I don't get too hung up on brand image I suppose. The reason that I bought an Acura over the similarly priced BMW (and others) is:

1. BMW - Too many of them, and in SoCal too many USC LP frames (Go Bruins!), poor quality (refer to JD Powers and Consumer Reports)
2. C320 - Options make it far too expensive, too slow, poor quality (refer to JD Powers and Consumer Reports).
3. 300C - Man, I love this car... but it's a Chrysler... I just can't get over the quality-thing.

I know that TLs have some minor rattle problems, but so did my 99 Solara when I bought it the first year that it came out. These are, IMHO, monir issues due to a new model line launch and not a "quality issue" per se, just workin' out the kinks. The reality for me is that I can drive the crap out of my TL and it, within reason, will never break. On the other hand, my Moms has a BMW 3 - series and has had it in the shop multiple times in the first two years of ownership. Good warranty? Big woop. I wanna drive, MY car, when I want to, without any fear of the thing breaking on me and going back to the shop, again.

I drove my Solara for over 100k miles, and after the first few issues during the first 2 months, the car NEVER broke on me. I changed the oil and maintained it normally and it always ran great. I expect the same from the TL. Yeah, it's a Honda with a bow in it's hair, but who cares? I love the car, it looks great, and have a great time driving it.


Thus endith my rant...

 

I think those boxes of label are sewn on clothes that end up on the streets of New York and Counterfeit-ville. This is off the subject but, if you look at some of the quality of the higher end clothes, you can definitely see and feel the difference.

In contrast to cars, Acuras and Lexus has completely different market. As someone noted earlier, has anyone seen a modded pimped out Toyota/ Lexus ES? Has anyone seen a luxurious Acura TL sitting in a nice country club? Thats why i Love Hondas/Acuras! On one end of the spectrum you can have a pimped out, modded Honda that can run with the best of them and on the other end you can pimp it to palm springs golf course. Gotta Love Honda! I just wish they would put in an 8.

 

That's MSRP. You can usually get one for a lot less. Lexus dealers are more willing to negotiate than Acura dealers, generally speaking.

 

Ok, so I get the Lexus guy to knock off $3k and I get the Acura guy to knock off a $1k, . . . . so I'm still around $4k diff. And unless I'm after plushness and image . . . why spend the extra money?

Ruf

 

If you are talking the knock-offs, then yes. But go compare other top brands and their pricing is 40-50% less than Polo, Tommy Hilfiger etc . . . I just bought some pants and shirts at Foley's just last night. So I'm not talking about stuff that ends up in knock-off shops.

Ruf

 

I was talking about 2006 IS350

 

Just curious, you own one but don't know how to spell "Porsche" ??
That strikes me as odd.......

 

True, that would normally strike me as odd too, but thats what quick typing and lack of proof reading does.

Are my specs correct?

 

I want the GT, but my income would have to triple,,,, and I would have to live in it.....

 

Yeah, the 911 gets me looking forward to the W/E's! But the TL keeps me cravin during the week!

 

I agree that Lexus has not earned my respect - thankfully, my Acura considers to satsify me as a car, as opposed to a rolling nauseleum -I mean, mausoleum.

 

same reason they dont get the same respect as bmw,infiniti, benz, etc. its just an acura.