thorium

Assuming one thinks 19" wheels look better (I'll need to see them side by side after final release to see) is there any downside to 19" wheels other than the extra cost? Will the tires necessary provide a worse ride or anything like that?

Infamous425

you will feel more bumps in the road with 19's due to the thinner sidewall but to me its not that much of a difference so i'd rather get the 19's

Bert Kanne

It is easier to bend a rim due to the very low profile tires used on 19" wheels. Also the wheel and tire together usually weigh more, but it depends on the wheel you choose. High quality wheels weigh roughly one pound per inch...a 19" wheel should weigh close to 19lbs, for example.

ilitig8

Actually 1 pound per inch is harder to accomplish the larger the diameter and 19lb 19" wheels are on the VERY light side and unlikely to be seen on a production car, even an exotic since they would be pretty far to the fragile side. Would imagine 19" wheels on a small SUV like this would be in the 24-25lb range.

thorium

Sounds like 18" wheels are the way to go unless you're going for the look. Thanks!

ilitig8

Correct, the only positive for larger diameter wheels is looks. The problem in the car market today is designers are designing cars for huge wheels, that makes anything smaller look out of place. I hate what it does to braking and handling.

Mak Daddy

My dealer just told me that he thought the RDX would come standard with 16" or 17" wheels to maximize fuel efficiency. Anyone know anything about this?

Motohip

I know that dealers aren't the best source for stuff like this...

batman

Colin

17" is likely, with 18's as an option. We'venever sold a car with standard 18's, even on the RL and the now departed NSX

neuronbob

neuronbob's mantra about dealers and upcoming releases:

Dealers. Know. Nothing.

Don't make me repeat myself.

Acura will let us know what is on the car when information is released to the automotive press just before the official release, and not a moment sooner. If they follow the model they used with the 3G TL, we won't even know the price until 3-4 weeks prior to the release. Many of us (myself included) left deposits on the new 3G TL without even knowing the MSRP for certain.

Colin

I don't quite know how to take that!? You make it sound like we know nothing by choice, so thanks for clarifying that it is Acura that keeps us in the dark. That's why I'm here! This is the best place for rumors and gossip, especially since the Temple of VTEC became a part of the "official" press corps.

thorium

Yeah I agree. Honda is good at corporate secrecy when it benefits them. Our best knowledge is their web site, and historical fact.

So those who were in the 3rd Generation TL situation...

Did they post info about the car before it was available on their website (like the RDX Prototype on Acura.com)? If so, was anything that they listed as a feature (i.e., 18" wheels, 2.3 L Turbo4, etc) not included on the final production car?

Colin

There was very little info on the car prior to the introdction of the current TL. When the advanced info can hurt sales of a current model (ie. 2003 3.2 TL), they keep their cards close to their vests. When introcucing an all-new car ala, RDX, the information comes out early to "freeze" potential buyers.

I have most of the various articles up on my TL page, and you can see the "concept car" photos. They will go from Concept to Prototype with the prototype being closer to the production car but still "gussied up" with show car things like red brake calipers and 18" wheels. My Tl page is here: http://satoauto.com/cblog/index.php?...ies/7-Acura-TL

neuronbob

Tongue firmly in cheek, my friend.

Dealers frequently spout info that isn't true. Acura/Honda traditionally holds their cards close to the vest. It is true that since the RDX is new, could be a little more forthcoming. But I doubt it...

cmcbruin

I live near Honda America Hq, and have a friend who works for Acura in the Corporate office, and I can't get any information from him. He is a true "company guy" so it is not suprising. Then again, maybe he does not have any information. I seem to know more about the new RDX than he does.

Go figure.

cheepung

Agree. They told me RDX has twin turbo and the S on the shifter stands for supercharged.

Motohip

The Infiniti dealer here was telling people that the "t" in G-20t (years ago) stood for turbo.