Jackzilla

Try to imagine that the '09 front end came first -- was introduced as the first design in 2005. Try too to forget you ever saw the current 2005-2008 design.

Do you think you'd still identify the many design flaws that have been the subject of so much discussion? I mean, with nothing better to compare it to, do you still think you'd find it sooooo repulsive that you probably wouldn't be an RL owner today?

My own guess is that, with nothing better to compare it with, it would probably be much much less controversial. Whether or not it would have been a bigger sales success, than the current design, only the results in the coming months will tell.

Rob144

I asked that same question over here:

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...b144#post60752

Chances are, all things being equal, I'd still be driving an RL.

Rob144

lland

From the looks of the new MDX, RL and TSX, it appears that Acura is trying to develp a brand look beyond that of the overall pentagon grill shape. I can't blame them as many manufacturers have been pretty successful developing a "grill look" for their brand, (Mercedes, BMW, Audi, even Rolls Royce has a pretty distinctive looking grill). While I'm not sure Acura's execution is all that great, I can understand the thinking behind it and as I've said in the past, while the pictures don't do the new RL grill justice, I'll wait until I see it in person to decide if I like it or not. I didn't like the new MDX grill in pictures but it's grown on me.

As for buying an '05 - '08 RL if it hat the '09 grill? Yeah, I'd probably still have one. After all, beauty is only skin deep, right?

LL

TampaRLX-SH

I have to say I would have lost out owning this wonderful car.

I simply cannot get past that styling to appreciate the entire car. I would have been as critical to that styling execution if it was inroduced in 2004/5.

What most say was boring styling on our RL is exactly what drew my interest. I find it very refined, well proportioned, and I love the tight seams, organic integration of the body panels and the uninterrupted, flowing lines. These attributes are easily dismissed at first glance, but these elements are what has made the style more endearing to me as time moves on. Like a fine tailored suit, the details and consruction appeal to me more than the flash of the fabric pattern.

The new design contradicts those elements. It is about flash, grabbing attention and forcing a corporate face. The poor execution of it would not sit well with me. We are already trying to 'fix' it.

The 09 style may succeed in stort term flash and attention (good or bad), but fashion fades and I do not think it will hold its style appeal in the long term as I believe the 05-8 RL will.

When I see a old LEGEND on the road, I think it still looks handsome. I feel the same for the 05-08 RL. The 09 RL on the other hand will look batmobile silly to me.

In all honesty, like the Subaru Tribeca, the 1st style attempt repulsed me so much, I cannot appreciate the the modest second attempt. If the 09 style came 1st, I likley would not bite on the second attempt (current style). I would have missed out owning this car. And what a shame as I truly love this car.

static808

I would have bought 3 Kia Rio's and called it a day.

jftjr

Yeah, I have to say -- I would *not* have purchased this car looking like that.

Too ugly for words.

neuronbob

I would have kept my TL. It would now have 78k miles had I kept it.

Love the '05-8 styling. Love love love love love it. It's incredible how one appreciates what one has only when they are about to lose it....

robarsan

you left off, .......but ugly goes right to the bone.

Definitely would not have purchased.

VOdoc

Would also have kept my TL and thus missed out on SH-AWD, great interior layout, keyless entry and start, NavTraffic, and all the other goodies I love so much. The '05-08 is subtly beautiful. The '09 (from the front especially) is grossly hideous.

Had Acura put the JDM LEGEND grille on the RL, I might have bought one even sooner!

plastikman

My original plan was to trade my 05 TL in for a Type S and I would have stuck to that plan if the grill was the one off the 09.