neuronbob

Given the rumors circulating about what will either be an MMC or really the 3G RL, I thought this poll question was appropriate. Please assume for the sake of the question that the RL continues to be class-leading in tech features and has good external and internal styling.

Please also post to explain your answer.

GoHawks

I voted no (for now).

If the MMC occurs in the summer of 2008, I will have had my car for just over two years. Too soon to trade-in as of yet, expecially since I am completely happy with my car thus far.

I'm actually contemplating getting out of my Land Cruiser (with a V8) and going to the MDX, so I'm not completely on the V8 bandwagon.

Now that doesn't mean I wouldn't consider it when I actually might be ready to trade-in my RL around the 5 year mark.

Shotgun

Just had an RDX for three weeks as loaner while my 05 RL was being serviced. Granted the RDX only has a 4 cylinder engine, albeit turbo - when I got back in my RL today it felt downright lethargic!

So yes, I would trade. I've been spoiled by the RDX's "enthusiasm" to run but I want my luxury as well (even though the RDX was indeed luxurious).

Touge

A v-8 would definetely have me thinking =). However I doubt it will happen on a MMC.

GoHawks

I need to proof my posts!!!

EXPECIALLY!

TampaRLX-SH

It would have to be a serious leap over the current RL configuration to make me trade out of my 06 RL before 4 years. A MMC would not tempt me.

The only way n V8 would get checked in my options list was if it had better economy than the current 3.5 V6. More power and torque would be nice, but not at lesser economy. I am at my threshold for economy expectations for a daily driver with this RL.

That said, I also have a policy of considering a new car only after a year or two after introduction. That in mind, likely 2010+ before I am looking to replace my RL.

But with the auto show on Thursday....never say never!

dwest1023

After test driving many V8's. I feel the RL does not need one, nor would I want one, unless it get the same or better mpg. Right now MPG is my concern. The RL can go as fast as I need it and way faster than what the DC metro area can accommodate. WE are on lease, as others have stated, i ma more than happy with the RL, but once the lease it up, will see what Honda has up it's sleeve.

shinh777

it would depend on the specs for the new v-8 engine. If it only has 10-20% more horses and half the gas mileage...no. Now, if they did a v-6 turbo....I probably would trade it in. I love the sound of a turbo.....lol.

Rob L

forgive my ignorance but what is a MMC?

GoHawks

Mid Model Change. Basically a freshening of the current model before a complete redesign a few years later.

neuronbob

WOW. These results are very interesting. So far, the vast majority would not be wooed by a V8 RL.

To avoid suspense, I was one of the two (so far) who voted for the V8.

However, this would be under all of the following conditions:

a) the car still looks good and wasn't too large (I LOVE the current RL's size and looks, it's perfect!), AND
b) if there was significant increase in torque without a significant loss of mileage, better than what I have added with my CAI and exhaust (13-14 whp more than stock=25-30 more potential crank hp, and yes I know that calculation is spurious....), AND
c) another couple of years elapsed as trading in next summer would be too soon, even for me. Even I don't want to lose money on a trade.

SpicyMikey

No. I would take more then just that. The current engine has enough torque for me off the line. It certainly has enough torque in the 30-50mph range, and more then enough HP.

tasdisr

I would not trade my current RL just for a V8. The current V6 has enough power for me
and the added cost of a V8 would probably add a substantial amount to the sticker price
of the car.

lumpulus

Voted no, I don't buy Acuras because I want to go faster than anyone else, I buy them becuase they have the best bang for the buck, and in the RL's case you can get a $50k+ car for much less.

SpicyMikey

I suppose it's not too surprising most are happy with the v6. Some people may have settled for the v6 in order to get the other benefits. However, I think people wanting a v8 simply went somewhere else

jftjr

Obviously, if people here had really cared about a V8, they wouldn't have bought an RL in the first place.... I drove V8 cars and considered several when making my RL purchase decision. But I didn't feel that the RL was lacking in any respect, and for the price, it was unbeatable, especially when you consider the quality of the rest of the car.

A V8 would add at least 10K to the cost of the RL, and in the over-50K market (which the RL wants to be in, but really isn't) there's lots of good competition. I wouldn't bother paying another $10K for an RL even if it had 20 more HP.

Rexorg

Newer is always better. OK, newer is sometimes better. All right, newer is sometimes worse. Since I bought my '06 RL for the sound system I guess if the '09 has RDS and HD AM radio and a few other techy things I will buy as soon as it is released.

Treblig

Depends on what it looks like. I would probably also wait for it's second year production run.

larrynimmo

why don't u ask....would you pay the extra 10k that the upgraded very limited production v8 model sell for? Acura would likely sell more new NSX's for over 100k

klister

A V-8 may be important as a low volume halo.

However, better exterior styling, an additional transmission speed, better transmission gearing, more torque at lower rpm's, a larger trunk, improved ride etc would all do more to improve the success of the RL.

Launching a V-8 only just as gasoline prices start another large upward spiral would be counter productive. Additionally, as much as I would like to see an MMC soon, rushing to market without appropriate testing would create another disaster. The quality problems and unecessary complexity with the 2005 had as much to do with the sales failure of the RL as anything. The Acura/RL quality image has just now recovered and resale value has not.

Rob144

I voted no. I tend to keep cars for 8-10 years, so I do my research and decide what car I can live with for that long. A V-8 would not tempt me, in and of itself.

If I wanted a V8, I'd probably start nosing around the LS460, even though the styling doesn't do much for me. I don't want a V8 version of a V6 car, otherwise I'd have gotten an M45 or GS4XX.

Rob144

lland

If the RL was a 50K car, you'd have to pay 50K for it. It is however, a 45K car that competes and often beats cars costing much more.

I bought a new shredder the other day. It was $75 but the list price was $249. Is it a $75 shredder or a $249 shredder?

LL

White92

If they do it, it won't be a MMC. The RL can't be ordered after 2 more weeks which will be February production.

larrynimmo

February's production run of the RL will be one of the shortest. I have read that the factory is shutting down for major assembly line update. It seems to be common knowledge that the RL will be all new for 2011 debuting in early 2010. Prehaps there will be no 2009 model year.

neuronbob

TampaRL is quoting in our long 3G RL thread that the Saitama factory is shutting down soon for renovations with a nearby brand new factory opening. It's apparently not known which models the new factory will be producing.

Let's keep on topic, though...

A V8 halo car ala Mugen RL would be great as it would certainly get tongues wagging here and elsewhere. I figure that most sales would still be V6--witness my poll's result thus far--but the V8 would attract eyeballs to the model overall.

Ernie Golfs

I voted with you Bob. I would definitly trade my 05 RL for a V8 version as long as the MPG didn't take a big hit.

White92

If they do, it will surely have some sort of VCM.

plastikman

No, I am just getting used to my RL I have now. I am the type of person who normally trades in their car after 2 years, hell I only had my last TL for just over a year, but I don't have the itch this time. I want to do so many things to my RL and have to say I am satisfied with what I have.

henryr01

I voted a big YES, I'd trade my '05 RL.

Even though I've only had it for 5 months, I love it and want more. More V8, more style, more everything!!

Rob144

Depending on what the new TL does for 2009, it could render the current RL somewhat obsolete (or redundant). Thus, the RL could be pushed upmarket while the TL attracts a wider range of potential customers (spanning V6 variants of the Infiniti G and M, Lexus ES and GS, BMW 3 & 5 series, and M-B C & S Class, and the new CTS).
The RL would slot in above the TL and span the upmarket variants of the M, GS, 5, M-B S, and CTS.

If the TL hits the right spot, the RL might not be missed for a model year or two.

carnutpa

It would take more than just a bigger engine. I could use a bit more room inside, especially in the rear. I read they are adding about 3 to 5 inches in length and I guess all of that is in the rear seating or trunk. That extra room would be my incentive to buy. Also, it would depend on the interior design. After all, that is where we spend our time. I like the wrap around styling when going from the dash to the doors and also the wood trim. I do not like an all metal trim on the dash (Chrysler did this and look what happened to them). The metal dashboards look like foil to me. Wood looks more luxurious. So a larger car and good interior styling and layout is what I am looking for.

getakey

not sure if anyone has posted this link before:
http://www.vtec.net/modelmatrix/

gavine

My choice isn't one of the options....if a V8 was offered when I bought my 06, I would have definitely gotten the V8, however, I will NOT trade my current V6 for a V8. I plan on keeping my RL for at least 10 years so looks like I'll live with my V6 with which I am very happy. I wanted a car with a V8 but, after driving the RL, I was convinced that I didn't really need it.

getakey

I agree with gavine in that I am more than satisfied with the V6, but hope to get something new before 10 years go by

Jaysmith2000

I voted No. The wife is driving the RL now, my daily commuter is a Sky Red Line. Still took the RL to Cali this weekend and LOVE this car on the open highway. Vroom Vroom!

neuronbob

Your wife is driving your modded car? Does she complain about the noise or does she gun the engine as much as possible? (e.g. is your wife mod-savvy?)

Mike_TX

Been out of town (driving my RL to Vegas, baby ), but I've just voted YES with you, Bob.

The RL is fantastic, and mine just keeps getting faster and quicker, but in my book there's nothing like a V-8 for both low-end grunt and high-rpm power when you need the car to reach down deep and propel you quickly around that big rig on a two-lane road.

What I'd probably do is trade the '07 MDX for it, assuming such a creature appeared as a 2009 MMC (and keep the '06 RL), or trade the '06 RL for one if it's a 2010 model debuting in 2009 (since my RL's lease will be up about then).

Either way, if it's as good a car as the existing one, and has a V-8 as a bonus, you'd almost have to keep me away at gunpoint.

All this assumes, too, that the price doesn't go crazy, the styling is as good as the current one, and the V-8 is a worthy alternative to the current engine. By "worthy" I mean it would need to have enough of a power advantage over the V-6 to merit the upgrade, and that Honda does something wonderful like make it run on regular gas and endows it with reasonably good gas mileage via VCM or some other mechanical magic.

Do that and I'm on board.

.
.

RL06tech

I'm a little more competitive and I just love to leave german cars in a cloud of "RICE" dust, I could definitely be game

johnhayd

I''m happy with the power and gas mileage of my '06 rl. IF I had a choice between 6 or 8 cylinders when I was buying, I still probably have picked the 6. I'm planning to keep my '06 for about 6 more years before replacing.

neuronbob

I hope Acura is monitoring this thread. It sounds as if there would be demand for a nicely styled, technophilic RL with a V8 given good mileage, a good boost in power from the V6, and as an option.

I buy the "V8 as low-selling halo car" argument.