This breaks my streak of 3 Acuras in a row: Integra > TSX > RL.

After the recent direction of Acura to stick with 5-speed autos, a front beak, and power-hogging SH-AWD, I knew I was going to go in a different direction.

I can't help but compare Infiniti's entry-level sports sedan with Acura's flagship.

First off, here are the things that I miss from my old 2005 RL:
1. Voice recognition. While Infiniti has their own version, it's a far cry from Acura's version that was light years ahead.
2. Ride quality - yes...it's unfair to compare a sport model G37 to a non-aspec RL, but the ride of the G37 reminds me of my rice rocket days of having a slammed Integra. I have a 6-year old son and taking a nap in the back seat is almost impossible. I wish they had a "touring" setting on the G.
3. Seat comfort - I have a bad back and the RL's soft, luxurious seats and power lumbar was a big help. The G has sport seats and removed the power lumbar for some reason. The akward lumbar lever doesn't do much.
4. Doors - the RL doors never had any partial closes where you had to re-open and slam the door shut. With the G, I have to SLAM all the doors including the trunk.
5. Trunk lever - in the RL, you can open the trunk from just pulling back on the handle. The G requires you to have the key in your pocket before pushing the awkward button on the trunk lid.
6. Ambient cabin lighting - the RL has blue ambient lights everywhere while the G only has ONE near the sunroof control above.
7. Buttons and small details - every little button, side compartment, and center console is well laid out to be pleasant to the touch. The G has some unergonomic switches and akward button for the center console.

I could go on, but you get the picture. The RL's interior was very well-designed.

The main advantages of the G37:
1. Yes, the G is a smaller, lighter car making driving is FUN again! The 7-spd auto with paddle shifters is a blast and takes me to 100 MPH in a few seconds. Steering is much more responsive and the car is RWD. Turn radius is much better.
2. Bose's "Studio on Wheels" - I thought the RL's sound system was near-perfect until I heard this one. My iPod and Bluetooth audio gives me hours of music.

Overall, while the G37s is a bit harsh for me, I like my choice. The BMW 335i is more luxurious and faster, but costs more.

I hope you guys are able to appreciate your RL's more with this perspective.
2.

 

You seem like you gave up alot with making that choice. I too don't think i will be staying with the RL when i'm ready to switch depending on what Acura does within the next year. I'm giving them until next summer. I've had my RL for about 2.5 years also and i been thinking about making the switch. My goal is to pay this off give it to my mom and trade her camry in for an Audi A5 but thats wishful thinking.... I have thought about the G37 but i think i would be giving up a lot going to that. It almost seems like a step backward in a sense but i can respect your decision. I've only had 2 cars in my life so i might not be a great reference but i think the RL is fun as hell to drive.

 

my only advice woudl have been to do what I did... keep the RL and pick up a used boxster for those moments when you WANT a rough riding sports car....

i'm 38, have three kids, and as I've aged, I find that I find myself actaully liking my 17" wheels, non-aspec RL.....a lot. when i was younger a car like the RL woudl have been "lame" and "boring" and now I find it "relaxing" and "luxurious"...BUT I'm not totally over the hill yet and still have an urge to drive fast, shift my own gears, and blast through turns...the reality though is that with kids, lots of life responsiblities..the time I have to do that is few and far between. i picked up a used boxster for under $15k and have slowly been modding it to myliking...i have a car that dind't cost a lot to buy, and givern how little i erive it, not a whole lot has gone wrong on it...and when I do take it out...no sports sedan can come even CLOSE to how fun a top down roadster is...

just a suggestion...if you get sick of the G...look for a nice used RL and a used boxster!!

 

I'm thinking about trading in my car for a G37S 6MT as well...but I know refinement will be lacking.

 

Or an S2000.

Sorry to see you go. The G37 series is a different breed...they don't call Infiniti "Japan's BMW" for nothing.

Enjoy, I would!

 

Yeah -- the refinement is definately not on the same level RL. Then again, we're comparing a flagship against an entry-level sedan.

 

In many ways it does seem like a step backward. However, given the fact my wife and I still have a 2008 Accord EX-L w/ Navi, we still have an RL-like car for the long trips and for my Real Estate business when I need the room to haul passengers.

I may be 36 years old, but I still LOVE driving. I thought this was more of a cheaper & more economical M3 sedan.

 

.... Black 6spd...
Do u have any pics of ur new ride.?

 

So there's and age limit to driving fun?

I'd take my RL vs your GS on the track anyday.

Midlife crisis mobile, methinks?

BTW, I'm 50

 

LOL. I'm gonna call my car that when I get older(I'm 26). I was originally looking at for an Infiniti or BMW, but after test driving them and seeing what they offered I ended up w/ the RL. Also, after that last winter here in VA, I'm all for the AWD the RL has.