halfaznguy87

yeah more choices, I like to visit the Japanese Honda site and configure Legends. This is my RL/Legend - Black Exterior, Black Leather, Black stained Wood. The black stained wood looks so bomb

halfaznguy87

couldn't find one with black leather, but this will due:



I hope the 09 RL has choices like this..

thlublanec

I just visited the Honda LEgend site, and really wanted to see the diff choices, but since i cant read the text, I gave up. I really was hoping the 09 had a silmilar color to my 05 Meteor silver. I even asked the dealer to see if Acura will do a special request - either that or the Glacier Blue from the TSX. Hck, even go back to 98 from when I head my 98 RL in crystal blue. As long as it would be a silver blue that would make me happy!!

CL6

nobody bought that color so don't hold your breath.

TampaRLX-SH

When I bought my 06 RL I wanted Meteor Silver!


Dealer did not have, and could not get one in the timeframe acceptable to me.

VOdoc

Different strokes...my dealer's fleet manager called Meteor Silver a "blue Smurf." After she said that, I moved toward Carbon Gray and ended up with Nighthawk Black Pearl.

TampaRLX-SH

LOL. Well I call Carbon Grey, 'Cliche Grey' and Nighthawk Black Pear, 'Dust and Scratch Black Hole'.

*ducking*

dwboston

I thought my 05 OBP RL was much worse in terms of dust and scratches than my NBP 06.

TampaRLX-SH

OBP is not much better in that aspect. Truth is I love black....when it is polished, free of polish scratches and clean from dust. In other words, I cannot own a black car longer than the moment it leaves the assembly line.

I hope some new colors are launched with the 09. Another way to draw attention to the new style will be a new color, something not seen before. I've seen a black cherry color on Ridgelines that I think would look great on the RL.

Rob144

The color pallette for the 2G RL is nothing very interesting. None are bad by any means. The paint job itself is terrific, but the color choices are pretty ho-hum. My wife liked OBP, but my experience keeping my Garnet Pearl Legend clean (deep red like the cherry Ridgeline) told me that I needed a lighter color car this time around.

White Pearl seems to be an accepted "luxury" color, but it has started to go downmarket and is becoming kind of cliche. Still, it is a very good color on the RL. If it came with the Taupe interior, I might have lobbied more strongly for it.

I guess conservative colors are the norm for this category of vehicle.

Rob144

CL6

I always suspected something was wrong with you, now I know what it is!

Maybe they will produce an RL in Sundance Gold for you!

TampaRLX-SH

Isn't that Baby Poo Metallic? I love that color!

It is very similar to a MB color Babyscheißeperle.

neuronbob

LOL Pimp Daddy Gold is back!

PS Meteor Silver/Ebony was my first choice of color. Unfortunately, the only RL on the lot in that color was already taken. Lucky bastard.

GoHawks

Speaking of the auto show, I went to the NAIAS in Detroit last night. Like Bob said Acura was next to Honda, but they were no different than Toyota who was right next to Lexus.

The Acura display was pretty large and they had the SH-AWD exhibit up. I must say I was a little bored with it all. Maybe because I knew that aside from the SUVs, all the cars were lame ducks. It's a shame that Acura didn't have a concept or a hint at what they're future models might look like to generate some interest.

The cars that were getting the most attention were the TL-S 6spd and surprisingly the RL.

Speaking to the rest of the show. The Nissan GT-R is a beast and had me drooling. My wife told me that she wanted one .

The CTS Coupe concept was beautiful. As for the rest of the CTS lineup, I must've sat in a base model (no wood trim on the dash) because I thought it had nothing over the RL.

I once again sat in a Lexus GS and had no doubts on the choice I made almost two years ago. I still like my RL better.

The IS-F looked to be pretty impressive.

Other thoughts.

The Infiniti display was pretty large. I sat in the G35 coupe and liked it. Saw the updated M. Nice, but had no pangs to dump my RL for it.

Our 2004 Land Cruiser has close to 80K miles on it, so we spent some time looking at the new redesigned model. Thought I dodged a bullet when my wife gave it and the redesigned Sequoia an enthusiastic thumbs down. She hated the headlight/tailight treatments on the LC, and especially the interior.

I thought I dodged a bullet until she looked at the Lexus LX570 (basd on the LC)and she said she like that one.

Other thoughts...

M3 - BMW bashing aside, I wouldn't mind owning one putting practicality aside
Ferrari - I'm a BIG Ferrari fan, so I enjoyed that one.
Audi - I'm really impressed with their design direction lately. The R8 is sexy. THey also had an AWD exhibit that looked like a flagrant copy of the SH-AWD one Acura had.
Nissan had nothing that grabbed my attention. The 350Z kinda looked dated.
Ditto Toyota
Ford and an enormous display, but I swear I saw tumbleweed rolling by. Shame.
Didn't even look at Chrysler. Nothing there that interested me given that the Challenger wasn't there.
Saw the new Hyundai Genesis. Everyone better watch out.

Lastly, having lived in Chicago all my life and recently moving to SE Michigan, I was looking forward to the NAIAS, but I have to say it really had nothing over what Chicago does everyyear.

All in all, I came away with no worsening new car fever, although we are still contemplating our choices for replacing the Land Cruiser.

neuronbob

I'm glad you could make it. Too bad you couldn't go the week before, we could have had an RL mini-meet.

I was surprised the RL was getting so much attention. There was a line to get into it when I walked by there. Yet more evidence that the biggest problem with the car is simply a lack of recognition. Thanks, Acura! Hopefully the sheetmetal change will be enough to get the car some buzz without advertising it.

TampaRLX-SH

More buzz..... I might have to make a trip to Chicago and see for myself.

http://jalopnik.com/349708/2009-acur...cago-auto-show


2009 RL
The substantial redesign of the 2009 Acura RL combines added performance, improved technology, more aggressive exterior styling and even greater safety to a top-tier luxury performance sedan.

Three packages will continue to be offered:

Standard Package:

· Improvements include better functionality for the HVAC, HandsFreeLink and audio system

Technology Package:

· The Technology model will be similar to the 08MY RL with new luxury amenities. The Technology Package will continue to "Advance" the image of Acura by adding more functionality to the Acura Navigation System.

CMBS Package:

· CMBS will be available as a stand-alone option

halfaznguy87

I hope that means cooling seats and such..

black label

^^^
I just love how the notice Acura sends to the dealers has to puts the quotes around "advance", like we didn't know what their current catch phrase was.

123456SPEED

I'm assuming that...
"better functionality for the HVAC, HandsFreeLink and audio system" is meaning Heated and Ventilated seats.

neuronbob

This info was posted in this long thread a couple weeks ago. Jalopnik is way slow on the uptake here.

Something else I noticed. Did you know Acura has a YouTube site? The videos were uploaded about three weeks ago. I think Acura's coming onto YouTube is an innovative way to reach out to buyers. I subscribed so I can see new videos when they appear.

http://www.youtube.com/acura

CL6

Who cares about a bunch of losers and their dogs? Cool idea to have a YouTube site but gimme a break!

neuronbob

^^

It's supposed to be about how people use their cars in their lives. It's subtle and sophisticated...the cars are in the background as the people tell their stories.

You don't feel it?

Mike_TX

Hey CL6 - they're not losers ... they're ACURA owners!!!!

.
.

neuronbob

More info from my Acura email just received. Not only do they introduce the YouTube page, they also actually talk about SH-AWD and how it was developed primarily for dry-weather handling.

Acura's new SH-AWD mini-site....click on "RL" once you get there. Don't forget to check out the new video, it's good. Should've been there years ago.

Atta boy, Acura! Tell those Californians and Southerners why they can use SH-AWD even in dry conditions. That's what I'm talking about....

TampaRLX-SH

Actually that video is not new. I remember the rowboat analogy. It was out awhile ago (at least in 06). It just was not promoted anywhere.

Nothing to see here people....move along, move along.

That was also my reaction when I read the email today.

But it is certainly is a good reminder of what could have been.

Rexorg

Going back to my dealership tomorrow for my new battery. Will try to get more info about the '09. I am sure by now the dealers have a pretty good idea what the '09 will look like and maybe they have some pics I can get a peak at. Doesn't hurt to ask.

lindros2

My dealer (as always) said "we have about as much information as you do - maybe less..."

2010 seems like a reasonable time for an updated RL. The comment that the RL "was the wrong car" correlates with the overpriced, overweight, and out-of-place Honda Legend sold in the United Kingdom (and Continental Europe?).

The [european] Honda Accord sold as the TSX is clearly a better positioned car. The new RL will most likely learn a thing or two from its design, packaging, and positioning.

White92

If they do, let me know. Our dealership would like to know also.

Rexorg

Okie Dokie. I think your dealership is pulling your leg.

dwboston

What happens here when the MMC 09 RL is released? Does it get its own "2.5 Generation RL" forum or does the discussion stay here since its a largely cosmetic change?

neuronbob

LOL!

It stays here!

pinkycat

Check this out!

http://www.autospies.com/news/2009-A...xt-Week-25945/

TampaRLX-SH

rut roh....

black label

This is the same info 1ST broken by Neuronbob, then by Temple of Vtec, then by about 17 others on this thread.

When I saw "check this out" I thought I was gonna see some spy shots .

Rexorg

Asked about the '09 RL at my dealership today. Nothing new to report. They are looking forward to debut at Chicago Auto Show in a few days. They asked if I wanted to order one. I said thanks, but no thanks until I see what it looks like.

TampaRLX-SH

*raising hand*

guilty as charged.

CL6

Looks like an Audi

black label

Yeah, let me place an order for a car that we 1) don't know the price 2) don't know anything about the equipment 3) don't know what it looks like.

How much of a deposit do I need to put down.

I'm surprised they even asked the question.

Rexorg

They know I have a car addiction and normally can't pass up a new car since my current RL is 18 months old and just turned 20,000 (the best time to trade they say), but I didn't take the bait. My wife was very happy. Will wait until next January to buy our 36th car.

TampaRLX-SH

Please, please, please, please, pretty please...Acura launch the 09 RL right.

In this promo video you can virtually cut and paste the RL into it. It felt like I was watching an RL video, no,,,,I wished I was watching the RL.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0vt9yZgF38&NR=1