I know this is a little off topic but, but all indications lead to the kissing away of getting any Acura under 30k or close to it, just not going to happen.

how come i have a very hard time stomaching a sticker of 35,600+ for a V6 TSX WITOUT NAV! With the tech pkg, r u serious with the 38k plus. im sorry but, how is that car worth that money, i mean, i bought my rents a V6 09 Accord w/nav for 27,100. Not only do I think the Accord is better overall, but where is the added benefit of getting the Acura? The warranty is not worth it alone. The car doesnt exactly drive great, far from it.

I remember reading MT's review of the RDX when it came out, and they questioned where all that cash went with the truck. What im wondering is, what do you really think these new Acuras are worth? I mean lets say the 2010 RDX Tech clocks in at 39K - where does the reasoning begin to all the people who say MB or Audi etc is overpriced or not worth it? a 2 grand difference is all that stands in the way of driving a true premium ride or the "bargain" acura - at that point, reliability is not an issue for me, as the stuff is under warranty anyways- with BMW - the routine maintenance doesnt cost a dime....if Acura is going to command a higher sticker, the product better be stronger....i guess im one of those people who Acura has not earned the respect of being so much more reliable than other brands...my 07 RDX was a lemon! my 08 is right behind it with a slew of stupid workmanship-related problems. As long as they build these things in Ohio, you can tell me all day long what id be in for with Audi or BMW - every car has issues in my book.

They are no longer, at least right now, a bargain in this market. the new TL and V6 TSX are testament to that - and not only are they not a bargain, they suck in comparo's. I think the RDX is hanging on as a value leader, but that 36-38k mark is closing in very fast as an entry level ticket.

....had some free time , and was browsing Acuras website along with Audi/MB/BMW

 

Mike you make very valid points all around.

In fact if Acura has these kinds of products and price points in 4-5 years when I'll probably be ready for something new I'll most certainly be looking elsewhere.

Like you said....if the difference between getting an Acura and a BMW/MB is only $2000. That's a no brainier...I'll get the BMW/MB. The reason Acura has been my choice since 2004 has been the MAJOR price difference to performance ratio. When that ratio gets closer the other brands become more desirable.

If someone would have told me a new Q5 or even a GLK with navigation was only $2k-$3k more than the RDX I bought I would have most certainly went for the other brand. But the deal I got on my 09RDX tech made the Q5 literally $8k-10K more!

I wish Acura would step up their standard warranty plans. Although Audi is pretty much the same---4 years 50,000 bumper to bumper, they give their ENTIRE first year of ownership maintenance free! BMW is the same way, and I know the MB dealerships here also give the first year worry free maintenance. That means oil changes, tire rotations, everything! So come on Acura...if you want to get to the level of these guys....start offering the same kind of perks when you spend 40k!

 

You might try closer to a $5000 difference comparably equipped.

 

I'd be happy to pay premium Acura pricing if the overall quality of the designs and materials were upgraded to true luxury status rather than "upmarket" or "premium" where Acura sits now. In fact, I'd pay MORE than a comparable German car to get a car with Acura fit-and-finish, reliability, performance, and customer service if they paid more attention to the little details like Lexus tends to.

Regarding the Acuras made in Ohio, I've now had two (a '98 CL and my '08 RDX). They have been rock-solid and every bit as reliable as my previous Integra built in Japan. And the one car I had that was a quality and maintenance nightmare was my BMW. So bad, in fact, that I will never again consider another Bimmer. I don't care that all of the scheduled maintenance and warranty work were free--the inconvenience of literally being in the shop an average of once per month of ownership was completely unacceptable.

 

the last 4 hondas ive had - from Ohio - have been NOTHING, NOTHING, close to my 90's Hondas from Japan and even early 2000's. The build quality is not comparable, but that has been MY experience. The ones from Ohio have visible foam, all the time, under the windshield, plastic that is not mesh, strange rattles, lose parts, lose trim, WELDS that hadnt been complete (most recent - 09 Accord weld in the passenger B pillar) I mean its one thing if its just a few minor issues - but the lack of build quality has been consistent and burdensome for both Honda and Acura for particular models

I too agree with you tho, I do like Acura as a brand, and I wouldnt mind paying the same price as the competition, but thats obviously based on the fact that they need to create a competitive product as good or better

 

if you shopped all other cuv's - 41-42k can basically net you a loaded or close to loaded model -but comparably equipped? the premium suv's have stuff standard that the RDX does not even have so, are you paying more? Yea, you are also getting more (or less) depending on what you consider good equip. Ill take a V6, 6, 7 sp tranny, variable driving settings or rear HVAC over any loaded RDX all day.

But - dont get me wrong - when the RDX came out, it was tip of the iceburg/cutting edge stuff imo, the segment was just being created and there really were only the X3 and the Mazda as the new players - but now - its just redic how many good cuvs are out there, and for a little more money over the price of an RDX Tech

 

OMG i just found out that 2009 Porsche Cayenne Base model has 40k invoice price.. lol that is close to MDX...

 

that was almost good.

 

That's why they're selling for around 32k rather than 38k. I couldnt live with the manual headlights, 5-speed auto, no rain sensor, no rear AC if I paid that much. For 31-32k though, it's a good buy.

 

Hence why I pulled the trigger on the deal.

AND...The AWD is going to be like a God send for 5 months of snow in Cleveland!

 

Quick check found internet sale prices at Rosenthal Acura of Gaithersburg, MD and Audi of Alexandria, DC (about 25 miles apart).

2009 -- Base RDX 34455, Premium Q5 (base model) 41650 = 7195 difference
2009 -- Tech RDX 37755, Premium Plus Q5 42800 = 5045 difference

Right now, with every entry in the field tested and known the RDX and Q5 would be my choices for performance, utility and style.

But would I pay the 5k premium for the Volks/Audi product?

Not likely...suave stealership personnel and free services mean nothing to me. Techs don't do services -- dropouts do -- and I do all my own maintenance to keep those clowns away from my car.

I can turn on my own headlights, thank you -- that's part of driver awareness. Rain sensing wipers (had 'em on the Touareg) are spastic and loony as a cat.

Do I love beautiful Volks/Audi interiors? Absolutely, except when the finish is peeling off the soft-touch surfaces and they call it "normal wear".

The V6 is refined, but wait till the inevitable problems crop up. Volks/Audi reliability will drive anyone crazy and simple maintenance requires ridiculous, unneeded tamper-proof triple square tools. My 07 RDX has been trouble free and can be serviced with a freakin' 3/8 drive.

Volks/Audi is a safety leader -- and so is Acura.

You scared the crap out of me once Volks/Audi, with a Touareg off warranty. I won't go there again.

 

not at all dealerships.... I'm an 11 year, master guild status audi tech and I do my share of services.............. and free services? not anymore... the 5K mile service ONLY, unless you purchase the maintenance plan and that costs extra now.... although the plan is cheaper than paying for all the services at the time of service during the warranty period.....

I think this is the most reasonable comment about these features on the internet. those are fluff features, and I too HATE rain sensing wipers.........

every car we see from florida that's more than one year old has nearly every piece of black trim on the interior peeling.... the damn interiors fit together better than any other, but the finish is crap.

I could have bought an audi many times, but, eh, no freaking way..... considering right now we have three cars, in warranty, waiting for engines just sitting there....... many electrical bugs have been worked out, but now the created engine problems......... so even at the same price, no thanks to any VW product, even if the special olympic rings are on the front and back.....

but by all means, the more of you guys buy them, the more acura's I can buy. so please, continue.

 

but I do agree.. the price of the TSX V6 is out of line, by alot. and would I pay more for it if it had a tacked on body kit? hell no, that doesn't make a car worth more money....

but if people will pay, acura wins. if people won't pay, then they'll discount. that IS how it works....... if you think the price is too high, don't buy it, acura will figure it out once they see that they truly are losing sales because of the price...............

 

Premium-ness is not why car-makers give free maintenance and longer warranties. They are doing it to woo back disgruntled customers and salvage their reputations.

A year ago Mercedes reliability was trounced by Hyundai! Imagine spending 100k on an MB and having to get a lift into town in a Sonata. The free services are a quick way to add value to a product that viewed rather sceptically.

But I do agree about the TL and TSX V6 performance and pricing.

 

exactly...the discounts are massive...i just think those discounts are going to be less likely now that the entire line up has had Acura's new comb thru

RIGHT NOW - the RDX is still a great buy, basically a STEAL for the tech pkg...my viewpoint was based on a more firm sticker, with 2010 hypothetical pricing....which bridges the gap between bargain and premium

 

As Consumer Reports points out, there are many better vehicles for thousands less than Hondas/Acuras. That extra profit goes back to Japan, or wherever. That is possible since Honda/Acura pays their employees less than unionized auto workers. That's why GM is bankrupt since they could not bump up their prices several thousand dollars on each vehicle given the perceived lack of value. The latest JD Power rankings show Honda/Acura falling, while GM and Ford are rising above them for most models. Honda/Acura better get their act together or they could be in GM's place in a few years.