VTEC Racer

So are you not "considering" a 4G TL anymore?

fsttyms1

Not part of the discussion.

MyCarIsntInMyWifesName

Piss off.

Crazy Bimmer

Glass tranny was over with 5 years ago, why we still complaining about it.

I guess i dont understand why so many are still pissy at Acura because of a flaw they had in a car that was released TEN years ago.

Their products now seem damn solid. Minus the looks but thats subjective.

Acura has had many great cars in the past 25 years and its sad that we only talk about the ones with issues.

Shift_Acura

Most people would consider Acura and Lexus as the most reliable Luxury brands. That will probably not change anytime soon, I dont understand the problem some of these Azine members have with Acura

Legend2TL

Agreed, but you said

"... I guess bad stories, or stories of problems dont count as real, which they wont show. Which doesnt show the real honda."

Well documenting Honda disastrous starts in F1 and CART engine programs shows problems.

Legend2TL

, well written

TSX69

I have not clicked on this thread in a while bc I figured that it would be the same usual suspects complaining or making snide comments ... but glad to see someone making a reasonable positive assertion (other than Colin & co) ... Acura has continued to sell cars for over 2 decades & altho they may not be perfect & have had their problems, I am confident that they have enough happy customers to get all the positive stories that they want for this campaign.

Despite all the complaints by some people, Honda is still laughing all the way to the bank ...

Carry On.

dom

While I agree for the most part, most of those cars are still on the road today. Its not really history since its still occurring on a daily basis. Right or wrong you're basically taking away any positives on cars that were made for nearly a quarter of Acura's existence.

But I agree with your last sentence. Maybe its because I was young, but my 98 GS-R is still to this day the best car I've owned. Maybe that's not saying much about what I've owned but it was a great little car IMO.

Moog-Type-S

Perhaps, but the thread and site from Acura is about individual ownership stories from Acura owners over the past 25 years.

For many that ownership experience was "troublesome".

The glass tranny was a big part of that ownership experience.

How is this not relevant to a thread about Acura ownership experience?

For as many as there are stories about a poor experience with Acura, there are stories about a good experience as well.

In the end it's all about each individuals experience.

fsttyms1

Exactly this right here!!!

4cruizn

For sure. It's why I'm here on AZ in the first place. No platform is perfect, but I'm a pretty satisfied and loyal customer because I've had a phenomenal ownership experience. Find me another make/model that will give me 440k miles on an original engine, trans, and clutch. I submitted my ownership story a couple of weeks ago.

fsttyms1

But your car dates back to when they actually made a decent long lasting product.

Moog-Type-S

Fixed for more accuracy.

Crazy Bimmer

But what company these days actually still build a car that can last that long?

We all hear stories of how all these "reliable" manufactures having issues. Its plastered all over the internet almost weekly. Recalls have become a norm.

My point is with all these cars currently having issues then we should praise Acura a little for staying out of the spotlight.

My experience with the 02 TLS wasnt perfect but i also have close family members who have other Acura models who love them. Plus i cant forget the grin on my face for the short period of time that the S2k and NSX were in my garage. That totally outweighed the issues with the TL-S.

Holy ramble.

Yumcha

Well, I'm not really that pissy about my time with an Acura car. I quite enjoyed it...sure, the tranny issue gave me some headaches, but I still loved my car immensely.


And oh...Hi Jatt.

Crazy Bimmer

im guju, not jatt.

Yumcha

Shift_Acura

Are you trying to say for every 1 bad experience there's only 1 good?

Moog-Type-S

^^ ...that's a stretch.

Yumcha

A bit too literal.

Shift_Acura

He said "For as many as there are..."


Anyways, moving on...

Yumcha

I would love to do a diatribe to the peeps who decided to ax the NSX and coupes, though...But, that's not really a story they are encouraging the owners to share.

fsttyms1

This one time in band camp............Er.........................

darmok

I still love my TSX. Apparently this is not real and is "fan boy crap"? Gee, I didn't know.

oonowindoo

i personally could deal with all the rattles, minor electronic issues and etc....

but when u have to replace your transmission at 17k miles for a car that costed me $35k in 2000 and the new tranny went out 3k miles later then tell me how would you feel about that brand.... Especially when they gave you Enterprise Focus with Manual window as a loaner and made up BS like this is the last time they are going to honor the warranty for the tranny as ONE TIME GOOD WILL because i had a cold air intake....

Tell me would u still love Acura after ? NOW that is a REAL STORY

Now imagine if you leased the car.. every time the tranny went out the car would have to stay at the dealer for 2+ weeks or more, yet you still have to make you monthly payment for something that you can't even drive.

vybzkartel

Moog sounds like a man scorned, lol!

phee

iTrader: (5)

i knew moog would be in here

fsttyms1

Didnt say it wasnt, all they are going to publish is the Oh its the best car ever stuff and leave out the I had multiple problems, dealer treated me like shit, had to pay for my own transmission stories. Yes, the majority of the stories will be fan boy, sure there will be some legit like stories. But how many "real" stories will they actually show? 200 bucks says they wont post mine.

Legend2TL

What company would publish their customer's complaints?

This is just a simple PR for what I would agree is positive real stories, but probably no negative real stories.

Legend2TL

If you knew Honda history they have had wide-spread design/manufacturing problems before.

1) 76-77 Accord front fenders rusting due to poor painting/corrosion protection and bad design of fender liners.


2) 76-77 Accord bad cylinder head gasket, leaked coolant into oil ruining engines.

3) Tec distributors of the early 1990's, bad power electronics in distributor ignitor would cause engine shutdown.

There are other cases but Honda/Acura have had issues before. In most cases they would offer good will and replace or repair the product.

In terms of today, my wife's Pilot has 166K miles and we've had to replace a right headlight and a window motor. So it's it's not perfect but easily expect it to last until at least 250K miles. Heck the CV Joint boots are still original.

With the exception of the 1999-2004 4AT/5AT, I still expect modern Acura/Honda's to last into easily 200K and beyond mileage.

fsttyms1

I didnt say earlier models were problem free did i

And shit, i see just as many Ford and GM vehicles lasting that long to. Hell i own a Expedition that has 200k on it. Only thing i have put into it is brakes,rear shocks, a battery and tires. That thing has been far better a vehicle maintenance wise than my acura

Moog-Type-S

What can I say...I speak the truth from my experiences.

Rugel

My old car which I gave to my brother (Integra) has 450K and I had to rebuild the tranny. Great car and still going strong.

Legend2TL

No you said "But your car dates back to when they actually made a decent long lasting product."

I counter that with Honda/Acura have had large scale problems before the transmission problems. My point is simple the more current models with the improved transmissions shouldn't last as long as older Honda/Acuras.

Shift_Acura

I dont love any car brands. Being loyal to a car brand is ridiculous IMO. I just think in general Acura and Lexus have more positive stories over the past couple of decades than any other luxury brands

fsttyms1

I said dates back to when they actually made a decent product. I never said the 70s like you posted were decent products.

TSX69

OneCommand Powers Expansion of Acura’s PCSC Program to Include Voice-based Marketing

Cost-efficient, Multi-Channel Options Proven to Increase Response Rates by up to 51%; Special Packages Available to All Acura Dealers

01.18.2011– Cincinnati, OH -- OneCommand (www.onecommand.com), the nation’s leader in preference-based, automated, multi-channel marketing, and Acura, today announced that OneCommand will power a critical expansion and integration of Acura’s Precision Crafted Service Communications (PCSC) program to help dealers cost-effectively increase their marketing scope to service customers. As of January 3rd, 2011, PCSC includes OneCommand’s industry-leading voice-based marketing, as well as critical integration of a dealer’s voice, email and direct mail communications. These enhancements will help to drive higher customer conversion and loyalty rates for Acura dealerships across the country.

“Helping Acura dealerships drive more traffic into the service department, all while increasing owner loyalty and customer satisfaction, has never been more important -- which is why we are extending PCSC to include the personalization, immediacy and cost-effectiveness of OneCommand’s leading-edge voice-based marketing technology,” said Acura Parts and Service Marketing Manager Suzan Fairchild. “The OneCommand additions, which are completely turnkey and instantly compatible with existing programs, will help our dealers compete even more effectively in an economic climate that demands the most efficient paths to increased fixed ops revenue and customer retention.”

The OneCommand-powered expansion of the PCSC program means that Acura dealers will be able to deliver automated, timely and integrated communications to help their dealerships stay top of mind with customers and prospects. The program includes OneCommand’s proprietary Reminder Voice of Authority (RVOA) personalized voice communications campaigns, which address customer service declines; maintenance reminders; ‘lost souls’ (overdue maintenance) and quarterly service campaigns. In addition to RVOA, OneCommand is offering exclusively priced package options that include Prospecting and Call Capture, as well as a comprehensive wrap around program that adds additional customer touch-points, such as appointment reminders, thank you campaigns and charity/community events.

“More than any other marketing channel, voice communications display sincerity and personalization; and the integration of voice to other marketing channels is proven to increase response rates by up to 51%,” says OneCommand’s Executive Vice President, Marvin Grimm. “With the robust and value-based voice marketing options now available to Acura dealerships through the OneCommand-powered PCSC program expansion, dealers will not only generate more service traffic, but will also earn more repeat purchasers, maintain current customers and improve fixed operations revenue.”


About OneCommand (www.onecommand.com)
OneCommand is a leading provider of integrated and automated, personalized communications designed to streamline workflow, reduce marketing expense and generate superior customer response. Focusing on the delivery of the right message, at the right time, and through the right channel, OneCommand has rapidly expanded its market penetration by helping its clients realize significant improvements in loyalty and retention, frequency of visit and overall profitability.

In 2009 the Company delivered millions of personalized communications on behalf of its dealer clients – nearly doubling their communication during some of the most challenging market conditions.

OneCommand’s proven, web-based Relationship Performance Marketing Solutions enable customers to leverage the power of their voice through a multitude of channels, including voice messaging, mobile messaging, e-mail marketing, live call center services, direct mail and a variety of other two-way communication streams.

By providing a seamless solution for communication from shop to buy to service and repurchase, OneCommand offers the opportunity to coordinate a unified message to customers. This approach, paired with custom automation of timely, relevant and consistent communications, has led to significant reductions in marketing expense and even greater improvements in the customer experience. For more information call 1.800.814.6820, email lleugers@onecommand.com or visit www.onecommand.com.

biker

^ I don't need to be bugged to have my Acura serviced - that's already done by the MID in the car.

TSX69

Despite Dealers' Confusion, Acura Keeps "Advance" Advertising Theme

LOS ANGELES -- Despite confusion among some dealers about what it means, Honda executives have decided to stick with Acura's "Advance" theme and tag line for national advertising.

In fact, "Advance," which debuted in 2007, could be around "for 10 or 20 years," Steve Center, chief marketing officer for American Honda, said in an interview.

But Acura recently tinkered with its brand message after retailers questioned its effectiveness.

"You ask 10 people to describe Acura and you get 12 answers," said Center. "We're in the right place, but we also created a lot of confusion."

Center said Acura is working to focus the message behind "Advance" so that it is easier to understand, but he says the idea behind the campaign remains the same: leadership in technical innovation, including performance and safety.

"'Advance' is not a 2- or 3-year identification," Center said. "It's something durable."

Center says he wants "Advance" to be for Acura what "The Ultimate Driving Machine" was for BMW. There could be some tinkering, but Acura needs some solid message that can take root with consumers.

Part of the confusion among dealers was that Acura described its positioning internally as "smart luxury." But the advertising never mentions the phrase.

The Acura TSX Sport Wagon
The latest iteration of the "Advance" commercials shows an Acura TSX sedan being transformed into the TSX Sport Wagon while in slow-motion drift through a corner. The sedan's sheet metal is stripped away from the car and replaced with wagon construction, as if to show that the wagon has lost none of its sport sedan roots. Another spot shows Motor Trend staffers frolicking with the MDX crossover during cold-weather snow testing in Minnesota.

That's different from the original "Advance" ads, which were shot inside a stark studio and focused on technology.

"'Advance' keeps us moving forward and upward as a brand," says Susie Rossick, Acura manager of national advertising. "It gives us a certain flexibility. Right now it's about innovation and what we do differently."

The campaign already may have made an impression. Rossick says Acura's own polling shows the brand was the No. 1 response when consumers were asked to connect a brand to the words "smart" and "innovation."

While Acura pitches features and benefits, Center also wants to position it as a value brand for luxury shoppers. Not cheap but functional, with extra benefits for the price paid.

"There's no reason an expensive luxury sedan can't be a good value," Center said.

Jim Smail, chairman of the Acura Dealer Advisory Board, likes the direction of the campaign, now that it has been made clearer.

"I get the 'Advance' message," says Smail, president of Smail Auto Group in Greensburg, Pa. "It's simple. It's saying, 'Advance your thinking.' We want to keep the theme that Acura is where you find the most innovative thinking. Our product has features and benefits the consumer may not know about."

You can reach Mark Rechtin at mrechtin@crain.com.