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And beyond the ugly Acuras, Honda's Ridgeline and Element are also horrible. And the new Pilot is worse than the former. Front grills and front end treatment seem to be a general design weakness with the company, IMO. Not to mention too much plastic.
TM
After sniffing all of the "odorless, colorless kool-aid spores that came through the HVAC vents" I just can't explain how I also have four German cars in my garages...
That's an easy one! Open the top and clear the air!
Regards,
OW
I guess too much spore sniffing for me, as well.
To Tayl0rd's credit, I do think many of us Honda/Acura buyers/fans do put up with a bit too much at times. I mean Honda really does need to get its act together in terms of the appearance of many of its models. Just too many of them are downright ugly. And when you look at those interiors, you'd swear that Honda must also own a plastics factory. :surprise:
That said, there is still plenty to like about Honda/Acura, and our family has been so well served by our MDX. I also happen to think that the latest generation of the Civic and the CR-V are major achievements for vehicles in their respective categories.
TM
Thanks for posting it.
TM
In addition to the ugly beaks, there's also the serious brand problems. What is an Acura these days? What does "Advance" mean? Acura seems more concerned with shoving in questionably useful NAV features like weather reports than designing decent cars, and their interiors are still inexcusable for a company with "first tier" aspirations.
Yes bmlexus I changed my mind, I've now moved Reventon to my new totally unrealistic list :P. Try the number 1.5 million, thats the asking price. I can buy a sweet comfy house for $1million and spend the other 500k on cars. I bet 500k should be enough for a gallardo and a large luxo sedan like A8, or perhaps a Continental GT
I headed to the showroom again a few days ago w/ a camera. The maroon beast was no longer there, someone actually bought it!!!! wow.......
And so far Audi R8 seems to be mentioned the most in the poll, thats awesome, I expected to see a bunch of Ferraris on the list (which seem to be the most popular choice out there), I was wrong....
Seeing the price of 09 TL and Hondas these days I'm starting to wonder if its worth it anymore. Like someone else said, an A4 can be had for the same sticker. Heck add a couple grand and you can get a comparably equipped 335i. And the interior, oh please. There are more hard plastic than ever, wheres the usual premium feeling material?
Makes sense no more.... I've reached the point where I dare say I'd buy either a Chrysler 300c or an Infiniti G35 (37?) for that kind of money. At least the chrysler looks tons better imo. not to mention the CPO bargains.
Omg, this explains EVERYTHING!!! Ozzy Osborne designed this car?????? Run for cover guys, even sir Tin Can-elot wont survive this!!!!!! Btw, Ozzy, true designs need no complex explanation, bud. And dont try to deny it Ozzy, I know that's really you no matter what name you're using. :P :P
To be fair to Ozzy, Darth Vader would probably like this car, make his black on black, and make sure it can fly. :P :P
A guy (idiot?) like Art Osborne has a design idea and is given too much autonomy to push his bad idea through a weak management chain, without proper safeguards. I seriously question whether proper market research was utilized, or if Mr. Osborne "sold" management on his design. Based upon his descriptive remarks, I'd say he is proud of his work and believes in it. Unfortunately he doesn't realize that he is terribly misguided.
This represents a tragic yet pathetic process within Acura. It is hard to fathom how Acura could go down this path of doom, and keep taking additional step after step, with blinders on.
Acura deserves to learn this hard lesson. Yet, I suspect guys like Art Osborne have infiltrated the company, and no one will be willing to accept responsibility. Instead we will be told that the ugly designs represent edginess and sportiness, instead of ugliness. Convince themselves all they want... but when the sales slow down, it will be time to take responsibility... which they won't do.
Tragic.
TM
Ozzy: Hey everybody, listen up, I'm designing a car for Acura.
Sharon: You what???
Ozzy: I'm DESIGNING A CAR!!! For Acura!!!!
Sharon: You gotta be (beep)ing kidding me.
Ozzy: I ain't kidding nobody. I'm sick of the same old same old crap I'm doing everyday, its driving me nuts
Kelly: Acura's gotta be nuts letting you design cars.
.....
Ozzy: Something's missing, it aint lookin sharp enough....
Hmm, what would Bangle do? Aha, lets add... this!!!! (enter the beak)
Sharon: lemme see it, what the hell????
Kelly: what the.... hey pops, whats up with the beak?
Sharon: The whole face reminds me of the bird that you.....
Oz: the bird that I what ?!?!?!
Sharon: err... nevermind.
Ozzy: know what? I think we gotta give it a name, just aint catchy enough w/o one
Sharon: huh?
Ozzy: Kids, get me a god**** dictionary!!!!! And somebody kill the dogs, I cant hear myself thinking!!!!!
Ozzy: letsee...ka...ke...keen...keep, whoa wait... Keen, sounds cool!
err.... ec....ed....edgy....edge!!! KEEN EDGE!!!
wait, one more word... dynamite...dyno....dynamic, ok got it!!!
Sharon: got what???
Oz: I'm gonna call it Keen Edge Dynamic
Everybody: HUH????
Oz: It'll represent...er... fluidity, surface in motion, and strong aggressive presence.
Kelly: what the hell does that mean?
Oz: How the (beep) do I know? nevermind that.
Kelly: but who's gonna buy this crap? darth vader???
Oz: .... darth vader, luke skywalker, who cares...
Darth Vader: Did somebody say Skywalker???
Sharon: You're really gonna show your boss this mess?
Oz: He's gonna love it
Kelly: Only if Acura's CEO is Tin-Man
CEO: Not tin-man. The name is Arthur, madam. Sir Arthur of Canelot, at your service. (remember the gladiator, TM)
Sharon and Kelly: .............................
:P :P :P
Y'know, in fairness, underneath that tragic edge design is some decent engineering, and let's not forget that.
TM
Is, or was? C&D absolutely slammed the new TL's electric steering system, the same system used in the new TSX that ruined the previous version's best attribute. The RL's steering has always been utterly dead and numb, but the old TL wasn't bad for a FWD car. No more, apparently.
Of course, BMW had (& has) a car that's actually fun to drive, in spite of the run-flat tires & I-drive.
Fair enough, but many did (& do, though there are fewer now).
If I didn`t know where I am , I would feel like a failure, as every conceivable exotic car is an everyday experience....You never know who owns what due to the leasing stuff, but I suspect the Bentley and Rollls owners paid for theirs Tony
Here's the scoop...
Jaguar looks set to become the latest manufacturer to reduce output as the industry grapples with the current global economic slowdown.
Autocar has learned that the British luxury carmaker, now owned by Indian conglomerate Tata, is likely to reduce production at its Castle Bromwich assembly plant by the end of September, although it’s not yet know by how much.
A Jaguar spokesperson admitted that “final decisions have yet to be made, but it’s likely production of XJ and XK will be reduced, primarily in response to global demand”.
She also confirmed that despite the impending reduction in output Jaguar’s UK sales are up over 12 per cent year-to-date, thanks to the success of the new XF.
The news follows on from JLR’s announcement that it will be introducing a four-day week at Land Rover’s Solihull site, and the company has also said that it will move 300 of its workers from Solihull to Castle Bromwich to work on the XF.
The only bright news is a slight increase in sales in the UK, centered around the XF... but the "newness" of the XF will wear off soon enough.
Source... link title
TM
You never know who owns what due to the leasing stuff, but I suspect the Bentley and Rollls owners paid for theirs
Huh, exotics are actually lease-able????
Lexus LF-A Continues Nürburgring Testing
Like I said, I will believe it when Toyota/Lexus officially announces it that the LF-A is dead.
BTW, where ya' been? I've missed your posts!
TM
Of course! Exotics are like fashion items to the "rich." After a short while, it's time to ditch it and move on to the next latest and greatest.
We'll see...
BTW, where ya' been? I've missed your posts!
It has been crazy lately here at work, got 2 back-to-back proposals due before end of the year so that severely cuts down the time I spent on these forums...
By the way, I might head up to your neck of woods this weekend.
You're gonna be a bigamist?? :surprise: :P
What's your situation lately?
TM
Alpina is a very popular BMW tuner in Europe, but they are pretty rare over here. Alpinas are more civilized alternatives to the M cars. They still have loads of horsepower, but that power is delivered through turbo charging rather than high-strung normally aspirated M engines, and through automatic transmissions. They aren't an in-house tuner, but they work very closely with BMW engineers, kind of like RUF does with Porsche. They also work on cars that the M division does not, such as the 7 series. You can spot an Alpina by their signature wheel design.
Well... I'm sure glad it's for a good reason. Being busy nowadays is fortunate.
By the way, I might head up to your neck of woods this weekend.
Very nice! Wine country again? Or... you got a girlfriend up here?
TM
TM
Sure. I actually would prefer the Alpina B5 to the M5. It uses a 4.4L V8 with a radial compressor type supercharger that makes the same 500hp as the M5's V10, but also produces a full 516ft.lbs of torque, routed through a ZF six-speed automatic. It's almost like a 545 AMG.
I'm sure in the long run, you will be better served by the S5. It's a beautiful car, inside and out... and will offer more than enough spirited driving, yet still have plenty of class. Damn near perfect combination. How can you really go wrong with a car like that?
I'd have to guess that during your torturous wait, you visit forums dedicated to the car, and enjoy talking about it, and looking at nice pics.
TM
Well, let me see what magic I have up my sleeve...
I hope that's OK for you, Phil. I didn't bother with the A4 pics, but if you want them, let me know and I'll post them for you, too.
And, goodness... gorgeous car, my friend!
TM
It's cool.
The A4 pics were for (besides my wife, who is smitten) md4_cow (I may have typed that wrong, going from memory).
OK.
TM
Y' know what is happening with Audi is exactly what I remember posting about years ago, when the Doc and a couple of others on this forum couldn't see the future for Audi.
I remember trying so hard to explain to the Doc that Audi was in the very beginning of its ascention in our market. Those were my words, and they fell on deaf ears, unfortunately.
I believe it more than ever. Audi's success story in our market is still in the early stages. And no one could possibly doubt that you appreciate what is happening with Audi... After all, you have purchased an incredible Audi of your own.
BTW, how's the car doing so far?
TM
Absolutely. There's really two eras of Audi history in the US, the pre '96 A4 period when the 60 minutes piece almost killed them, and the post '96 A4 period, when Audi started to get noticed again. It's easy to forget that's only 12 years ago. They only started to seriously compete with the 5 and E 10 years ago with the '98 A6 (which didn't have competitive engines until '00). That's just one generation ago. Pretty amazing considering Audi is almost 100 years old.
Now Audi is out ahead of BMW and Mercedes. BMW has to catch up with a dual-clutch gearbox, they are refining iDrive to make it more like MMI, they are turning xDrive into a brand to try and compete with Quattro, and eventually they'll develop something to go after the R8. Audi is on the move to sell a million cars world wide, and other luxury manufacturers who ignore Audi do so at their peril.
So far the S6 has been great. Tight as a drum, absolutely no issues. The most common response from people when I talk to them about the car is "there's a V10 in that thing!?" When people think Audi, they still think of 4 cylinder A4s. Most have no idea that Audi makes products like the S6 (let alone the RS cars). The S5 and the R8 will definitely help to define the image of the "new Audi". August Horch would probably be very proud to see the four rings leading in technology and dominating in racing once again.
Yeah, but with those Audis blocking the full view, it is hard to see just how gorgeous that white TL truly is!
The A/S5 is one of those cars that abso-freakin'-lutely have to be seen live and in person. In pix, wow nice car. In person, drop to one knee and propose marriage!
With the distressing news re: Jaguar and the economy/my new and not improved net worth, the XK may be just beyond the realm of rationality for me next year. Although a used XK would be in the same $ range as a new S5, I doubt that the XK would be a year-rounder for me. Not sure the XK would be the best ski-mobile in New Engalnd, while the A/S offer, of course, Quattro. If I did go for a used XK, might have to keep the TL with its FWD/snow shoes. Just don't think I want to own three cars...
I certainly hope Taguar survives and thrives. From all accounts, the XK and XF are the best cars they've produced in years. The XJ also is well reviewed, its "classic" styling probably hurting more than helping sales. I look forward to the next XJ, stylewise as well as seeing if it can continue the dynamic momentum Jag seems to have. Maybe '09 or '10 will be to Jag as '96 was to Audi?
'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...)
Jag has registered the C-XJ and C-XE names, so we should see their new models fairly soon. Both will be absolutely critical cars. The XJ has to be able to take the S550 head on, and the XE must do the same with the Boxster/Cayman. If they aren't up to the task, then Jag might as well pack it in.
So... a new Jaguar doesn't seem to have staying power. The XF will provide a little boost for a short while, then it too will dwindle away. The same will happen with the new C-XJ and C-XE.
Unless we see back-to-back grand slams, and see them very soon, I'm not optimistic about Jaguar, as you already know. They can register as many new names as they want, but I still see Jaguar on life-support, with immediate production cutbacks as the real-life scenario... even on the XK.
TM
Well there is that whole collapsing US auto market thing. The UK market isn't in great shape either, and Jag is hugely dependent on those two markets. They can't rely on strong sales in China and Russia like many of their rivals. Jag is in trouble, but what British brand hasn't seen at least a few crises? Aston Martin certainly had their share over the years. Jag does need to hit grand slams, and Tata has to be willing to dump in a lot of money. Whether they will put up the cash to save the brand is questionable, as Tata really wanted LR, and was pretty much forced to take Jag along with it.
Who did you deal with, maybe Norm? I got my car from DeDe who now works back in the service area, sort of behind the guy who you speak to to get something done to the car, like in my last case the little grill and the back seat window whom someone broke--mean-- I did see a 5 when I was there, and it may have had the beautiful burgandy color interior....Also the lines on the outside were quite handsome....Later Tony