I have an 80 mile round trip commute each day and currently own a Mazdaspeed3. While this car is an absolute riot to drive fast, it is squirrley in the snow. AWD is looking like a must! I have found what seems to be a pretty good deal on an '05 RL. With 56k on owner miles and in great shape for less than $19,000 I'm having trouble getting it out of my head. I drove it last night and other than a slight pull to the right it drives like a dream.

My main concern? I fear I will be comfortable and swaddled in luxury yet bored driving it everyday. The MS3 is a blast to drive, but is not the best for a long winter drive where the roads are not plowed very well. Plus I would like something as safe as reasonably possible. So whaddaya will I yawn every time I sit in it or will I sigh with contentment?

 

I'm surprised you dont look at the speed6, isnt that AWD? I've heard the clutch in the 6 is hellish though.

 

I have and they are not bad cars. How can I put this... I'm not sure how my MS3 will hold up driving it this much and with the MS6 I fear I would be in the same situation. Don't get me wrong, its not like it is a hunk of junk, but would you be more confident in driving an Acura on an 80 mile round trip drive everyday or a semi-high strung Mazda? Piss... looks like I may have answered my own question.

 

ROFL yea I agree with you on that one. I forgot you mentioned the daily 80 mile commute. I'd go with the RL. TL's arent bad either. Ive had a couple FWD Hondas and they all handled extremely well in the snow. The RL of course is superior though. The cars feels extremely planeted in heavy rain and from what I've heard its killer in the snow too. I havent had it through the winter yet. Repairs on this car are costly though. Lots of little gadgets that can go bad.

But as a fellow modified car enthusiast, I do find myself craving more speed or more excitement from the RL. Its a great car and I plan on keeping it for a LONG time, but I definitely need a "go" car on the side now.

 

I am going to try and do an overnight test drive and see how much I like it for my actual commute.
We had a pretty good storm come in last night, so my luck a tree fell on it and it is now sitting much lower to the ground.


Oh and what you have heard about the Speed6 clutch is right! My clutch is just flat out numb, you can't feel it engage/disengage at all. I had a Contour SVT before and it had a perfect clutch. Even a first timer would probably do well with it. But this car I still can't get used to!

 

i'm in a similar situation to you - except I HAVE an RL and am considering going to a Mazda.. an RX8... I love my RL, but like you said, it can get boring. If you are used to something fun like a MS3.. the RL will be nothing like it... it will have a million times the luxury, and hardly any of the fun. Although I do admit, the SH-AWD system of the RL will blow your mind.. once you learn to drive it right, the car corners amazing for how big it is.

in reality, for 99% of the driving most of us do - commuting to work, the mall, etc.... a car like an RL is far better and more ideal than a MS3, RX8, or any other sporty / fun car.

but the truth is, a lot of us are "car" guys, and we enjoy a car tha tis fun... even at the expense of some luxury.

ideally.. a car like an M3, M5, RS4, IS-F... stuff like that gives you the high end luxury of the RL, with hard core performance to go along with it... a 911 would have nice back seats.... for kids.. and amazing performance. those cars also come with somethign else that is "amazing"... the price and cost of ownership... it's astronomical...

i'd say test drive one. try it out. see what you think.

with sucha long commute, you might enjoy being surrounded in a cocoon of luxury...

i'm about to go test drive an RX8 R3 to see if I like it.... I know i'll like how it goes around corners.. but now that I've become aclimated to the luxury level of the RL, I wonder if a "normal" car like a Mazda will not appeal to me..

we get spoiled easily...

good luck and leet us know what you end up doing.

if youw ant to make an RL slightly sportier.. you could drop it on H&Rsprings, and upsize the wheels/tires and put on summer tires.. it might not be a MS3 in terms of flickability..but it would be pretty good.

 

What kind of commute is this? Straight highway or curvy back roads?

I don't think you will miss out on anything either way, but the RL is a GREAT highway car. The 60-90 acceleration is my favorite part especially because I am an opportunistic speeder. My second favorite part is U-turns, mainly b/c Legend #1 was FWD, and getting a kick in ass half way through a turn...

To be honest, I don't know what a MS3 is, so I can't speak to the comparison. However, I can say that I do not get bored in my RL. My only reservation for you is the price of that particular RL. It seems high for an '05, especially one with a pull. For that price, I would expect an '05 to be flawless. '05s are notorious here for having the most issues of the model years. There are multiple threads here about what to look for before buying. I suggest reading them all, writing a list, getting out the white gloves, and inspecting/driving the car at least 3 times.

Good luck!

 

I don't know about u guys, but every time I take on a curve, I squeeze that gas pedal, watch that SHAWD work and have a silly grim on my face... ahhhh... the joy of driving... this car have got it all... luxurious, fun, pleasurable car to drive... if you want some weekend car to drive, I'd pick NSX or S2K...

 

It is straight highway the whole time, but I can take a very twisty route if I am in the mood and it just adds a few minutes to the trip. I hear you on the opportunistic speeder concept. The Mazdaspeed3 (4 cylinder turbo 6 speed hatch kinda like a front wheel drive WRX) has an insane 4th gear. Pulls like a V8 and you can be 100+ before you know it! Sounds like the RL could be similar and that's good news.
It looks like the numbers will work out so I will try to get an overnight test drive after all. What do you guys think the insurance will be like? No tickets, great credit 35+. My insurance guy is out of town .

 

Got a hold of my insurance and it's only $5 more a month! WOOT!!! Speaking of woot, there is a woot-off today! WOOT WOOT!!

 

We should trade cars for a while. I had the S2000 for the longest time, prelude before that, and Hondas all my life. I moved to RL because I wanted a family car after getting married and I sometimes miss light weight and tossable S2000. Maybe we should trade cars for a while and see how we feel about cars?

 

Sound great lol! An S2k was on the top of my lust I mean list for a loooong time!
I just picked it up from the dealer for my 24 hour drive. So far this "lady" in the car won't shut up! I KNOW I TURNED THE STATION! YOU DON'T HAVE TO TELL ME! Otherwise I love it!

 

I'd highly recommend the 2005+RL as a highway commuting car. Solid and comfortable. And if you don't mind burning some extra gas, on twisty backroads, as long as you keep the revs up with either the paddles or the stick, the SH AWD is GREAT !

On long road trips, our RL is a more comfortable car to drive than our Lexus SC.

 

I got it! Loving it so far! The whole keyless entry/start feature is amazing!

 

Congrats on your RL!

 

Congrats on your RL! It's the best and most car you can buy for your $$

 

Thanks guys! Maybe in a few years I can convince the wife I need an S2K to go along with it as my weekend car, right?
eyi: I may have to take some styling cues from you beautiful ride. Time to start saving the mad money!

 

I was actually about to say that to eyi. Looking at his RL makes me want to trade mine for a black one! LMAO!

 

eyi (a.k.a. MugenRL for older pics) and Touge have definitely shown us what $$$ can do to an already sweet ride.

 

You should have traded cars with me...I miss 6-speed so bad