machination

Let me start off by saying that I absolutely love the RL and think Honda/Acura did a fabulous job on the redesign. I do have to admit that the upcoming M45 has caught my eye as well though. I visited the site earlier and built a V6 AWD and was surprised that the two are almost neck and neck both in features and price (after the options are added to the M).

I know it's subject to change, but right now an AWD M with 3.5L 280 hp V6, 18" wheels, leather, sunroof, adaptive HID, pushbutton start, Bluetooth, voice recognition, climate controlled seats, and NAV is within a grand of the RL. It can easily hit mid-$50's though once you add in the upgraded Bose, DVD entertainment system, chrome wheels, etc. This might be a tough choice for people cross-shopping the two.

For the people who already own an RL, would you have considered the M if it was available right now? And for those considering the RL down the line, is the M AWD or any other AWD sedan (like the A6, STS, or upcoming GS) also on your list?

DownUnder

Just to clear up a few things, the 3.5L V6 M35x is the one that’s AWD, M35 is RWD, and the V8 M45 is only available in RWD.

DCRL

I considered the M35 V6 AWD seriously before opting for the RL. But first, I eliminated the German competition, mainly by test drives and checking reliability charts (not so good lately, Germany, what's up?).

Anyway, the Infiniti had lots going for it. But I believe that the RL beats it and does so convincingly. While the M35 may drive very well when it's out (the G35 certainly does), it's AWD system (ATTESA) is not as sophisticated as the SH-AWD on the RL. Further, from the design workups and the pics on the Infiniti site, the car looks to be fraught with ergonomic miscues (similar to those that plague the otherwise stellar G35). For example, the "iDrive" like knob on the M35 is certainly in an awkward place, especially when compared with the easy to view and manipulated knob on the RL.

I don't like the orange-glow instruments common to Infiniti products and I've never seen a class leader from Infiniti, a company with nice products that are almost always also-rans in their respective categories. The Q45, the monstrous looking QX, the I series, etc. are all nicely turned out vehicles but not my personal cups of tea. And while the G35 is a standout, it too falls short in a number of areas, especially its interior (and I include the revised 2005 layout).

Another problem for me with the M35 is its looks. The rear quarter panel looks like a Chevy Impala's and the front is too bulbous and retro looking, a virtual copy of the revised G35's nose. The fastback profile looks dated (to me anyway) right out of the gate. (The RL, while OK in pictures, looks terrific in person especially with its dynamic sloping hood; I get compliments constantly on the car.) And with the Premium Package, the MSRP of the M35 AWD model creeps into the mid-50's; I paid about 5 big ones less. And I have my car today.

But the biggest reason I'm happy to have picked the RL is one I didn't have before I bought it. And that's the daily driving experience. It is an incredible car. Acura has my sincere gratitude for fielding such an outstanding vehicle. It has made commuting fun and exciting for me. Something I didn't think any car could ever do again. Heck, I drive to the drugstore now!

cM3go

Nissan/Infiniti interior quality is not the best also... they are just recently identifying that they need to improve their interiors...

machination

I knew that. How of me.

My oops.

phile

I didn't know that...I was expecting Infiniti to price an equivalent M35 at about 2-3K less than the RL. I guess they figure the regular RWD M35 will do that instead.

rets

I'd love 05RL a little more due to its SH-AWD, but wouldn't say any bad words to new Infiniti until I really test-drive it... plus, I like Infiniti's keyless "fob"...

Xpditor

Rets...

Tell me more about the key fob....

-XP

rets

Bonus thread... https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=93076

Xpditor

BTW: Did you notice that A-RL Ramblings links over to A-CL Ramblings? I think we will merge them all shortly.

Tried to IM you but some ole trouble.
-XP

phile

What's so special about the Infiniti's fob?

Xpditor

No separate key. Takes less space.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

What happens if there is an electrical problem or the battery dies?

rets

To A-CL OT was teh old setup since the beginning of Nov. Admins will alter it upon the finish of new structure.


AIM ain't working.

rets

I really don't know...



This is another neat design...

phile

There's gotta be an emergency key somewhere...

DownUnder

The Infiniti FX's keyless remote ignition system has a backup key inside the fob, so I presume that the new M's fob will have it too.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

I do like the start/stop button better than the RLs twist key, but I think the twist key makes more sense logically since it still allows for a regular ignition key to be used when (and if) the keyless start system fails.

machination

Even if the push button should ever fail, there is a back-up ignition hidden somewhere in the interior. At least that's how the C6 is set-up. Surely Infiniti has a similar 'plan B'.

VeeralS05

my dad has an infiniti Q45 and it has a keyfob in the remote...uncase the battery dies in the remote and the remote is used as a key to start the car also cause it stores everything in the lil memory chip...like seat order and mirrors and stuff...

rets

dseag2

I absolutely agree. Overall, this is the best car I've ever driven.

BTW, I considered the RL, the '06 M45 and the '06 GS430. If I had waited for either of the others and traded in my '04 TL I would have received much less money for it and would have paid more for either of the other cars. For me, the difference just wasn't worth it.

Re: the Infiniti... based on what I've seen from the first-year G35 and FX, they will probably have more bugs to work out than Acura has with the RL. I also don't care that much for the orange lights. I don't mind them in my FX, but they're not my favorite feature and I wouldn't have wanted another car with them. (FYI, I love my FX.)

Re: the Lexus, I wouldn't have even considered a GS330 because my '03 GS300 was so underpowered. I would have had to have gone with a GS430, but based on past experience I haven't been impressed with Lexus' handling... especially the V-8's. My GS was okay, but my SC430 wallowed all over the road. I've also heard that Lexus dealers may charge more than MSRP if the car is a hit. Don't want to play that game.

I'm sure the Infiniti and Lexus will be great cars, but I don't have any regrets for not waiting. There is really nothing more I could want in a car.

03TL-S

Nissan interior quality is not the best but infiniti's interior fit, finish, and quality is far superior.

Bitium

You wish, maybe you should ask santa to make your wish come true.

dseag2

I'm assuming you're talking about being far superior to Nissan because there is no comparison between my FX and my RL. The RL is in a much higher league in terms of fit, finish and materials. But I would expect it to be for the difference in price.

biker

If the fob craps out, you can peel away the stop button and there's a key hole under it.

Mr. MRI

Any pic's of this??? This sounds very interesting

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

But peeling away the stop button is a lot more difficult than simply removing the twist thing that the RL has.

biker

Well I guess Nissan thinks it's less likely to happen with their system