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Entry Level Luxury Performance Sedans

16249 messages,  Last post on Jun 17, 2013 at 9:27 AM

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What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Infiniti G37, Acura TL, Lexus IS 350, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Cadillac CTS, Volvo S60, Audi A4, Acura TSX, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Messages Page 1425 of 1626

#14234 of 16249 Re: DCT [kdshapiro] by kyfdx HOST

Jun 08, 2012 (1:18 pm)

Replying to: kdshapiro (Jun 08, 2012 12:01 pm)
Sort of agree..
 
But, I put the TL and the CTS up one size class from the G, 3 and A4...
 
I got to drive my wife's G37XS for the last three days, while she was out of town... I remain unimpressed (except for when I'm flooring it.... WOW)..
 
 

#14235 of 16249 Re: The next IS [fedlawman] by markcincinnati

Jun 08, 2012 (2:27 pm)

Replying to: fedlawman (Jun 05, 2012 5:52 pm)
Boy did you hit the nail on the head. Acura used to offer only SH-AWD (on the AWD cars) -- and as far as I know Acura's torque vectoring rear diff was on the market before my German fave, Audi, and their sport differential (which provides the same kind of advantage in handling as does SH-AWD, albeit in a RWD biased AWD auto.)
 
Acura used to lead, or at least it appeared that they used to attempt to lead.
 
What have they done, what have they done? Well, look on the lots of one of their dealers -- it is really difficult to find an SH-AWD vehicle (other than the MDX). They seem to not get that FWD doesn't cut it in the Premium class. They could've simply looked at Audi (in the US). I would assume most US customers don't even know that many of Audi's cars are sold as FWD models (elsewhere). In the US, however, virtually all Audis are AWD and they have made their name as pioneers of AWD. Now 40% of BMW sedans sold (in the US) are X-drive models; and even the mighty 7 series can be had with four driven wheels. Much the same can be said about Mercedes -- RWD heritage, AWD sales aplenty here in the US.
 
Acura is cross shopped with Toyota? Of course, because the base products Acura offers are contented more like Toyota or Honda rather than Audi or BMW and with the Germans widespread use of 7 and 8 speed transmissions and Honda, er Acura continuing to bring out NEW cars (e.g., the ILX) with a 5 speed shifter is a dead giveaway.
 
The ILX should have been SH-AWD (only!) and come with -- at bare minimum -- the very fine 6-speed as is found in the TL.
 
The line should adopt the "X" suffix and it should mean "we're all, AWD" models. The new RDX comes out and it goes with the cheaper FWD biased AWD and eschews SH-AWD (and the thing can be had as an FWD -- who's dumb idea was that?)
 
The new ILX comes out, FWD only, wimpy engine and when auto equipped has the long since forgotten (by the Germans and other Premium Japanese brands) 5-speed (what were they thinking?)
 
My 2012 TL Advance w/SH-AWD should be the only way this car should be sold (in SH-AWD form, that is), and there should be a bunch more options to choose from and an "S" version to keep things interesting.
 
I think, too, the new RLX will be stillborn -- who will pay for an RLX when they can have an Audi A6 3.0T Prestige for about the same price?
 
Acura is the new Genesis, they just don't know it yet. I never would have imagined that Genesis cars and Equus autos could be sold at a Hyundai dealership, but here in Cincinnati the inventory of Genesis and Equus cars seems quite deep and I see them on the road virtually every day -- even the Equus.
 
So, Acura should fold up its separate dealership network and move back in with mom and dad -- sell Acuras as higher priced Hondas, just like Hyundai sells Genesis cars as a separate line, but from the same dealership.
 
And the reason that Lexus can "get away" with using some Toyotas as donor cars, is that the finished product -- from Lexus -- shares little with Toyota in its looks and interior.
 
My TL has waaaaaaay too much Honda in it, is my point.
 
Audis USED to have a whole bunch of VW in them -- over time Audi became a little less VW as every model year passed. Now, there certainly is "something" that reminds me of Audi in a new CC -- but there is virtually nothing in an Audi that reminds me of VW. Acuras are very nice, very smooth, apparently very high resale value cars and very much like "Hondas who know somebody."
 
The Premium class will miss Acura when it finally fades away.
 
I say all of the above not as a disatisfied Acura owner -- quite the contrary, the 2012 TL is very nice -- I'd give it an A-. It may be, however, that Acura has given up. It no longer wants to be the Japanese Audi. It never did want to be the Japanese BMW. I don't know what it wants to be anymore -- but it had better figure it out soon.
 
For the record, I've never liked Lexus -- until this year, with their new more sporting, less sofa-like, cars (esp the GS). I am liking, more and more all the time, Infiniti, helped by the fact that my wife now has 30K miles on her 2011 FX35, and for a CUV, this thing is as impressive at 30,000 as it was at 1 (mile); and the M's are worth comparing to A6 and 5 series if you ask me.
 
The only company that seems to be sailing the seas rudderless is Acura.
 
More's the pity.

#14236 of 16249 Re: DCT [kyfdx] by kdshapiro

Jun 08, 2012 (10:13 pm)

Replying to: kyfdx (Jun 08, 2012 1:18 pm)
Love the g. The size is perfect. And yes, it is fast and rides like it is on rails. I'm unimpressed with the a4 and TL.
 
Plus there are rumors of a 530 hp ipl. The next few years will be interesting.

#14237 of 16249 Re: DCT [kdshapiro] by sweendogy

Jun 09, 2012 (6:45 am)

Replying to: kdshapiro (Jun 08, 2012 10:13 pm)
Nice - and I remain impressed with my old g35x with 31k miles drives nice for a 5 year old with bald tires- i dont let my wife drive it, my maintence costs over the 5 years were about the same as a civic+ the 10 plus I paid less then a 335xi - performance + power at a cheaper price I think this car has been a home run.
 
I like the Audi a4/s4 look- would love an s4, stick, quatro - they are a little front heavy and not cheap but it's a nice rig. The TL in current form and long name Should go away. Someone mentioned folding Acura into honda - makes since but I don't see it happening - and they just spent 1.5m on a Super Bowl commercial.

#14238 of 16249 Re: DCT [kdshapiro] by flightnurse

Jun 09, 2012 (9:22 am)

Replying to: kdshapiro (Jun 08, 2012 10:13 pm)
The G37 makes more HP then a BMW 335, but the BMW is quicker 0-60 and in the quarter miles. It appears that BMW laps Willow Springs "Street" track as well as "race" track quicker then a G37. So I guess this does make it a better deal...

#14239 of 16249 Re: DCT [kyfdx] by flightnurse

Jun 09, 2012 (9:28 am)

Replying to: kyfdx (Jun 08, 2012 1:18 pm)
I'm not too sure about the CTS being one size up on the 3 series, that CTS is very tight in the back seat as well as drivers seat....I rented one for a week and was no impressed with it at all..

#14240 of 16249 Re: DCT [flightnurse] by kdshapiro

Jun 09, 2012 (10:51 am)

Replying to: flightnurse (Jun 09, 2012 9:22 am)
I agree, and if you followed my posts over time you know my first love is BMW. However the g37 is a sweet package. According to goodcarbadcar.net, it's the second best japanese luxury seller after the rx.
 
Also rented a CTS and agree with your comments.

#14241 of 16249 Re: DCT [kdshapiro] by sweendogy

Jun 09, 2012 (12:20 pm)

Replying to: kdshapiro (Jun 09, 2012 10:51 am)
BMW is the best for sure, but throwing dollars in the debate it's a lot closer.

#14242 of 16249 ILX- Ridiculous by dino001

Jun 10, 2012 (1:47 pm)

I just checked Acura's website. So ILX w/6-speed manual (FWD) is 30 grand. This is demented - souped up Civic at price of fully loaded Accord (including Nav). Makes no sense whatsoever to me. TSX is basically superior car in every dimension, but I suspect it costs them too much. Too low sales to support bringing all-different chassis vs. having something run on volume seller. The only one that could make some sense is hybrid - at 34 grand it is positioned to compete with Lexus CT (which goes higher when you load it up). Definietely not ELLPS, but may find its niche.
Who is running their marketing? I want a name.

#14243 of 16249 ILX yes rediculous by wireless

Jun 10, 2012 (1:31 pm)

Marketing? How about their design department? Can't figure out who would actually purchase that ugly thing.

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