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Where is Honda taking Acura?
I've watched in my lifetime Honda take Acura from a small car brand to a premium luxury division that not only builds cars but now also produces luxurious gadget filled SUV's. I'm just waiting for Honda, to make a Acura truck to complete the line-up and my best guess it will happen after the VTEC V8 and/or V10 come on-line. 
Rocky
Rocky
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Rocky
I think with the next generation of Acuras, they'll move the TSX and TL upmarket (after all, they killed the RSX to appear more upmarket). They'll make the TSX different from the Euro Accord and pitch it at the 3-Series more, maybe even pit the TL and RL against the 5 and 7-Series, respectively. They'll try and hold onto their value/bang for your back card as long as possible, so I don't see FWD going away for a while.
I think they'll also market their technological attributes more, and most likely spread SH-AWD across the range. The first stop in their rise to the top will be Audi.
They make a great range of cars at the moment (with the possible exception of the boring-as-sin RL), and I think they've cornered the near-luxury market. Next stop? Luxury. Stay tuned.
That was a good post.....
Rocky
http://wn.whdh.com/global/video/popup/pop_player.asp?ClipID1=1111863&h1=A%20car%- - 20crashes%20into%20Lynn%20dealership%2012/09/06&vt1=v&at1=News&d1=99467&LaunchPa- - geAdTag=News&fvCatNo=&backgroundImageURL=&activePane=info&playerVersion=1&hostPa- - geUrl=http%3A//www1.whdh.com/news/articles/local/BO36439/&rnd=33692312
:surprise:
Rocky
Rocky
Rocky
P.S. I hope that is the next SH-AWD TSX !!!! :surprise: If I was Acura, I'd add another turbocharger to the Honda 4-cylinder and run circles around EVO's and WRX's
Rocky
I had to giggle though... you put the commas in the wrong place, so it looked like Gentex was telling you over a cup of coffee that your mother secured a big contract to build mirrors for Honda.
I understand your concern but in all honesty it doesn't bother me at all. If it works....it works... right ?
Rocky
I apologize for my grammer. I admit I stink. Please find it in your heart to forgive me.
Rocky
Acura started out as a luxury car division with the Legend. Honda, however, also gave Acura the sporty, small, relatively inexpensive Integra, which showed its somewhat schizophrenic approach to the division. This approach has persisted since 1986.
Over time, while Lexus has been accepted as a full-fledged luxury car maker, Acura has settled into the near-luxury range.
Today Acura appears to be jettisoning its small cars - hence, the demise of the RSX - and moving to near-luxury SUVs and sporty sedans. The forays into the true luxury market have been mixed since Acura dumped the Legend for the RL.
The RL shows its Honda roots too clearly for a vehicle in the $50,000+ segment. Plus, people buying vehicles in those segments want a V-8 and the option of rear wheel drive, neither of which are offered by Acura.
At this point, Acura reminds me of Pontiac in the 1960s - a marque that is clearly a step up from its more plebian sibling (Chevrolet for Pontiac; Honda for Acura), with strong sport-luxury overtones, but definitely not a full-fledged luxury marque.
And if it keeps offering the RL with a V-6 and styling that resembles a buff Accord as its flagship, it won't be accepted as a full-fledged luxury marque.
I loved the post pal...
I say I pretty much agree with all that you had to say. I OTOH don't want Acura, to become a
"full blooded" (Texas redneck word) luxury car maker. I think once you cross that line you can get a little soft. I agree Acura blundered the RL project by not offering a V8. OTOH they could of added a couple of those turbochargers from the RDX, and advertise the RL has Twin-Turbo power and that would of worked alot better than doing nothing ?
Rocky
Acura's- "Active Damper System" is a carbon copy knock-off of "Magneride". I wonder if Delphi's systems patent ran out or is Acura, took a cue from the Chin-E class and clone a good thang when they see it ?
Regardless the MDX, has a "Magneride" cloned suspension which will no doubt put it at the top of the class for the perfect balance of ride comfort and performance.
Rocky
http://www.delphi.com/news/pressReleases/pr_2006_11_30_001/
http://www.acura.com/index.aspx?initPath=MDX
I'd love to give the Type-S TL a test drive but unfortunately for me I don't have a local dealership nearby. :sick:
Rocky
"state of the art" turbo on ???
Rocky
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=118916
Rocky
Rocky
Honda is a good engine builder, and has made some good suspension systems and a couple or more good body styles. This is not one of them. Looks for RWD eventually, if they care to compete. In a more costly car, I would more likely go with a BMW in RWD, and maybe a Mercedes, if the reliability issues get worked out, the Audi for a FWD / AWD or the less expensive AWD cars - Subaru. In American RWD, the CTS seems the best bet. As for Acura, its OK, but it is wait and see as to how special looking the Accord will be. Anyway, nice engines. Winning race cars. The Acura line has nothing which I see as exciting looking. At a higher price, it has to be more. BMW comes to mind.
-Loren
The SH-AWD is more advanced then Subaru's AWD system. Subies system works like Oldsmobile's Smart-Trak AWD where it distributes power from front to rear where slippage is occuring which i wouldn't classify as a techno-marvel ? :surprise:
Rocky
What does BMW really give you over Acura ????? All I see is a higher price and a marginal performance gain. Sure the 335i will out-run a TL Type-S but at thousands more. The Type-S IMHO has a nicer interior and more gadgets. You also don't have to fumble with i-drive and a unreadable navigation system. BMW, also employs performance inhibiting technologies like "active steering" that most drivers don't like anyways.
I'm not saying BMW's aren't a nice car but from a value standpoint nobody touches Acura.....
Rocky
-Loren
You could go Infinity and get RWD for what, say 35K? I am not really into the expensive line of Japan makes. I would go Cadillac or German first.
-Loren
I'm getting very excited about the 09' Acura TL w/ SH-AWD. If the 2008' CTS, is basically the same as the current model with just a better interior I will wait for the 09' TL w/ SH-AWD. The 09' CTS-V, will have the same gadgetology as the regular CTS. I know I will have the MKS, to look at also. I don't see anything in model year 2007' worth buying with the exception of the new GMC Sierra Denali. I'd rather wait for the 2-mode hybrid on that model due out next year. The only other cars in 2007' I like is the Acura MDX and RDX. I'd love to take the Acura MDX, for a test drive.
Rocky
So you like the C30 Volvo. It's not my cup of tea. I'm wondering when Volvo will fire back with a AWD version of the C70 ???? A C70R would flow to the top of my list as lemko says in a New York second. :P
Rocky
I think Honda, does a great job making Acura's more upscale because they do change the hardware and not just cosmetics like other car company's.
Rocky
Have you test drove any Acura product in the last 3 years ?
Rocky
Rocky
Looks like another winner. :shades:
It does look really cool. If performance is Ferrari like, it may be a decent selling car for the few in need of such a car. If marketed correctly, it may sell better than the current NSX, but how many units are sold of those? From what little I know of the NSX, it may be a neat car to buy used if one has the money to support the car. I have seen the car a couple times, and was impressed by the style.
Currently, I am very impressed with the Porsche Cayman. Great look without too radical a design as to be unusable in daily driving.
-Loren
Rocky
Rocky
Rocky
Rocky
Most major manufacturers have a little platform sharing. Some do it well (Honda/Acura/Cadillac/Buick) some dont (GM/Ford/Toyota/Chrysler)so lets not go there. Drive a TL, TSX, and a Accord and there is a tremendous difference in feel and they all share the same platform. Saying a TL is a nicer Honda Accord would be saying the Caddy DTS is a nicer Buick Lucerne. So I dont think thats important.
Although Acuras line of cars is good, Id like to see more higher performing sedans and coupes. The TL, TSX, and RL are great but Acura could really use some RWD performance vehicles in its lineup each having its own seperate platform, yes its exspensive but it saves weight. Both RWD offerings from Honda (NSX/S2000) have outstanding chassis composure and civility so why cant Acura produce RWD performance/luxury sedans? Honda says "we dont have the resources" but I beg to differ. Didnt they just come out with a line of personal/business JETS?
If Acura goes RWD here is how it should be: the TSX (base turbo 4 and V6 models) would cover the 3 Series, the TL (base V6 and V8 models) would cover the 5 Series, and the RL (base V8 and a V8 Hybrid) (think LS460h L) would cover the 7. Have a RWD sports/luxury coupe with a big h.o. V6 (think Infiniti G35C) also make a Honda spinoff (think Nissan 350Z) for the more hardcore enthusiast. Leave the MDX/RDX as is because they already perform better than most in their segements.
The S2000 is great ( I have a 2002) but it doesnt cover enough of the market because its ONLY available as a convertible and some people dont care for the hummingbird type drivetrain although I love it. Anyway, keep the S2000 in the lineup as well. Oh and dont let the vehicles age to the point where they are totally not competitive. The 3.5 RL, the outstanding NSX, and the Integra were overdue for major redesigns way before they got them. The S2000 (although still competitive) is getting a little long in the tooth. Acura/Honda certainly has the engineering know how and the technology to do it so whats the problem?
Rocky
I have no dispute with the fact that you can buy a TL for less. You can say the same thing comparing the TL Type S at $38K plus vs the new Altima SE loaded up for $31K. Comparing the specs on them are close as well. And no I did not have summer tires on the TL, I had the factory all seasons. I did buy a snow package but the results were not much better. And the issue you have with seats? The premium package includes leather. The TL has leather standard... So what! You can get any option you want on the BMW. Not so on the TL, Everything is standard. But there are more options on the BMW, like sport seats, rear sunshade, PDC, etc. And BMW Has better equipment. Like, brakes, Auto drying vented front/rear. Stomp on the TL's brakes for a while and they fade, the BMW does not by design, again I have experienced both.
So the fact remains:
I owned both the '06 TL and the '06 BMW. And spent $34k for the TL and $42K for the BMW. ($8K). The TL has a better NAV system. But, the BMW blows the TL away in drive ability. Again, I am speaking of experience, not specs. While I agree the TL is a nice car, It does not compare to the BMW when in the real world. I spend a lot of time on the road and trade cars frequently. I have owned both Acura and BMW and the BMW clearly is a better driving machine. It is interesting though: Everyone slams BMW on them being overpriced/rated, but then compare their car to them. Simply put, BMW is the benchmark for which cars rated. And for those who do not understand what that means. BMW is the ultimate driving machine.
Well at least for another year, eh ?
Rocky
Rocky
First of all, The TL's heated seats are designed to turn off after they heat up when in the "high" position. That comes from Acura not me. Further more, your comments are derived from "hear say" and not from experience as I seem to have seeing that I actually owned both. Acura has had numerous complaints on their torque steer from several forums. As do most FWD automobiles. And let's set the story straight: I did say Acura was a good vehicle in my last comments. I am simply saying that the people who say BMW's are overrated have not really experienced them. I too thought that until I really drove the BMW and discovered the real difference. Again, in the real world BMW has it in the way of drive ability. And again, you always see Acura comparing themselves to BMW. You don't see BMW comparing themselves to Acura. Look at all the forums out there. BMW has always come out on top. Hmmm, interesting. Slam all you want, BMW is still rated the best automobile yet again. Consumer's most wanted as well, Acura came in third behind BMW first (no surprise) and Cadillac second. That is "Consumer's" most wanted for 2006 and the Caddy beat out Acura. For those who do not know, Consumer's are the people. BMW stands by it's motto as "The Ultimate Driving Machine".
Not sure I agree, but very funny, nonetheless.
Bob
http://www.automuseum.org/NAM_collections_phtmcsr2.shtml
-Loren
The TL's heated seats are designed to turn off after they heat up when in the "high" position.
Of course they are. The purpose is to maintain the temperature as opposed to toasting the buns.
I am simply saying that the people who say BMW's are overrated have not really experienced them.
This is an extremely poor assumption on your part.
Consumer's most wanted as well, Acura came in third behind BMW first (no surprise) and Cadillac second.
I am actually surprised that Acura beat out the likes of Lexus and Mercedes. These two, besides BMW, Audi and Cadillac can be considered more “wanted” by non-enthusiast brand than Acura or Infiniti. In fact since the day I have owned my TL, I have been surprised a few times that many didn’t know Acura was manufactured by Honda! This includes several of my friends who actually drive MBs and BMWs (and amusingly enough, can’t tell the difference between six cylinder or eight cylinder engines, or RWD versus FWD).
I suspect there are Lexus/Toyota similarities too.