Well after getting up to 100mph in no time on a turnpike, i have to say the interior is nice,very much improved, very roomy, drives well, power is very much there, you could have fun with that, but is worth 50K. Its hard to say, it is and its not.

First impression is, looks like a Big Honda Accord, you will see what i mean, when you get to an RL Close up..

If this car sold for 45K out the door, nothing could come close. For me its was hard to jusifty spending 50K.

I will say its a big improvement on the 01-04 RL, looks way better, but you keep coming back to the price.

Anyways for now the Dealer i went to got 20 for the 1st month, they said 10 where sold, and had about 25 test drives lined up for today. So it would not surprise me if they where nearly sold out be the weeks end.

 

I have never understood people who say $50k is too much but $45k would be perfect. How do you determine this?

 

exactly the words out of my mouth when i saw it for the 1st time.

 

Did it really feel like a Super Handling AWD?

 

I also went and drove one yesterday at the Acura dealer on Dundee road by 53 (in illinois) for you Chicago suburbs peeps.

My impressions.


Handling was awesome. The suspension really set if you got on it in a turn.

I did feel the front wheels pulling only in the slightest on a straight ahead launch with the wheels cocked sideways. However it's the least ammount of torque steer I have ever felt. As the car did apply more power to the front wheels then the back when I launched according to the display on the dashboard.

The interior was great, lots of gadgets. However the keyless entry is exacty like the one on the new corvette. You basically leave the fob in your pocket and you can do whatever you want open doors start car. Impossible to lock keys in car or trunk. It'll be a norm comming soon on mid class cars. Navi was cool. Voice recognition was OK, it was confused sometimes by what I told it. Stereo was excellent. Doors felt excellent when opening and shutting, real solid. Not bmw like, but very solid. The paddle shifters feel kinda cheezy as they are made out of light plastic. You get the not refined feel of light plastic on a switch feel when you shift it via the paddles. Shift time is quicker than the CLS but no where near what a SMG would be.

Outside= BORING, How can I say sleepfest any better. The car needs 20's to even make it look aggressive or worth $50k.

Basically if your looking for a 4wd car with lots of gadgets it's your car. Interior was gorgeous. The car itself reminds me of a revised mark VIII. Some speed with lots of gadgets (in no way shape/style). back seats don't have a ton of room but you wont be too uncomfortable.


I would go buy the 4wd 340hp hemi 300c chrysler /w navi before the RL myself.

Summary RL:

Lots of new electronic toys for its time. Very boring exterior style. As soon as other cars have the same gadgets the RL will be forgotten about. I give the RL a years before it fades away...

 

My impressions of the RL.

The RL does look like an over-sized accord, which was quite a turn off because when I saw the Prototype at the NY auto show, it looked nothing less than a 7/10.

The interior was beautiful, the styling, quality, and the set up was easy on the eyes and was one of the top in its class. I also loved the way it displayed how much power was being distributed to each wheel while driving, truly a new experience. The acceleration wasn't something to envy, but the ride quality was orgasmic.

I wouldn't say 50k is a bad price for the RL, (although you can get a v8 with that price). it's perfectly price for its competition and offers enough gadgets to justify the price.

 

jts1207

Read it again, I SAID 45K out the door ,meaning including all taxs, dealer prep etc..... So another words 40K retail, thats a savings of 10K.