You're right. There are tons of cheap lease deals on the E-class and 5 series which is probably why they sell so much. GS300s have pretty cheap lease deals as well. Hell, you can say that about almost every car out there now. The M35/45 isnt too different from pricing compared to the GS. The GS is maybe 2-3k more give or take. Not such a big difference especially when it comes to leasing.

 

The GS300 AWD and the RL are about the same price when you add all the options the GS300 to get to similar equipment levels.

I'd take the RL every time, but I'm not a 'brand' guy.

Yes, Acura, with it's cheap RSX, lame last gen Legend, 'bargain entry FWD lux' TL, limited advertising and not very upscale dealerships just doesn't win the brand game against Lexus.

 

And don't forget the Acura CSX aka Honda Civic.

Its clear Acura knows i twon't win the brand wars, or else it would have refocused its lineup.

 

If Acura had offered a $45K MSRP RL (take out some of the huge array of features - maybe at least make the nav an option), and maybe had a V8 $50K+ RL (with some nicer rims ) - I think they'd have done better.

 

You know what Paul, as much as we speculate it would do better if it was cheaper and had a V-8 option, maybe its just speculation? Who's to say people still don't pay the car attention and sales lag behind?

Funny but Lexus CLEARLY got the point with the GS. Remember, the 1GS had a I-6 only, with lackluster sales and it was priced high. You could get a 2GS 400 for the price of a 1GS 300!! Lexus learned and made the GS shorter, comparable to the Germans in dimensions, offered RWD and finally a V-8 and the market changed forever in 1998. Lexus proved people would indeed buy a V-8 Japanese luxury sport sedan.

 

Most definitely. I still respect Acura though, they make some GREAT vehicles. A lot of people I know choose the TL over the competitors because it offers FWD and its 'easier' to drive in the winter.

 

I believe there was a thread not to long ago stating that dealerships want decontented RL's because they are sitting on the lots for extended periods of times. Hopefully Acura takes action and offers this in the future.

 

True, but that's what we do a lot in Car Chat - schpeculate!

Right on! They made the 2nd gen GS300 a stylish capable and more affordable luxury car, and the GS400 a rare beast the magazines LOVED. GREAT STRATEGY!

 

My guess is they'll hold the line on any price increases, maybe make nav an option since many luxury car buyers are still not interested, and offer aggressive leases to move inventory.

 

Honda/Acura would certainly not get $50k of my money when it comes to buying a car.

Instead, that $50k will be used towards down payment on a Ferrari 360 CS

 

I love the Rl simply because I don't see a million of them on the road like the TL.

.....and I'm assuming you can get a great discount on them..........way below $50k.

 

Yes.....if you seriously want one you won't have to pay anywhere near 50K.......even less if, in front of the salespeople, you act like you DON'T seriously want one.

As you can tell from some of the posts here, this car is shunned and criticized by people who feel that Acura should have used a V8 and less Accord-like styling even though the V6 has near-V8 levels of HP and torque. But if you can accept that reality, this car has LOADS of quality, fit-and-finish, and equipment to offer...it is not very often that I am as impressed on a test-drive or a review as I was with this car.

 

Well I personally like the RL. It looks nice from every angle! And as Paul mentioned, I particularly love the rearend and tail lamp treatment. The interior is superb. I've actually asked 2 owners in passing how they like them and if they compared the cars to Lexus BMW, etc. They both praised the cars "bang 4 the buck" (don't know what they paid) and they both rated it above the GS and M. And one guy said above Bimmer and Benz V6 models. The car has nice presence on the road and is actually longer and wider than a GS. It actually looks bigger in person than on paper.
Question... This 2006 model is all new or did it change in 05? If this car sold for say low $40's...

 

Yes, but the criticism is that it's not big inside, not bigger than the TL, & smaller than the interior of the M35. I have no interest in owning this car, but personally think this car deserves to do better than it's selling right now.

 

The RL was all-new for 2005....so there are minimal changes for '06.
Low-mid-40's are possible on this car if you bargain...even the salespeople told me that. Some people have reported 41K...that is probably not possible here in the high-income DC-NoVA area but maybe in some other parts of the country. I DID hear of some 2005's going for 41K ( Acura had incentives out ) but not around here.