I see you are suffering with this (as I also did as I mentioned before), so my last post on this, don't do it. If you mod the suspension on the RL it is not going to be close to comparable to a light sports car and you/family will hate the ride deterioration on the RL very soon (harsh ride, new noises, scraping everywhere ). You have a nice car, leave it a dd and get something else ......

 

Just drive one with aspec again. It does not degrade the ride much and I have not scraped once since my install. I also have zero rattles and squeaks.

 

i haven't read the whole thread, but how bout you keep the rl and get a used miata. you can probably get one for dirt cheap ($1500- $3000).

 

I think you are confused (as you say) . How can a $50K sedan not compare to anything else out there? In what - handling? In ride quality? Steering? Power?

The LS460 rides nicer. Boxster/Cayman and RX-8 have better steering feel and handle infinitely better. Numerous BMWs and Mercs (just to name some 4 door euro competition) trounce the Acura power-wise.

Sorry, but if nimbleness & neutral handling are what you're describing as fun (like a true sportscar enthusiast would), the RL is not half as fun as the sportscars I previously mentioned. I'd never classify a car as "fun" simply because of the intake roar; that trait would probably be about #20 on the list.

 

The only car produced in the last decade - that's priced reasonably - and gives you the S2000 experience but in a 4 seater is the RX-8. It is down about 15 hp vs the Honda, but balance-wise the 8 is more neutral. And the ride in the 8 is definitely not as jarring as the S.


If it was me, and I only had space for one car.....a 4 door, I would not choose the RL. Trying to get my dad into one btw, after he's owned a TL & CL a few years back, but for a younger guy I'd forego the luxo-barge as there'll be time for that in retirement.

 

Cannot compare to anything out there [in the $48k-$54k range]. The LS460 STARTS at $61k and can run you upwards of $80k. What he is saying, I think, is that if you need a family car with 1) Luxury, 2) 5 seat belts, 3) ~300 hp, & 4) a price tag under $55k, you can't beat an RL. (037, requirement #5: not a Hyundai) Or can you? No one here is saying the RL is sporty or enthralling, but as far as luxury sedans go, there isn't even many other OPTIONS in the price range, much less good/better options.

 

What oo7spy said. I don't want to start an argument or battle here since I am not an e-thug. I just wanted to make a point and I think a lot of people understood what I was trying to say.

Base price of the car + ownership cost, if you can find any of those brands to be cheaper than Honda/Acura...then you have a point. Lexus is indeed an awesome option but try adding half the things RL comes standard with and you will be paying almost double. Again, just my .02 cents and what I think. I am quite happy with the RL and I am a biased honda fanboi so there is nothing you can say to change my mind

 

OP, you could probably keep your payment the same by refinancing the RL for 48-60 months and then getting another car for less money... maybe an older S2K or Miata

 

Thanks guyss, lots of goodmideas and suggestions.

I am with s2k, I know what he means when he says nothing out there is as nice for the money. There are plenty of better luxury sedans.... But when you also factor in price and reliability, the RL is hard to beat. A similarly equipped GS 350 would cost a LOT more than an RL. you could find a similarly priced E350 or 525, bit it would be less car for the same money.

My real issue is whether I keep my RL and try to make it a little sportier, or whether I dump it altogether and get something more sporty and fun.

If money were no object, I'd keep the rl and get a third car.n I did that forva while when I had my boxster...my box was pretty cheap in terms of what in pad to buy it, but very $$$ to maintain.. It ended up not being cheap at all as I was getting raped on repairs...also...it bothered me that I had such a fun car and rarely had time to drive it... I often had a kid or two with me and the two seater wasn't an option to take... I drove the boxster maybe 5000 miles in the two years I owned it. If imhad a more fun 2+2, I think I could daily drive it...

I'd love something like an IS-F or other uber sedan....but not sure I'm ready to drop 45-50k for another car.... The rx8 appealed to me bc they are pikes of fun...and seat 4 and are not very expensive. I test drove a few of them a couple years back....anyone who bashes on an rx8 has never driven one....they are a total blast, despite being relatively slow....I test-drove a brand new EVO X , the"holy grail" of compact sporty rice rockets..then drove an rx8... It was back t back... The 8 was much slower but 1000x more fun and I would have taken the 8 over the faster evo anyday..

I was out of town, now back, I. Ay test drive the 8 today just to get it out of my system and see if it reallly is what I want. Financially, and family considerations make me think some HR springs and 18s mint Bethesda way to go...well see

Maybe Therese drive will blow my mind...

 

Do you use a phone to post? Not to be rude, but autocorrect makes it really hard to follow your writing. "mint Bethesda" "Therese drive"?!?

 

I was wondering the same thing...had a hard time keeping up with his thoughts.
Anyways, not to go off-topic but you mentioned you can find H&R Springs for RL for around $250? Can you please share a link?

Also, my search doesn't work for some reason...can someone please hook me up on stock shocks + H&R? How soon stock shocks go out once you change springs?
Thanks.

 

This came off a Google search for "H&R springs RL" under the "Shopping" tab.

http://captwholesale.com/i-238963.aspx - $221 before shipping

http://www.advancespeedshop.com/spor...16-p-1362.html - $221 before shipping

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/H-R-S...437#vi-content - $260 with shipping

Here is a link to oemacuraparts.com A-spec setup: http://www.oemacuraparts.com/index.p...PEC+SUSPENSION

 

Sorry about auto correct, I posted a lot of the comments from my iPad.

 

some cars you may want to look at: BMW 1, lexus IS, mercedes C class, mazda mazdaspeed 3, volkswagen GTI or even hyundai genesis coupe

 

 

RX8 vs RL - unauthorized stoplight race (a few minutes ago) outcome = RX8

Damn it!

 

really... RX8 got you? I always thought that the RX8, while not "slow" would probably lose out to an RL in a straight line race.... the RX8 is NOT a dragster.... it's a GREAT handling car, but not a dragster, as it has ZERO torque..

interesting.

 

lol, it was close...but yes a RX8. I was surprised too. My neice recently purchased one with an automatic and I was not impressed. The one that "got me" seemed to have a standard transmission.

 

Sent you a pm in case you decide to sell. I'm in the market for an RL since the one I just had, is going back to the dealer. Basically they blew the engine and instead of fixing it, they're giving me my money back. Which is fine, but it leaves me with no car...

 

Well this morning Mazda Japan has stated that they will no longer make the RX8 due to poor sales and difficulty getting the rotary engine to conform to emission standards. Production will slow down immediately and end in June 2012.

 

I was aware of that.. although I was under the impression they are still making it but will no longer sell it in the US? either way.

I do believe Mazda plans to continue work on the rotary... there have been articles online about a new rotary engine design mazda is working on.. which will be larger, and make more power.. called the 16x.

there have been various rotary engines over the years.
12A, 13B, 13BET, etc..... all of them were very similar in design... the rx8s motor was unique in that it redesigned the intake ports which made the engine run cleaner... less unburned fuel would go through the motor.... but it still is not as efficient as a piston engine... smoother... but not as efficient.

it will be interesting to see if Mazda releases another rotary sports car. whiel the rotary is not the best at low end torque... that could easily be fixed with a turbo. the 93-95 RX7 twin turbo was a VERY fast car and had plenty of low end torque due to being turbocharged.... if mazda had released the RX8 with a turbo motor and power levels more like the older RX8 it would have been a lot better selling car.... they opted to keep it cheaper, less powerful....

lets hope the RX7 comes back! maybe by then m RL will be paid off and I just buy a kick a$$ sports car to enjoy on the weekend again...

 

did you test drive the 535 yet?

 

didn't test drive the 535 yet... i want to ... but a few things have to happen on my end BEFORE I will know for sure if I'm getting one... I don't want to test drive it.. like it/want it.. and then find out I can't make it happen... so i'm waiting..

i'll know in a week or two if I"m buying a newer car or just sticking with the RL for the next few years...