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Where is Honda taking Acura?

1091 messages,  Last post on Apr 01, 2013 at 7:55 AM

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What is this discussion about? Acura, Automotive News

Messages Page 108 of 110

#1070 of 1091 Re: Where's The Media Buzz? [hpmctorque] by smarty666

Feb 14, 2011 (7:34 am)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Feb 14, 2011 6:08 am)
I think some of the change made to the MMC will help improve sales a little bit, especially the grill change, but not that much of a difference. I think will have to wait for the 5G to come out. Except for the TSX wagon, nothing new is coming out this year. Will have to wait till 2012 to see any major redesigns and/or new models.

#1071 of 1091 Re: Where's The Media Buzz? [steve_] by hpmctorque

Feb 14, 2011 (7:50 am)

Replying to: steve_ (Feb 14, 2011 6:47 am)
A three mpg improvement is indeed significant. However, I think Acura has taken a wrong turn in recent years with styling (personal, I know). Just as importantly, it's not as compelling from a value standpoint as it was a few years ago. Taken together, add the fact that many people find it harder to define the brand, and Acura is significantly less aspiratioal than it used to be. That's too bad. because of the Asian brands, I think Honda has the best engineering talent for unseating BMW in the luxury market. Unfortunately, it lacks the management and marketing leadership to do it. Consequently, Infiniti does a better job of competing with BMW than Acura.
 
A luxury brand must be aspirational, to justify the premium pricing over its mass market counterparts.
  
I think Honda's biggest mistake was to not convert its Acura models to RWD, as Infiniti has done. SW-AWD isn't enough, since it still lacks the near 50-50 front/rear weight distribution that RWD would provide. The decision to not offer a V8 is less critical, given the times, in my opinion.

#1072 of 1091 Re: Where's The Media Buzz? [hpmctorque] by steve_ HOST

Feb 14, 2011 (7:48 am)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Feb 14, 2011 7:50 am)
Honestly, since BMW and Infiniti and Mercedes all have those confusing alpha-numberic names, Acura could immediately distinguish themselves by renaming their cars to something catchy.
 
How many people refer to the renamed MX-5 as a Miata? All of them?
 
Like stylings, that's my personal irritation. Occupational hazard around here for me too.

#1073 of 1091 Re: Where's The Media Buzz? [steve_] by hpmctorque

Feb 14, 2011 (7:58 am)

Replying to: steve_ (Feb 14, 2011 7:48 am)
I agree with you on this, but drive configuration is still a higher priority for me, for a sporty car. Would you choose FWD Miata or a RWD MX-5, hypothetically?
 
To be clear, I think FWD is preferable to RWD for most applications. Hondas perform beautifully with FWD, for their intended purpose. Acuras, for the most part, would fare better with RWD.

#1074 of 1091 Re: Where's The Media Buzz? [hpmctorque] by steve_ HOST

Feb 14, 2011 (8:10 am)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Feb 14, 2011 7:58 am)
Wrong guy to ask. I could probably drive a FWD roadster year round up here. Can't justify having one that sits in the garage for six months.
 
Knowing me, if I could find a hot deal on an old BRG one with a tan top, I'd go buy Blizzaks for it and take my chances.
 
The TSX wagon does look pretty good from some angles. Don't care for the fender bumps much.

#1075 of 1091 Re: Where's The Media Buzz? [hpmctorque] by nippononly

Feb 14, 2011 (8:48 am)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Feb 14, 2011 6:08 am)
I am amazed Acura sells any cars these days. They went from a lineup of exciting desirable cars to a bunch of boring same-looking crap in ten short years. Lay down 30-35 large for an Acura with all the other good stuff in that price range these days? What, are you kidding me??
 
But oh wait, now they have a TSX WAGON (4-cylinder, automatic ONLY) - yeah, that will solve their problems (not).....

#1076 of 1091 Re: Where's The Media Buzz? [steve_] by hpmctorque

Feb 14, 2011 (8:49 am)

Replying to: steve_ (Feb 14, 2011 8:10 am)
Yeah, snow tires can compensate for a significant percentage of the traction advantage of FWD, and maybe all of it when going uphill, since there's a weight transfer from front to rear when when climbing.
 
I generally like the TSX, sedan and wagon, but the designers must have had small feet. Ever check how little foot room there is between the door and the seat cushion of the rear seat? If you haven't, and are considering a TSX, do yourself a favor and climb in and out of the back. My shoes are no more than average length for a guy, and I find entry and exit to be very skimpy for a car this size. An Acura salesman acknowledged that others have also commented about this. A mid-size 4-door, especially a near-luxury one, shouldn't have this limitation. I think for the U.S. market the wagon should have been the U.S. Accord.
 
As with the TL, I'd take a pass on this generation TSX. because I think it's just okay, rather than special, the way Acuras used to be. Maybe the next generation Acuras will get their mojo back.

#1077 of 1091 direction by gs42

Feb 14, 2011 (9:00 am)

The TL was once at the top of the wish list for me. Sometimes Japanese styling loses its way and goes off course. Admitting it and fixing it is not a strong point of the companies and saving face seems more important than the fix. The newer TL is hideous at some angles with a clown face and a bulbous rear. I think it is still a great car in all other respects and could be back in the game with a sheet metal makeover. The TL was once the most understated and classy street sleeper of the time. Acura is fading fast and needs to wake up soon.

#1078 of 1091 From a former Acura owner by car_dude

Feb 14, 2011 (10:17 am)

I can talk from the experience - our family owned two TL cars - 2002 and 2008 (both were leased).
 
I loved TL styling from beginning of 2000's - it was large car with good presence, with nice set of features and attractive design. I am a tall guy and I felt comfortable in that TL, it was sufficiently tall and wide for me. I felt sad when I turned my 02 TL in.
 
Then came redesigned mid 2000's mode - smaller body, less room for my height and more expensive. I didn't like TL getting smaller, but high-tech features and handling improvements were exciting. Those features came with the price, all of the sudden mid-$300 leases were nowhere to be found. Eventually we got reasonable deal on 08 TL, as a larger car and easier on the budget replacement to BMW 3-series.
 
In the end - it's not in the same league as BMW, the handling is no match, the only advantage is hi-tech gadgets and more spacious interior. Entire 3 yrs we had 08 TL - we wished we had something else...
 
And them came the current ugly design of TL. Now TL is so un-attractive, we didn't even consider it and went back to BMW 3-series (we are paying only $55 more for 335i over TL) and could not be happier.
 
We also considered Acura MDX as a second car, but went with a German SUV product instead - it was actually cheaper to lease than MDX.
 
To summarize, Acura brand is on a decline - they are loosing on both design and on pricing. They still have the reliability and low maintenance going for them (as with all Honda products) - we had ZERO mechanical issues with one Honda and two Acura vehicles we owned. But overall appeal of the brand is fading, it's sad to see Acura going from innovator to what it is today.

#1079 of 1091 Re: From a former Acura owner [car_dude] by stickguy

Feb 14, 2011 (12:18 pm)

Replying to: car_dude (Feb 14, 2011 10:17 am)
I am actually backward from you on the TL. I have a MY 2000, and it still looks sharp to me (maybe a tad dated, but it is 11 years old!). It was also a fantastic value when it came out (that versin). I almost bought one in 2001, but actually found it to not have enough head room (I have a long torso and proportionally short legs for my height). Just could not get comfy in it, as I like to sit upright, not all leaned back.
 
The one I have was inherited from my sister, and is my sons car.
 
But, the 2005 redesign, I loved that one. I fit great in it, and thought the styling (and the interior improvements) made it a vastly better car. I would consider a used one at some point, except I won't buy another Honda V6/AT in my life.
 
the new one actually doesn't bother me too much, though the beak should go (you can replace that I think), in the right color. A neighbor had one for a few days visiting in a dark navy blue, and it looked really, really sharp.
 
a little to big though for my current tastes. The TSX is a nice size though, and just needs a beak job to look fine. Drives really well too.

Messages Page 108 of 110

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