mrdeeno

Actually, they would probably do better with $40-50k Acuras if they did sell them like Civics...

Civic choices:
DX
LX
EX
SI
GX
Hybrid
With or w/o navi
Automatic or Manual
Sedan or Coupe
Price range approx. $15k - $25k

Same with an Accord:
LX
EX
With or W/O navi
Automatic or manual
sedan or coupe
i4 or V6
Price range approx. $20k - 30k.

SpicyMikey

LOL, that's true. I stand corrected.

And the ironic thing is that when you get into the higher price range, people are even more picky and want more choice. I understand the volumes are so much lower that the economics make it harder. But hell, the other guys figured out how to give choice on this class of vehicle and make money. Why can't Honda figure that out?

TMQ

Interestingly, Lexus usually dumps you packages, and if you want the mark levinson audio you have to pay for the navigation, but at least in those you pretty much get all the bells and whistles, and you can have different leather/wood combos.

SpicyMikey

When I was shopping for a new sedan in the spring I found very little choice at Lexus dealership. Sure, the brochure showed all these great options, but try and find one with those. This dealer basically had their GS's in two configurations; a sort of base model, and one with most (but not all) options. In reality, there was little choice there either because the volumes don't allow it.

Now if you're selling an Accord or a Camary, it's different. You've got 95 units in the parking lot. You can have several of every possible combination and color. The volumes really help you float those slower selling configurations and provide real choice. The Lexus dealership had like 10 GS's on the lot. How much choice can he offer? My RL had SEVEN RL's! At least the Acura dealer didn't have to worry about mixing up combinations, cause there aren't any.

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Always been my complaint about acks, next to no variation in packages or models

krio

http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=802205
Chris Doane snagged several shots of a 2010 Acura RDX during some routine testing. The RDX is expected to get its MMC in 2010, and as expected, it appears that the RDX will not be spared from the Power Plenum treatment. What else is in store for 2010? There are rumors floating around that Acura will introduce a lower priced FWD version of the RDX in the hopes of triggering some sales.

Acur doesen't lissen to anybody...
a FWD version..??

Edward'TLS

Definitely much better looking than the one on the current TL. The power plenum must NOT wrap so far up into the hood like the current TL.

dom

I think the grille will end up looking pretty good on the RDX. But the problem with the RDX isn't the grille, its the rest of the styling.

JediMindTricks

don't matter. don't want.

Moog-Type-S

More ugly on ugly.
RDX is an abortion.
Ugly design, wrong engine. A one-two punch of fail.

JediMindTricks

at calling it an abortion.

Moog-Type-S

^^ You laugh....sure....but I cry....because I imagine the TSX with the RDX engine.....what could have been.

...and Acura put that engine into the wrong car.

phile

Gotta agree with moog. The RDX could've have been a LOT better in terms of everything: styling, execution, pricing.

But Acura just dropped the bomb. The Audi Q5 is what Acura should've been thinking of. LEDs in headlights? Check. Cool factor? check.

ostrich

Yup, if only the RDX turbo engine were put in the new TSX.... that thing would FLY!!! It would have been such a strong A4 fighter... sigh.

majin ssj eric

You gotta say one thing for Acura. THey aren't backing down from this power-plenum argument. Its almost as if they are saying, "Screw you people! This is what we are going to do whether you like it or not!" So much for the customer always being right!

biker

...until some at mother Honda says: "let's see if getting rid of the plenum grill will perk up sales"

Crazy Bimmer

Grill seems to flow nicely on the RDX. IMO

Crazy Bimmer

Before:



After:

Trackruner228

iTrader: (1)

Its the TSX version not the TL version which is much better.

JediMindTricks

it looks like the TL version to me. i think i see the grille extending out to the hood.

it looks better than the current RDX, sure.

but that's like saying amy winehouse looks better when she's not on crack.

DivinDude

It's official ... when this comes out, Acura will not have anything that interests this 6 Acura over 11 year owner ... I will skip the ugly buck-tooth, cheese slicer, guillotine grille era of American Honda

dom

You guys are acting like its the 08 TL to 09 TL. Its not as if the RDX was a looker before.

Its barely changed. Probably for the better IMO.

Moog-Type-S

Lipstick on a pig.

A horrible shade of lipstick, on a really ugly pig.

TMQ

RDX sales is really bad. the new grille isn't going to change that.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

before fixing anything...the economy has to be fixed first...

phile

Economy wasn't in the crapper when the RDX debuted, and it didn't do well then either.

dom

Yes, lets not blame the economy for the disaster that is the RDX.

nokiaman

Hell, if there is one car that describes the economy best by it's design, it's gotta be the 09TL.

phile

I think Edmunds nailed it on the head when they likened it to an elephant seal

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

Yea, it didn't do well at all if you go by Acura's goal back then. But I thought it did ok until recently. For example, in Nov 2007, BMW sold 1975 X3's vs 1679 RDX's. I didn't want to pick an earlier month for comparison because the RDX was introduced in late 2006 I believe. I don't want people to say "oh the RDX was new back then so obviously sales was good."

For November 2008, BMW sold 748 X3's vs 681 RDX's.

So..considering the X3 is RDX's main competitor....is the RDX really doing that bad? There are other cars in this segment, like the LR3, but I doubt its sale is great.

Ikko

mmm....I wonder what sale #s for the EX35 looks like!

Fibonacci

The RDX is actually fun to drive other than the turbo lag -- I can't believe after all the negative feedback on teh power plenum, Honda keeps pouring on the happy sauce.

JediMindTricks

https://acurazine.com/forums/car-talk-5/november-2008-luxury-car-sales-699260/

Moog-Type-S

I think once the "Acura Beak" was designed.....whoever gave it the green light gave it the green light for the entire line.......so all the models have been in beak design mode for quite some time now.

It's hard for Acura to "stop the press".

Hopefully the era of the beak will be long gone in 3-5 years

biker

The first indication of that would be the new RL.

JediMindTricks

i was just thinking about that.

i think we'll see what direction acura decides to really head into with the new RL whether it's with the grille, engine, drivetrain, etc.

Ikko

Don't bet on it!

Belzebutt

The main problem with the RDX styling is that it bulges at the bottom, particularly at the rear. If you look at its better-looking competitors, particularly the A5 or X3, you can see the rear bumper is fairly high and tapered. On the RDX, the rear bumper lies low and bulges out compared to the rest of the car. It looks like it's wearing a dress. Similarly, the side-skirts seem to bulge-out.

It's almost like the entire bottom third of the car is covered in Pontiac-like cladding. Tapered is the way to go for an SUV.

ludachrisvt

iTrader: (2)

I like the RDX

Mokos23

RDX isn't that bad, but due to the price of a fully loaded RDX, which is near the MDX's price and the mpg almost the same as the MDX, people go with the MDX instead. Plus, some people who buy a luxury or entry-luxury crossover want one with the V6.