CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

Why should we have to? If Acura wants to compete against the big boys, then they need to offer better options right off the showroom floor.

skd2k1

iTrader: (1)

I think people buy audi/bmw for different reasons than people buy acura. better wheels cost more $.

oonowindoo

considering the difference from RLX and RLX AWD or current TL and TL AWD.
There will be little to none exterior difference.

Difference: front bumper, rear bumper, sideskirt, wheels, suspension, mirrors, taillight.

So basically every detail of the car has been changed/toned down from the prototype.
The only reason why the concept looked decent was because of the ride height, wheels, taillight and headlight.

oonowindoo

If that is the mentality of Acura, then they should just merge with Honda.

skd2k1

iTrader: (1)

I don't know about the rlx, but the 4g tl has an a-spec kit plus minor differences in the awd model. I'm not going to call foul on the tlx until I see the top trim level and a-spec (if it gets one).

oonowindoo

Then they should have called the prototype TLX A Spec, Not TLX.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

There's a difference between wheels that look good and wheels that contribute to performance. I am not looking for Acura to offer forged wheels, I just want them to offer a set of wheels that is appropriately sized for the car and doesn't look like it came off a Civic.

skd2k1

iTrader: (1)

they are pretty much the same company as is, see the honda legend.

skd2k1

iTrader: (1)

seems like you're splitting hairs now.

MeehowsBRZ

Because I shouldn't to have to explain to strangers why my $40k car came with Corolla wheels.

skd2k1

iTrader: (1)

bigger wheels cost more $ too. that said, I'm not a fan of the wheels on the concept tlx or the production spy shots. if I bought that car I'd probably get wheels for it.

oonowindoo

Then why does Acura even exist?

oonowindoo

Then by your definition, it does not matter how stock cars look or perform like anymore.

Because if you got enough $, you can make any car look good and go fast.

skd2k1

iTrader: (1)

okay? then don't. seems like you're looking for something to complain about. I'm not a huge fan of the 17's that came stock on my car, so I bought aftermarket wheels. not a deal breaker for me.

do we even know for a fact what wheels will come from the factory on the tlx?

skd2k1

iTrader: (1)

marketing.

skd2k1

iTrader: (1)

not true, $10k wheels won't make a pontiac aztec look good.

ttribe

If that truly is the case, they've failed...miserably.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

Not everyone wants to have to go through the trouble of finding a set of aftermarket wheels just to make the car look like it should have from the factory. If more attractive wheels will cost an additional $250/car, but improve the entire model line's perceived value, then Acura would be foolish not to charge $500 for the set and do themselves a huge favor.

As for what wheels will end up on the car, it is pretty safe to say that, given Acura's history with spy shots and the final products, the wheels we are seeing will end up on some version of the final car. Hopefully, there will be some options, but as we get closer to NYIAS, I am less optimistic.

oonowindoo

see, now you are splitting hairs.

If Pontiac came with different wheels, front bumper, rear bumper, headlight, taillight, mirror, suspension, then i am sure it would not became the ugliest car in the history.

skd2k1

iTrader: (1)

no no, that would be gm. but seriously, I see a lot of acuras on the road, so I think it's been pretty effective.

MeehowsBRZ

It looks like you're trying REALLY hard to defend bad design choices on Acura's part.

You do understand that Acura's target market for this car isn't people who mod their cars right? So yeah, I buy a car and change out the wheels because I like doing that. A doctor who wants to show off his brand new luxury car isn't doing that and might just pass up this car because appearances matter to them.

skd2k1

iTrader: (1)

like I said, I'm not even sure what wheels will ultimately be on the production tlx, so it's difficult for me to comment. if the stock acura wheels are a deal breaker and you refuse to buy aftermarket, then I suggest you don't buy the tlx but there's always a trade off.

it seems to me that folks are looking for acura to become audi/bmw, which I don't understand. if you want audi/bmw then buy an audi/bmw. I really don't think the average acura buyer will ultimately be deterred by the wheels.

skd2k1

iTrader: (1)

I'm just calling it like I see it. I don't see an insurmountable design difference between the concept and the production spy shots. fwiw, 2g, 3g, and 4g all look better with a-spec kit and aftermarket wheels. modding is fun if ya ask me.

exactly, so they probably won't be as picky as folks on an enthusiast forum. I don't think a doctor wanting to show off a luxury car will buy an acura.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

You seem to want Acura to continue to languish in mediocrity. Even Acura has realized that their status quo situation is untenable and restructured the company to try to facilitate change.

The point is that I, along with the vast majority of car buyers, want a nice looking car without having to spend another $1,500 after the fact to get a set of wheels that suits the car's design. Acura has gotten progressively worse in this area over the years and the current wheel designs look increasingly low brow for a brand with aspirations for competing with the BMW and Lexus.

MTEAZY

Yes, save the doctors. Won't somebody please think of the doctors.

MeehowsBRZ

At least we agree that Acura is terrible at marketing to and selling to the luxury car buying demographic.


As always thank you for your insightful contribution to the topic.

skd2k1

iTrader: (1)

I don't think acura is mediocre; I think it's a good value. I'm very happy with my dependable acura. I've owned two bmws previously. that said, I would like to see a type-s model in the tlx. so, I want acura to be the best acura they can be, not an audi/bmw clone.

imo, the tlx looks nice and the wheels aren't so bad that they would prevent me from buying the car. a non-enthusiast is likely to be less critical as well.

skd2k1

iTrader: (1)

I don't think that's necessarily where they are aiming.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

Apparently the best Acura can be includes ugly wheels...

skd2k1

iTrader: (1)

looks are subjective, and, like I said, better wheels cost more $.

ttribe

That's purely anecdotal. The sales performance of all the non-SUV models is dismal.

With respect to these two comments, I'd suggest you read the following because "the Germans" are exactly who Acura thinks they can/do compete with:

https://acurazine.com/forums/showpos...postcount=2399

https://acurazine.com/forums/showpos...postcount=2464

https://acurazine.com/forums/showpos...postcount=2487

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

Are they just aiming people like you then?

Which category do you fall under? a Fanboy?

kurtatx

This mentality is one of the reasons doctors are not nearly as wealthy as a collective as their incomes would suggest. A few more of them would be better off with Acuras instead of big Germans.

skd2k1

iTrader: (1)

you don't see a lot of acuras on the road?

"the germans" are luxury, and acura is luxury...that much is true. I don't see those articles stating or implying that acura intends to become audi/bmw.

ttribe

Seriously? I know you are aware of the difference between "anecdotal" and "empirical".

You're grasping for straws if you don't see the implication of Acura leadership stating they are "every bit of a luxury brand as the Germans or the other Japanese or the domestics...."

skd2k1

iTrader: (1)

I'm aware of the difference; it was just a question.

to me, the tlx looks to have the potential of the 3g tl.

you're reading between the lines, but that's not to say that acura isn't a luxury brand.

ttribe

Yes, I see them. It doesn't change the fact that the actual sales numbers for the non-SUV models is dismal.

Okay...they're a "luxury brand", but they aren't trying to be like the other "luxury brand(s)"; you know, the successful ones. That's a great plan.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

I seriously don't know what you are trying to say.

LiQiCE

This was posted over in the TLX forum - don't think it was posted here. Spy pics of the Chinese version of the TLX, mostly exposed. These pictures actually make the car look pretty good imho ... a lot better than the TOV spypics which made the car seem very bland. Maybe its just because the car is shinier and taken from a better angle -- I dunno, but I like the car in these pics (except for the wheels and wheel gap):

Link to pics: http://acuraconnected.com/2014/04/03...ts-from-china/

Curious3GTL

Why has the cover been half ripped off? I'm trying to picture it full black. I think it looks pretty good. Not feeling the rims though.