Looks like there's a chance Acura might pass Cadillac this year. Of course Lexus, MB, and BMW are way out front, each selling more than 300k a year. Back when Acura was launched in 1986, my guess is they didn't dream that they would pass Cadillac someday. Of course, this is a result of Cadillac falling just as much as it is of Acura rising. I still think Acura needs to put touch screens in all its vehicles asap. They did it on the Integra, and so it is possible.
I must be one of the few people left that is not a big touchscreen fan. I have one, but try to avoid using it when possible. At least they should have other options to avoid always having to poke at it. The Ford has button based HVAC at least so the screen is mostly settings you rarely use once configured, and radio stuff that I control from the steering wheel.
and man, Caddy really has collapsed.
but even more shocking, is Alfa is still in existence!
"The MDX SUV, the brand's best-selling model, will receive significant enhancements including styling changes, the addition of Bang and Olufsen premium audio, a new technology interface featuring Google-built in and a more advanced AcuraWatch™ suite of driver assistive features. MDX also will trade its touchpad for a new touchscreen driver interface and a more usable center console....
An all-new Acura crossover will debut later this year, positioned at the gateway of the lineup alongside the Integra."
So finally Acura is moving its models to touchscreens from the touchpad. A smart movie imho.
The new entry-level small Acura SUV will I assume become their volume seller within a year. The sales goal for Acura for 2024 was set at 150,000 vehicles, which is only a small increase from 2023. My guess is that they'll exceed the goal by at least 20k, just based on the new small Acura suv alone. I assume they'll price it starting at about $34k and it will sell like hotcakes.
The top sales year for all of Acura history was in 2005, when over 209,000 were sold. If the economy is good this year maybe they will start getting closer to that?
I was one of those purchasers in '05, TL. '04 began a good run, but note that in '09, when the TL got hit with the ugly stick, sales sunk... Maybe due to the recession around then, too. But, why did they have to do that to the TL!
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
The top sales year for all of Acura history was in 2005, when over 209,000 were sold. If the economy is good this year maybe they will start getting closer to that?
Well, to answer my question from six months ago it seem like Acura sales are faltering. Overall sales were up 42% in 2023 from the miserable levels of 2022 (when supply-chain issues kept supplies low), but total sales were still only 145,600. More concerning is that this year sales seem to be slowing from that level, with sales of the TLX and Integra declining. It's an SUV world seems to be part of what's going on. Anyway, at the moment it seems unlikely Acura will get back to 200k a year in the foreseeable future.
will see if the new EV just released helps with that. Sedans certainly are not that popular, but maybe they redo the TLX and give it a hybrid powertrain.
they also need a smaller CUV desperately to slot in below the RDX. and to improve mileage!
Brought my TLX in for service today to my Acura dealer. They're always perplexed when I bring my car in when the oil life is still at 40% according to the dashboard readout. I mentioned I like to do oil changes bit early, but push out some services a bit later.... After six years and 77k miles my annual maintenance costs so far are averaging $370 a year, including the Michelin tires. Edmunds says the projected maintenance and repair costs for a 2018 TLX would be around $8500 after five years (and projecting out would be about $10k for six years), and so my costs are about ¼ of what Edmunds was guessing.
My insurance costs, however, are about $400 a year more than they estimated. My insurance is above the minimum, and maybe they set their insurance estimate at the minimum required by law?
2018 Acura TLX oil change intervals and other maintenance
My own recommended service intervals: Oil changes every 6k-8k. Tire rotation every oil change. Brake fluid every 3-4 years. Cabin filter every 3-4 years. Transmission fluid every c. 50k miles (even though the manual says 100k). Engine air element every 3-4 years or 30k-45k miles. Radiator coolant 7 years/100k miles. Spark plugs 100k-120k.
The Car Care Nut on youtube says change your oil every 5k no matter what. On the other hand, if I let my TLX's oil life monitor decide I'll go about 9000+ between oil changes. I feel around 7k is a good compromise. The car care nut says brake fluid every 3-5 years and spark plugs at 120k.
PS After 77,000 miles my brake pads are still all in the green at 6mm, which seems unusual. My service advisor mentioned that recently they've had people go 100k or even 120k with their Acura brake pads. My vague memory is that for past cars I've replaced brake pads at 50k or so? Not sure. Anyway, I'm driving more highway miles the last 6 years, which obviously extends brake pad life since you're not using them as much.
will see if the new EV just released helps with that. Sedans certainly are not that popular, but maybe they redo the TLX and give it a hybrid powertrain.
they also need a smaller CUV desperately to slot in below the RDX. and to improve mileage!
Yes, what Acura needs is a small on the outside but relatively spacious on the inside hybrid SUV with a price around $38k or so.
will see if the new EV just released helps with that. Sedans certainly are not that popular, but maybe they redo the TLX and give it a hybrid powertrain.
they also need a smaller CUV desperately to slot in below the RDX. and to improve mileage!
Yes, what Acura needs is a small on the outside but relatively spacious on the inside hybrid SUV with a price around $38k or so.
will see if the new EV just released helps with that. Sedans certainly are not that popular, but maybe they redo the TLX and give it a hybrid powertrain.
they also need a smaller CUV desperately to slot in below the RDX. and to improve mileage!
Yes, what Acura needs is a small on the outside but relatively spacious on the inside hybrid SUV with a price around $38k or so.
Like a CR-V hybrid?
The CR-V hybrid is already 38k or so, and so I was thinking of more like a smaller HR-V based model. Although I didn't like the HR-V I sat in while getting my Mom's car serviced recently, because the HR-V has a rather enclosed and gloomy interior, with poor rear visibility. If they could open that up somehow with larger windows maybe...? But that goes against current design trends. I like the Acuras of 20-30 years ago that were more functional in terms of design from my pov.
The RDX is already the size of a crv. I think they need a sports luxury model a size below. Like the Lexus NX I guess. A hybrid power train would be nice too.
The RDX is already the size of a crv. I think they need a sports luxury model a size below. Like the Lexus NX I guess. A hybrid power train would be nice too.
I think the NX is the same size. It’s RAV4 based?
The new HR-V is better than the last one, but would need a serious power boost to sell as an Acura.
Went for a drive to Buffalo Trace Park in Indiana, which I haven't been to for at least a year. Lovely sky, nice bike ride around the lake a couple of times. Got 40 mpg both ways with ac on going mostly 55-65 mph. 30 miles each way from our house.
This is the first time the maintenance light has illuminated since we've had it as I typically change the oil before it suggests service. I had a coupon from the Honda dealer that I use for service. Less than $45 for the oil change and general look over. Tires were rotated recently. Kind of neat the little envelope on the one screen that doesn't let you forget! Car still runs like a champ.
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
Comments
https://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2023-us-vehicle-sales-figures-by-brand/
and man, Caddy really has collapsed.
but even more shocking, is Alfa is still in existence!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
https://hondanews.com/en-US/honda-automobiles/releases/american-honda-offers-outlook-on-2024-us-automobile-business
"The MDX SUV, the brand's best-selling model, will receive significant enhancements including styling changes, the addition of Bang and Olufsen premium audio, a new technology interface featuring Google-built in and a more advanced AcuraWatch™ suite of driver assistive features. MDX also will trade its touchpad for a new touchscreen driver interface and a more usable center console....
An all-new Acura crossover will debut later this year, positioned at the gateway of the lineup alongside the Integra."
So finally Acura is moving its models to touchscreens from the touchpad. A smart movie imho.
The new entry-level small Acura SUV will I assume become their volume seller within a year. The sales goal for Acura for 2024 was set at 150,000 vehicles, which is only a small increase from 2023. My guess is that they'll exceed the goal by at least 20k, just based on the new small Acura suv alone. I assume they'll price it starting at about $34k and it will sell like hotcakes.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acura#US_sales
But, why did they have to do that to the TL!
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
they also need a smaller CUV desperately to slot in below the RDX. and to improve mileage!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
https://www.edmunds.com/acura/tlx/2018/cost-to-own/
My insurance costs, however, are about $400 a year more than they estimated. My insurance is above the minimum, and maybe they set their insurance estimate at the minimum required by law?
2018 Acura TLX oil change intervals and other maintenance
10/31/18: $0 6371 Oil and filter change
6/10/19: $78 12792 Oil, filter, tire rotation, cabin filter (oci 6421)
10/25/19: $30 20484 Oil, filter, wipers (7692)
6/29/20: $84 29158 Oil, filter, engine air element, key battery (8674)
4/27/21: $192 38470 Oil, filter, wheel balance, cabin air filter (9312)
8/30/21: $747 47000 Michelin CrossClimate2 tires from Costco
9/22/21: $331 47922 Oil, filter, brake fluid change, transmission service (9452)
1/18/22: $197 52085 Battery
3/30/22: $170 54110 Oil, filter, cabin filter, engine air element (6188)
4/27/22: $0 55829 Costco tire rotation
4/28/22: $122 55839 Allignment
12/22/22: $60 63534 Oil, filter (9424)
12/22/22: $0 63544 Costco tire rotation
12/29/23: $94 69850 Oil, filter, tire rotation, timing chain seal warranty (6306)
6/11/24: $122 77346 Oil, filter, wipers, tire rotation (7496)
$2226 so far
My own recommended service intervals:
Oil changes every 6k-8k. Tire rotation every oil change. Brake fluid every 3-4 years. Cabin filter every 3-4 years. Transmission fluid every c. 50k miles (even though the manual says 100k). Engine air element every 3-4 years or 30k-45k miles. Radiator coolant 7 years/100k miles. Spark plugs 100k-120k.
The Car Care Nut on youtube says change your oil every 5k no matter what. On the other hand, if I let my TLX's oil life monitor decide I'll go about 9000+ between oil changes. I feel around 7k is a good compromise. The car care nut says brake fluid every 3-5 years and spark plugs at 120k.
PS After 77,000 miles my brake pads are still all in the green at 6mm, which seems unusual. My service advisor mentioned that recently they've had people go 100k or even 120k with their Acura brake pads. My vague memory is that for past cars I've replaced brake pads at 50k or so? Not sure. Anyway, I'm driving more highway miles the last 6 years, which obviously extends brake pad life since you're not using them as much.
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The RDX is already the size of a crv. I think they need a sports luxury model a size below. Like the Lexus NX I guess. A hybrid power train would be nice too.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
The new HR-V is better than the last one, but would need a serious power boost to sell as an Acura.
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
NX used to be small. Must have grown.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
This is the first time the maintenance light has illuminated since we've had it as I typically change the oil before it suggests service. I had a coupon from the Honda dealer that I use for service. Less than $45 for the oil change and general look over. Tires were rotated recently. Kind of neat the little envelope on the one screen that doesn't let you forget! Car still runs like a champ.
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech