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Acura RL

15657596162141

Comments

  • robertsmxrobertsmx Member Posts: 5,525
    Based on MSRP, the GS does “start” at $40K, but good only for them who are okay with having a Lexus with cloth seats, halogen lamps, no navigation system and a decent audio system. Getting heated leather seats, premium audio system, navigation system and HID pushes the MSRP to $46K for the GS300.

    Now, the GS430 starts at $49K, and has many of the items optional on GS300 as standard, except Navigation system and audio system ($3300). Upgrade from 16 inch to 17-inch rims is an option as well.

    Acura will come standard with these features, plus AWD. Even if Acura RL goes for $49K, it would sit squarely between the two Lexus GS trims (unless Lexus can somehow trim the price tag).

    On other grounds, if RL promises what it is said to, and if GS stays the kind of car it has been, I would go for the more athletic... RL.
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    The subarus are better, but they arent even on teh same planet as the GS and RL. The Legacy is more comparable to the TL, and it loses to that car to. Subaru doesnt even offer a Nav system yet, and its only what, 2005 MY now?
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Which is why it's $10 – $20K cheaper than a GS or RL. The original poster was asking if the new RL is worth the extra $10K over the GS. I'm simply asking is the GS worth the extra money over GT or Outback. Since I'm a firm believer in AWD over any other drivetrain, the answer for is for me a loud YES. If you don't value the AWD (as I do), then the answer may be no.

    No the Legacy doesn't compare to the TL, but it does compare to the TSX.

    As to navigation, it will be available for MY06.

    Bob <offering some very good AWD alternatives other than those found in European brands>
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    How do you feel about the '05 G35x with Nissan's 277hp 3.5L V6? The Subie engine is nice, but their also known for turbo lag, which isnt something you would necessarily want to pair with an automatic transmission.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I'm sure it's a great engine. There's no turbo lag in the 250hp 3.0H6, as there is no turbo.

    Speaking of turbo lag, on the 2.5 engine it's minimal. Yes there is some, but very little. Trust me, I've driven a number of them, 5EAT and manuals, it's not a problem.

    Bob
  • varmintvarmint Member Posts: 6,326
    Perhaps my thinking is out of date (with all the recent advances in turbo-charging), but I've always thought that turbo power mixed with manual transmissions was the thing to avoid. IIRC, the automatic allows the turbo to spool while changing gears, but the manual does not (or something like that).

    As for the G35x, I love the drivetrain (and chassis). Not too sure about the rest of the car.

    GS330 without AWD? At $39K, that would be a bargain. But I agree that the car is essentially all show, no go at that price point. I'd probably get a TL or G35 and keep the change.
  • player4player4 Member Posts: 362
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  • tls02tls02 Member Posts: 20
    My local dealer, in the NYC Area, has told me that he is going to Acura's "Ride & Drive" for the RL on Sept 9th. They do not expect to have the cars until the end of Sept but most likely in October.
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    If that was true, then cars like the WRX and Lancer EVO would all come with automatics. You cant hard launch with an automatic. With the real power only available at 3,000rpm+, you've got to keep the revs up, and you need a manual to do that.

    I still dont like that RL trunk hump
  • cericceric Member Posts: 1,092
    player4, great pictures. Thanks a lot.
    The dark color one looks very nice to me.
    They seem to have failed in getting rid of the roof-top antenna as the program manager has mentioned in interview.
    The 20" wheels are still on them.
    I noticed the CA license plates.
    Do you know where those pictures were snapped?
  • talon95talon95 Member Posts: 1,110
    "I still dont like that RL trunk hump"

    I don't know... I guess it pays tribute to the BMW 7-series design, but shows that it can be well integrated into the lines of the car, rather than looking like they took a piece of plywood, painted it the same color as the car, and plopped it on top of the "real" trunk lid. ;)
  • talon95talon95 Member Posts: 1,110
    "Perhaps my thinking is out of date (with all the recent advances in turbo-charging), but I've always thought that turbo power mixed with manual transmissions was the thing to avoid. IIRC, the automatic allows the turbo to spool while changing gears, but the manual does not (or something like that)."

    Well, back in my "true" talon95 days, when I drove an Eagle Talon TSi AWD, I had the manual. And I remember that the enthusiast magazines criticized the automatic versions of those turbocharged cars, because the shifting and the turbo kicking in never seemed to coordinate well. That phenomenon can be kept under control to a pretty good degree with the greater control of the manual.

    Back then, well before the era of 255 hp. family/pseudo sports sedans, that car's 210 hp. was pretty much up there. And I remember that while the turbo coming on in an engine that powerful was quite the rush, the "indirectness" of the power flow sometimes make it feel like I didn't have much control over the acceleration. That's why I'm such a fan of the Accord V6... similar power with much smoother power delivery.

    But then, with the Accords, I also made the transition from many years of driving only stick to an automatic. I was spending way too much time in stop and go traffic while commuting, and it got to the point where the degree to which the stick was a pain started to outweigh the degree to which it was fun.
  • jeff88jeff88 Member Posts: 94
    Stop and go traffic also soured me on manual trannys, that's why I like todays' semi-autos. Almost as nice as a manual and fully auto for stop & go. However currently, my commute is mostly backroads and I would love to have a 5sp again. The 1st auto I ever owned (for me) was the rl.

    Back when I bought an '87 saab 900s I was initially looking at the 900 turbo and after a couple of test drives, decided on the slower 16v 4 without the booster. It was not at all a fast car; one had to keep the revs high to move along. The handling and daily driving characteristics were much less of an adventure though. Today's turbos, particularly mated to diesels, don't have that sudden blast of power, that sometimes occurred when you weren't quite ready for it in the older turbos. Recall that the turbo on the 900 kicked in around 2500 to 3000 rpm. 0-20 pretty much stunk, 20 to 60 was a rocket ride!

    For me, it's never been about the raw performance #'s, it's been more about how the car runs and performs over the daily experience. Having a bit extra on tap for those time we want to let loose, then absolutlely yes. For some reason, I've always been more attracted to lambish looks with a bit of the wolf underneath.

    As for the hump on the rl, if it means more trunk space then great! I'm definitely a fan of the new looks and specs, will be interested to read about the 1st test drives.
  • robertsmxrobertsmx Member Posts: 5,525
  • varmintvarmint Member Posts: 6,326
    "If that was true, then cars like the WRX and Lancer EVO would all come with automatics."

    Obviously, there are other reasons for offering manuals. I didn't mean to suggest that the choice is black or white.

    I was speaking to the issue of spooling the turbo, which may happen faster in an automatic (assuming what I recall is still true of today's turbos). While things like hard launches, the driving experience, and drivetrain efficiency may be enough to compensate for the slower spooling, my understanding suggests that turbo lag is less significant with an automatic.
  • robertsmxrobertsmx Member Posts: 5,525
    I wouldn&#146;t call the rear end styling in these BMWs &#147;humpy&#148; either:

    BMW 645Ci
    BMW 745i

    The only issue I have with those rear ends is the way trunk lid sits on the top. The gap distracts from the &#147;flow&#148;. (Similar issue with new 5-series).

    Here is a side view of the 2005 RL&#146;s rear end
  • markcincinnatimarkcincinnati Member Posts: 5,343
    Turbo lag certainly is real -- however, several of the Europeans and Japanese have virtually eliminated the lag.

    In my experience, the "drive-line lash" of automatic transmissions (or the lash that CAN be part of an auto's characteristics) does not mitigate turbo lag, it exacerbates it.

    The turbos that have the torque start low and stay for a long time are often virtually undetectable as being turbos and thus can be used with little fanfare with both autos and manuals.

    Some cars have massive turbo lag and sloppy slush box auto transmissions -- mate these two traits and driving can be quite, shall we say, unnerving or as we used to say in college "a rush!" (but not in a positive way).
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    Right, usually by pairing larger engines, with smaller, twin turbos, or superchargers. The trouble with mating small fours with essentially no torque down low with a big turbo that needs to spool up (WRX) is that with an automatic, starting at idle, the car really wouldnt go anywhere until it hits 3,000 rpm or so.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Which is one reason the WRX is rarely sold with an automatic. That car just screams for a manual tranny.

    Bob
  • robertsmxrobertsmx Member Posts: 5,525
    May be &#147;hybrid&#148; is in the future of turbocharged engines. :-)

    Spool it up using a tiny electric motor, until the exhaust catches up.
  • nhontrannhontran Member Posts: 1
    Would be nice if they have a new engine!
  • robertsmxrobertsmx Member Posts: 5,525
    The old 5.5/V8 SOHC.
  • altersysaltersys Member Posts: 56
    Actually those dont look like 20" wheels at all... More like 17"s
  • markcincinnatimarkcincinnati Member Posts: 5,343
    Before anyone did this, I would suspect that a supercharger would be a more "sane" approach -- and no turbo lag, that's fur shure!
  • cedar33cedar33 Member Posts: 3
    The volumes that have been written and the tears that have been shed over the deck lid on the BMW, and now the &#146;05 RL, has me puzzled. Today&#146;s leading-edge design is founded in aerodynamics. The wind tunnel tests and computer simulations are extremely critical. With performance, fuel economy, and styling at odds in any top-shelf design, engineers are playing a larger role in the final product.

    Coefficient of drag and down force dynamics are particularly significant, not to the box-on-wheels Hummer, but to cars like the BMW and new RL. I&#146;m not an engineer, but I&#146;ll bet that the deck lid that&#146;s causing such gnashing of teeth is a result of thousands of hours of wind tunnel and computer testing. I believe that testing has shown that, without that particular shape, the car will lose massive amounts of loading. High-speed handling would become loose. Coefficient of drag would also increase unacceptably. Air dams and aprons do much the same thing at the other end.

    I&#146;m doin&#146; a lot of betting here, but I expect this RL will have a c/d of .29 or less and the butt will have plenty of loading at speed. If we know the advantages of something, I believe most of us will come to embrace it. These cars cannot be designed with disregard of technical requirements. Remember when Audi had to stick that little spoiler onto the deck lid of the TT a couple of years ago? The stylists found out that the thing wanted to go airborne! Does this diatribe make any sense?
  • shotgunshotgun Member Posts: 184
    Your so called diatribe makes very much sense indeed! I'm just surprised that some of the more technically proficient contributors to this forum haven't mentioned this before. Although I find the BMW deck lid to be somewhat exaggerated and less than a thing of beauty, I do find the RL's iteration of the concept sufficiently muted and quite elegant...
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    Then how is Infiniti able to achieve zero lift designs in front and back without having to resort to the dreaded trunk hump?
  • gteach26gteach26 Member Posts: 576
    Thanks for the pics. NICE FIND!!!

    To me, the RL looks alot more "substantial" in these real-world pics than in the promo stuff. I can't wait to see it in person!
  • legendmanlegendman Member Posts: 362
    Just got back from vacation and was eager to see the new photos that Player posted. Thanks!

    Well, as I said a few months back, I think that the RL's side looks good but the trunk hump is just plain ugly, poorly styled, and derivative of BMW's newer 7 series. The intersection of the trunk lines with the side panels and tail lights simply do not flow together. Instead they are inexplicably juxtaposed and go off in disparate directions. To make matters worse, they me-too'd the roof antenna.

    The front of the car looks ridiculous. It looks more like an animal or Japanese warrior. A three year old Camry on steroids.

    All in all, to me it's an ugly car -- coming and going. What a disappointment this is for me.

    In my opinion, Acura (Honda) has done it again -- style designed a car by committee, lifting other brands styling details, including incredibly, BMW's deservedly impugned trunk hump and misaligned tail lights. What they should have been doing is approach this with some leadership and innovation, but apparently Acura and Honda are too conservative and careful to take chances -- style wise -- with anything bold and new. Yeah, I know that mechanically they are leaders, but stylistically, they are laggers.

    I spent a couple of days over at a Lexus dealership driving RX300s with my girlfriend, who is in the market for a CPO SUV. While there I asked about the new GS, due in March of '05. Based on what I see in the '05 RL photos, what I have seen of the new '05 GS, and the entirely upscale experience at the Lexus dealerships, I will likely be waiting for the new GS to debut before I plunk down upwards of 50 large.

    Bummed out and disgusted.
  • proeproe Member Posts: 157
    The matter of fact is that it is nonsense to even bring up the aerodynamic of any car unless your car's average daily driving speed is above 150mph and we all know only very few cars has that kind of top speed and even fewer people will ever push their car to that top speed for very long period of time on the freeway or on the street.

    So, who cares what is the coefficient of drag or the down force that is needed to stabilize you car when your car is beyond 150mph. After all, you will probably never reach beyond 200mph in 99% of the mass production vehicles, so spoiler you see on any car is only for show.

    Speaking of spoiler, it is just a cheap way to make non-sporty cars look sporty.

    Unfortunately, being aerodynamic is not a technical requirement, rather it is a marketing strategy to get your money.
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    Lower cd can translate into less noise at highway speed and increased mpg, not just ultra high speed stability.

    Legendman, cant recommend the RX highly enough. It's no drivers car, but most SUVs arent. However, its extremely comfortable, quiet, and luxurious. It has a great center storage compartment (the wife loved that) and ours has recently passed the 50K mark with a spotless record. Its pulled my XK out of a snow bank on more than one occasion :)
  • ksomanksoman Member Posts: 683
    Very soon we will all die or become old and senile and the new kids on the block will love every inch of these designs that everybody calls ridiculous... for good or for bad...

    The only thing I dont like about the new bmw 7 and the 5 is parts of the rear deck. Having test driven both a lot, i'm quite impressed enough to say that i'll easily overlook those flaws.

    I also love the little mouse in the center stack of the beemers. Back in 1990, I remember, I was struggling to use a mouse and i'm thinking, wow, maybe i'm not made to use such toys... today even 90 year old alzeimer's patients use mouse & windows successfully.

    Shame on us to keep complaining about technology. Like it or not, the tech waves just keep comming. Get up and learn to surf or get washed out, for good or for bad.

    I am not particularly impressed with the design of the RL, but I'm guessing so what, i'll die soon and my kids might love it, plus at 10000's of thousands lower than a comparable 5 series, i'll take it, most likely.

    ksso
  • ksomanksoman Member Posts: 683
    That is not true... carelessly designed roads abound all over the world and one small flaw in the camber of the road will let your car experience the joys of flying instead of driving at speeds as low at 60-70 mph rather than 150 mph...

    As a person with engineering background, I completely attest to the stated view on engineering over design lately...

    ksso
  • jeff88jeff88 Member Posts: 94
    Why are you driving an xk in the snow???!!!

    ;)
  • robertsmxrobertsmx Member Posts: 5,525
    I'm surprised to see that people see so much resemblance between BMW 7-series (and 5-series? 6-series yes, but 5-series? C'mon) and not between Acura's own offerings from the past, a mix of Acura CL and TL (1996-98). I even see some resemblance in the rear to the outgoing RL! Thats evolutionary styling approach IMO.

    Unlike 2004 TL which I would call aggressive, the new RL's styling approach is understated, and thats been something that top end cars usually have. Of course, not everybody prefers understated looks as it can be "boring", perhaps a reason BMW stylists went from the understated elegance of this car...
    image

    to this...
    image

    Hard to figure out what people would like... especially, "eventually".
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    Jeff, good question.

    "I also love the little mouse in the center stack of the beemers. Back in 1990, I remember, I was struggling to use a mouse and i'm thinking, wow, maybe i'm not made to use such toys... today even 90 year old alzeimer's patients use mouse & windows successfully."

    Right, so you're telling me that a 90 year old with alzeimers can figure out how to program a radio preset through iDrive? Sorry but thats just a plain bad design. You should not have to take a college course in "How to operate your BMW 101". Acura and Lexus have been showing them the proper way to do it for years and years, and the Germans just keep on ignoring them. :Frankenstein voice: Touch screen baaad! 800 confusing buttons or rediculous joystick control scheme goood!
  • varmintvarmint Member Posts: 6,326
    I still can't understand why people think it looks like the new BMW. I mean, sure, the trunk being lifted off the fender is "similar", but the ugliest part of the BMW design is how high the trailing edge of the decklid rises. The Acura does not share that part.

    IMHO, if you want to make comparisons, this is the car to look at...

    image
  • nebraskaguynebraskaguy Member Posts: 341
    >>Right, so you're telling me that a 90 year old with alzeimers can figure out how to program a radio preset through iDrive? Sorry but thats just a plain bad design. You should not have to take a college course in "How to operate your BMW 101".

    Every time I read a review of how great BMW is, I have to laugh because invariably, in the middle of the review they'll talk about Idrive and the five steps to set a radio station, or the eight steps to do this, etc., etc. I don't care how great a car is otherwise, if I have to pull out an instruction manual just to figure out how to do the most basic things, I just won't buy it.
  • robertsmxrobertsmx Member Posts: 5,525
    Maybach 62
    image
  • legendmanlegendman Member Posts: 362
    >>Legendman, cant recommend the RX highly enough. It's no drivers car, but most SUVs arent. However, its extremely comfortable, quiet, and luxurious. It has a great center storage compartment (the wife loved that) and ours has recently passed the 50K mark with a spotless record<<

    Lexusguy:

    I agree, it's a great car. My folks have two, one in the Midwest and one in the Southwest, and all they've ever needed were oil changes and some new tires for the older RX. They are quiet, comfortable, capable and as far as SUVs go, a pleasure to drive.

    Nonetheless, my girlfriend seems to keep coming back to wanting a brand new car -- which would be her first. Her tastes are fairly simple -- we even drove a Mazda MPV -- which owners seem to love, btw.

    I should say that my one nit with the Lexus RX 300 (and one that Edmunds.com editors/reviewers also impugned) was Lexus' incorporating what is now a navi screen with the car radio and HVAC controls. To paraphrase the Edmunds editors/reviewers, I hate it. It really takes your eyes off the road in order to manage either function.

    If we do get back to see the RX: To buy a CPO RX (2000, 2001) at or under $30,000 OTD (the budget) we have been seeing cars in the 35,000 to 40,000 +/- mile range. Do you think that's too much mileage for a used car?
  • robertsmxrobertsmx Member Posts: 5,525
    Only RL seems to have a traditional trunk lid, rest have the trunk lid &#147;sitting on top&#148;, but overall appearance suggests similarities.

    2005 Acura RL
    BMW 645Ci
    BMW 745Li
    Lexus SC430
    Maybach 57
    Maybach 62
    Toyota Crown
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    Isnt the Mazda MPV like a 20 year old design with a mouse on a wheel for an engine? I cant even remember the last time I saw the MPV in a magazine article.

    If she wants something new, I would suggest considering the Honda Pilot, which the press adores, or possibly a Murano for something a little different, and theres always Highlander.

    "we have been seeing cars in the 35,000 to 40,000 +/- mile range. Do you think that's too much mileage for a used car?"

    Depends on what car. If it were say an A6 Avant Quattro, yes. An RX, 40K miles is nothing. I would expect it to hold up to 200K miles or more. BTW, the NAV screen control scheme isnt really as bad as it seems. There are dedicated controls for temp, seek, volume, etc, but presets, changing discs and the like are handled through the NAV screen. Granted its not perfect, the RX330 is much better in that respect, but it's not a huge deal, at least imo.
  • talon95talon95 Member Posts: 1,110
    The current MPV was introduced for the 2000 model year. The 2004 model comes standard with a 3.0 liter V6 rated at 200 hp. Not at the top of the heap by current V6 standards, but it appears that they at least gave the mouse steroids.
  • importfan14importfan14 Member Posts: 18
    a few pages back, and it seemed pretty heated up there...whew!

    Anyhow, I do want to comment on a few things:

    talon95--you said: "...expensive Altima" look... along with its "next generation Chevy Impala" inspired roofline, the Infiniti standard "mouth full of braces" grille and those really gawdawful taillights, this car doesn't grab me at all."

    -The only resemblance I see to the Altima is the roofine. I don't think that the rest of the car looks like the Altima. If anything, I see more G35 coupe in the rear and FX in the front--although I'll admit that the tailights need to be reduced; I like the Fuga concept's rear more.

    Also, as for the "downmarket roofline" comment you made in another post, well, by the same token, I guess I should dog on the A6 for having a roofline similar to the Passat. True?

    Could you explain to me what "appliance-like instrument panel" is? I have a GE Profile fridge, and I certainly don't think M45 instrument panel when I look at it!

    FWIW, I think that the RL's styling is okay--but nothing to write home about--for the segment, but I think it's too much of a hodge-podge of different vehicles thrown in a blender, and that was the end result. The TSX and TL have more of a common theme going on with the crisp edges, but the RL is just a bit bubbly, I can't help but think it'll probably look out of place, but that's just me. The interior is nice, but that center console is too cluttered, IMO.

    Just my opinion...
  • talon95talon95 Member Posts: 1,110
    "Also, as for the "downmarket roofline" comment you made in another post, well, by the same token, I guess I should dog on the A6 for having a roofline similar to the Passat. True?"

    Wow, this is almost like ancient history...

    VW/Audi has done a great job of visually distinguishing the Passat from the A6, despite their shared chassis. I don't think they look that much alike anyway. But even if they do, it's a resemblence within a family of cars.

    The Impala, on the other hand, has been much maligned by many for its styling, cheap design and other things. Hardly what I'd call an appropriate design inspiration for the flagship from a luxury division. And unlike the family resemblance in the case of Passat/A6, there's no such lineage between the M45 and the Impala. I just consider the resemblance to be unflattering for the M45.

    As for the "appliance-like" comment, it has a lot to do with the massive overdose of brushed metal trim, and the jarring combination of the "meet George Jetson" design elements with the anachronistic analog clock. I realize that the clock is an Infiniti trademark, but it's a design element that never really worked for me.

    Anyway, these are just gut reactions... there aren't exactly empirical measurements for how one reacts to styling. One person's "thing of beauty" is another person's eyesore. I don't have to justify or attempt to somehow "quantify" those reactions just because you don't react in the same way. You indicate that you don't care for the styling of the RL, and similarly, the styling of the M45, inside and out, does nothing for me at all.

    Just my opinion.
  • lexusguylexusguy Member Posts: 6,419
    The Japanese are finally starting to find some real identity in their styling, which means some people arent going to like it, others are going to love it, and thats how it should be. As I've said before, take a look at an early '90s Maxima, Accord, and Camry. Take the badges off. Look again. Which one is which? You certainly cant say that in 2004.
  • importfan14importfan14 Member Posts: 18
    >>"VW/Audi has done a great job of visually distinguishing the Passat from the A6...I don't think they look that much alike anyway. But even if they do, it's a resemblence within a family of cars."

    Isn't that what the Altima and M45 are--the "family of cars" part? Maybe it's just me, but it seems to me that you think it's a crime that Nissan takes cues from its other vehicles--you did agee that that M45 is an "expensive Altima," after all. Do you just not like Nissan/Infiniti?

    >>"The Impala, on the other hand, has been much maligned by many for its styling...Hardly what I'd call an appropriate design inspiration for the flagship from a luxury division."

    Well, even though it's been a flop, the Q45 still remains the flagship of Infiniti, not the M45. Try again.

    >>"As for the "appliance-like" comment, it has a lot to do with the massive overdose of brushed metal trim, and the jarring combination of the "meet George Jetson" design elements..."

    There is an option for wood, but I'm sure you already knew that. ;-)

    Also, why don't you lay off of your rather sophomoric cartoon character/anime descriptions for design. With those kind of descriptions, it's hard to take your posts seriously.

    What will be more telling, though, is the driving experience, in which I think--based on other Infiniti products--the M will deliver in spades over the RL. Like I probably established, I'll take the "meet George Jetson" interior of the M45 over the cluttered dash of the RL anyday.
  • robertsmxrobertsmx Member Posts: 5,525
    I think it's too much of a hodge-podge of different vehicles thrown in a blender
    I could say (and prove) the same about just about any car, including Roll Royce and like. New RL&#146;s front uses almost all design element from the current RL. Compare these two pictures if you would like to

    Current RL
    New RL

    The new RL appears to have a sportier stance with a lower front end. The penta-grill still sinks into the bumper, the strong crease on the hood is carried over, except that it is not used to &#147;cover up&#148; the gap between it and the fenders. You still don&#146;t see the wipers (as is typical of luxury cars) and the windhshield nozzles are now hidden. There are a few differences (different bumper and head lamps) but that has to be.

    The rear end resembles the outgoing RL too! The middle part of the trunk conveys a feeling of the same shape. The difference is near the tail lamps. The shoulder line folding into the tail lamps is new, but Acura was using a similar theme in the later 90s. The tail lamps resemble CL more than they do the outgoing RL.

    The TSX and TL have more of a common theme going on with the crisp edges, but the RL is just a bit bubbly

    A look up close, between TSX, TL and RL will reveal a lot of crisp and similarities between the three as should be expected. The only rounded (bubbly?) part in RL&#146;s overall styling is near the tail lamp. Even there, it is far from being &#147;bubbly&#148;. If you really want to see &#147;bubbly&#148;, check out the Infiniti (and Nissan) vehicles.

    The interior is nice, but that center console is too cluttered, IMO.

    I don&#146;t think so. The brushed aluminum trim (and real one at that) increases the contrast, but cluttered console it is not. Clutter is when you have to stand up and move up close to read the buttons that aren&#146;t laid out logically (but stylistically). Have you seen the RL&#146;s center console upclose? If not, here it is…

    image

    Well spaced, symmetrical and most importantly, &#147;visible&#148; from driver as well as passenger seat. Here it is in &#147;macro mode&#148;
    image

    Show me another console, with as many controls/features that have at least as much intuitiveness/user-friendliness built into it.
  • courtney11courtney11 Member Posts: 77
    Is it just me or does the new RL look a bit boring? I look at the dash and it looks like all they did was take the TL and move it to the RL. With the 3 pods it seems identical. With black interior and that dark wood it seems so dark. The exterior seems to be missing something buit not sure what, the front especially looks boring and a bit cheap. Looking at pictures of the new M from Infiniti it looks alot more futuristic and stylish, as does the interior. Now ofcourse the reliability and past along with the resale value will keep some moving toward Acura. Not sure what the price will be, hoping the RL will be about 48k. What will the M be? I think the M-V6 will have to be close with the M-V8 much more. Any thoughts on the looks of the RL.
  • jrock65jrock65 Member Posts: 1,371
    I'm not sure why a lot of people think that Acura has better reliability than Infiniti. Both are good, but Infiniti always seems to have a small edge on Acura, at least in surveys.

    Plus, the resale value of the G and FX are terrific.

    I'm hoping that the RL and M35 AWD w/ Tech Package are about $48,000 as well. It'd be great if the price is lower, but I'm not holding my breath.
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