Just couldn't wait any longer for Acura to re-do the RL. The '05 thru '10 are essentially the same car but with the ugly front end on the '10. Test drove the 2011 Infiniti M37x and it was a no brainer. It's a solid automobile so I am now the owner of a black 2011 Infiniti M37x. It doesn't have a few of the features I liked in the RL but it does have more features that I prefer to those in the RL.

The exterior design comes across to me as a stretched G35 which takes some getting used to. It is a BIG car. I must admit that my '06RL with its' installed body kit and 18" wheels and tires still looks great and I do lean towards its' racier lines. It was by far the BEST car I ever owned. Absolutely problem free for five years and still running perfectly. I did keep the RL in the family. My son will be its' new owner. No way would I let it get into the hands of someone who couldn't appreciate it.

Getting into the M37x wasn't a spur of the moment decision. I waited and waited for Acura to do something with the RL but couldn't wait any longer. I also looked at the 2010 MB E350 4MATIC (too pricey after adding the options I wanted) and the Jaguar XF (again pricey but no AWD which I want because I live in the Northeast).

If Acura ever does bring the RL into the 21st century, I'll be first in line to get into one.

 

Gratz on the M. Super nice car.

 

Lucky son!
and grats on your M37x!

 

You absolutely made a great choice... I would have made the same decision.

 

how about a CPO M5...

 

Bye...but congrats!

 

Congrats!! Now

 

Trying to post photos but can't find 'Manage Attachments' link as instructed in FAQs.

 

I have a CL and I'm thinkin about getting a M45. So I know how you feel. Its like a love-hate relationship with Honda right now. I love them to death, but they just don't please me right now with the selection of cars.

I heard the CL was going to be coming back, probably because Acura is gettin tired of Infiniti and the G coupe. But I understand why you made your decision.

 

What features did you lose that you liked and what features did you gain that you like?

 

Bye RL and Hello to M37x crongrat on ur new ride now lets see some pixs

 

Trying to post photos but can't find 'Manage Attachments' link as instructed in FAQs.

 

you can upload links to your photo album or photobucket/flickr and then link here.

there is no other way to "attach" photos.

 

Hope this works.

 

DIZAZNDOOD320

Pics here.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/49782725@N05/?saved=1




Mod edit (neuronbob): pics added

 

Congrats on a great car. I, too, am awaiting Acura's next step with the RL.

 

Congrats on the car, looks nice and clean

 

I was actually contemplating M37x today...but then I saw my car today and I don't know what the hell I was thinking...

Plus I believe SH-AWD is still a superior system.

 

Still in the learning process but a few to begin with are:

Lost-

Unlock all doors when shifing to Park. M37 requires turning off the ignition and most other RL door lock/unlock settings are not available.

Much simpler destination entry in RL Nav system. M37 is a bit more involved but will probably get simpler as I get used to it. (The 2011 M37 now allows using the Nav system without being stopped and in Park). Although I've lived in a condo for the past three years, the M37's Nav system CD doesn't list my home address. Have to use a nearby restaurant's address. Maybe Infiniti is using up older CDs first. Plan to check with the dealer to see if there is a more current CD.

Fuel door release button more secure in RL. M37 requires only pushing on the fuel cover door.

Paddle shifters. I may be in the minority but I used the paddle shifters on relatively crowded roads to downshift/upshift rather than riding the brakes as so many poor drivers do. Downshifting from 4th to 3rd gear in manual mode in the M37 is really intense and feels and sounds more like 2nd gear. Could be I need to get deeper into the manual.

Steering wheel mounted MID. The M37 requires getting into its' system for many functions. e.g. tire pressure which only operates when the car is moving at at least 15MPH.

I'll up date the 'lost' as I spend more time with the car.

Gained:

Hard drive offers a setting to automatically copy CDs to a library when they are inserted offering up to 500 hours of music. It does include a USB connection for iPods and memory sticks as does the RL. I did try it and it reads these devices well.

Voice recognition seems to be a bit better in the M37. It's not a feature I used extensively but does seem to be better in recognizing voice commands. Keep in mind that I'm comparing it to the almost 5 year old RL which may have been improved in later models.

Factory installed rear view camera.

More legroom in back seats.

Front seat cooling.

Too soon to comment about the AWD compared to SHAWD. There's no bigger fan of SHAWD that me. It served me well through the 72 inches of snow this winter and performace of the M37s is yet to be seen.

The M37 has been a pleasure to drive. It holds the road as well as the RL.

As I mentioned, I'm still in the learning process and will update as I learn the pluses and minuses. Questions are welcome.

 

Congrats on the new ride.

Thanks for the observations. I am toying with a ride in the M37. Based on your intial compares, the technology of the 05-08 RL holds up nicely...considering it was finalized in 2003 - 2004.

I expect the next RL to accomodate the current misses, and leapfrog it's market segment. It is a contested race...and Acura best market better.

I look forward to your future comments...please stay in the community.

Most importantly, enjoy your ride. Only your opinion and wallet matters there.

 

Congrats on your purchase. The M is a great car (and I'm not even a Nissan fan).

However, good for me. More used RL's on the market for me to pick from soon when my company car disappears and I have to drive my own car on business trips. I currently have two X drive BMWs (one, the 335Xi replaced my 2005 RL in 2008). Unfortunately though, it's not politically correct to take your BMW on customer calls, not really the image that the company tries to put forth.

The RL is however, the best of all worlds for me. It is fast, comfortable, and AWD. My 2005 RL is the most comfortable drive I've ever owned. I made a 17 hr drive in it overnight from south Florida to Pittsburgh when I bought it and I was comfortable the entire way. That's difficult to do in any car. The speed and handling in the mountains of west Virginia was superb. The conservative styling doesn't scream "excess consumption" in any way and the quality and reliability is excellent. My next RL will be a 200K mile car & will be reimbursed at IRS rates so by all means, get those used cars out there!

Yep, more used RL's for me to pick from.

 

wow nice ride only thing now is lower the car and get bigger rims

 

nice M37

 

Yes I agree. The stock wheels do nothing for me. Checked on-line with Tire Rack and other wheel suppliers but none have yet added wheels for the 2011 M37. Ths optional wheels from Infiniti do nothing for me and are too expensive. I have great looking but inexpensive Tire Rack wheels and Michelin Pilot Sports on the Acura. The wheels really make the car.

I should mention the 2011 M37 comes with 18" wheels and Michelin Primacy tires. Hope they're as good as the Pilot Sports. So far, they sem to be quiet.

 

Add to Gained:

No biggies but both rear view mirrors rotate down when in reverse. Only one or the other rotate down in the RL.

Loss:

The M37 is not a head turner. My 2006 RL was during the first few years I drove it.

 

did you consider the ZDX at all?

 

Nope. I'm a car guy. To me, the ZDX is just another ugly crossover SUV.