05 Acura RL (and you thought I would forget)

[mr_mocha]

/me raises his glass of apple juice to the (/-\) kids

Ill start by posting this quote from my spirited conversation with nissT in September.

================================================== =
09/01/2004
Acura RL
3.5 V-6
300hp/260lb-ft <-torque achieved at 5,000 rpm http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
~<4000 lbs http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
0-60 6.8* (thats a mocha estimate and a generous one at that) http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/grin.gif
================================================== =====
Of course you probably guessed what I found on page 74 of the latest car and driver. hmmm... A RL road test. Observe.

Highs: A friskier look and feel, as quiet as a church, the ultimate awd system (though they really never back it up), a nav system designed for techno-boobs.

Lows: Expensive, smallish interior, not so quick http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

The Verdict: The senior Acura no longer feels like a senior citizen

price as tested: 49,470 (not exactly 46K like previously mentioned, forget M35... M45 striking distance?)


Now before I go on and compare the RL to a 10 point buck sleeping in front of a southern ohio hunter (M35/45) let me say that I dont claim to be a mind reader or a psychic. What I am is simply a fanatic of japanese cars, namely but not specifically Nissans. When I see a new car and I weigh the specs and dimensions and whatever bells and whistles they plan to include, I most often come out with a pretty concrete opinion about how this car will or will not perform. When I had this discussion earlier with Honda fan I noticed that I was called out as being so biased that I wouldnt be able to see past the blue rings in the M35/45 headlamps yet make an educated total comparison of the two cars. Well half of that comparison is out and the mocha estimate was 1 tenth of a second off. I should actually sue Car and Driver for using my "Although its 3.5-liter V-6 makes a praiseworthy 300 horsepower, the car feels a little sluggish at low revs, thanks to its lack of displacement."

Some would say that I would be ignorant to think that this marvel of an engine would have a peaky torque curve (kazi). When actually I just used this age old theory.

Low Displacement + Low Torque = Doing everything in your right mind to make it feel like a sporty car.

Now... the M35/45 isnt even out yet but I can see the honda kids bracing for impact. Not only is Infiniti going to destroy the RL with their introduction. Toyota will too.

Without a hint of sarcasm C&D started their article with:

"Frisky and frugal Honda seemed to be run by a council of geniuses in 1986 when its new Acura division won over the company's first luxury buyers with what amounted to a nicely dressed Accord. Oh, what a feast of customers the Acura Legend had to itself for three short years. That is, until Toyota and Nissan bustled in with the Lexus LS400 and Infiniti Q45. With these two rear-wheel drive V-8 limos prowling the gated neighborhoods of upscale America, the Legend suddenly just seemed little."

History will repeat itself if you really want it to. I guess this time around Infiniti is only giving a 6 month head start. http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/grin.gif

until next time, goodnight
mr_mocha

[SukairainKupe]

Why talk about performance if you stick a V6 in a 4000lb sedan? Why talk about SUPER HANDLING when you mount the system on something that weights like a pig? A 300hp/260tq engine drives a 4000lb car to 60 in 6.8 seconds? Wow, that seems just alittle optimistic.

[Nissan_Admirer]

Why talk about performance if you stick a V6 in a 4000lb sedan? Why talk about SUPER HANDLING when you mount the system on something that weights like a pig? A 300hp/260tq engine drives a 4000lb car to 60 in 6.8 seconds? Wow, that seems just alittle optimistic.



Try telling that to the Honduh fanboys! http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[NissT]

What I am is simply a fanatic of japanese cars, namely but not specifically Nissans.



If you are so into Japanese.... RL is car of the year (http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1679800) in Japan (M35 is #3). Apparently 0-60 isn’t everything http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/smirk.gif (which isn’t bad at all for this class anyways). Why don't you read up how they compare cars.

Pointless thread http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

[Deadpool]

What I am is simply a fanatic of japanese cars, namely but not specifically Nissans.



If you are so into Japanese.... RL is car of the year (http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1679800) in Japan (M35 is #3). Apparently 0-60 isn’t everything http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/smirk.gif (which isn’t bad at all for this class anyways). Why don't you read up how they compare cars.

Pointless thread http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/crazy.gif



http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB1&Number=67877159&page= 0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

Nice try.

[mr_mocha]

nissT, funny that you consider this thread pointless. You went on and on about how the RL was going to be Super Outrageous when the numbers werent published. Now that it has limped through its first road test,... this thread is stupid and selling cars is what it is all about. The SH-AWD is a gimmick and the RL is lame.

Is the RL is popular in Japan? http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/crazy.gif ...never once disputed that. Not exactly sure what that has to do with me appreciating Japanese cars anyway. The Camry is popular in the US and has all sorts of awards... is this a segway to the next thread?... Maxima/Altima vs Camry and why driving a car that performs and has an ounce of character is important to guy like me?... I hope not.

[NissT]

What I am is simply a fanatic of japanese cars, namely but not specifically Nissans.



If you are so into Japanese.... RL is car of the year (http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1679800) in Japan (M35 is #3). Apparently 0-60 isn’t everything http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/smirk.gif (which isn’t bad at all for this class anyways). Why don't you read up how they compare cars.

Pointless thread http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/crazy.gif



http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB1&Number=67877159&page= 0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

Nice try.



Not that I want to rain on your "celebration", but this "award" is unheard of and I can't even find it on google. Just search for Legend + Japan + car of the year and it's all over the news because it's an actual world famous award that people know about and take into consideration.

[mr_mocha]

so this is comparable to the kind of award we gave the Ford Focus a few years back before the recalls started piling up? Did you see the rest of the list?

A better question is: does this have anything to do with the original assesment... The similarly priced M45 will absolutely destroy this RL....

[NissT]

nissT, funny that you consider this thread pointless. You went on and on about how the RL was going to be Super Outrageous when the numbers werent published. Now that it has limped through its first road test,... this thread is stupid and selling cars is what it is all about. The SH-AWD is a gimmick and the RL is lame.

Is the RL is popular in Japan? http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/crazy.gif ...never once disputed that. Not exactly sure what that has to do with me appreciating Japanese cars anyway. The Camry is popular in the US and has all sorts of awards... is this a segway to the next thread?... Maxima/Altima vs Camry and why driving a car that performs and has an ounce of character is important to guy like me?... I hope not.



Show me where I said anything along these lines: "Super Outrageous".


The SH-AWD is a gimmick


You absolutely have no prove of that, there are NO direct/back to back comparison tests yet and all reviews so far mentioned that SH-AWD is very impressive and handling is awesome.

4000lbs (AWD RL) car with V6 is bad if it's Honda.
3800lbs (AWD M35) car with V6 is ok if it's Nissan.
That's basically what it comes down to.

[joeB]

If speed isnt everything, why did honda put more hp
in the new V-6 accord? Why would anyone buy a RL
when the TL is less money, and has a better looking
exterior and interior. Both cars are about the same
with interior room, and the TL is faster. The RL has
AWD, but for 50,000 dollars it needed to have a larger
engine or more hp.
http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[mr_mocha]

---------------------------------------------------
4000lbs (AWD RL) car with V6 is bad if it's Honda.
3800lbs (AWD M35) car with V6 is ok if it's Nissan.
That's basically what it comes down to.
---------------------------------------------------

you forgot to mention torque/acceleration http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/grin.gif... and not driving an aerodynamic shoehorn.

Is it because honda doesnt offer a V-8 the reason why you fail to recognize you are comparing it to the "base model" M35? It obviously isnt price.

[NissT]

---------------------------------------------------
4000lbs (AWD RL) car with V6 is bad if it's Honda.
3800lbs (AWD M35) car with V6 is ok if it's Nissan.
That's basically what it comes down to.
---------------------------------------------------

you forgot to mention torque/acceleration http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/grin.gif... and not driving an aerodynamic shoehorn.

Is it because honda doesnt offer a V-8 the reason why you fail to recognize you are comparing it to the "base model" M35? It obviously isnt price.



There is such a thing as CLASS http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/rolleyes1.gif
That’s why RL is compared to V6 competitors in every review.
"Stripped" M45 will be faster than RL, I don't dispute that.
But a nicely loaded M45 will not cost $50K.
I seriously feel bad for anyone who buys base M45 to destroy various cars on the road.

By the way, I'm pretty sure than M35 will be slower than G35, so an argument about TL faster than RL doesn't have any base. Again, in this thread when it comes to Nissan, everyone has an amnesia.

Like I said, it's a pointless thread because it absolutely doesn't bring anything new to this forum. It'll be my last post here.

[Wahhaj]

Technically your second last post.. DOUBLE POSTER! [edit: nevermind] -- I dont like the TL or RL - just wanted to add my 2cents.

PS I am one of those Honduh owners.

[M_TYPE_X]

If speed isnt everything, why did honda put more hp
in the new V-6 accord? Why would anyone buy a RL
when the TL is less money, and has a better looking
exterior and interior. Both cars are about the same
with interior room, and the TL is faster. The RL has
AWD, but for 50,000 dollars it needed to have a larger
engine or more hp.
http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/wink.gif



TL has a 3.2L 270 hp engine
RL has a 3.5L 300 hp engine

[mr_mocha]

well good because all you do is argue anyway. http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I would lay down a pretty hefty amount of cash behind the M35 outperforming the RL. I know enough about the M35 using the same AWD system as the G35X to know Honda has some torque problems to cope with if it plans on contending.

G35X (3677lbs) 0-60 6.3
M35X (3800lbs) 0-60 6.7? doubt it...
M45 0-60 5.7-6.0 why bother?

class?

"according to asskiss magazine the 500i has all the class I need"

follow your heart buckaroo... or whatever the magazines say.

[joeB]

If speed isnt everything, why did honda put more hp
in the new V-6 accord? Why would anyone buy a RL
when the TL is less money, and has a better looking
exterior and interior. Both cars are about the same
with interior room, and the TL is faster. The RL has
AWD, but for 50,000 dollars it needed to have a larger
engine or more hp.
http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/wink.gif



TL has a 3.2L 270 hp engine
RL has a 3.5L 300 hp engine



The car weighs so much, it could of used a V-8, but honda
doesnt have a V-8, it needed to be a little faster though
to compete better with other cars in this price range. http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[M_TYPE_X]

The extra weight is probably due to the AWD system. I'm sure the RL feels plenty capable in the power department although it doesn't have a huge 4.5L 340 hp V8. Huh. Honda got 300 hp from a 3.5L V6. And isn't it still SOHC? They could OWNED Nissan if they wanted to.

[joeB]

Honda got 300 hp from a belt driven engine, Something
else I wouldnt want. Could they owned Nissan? If your
talking about engines, your wrong. http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[M_TYPE_X]

Honda got 300 hp from a belt driven engine, Something
else I wouldnt want. Could they owned Nissan? If your
talking about engines, your wrong. http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/wink.gif



They could OWNED Nissan if they did chain-driven DOHC engines. Put that into your pipetima & smoke it.

[mr_mocha]

one final remark about the RL....

Dont tell me that performance doesnt matter to the "RL Market"... read (I seriously feel bad for anyone who buys base M45 to destroy various cars on the road). Why would they name it "Acura RL SH-AWD"? If you put super anything performance related in the name of your product you would think inherently that it would... perform. Now that the RL skips to 60 a car length faster than a Titan... its lackluster engine performance doesnt matter. Now it's "the awd system is scientific and groundbreaking". Huzzah!

Isnt that what all Honda owners say though? I had this same conversation with a friend about his 18,000 Honda EX vs my 17,000 Spec-V. He was claiming that they arent much different performance-wise and went on and on. When all was said and done it turns out he likes his interior better. Forget having everything +lots more in options and a engine that shames the civic into submission. He said "so what, performance isnt everything you know". I said "well put".

due out in spring '05
Nissan Titan SH-4x4 5.6XE-R

joeB: leave it to a michigan fan... the VQ has been owned.

[SukairainKupe]

I read some JDM car magazine reviews, and so far it looks like this:

Engine wise: RL has a high revving smooth engine, M35 has the powerful torquy engine for everyday driving. M35 would take the RL off the line, but over 4000rpm the RL will catch up to the M35.

Handling: RL is very smooth and luxurious, the SH-AWD makes taking corners carefree and comfortable. M35 has the FR handling characteristics, notably more sporty and more fun to drive.

Comfort: RL is more comfortable than the M35. (doesn't help the test mule M35 had the 19" wheels)

Overview: RL = new Japanese Audi. M35 = new Japanese BMW 5 series.

Price: JDM RL $52k USD, JDM M35: $44k USD.


If you are into a sport luxury sedan - M35
If you are into a techno luxury AWD - RL.
If you want more - M45, which Honda has no answer for.

[M_TYPE_X]

I read some JDM car magazine reviews, and so far it looks like this:

Engine wise: RL has a high revving smooth engine, M35 has the powerful torquy engine for everyday driving. M35 would take the RL off the line, but over 4000rpm the RL will catch up to the M35.

Handling: RL is very smooth and luxurious, the SH-AWD makes taking corners carefree and comfortable. M35 has the FR handling characteristics, notably more sporty and more fun to drive.

Comfort: RL is more comfortable than the M35. (doesn't help the test mule M35 had the 19" wheels)

Overview: RL = new Japanese Audi. M35 = new Japanese BMW 5 series.

Price: JDM RL $52k USD, JDM M35: $44k USD.


If you are into a sport luxury sedan - M35
If you are into a techno luxury AWD - RL.
If you want more - M45, which Honda has no answer for.




I endorse Suke for once. He's pretty much covered it, down to the comparisons with Audi and BMW.
End of discussion. Suke 1, Toyotathon 0

[mr_mocha]

I agree with his analogy as well. nicely put.

I dont think nissT would appreciate the "If you want more - M45, which Honda has no answer for." According to "car of the year" studies and magazines these cars are completely different models and should should not share the "M" nameplate.

Speaking of "M" nameplates. Way to go Buckeyes...
Tressel: 3-1
Edwards: 1-2