Why are Acura/Honda owners.........
09-03-2003, 11:54 AM
#41
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Just one problem: There really is a difference between Acura cars and Honda cars, HERE in North America, which is our frame of reference -- I mean just those of us HERE, which is the only place where it makes sense to talk about "Acura cars" anyway. I'm not talking about "companies," but THE CARS. We've gone around on this many times, and the debate will never end, which is great because it's fun.
But the fact is, there IS a difference, and the Acuras are better. We can disagree about HOW MUCH better, and whether the difference is significant enough to make it onto your radar screen. It's subjective, and that's great.
But there IS a difference -- it's not just hype and imagination. And to me, it's been a significant enough difference to be noteworthy. Many people agree, many don't. But if you say "Acuras are just Hondas," you're imposing your opinions and your definitions on us. Wanna talk "companies"? Then yeah, Acuras are just Hondas. But if you wanna talk "cars," no way.
But the fact is, there IS a difference, and the Acuras are better. We can disagree about HOW MUCH better, and whether the difference is significant enough to make it onto your radar screen. It's subjective, and that's great.
But there IS a difference -- it's not just hype and imagination. And to me, it's been a significant enough difference to be noteworthy. Many people agree, many don't. But if you say "Acuras are just Hondas," you're imposing your opinions and your definitions on us. Wanna talk "companies"? Then yeah, Acuras are just Hondas. But if you wanna talk "cars," no way.
09-03-2003, 12:24 PM
#42
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Both Hondas and Acuras come down the same assembly line, using the same automated robots and humans, who bolt, weld and glue together the same chassis, body panels, and other key parts into a variety of specifications and permutations for shipment to any number of world markets. At similar trim lines, is an Acura NSX better than an Honda NSX? Is an Acura RL better than a Honda Legend? Is an Acura MDX better than a Honda MDX? We have the Acura nameplate in North America for ~~marketing~~ purposes.
That the European and Japanese and Oz/NZ markets do not need separate marketing branches for selling a certain set of Honda cars tells me that there's nothing "better" about Acuras over Hondas--or vice versa. Perhaps the non-North American markets do not need that "marketing pacifier" called Acura? I can appreciate not needing a pacifier, per se.
It's the marketing person who wants you to believe the contrived Acura label means "better". I've known some Acura owners who were totally--I mean absolutely--unaware that they are driving Hondas. Afterall, Honda makes 'em, not the Acura marketing department.
That the European and Japanese and Oz/NZ markets do not need separate marketing branches for selling a certain set of Honda cars tells me that there's nothing "better" about Acuras over Hondas--or vice versa. Perhaps the non-North American markets do not need that "marketing pacifier" called Acura? I can appreciate not needing a pacifier, per se.
It's the marketing person who wants you to believe the contrived Acura label means "better". I've known some Acura owners who were totally--I mean absolutely--unaware that they are driving Hondas. Afterall, Honda makes 'em, not the Acura marketing department.
09-03-2003, 01:43 PM
#44
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Ja, agreed! I mentioned "variety of specifications and permutations for shipment to..."
One significant difference I failed to mention is the competitive pressure to offer better warranties, for which Acura offers a better/longer one.
One significant difference I failed to mention is the competitive pressure to offer better warranties, for which Acura offers a better/longer one.
09-03-2003, 01:51 PM
#45
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The fact that so many Acura owners would put Honda on their cars tells me that Acura is not doing their job in promoting the Acura name as a prestige brand. Some have said the reason is that Acura/Honda owners think so highly of Honda, but i think its the opposite..that they DONT think so highly of Acura. SO to them they may as well call it a honda. They are one in the same. I think alot less people would change their lexus badges for a toyota badge, because the lexus name carries more weight. If anything it should be honda owners putting acura badges on their cars.
09-03-2003, 03:05 PM
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Originally posted by fdl
The fact that so many Acura owners would put Honda on their cars tells me that Acura is not doing their job in promoting the Acura name as a prestige brand. Some have said the reason is that Acura/Honda owners think so highly of Honda, but i think its the opposite..that they DONT think so highly of Acura.....If anything it should be honda owners putting acura badges on their cars.
The fact that so many Acura owners would put Honda on their cars tells me that Acura is not doing their job in promoting the Acura name as a prestige brand. Some have said the reason is that Acura/Honda owners think so highly of Honda, but i think its the opposite..that they DONT think so highly of Acura.....If anything it should be honda owners putting acura badges on their cars.
That's not a put down. I'm goofy too. Just not in that particular way.
Maybe it's all part of the same thing. If Acura were recognized as more of a "prestige" brand (I think it DOES have quite a bit of prestige, but not as much as most of its competitors), I would be less likely to want an Acura -- because I'm goofy. Mind you, in the current market I'd probably still get an Acura, because objectively it meets my needs far better than anything else out there -- but I'd have to overcome some goofy inner tendencies.
09-03-2003, 09:24 PM
#48
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Originally posted by fdl
The fact that so many Acura owners would put Honda on their cars tells me that Acura is not doing their job in promoting the Acura name as a prestige brand. Some have said the reason is that Acura/Honda owners think so highly of Honda, but i think its the opposite..that they DONT think so highly of Acura. SO to them they may as well call it a honda. They are one in the same. I think alot less people would change their lexus badges for a toyota badge, because the lexus name carries more weight. If anything it should be honda owners putting acura badges on their cars.
The fact that so many Acura owners would put Honda on their cars tells me that Acura is not doing their job in promoting the Acura name as a prestige brand. Some have said the reason is that Acura/Honda owners think so highly of Honda, but i think its the opposite..that they DONT think so highly of Acura. SO to them they may as well call it a honda. They are one in the same. I think alot less people would change their lexus badges for a toyota badge, because the lexus name carries more weight. If anything it should be honda owners putting acura badges on their cars.
Maybe Honda owners in other countries put Acura badges on???
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