If the comments in the June 16 issue of Autoweek are any indication, then what goes around comes around.

Details of the Lincoln MKS suggest it could be a Ford Motor Company clone of the Acura RL -- minus the weight saving use of aluminum in much of the chassis. At almost 4300 Lbs. for the AWD model reviewed it's no rocket ship. Yet, Autoweek seems to think Lincoln "was prescient" in developing it for today's $4 gas world. Never saw any suggestion that Acura was ever prescient in the design of the RL, but apparently the RL is now a luxury car exactly right for the times. Autoweek even indicates the MKS while targeted as competion for the Caddy STS, Lexus GS and (hold your collective hats) the ACURA RL, they think quality wise it's really more competitive with the Buick Lucerne.

Maybe Acura got the RL right after all.

 

However Lincoln already has preorders on over 8,000 units. A little better than 350/month.

 

Those are 8000 uninformed buyers. Sad.

 

I just read the Autoweek article. And why would you pre-order this vehicle??? I can't remember the last time I saw a Lincoln on the road. 8000 sounds like the entire number of Lincoln owners in the country!! Where did you get this info, sounds prefabricated to me.

 

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/02/l...rders-for-mks/Lincoln 8600 presales

 

Thanks for the link. Wow, MSRP for a Lincoln!! I will admit, I'm stunned. As anyone heard of preorders for the 09 RL??

 

These are all for te regular, wait until the turbo comes out. It sounds like a sweet motor.

 

I thought Acura has RL in mind is to compete with Mercedes S Class, BMW 7 series, Lexus LS, etc.

 

No Way! The RL is much smaller, No V8, not close to the price range and not close to material/ride/fit and finish quality. The RL is not even classified as a large car, only slightly bigger then the midsize TL. The S, 7 and LS have wheel bases and lengths that would devour the RL.
Im sure the RL was designed to be a sportier more agile car. There for smaller and cheaper.

 

I agree with most of what you said, but not on material and fit, the RL has aluminum brake calipers, alum sub frame and suspension comps, those 3 do not have all of that.
The fit is equal to them IMO.

 

while i always look at all the new cars and a part of me sees something i like in most of these cars. This car does nothing for me...it reminds me of the lincoln LS. If you buy this car, resale value is going to be 30% in three years.

 

If you guys look at the commercial, then you'll know why people are buying it. The commercial is great!

 

it is a great commercial...starships don't need keys.

 

lol sorry but im not really into the RL scene as you can tell. But all I know is that those 3 maybe in the same class but the RL isnt.

 

Have you ever driven a RL with SH-AWD at speed in turns?
My guess is no.

 

LOL my CL-S is the only acura i've driven. I would love to drive a RL but won't be happening anytime soon.

 

I'd still go with the 09 RL over the MKS any day..

 

Acura CL 6 Speed - 0.89
Acura RL - 0.87
Acura TSX - 0.85
Infiniti G35 Sedan - 0.87
Lexus GS460 - 0.89
Cadillac CTS - 0.87
BMW 535xi - 0.82
Mercedes-Benz C350 - 0.82
Mercedes-Benz E350 - 0.82

 

Acura needs to hire those people.

...and thanks, CL6. I'm sure that with stickier rubber, the RL would do even better.

Would you believe I drive my RL harder than my S2000?

 

...and thanks, CL6. I'm sure that with stickier rubber, the RL would do even better.

Would you believe I drive my RL harder than my S2000?

 

The S2k is a cool car but the understeer on that puppy is just crazy; you can pop that car out with a tiny throttle input. I'm sure with better tires and ASPEC suspension the RL would more than hold its own. When I put new tires on my CL-S I noticed an amazing difference.

 

The MKS look good on paper and in the commercials, but just wait until those 8,600 owners try to trade in their cars in two years and the dealers will give them 50% of MSRP. They will regret their purchase, but there are always people who want the lastest and greatest only to find out it's the same old, same old. Like PT Barnum said ". . . ."

 

No, you mean the OVERsteer. If you're at 6k rpm in a turn and are really pushing on the gas, you turn more into the curve than you intended, and CRASH! The AP1s in particular have the nickname "Spin2k". As a result, I have been driving mine cautiously in the turns until I get used to it. I give just enough gas so that I feel the rear just starting to rotate out. It's a jarring sensation at first, but it feels more familiar now.

With the RL, I wait until the apex of the curve, TROMP the gas, and the electronics do the rest. Man, I love this car.

Can't do THAT in an MKS.

 

My mistake... oversteer.

 

Don't knock the LS. I owned a 2003 V8 Ultimate prior to my RL and it was a sweet car in many ways. It had pretty advanced aluminum suspension, a great engine that really pulled, and a very satisfying exhaust note that I still miss to this day. Mind you, I wouldn't trade back, but the LS is very classic in it's lines and design and has aged very well indeed. Resale was not good especially after they announced it was discontinued, but I had purchased mine used and so I didn't really take a bath on it like some.

 

& the RL has held its value so well compared to MSRP.

 

Why would anyone buy a car from a company that is losing tons of money and may not have enough money to really cover warranty claims, they have fought claims big time in good years. Now they are selling off brands, closing plants, laying off people and sales are way down, doe not make sense to me.