dwest1023

Why? Since he 09 RL is not going to win the Miss America contest, and the economy is so uncertain, I decided I would look to change brands and scale down. This week, I tried out the now Lexus IS250 AWD, Infiniti G35,Altima coupe(the lady likes it) and even a Mazda 3(nice little car). My problem is, once you get use to all the features in the RL is hard to give them up. It really makes you appreciate how good the RL is. I was surprised to hear how much road noise the G35 sedan has. The tires were so loud my ears where ringing. The lexus was nice and quiet, but when you hit the gas peddle, there's not much pep, compared to the RL. The cars interior just made us feel cramped. Believe it or not, the Altima Coupe is not a bad car, but compared to the RL is it just looks cheap. My biggest complaint is you can not program the navi while you drive in these cars. The voice commands are very limited also. The sound systems are not as good as the Rl's and as it the case with the G35 sedan the gas mileage is awful. The only car I really could live with, is the Jaguar XF, but then it would defeat my prupose to scale down. I might just have to put some blinders on and get the new RL since I can't seem to be happy with anything else. One thing is for sure, Acura will not get MSRP out of me for the new RL. With the ecoonmy the way it is, and that ugly gille, 10K should be falling off that sticker fast!.

cai06

You don't have to leave Acura.. the 09' TSX is nice and more refined than all the cars you tested and being a 4 banger it will give you good mileage.
Personally I would wait to see the new 09' SH-AWD TL; from what I heard (at my dealer) it will shake up the segment.

dwest1023

I already have an 06tsx and though the new one is nice, I like my 06 better. I did test drive the new 09 and just not my cup of tea. Acura took the sport out of new TSX is put in more luxury. I prefer the sport of the 06.

123456SPEED

I'm in the same boat, trying to research my new car. RL has been top of list, but I want a smaller car (or coupe), better mpg. Studying 09 TSX, Lexus IS, almost anything, that is smaller but loaded. engine size/hp is not as important.
Wish the TSX had a little better styling, I'd be all over it. It has no x factor like the Germans. The lower front bumper is hideous. overdone.

LuvMyTSX

Do you have to buy now? If not, I'd wait and see what the '09 TL and '10 RL are like before deciding on anything.

123456SPEED

No, I can wait, but I aleady feel the new TL will be too big, no big improvement in mpg and around $40k. The new TSX is a strong contender, possibly an Lexus IS.
the Lexus IS250 6 cylinder gets as good mpg as the 4 cyl TSX.
I really want a coupe but am settling for a sedan.

Mike_TX

It's actually kinda insidious how those darn carmakers get you used to nice stuff, isn't it?

Seriously, it's a distinct marketing strategy ... you have to move up to the higher-priced models to get the nice amenities, even though many of them could be cooked into the lower-range models - even if only as options.

Think about it - if you could get all the nice luxuries in a smaller, less-expensive model, a lot of people would opt to do just that. But then sales of the higher-priced models would suffer.

I see a change coming, though. Look for even "entry-level" cars to start showing up in the next couple of years with the same goodies we now see only in premium cars ... this fuel economy/environmentalism/recession/inflation/high-priced-gas/whatever market is demanding it, and carmakers will respond.

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dwest1023

Which coupe would you consider. The G37 is nice but very noisy. If you have not driven the IS250, you will find you feel cramped in it. It does drive nice and handles well, but do not get in a race with anyone, you will lose.

123456SPEED

A coupe off the TL or RL would be okay. Infiniti G coupe too pricey for Jp. Love the BMW3 and Audi5 designs, too pricey, and BMW interior and features too slim.
Lexus SC coupe too ugly, Nissan Altima cpe and Accord cpe, not for me.

No coupe fits the bill right now for me. maybe the Hyundai Genesis coupe, close...but.

TampaRLX-SH

Might I suggest an RL with the rear door child protection locks engaged?

Seriously, I understand the dilemma. Especially for coupe entusiasts. I love coupes myself and after the last auto show, most premium coupes seemed geared for women (my opinion). I do like the BMW 3 series coupe, but hate the interior and just too small for my needs.

But if there were no RL and I was shopping, the Audi A5 was one vehicle that did stir me.

With the market shift for cars over trucks, perhaps the coupe niche market will afford Acura a shot at a maintream coupe in the lineup. That does no good for your current shopping.

fstshrk

If you would like to buy used.

There are some real good deals on C43AMG and C32AMG right now.

dwest1023

Low fuel mileage, high maintenance cost. Probably why there are good deals on them.

LaZyPiGgY

A5 or S5 coupe anyone?

DoctorTuna

Good luck getting one. I test drove the only A5 in my area, already sold I might add. They can't tell me when they could get one for me, the price is definitely MSRP and in some places higher. The S5 would be about 9 months away, you have to put a down a deposit, and you're also lucky if you get for MSRP. Honestly, it didn't blow me away. It looks good, but I still prefer my RL. Despite the acclaim I've read for Audi interiors, it really wasn't a step above the RL, IMO. Bottom line, supply/demand is dictating full price on the vehicle. Unless you like MSRP(or above) I would wait a year or two, if possible. I also recently test drove the 335xi. Faster and better handling than the Audi, but definitely smaller and less striking. Again, the interior falls short to the RL. To each their own though.

TampaRLX-SH

I agree. I think Audi has the best interiors of the Germans. But I have to say the interior did not match the RL IMHO.

The A5 sheetmetal, however was the most interesting I have seen in the new car bunch. Creative, flowing, distinctive, proportionate an without the odd chops, skew angles and the train wreck of panel intersections that seems to be rampant in current car designs being released. It appealed to me as elegant, and organic as does our RL, but with a sportier and coupe edge.

black label

Get on the waiting list.....
The Audi store next to me has 10 buyers for every S5 they have coming.

dwest1023

This is just what IK am talking about. No matter what I test drive, it seems to fall short in someway to the RL. Its a shame Acura could not fine a better looking exterior for the 09.

Riddler2222

With the disappointing looks of the 09 RL, my next car most likely will be the Lexus GS350 AWD. Way to alienate your customer base Acura!!!

johnnykuz

While they may be pricey, don't discount the features on the BMWs. They've got 'em. I just sold my '05 RL today after leasing a new 335Xi coupe 10 days ago. I bought the premium, sport, Navi, and cold wx packages which drove the MSRP up to $52K. It's got all of the features & technology that the RL has. The interior is just delicious and the sport seats have to be sat in to be believed. The 335 also has a ZF 6 spd auto transmission that is heads and shoulders above ANY Honda transmission. The RL is fast, the 335Xi is a rocket.

Anyway, it broke my heart to watch that RL drive away today. It never looked quite as good as it did at that moment.

johnnykuz

neuronbob

I'm 2-3 years away from buying another daily driver, so I can afford to sit on the sidelines and wait for the 3G RL. We'll see what Acura has then and if it sucks, then it's off to Cadillac for me. 2G CTS FTW! The G8 GXP is another one I'm looking at. Regardless, if Acura doesn't shape up, my next car will most likely be American and more specifically, a GM.

kenny5

My experience with American cars, though dated (i.e. more than 15 years ago), leads me to believe that U.S. automakers have not made enough progress to catch up with the reliability of the Japanese, or the technology of the Germans. I owned two U.S. made cars - Ford and Olds - in the 80s. They spent more time in the shop than on the road!!

stokdgs

BMW 135 ? Now that looks like a real rocket - smaller than the 3 series and the same motor - twin turbo 3.0 liter inline 6 !
DanF

Chas2

And it can be had as a coupe!

Aman

my best friend's dad just bought a 135i convertible, in silver.

I'm kinda split on the looks, but same great engine, in a smaller car = better fuel economy, and BMWs are pretty good on that front anyways.

Mokos23

why didn't you look at the Infiniti M45?