Since this may be of limited interest, I'm not posting it directly on this site. But if you might want to see a kinda longish comparison of my '08 Lexus LS460 with my '06 Acura RL, I'm providing a link to a Word document on my website.

Click HERE if you'd like to read it.

Thanks -

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Nice comparo!

So basically it's a tie, considering the extra $20K the LS460 costs and lack of SH-AWD!

 

Link didn't work Mike

 

phew, and I thought it was just me.

 

worked 4 me

 

Hmmm ... it seems to be working for me. You may have to click on Microsoft Word to select it in the pop-up box before it lets you click "OK" to open it.

Someone let me know if it's still not working for them.

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My business partner has the 2008 LS460 and my mother owns the 2008 LS460L with the works (air suspension, special leather, euro tuned suspension, 19" wheels, etc...). I get to drive both Lexus cars and at times on long trips. I really admire the Lexus for what it is. My father has owned his 2003 LS430 since new.

IMO, the LS is the ultimate luxury car. It is what the Deville and Town Car should have been. Silky smooth ride and impeccable interiors. The fit and finish are above comparison. The Lexus is in no way an enhusiasts car and it was never meant to be. It is a true luxury car.

The RL IMO slips in a few notches below the LS and has a slightly more "Honda" feel to it....a bit more youthful, engaging, and responsive.

My bus partner just traded in his 2006 LS430 with 80k miles. I thought about buying it, but for the same money picked-up a certified 2006 RL with 4700 1 owner miles for the same money as the 80k mile Lexus. My Acura dealer gives the same concierge level of service as Lexus (which they also own). I drove a 2003 CL-S for 183k miles and never had an issue with the dealer service, and that was a huge reason for staying with Acura.

Both great brands, with slightly different missions. Enjoy the Lexus! Their re-sale value is impressive.

 

iit worked for me..its a good writeup.

 

Well said. They ARE different cars - both of them in the "luxury car" category, but aimed at slightly different buyers, with slightly different ambitions. And both cars do a good job at what they are designed to do.

Partly because it's also a newer design and partly because thanks to its higher price tag, the Lexus does some things a good bit better than the RL. If the RL is headed the way it's rumored, though, it may be doing some catching up in the next couple of years.

In the meantime, I have my criticisms of the RL, but you won't catch me saying it's anything but an excellent car.

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Great comparo, Mike! I'm glad you continue to post here.

The "big Lex" is definitely the ultimate Luxury car. The RL is NOT in the same class--it is a mid-luxury sedan with sporting pretensions. I am hopeful that Acura eventually steps up with a similar car to the LS in the future...but with Honda driving sensibility. If Acura wants to be considered a "tier 1" luxury brand, they need a no-holds barred car like this.

 

Nice writeup..

Not bad for the RL, considering the approx $20K price difference between both cars. The LS is
the ultimate japanese luxury car, period!! i.e. I once read how much effort Lexus spent "tunning" the LS's high quality door-closing sound.. unbelievable.

They appeal to different markets IMHO.

 

Thanks, Bob. And while I know deep down these two cars aren't directly comparable, I still tend to think of my RL as a cut above its "official" class ... an overachiever, you might say, so I give it more weight.

In my own mind, I still kind of think of the LS as just a more-expensive RL with some additional options. Or, as you suggest ... maybe the RL the RL will be when it finishes school.

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As it has been said, the RL is a drivers car and the LS a great luxo cruiser.
The braking numbers alone will bear this out, RL has a much shorter stopping distance. Really not in the category, two different cars.
I see a LS for me when I am 70.

 

Mike, thanks for an excellent and comprehensive comparison. I think that you identified the significant factors for each model.

You also demonstrated that it is possible to be detailed and objective about two similar yet different automobiles without demeaning either of them in the process.

It has been my experience with Acura and Lexus and especially the models you discuss that each has certain attributes that top the other. If money were no object, based upon your comments, I would opt for the Lexus. If on the other hand, cost was a determining factor, I would take the RL without hesitation.

It is always a pleasure to read thoughtful and mature comments from a true car enthusiast and not simply to wade through rants issued by a fanboy.

 

I know what people mean but I always roll my eyes when I read people say a car is a "drivers car" and something else is a cruiser. Umm, both are drivers cars. Just because one may value comfort more than say handling does not mean he/she is any less of a driver.

What I'd like is having my RL and a 460L. Or better yet, a Nissan GT-R and the 460L...the best of both worlds.

 

I think you deserve an award for this one.

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I agree with this statement. However, after owning 5 Lexus LS cars and the recent 07-08 GS 450 Hybrid, I think that the LS should be closer compared to the GS in the Luxury car market. I know that Mike is simply doing a comparison of his personal experience of the two cars, and he did an excellent job BTW!

I could do a lengthy comparison about the Lexus Top Dog Hybrid model Vs. Our RL. I think alot of folks would be shocked. I love Lexus, thats obvious after owning 6 of them. No boasting fellas, please excuse me if it comes across that way. I'm simply saying that the RL and GS are the correct comparison. So when you think about it and read Mikes comparison, just keep that in mind.

He did such a good job that I almost forgot myself....Lol..... Good job Mike.

I love the RL BTW............For many reasons that I did not like the GS 450 Hybrid. Just thought I'd say it.

 

Works for me now. Great write up Mike. I appreciate the work you put into it.

By the way the message I got yesterday on my off the wall browser (Safari) was the server was busy and could not connect. I just figured that all those hits from Acurazine readers were too much for your hardware to handle (just kidding of course)

 

Most people know what they mean by drivers car and cruiser.
Honda is know as more of a drivers car than Toyota, drive a Civic and a Corolla.
We could change the wording to cushy vs firm, cornering vs straight line, more road feel vs more numb.
Come on guys, you know what we are talking about here.
Test drive a LS 430 and it reminds me of an old Caddy the way is does not corner, the 460 is better but they are designed for quiet, soft, straight line driving, not spirited driving.

 

One more comment on this, would people know what you mean when you say a BMW is more of a drivers car than a Buick, of course.

 

Except for me it's looking more and more like the RL and a S2K, which I test-drove today. OMFG what a car. Sorry to go OT.

 

I haven't driven an S2K, but I think of it as another timeless Honda, along the lines of the NSX. When they put their mind to it, Honda produces some classic, long-lasting designs that are also great cars.

I had a 2G Legend sedan (for family) and a 1G Miata (for fun). Now its my 2G RL (for fun!) and an Odyssey minivan (for family). Someday, I hope to have sportier Honda in the garage.

Rob144

 

Dare I say the S2000 is a drivers car?????

 

I have a thread in Car Talk about which "mid-life crisis" sports car I'm going to buy to stable with my RL and wife's Pilot. Despite all the great ideas in the thread, I'm likely going to let my inner Honda fanboi run amok and eschew the low-end torque of the C5 Corvette. Click here so we can get back to the discussion about the Big Lex.

 

A thought to get us back on topic. One thing that sticks out in Mike's 460 review is the comment that the Lexus appears to offer value for (or be worth) the extra money over the RL.

That's the sort of impression that only comes with time. The showroom is a hard place to determine if a car is worth the extra money. It's a valuable observation.

 

Thought that is a great write up. Also, wish I had one of those coconut cream pies on your website.

 

You aren't supposed to go rummaging around on my site like that. It's like my attic - a collection of all kinds of goofy stuff I've stored up there.

(Okay - here it is for the curious ... )



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