Is the 4G TL a "men's car"?
01-10-2009, 02:33 PM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
Is the 4G TL a "men's car"?
A colleague of mine was shopping for a new car for his wife. He said that he loved the new TL, but then his wife did not want to get it because she said that it looked like a "men's car". Actually, thinking about it, the new TL does have a very masculine styling profile. Do you agree? Did Acura target male buyers here?
01-10-2009, 02:41 PM
#3
Three Wheelin'
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Here it is:
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...120&highlight=
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...120&highlight=
The target buyer for the TL is expected to be a professional male in his mid 40s with a household income of about $100,000 per year, while the expected TL SH-AWD® target buyer is a professional male in his early 40s with a household income of over $150,000 per year.
01-10-2009, 03:01 PM
#4
Drifting
Thread Starter
She was so right then! :-)
01-10-2009, 04:01 PM
#5
The only other 09 TL I have seen on the streets was driven by a woman
01-10-2009, 04:13 PM
#6
Racer
Me too lol. Saw my first one yesterday, in Brooklyn. Same color as mine (Grigio) except with parchment, FWD base model. She pulled right up next to my car in a parking lot. She was a middle aged (maybe 50) Hasidic Jewish woman. Talk about not fitting the profile!
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01-10-2009, 04:24 PM
#8
Three Wheelin'
The most heavily "gendered" vehicles by far are the Lexus RX330/350 and the Volkswagen Beetle.....I would venture to say at least 80-90% of those vehicles are driven exclusively by women. If there is ever such a thing as a "man's" car, I would have to pick the Dodge Challenger and the new Chevy Camaro.
01-10-2009, 05:46 PM
#10
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I can't believe you said that!
I am a 40 year old professional FEMALE who made the decision, after considerable research, to purchase a TL. I knew as much or more about this car before making the purchase than the salesman did at the dealership. I'll have you know that my decision was not based on emotion but the quality, features, and price of this vehicle compared to the others in its class. After two months of ownership I can say I made the right decision. I love my TL and so does my husband. I would suggest that you keep in mind that women DO own this car and DO read the forum before you make ridiculous statements like that again.
01-10-2009, 06:07 PM
#11
Three Wheelin'
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The most heavily "gendered" vehicles by far are the Lexus RX330/350 and the Volkswagen Beetle.....I would venture to say at least 80-90% of those vehicles are driven exclusively by women. If there is ever such a thing as a "man's" car, I would have to pick the Dodge Challenger and the new Chevy Camaro.
.
01-10-2009, 06:21 PM
#12
Acuras Only in
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The most heavily "gendered" vehicles by far are the Lexus RX330/350 and the Volkswagen Beetle.....I would venture to say at least 80-90% of those vehicles are driven exclusively by women. If there is ever such a thing as a "man's" car, I would have to pick the Dodge Challenger and the new Chevy Camaro.
01-10-2009, 06:23 PM
#13
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I agree with msslp04, I am also a professional FEMALE who purchased the TL for the very same reasons. I find it a little funny that some would think it strange for a female to have the same taste in a car that is mainly targeted to men. Excuse me for not wanting to drive a car considered as "girlie" (ie. Volkswagon Beetle or Lexus RX330 or 350. lol
01-10-2009, 06:56 PM
#14
I would love to hear from all the intelligent, beautiful women on the forum regarding whether they have bought a 4G TL, and also if they think it's a 'men's car'.
I think the look of the car works both ways. Some women may like a softer looking design, but then others, a masculine, powerful man.. I mean, car.
I think the look of the car works both ways. Some women may like a softer looking design, but then others, a masculine, powerful man.. I mean, car.
01-10-2009, 07:27 PM
#15
Three Wheelin'
To me, there's nothing "masculine" about the 4G at all. The fact that it lacks a manual (for now) and the relatively easy steering wheel effort and extra back-seat room makes the car more appealing to women and families in my opinion.
01-10-2009, 07:45 PM
#16
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I can't say that the back seat room was a deal maker for me given that the only thing that goes in my back seat is a gym bag. For me, it was all about the horse power and the tech package. By the way, my first car(s) had manual transmissions so I have no concern about driving a stick. My husband and I agree that the men in this forum appear to know a lot about what is considered "feminine" about the car; apparently several of you are in touch with your feminine side. How nice.
01-10-2009, 08:17 PM
#17
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Let 'em have it, msslp04!! I think the TL is a car lover's car, regardless of gender. I've spoken about "my" TL here, but it is my wife's DD. I snare it occasionally, but I am "Driver 2" status. She loves it!
She's moving from an RX350.... strangely I wouldn't be caught dead driving it. But, the TL is a WHOLE different story.
She's moving from an RX350.... strangely I wouldn't be caught dead driving it. But, the TL is a WHOLE different story.
01-10-2009, 08:34 PM
#18
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TL Masculine or Feminine, I sure love to see women at a red light with the same car as me. Often times it will invite a smile, wave, or even conversation....
So lets go girls, start buying 09 TL SH-AWD, it's safer than regular lol,
So lets go girls, start buying 09 TL SH-AWD, it's safer than regular lol,
01-10-2009, 08:44 PM
#19
they probibly market towards men because most middle aged women don't know what kind of car they are driving
Last edited by bmode; 01-10-2009 at 08:47 PM.
01-10-2009, 09:41 PM
#20
Senior Moderator
The most heavily "gendered" vehicles by far are the Lexus RX330/350 and the Volkswagen Beetle.....I would venture to say at least 80-90% of those vehicles are driven exclusively by women. If there is ever such a thing as a "man's" car, I would have to pick the Dodge Challenger and the new Chevy Camaro.
but, the RX400h will remain on my short list of cars that may replace my 05 Murano. And though the RX has a somewhat effeminate image, the RXH is definitely one of the quicker crossovers on the market so, stop light victories against most other crossovers will serve to compensate from the image. 
Back on topic, I've observed an equal number of women and men driving the 3.2TL and 3G TL so, I suspect the same will go for the 4G. Therefore, I'll venture to say that the 4G TL is neither a man's or woman's car.
01-10-2009, 09:42 PM
#21
Three Wheelin'
I'm watching the NFL playoffs tonight and I notice during each commercial break, the new Dodge Ram commercial......you talk about marketing a vehicle strictly for men, this is it.......a bunch of big, macho guys from the military, construction, and firemen competing against each other in an action-packed obstacle course. Now that I think of it, pickup trucks, and especially the heavy-duty ones, are indeed a "man's-man" vehicle if there ever was one. I don't think I have ever seen a woman driving a pick-up truck in my life.......but I'm in Chicago, so it might be different out in the farm country.
01-10-2009, 09:46 PM
#22
everyday I see women pickup drivers in Tx. Here somedays my car might be the only non SUV or Pickup stopped a traffic light
01-11-2009, 09:16 AM
#23
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My mother drives a 2G-TL, but is pretty indifferent about the car that she drives as long as it is reliable, has a decent backseat, and is relatively uncomplicated. By comparison, she considered the 2G TSX with tech that she recently received as a loaner to be too complicated.
Although some of the women in here are going apoplectic over the generalizations in this thread, Acura, like other companies, uses generalizations when marketing a product. There is a reason that commercials aired during the NFL playoffs will differ from those seen during Grey's Anatomy.
Although some of the women in here are going apoplectic over the generalizations in this thread, Acura, like other companies, uses generalizations when marketing a product. There is a reason that commercials aired during the NFL playoffs will differ from those seen during Grey's Anatomy.
01-11-2009, 09:31 AM
#24
Three Wheelin'
All the 4G commercials I've seen so far have been gender-neutral, so I don't understand how Acura is supposedly marketing this car mainly for men. Compare this to a Dodge Ram or Ford F150 commercial where you can clearly see the intended audience.....and rightfully so, as over 90% of truck and pick-up buyers are men who are in the construction and similarly-related industries. I've read somewhere that the Lexus RX SUV's were originally designed with women in mind....for example, the designers intentionally placed the shifter on the dash console instead of on the floor so that they could create a space where women can conveniently place their purses when driving.
01-11-2009, 10:05 AM
#25
Burning Brakes
Excuse me??? What an arrogant thing to say. I am a 40 year old professional FEMALE who made the decision, after considerable research, to purchase a TL. I knew as much or more about this car before making the purchase than the salesman did at the dealership. I'll have you know that my decision was not based on emotion but the quality, features, and price of this vehicle compared to the others in its class. After two months of ownership I can say I made the right decision. I love my TL and so does my husband. I would suggest that you keep in mind that women DO own this car and DO read the forum before you make ridiculous statements like that again.
I am a 40 year old professional FEMALE who made the decision, after considerable research, to purchase a TL. I knew as much or more about this car before making the purchase than the salesman did at the dealership. I'll have you know that my decision was not based on emotion but the quality, features, and price of this vehicle compared to the others in its class. After two months of ownership I can say I made the right decision. I love my TL and so does my husband. I would suggest that you keep in mind that women DO own this car and DO read the forum before you make ridiculous statements like that again.Boy if that's not provoking an argument I don't what is? Mod's observe how I maintain composure. Hey 007Acura, I'm curious as to what you think is a "manly" car. I saw a old lady driving a Black Bently Contintental GT today, if that's a feminine car, I can't wait for my uterus! Your a dork for making those comments, especially if your wife, girlfriend or boyfriend could see it! LOL. How do you bitch slap in a thread? Way to go Msspl04, right on!
no one can take a joke around here?
:gheylaugh
01-11-2009, 12:30 PM
#26
Racer
One of my favorite customers (because she reminds me of my grandmother) owns a white 2007 TL Type-S. That right there threw all car stereotypes out the window for me lol. Also, as I said in another post, the only other 09 TL owner I've seen in person yet was a 50 year old Hasidic Jewish woman. I rubbed my eyes and made sure I was awake lol, I couldn't believe it.
I still do feel though that cars have an inherent gender to them.
Sebring = Female
BMW M6 = Male
CR-V = Female
Audi A/S5 = Male
And so on. The TL is very agressive and bossy looking, as well as looking like it was beamed here from the future, or from space. Or from both lol. It's not passive in the least. Definitely a man, all the way. BUT...the real question is, would a woman look funny driving it? As funny as a man driving a VW Beetle? Absolutely not. Drive it with style msslp04, because I'm sure you look good in it =)
I still do feel though that cars have an inherent gender to them.
Sebring = Female
BMW M6 = Male
CR-V = Female
Audi A/S5 = Male
And so on. The TL is very agressive and bossy looking, as well as looking like it was beamed here from the future, or from space. Or from both lol. It's not passive in the least. Definitely a man, all the way. BUT...the real question is, would a woman look funny driving it? As funny as a man driving a VW Beetle? Absolutely not. Drive it with style msslp04, because I'm sure you look good in it =)
01-11-2009, 05:08 PM
#27
Three Wheelin'
To me, the TL Type-S looks more masculine than the 4G (esp. the FWD version with the 17" rims). I think the red (Basque Red Pearl), Borealis Blue, and WDP makes the 4G look more feminine or at least more gender neutral in my opinion. When I was shopping for the 4G several months ago, I asked my dealer about the MDX and he said that 5X more women than men were buying them.......which to me was pretty interesting since I think the MDX is one of the more "masculine" looking SUV's out there.
01-11-2009, 09:23 PM
#28
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One of the first comments I heard from my customers was that the 09 TL looks very "masculine" and "meaty".
The RDX...now THAT's a feminine vehicle...oh, and the CSX...if you live up here in Canada.
To all the female TL owners out there - it's goddamn sexy when you beat us off the line at a stop!
The RDX...now THAT's a feminine vehicle...oh, and the CSX...if you live up here in Canada.
To all the female TL owners out there - it's goddamn sexy when you beat us off the line at a stop!
01-11-2009, 11:27 PM
#29
Cruisin'
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I love my 4G TL Sh-AWD...& the dealership had NO problems with selling me my car. Acura may run ads during NFL games but they also run ads during daytime programing in-between ads for Weight Watchers and tampons. I saw the first ad for the new TL when I was waiting in the lobby at my doctor's office. And the new TL Sh-AWD blows my old 3G away! Long time Acura fan, can't beat Acura for reliability or the quality of the interior & features/electronics. Lots of horsepower is also a plus!
01-12-2009, 11:56 PM
#31
Three Wheelin'
I'd be more interested to see if the TL finds appeal with certain professions, rather than with a certain gender.
I remember a comparison test on Car and Driver quite a few years ago when the 3G TL was still very new, and they described the 2G TL as being the universal car for all real estate agents.
Is there really a common thread as to the types of professions that are more likely to find favour with a car like the 4G TL?
I remember a comparison test on Car and Driver quite a few years ago when the 3G TL was still very new, and they described the 2G TL as being the universal car for all real estate agents.
Is there really a common thread as to the types of professions that are more likely to find favour with a car like the 4G TL?
01-13-2009, 02:19 AM
#32
Excuse me??? What an arrogant thing to say. I am a 40 year old professional FEMALE who made the decision, after considerable research, to purchase a TL. I knew as much or more about this car before making the purchase than the salesman did at the dealership. I'll have you know that my decision was not based on emotion but the quality, features, and price of this vehicle compared to the others in its class. After two months of ownership I can say I made the right decision. I love my TL and so does my husband. I would suggest that you keep in mind that women DO own this car and DO read the forum before you make ridiculous statements like that again.
I am a 40 year old professional FEMALE who made the decision, after considerable research, to purchase a TL. I knew as much or more about this car before making the purchase than the salesman did at the dealership. I'll have you know that my decision was not based on emotion but the quality, features, and price of this vehicle compared to the others in its class. After two months of ownership I can say I made the right decision. I love my TL and so does my husband. I would suggest that you keep in mind that women DO own this car and DO read the forum before you make ridiculous statements like that again.Don't get mad. They are just jealous of you because your annual income is higher than theirs.
01-13-2009, 09:34 AM
#33
Three Wheelin'
I'd be more interested to see if the TL finds appeal with certain professions, rather than with a certain gender.
I remember a comparison test on Car and Driver quite a few years ago when the 3G TL was still very new, and they described the 2G TL as being the universal car for all real estate agents.
Is there really a common thread as to the types of professions that are more likely to find favour with a car like the 4G TL?
I remember a comparison test on Car and Driver quite a few years ago when the 3G TL was still very new, and they described the 2G TL as being the universal car for all real estate agents.
Is there really a common thread as to the types of professions that are more likely to find favour with a car like the 4G TL?
01-13-2009, 05:53 PM
#34
+1
I see more women driving the 3G TL than ever before. I also parked next to a TypeS last night at the gym, as I was getting out the owner, a female, was getting in and she said this was her husbands car, and he gave it to her as he got a new Mercedes. So there you go.
I see more women driving the 3G TL than ever before. I also parked next to a TypeS last night at the gym, as I was getting out the owner, a female, was getting in and she said this was her husbands car, and he gave it to her as he got a new Mercedes. So there you go.
02-16-2009, 04:54 PM
#35
Suzuka Master
I see the SH-AWD just as the 3G Type-S as more a man's car, the base TL will appeal to both, the angular lines may appeal more to men, but I see a ton of 3G TL being driven more by women, I could make a sexist comment here, but infer what you like.....
02-16-2009, 06:04 PM
#36
Thanks Keith! I thought I was the only one noticing that. I think the 3G is the new Accord for America, it looks, drives, feels and performs great! The new Accord looks like a Hyundai, simple FUGLY, especially the back. OYE!
So the new TL is just a new car for now, nor masculine nor feminine, only time will tell.
So the new TL is just a new car for now, nor masculine nor feminine, only time will tell.
02-16-2009, 06:26 PM
#37
Suzuka Master
Thanks Keith! I thought I was the only one noticing that. I think the 3G is the new Accord for America, it looks, drives, feels and performs great! The new Accord looks like a Hyundai, simple FUGLY, especially the back. OYE!
So the new TL is just a new car for now, nor masculine nor feminine, only time will tell.
So the new TL is just a new car for now, nor masculine nor feminine, only time will tell.
02-16-2009, 06:37 PM
#38
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Kevin
02-16-2009, 06:50 PM
#39
j/k Keith, I love ya!
02-16-2009, 06:51 PM
#40
Suzuka Master
Hmm, don't see what there is so sexist, if you don't think the manufactuer does far more research into how their designs appeal to the sexes or how they target a car or advertising accordingly I think you might be a little sheltered ;-)