How long ago was the second batch? I'm in Calif, so should be just a few days later I would think

I'm surprised with the Dealer here that had 7, now 5. They still have a Krell and an Advance in that 5 stock

 

Not sure, few days tops.

 

I just checked the Dealer in the heart of Silicon Valley. Pretty sure they have not sold any. Inventory is 5 and I think that's what I saw weeks ago.

I see more Tesla S's than RLs every day here. I'd say I see at least 1 Tesla S 4 or 5 times a week. I can go several weeks before seeing another RL. Wionder how long before I see my first RLX on the road

 

Since you have base & navi models: can you confirm if there are any changes to the interior? The site says for the Tech:

"Interior:Milano premium leather-trimmed interior, woodgrain trim on console and doors"

Is the woodgrain trim not there on base/navi? If not, what is in its place?

Thanks!

 

damn, my dealer has 17 RLXs (8 w/ navi, 4 w/tech, 1 krell, 4 advance)...they started with 5 then went up to 10 (last week), now up to 17...it'll be harder to see what they sell now since their inventory keeps going up.

 

It's a grey looking material.

 

That's alot on the lot. My local dealer has 5 only: 2 base with navi, and 3 Techs.

 

I have spent a lot of time looking at the base model pic & I believe that I like that gray better than the wood (which I detest in cars). However, I need to see it in person as the shininess may seem rather cheap in person - couple that with the leatherette & everything else it might not make for a good luxury ambiance.

Even if I do like it better than the wood, I doubt that I could go for the base/navi version as I would be giving up ventilated seats, rear shades & all sorts of other goodies. Darn you Acura and your trim level packages that always seem to be the opposite of what I want.

Still crossing my fingers that the SH-SH-AWD version has metal or carbon fiber interior trim or at least the option to swap out the wood.

Lastly, Acura.com really should have a picture of each trim if they are going to be this different.

 

Honestly, the gloss level is the same as the faux wood so no difference in reflectivity. There is some texture in the grey, it's NOT like the grey on the dash of the MDX. Hard to describe but picture grey linen covered with plexiglass.

It is likely that the hybrid will be available in one trim only, so they're sure to piss off everybody on the internet. Naturally, I also wouldn't expect any option to swap our interior trims.

 

"It is likely that the hybrid will be available in one trim only"

Seriously?

 

[soapbox] How many trims do we need? How do they distribute them? How do dealers inventory these? IMO, there are already too many trim levels/color combinations of this car. It's like the manual transmission argument. 40K TSX total. 5% manual take rate. This is only 2000 per year. Divided by 12 months, and its 166 per month. Divide this by 260 dealers and it's less than 1 per dealer per month BEFORE you consider colors. What if there were TSX Tech and TSX base with manual? Now you're dividing 166 by 2 because you're not increasing the total number of people that buy/drive manual. You're only replacing one sale for another.

IMO, adding trims actually reduces customer choice in the real world. Unless Acura is going to start building them 'one by one' and our customers are willing to wait 3 months for a car, I don't see a way out. It goes back to the 'prestige' problem discussed elsewhere. People might wait 3 months for a BMW but won't to the same for a 'mere' Acura. Catch-22. [/soapbox] Sorry.

 

My dealer was awarded the "Largest Acura Dealership in the World" based on new car sales 9 yrs in a row (04-12). So they tend to have a lot of inventory and the they move a lot of it as well hence the title.

 

I'd say more than 1 choice would be good for the hybrid. Would not expect Base, nor base with Navi, but would hope Tech, Advance and Krell. Although I'd settle for 2 choices
l

 

Will have to look at the RLX while I have the recall done on my tsx on Monday. Stevenson Acura is the only acura dealer within a 150 radius from me.

 

I could agree with that. If two, I'd select Tech and Advance. For the RLX, (IMO) Base (questionable), Tech and Advance. This could streamline things to five total trim levels. Still too many for a low volume car, but it's a starting point to see what people really want in this product.

 

Does Advance include Krell?

 

Yes, every package builds on the one before it, adding features along the way.

 

Isn't it the other way around. Krell includes Advance, but Advance does not include Krell

 

^^ No. The Advance Package includes everything. The Krell Audio package excludes Front and Rear Parking Sensors, Lane Keep Assist, and CMBS with Low Speed Follow

 

I think they should drop the RLX base model. Who is going to buy the flagship car of a luxury brand and get the base model? I think they only made a base model so they could claim the starting price of an RLX is only $48.5K. IMHO they should start this car with the Tech version and go up.

On the SH-SH-AWD, once you are in for the $10K or so premium for the AWD, why not go all the way and put it on the Advance. It doesn't make sense to put it on the base model and ask ~$59K for a car with fake leather.

 

The purpose of the base model is to reduce the minimum MSRP. Car manufacturers don't expect to sell many base models.

 

Base model is just there to have a lower entry point. Just look at BMW and MB.

 

Yep and I don't know about the previous post that they won't sell that many.

Cadillac sold a ton of the base CTS models

You need a base model as your entry point.

 

In fact, as I said before, I think there's room to put in a "sub-base" model under the RLX base that starts at $44k. Just replace Jewel Eye LED lights with HIDs, remove P-AWS, replace 18" rims with 17", remove FCW, LCW, replace ELS system with something cheaper, remove moonroof, replace tri-zone AC with dual zone, etc.

 

In other words, a base TLX.

 

^^I agree. You just can't dilute the RLX to something below the level of an Accord without completely destroying its value as a flagship.

I also agree with Colin and others who feel there are too many packages available with the RLX. Mercedes can get away with offering fake leather and bare bones variants of their cars because they all still have the three pointed star that the buyers are really paying for. Without the brand appeal, Acura is taking a big risk in making a "base model" of the RLX. The last thing they need is non-Honda/Acura buyers getting a ride in a base RLX, being massively underwhelmed and perpetuating the "it's just an Accord" credo.
Two models of the RLX would have been fine. One that is basically the tech package and one that is loaded with everything. By adding the SH-AWD factor, that would still give them 4 variants - all of which represent the Acura brand name well.

Just my two cents.

 

^^ and that is what we have in Canada. A base RLX, the Tech model and the Elite model.

 

Basically, the customer should have 3 options per drivetrain: good, better, best.

 

A base TLX would be sweet too without the features, but that would start at like $35k or something rather than $44k.

I see what you mean. On the other hand though, we have people complaining that the current base RLX is more expensive than a base BMW 528i. They would be like, "why would anyone spend more money on a glorified Accord when you can get a mid level BMW?"

 

There in lies the conundrum. You cant have your cake and eat it too. You want premium brand recognition... you need to invest in a long term plan that covers marketing, product, service, etc.

 

April is coming to an end. Sales figures should be out by end of week or early next. Anyone hazard to guess RLX sales numbers?

 

500 +\-
more than that and I would be a tad surprised as most of the dealers around me still have the same cars they have had for weeks. I bumped into my Acura sales guy in the store yesterday and he asked if I bought anything yet. I told home no, and maybe some day I might consider the RLX if they were discounted enough, he said stop by as they are discounting them already.

 

Totally just throwing numbers out there, but last month they sold 336 so I'm going to guess 800 RLX this month.

I'll also predict ILX will show some surprising numbers maybe 2500+. I'm starting to see a good social media impressions of the car as a lot of younger folks seem to find it an attractive entry-level, share there photos, etc.

 

Alrite! ive always wanted to be on The Price is Right! I'll say that there will be 576 RLX sold during the month of April!

 

That is not a good move at all. Discounting them at this very early stage right after initial launch.

If true, it seems like Acura is already admit defeat, without even trying hard pushing and marketing the RLX.

 

Keep in mind that a car salesman told him about the "discounts". Many car salesmen will tell you anything to get you to come in and begin negotiations to purchase a vehicle from them. That said, the RLX certainly isn't enjoying the new model sales spike that often sees dealers charging above MSRP, and I don't doubt that dealers are willing to shave a thousand or two to move some RLX's and get them out on the road for others to see.

 

It's too early to say there isn't a sales spike. We have one month of numbers.

They will be, what they will be.

 

I wrote this in the other thread on discounting:

 

Well just lookingbatbinventorynof the 4 local Acura dealers near me shows most of the same RLXs are still on dealer lists, with what 250 Acura dealers they all need to sell 3 to have a decent month.

 

Look at the number of base RLs on the road. Way more than tech or CMBS models. The difference between a car enthusiast and the vast majority of car purchasers is that the majority don't care about the other stuff. They want a large car with leather seats that is comfortable as shit on their 4 hour Thanksgiving trip.

Acura admitted before the RLX debuted that they knew sales numbers were going to be low. The purpose of the RLX is not to generate a good margin for this specific model. The purpose is 2 fold.

1) Get people into the show room. 99% of car buyers are not looking for a car in the $50k range, but they think the RLX is cool. The features and luxury are a statement of what Acura is. Buying a lower priced Acura is a way to be a part of that statement without committing to such a large investment on a depreciating asset.
2) Test mule. The flagship sedan never sells big. What it does is test out the new features of a car maker. The manufacturer can then learn what sells and appeals to buyers. Look at the 2005 RL. They gave up marketing by 2006. However, the MDX and TL both have SH-AWD and sell in droves. The RL did its job because the flagship amenities will slowly trickle down to the lesser models and create incentives to buy a more practical car. As for the RLX, think about what's coming in 2014/2015. The ultimate head turner and halo car for Acura. The RLX is the test mule for SH-SH-AWD. It is a R&D run for the NSX that will define Acura for the next decade.

The RLX won't put up big sales numbers, and that does not mean defeat for Acura.