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2008 CHICAGO AUTO SHOW: Is The New Acura RL A Stud Or A Dud?

The Chicago Auto Show brought us several new cars, but the most controversial had to be the new Acura RL.  Down almost 11% in sales in 2007 Acura is rapidly loosing market share.  A careful redesign is in order or Acura will continue it’s downward spiral. 

 But is the new RL what you were expecting?  To the Spies it looks like the new RL was kicked out of the design room more half baked than fully cooked.

 So take a look at the shots again and tell us if the new RL is a Stud or a Dud?
2008 CHICAGO AUTO SHOW: Is The New Acura RL A Stud Or A Dud?



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MonkMonk - 2/7/2008 5:06:23 PMView My AgentSpace
+12 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
I'm sorry, Acura.



Dud.

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davidedavide - 2/7/2008 11:27:52 PM
+7 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
what has happened to acura? 3rd bad design in a row... time to think about a big shakeup in the design studio
. it took a while but even bmw admits when their design chief stinks.. maybe you need to promote the guy.


cckwcckw - 2/8/2008 12:16:53 PM
0 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Yeah! Fire Dave!


LastAcuraLastAcura - 2/8/2008 12:22:02 PM
+2 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Right on, it's an Unbelievable DUDDDDDDD!!!!

Wow, a $50k car with headlights swiped from the new Subaru Impreza (also a major DUD), overall styling stolen from a $20k Accord meets 2001 Acura TL and a grill that doubles as a retractable snow plow (perhaps a feature for us in the snow belt?). Pretty futuristic styling guys, probably would have wowed the crowds in 1987 certainly not in 2008. If I want a computer on wheels, I'll plug my laptop into the cigarette lighter, if I want a "Advanced" driving experience I'll be buying the competition.

As a past and current Acura owner (3 vehicles so far) it is shocking to me at how far Acura has lost it's way from the 'Hay Days' of the Integra & Legend franchise.

Bye, bye Acura - call me when you want to be serious car company again.


ericisamazing335ericisamazing335 - 2/7/2008 5:06:29 PMView My AgentSpace
+12 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
DUDDDD why did they do this to that poor RL?

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GTR35GTR35 - 2/7/2008 5:09:04 PMView My AgentSpace
+9 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
How many times do you want to embarrass Acura 009?

DDd U U DDd
D D U U D D
D D U U D D
DDd UUUU DDd

reply to this comment
GTR35GTR35 - 2/7/2008 5:11:45 PMView My AgentSpace
+4 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
DDd U U DDd
D D U U D D
D D U U D D
DDd UUUU DDd

reply to this comment
Htay7500Htay7500 - 2/7/2008 5:22:30 PM
+12 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
I wish acura did this years and years ago.

sry acura. dud.

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Fadywwf316Fadywwf316 - 2/7/2008 5:25:02 PM
+8 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Why are people apologizing to Acura...DUD and I'm not sorry...I'm sorry for considering it as a car...glad I didn't wait and went with a CTS!

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SilverAeroSilverAero - 2/7/2008 5:28:56 PM
+12 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Dud. They replaced bland with ugly.

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cericceric - 2/7/2008 6:56:55 PM
+6 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Well said.


lexusis350lexusis350 - 2/7/2008 5:29:03 PM
0 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Coming: dud
Going: stud

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ChipChip - 2/7/2008 5:35:11 PM
+8 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Total 100% DUD !!!

This car has really made Acura's future look sketchy.



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PlanBPlanB - 2/7/2008 5:35:36 PM
+8 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
It went from not bad to not relevant. DUD.

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utahnkidutahnkid - 2/7/2008 5:35:57 PM
+8 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
I wanted to see Acura do really well with this and I was even looking at it with a pretty forgiving eye but I just can't justify the exterior looks.

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CarboyCarboy - 2/7/2008 5:36:59 PMView My AgentSpace
+7 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
brammerbrammer - 2/7/2008 5:40:19 PM
+8 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
why are they having so much trouble designing this thing??

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BMW4me4everBMW4me4ever - 2/7/2008 5:46:17 PMView My AgentSpace
+6 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
acura apparently thought the shield look is in? next thing they will be selling lances as side mirrors.

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mini22mini22 - 2/7/2008 5:52:44 PM
+6 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
This is an over 40 grand car.What does it offer over the Cadillac CTS other then AWD. I can't imagine the handling is any better. Exterior wize it's a Dud. Infact the new TSX will be a dud as well because the styling is to bloated and rounded. I think they need a new stylist.

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theoptimisticpessimisttheoptimisticpessimist - 2/7/2008 6:00:11 PM
+9 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Five reasons the RL is complete dud.

1. STYLING, the most obvious. They’ve taken a mediocre design and made look like a mediocre Saturn.
2. ENGINE questionably competitive 300 BHP out of a 3.7 L. bested by Infiniti, and torque figures are low for and engine of this size. A single over-head cam is nothing to brag about. NO V8
3. TRANSMISSION, 5 speed automatics are antiquated, good Lord even the Chevrolet Malibu has a 6 speed in it, pathetic.
4. SIZE, still smaller in side than a Accord.
5. PRICE, Acura has delusions of grandeur that this competes against the M, 5er,E, or GS, it doesn’t, people look at this car then look at G, 3er, and ES’s, and buy them. This car is grossly over priced at 50k and about right at 35K.

The previous RL was a joke and so is this one, it’s just not funny anymore

Good luck Acura, you’re gonna need it.


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S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 2/7/2008 8:45:40 PMView My AgentSpace
+7 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
"The previous RL was a joke and so is this one, it’s just not funny anymore"

LOL. I had to laugh at that.


no1listensanywayno1listensanyway - 2/7/2008 6:08:37 PMView My AgentSpace
+5 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
no1listensanywayno1listensanyway - 2/7/2008 6:08:38 PMView My AgentSpace
+4 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
jeffy210jeffy210 - 2/7/2008 6:16:21 PM
+6 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
I had high hopes for the redesign, but sadly: dud.

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KyleKyle - 2/8/2008 12:39:50 AM
+3 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Didn't Acura learn anything from the last RL??????

What a POS


JanizaryJanizary - 2/7/2008 6:28:23 PMView My AgentSpace
+8 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Dud

Makeup on a pig is still makeup on a pig.

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checkNbalancecheckNbalance - 2/7/2008 7:53:23 PM
+7 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Truth be Told,

It's Been Down Hill For Acura Since the Minute The Legend Became The RL...

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S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 2/7/2008 8:51:33 PMView My AgentSpace
+5 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
And at least the Phaeton was attractive and ultra-luxurious.

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answeranswer - 2/7/2008 6:43:27 PMView My AgentSpace
+6 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Acura was trying to do a re-fresh on the styling to spark new interest.

So, if you're measuring based upon intent...DUD.

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bawlwokrbawlwokr - 2/7/2008 7:06:19 PM
+5 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
hella dud.

so far the score is Dud 25, Stud 0.

Honda, are you listening? Who's your target market, Acura? Transformer fans with $50k to drop on a car?

reply to this comment
lyonboylyonboy - 2/7/2008 7:18:15 PM
+7 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
If this car were $45K loaded, maybe. Otherwise they should pull the RL from the market until they can make a real car.

reply to this comment
gasguzzlergasguzzler - 2/7/2008 7:20:47 PM
+6 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
DUD!

If Acura screws up the styling of the new TSX and TL, then the company is done. I want to like them but you just can't compete with duds.

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iamdabest1iamdabest1 - 2/7/2008 7:25:57 PM
+8 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
total crap, looks like a honda accord. i think im one of the few guys on this site that likes the accord.

for a Halo car, the RL does nothing to enhance the luxury image of Acura. makes them look like a 2nd tier brand.
i think volvo s80 is better than this in evcery way. i wont even start with a6, m35x, 535, e350. those cars trounce the RL.

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DustbusterDustbuster - 2/7/2008 7:31:21 PM
+6 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
The thought process must have been: "Well, Americans favor vehicles like Cadillacs, Hummers, Dodge Rams, and the F-Series, all of which have prominent or shield-like grills. So if we slap one on the RL..."
Huge Dud because can you believe that no one within Honda/Acura put a stop to this madness?

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DaHarderDaHarder - 2/7/2008 7:49:17 PM
+14 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Definite DUD!

Allow me To Quote - Myself,

"Ok,

This, IMO, marks the unquestionable 'Beginning Of The End' for the Acura brand.

With a full appreciation for them having started the Premium Japanese market (in the U.S.), I feel that it's finally time for them to prepare their concession speech, and allow Infiniti and Lexus to carry out the mission at hand... Because with (lack of) efforts like this and the new TSX, they apparently have neither the talent nor the desire to truly compete in this market any longer.

Acura 1986 - 2010 R.I.P."

Enough Said!

reply to this comment
ghosthunterghosthunter - 2/7/2008 8:29:25 PM
-1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
we have yet to see the new TSX.
and RL has never brought much profit for Acura anyway.


atomicbriatomicbri - 2/9/2008 8:39:21 AMView My AgentSpace
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
I saw the next TSX, it is the Euro Accord and from the side looks like a Ford Fusion.


ThierryHenry14ThierryHenry14 - 2/7/2008 7:58:45 PM
+4 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Its a DUD! doesnt look like it changed much...

reply to this comment
bmwfan1513bmwfan1513 - 2/7/2008 8:13:07 PM
+5 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
ghosthunterghosthunter - 2/7/2008 8:27:57 PM
+4 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
I think they should let the Japan designer design the RL.

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Bmw8terBmw8ter - 2/7/2008 8:34:23 PM
+3 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
....hope i'm not being too opinionated.

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SilverAeroSilverAero - 2/7/2008 8:50:04 PM
+9 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Wow going through the comments, it appears that we can all agree on something.

reply to this comment
KZ258KZ258 - 2/8/2008 12:46:30 AM
+3 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
LOL!



M53RM53R - 2/8/2008 12:50:59 PMView My AgentSpace
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Thats a 1st timer for sure!


ILikeLamboILikeLambo - 2/9/2008 10:35:49 PM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
LMFAO!!! coz its true


TauronB2GTauronB2G - 2/7/2008 9:19:37 PM
+5 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Amazing DUD!!!

reply to this comment
S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 2/7/2008 9:23:58 PMView My AgentSpace
+8 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Dud.

This is really sad.

I don't know what's going to happen to them. But IMO, Honda should fire the whole company. Every. One. Of. Them.

Start fresh. We know Honda has the engineering right... but they need DESIGNERS. That's what sells luxury cars above all else--they look good inside and out, thus they make the driver feel good.

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Homer008Homer008 - 2/7/2008 9:50:50 PM
+4 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Acura had it. Now, I'm losing hope for Acura designs..Acura is giving honda a not so great name.

Acura needs half of infiniti's designers talent in them.

reply to this comment
BigShow50BigShow50 - 2/7/2008 10:08:58 PM
+10 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
This RL is just a New Accord on Steroids!!!!...Boy did they shit the bed on design!!!

reply to this comment
EL34EL34 - 2/7/2008 10:09:31 PM
+6 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Honda should be ashamed of themselves for designing this pile of $h!t!!!

reply to this comment
pchera01pchera01 - 2/7/2008 10:16:19 PM
+7 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
DUD
DUD
DUD
DUD
DUD


reply to this comment
BoredBored - 2/7/2008 10:20:10 PM
+6 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
DUD!

An absolute piece of crap. It reminds me of the plastic body cladding used on GM vehicles from the late '80's thru the early '00 (especially Pontiac). I would be more than happy to purchase a loaded Hyundai Genesis and pocket the $15K.

...Hell, I wouldn't even drive it if I won it in a raffle! This is probably a sign that the new NSX will suck, too.

BTW Agent 009: fix the pic link. I had to go onto worldcarfans just to see this abomination.

reply to this comment
rscaffidirscaffidi - 2/7/2008 11:14:10 PM
+7 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
dud da dud dud......DUUUUUUD!! A face not even a mother could love

reply to this comment
Atenza28Atenza28 - 2/7/2008 11:14:52 PMView My AgentSpace
+4 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Acura has lost relevance. I'm not sure what they are trying to accomplish. Unless it's Bankruptcy and complete brand failure, they are doing an awful job. The RL, definite DUD!!!

reply to this comment
g2okg2ok - 2/7/2008 11:43:06 PM
+4 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
It is Dud !
Acura is incompetent for putting that cheap-look grill on the Rl, TL or TSX. Time for flushing.

Also, they need to fire the guys that made the center stack on the MDX and new Accord. Very poor.

reply to this comment
528i528i - 2/7/2008 11:44:47 PMView My AgentSpace
-9 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
it looks better than the 5er and the GS.

reply to this comment
S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 2/8/2008 10:31:29 AMView My AgentSpace
+3 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Have you ever seen a 550i Sport or a GS450h???


0to600to60 - 2/8/2008 12:35:30 PM
+5 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Everyone for the first time was ALMOST in agreement. Then you had to f%!* it up with a dumb post. There always has to be one idiot in the bunch...


g2okg2ok - 2/7/2008 11:45:19 PM
+4 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
I would add that the prototype Honda Pilot was very ugly. Honda-Acura have some real design and ergonomic problems lately.

I predict their sales will drop like a Zeplin.

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valhallakeyvalhallakey - 2/9/2008 2:41:46 AM
0 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Hey I resent that... Zeppelin rose on 10 Dec 2007 and everyone said it was fantastic!!!! However for Acura to truly compete they have to get the wheels out to the edges more, with the engine in front of the font axles it makes for an unwieldy front overhang and negative affect on the handling... the overall styling is rough as well... no real elegance... Interior looks like they are stealing ideas from a number of other car makers and maching it all together.. Volvo/Infinity/Mercedes?


KyleKyle - 2/8/2008 12:35:23 AM
+3 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD

DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD

DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD

DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD

reply to this comment
senorgatosenorgato - 2/8/2008 1:06:19 AM
+5 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
I'm a huge, huge, Acura fan, but this is nothing short of disgusting. Lexus and Infiniti dealers are laughing their asses off and counting their commissions while Acura dealers are submitting applications to Lexus and Infiniti for jobs.

reply to this comment
0to600to60 - 2/8/2008 12:37:29 PM
+2 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
^^^Rosko!?! Are you blind!?!


ILikeLamboILikeLambo - 2/9/2008 10:42:27 PM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
maybe rosko feels sorry for it?


ILikeLamboILikeLambo - 2/9/2008 10:43:57 PM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
it is a DUD tho


M3ownsM3owns - 2/8/2008 1:55:59 AM
+3 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Iam so sorry but everytime I look at this car i feel like I want to throw up. Its a DUD

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Lyle74Lyle74 - 2/8/2008 2:30:27 AM
+2 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
It's not much different from the '08, but that grille has to go!! Dud!

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StepYaGameUpStepYaGameUp - 2/8/2008 4:43:37 AM
+2 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
I kind of like it. Stud.






NOT!

reply to this comment
shaymasdaddyshaymasdaddy - 2/8/2008 8:00:48 AM
+2 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Definitely a DUD. Acura...are you listening to this feedback?!?

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finishlinefinishline - 2/8/2008 8:02:53 AM
+4 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Put me down as another guy who REALLY WANTS to love Acura, but this is bad. The RL was bland before, but not offensive. Now it's actually hard to look at.

Sales are bad now. Watch them plummet. No one who's buying in this price range will be interested.

reply to this comment
_43LE_43LE - 2/8/2008 8:30:42 AM
+4 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
This is almost a rhetorical question.

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thisismynamethisismyname - 2/8/2008 9:51:26 AM
+3 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
DUD DUD DUD
Something is really wrong with Acura these days.. They completely screwed up the four door TSX, I pray the rumours of a TSX coupe and a TSX convertible are not based on the 4-door design.. Hopefully a radical difference like the 4-door and 2-door civic.. The 2door looks like it was designed well, the four looks like crap.. fingers crossed that this is what they did with the TSX.

Now the RL.. the previous design, not generation, was great in my opinion, tons of technology, decent design, decently powered V6 engine and SH-awd.. A great step with the new designed RL.
Now what has happened here? Rumour has it that they are working on the next generation RL as well as the replacement NSX.

It looks like they didn't pay any attention to improving the current gen RL at all, in fact they did the opposite.. they handicapped it by doing nothing their target market asked for! In a MMC (mid-model-change) you should contour the car twords the errors/flaws made in the original design.

Customer: The car needed a little edgier styling

Acura: Ok, we'll give it a horrid grille and sharpen some of those smooth curves making it "boxier"!

Customer: The 5 speed transmission is archaic, more gears please!

Acura: Ok, we'll put the same one in the 09RL-MMC. Too much research to put more gears into this current MMC, remember the last time we added more gears to a tranny? The TL problem we had in the 99-03 TLs... extended transmission warranty to all almost all TLs in that year, too much heat was causing the gears to fry and ruin your tranny.. maybe next RL.

Customer: Nice V6, but the V6 is not a V8, we want a V8 option.

Acura: Here's 10 more horses, is that what you meant?

Customer: Love the SH-awd, wouldn't the RL sell a little better if the SH-AWD is an option, or at least allow the consumer to adjust the front/rear power ratios, allowing the car to feel like a rear wheel drive car (like the R8 - RS4 comparo here on autospies, the R8 feels like a RWD and the RS4 feels like it is a FWD, R8 - 80% power to the rear wheels and the RS$ gives 60% to the rear. Both are still AWD, but the feel is different. Agreed the engine placement had most of the reason for the handling difference, the front/rear ratios did play their role.

Acura : We have said the SH-AWD will be a staple in the Acura brand, therefore you will have it and enjoy it.


Bottom line seems like Acura has taken all their design team and got them working on the future acura line up, not caring about the current line up. It was upsetting to see the MMC RL so bland whilst hearing the VP chat about how technically advanced it is.. Ok, so you made a technically advanced piece of cr**, and are holding it up like a trophy for the world to see... "look everybody, we made a piece of crap, that can tell you what the weather is going to be like on the drive home!!"



reply to this comment
klipprandklipprand - 2/8/2008 10:26:53 AM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
DUD.

Come on Acura. The grille just looks stupid!

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zskylarzskylar - 2/8/2008 11:21:59 AM
+2 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
I drove the original RL when it first came out then drove the Infiniti M and was stunned by the difference. The Acura was a dud then and this looks no better.

reply to this comment
c36amgc36amg - 2/8/2008 11:24:46 AMView My AgentSpace
0 BoostDrop the Boost