Artillery129

I feel ya, i think we should send some letter or something to acura, like i seriously just had the desire to mail them a letter in japan, make some sort of petition you know idk..

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VIP Legend

People want a V8 for that price. It doesn't matter how "high-tech" or advanced the RL V6 is. It lacks torque. People in the market for a luxury sedan want the torque available from low rpms, without having to rev all day (comparatively). Also, as people mentioned, for that amount of money people want to make a statement. Even if that statement is, look at me, I drive a Mercedes like everyone else and their mother. The new RL is somewhat of a flop and I could have told you that before it was ever released. Many, many people would rather have RWD (the standard performance configuration) than a gimmicky AWD system that is guilty of taking acronyms to new heights. Additionally, the RL is very generic looking. It might be a nice looking car but its definitely not a benchmark of car design (like the G2 Legend was).

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B+O

That's funny you'd think that since the majority of people who buy these cars are women and they generally have a negative view of Rear Wheel Drive from a safety standpoint. That is unless a male bought the car for them, and even then, if they bought the car it's not the driveline configuration that sold the car to the wife. It's the panache and "cuteness".

Have you researched the demographic of the people who buy these cars?

Just as an Aside...

The city where the RL debuted is one of the most popular areas of its sale, the hype that was out there really helped it along. I see them all the time in the DMV area (DC/Maryland/Virginia).

hnic

The RL doesn't sell because its a big, steaming pile of sugar honey iced tea.



I'm sure Acura knows that they weren't/aren't going to sell many RLs. They know their bread and butter lies in the TL/TSX/MDX sales. As far as I'm concerned they are doing okay with the car, but they could do more to establish the RL as a car they actually intend to sell instead of being okay with it's seemingly halo car-like status.

I'm keeping my eyes peeled for a V8 option (long shot) or a car that will sit above the RL and assume flagship status allowing the RL to better compete with the GS/E class/5 series/M.

Although, if Acura releases a big luxo barge...a V8 would seem like a foregone conclusion.

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divinchi

Well, I know for me was the size of the car and even more the fact that it looks like a Honda when it should look like an Acura. I look at the new Lexus and the new BMW’s and see that they are large and roomy and very beautiful, they look beautiful and very pleasing to the eye. It is so small and not of my taste, I loved the look of the first generation RL’s, they were roomy and very comfortable looking. For me, when I am going to buy a car, I look at the size of the car first before anything, but that is just me…. I look at the new RL’s and see only Honda which I believe someone already said that on this thread.

But that is just my 2 cents…. If I want a Honda, I will buy a Honda; I am not going to buy a car that looks like a Honda…

Acura need’s to focus on the girth of the car, match it up against the GS Lexus or 7 series BMW’s…

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hnic

once again...

everyone seems to want to cross-shop the RL with RWD V8 powered ultra-luxury sedans that are not in its class.

The RL doesnt need to be any bigger than what it is as it is similar in size to the GS and the 5.

It seems to me that most of the people in this thread want the RL to be something that it's not.

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CDUBB1

Your right, I think that we expect that because they use the word ''Flagship". When you hear that word you think of large, V8, RWD vehicles. And the price the ask is in the "Flagship" territory.

B+O

I thnk that's the problem...we all don't think like that.

I hear Flagship, i think "top line sedan"

If you say Saturn Flagship....I think "Aura"

If you say Dodge Flagship, i think Charger

If you say Hyundai Flagship, i think Azera

If you say Volvo Flagship, I think S80

Every company has a flagship...Not every company has a Q-ship.

Lexus' Flagship is the LSwhatever, Mercedes is the S-class, BMW has the 7 series, Audi the A8, Honda the Accord, Toyota the Avalon, etc.


The Flagship is the car that sells the least amount of units, unless it's a bargain basement brand. A Low line marque that has trash cars except the top line model.

The Nissan Maxima doesn't sell big units, but it's the flagship of nissan.

B+O

Also,The price they ask is FAR from the "flagship" territory you speak of...

Again, i STILL don't think you've researched the cars you're comparing it to.

You're comparing it to the Sclass, the 7 series the A8, things of that nature...well how about this...i'm going to put together a nice little list of MSRPs for you so you can stop with that nonsense.

CDUBB1

well u might be right but the sales speak for itself. People obviously dont think its good enough for the price they are asking for it.

FutureX 2001

Just my .02. I like the features on the RL, but I find it's styling extremely bland, and just unattractive.

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Xcaliber003

I think one problem other than advertising (finally saw an RL ad in a mag) is the image of the overall design.

The most successful mid-sized luxury sport sedans have a "stately" somewhat lengthy presence(not too long but enough to look "powerful"). One part of this "presence" is a long hoodlid. I know this is sounding left field but I'm getting to a point.

The first gen RL 'specially the 02-04 had longer more "stately" front ends. Their front ends were long and the front overhang was short, giving it a more luxurious, pricey, luxo car image. As we already know this mostly was due to the longitudinal engine layout, which helps put the motor behind the front axle and push the front wheels closer to the front corners.

But when the sec gen RL came out it had a tranversely mounted engine, which lead to the usual long "economy car" front overhang. If this wasn't enough to hurt the luxo car image they also added a cab forward windshield design. Similar to the ones on the Intrepids and things. This plus the long front overhang makes the front end look like a big Neon. No matter what they do to the design of the car if it continues to have a tranversely mounted motor and a cab forward design it will ALWAYS look like a large common bread and butter car(long NEON).

One perfect example even though it's not in the same class as the RL is Intrepid vs the 300C. Both are big ass cars, but the 300C has a different outline without cab forward design and a short hoodlid. Which car looks more "stately"?

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BUSINESSMAN07

The RL loses bcuase its the fat jock everyone knows but no one talks to even though he is a star athlete.

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B+O

I completely agree. I said something about the fact that it's the engine placement...
I believe that the longitudinal engine placement is key in the design of a car that is supposed to exude class and presence. it goes back to Custom Coach Works of the twenties and 30s. loonnnng hoods with short little cabs at the back, non existant overhangs with a seemingly lower rear end, and short decklid. The Legend and RL pulled this look off, long front short front overhang, short rear deck, tall greenhouse.

The classic proportions of a luxury car.

I can buy that

qatar

The solution for Acura to come out of that hole has more to it than designing a new car above the RL, one car cannot help the brand.
The answe is the brand's image as whole. First get rid of all the FWD and change them to AWD, Acura's should not have more than %10 of thier cars as FWD. The RL should be stretched out a bit by a margin from the Accord/TL territory.
If you look at any claimed luxury brand, you wont find more than one car with FWD, and they provide a variety of set ups. Ala, Lexus ES, Audi A4.
If Honda caught up tp Acura in terms of horsepower and features, then Acura should pull ahead by AWD and more torque.
in addition, Acura should provide manufacture installed options/accessories and stop thier petty dealer installations.
One more thing, whatever you provide the Japanese market and Canadian market, should be offered in all markets, even as options, and the same goes for the other markets as well

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