit or miss with a lot of folks; some like it, some hate it. There are folks complaining about its accuracy and usefulness.
Voice Commands: None are what I'd say great because it still has big issues and understands only 75% of the time. At some point, I think the user begins to figure out how the system wishes you to pronounce the word and how long the pause between the words in the command. Someday, I hope the recognition gets better, but to say one is better over the other is a misnomer in my opinion.
Real Time Traffic NAV vs. NAV system: The Real Time Nav has the same traffic flow indicator as what you see on the internet map systems such as the yahoo website. It gives three distinct degrees of traffic along highways and major roads for most big cities. Normal Flow, Slow Flow, and Hell No Flow. It does explain of both directions and more importantly where there are accidents. However, the Acura system cannot determine and calculate the best route possible due to traffic flow. This is too difficult a calculation at this point. But certainly for me, one of the biggesst reasons for a real time Nav system is to tell the user how to find the "best" path. Which it doesn't. The crazy thing is, from what I've been told Nissan has a model in Japan which is real time that does have a feature that does perform this calculation. Why they don't bring this to the states is beyond me, but perhaps it is also newer and they'd prefer to test it over in Japan first. The RL system certainly is more useful but the amount of practicality for me is significantly diluted until it can find you the best route due to traffic conditions. And yes, the RL has more voice commands. Will people use all of them...completely subjective.
Accuracy: For all purposes, accuracy for both systems are right on. It doesn't mean it doesn't make mistakes. But I'd be hard pressed to say that it doesn't work. Especially for major metropolitan areas. When out in less populated regions, I think the misses may begin to mount, but I'd have to expect a bit of that since the companies are in it for the majority of individuals which will always suck for the minority users out there in less populated regions.
Ease of Use:
I'm probably a bit biased here, because I like having touch screens. I really hated the fact that Acura decided to have a non touch screen. In fact, Acura tried to put the Nav system higher up and closer to the windshield. Which irks me b/c I think touch screens made it much easier to navigate. This is entirely subjective. The dial is certainly easy enough to use. For the Infiniti, the buttons are somewhat small but also intuitive. It allows you to use the turn ring as well, but as I said, why the buttons? Drop the buttons and spend it on something else I'd say. It would look cleaner and you can make the back button bigger.
The little things: I still think auto makers need to find a way to block out that sun better. I mean it all works but night and day visibility really is like day and night so to speak.
I do think the RL is a bit better. But then I do believe that Acura put a lot more attention to this feature. Is it enough to make a call? Not unless you;re a gadget freak like I am.
I myself would see how well it interacts with the car and overall feel. I like that the RL is quieter so I can hear the Nav system better. However, on the Infiniti M35 sport, the aluminum trim works much better. Not a wood trim type of guy. In the end? I chose the RL. But I do think the aluminum trim works much better for me. Only in the M35 Sport of course. Maybe this doesn't help you out, but this is why I said from the get go. The Nav system really is not a deal breaker in my mind. Even for a gadget fiend like myself.
Good Luck!
I currently have a 1995 Lexus SC - the best car ever made under 50K. I love this car and I would own another one if Lexus had not screwed up the design in 2001. It is a rear wheel drive car (as is all the cars I have owned over the past 20 years) and, with the traction control, I have NEVER had any issues with it in the Illinois winters.
After 121,000 happy miles - I think it is time for a change!
Does anyone have any practical experience with the RL, M35x, and M35 in bad weather. Is the AWD on these cars that good or is the RWD really that bad?
Damn Drought - If it ever rains here I am running out to take my test drives!
The M goes no more that 50/50 RWD/FWD, but continuously variable from 100/0 to 50/50 RWD/FWD.
There are more advantages to an AWD car than simple bad-weather driving, though. Most will say handling improves in all conditions.