Well, for someone who says the RL is more sure footed than the NSX, I wouldn't trust with a grain of salt. Nothing against you, but some of your comments are just out of this world.

The NSX is like a exotic sports car. It handles on rails and the RL can't compare. That is like saying a SUV can out handle a C6 VETTE.

Also not everyone is going away from FWD. It's still cheaper to make FWD than RWD/AWD. FWD can be made to handle very good (Type-R) over any RWD car. And the torque steer issue is a common trait of FWD. If the manufacture did more work on making it work properly with no torque steer like Nissan just did on the new 07+ Altima / Maxima then it would work really well. They made the drive shafts equal in length, but also lowered the engine to straighten them out more so less TQ steer. It worked. The TL however supposely took away from the power to fix the problem. But I don't see any power loss over my friends 04.

Also the tests that got .81 G that you pointed us too was for the 04 model which had the crappy tires on it everyone hated. The 05+ got the Michelins which might be a better tire overall for handling. It was a later test. .91g is on the extreme side however since my G35 wasn't even rated that high and it handled better. Possibly a typo .81 instead of .91.

 

.81 vs .87
Most top performers are RWD or AWD. BMW, Porsche, Ferrari, Lexus, NSX, Lambo, Aston Martin, Corvette, Bugatti, MB, and so on.

 

Thought you were done?

I never said RWD was worse than FWD. I said there are some FWD cars that handle damn good and a few that actually out handle RWD cars like the Integra TYPE-R did. .81 vs .87 are numbers and mean nothing. Like I said, someone who says the RL is more sure footed compared to the NSX doesn't have a clue.

I am done here. I don't like argueing wtih someone who has no clue.

 

The NSX with great tires does .89 or .91 on pad, RL with much lesser tires and 1000 pounds more does .87, amazing.

The HP limit for FWD cars is close to 300HP.

 

I am talking on the street for my NSX compared to the RL, not track, YOU do not have a clue, FWD is dead for performance cars.

 

I removed the last few posts as they were simply rather personal attacks instead of discussion on the issue at hand. I don't usually do this but I felt I had to defuse the situation.

Please keep the discussion civil from here on, please, the original poster was asking for reasonable information.

Thank you!

threat.....

 

I would like everyone to know what Honda says about the RL in the 2006 Acura RL sales booklet, go to about page 12, called traction rules.

Quote," In our skidpad testing, the RL achieved .89g of lateral force-just shy of the .90g put up by the Acura NSX, our exotic supercar". And this is with MUCH lesser tires.

This system works, it is the future of Acura, maybe many more companies to try to follow.

 

Totally agree. So many folks (including me) on the TL board are crying for SH-AWD on the TL, especially if the weight penalty can be avoided.

Acura has said that all of their models will eventually have SH-AWD in the future and pundits think that it may be used as a differentiator of Acura from Honda. I, myself, am anxiously awaiting the 4G TL in 2008 for that very reason.

 

I found a nice compromise by getting the RL and a used 6 speed Miata

The RL is very comfy, quiet and has loads of toys. The Miata has none of those attributes, but it sure scoots around corners. I've noticed one nearby corner in particular where the RL feels like 20 mph is plenty fast. I take the same corner at almost 30 mph in the Miata and don't feel like I'm pushing.

I considered the TL, but the RL really won me over.

 

Wow! What happened while I was gone? Sorry guys, I didn't mean to start anything.

As soon as I can, hopefully this week, I will test both cars back to back. I have to go to a dealer a little out of the way (Main Line Acura) as Metro Acura does not let you drive too far or without a salseman.

From what I read on the TL forum, the A-SPEC makes it handle better, which is why I would definitely get it on the RL. It's a shame that you have to go on faith or word-of-mouth on the RL's handling with A-SPEC since most dealers do not have one for comparison.

 

One more question and please do not start another war on this.

The only car that I have driven lately with AWD and 300hp was the Volvo S60R 6 speed. That was a nice ride and the seats were awesome. Does the RL drive anything like that?

 

I have no personal experience with the Volvo, but the specs indicate it is faster 0-60 than the RL. Everything I read, though, leads me to believe the S60R has a harsh ride and a numb feeling to it, so it's hard to compare the two cars head to head.

I think you still need to drive the cars you're interested in and make up your own mind ...
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Sorry, but that is just nonsense.

While I agree the RL handles very well, it's not even close to an NSX when both are driven hard.

Yes, I've driven both.

If the paddles shifted the gears faster(too much delay) the RL would be just about the best all around luxury car out there. IMHO

 

Please see my post about 7 prior to this about what Honda says in their RL sales booklet.
On the street (not track) the SH AWD gets all tires bitting when at times the NSX is hunting for grip.
Of course the NSX handles better on the track and perfectly smooth roads, I find that the 4 wheels working gives the RL a more sure footed feel on certain turns where the NSX feels skidish or hunting for traction.
Again, please read what HONDA says.

If the RL had the same grippy tires as the NSX it would surpass the NSX on the skidpad, per Honda, currently .89 RL and .90 NSX per 2006 RL sales booklet, about page 12.

I have owned NSX's for about 7 years.

 

I agree lump, that is why I stopped argueing with him. He is making non-sense.

 

I have to say that Madison Ave advertising did their job getting people brain washed about sh-awd. Basically the RL is a front driver. It only comes on with spirited driving and tire slippage in adverse conditions. loose gravel, snow, wet roads and then only minimal (30% to rear - Maximum). All wheel drive works well when differentials are locked on. The RL weighs 500lbs more than the TL, which is just over 14% more than the TL. Giving the RL a better ride, but a disadvantage in handling. The RL interior is nicer , looks and feels more luxurious. Is this worth 10K more? Rear end styling is questionable. At 42K, I think it's a very good value considering what's out there in the market .

 

I think you need to check your facts.

From Acura Media: "During straight line cruising and moderate cornering, up to 70 percent of torque is delivered to the front wheels. During full throttle acceleration or spirited driving, up to 70 percent of available torque is directed to the rear wheels for increased acceleration and enhanced cornering. In addition to varying the torque front to rear, SH-AWD varies the amount of torque to the left and right rear wheels. When cornering, this ground-breaking technology overdrives the outer rear wheel by up to 5 percent using an exclusive acceleration device, while electromagnetic clutches send up to 100 percent of rear torque to that wheel to dramatically enhance the RL's cornering, steering feel, handling and stability. The result is class-leading cornering performance and cornering stability as well as enhanced traction on dry or wet surfaces."

Here is the link that contains the Acura Media reference: http://www.concept/vehicle/z10590/default.aspx

 

You have the SH-AWD system confused with the 4-VTM system in the 1st gen MDX. That setup functioned as you said above.

 

And I might add - as I mentioned in an earlier post - it is interesting to see how much "torque-swapping" between front and rear happens in normal driving.

In other words, you don't have to use full throttle to get torque transfer ... only the full 70%. Torque transfers pretty much constantly between 0% and 70%, putting the RL in AWD mode as much as it is in FWD mode.
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Yup, I can see that now....

Spent some time in San Antonio last year....Nice place! AWESOME Magaritas!!

 

Hope it makes you guys feel better to attack rather than just disagree or post facts.
Have a nice day.

 

Yep! Anytime you are coming down, let me know, buy you a Margarita! :P

 

Sigh....this thread has outlived its usefulness.

 

what a waste of a thread. allykahn, make sure you start a new thread after test driving the TL and RL. Give us your reviews!