mmarshall

Maybe partly out of their minds, not totally. I agree it is probably overpriced, especially with standard FWD. But that just means that, like the last RL, it will probably sell at big discounts from low demand and over-supply.

Outrage

The sticker on my 2013 GS 350 AWD with the Luxury Package was around $59,000. I don't see why the RLX, with FWD, costs nearly the same. I don't have a problem with the bland styling. I think everything in the mid-sized luxury class is generally boring to look at.

SteVTEC

SH-AWD was their big thing before, trying to position themselves as an alternative to Audi, and apparently that's out the window now too. The Lexus ES starts below $40k. Not sure what this car has to justify a nearly $10k higher starting price. It can rain for months at a time where I live. With RWD I can run just about as hard in the wet as I can in the dry. I still remember having to baby my old FWD cars in the wet constantly, and that was with only 200ish hp.

With all the money Acura has pissed straight down the toilet messing around with fancy SH-AWD systems, "P-AWS" now, and other failed cars like the ZDX, last RL, this RLX (writing is on the wall), they could have just developed a mid/large-sized RWD platform that would have more appeal and perform better. And enough with the bland to flat out ugly styling! People don't buy ugly cars. That's costing them hundreds of thousands of sales too. And the half-assed turbo motor with 8:1 compression and port injection that's now suddenly discontinued... Oh God I'd better stop now, because I feel another Honda/Acura tirade coming on.

1QWKGS4

iTrader: (3)

I could never justify buying an Acura for their prices (and they don't discount much). I've looked at numerous cars with prices in the $50K range and for example the MDX is price higher than the RX350?? (I always thought, for an Acura?) Their cars are nothing more than a fancy rebadge of Hondas with different cosmetics and a bit better tech. -- I always say, ""dam, you can buy a a Nice Lexus for $50K range and they discount too and its a better and more reliable car.."" The Acura people just stare at me like deer in headlights as I walk out the door." Why is Acura so lame, trying to be something their not, Granted Hondas are good reliable everyday cars but can not compete in the Luxury arena.. Especially their service is nothing close to Lexus, they don't even give you a loaner when you come in and that practice is okay to price cars in the $60K's with no special service except to wait in the waiting room or being shuttled to work.. lol (Nothing wrong with Honda/Acura making good/great everyday cars but doesn't mean they can enter the Ring with Lexus, Mercedes, BMW etc, just because they raise the price.)

IS350jet

A 60 thousand dollar all wheel drive Accord!! Wow!! just.............................Wow!!

1QWKGS4

iTrader: (3)

Its not even AWD drive anymore, its FWD w/ AWS ( 4 wheel Steering only not drive) $60k for less car.. yes WOW!

SteVTEC

Depends on the dealership I think. I see plenty of Acura service loaners in my area. Same with BMW dealerships. BMWUSA doesn't guarantee you a loaner and leaves it up to dealerships to figure out their own loaner program. Competitive area here in the DC area so most dealerships have very well stocked loaner fleets, but that's not always the case in less competitive areas.

But yeah..... $60k for an Accord and it's *NOT* even AWD anymore!!! EPIC FAIL

pman6

relax. AWD is coming later

geko29

The point is, the entire concept of a FWD "flagship" for a "luxury" brand is laughable. Nissan barely gets away with it on the Maxima, and they're decidedly downmarket as a brand from where Acura believes they are (they certainly don't entertain this nonsense with their Infiniti brand). Come to think of it, I'd take a Max over this in a heartbeat. If you're going to be stuck with a FWD V6, may as well save twenty grand and get something that doesn't look boring as hell.

FWD should not even be available, especially not at these prices.

Joeb427

iTrader: (1)

and for another what...$3K -$4K?
The car is way overpriced already.
AWD should be standard and in that car now.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

LOL. acura has always done its own thing and has never had rwd at all, and frankly tons of people don't care about awd or rwd for that matter... witness tons of ES sales for example. yes the ES isn't a flagship, but to say the RLX should not even be available as FWD is laughable to me.

regardless, like all here i don't think it's going to sell very well, but i don't buy the 'rule' that a flagship has to be rwd/awd. the autoweek video certainly showed the rear wheel steering counteracts the typical fwd under steer to a good degree. and there's benefits such as space efficiency.

but a non-enthusiast looking for a cushy luxurious sedan with great rear seat room may consider the rlx, along with vehicles like the ES, the toyota avalon, the cadillac XTS and maybe a top-line buick and lincoln too.

spwolf

well it shouldnt be available as FWD at $60k for sure.

I doubt many buyers will cross-shop RLX and ES as the difference in pricing is too big.

LexBob2

The Caddy XTS is selling about 2,000 cars per month which shows there is a market for a pricey FWD/AWD car.

Not a big market, so like others, I doubt that it will be a big seller but certainly better than the late RL.

Vladi

It will a lot more than $3K-$4K since it will employ that ubber hybrid tech with three electric motors, 7 speed dual clutch and some other features. In the best case scenario you are looking around $7k difference and of course there is always a possibility that it will come only in upper trims and no base trim like regular one.

pman6

Let's not forget that Audi sells the FWD A8 in europe.

Acura brought along the E and 5 to compare, which are typically bought by middle aged guys who have 60k to spend.
That's their target market, not you 3-series, IS-driving young folks.