Northstar Vs. New RL with 300 HP!

[BANK]

You can't talk to much trash about the Acura. I had a 02 TL-type S it was a very good car, good design and well executed in manufacturing. Cadillac could learn some about the car business if they looked closely. If the N. Star had the same output per litre as Acura's sweet running V-6s some of us would be in jail for wreckless endangerment.

[1SICKLEX]

Originally Posted by BANK

You can't talk to much trash about the Acura. I had a 02 TL-type S it was a very good car, good design and well executed in manufacturing. Cadillac could learn some about the car business if they looked closely. If the N. Star had the same output per litre as Acura's sweet running V-6s some of us would be in jail for wreckless endangerment.

Yes the TL had a sweet V-6 but the rest of the car was built poorly. Caddy better not take any lessons. Tranny recall, rattles, cheap leather, HIDs stolen, etc etc. It was a good seller b/c it was cheap, 27k to start and 31k for a Type-S loaded.
Value, I think not, you get what you pay for.

Sal, the new RL is smaller than the previous model.

[1toycad]

Originally Posted by Ralph

http://www.acura.com/models/model_index.asp?module=rl


It's amazing what they are getting for HP out of a V6.

And therein lies the problem. I think that squeezing so many ponies out of a V6 will adversely impact the engine's overall longevity. All things being equal, a big V8 has to work "less hard" to get high HP than a smaller V6 engine.

Having said that, the interior of the RL is real sweet. Damn, the leather smells better than new leather in a Caddy. Do Japanese cows smell better than American cows?

[1toycad]

Originally Posted by Ralph

I'm still suprised no one here has test drove one to talk about any comparison with a Caddy, including MYSELF!

I test drove one last week. The new Honda, er, Acura, traction control works very well around curves. As I posted before, the car's interior is VERY nice. Still, I would take a well equipped DTS over the RL anytime.

The dealer was eager to take my black on black 1999 SLS (35.5k miles) in trade for a new RL.

The offer was tempting.....but my SLS has one fantastic feature that I would not trade for any other car in the world.

IT IS ALREADY PAID FOR!!!!

[MEJIA]

The Acura dealer just opened about a month ago here in Monterrey. Ill go and take a look at them Acuras, test drive a couple and post my opinions regarding this cars.

Mejia

[Caddy01DTS]

DTS rocks

[BANK]

1SICKLEX

Built poorley, I would have to disagree. Leather in my car was of good quality, not as good as my SRX, but not like the cheep stuff in Toyotas or Nissans. The plastic was of equal quality, may have been a bit nicer in the TL. The gerneal fit and trim was nicer, controls some better some the same. What I realy miss is the manuel shit mode, it seems akward in the SRX. The trans did get replaced at 30k, but they gave me a 100k transferable warrentee on it (can't complain too much about that.) One thing I'll say is the dealerships are not to good. I finally found a good one in Oakland, to bad I didn't find it sooner. I don't acticipate a good dealer experience at Cadillac. As far as engine durability, if past history accounts for anything, the TL and RL engines are some of the best. I do like the SRX and think I'll keep it for 2 or 3 years. I always pay cash for my cars and we can only hope the SRX, or whatever Cadillac you own, will hold its value as well as my old Acura did.

[Ralph]

Originally Posted by 1toycad

IT IS ALREADY PAID FOR!!!!

Good point! As long as you're still happy with it and the Rainsense is worked out, etc.

[Ralph]

Acura RL video:

http://www.drivingtelevision.com/seg...all=&segtitle=

[Ralph]

Side by side comparison:

http://macleans.auto123.com/en/new/f...0=&ID_1014075=