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I hope the car does well- but it's got a long way to go before becoming a serious player-
The Ellps category has expanded overnight
It will be interesting to see what Acura keeps the TSX or ILX or both. I think if they put the 2.4L in the base ILX it would probably sell pretty well. As it is, it is underpowered for luxury or near-luxury model.
I commented "expensive Civic" and he looked pained, and mumbles something about there were lots of changes to the platform, but he didn't really sound too enthusiastic about it!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I recall in early 2002 I had purchased a new 2003 G35. I had a nail in my tire that I was getting fixed.
The tire guys were all around the car and one guy said "wow, that's cool"...then the other guy said "Its just the same as the Altima".
:surprise:
That said, Honda has lost its way a bit. They used to set the bar with all of their products....with sterlingengineering, build quality, value, performance, reliability, etc.
Like Toyota, they've slipped. However, instead of just being excellent at whatever they do, now they're merely very good.
It's the "what have you done for me lately" syndrome combined with the fact that the Europeans have made big strides while Acura has been resting on their laurels.
The current Acura lineup is good, but Acura should not be satisfied with just good.
Acura needs a good entry-level car (like the aforementioned ILX with 2.4L), a sporty RWD/AWD mid-level car (like a "TLX" with 3.5L) and a large top of the line RWD/AWD sedan like the RLX.
Acura needs to stop marketing a line of "luxury cars" based on a FWD Honda platform. Period.
Please point me to the data that proves this, I have only seen one on the road, and it was in Phoenix. So far haven't seen in NY (Lawn Guyland), but so see the new CR-V (in borh cities.) One would assume if they are selling the hell out of them, I would be seeing them on the roads in Phoenix and in NY, so far this isn't the case.
Acura built the ILX to get the Gen X'er into their brand, but for 32K one can buy a CPO 328i and have a much better brand identity and better warranty. The ILX's price needs to be less then 30K for a top of the line if they want to be competitive with other sport/luxury brands.
It works for Lexus, why not Acura? RX/Highlander, ES/Camry, GX/4 Runner. LX/Land Cruiser.
Now the GS isn't based on anything that Toyota sells here in the states, however, if you look at the new Toyota Avalon that will go on sale in a couple of months, there are lots of lines that are very similar. Granted the GS is RWD and the Avalon is FWD.
Is it the dealership experience that sets apart Lexus and Acura? Or is it the way Lexus cars drive overall and people are willing to pay more for a Lexus then a Toyota version?
You ask for sales data? Well, they have been on the lots for about a month give or take a few days. Just what sort of internet type data do you expect me to provide you with at this point in time. I just don't think any real data has been gathered yet. So until then, you'll just have to not believe me and wait!. Cr-Vs by the way have been out for over 8 months so I would expect you to see them.
There is also the case where you might have seen them and didn't realize it. They now look like a slightly smaller version of the MDX and from a distance it is very hard to tell the difference. You really have to look at the lower grill in front and the exhaust pipes in back to tell the difference. Just walking around the new car lots it's a little difficult picking them out until you really zero in on the tailpipes or front facia.
I remember when the new Focus first came out. I knew from everything I read that they were selling like crazy but it was a long time before I started noticing them on the road.
A quick check of a Acura dealer in Phoenix, has 13 RDX's, one happens to be a 2012.
A quick check of a Acura dealer on Long Island (7 miles from me) has 35 2013 RDX's.
Maybe the Chicago area likes the new RDX, but in Long Island so far they do not...
3301 RDX were sold for May 2012, 8183 YTD May 2012 Acura
10647, 35376 YTD for Lexus RX. May 2012 Toyota/Lexus
Just to compare, 2,678 for the new Infiniti JX May 2012 Infiniti
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/06/has-acura-lost-its-- edge-sales-up-but-image-muddled/1#.T859Gbd5mc0
Short answer - because Lexus has the IS, GS, and LS RWD sedans.
2012 IS and GS sales are very strong.
But FWIW, I wasn't talking about sales. Going by sales figures, you might believe that the Dodge Caliber is a world beater... :lemon:
So if Lexus can make a go of it, Acura should also.
I believe it has to be more with dealer experience then anything. Acura set the bar as far as the luxury car brands from Japan, however, Lexus has taken it to the next level. Infiniti almost closed up shop here because they did not explain what kind of car company it was, having ads with babbling brook, and streams wasn't tell Americans what kind of cars they built. Lexus wanted to be the #1 luxury brand in America they succeed until the Germans got their composure back and took it over again.
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"The compact crossover just went on sale amid a major marketing campaign. May 2012 sales were nearly triple what they were in May 2011 at 3,301 units. That's more than the BMW X3 (2,460), Audi Q5 (2,332), Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class (2,133), Volvo XC60 (1,751) and Land Rover Range Rover Evoque (706). Only Cadillac's SRX did better with 3,900 units sold in May."
I've read that both the new X3 and the Q5 are pretty popular. So the RDX beating them handily now versus, I assume being beat by them last year, would indicate that Acura is selling a bunch even if you haven't seen any.
That said, it seems like Acura has gone out of its way to be "different" for difference's sake. I liked that with my TL. But, Civic vs ILS isn't going to win them any converts. Plus, the TL is now their flagship, for all intents and purposes.
I believe they try to split the difference between the German lux marques and the American lux brands. Acuras are sportier than Lexus, but not as soorty as a BMW or Audi. Lexus has carved their own niche (which they're desperately trying to expand from with the "F" versions of their mundane cars.
That said, you'd be hard pressed to find a more reliable, relatively inexpensive to operate, tech filled vehicle than an Acura.
M6.....quite frankly, I've yet to hear any car sales person say that business was bad....at least not to a potential customer. I usually hear them say that every car they are trying to sell is "in short supply".
It's that whole "buy it now while it's hot" syndrome.
it appears that Acura has a excellent lease rates, and 0.9% Financing right now, so this could also be why it is selling very well. It does look like a smaller version of the MDX, which BTW, is Acura top seller. I'm sure once the hype is done and the intro lease special is over with sales will settle down.
The ILX doesn't look like has taken off, even though the lease price is about the same as the top end Civic.
as to the ILX, FWIW, by son (just turning 21, and just finished his Junior year at college) texted me last night that "he just saw a commercial for the ilx and it looked pretty snazzy".
so just maybe there is hope to pull in a younger generation, and his dream is to get a BMW before I do!
Of course, once he sees the price of a nicely equipped model, the fever will probably cool quickly.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Gee, do you have any data data on this? So we go from dealers have tons of inventory and I haven't seen one so they are not selling well in Long Island and Phoenix to it is "selling very well". I don't think the heavy incentives are for the 2013, and if so, I'll let you do the research to see if Acura offered any incentives last year. Hey, if you don't like the Acura brand that's fine but at least be objective.
http://www.acura.com/tools/shopping/CurrentOffers.aspx?model=RDX&modelYear=2013
but, the BMW is a lot more expensive, so even with another 1-1.5K up front, if the prices are about the same (monthly) then sounds like the BMW is a better deal.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
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Than you don't anyone personally in the business. I have a nephew that is an auto tech and a friend that I've known for years that sells Acuras. Both of which pretty much tell me how it is. Having purchased over 40(not leased) I think I can seperatge the truth from the flack and don't believe just ANY auto salesman. It's not like I walked into a dealership and was told something by some salesman I don't know and repeated it in these forums. Please give me more credit than that.
I don't know what standards you're using to establish "sportiness" but to me and many others any car with pretensions to sportiness should be RWD and since some Lexi are Rear-drive but Acuras aren't they are usually behind the curve in this respect.
Acura's ads tout the technical enhancements of the car not their driving characteristics. For guys like me the tech toys are a secondary consideration at best.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
The X3 has a better residual value then the RDX, last I saw the residual of a X3 was 53%, this was for a 3 year lease.
This is from a post by a host here at Edmunds that provides lease info.
"Acura's April buy rate lease money factor and residual value for a 36-month lease of a 2013 RDX Base with 10,000 miles per year are .00190 and 67%, respectively for consumers who qualify for its top aka "Super Preferred" credit tier."
Cars.com has 51% for 2012 RDX and 47% for 2012 X3 for a 3 year lease. They didn't have 2013 RDX in the system.
The following is from ALG.
"Luxury Brand Residual Value Rankings:
1.LEXUS
2. ACURA
3. INFINITI
4. MERCEDES BENZ
5. AUDI"
Only brands above the luxury average were ranked.
I know the last one is of brands and not a specific model but it makes me wonder how an X3 could be higher than a RDX if the brand was not even in the top five.
I couldn't find anything that indicated the X3 has a higher residual value then a RDX. Maybe you could shed some light on why you think that.
might help on the lease, but terrible if you wanted to buy it at the end!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
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And The only reason people think the rdx has worse resid value is because it's not a BMW. I've seen this arguement before-
m6...it sounds like you're looking for affirmation to buy or lease the RDX. Believe me, you'll get all the encouragement you'll ever want to buy a new vehicle from this crowd. Matter of fact, we relish doing it.
I have to reiterate I guess. I'm aware that Lexus makes some distinctly un-sporty vehicles (RX/LS/ES) but since they make some good Rear Drive machinery and Acura has only got the new NSX most would say that in general Lexus is the sportier of the two.
To put it another way a RWD IS is sportier to me than an AWD TSX and I think most would agree. with me
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
Yes, Acura is FWD and AWD - which is a negative in the sport/luxury segment, but they have sweet shifting manuals and refined suspension tuning/dynamics.
Lexus, OTOH has more RWD cars, but they tend to be front heavy (for a RWD) and a manual shifter is only available on the IS250.
Ultimately, I think both Acura and Lexus fall well below BMW and Audi in terms of innovation, design, performance, and cache. None of which matters to the majority of consumers. We are enthusiasts, but most people shopping ELLPSs care about getting a 30GB hard drive and air conditioned seats for the lowest price.
Not at all. Why would anybody come here to look for affirmation on buying a SUV? It's just that the conversation hit on a vehicle/brand that I'm interested in. Only Acura we ever owned was a used Integra I bought my son for graduation many years ago so I'm not a brand loyalist by any means.
I don't lease but I am, in fact, looking hard at several different vehicles, both SUV and sedan, from different makers. Still can't decide if I want to get into an ELLPS or stay with a SUV. I do more than(anal could apply here) enough research on my own and have a pretty good handle on what's out there to be looking for affirmation from anybody. Just looking for good solid information....not biased opinions.
I also use my eye on what's on the road (as flightnurse does). To keep this on topic, I think I've seen maybe 4 F30 3ers on the road since it was introduced in February (because NOBODY buys RWD BMWs in the North East anymore).
Another way is to check out the ads in your local paper. If an Acura dealer runs an ad that advertises lease deals (leader ad) for a Base TSX, a Base TL, a Base MDX, and then has a picture of the new RDX with a caption that says: 5 in stock w/ Tech pkg available for immediate delivery or order yours today, then you know you are probably going to be lucky with a $500 off sticker discount.
Manufacturers can skew data results in their favor to make it look like they have a "hot" product. A unit's sales numbers might be way up from last year, but you don't know how many were produced. Acura knew its 1st gen RDX was due for replacement and not selling according to expectations, so they could have scaled production way down.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD