While the 2005-2008 Acura RL is a thing of beauty (in my eyes at least); when you think of traditional VIP platforms, you get the Lexus GS, LS, Infiniti Q, and really not very much else…

I’m sure many of you guys have thought about “graduating” from your Civics, Integras, S2000s or “toys” as I like to call them, into a VIP car. It is the natural progression of a car enthusiast. I know that I have thought about it. I thought about getting a 3rd generation Acura TL, but a traditional VIP car in my opinion should have no sporting intentions. And what’s the point when I have an S2000 on the side as the fun car?

I’ve obviously considered the few common platforms. I was really close to picking both a 2nd generation GS and a Y33 Q45, but the appeal of another S2000 won me over at the time. And now as I search for a comfortable daily driver, we’re back to square one…

I got to thinking about Honda’s equivalent to the Lexus LS. We saw a gang of Acura TL’s on the way to and from the Eibach meet. They were really sweet and sounded fantastic, but they weren’t what I was looking for.

…And then it hit me. The old Acura RL. I actually was pondering how I would build one while driving home one day, and for the life of me, I could not even remember how the car looked. There are two reasons why you don’t see them on the road. One, they weren’t all that common compared to the Lexus LS which sold like hotcakes. And two, they are just so bland that you don’t even notice them. Seriously, I can imagine half of them being wiped out in an accident simply because the other driver hadn’t seen it coming.

Certainly the greatest thing about this car if you are coming from a history of Hondas is that it is… just that. In every Honda, everything is positioned in the same place. I know that, having never stepped foot in one. I could immediately locate the mirror adjuster (on the dash to the left of the steering wheel), the sunroof (same place), horns (2 buttons on the steering wheel), and emergency lights (biggest button on the dashboard).

And finally, we get to the discussion about it being a traditional platform. Is it rear wheel driven? No. Does it have a big, quiet V8 under the hood? No. Does it have a marque that is immediately thought of as “luxurious”? No, not really.

But I fail to see why any of this matters in a car where the primary attractions are absolute comfort, ice cold air conditioning, bomb ass beats, and maybe a TV or two. The rest can be taken care of with aftermarket parts. The V6 is a plus now that gas prices are going up. Rear biased staggered wheels on a fwd car is considered sacrilege by some, but I say, as long as the tire sizes are equal front and rear, it’s not too much to worry about. Besides, technically when the tire is more stretched, it has less traction. Nobody is denying that it’s a cosmetic based decision, but if you want to get technical… Another option would be staggered offsets.

My plan? Well they are all fairly cheap, with the 96-99 being the cheapest. The newer models have different bumpers, wheels, and a few more horsepowers – again, nothing that can’t be taken care of with modifications. I would like to pick up one of the earlier models, strap on an Aimgain full kit and maybe some “higher” offset SSR Leon Hardiritt Ordens… on full coilovers of course

Seen here is the Aimgain lip kit with (just a guess) Kenstyle Lock Smice Dukes.

And here is the full Aimgain body kit.