LexFather

The Avalon is a streched Camry Platform. The RL is a stretched Accord platform with AWD added.
THe GS is RWD or AWD platform specific.
The funny thing is, I think the Avalon and RL attract the same kind people. Maybe just me.

CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

It is really difficult to say one way or the other if the RL is really a simple stretch Accord platform. Yes, the RL is based from Honda's Global platform that the Accord and many other cars share, but that platform was designed to be universal and easily modified and tweaked for a broad base of vehicles and specifications. In a way, it really is not an Accord platform or a RL platform until the Global Platform is jigged and moddified to be so. Also, I haven't researched this far enough, but the RL chassis/platform might not even be based on the Global Platform and could be an all new specific chassis since it is an aluminum chassis whereas the Accord and other cars are not. I don't know this one way or the other just yet, but I'm sure we will all know sooner or later.

Incendiary

Think it's just you, buddy.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

Yup, the CLS is incredible. Suggest you take this to the Car Chat forum.

On the front cover of my AutoWeek is the Brabus CLS - even my wife who has no interest in cars said it's beautiful.

jrock65

Yeah, must be just you.

I haven't read or heard of a single person cross-shopping the Avalon and the RL.

dseag2

I think it is just you, and it's good to see you couldn't go one day without Acura-bashing. That means it's still top-of-mind for you. As they say, "it's when they STOP talking about you that you have to worry."

Anyway, since I think we've heard every possible opinion on the RL, here are a few excerpts on the M35 from the February issue of Automobile Magazine...

PERFORMANCE
"If you drive the new M hard, you'll know that Infiniti is at last close to being the Japanese BMW. With cars this good, Infiniti's upcoming sixteenth birthday should be sweet."

INTERIOR
"Matte rosewood trim or aluminum swoop and sweep across the M's intstrument panel in a design purportedly inspired by a piano keyboard. Nissan's cost cutters did not show up for this particular recital, so the cabin materials, if not best in class (Audi), are on par with Mercedes and superior to Cadillac."

EXTERIOR
"But Infiniti still hasn't made the turn down Easy Street. Step outside the M, and behold... what? A generic Asian-sedan shape with a big, bland rear bumper, a C-pillar kink borrowed from BMW, and a handsome grille plastered with a logo that's largely meaningless to America's luxury-car buyers. At first glance, you might think the M35/M45 is a gussied-up Nissan Maxima or Altima. This car has lots of style, but it's generic style. Infiniti surely has learned from the FX that captivating design, combined with world-class engineering and performance, is its ticket to the big time."

LexFather

I think the most useful posts have been made and thanks to everyone for a great thread.