CR comparo: RL, A6, STS, M35, Avalon
CL Community Team
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 30,281
Likes: 362
From: Canada
Originally Posted by Xenthar
The toyota crown is a hot car--my uncle has one. Isnt it like a step above the LS?
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,169
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From: None
Originally Posted by AmethySC
As I said, performance is just one of many criteria CR used, so who cares about 0-60 times? They can do a comparison with whatever cars they want, & it's up to the readers to decide how seriously they take it ( I don't take any of the car mag. or CR comparisons too seriously, they're all highly subjective & it's just entertainment to me ).Didn't we had threads here before that compare the Avalon to the luxury brand Lexus ES330, or even the LS ? There are Toyota Crowns in Japan that's more luxurious than the new GS, so what ? The differentiation between lower end luxury cars & higher end non-luxury name plates are more & more blurred anyway, so what's the problem ?
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Originally Posted by jrock65
The Front Midship platform is much more of an Infiniti platform in the U.S., the G35, G35 Coupe, FX35/45, M35/45 use it. The 350Z, a specialty car that sells 2500 per month, is the only Nissan to use it. Big deal.
Again, why was the GS excluded? It's less than one year old, just like the RL, A6, STS, and M35.
Again, why was the GS excluded? It's less than one year old, just like the RL, A6, STS, and M35.
I don't know though. And TO ME its a big deal. I don't want to plop down that much money on a car that shares its basics with a 26k 350Z. There is nothing WRONG with that method, I just don't prefer it.
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Originally Posted by bitkahuna
Avalon is the best Buick ever made. 
It's pretty big (although Ford 500 is bigger inside and trunk), it's comfy, it's pretty powerful but it will never be called exciting. The large panels of (fake?) aluminum in the center console also look pretty bland. But it's a great value for money, if you want everything a Buick should be. 
I'm not knockin' it - heck I might get one some day!
However, it's not even close to being like the others (RL, A6, STS, M35).
RL has AWD, incredible interior, better exterior looks (IMHO) and will handle better.
A6 has AWD, engine options, incredible interior, better exterior looks (IMHO) and will handle better.
STS has RWD/AWD, engine options, optional active suspension, better exterior looks (IMHO) and will handle way better.
M35 has RWD/AWD, engine options (M45), better exterior looks (IMHO) and will handle way better.
I totally agree. The GS300 is a DIRECT competitor to the others. But CR loves Toyota and practical as you said.
It's pretty big (although Ford 500 is bigger inside and trunk), it's comfy, it's pretty powerful but it will never be called exciting. The large panels of (fake?) aluminum in the center console also look pretty bland. But it's a great value for money, if you want everything a Buick should be. I'm not knockin' it - heck I might get one some day!However, it's not even close to being like the others (RL, A6, STS, M35).
RL has AWD, incredible interior, better exterior looks (IMHO) and will handle better.
A6 has AWD, engine options, incredible interior, better exterior looks (IMHO) and will handle better.
STS has RWD/AWD, engine options, optional active suspension, better exterior looks (IMHO) and will handle way better.
M35 has RWD/AWD, engine options (M45), better exterior looks (IMHO) and will handle way better.
I totally agree. The GS300 is a DIRECT competitor to the others. But CR loves Toyota and practical as you said.
The Avalon has a very up-hill battle, IMO too.
Last edited by LexFather; Jul 7, 2005 at 05:58 PM.
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Originally Posted by AlwaysLate
Where did you hear that from?
The RL doesn't share it's chasis, engine, transmission, AWD system, Navi, interior parts or anything else really with any other Honda, let alone the Accord. In fact, I'd say the Accord and RL are related just as much as the Camry and GS300X are.
I'm curious to hear where you heard the RL is based on the Accord.
The RL doesn't share it's chasis, engine, transmission, AWD system, Navi, interior parts or anything else really with any other Honda, let alone the Accord. In fact, I'd say the Accord and RL are related just as much as the Camry and GS300X are.
I'm curious to hear where you heard the RL is based on the Accord.
1. Civic
2. Accord(global)
3. Odyessy
And basically most all their cars sold here are from one of those 3 platforms. If you don't believe me, look it up or call their customer service or go to a Honda forum. Its the truth.
The RL is again, a stretched Accord global platform. This time, they added the superb SH-AWd system that 99.9% of those owners won't use anyway.
That is not BASHING the car. That is the truth. Its a shared Accord platform. And I know there are like 4 or 5 Accords around
so its off the USDM (American) Accord platform.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,792
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From: so. cal
Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX
Clearly, you name is so appropriate bub. Honda has maybe 2-3 platforms max.
1. Civic
2. Accord(global)
3. Odyessy
And basically most all their cars sold here are from one of those 3 platforms. If you don't believe me, look it up or call their customer service or go to a Honda forum. Its the truth.
The RL is again, a stretched Accord global platform. This time, they added the superb SH-AWd system that 99.9% of those owners won't use anyway.
That is not BASHING the car. That is the truth. Its a shared Accord platform. And I know there are like 4 or 5 Accords around so its off the USDM (American) Accord platform.
1. Civic
2. Accord(global)
3. Odyessy
And basically most all their cars sold here are from one of those 3 platforms. If you don't believe me, look it up or call their customer service or go to a Honda forum. Its the truth.
The RL is again, a stretched Accord global platform. This time, they added the superb SH-AWd system that 99.9% of those owners won't use anyway.
That is not BASHING the car. That is the truth. Its a shared Accord platform. And I know there are like 4 or 5 Accords around
so its off the USDM (American) Accord platform.the honda platforms are proably this
civic
accord
nsx
insight
k-cars
s2000
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Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX
Why is the GS not included. Again I don't know, it would be logical to include it. Maybe they want to see how well the Avalon really is and just how much do you miss buying just a "Toyota" vs the luxury marques.
The Avalon has a very up-hill battle, IMO too.
The Avalon has a very up-hill battle, IMO too.
Rookie
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 76
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From: California
Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX
Clearly, you name is so appropriate bub. Honda has maybe 2-3 platforms max.
1. Civic
2. Accord(global)
3. Odyessy
And basically most all their cars sold here are from one of those 3 platforms. If you don't believe me, look it up or call their customer service or go to a Honda forum. Its the truth.
The RL is again, a stretched Accord global platform. This time, they added the superb SH-AWd system that 99.9% of those owners won't use anyway.
That is not BASHING the car. That is the truth. Its a shared Accord platform. And I know there are like 4 or 5 Accords around so its off the USDM (American) Accord platform.
1. Civic
2. Accord(global)
3. Odyessy
And basically most all their cars sold here are from one of those 3 platforms. If you don't believe me, look it up or call their customer service or go to a Honda forum. Its the truth.
The RL is again, a stretched Accord global platform. This time, they added the superb SH-AWd system that 99.9% of those owners won't use anyway.
That is not BASHING the car. That is the truth. Its a shared Accord platform. And I know there are like 4 or 5 Accords around
so its off the USDM (American) Accord platform.
Your probably right about the Global Platform. However, I bet it's been modified so greatly to accommodate the RL that I wonder what's really left of it that it would relate to any other Honda. I guess it's a win win situation for Honda to use a modified version of their Global Platform for the RL. The cars using the Global Platform from Honda and Acura before the RL happen to be the best-selling model for each brand. And like you said, using such an extremely successful platform like that is definitely not bashing the RL.
And I want to say that they have a lot more than 2-3 platforms. I can think of atleast six different platforms in the U.S. among the Honda and Acura brand (Accord, Odyssey, Civic, Insight, S2000, NSX). I'm not gonna say anything about the European and Japanese models that we don't get here because I don't know much about them. Additionally, there are several totally different Accord's with different platforms worldwide. So I think it's safe to say that they have more than 2-3 platforms max.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,509
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From: MD
Originally Posted by ShadyJC
I just had an Avalon for 4 days courtesy of Hertz and it is a great driving car. Smooth, powerful, quiet, everything you would expect from Toyota. And this was a rental beater too.
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Posts: n/a
Originally Posted by AlwaysLate
Hey thanks for the warm welcome!
Your probably right about the Global Platform. However, I bet it's been modified so greatly to accommodate the RL that I wonder what's really left of it that it would relate to any other Honda. I guess it's a win win situation for Honda to use a modified version of their Global Platform for the RL. The cars using the Global Platform from Honda and Acura before the RL happen to be the best-selling model for each brand. And like you said, using such an extremely successful platform like that is definitely not bashing the RL.
And I want to say that they have a lot more than 2-3 platforms. I can think of atleast six different platforms in the U.S. among the Honda and Acura brand (Accord, Odyssey, Civic, Insight, S2000, NSX). I'm not gonna say anything about the European and Japanese models that we don't get here because I don't know much about them. Additionally, there are several totally different Accord's with different platforms worldwide. So I think it's safe to say that they have more than 2-3 platforms max.
Your probably right about the Global Platform. However, I bet it's been modified so greatly to accommodate the RL that I wonder what's really left of it that it would relate to any other Honda. I guess it's a win win situation for Honda to use a modified version of their Global Platform for the RL. The cars using the Global Platform from Honda and Acura before the RL happen to be the best-selling model for each brand. And like you said, using such an extremely successful platform like that is definitely not bashing the RL.
And I want to say that they have a lot more than 2-3 platforms. I can think of atleast six different platforms in the U.S. among the Honda and Acura brand (Accord, Odyssey, Civic, Insight, S2000, NSX). I'm not gonna say anything about the European and Japanese models that we don't get here because I don't know much about them. Additionally, there are several totally different Accord's with different platforms worldwide. So I think it's safe to say that they have more than 2-3 platforms max.
Yes, Honda is about effeciency from production to MPG. The RL platform has always been Accord based and that is good in cutting costs and the Accord platform is a wonderful platform to start with.
Its sad, that the SH-AWD system is IMO the worlds most advanced AWD system and its inside a car that looks like an Accord, its not being bought by enthusiasts in America and 99.9% of the people won't take advantage of this system.
I would think that with stiffer anti-roll bars, bigger wheels and more agressive gearing, the RL could be a real beast. But it needs to LOOK the part.
Rumors of a RL "coupe" replacement for the Legend/CL coupe is coming. I say let the TL designers design that car and price it around 40k and why buy a 6-series?
Lexus Connoisseur
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,892
Likes: 607
From: USA
Originally Posted by Incendiary
A new Avalon?