123456SPEED

Maybe they're waiting to see how well Cadillac does (with their extremely ugly coupes), my opinion, yuck. Are we unique, can't you have some sport and lux at the same time? Lexus has too much lux, BMW has too much sport and reliability problems and not enough features for the $$ IMO, G35 is too small and not enough lux for the price either.
The CLS, with it's sedate style has more of it all combined in one. I think Acura can build a new successful sport/lux coupe. The TL is a big success in mixing sport and lux, IMO.

GreenMonster

People say it's a coupe, but it's a fucking HATCHBACK !!

Fabvsix

Green: I agree 100% A Ricey hatchback at that.....

123456: There just aren't enough "buyers" in the market for Lux Coupes. I have no questions about Honda's ability to build another Lux. coupe, the numbers just don't exist........

zamo

I will concur 123456SPEED.

Honda can still squeeze the 3.5 V6 for more power IMO. Heck, if they were able to bump 720 horses in a turbo charged 1.6 liter V12 in 1990, we can expect amazing stuff from them.

Another problem is also the rising prices for gas; going V8 with a bigger engine is not a smart move. There is a nitch of upscale drivers (CL?) who are not willing to spend quite more $$ in gas if the trend continues.

iamhomin

According to the Matrix chart at vtech temple, 2006 will be the year they produce a mid 40k coupe.

blader

I disagree. Anyone familiar with long beach island NJ will know how rich the area is .. I worked there all summer, valet parking cars at a really nice restaurant .. as shitty as the gas prices are, it didnt stop 98% of the cars I was parking from being the following in MULTIPLE numbers: S500s, A8's, SL55s, S55s, CLK55s, E500s, E55s, 745s, 540s, M5s, LS430's, GX470's, Cayenne Turbos, H2s, QX56s, Toureg's, Denalis, Escalades, Devilles, Range Rovers, XK8 and XK8 type R, XJRs, S type and S type R's, and Corvettes. All expensive, and ALL V8. i'm sure the Cayenne turbo with 450HP and a twin turbo V8 isn't very cheap on gas, but did the guy who had it care? Didnt seem to me like he did. These are the kinds of people that are buying these high power luxury cars .. and with the houses in this area ranging from one million to roughly 10-15 million in Loveladies, I dont think they will care if they are spending fifty or sixty bucks on a tank of gas every few days.

I can tell you out of all these cars that I parked in the 3 months of summer, I rarely saw an RL

zamo

oh dont get me wrong.

I was not clear when talking about the "nitch". I was thinking on people who are willing to pay the price of a plain BMW for a fully loaded powerful brand (Acura CL). Because they want more bang for the buck and of course without "lowering" quality (except the tranny issues). That nitch might think the same on gas prices - dont paying higher prices - hope I am clear on this point.

Rich people do not care about it tho; that is another segment.

goldmemberer

I think I belong in the niche that you're referring to, since I can't see myself paying 40k+ for a 3-series. However, if the CL had a V8, I don't think it would discourage me from purchasing the car, provided it was either RWD or AWD, because a Honda V8 would produce no less than 300 hp & lb/ft, which would be useless when delivered only to the front wheels.

The gas mileage wouldn't much matter, as long as it wasn't abysmal.

blader

zamo, I understand your point now.

goldmember .. god could you imagine the fwd torque steer of a honda V8 in a cl .. ahhhhhhh

I have no doubt honda could build a very efficient, very powerful small V8. just look how smooth and powerful their V6's are.

typeSb00st

acura doen't need another coupe at this time. what they need is a roadster. the rsx is looked at as "acura's coupe"

blader

which is pretty sad if you ask me

if I were acura, I wouldnt want my luxury brand's coupe selection represented by that car......

123456SPEED

Yea I would have brought the Prelude into Acura and made a $30k car out of it. The RSX and Integra should have been Hondas. S2000 should have been an Acura too.


I'm cheap I guess. I waited a year to get my 03 used. ($24k). I don't think I would ever realistically pay over $30k for a car with depreciation and all. I could be tempted if it was really special. I think the TL is great, I wouldn't need too much more than that in a coupe really. I'm very happy with my CLS tho.
Plus really great coupes hold their value for a few years when they're hot, like the G35.

GreenMonster

That's not a real coupe... The RSX is nothing more then a pimped out civic..

No offence to the RSX drivers out there

If Acura comes out with a decent coupe based on the new RL for low 40's, I might bite...

Jaydef03

haha, every single one of my photoshops have been dug up. i love it when i see concept coupe threads and i know that once i open them up im gonna see my photoshop work reposted...

Jaydef03

123456speed, i did shave off most of the front bumper. this makes it look like a rwd car. the original bumper had such a large slope to it that i took it out... theres another one of a rear shot of the Cl floating around. dont feel like uploading it, it should be in my photoshop post from a few weeks ago, so ill find it online.

i basically dropped the car, took off from the front bumper, thickened the body panels, slimmed down the roofline. took out that stupid fold in the metal that runs along the car. i hate that thing. and i also skewed the A and C pillars, beefed up the undbody kit. but the chasis was left alone