Acura concludes flagship RL needs help

NYCshopper · 02-21-2006, 01:11 PM

Acura concludes flagship RL needs help

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl.../60221002/1041

Quote:

ORLANDO, Fla. -- When Acura redesigned its flagship RL in 2004, it loaded on the goodies: all-wheel drive, navigation system, 10-speaker stereo and radar that warns drivers of an impending crash.

It has a price tag to match: $49,915 with shipping, about $6,000 more than the previous-generation RL.

Oops.

Now Acura has concluded that its slow-selling flagship needs help.

The division is considering a lower-content version of the car, some dealers say. Sales chief Dick Colliver told Automotive News that the RL's content will change next year but gave no details. He acknowledged that the RL "hasn't performed to expectations."

The RL lacks a V-8 engine, an amenity expected by many luxury buyers.

"It's at a price point in foreign territory for us," Mike McGrath, chairman of the Acura dealer council, said at the National Automobile Dealers Association convention here. "Maybe Acura doesn't have the brand image" to sell a vehicle at that price.

McGrath said the dealer council has recommended a model with less content. "It only comes one way: loaded," he said. "We need something in the low to mid-40s."

The redesigned RL was introduced in October 2004. In 2005 it substantially outsold the previous-generation model. But sales have slipped. In the four months ending January 31, Acura sold 4,899 RLs, down 25.6 percent year-over-year.

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

happasaiyan · 02-21-2006, 01:26 PM

this is peculiar...i see RLs all over the place around here...there are a few at the train station lot alone. i see a couple everyday.

either way, if they put in a v8 with 400hp and sell it for the same price at a loss for a few years to get people into them...heck, ill buy one.

sandman1011 · 02-21-2006, 01:45 PM

Why would it sell? It's not that much of an improvement over the TL, which fully loaded is ~$8k less than the RL. Sure, AWD vs FWD, 290 hp vs 258 hp, but the TL gets slightly better gas mileage, and the TL looks better IMO since the RL looks a lot like an Accord. There's just not enough of a difference between the RL and the TSX and TL to justify its cost.....

BillT · 02-21-2006, 02:23 PM

Its a bland car that doesn't offer too much more to the average person than the cheaper TL plus I don't feel that it looks good enough to compete with the Lexus GS's and Infiniti M35/45's.

Fuzz541 · 02-21-2006, 05:31 PM

...didn't help either.

STI Orenji · 02-21-2006, 06:18 PM

bland styling... and doesn't have the brand cache.

amukaoen · 02-21-2006, 06:22 PM

bland styling... definatly
lack of horsepower... for sure..

too expensive? ... you betcha.

M5 FTW!

Need BB · 02-21-2006, 06:38 PM

Well its not big inside is a BIG issue. A TL is almost the same size.

OppositeLock · 02-21-2006, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amukaoen

bland styling... definatly
lack of horsepower... for sure..

too expensive? ... you betcha.

M5 FTW!

M5 is 82,000 before option sheet.

happasaiyan · 02-21-2006, 09:47 PM

ok, so the car could use a little better styling on the outside...personally, i think it looks good...and the interior??? the interior is GORGEOUS. you feel like something special when you sit in this car.

it could use a dsg- type transmission, too...and yeah, more power.

i still think its hot...and worth the money. its better than the 530 for less. i dont know why you are comparing the $80+k m5 to this car.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
NEED help! 2.5RS in Central Jersey	pMak26	Tri-State Area Forum	9	06-04-2010 08:50 PM
Anyone need help with an install?	RubbleDTD	Mid Atlantic Impreza Club -- MAIC	0	06-03-2010 05:23 AM
Need Help From Acura &/or Honda Forum Members!!	djosrs	Off-Topic	6	11-09-2007 01:43 PM
HONDA & ACURA GUYS!!! Need help of forum members	djosrs	Off-Topic	14	11-09-2007 01:43 PM

02-21-2006, 01:26 PM	#2
happasaiyan Scooby Specialist Member#: 37731 Join Date: Jun 2003 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Rolling Meadows, IL Vehicle: '07 TL-S 6MT '07 RDX-T	this is peculiar...i see RLs all over the place around here...there are a few at the train station lot alone. i see a couple everyday. either way, if they put in a v8 with 400hp and sell it for the same price at a loss for a few years to get people into them...heck, ill buy one.

02-21-2006, 01:45 PM	#3
sandman1011 Scooby Newbie Member#: 88476 Join Date: Jun 2005 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Aiken SC	Why would it sell? It's not that much of an improvement over the TL, which fully loaded is ~$8k less than the RL. Sure, AWD vs FWD, 290 hp vs 258 hp, but the TL gets slightly better gas mileage, and the TL looks better IMO since the RL looks a lot like an Accord. There's just not enough of a difference between the RL and the TSX and TL to justify its cost.....

02-21-2006, 02:23 PM	#4
BillT Scooby Newbie Member#: 16169 Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Orlando Vehicle: 2002 WRX Wagon Silver	Its a bland car that doesn't offer too much more to the average person than the cheaper TL plus I don't feel that it looks good enough to compete with the Lexus GS's and Infiniti M35/45's.

02-21-2006, 05:31 PM	#5
Fuzz541 Scooby Specialist Member#: 4739 Join Date: Mar 2001 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Time for a break. Have fun OT.	...didn't help either.

02-21-2006, 06:18 PM	#6
STI Orenji Scooby Newbie Member#: 63466 Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Austin, TX Vehicle: 2005 wrx sti Black	bland styling... and doesn't have the brand cache.

02-21-2006, 06:22 PM	#7
amukaoen Scooby Specialist Member#: 62595 Join Date: May 2004 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: San Diego, CA Vehicle: 04 WRX Cobb S2 World Rally Blue	bland styling... definatly lack of horsepower... for sure.. too expensive? ... you betcha. M5 FTW!

02-21-2006, 06:38 PM	#8
Need BB Scooby Specialist Member#: 66103 Join Date: Jul 2004 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Boston Vehicle: 2005 Legacy GT Wagon While	Well its not big inside is a BIG issue. A TL is almost the same size.

02-21-2006, 09:47 PM	#10
happasaiyan Scooby Specialist Member#: 37731 Join Date: Jun 2003 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Rolling Meadows, IL Vehicle: '07 TL-S 6MT '07 RDX-T	ok, so the car could use a little better styling on the outside...personally, i think it looks good...and the interior??? the interior is GORGEOUS. you feel like something special when you sit in this car. it could use a dsg- type transmission, too...and yeah, more power. i still think its hot...and worth the money. its better than the 530 for less. i dont know why you are comparing the $80+k m5 to this car.