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KingRA
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One more thing. Acura could add a plug in sport hybrid car that is light weight and goes up against the Lotus Elise. Imagine Acura with all these changes including this and the ones I mentioned before. Every Acura besides the ILX should come standard with auto-swivel headlights, rear heated seats and cooled seats should be an option on all Acuras outside of the models its standard on. Panaroma roof should also be optional equip. on Acuras as well as Heated and Cooled Steering Wheel and power sunshade should be an option on every model except for the ones standard. Ultraroof should be available for RLX, Legend, MDX, NSX Grand Saloon, and future larger Truck. They can also do a small CUV based on the European Civic CUV coming out soon and call it the IDX with a turbo engine and sports suspension forthe ppl who miss the old RDX. I think they should do all of these ideas. Night Vision should be optional on TSX models and up and standard on RLX, Legend, Larger truck over MDX, ZDX, NSX, NSX Grand Saloon. Acura should also get with Apple and creat the Acura branded I-Phone. Ppl are suckers for stuff like that.Also add designer trim packages to different models (ralph laruen black Label, Swiss Army etc)ALL back up cameras on Acuras should be standard and multiview since the regular backup camera is now standard on the Accord. THEY SHOULD DO ALL THESE THINGS AND WITH THE CORRECT MARKETING AND A GLOBAL BRAND AND HONDA ENGINEERING AND RELIABILTY, THIS LINEUP WOULD TAKE OVER THE WORLD.
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owequitit
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danielgr wrote:
tnkgrl wrote:
[...]
34 RL's last month? Ouch.
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Making fun of the RL is fun but pointless, if you consider it's imported from Japan, now 8 years old, and will be replaced in a few months. You could make much better fun on the ZDX for example, which shows a clearly failed attempt at differentiation when following the pre-crisis route towards excess. When the new RL comes we will see if the post-crisis one towards rationality manages better.
Back to the topic, I do wonder though what RWD or flagship resulted on the RDX doubling its YTD sales on its road to challenge for Acura's second spot. I guess it had more to do with offering an all-around excellent vehicle which returns a ton of value for the "luxury" buyer money. Personally, I believe that is what made Acura sell in the past, and would be surprised if anything else worked in the future.
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No Daniel, they are not onto something, they simply had nowhere to go but up.
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owequitit
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danielgr wrote:
owequitit wrote:
danielgr wrote:
tnkgrl wrote:
[...]
34 RL's last month? Ouch.
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Making fun of the RL is fun but pointless, if you consider it's imported from Japan, now 8 years old, and will be replaced in a few months. You could make much better fun on the ZDX for example, which shows a clearly failed attempt at differentiation when following the pre-crisis route towards excess. When the new RL comes we will see if the post-crisis one towards rationality manages better.
Back to the topic, I do wonder though what RWD or flagship resulted on the RDX doubling its YTD sales on its road to challenge for Acura's second spot. I guess it had more to do with offering an all-around excellent vehicle which returns a ton of value for the "luxury" buyer money. Personally, I believe that is what made Acura sell in the past, and would be surprised if anything else worked in the future.
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Daniel, you are being a turd (as usual).
34 cars is a complete, utter, and unexcusable failure. Period. Claiming record sales months in relationship to this car is REALLY stupid, because this car hasn't mustered decent sales since 2005 when it debuted. 400% increase over nothing is still nothing.
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Talk for you owe, for you alone.
If anything, one of my points was precisely how pointless it is to use the current RL sales as the measure for anything.
Now, if you have anything to discuss the main point of my post (which addresses the OP question), you are welcome.
PS: On any well-moderated board your habit of starting any reply to me with an insult would be deemed worth of expulsion. I know I know, there are un-hidden rules in TOV.
Wonder what happened with the not so hidden ones:
1.Respect. Submissions containing personal attacks (flaming) will not be tolerated. [...] Respect is the key element here. Submissions in violation of this policy may be subject to removal without warning. Offending users may also be subject to loss of their posting privileges, without warning.
2.Agree to disagree. By participating in TOV discussions, you acknowledge that while you are free to express your opinion, others may not share your position, and they are free to disagree with you.
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Daniel, the difference is that I insult you in the open. You simply attempt to insult people by talking down to them, making snide comments and pretending your intellect is so far above them nobody will catch it. I put up with that for nearly 8 years on here and I got tired of it. Insults are insults whether you are coy with them or not. First it was general with comments like how fat/stupid Americans are, then it evolved into personal.
The fact that you are as reliable as the sunrise to come and explain away all of Honda's faults merely adds substance to hang you with.
You are still explaining how the CR-Z isn't a failure (even though it is in every single market it sells), and I am surprised you haven't posted away about how the ZDX, RL, Insight and Crosstour are really meeting expectations but nobody can see it because they don't have the right charts or graphs, or the proper cognitive tools to understand what they are looking at with those charts and graphs.
When Honda sets a sales goal and can't even hit 10% of that number, the product is a failure. Period. Even at 50% there is unlikely to be enough external factors to explain away the failure (even the Civic and Accord managed to stay above 50% through every natural disaster Honda dealt with).
Also, you were one of the people advocating Acura's current course of action, so forgive me if I don't put a lot of faith in you talking about how Honda is in a great position (contrary to any data you care to present) and how you know what they need moving forward.
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owequitit
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Acura's problems are simple, but expensive IMO.
1) They need to distance themselves from Honda. This starts with a new platform. The styling proportions just don't cut it. At a minimum, they need to match Audi's level of proportion, otherwise the cars will always look bloated and FWD. I am hoping the move away from spear shaped ends will help that, but IMO moving the axle forward would as well. You see the same styling issues with the RLX, which is a good looking (if boring) car overall, but with odd proportions.
2) More power. I don't think Honda needs a V8, but they either need a higher tech V6 or forced induction. Even with e-assist, the RL is going to be significantly underpowered for the segment. Since the mid-90's Honda always seems to be 5 years behind in the powertrain output department. A J series with some better head technology would be a good place to start.
3) Acura probably needs a global market to make all of this finanically feasible, but here is the crux. On the one hand, they can't expand into most markets and be successful with a Honda plus, but then on the other, they will have to outlay a lot of cash to revamp a product line and then go global. I know which I would choose. I would also worry about getting the C/D segment cars nailed first, because they will be the ones that will sell in highest quantities and make the profits for the whole line. Hence Honda needs a serious competitor to the 3/A4/ATS/IS. The TL is too big, the ILX and the TSX are too FWD and underpowered (except the TSX V6 which is too FWD).
I don't think it would have to be pure RWD to succeed, and IMO, Audi has proven that. But they need good styling, good size, good quality, good feature content and good value. Much like Audi now has some pricing power in the market (after 30 years of trying to overcome the unintended acceleration thing), Acura could too if they put the initial investment in.
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TSX69
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Skipping over all the usual stuff like RWD, V8, full-size flagship sedan ... there are some little things I think that Acura can do.
A few years ago they moved to distance themselves from Honda by doing things like creating its own myacura.com & financial services, replacing Honda logos on glass etc etc Keeping up with that, I think that it would be nice if Acura had its own color palette instead of sharing things like Crystal Black Pearl.
A 5 year warranty would be nice as well - it worked wonders for getting people to try Hyundai. Plus, Acuras are probably reliable enough that it would not end up costing them a ton.
Now here is a wilder idea: Buick is moving to make their mild-hybrid eAssist standard so maybe Acura could do the same with IMA (renamed to something like IMAboost instead of "hybrid" to help differentiate)? It could be a low/no cost addition that boosts power & mpg & then their new hybrid systems could be options. The 1st HAH got 28/35 & those would be nice #s for a TL(X). Still not sure how the masses feel about buying hybrids (even mild ones) but the LaCrosse is still doing well w/ it standard.
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BLK
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My pov:
1) Styling. Get rid of the damn beak. The grille has been the most polarizing thing since its inception on the TL. Your goal of creating a signature, a unique symbol to define Acura, backfired. Yet, why do you hold on to it like Gollum's obsession with the Precious? I hear his voice and laughter when I think of the Acura styling execs. TL, Gen2 TSX, ZDX, RL, and refreshed G2 MDX and refreshed G1 RDX (congrats, you turned an attractive front end to ugly).
What is it that actually defines a brand? Styling, then the way it drives, its soul, what it makes you feel. Styling. Not some silly looking grille. The grille should NOT be the center piece of a car. Granted, the toned down beaks look a little better (ILX, refreshed TL), but I could almost make the 'lipstick on a pig' argument. No, they can still look MUCH better. The Euro/JDM grilles suffice just fine. Not only that, they look better and you didn't have to try so hard. I will give credit for the new RDX and ILX. I find them very attractive at most angles, but their grilles do make me gag a little. When I say styling, I'm not talking ZDX or Crosstour out of this world styling. I understand you want to blend futuristic with the modern, but you have to realize the fine line. Simplicity can go a long way. Honorary notables include the RSX, G1 TSX, G2/G3 TL, NSX, CL, G2 RL (05-08).
Exhibit A
Exhibit B
2) A sporty coupe. Just because the Accord Coupe exists is not an excuse. See the success of the G Coupe, 3-series coupes, the gorgeous A5/S5. A sporty coupe can reinvigorate the brand. The resurrection of the CL is a start.
3) Marketing. What you're doing is not enough. Lexus and Infiniti seem to out-do your commercial air time 10 to 1. Ford trucks 50 to 1. I am incredibly sick of compensating Ford truck commercials and Dennis Leary. Yet, I want some of that shove-it-in-your-face marketing but not down-your-throat Ford marketing.
Some of the things you are doing is embarassing. I hope this is a fake:
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Dren
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Acura must...disappear.
Advertise Hondas like Honda is doing now with the Accord. It's luxury w/o the price. Honda can then pour more resources into fewer cars.
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jshaw
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ClementZ wrote:
EXV6 wrote:
Imo, Acura must start by immediately axing the hideous ZDX. It's a joke. The ILX needs some serious power upgrades if it's is going to survive. An ILX coupe would be awesome. Also, Acura needs to price their vehicles more realistically in today's market. The RL was actually a nice luxury vehicle but was always insanely overpriced. I believe the upcoming RLX will suffer a similar sales fate due to overpricing, especially when it looks almost exactly like a larger 2013 Accord. The 2014 TLX appears to look just like the new Accord as well. Just buy a $33k Accord V6 Touring instead and save the extra $$$ for your retirement fund. As for styling, I wish Acura and Honda (and others) would get rid of the damned Hofmeister kink greenhouse design theme. And they need to offer better colors. The bright spot for Acura now seems to be the RDX luxury crossover. They're flying out of showrooms.
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The RLX's wheelbase looks like its wheelbase will be about 3 inches longer than that of the Accord (which has shrunk about an inch in this area), so I doubt the Accord will be the larger of the two.
And 2014 TLX? You've seen it? Because I can't even find pictures of mules of it anywhere...
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An evil thought... Would the rlx simply be based off of the old accord design? Slightly updated for crash tests (though the current upscale accord, the tl, seems to be doing okay)? At least the rlx will have its own "unique," platform, again.
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CivicB18
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Dren wrote:
Acura must...disappear.
Advertise Hondas like Honda is doing now with the Accord. It's luxury w/o the price. Honda can then pour more resources into fewer cars.
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It would cost Honda more resources to axe Acura vs keeping and revamping the portfolio. As many features as the Accord has IT IS NOT A LUXURY CAR and shouldn't be viewed as such. No one would pay $43k for a Honda TL.
~Patrick
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Dren
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Is there really much of a market for RLs and TLs to begin with? How would it cost Honda more to get rid of Acura than to keep dumping money into it? The ways listed here of how to make Acrua different, it will cost Honda more resources to do so. Honda needs to focus on its core cars and then offer to us cars that we really want. We want S2000s, CRZs that don't suck, nicer Accords and Civics, etc.
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superchg2
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The dirty little secret is that Honda's new Accord really delivers all the mid-range luxury car goods most anybody could want, for thousands less than a TL!
Also, Acura has not followed the path that others have taken to pursue Tier 1 greatness (i.e. RWD, V-8) but rather has used existing Honda chassis'. This seems to be the case with soon to be released, oh so blah looking RL, albeit with some hybrid goodies available on a premium version.
At least Acura has the excellent MDX and RDX's.
p.s. Phasing out the entry level TSX is a mistake.
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Dren
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Right. The ILX top trim is $39k. You should be able to put out a Civic Touring, or similar, for at least $10k less.
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superchg2
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Dren wrote:
Right. The ILX top trim is $39k. You should be able to put out a Civic Touring, or similar, for at least $10k less.
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The highest priced U.S. ILX I could come up with is the Hybrid with tech. pkg. at $35,295.
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Nugstep
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superchg2 wrote:
The dirty little secret is that Honda's new Accord really delivers all the mid-range luxury car goods most anybody could want, for thousands less than a TL!
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Yup, the new Accord is comparably priced to an ILX but outperforms it in almost every way. Larger, better performance, better MPG, more technology... the ILX is a bit more comfortable and quiet but its still hard to justify buying versus the Accord. Acura really needs to step up its game for the TLX and RLX.
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Dren
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I swear I saw a $39k....damnit let me check, maybe I had a TSX, as I was looking at both.
Yeah, my bad....I deep dicked the hell out of that one. Either way, I still think Honda would be better off dissolving Acura.
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jshaw
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Dren wrote:
I swear I saw a $39k....damnit let me check, maybe I had a TSX, as I was looking at both.
Yeah, my bad....I deep dicked the hell out of that one. Either way, I still think Honda would be better off dissolving Acura.
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The only 39K I saw (at a mall "showroom") was the ILX Hybrid. It was a nice car to look at, admittedly, however, at almost 40k... Hybrid or not, that's pricey, especially for an Acura. Hell, I've never seens a SH-AWD TL on the streets before. In some areas, there are a few current gen TLs, but the old TL is all over the place.
So in line with the thread title, I'd say... Acura just has to update the old TL with modern technology, then it will sell well. If the people working the lineup don't want it, then make it the new TSX, and let SH-AWD or whatever be the only reason to get the TLX, not interior appointments. Heck, Acura can even price them the same.
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GoFaster
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RWD
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GoFaster
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RWD
A lot of luxury buyers might not even know there is a difference between FWD, RWD, AWD, but they know that people that do know, drive BMWs. Jane Q. Public is just going to follow the smart people, and the smart people are buying BMWs and Mercedes. Jane just wants people to think she is smart too.
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jdonigan
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Make cars that Mr. Honda would not be ashamed of selling.
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DrWhiner
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jshaw wrote:
The ZDX? Directionless, and hideous. In addition, it sucked up the first years of some good Honda tech (6 speed autos, most notably).
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really? I'm quite sure MDX also got the 6AT same year.
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jshaw
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DrWhiner wrote:
jshaw wrote:
The ZDX? Directionless, and hideous. In addition, it sucked up the first years of some good Honda tech (6 speed autos, most notably).
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really? I'm quite sure MDX also got the 6AT same year.
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Same platform, it took another year before the TL, RL (their flagship!) got it. It's taking a lot longer for any US Honda branded product to get it (the only case being the V6 Accord), all while the competition already has had 6 speeds for a number of years, now.
I think, however, Honda is just dawdling until their CVT production ramps up.
Though I did have a double take when Lexus launched that 8 speed automatic in the LS back in 2006. 6 years later, just about every luxury car - or aspiring luxury offers - has an 8 speed.
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S600=Dream
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Acura just needs to figure out where it wants to be. That's it.
Buying an Acura used to mean that you still had impeccable taste, but didn't necessarily care about brand cache. You weren't saying "ooh look at how much money I have to blow on a car", you were saying "I am so much smarter than you". It was a statement that you were doing well, and you were also making good choices. Seriously, everyone said "yeah, Acuras are nice cars". No excuses, no need to add a "nice cars...but not as nice as _____". They were just that--simply nice cars.
Now, I have no idea what they're saying. How about...
"Hey, look at me!"
"Couldn't afford a Lexus."
"My Honda was more expensive than your Honda."
"I like cars styled by Stevie Wonder" (admittedly, that's getting better)
I think the need to stop chasing the big dogs and just go their own way. It worked before, and it would work again if they just did it right.
*I* think a good start would be to make the ILX a proper Integra replacement. It's painfully close to being a great little car. If it was 5 grand cheaper and polished out and focused a bit more they'd have a hit on their hands. Sports cars and exotics and more high-end stuff can wait, IMO...they have to work on the market they used to be good in, and get back to dominating there first.
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nash24
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Honda shouldnt have created Acura in the first place.
Most were honda's rip the badge off and put an Acura badge on, thats why there were good in the 90s & early 00s, then they tried to make a new brand for themselves, f**ked it up several times and dont know what they wanted, now they starting again, lets hope they dont stuff up again. I
m not from the US, but lets list some or add if i forget some...
Acura integra type r- Honda DC2
Acura RSX - Honda DC5
Acura TSX - Honda Accord Euro 1st and 2nd GEN
Acura RL - Honda Legend
Acura NSX - Honda NSX
Acura NSX II, Honda NSX II, we have seen the same car with a Honda badge! this doesnt help Acura if the rest of the world badges it Honda and it will cost a fortune to launch Acura worldwide. Personally looks better with a Honda Badge and deserves more to be a Honda.
Acura, if to still exist can share platforms but need to look totally different from a Honda to separate them, like the ILX, its just a shame they put in shit drivetrains otherwise would be a great entry level car, i think we can all agree to that. Do that to the rest of the platforms and you have the separation you need, or kill the f**ker.
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Trip
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Mechanic wrote:
... IMHO, in lieu of pissing a ton of money into the NSX hole in the vain hope of creating a halo car for a failing brand, the Acura boys ought to take a hard look at the original business model.
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IMO this is true for lots of reasons. Looking at new car buyers today ... dry statistic after dry statistic is showing that younger generations are not as passionate about cars. Their priorities are elsewhere. To exacerbate that, saddled with paying back college loans and/or having jobs that barely pay above minimum, younger people are putting off buying new cars, getting married, buying homes and starting families.
That said, it's the older, seasoned car enthusiasts that remember the spunk and understated, no non-sense designs of the original Acura. And it's us, the older, seasoned car enthusiasts that have the $$$ to buy new cars. So cater to us already. Tug at our heart strings and fondness for the original models that we remember.
The ILX is a joke in the scheme of things (nice enough car but would be better positioned as a top of the line Civic.) The Acura "entry" level models should be . . . wait for it . . . ready for this?? ... Fit, Civic, Accord . . . get it?? People who love Hondas for their value packed models will eventually want to step up. IMO Acura should pic up where the top of the line Accords leave off. This will take time and unfortunately Honda/Acura already pissed away a solid decade if not more of wooing people into the show rooms. I have a sneaking feeling if they got back to their roots, it would attract people from other luxury brands as well.
Start with with a good foundation. Emphasize performance with a dollop of fuel efficiency. There should be a solid list of standard features but available the the Collision Mitigation system and Adaptive Cruise control in higher trim levels/option packages. Spend the extra manufacturing dollars to add quality materials to the cabin and charge an extra premium for the brand over Honda. Yes, it's a "luxury" brand, so charge the GD premium and do it right.
I guess my input for what Acura can do to get back on the map, got back to their roots and cater to right demographic. Let the word spread over time. Built it, and they will come.
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Newf
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Interesting thread. My 1st post here but I've been reading for years.
I have never owned a Acura so I can't go into detail like some of you folks can. I can only look at this from a buyers perspective and there are a few things that always keep me from buying Acura's.
Not in any order
1. Styling. Acura's used to be very very sharp looking cars. The weird beak design just killed the lineup to me. Hideous. New ones are no better imho, they need a complete redesign across the board.
2. Price. They just aren't good value. They offer nothing over the competition. If their competition is BMW, Audi, Merc etc you could have fooled me. They don't look any better, drive any better, have better tech or options etc. They might be more reliable!?! In Canada their pricing is beyond stupid. This is the biggest issue for me.
I remember in the 90's when everyone I knew wanted an Integra. But now I might and I mean "Might" hear of someone saying that want an RDX but that's only because those same people hate the CRV.
Bottom line is, there is no need or want for Acura in my life. That's what has to change. I see them only as the company holding Honda back. I look at the Honda's and I really REALLY wish the accord was a AWD car. But it'll never happen, just go buy a Acura right? No, they are too expensive and ugly. I will not even consider the Crosstour so do not bring it up. Ford has Taurus and Fusion AWD cars. Soobie, VW, even toyota has a AWD Matrix. But Honda has NOTHING. For us in Canadian winters for 6/12 months, that's a big BIG deal. Hence why those other AWD cars sell well here.
Things like HID's. I can get them on Mazda's and other affordable cars, but Honda reserves something so simple for their Acura lineup.
So, my 2 cents is. Get rid of Acura. Just get rid of them. Let Honda's become what they could be. Stop handicapping Honda. Allow me to put AWD in my Honda Accord touring, 2grand option, and there is zero zero need for any Acura whatsoever.
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Mikeydred
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jshaw wrote:
DrWhiner wrote:
jshaw wrote:
The ZDX? Directionless, and hideous. In addition, it sucked up the first years of some good Honda tech (6 speed autos, most notably).
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really? I'm quite sure MDX also got the 6AT same year.
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Same platform, it took another year before the TL, RL (their flagship!) got it. It's taking a lot longer for any US Honda branded product to get it (the only case being the V6 Accord), all while the competition already has had 6 speeds for a number of years, now.
I think, however, Honda is just dawdling until their CVT production ramps up.
Though I did have a double take when Lexus launched that 8 speed automatic in the LS back in 2006. 6 years later, just about every luxury car - or aspiring luxury offers - has an 8 speed.
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That is not true, 8 speeds are not the norm. Just recently the Germans started offering 8 speeds in multiple applications, Lexus uses their 8 speed in two applications I believe and Chrysler has 1 or two applications. Most of the previously mentioned are ZF supplied with Lexus I believe the only exclusion. I agree it is about time Acura moved to the 6 speed as the 5 was robbing low end power and torque, but to say 8 speed is the norm is far from the truth. Also real world shows no significant benefit between 6 and 8 speeds, if anything an 8 speed will hunt for gears more.
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jshaw
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Mikeydred wrote:
jshaw wrote:
DrWhiner wrote:
jshaw wrote:
The ZDX? Directionless, and hideous. In addition, it sucked up the first years of some good Honda tech (6 speed autos, most notably).
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really? I'm quite sure MDX also got the 6AT same year.
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Same platform, it took another year before the TL, RL (their flagship!) got it. It's taking a lot longer for any US Honda branded product to get it (the only case being the V6 Accord), all while the competition already has had 6 speeds for a number of years, now.
I think, however, Honda is just dawdling until their CVT production ramps up.
Though I did have a double take when Lexus launched that 8 speed automatic in the LS back in 2006. 6 years later, just about every luxury car - or aspiring luxury offers - has an 8 speed.
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That is not true, 8 speeds are not the norm. Just recently the Germans started offering 8 speeds in multiple applications, Lexus uses their 8 speed in two applications I believe and Chrysler has 1 or two applications. Most of the previously mentioned are ZF supplied with Lexus I believe the only exclusion. I agree it is about time Acura moved to the 6 speed as the 5 was robbing low end power and torque, but to say 8 speed is the norm is far from the truth. Also real world shows no significant benefit between 6 and 8 speeds, if anything an 8 speed will hunt for gears more.
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The Germans use in multiple applications... that's only 3 major manufs with 7/8 speed autos standard across almost all of their lineup!
ZF supplies the Germans, mostly, with some "American" companies hanging in.
Lexus indeed does make their own, for the IS-F, LS. I think the RX F-Sport is a ZF unit, however.
Hyundai.... HYUNDAI makes their own for the Genesis and Equus.
Indeed, just about every serious luxury vehicle maker, and some aspiring luxury attempts, are working with 8 speed autos. Heck even for 7 speeds, Mercedes introduced that back in 2003. At the very least, Infiniti has had a 7 speed since 2009.
Acura is the only major luxury player without one. Getting a 6 speed in 2009 to catch up to what most had already launched in 2003/4 isn't exactly helping the Acura brand. Luxury buyers, especially those of an untested brand, shouldn't have to explain themselves. The damn car should do it for them, without some silly lifestyle ad campain.
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superchg2
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jshaw wrote:
Mikeydred wrote:
jshaw wrote:
DrWhiner wrote:
jshaw wrote:
The ZDX? Directionless, and hideous. In addition, it sucked up the first years of some good Honda tech (6 speed autos, most notably).
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really? I'm quite sure MDX also got the 6AT same year.
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Same platform, it took another year before the TL, RL (their flagship!) got it. It's taking a lot longer for any US Honda branded product to get it (the only case being the V6 Accord), all while the competition already has had 6 speeds for a number of years, now.
I think, however, Honda is just dawdling until their CVT production ramps up.
Though I did have a double take when Lexus launched that 8 speed automatic in the LS back in 2006. 6 years later, just about every luxury car - or aspiring luxury offers - has an 8 speed.
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That is not true, 8 speeds are not the norm. Just recently the Germans started offering 8 speeds in multiple applications, Lexus uses their 8 speed in two applications I believe and Chrysler has 1 or two applications. Most of the previously mentioned are ZF supplied with Lexus I believe the only exclusion. I agree it is about time Acura moved to the 6 speed as the 5 was robbing low end power and torque, but to say 8 speed is the norm is far from the truth. Also real world shows no significant benefit between 6 and 8 speeds, if anything an 8 speed will hunt for gears more.
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The Germans use in multiple applications... that's only 3 major manufs with 7/8 speed autos standard across almost all of their lineup!
ZF supplies the Germans, mostly, with some "American" companies hanging in.
Lexus indeed does make their own, for the IS-F, LS. I think the RX F-Sport is a ZF unit, however.
Hyundai.... HYUNDAI makes their own for the Genesis and Equus.
Indeed, just about every serious luxury vehicle maker, and some aspiring luxury attempts, are working with 8 speed autos. Heck even for 7 speeds, Mercedes introduced that back in 2003. At the very least, Infiniti has had a 7 speed since 2009.
Acura is the only major luxury player without one. Getting a 6 speed in 2009 to catch up to what most had already launched in 2003/4 isn't exactly helping the Acura brand. Luxury buyers, especially those of an untested brand, shouldn't have to explain themselves. The damn car should do it for them, without some silly lifestyle ad campain.
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It sounds like the 6 speed auto does just fine in the new V-6 Accord. 100 m.p.h. through the quarter mile and 34 m.p.g. highway sounds like a pretty good all around range of performance and economy with that drivetrain.
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KingRA
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I disagree with dissolving Acura. That is a stupid statement. The Legend and NSX would not have been successful in the states with the then at the time economical Honda badge on the cars. Yes Acura can and will improve. Next week I.will break down what I want Acura to do for each model. Just were years ago Infiniti wasn't that much better than Nissan and it still isn't. Just about everything u can get in a M series you can get in the Maxima. The G35 or 37 interior isn't much better than a Altima . The Lexus line has an ugly grill and the interiors were close to upmarket Toyotas. Now Lexus interiors look like upmarket Chevy Camaro interiors with a fancy click,leather and wood. The MB cars looks like Honda Accords and their interiors look like upgraded Honda Accord interiors. Look at the picks for yourselves. BMW used to look like an upscale Pontiac! Acura isn't even at the top of its game and it is 4 on the sales list, just right outside of the big three with limited models.and engine choices. if Acura broaden its range and speak and marketing it.might be able.to.outsell Lexus. Lets wait and see what they do. The Cadillac CTS is like the Chevy Malibu. The new Malibu offers most of the features in the top trim. the new Chevy Impaled is based of the.new Cadillac XTS. Infiniti and Audi wishes they had Acura sales numbers.in the USA. But all I see is.negative on this board
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Mikeydred
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KingRA wrote:
I disagree with dissolving Acura. That is a stupid statement. The Legend and NSX would not have been successful in the states with the then at the time economical Honda badge on the cars. Yes Acura can and will improve. Next week I.will break down what I want Acura to do for each model. Just were years ago Infiniti wasn't that much better than Nissan and it still isn't. Just about everything u can get in a M series you can get in the Maxima. The G35 or 37 interior isn't much better than a Altima . The Lexus line has an ugly grill and the interiors were close to upmarket Toyotas. Now Lexus interiors look like upmarket Chevy Camaro interiors with a fancy click,leather and wood. The MB cars looks like Honda Accords and their interiors look like upgraded Honda Accord interiors. Look at the picks for yourselves. BMW used to look like an upscale Pontiac! Acura isn't even at the top of its game and it is 4 on the sales list, just right outside of the big three with limited models.and engine choices. if Acura broaden its range and speak and marketing it.might be able.to.outsell Lexus. Lets wait and see what they do. The Cadillac CTS is like the Chevy Malibu. The new Malibu offers most of the features in the top trim. the new Chevy Impaled is based of the.new Cadillac XTS. Infiniti and Audi wishes they had Acura sales numbers.in the USA. But all I see is.negative on this board
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I agree, we get a lot of that type of irrational thinking from some on here with no basis to support their comments. Some act as if Acura disappears Honda would magically produce better products. I don’t blame Acura for Honda’s weaknesses I blame the bean counters who don’t want to make better products because as long as they have sales who cares. Instead of making a better Acura and a better Honda, they remain complacent on enough. I still feel you get a lot of luxury for the money in Acura, but I’m not denying they can do better and Honda has the capability to challenge the best they just don’t have the balls and they blame things like the economy as a reason not to challenge themselves. It stinks when immediately everyone mentions Lexus as an indication of someone doing well and of high status, yet ever Lexus I have sat in has not impressed me one bit and in many ways their interiors looks more like a Toyota than Acura looks like Honda, but Lexus played the marketing game right and made believers out of Americans so regardless they can do no wrong.
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