Costco

I was a bit torn.... the pics from Acura definitely make it better than the other shots posted on an earlier page. But then I saw this...



^that is one of the hottest TSXs I've ever seen. It makes the TSX look so futuristic and er, passive aggressive? No, subtly aggressive. I love that front end, reinforces my belief that the TSX is the best looking current Acura IMO, even stock.

dom

I think that's the Modolo front bumper. Does look great. I'll take that grille too.

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

I'm not feeling the fog lights whatsoever. It makes the car look like it got sucker-punched.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

Especially in that color...man that's hawt...

SSFTSX

http://www.acura.com/Features.aspx?m...th__quiet_ride

Smooth engines and a rigid body are just the beginning for creating the TSX’s smooth, quiet and refined ride characteristics. The following are just a few examples of the efforts to reduce noise and vibration:

To reduce wind noise, long, smooth floor panels and a series of underbody fairings control airflow underneath the car and around the front and rear tires.

As opposed to most vehicles’ hollow roof pillars, TSX roof pillars are sealed internally, dramatically reducing noise and vibration.

Floating front and rear suspension subframes are rubber-mounted to reduce road and suspension noise, vibration and harshness.

Flush window and moonroof moldings and windshield wipers positioned below the hood line reduce air turbulence.
Exterior mirror housings are aerodynamically shaped to further reduce turbulence.

fsttyms1

I could live with the TSX if it looked like that, but the new front end is still shit and lacking any decent design. but that is my

Shift_Acura

In terms of design, the TSX and MDX both look like they evolved from their predecessors. The RL and TL, not so much.

yohan81718

i like tsx and mdx.

rl is not that bad.

tl is pretty bad

smarty666

I tend to agree with that and if you notice, the TSX and MDX have been their best selling vehicles despite the poor economy.

jasonwdp10

that pic above is the accord modulo, the US is not getting that front end unfortunately. duno what goes on at acura.

Infamous425

the US does get that front bumper though. its the optional sport bumper

Costco

There we go.... I knew I've seen it on the TSX, just couldn't remember what it was called. I'm not one of those JDM crazy kids but first thing I'd do if I got a TSX would be to put on the Euro Accord grille or the Module grille.

Speed_Racer

Did they change that for 2011? I don't see that option on the acura.com site anymore.

And why can't you get Vortex Blue or Basque Red in the 4cyl manual transmission?

Damn Acura. You really want us to check out other brands don't you?

docboy

Sorry not quite true.

According to American Honda sales, as of October 2010:

MDX: 37,132
TL: 28,343
TSX: 25,094
RDX: 12,252
ZDX: 2,850
RL: 1,728

I have to say that IMHO the white Accord modulo posted above looks absolutely fantastic and very aggressive. Toss in a turbo 4, SH-AWD, and a 6MT, you would have a winner

smarty666

Actually it is quite true! If you actually read what I posted, I said WITH the economy. I'm talking about percent change over its previous model years. As you can see below, the TSX does not have the huge huge decline that the TL has in sales.

The TL has been a big sales disappointment. You do realize that back with the 3G sales were doubled to triple of what they are now on the 4G! Some of that had to do with the economy but not all of it!

Below is what I was referring to. Sorry if I didn't make that clear in my original post!

Acura TSX Sales:

2004: 30,395
2005: 34,856 (+ 4461)
2006: 38,035 (+ 3719)
2007: 33,037 (- 4498)
2008: 31,998 (- 1039)
2009: 28,650 (- 3348)
2010: 25,094 (thru Oct)

Acura TL Sales:
2004: 77,895
2005: 78,218 (+ 323)
2006: 71,348 (- 6870)
2007: 58,545 (- 12,803)
2008: 48,766 (- 9779)
2009: 33,620 (-15,146)
2010: 28,343 (thru Oct)


For 2010, the TSX has had a +7.3% change in YTD where as the TL has only had a +0.6% change in YTD. What I'm saying basically is that the TSX is doing better then the TL in the grand scheme of things, especially now since 2010 was suppose to be out of the recession with the market trickling upward again. The TSX has much more positive growth and more stable (if you can even call it that) sales through the recession compared to the TL which fluctuated greatly.

docboy

I did read what you posted. I didn't know "WITH the economy" came with a stipulation: You didn't mention percent change over previous models years.

What about the RDX then? +55.8% change in YTD. By your definition, the RDX would be Acura's best selling vehicle "with the economy."

I agree though (as a former 1G TSX owner) the TSX is doing comparatively better than the TL, for whatever reasons that may be.

docboy

Imagine if RonJon made a grill like that for the TSX (and TL). It would be a hot seller

Or another option would be for Acura to have that grill available as an aftermarket accessory. Why doesn't Acura offer as such?

ghttf

that is the TSX sport bumper. You can get it from the dealer

Infamous425

unfortunately Acura decided to change the sport body kit for 2011. i think for 2011 its just a lame lip kit for the front bumper

SSFTSX

2G TSX has stayed at same level as 1G TSX. 2G TSX interior is not much upgraded than 1G TSX.
there is only two inch diffference in length/width with decreasing height but 2G TSX has 4 feet tighter turning circle. you can practically take U-turn with single hand at higher speed with 2G but you cant do it with 1G as it goes much wider the higher speeds goes.

4G TL has grown in size and upgraded interior by larger margin. 4G now compete with Infiniti M37/BMW 5/MB E/Audi A6. so you have to look at that market segment.

pttl

You talk about the most bizarre things. Is the "turning circle" the new "side mirrors"?

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

Back in 2004, there were only a few competitors in the TL segment. Things have changed since then with the new CTS, A4, IS, C class, 3 series, etc. Then the TSX is pretty much the 3G TL in many areas. The 4G TL has grown so much that I think its size (and its beak) scare a lot of people. It's price has also gone up quite a bit too. At this rate, eventually the TSX will be the 3 series competitor, and the TL will be the 5 series competitor.

Costco

I knew the 4G sales dropped, I didn't know it was THAT much.

Hapa DC5

^ That's cause it has moved upmarket, don't forget the economy too

fsttyms1

Silly boy, its because Acura wants it to be more exclusive. They dont want it to sell that much.

smarty666

You can make all excuses why the 4G TL sales are so much lower, the economy, polarizing styling, scariness in size, price increases, market competition, fact is the sales between the 3G and 4G have dropped tremendously. We are not talking a small sales drop like what happened with the TSX, we are talking major sales changes. Most of this has to do with the car itself.

As ShiftAcura pointed out earlier, the 2G TSX and MDX seemed to be a progressive (normal) evolution of their predecssors, while the 4G TL seems not to be a normal evolution of its 3G predecsseor.

Also, lets keep in mind, that the increase in price excuse really isn't that doable or logical considering that in 07 and 08 we had the type S and the TL ranged in price from $34k something for the base up to like $38-39k for the loaded type S.

The 4G TL is basically only a $1k difference in the base ($35k something) and about a $3k difference up to $41-42k for the fully loaded SH-AWD. That is not that much of a price increase to explain that much of a sales decline

smarty666

Yeah, but the RDX does not sell any where near the numbers that the TSX sells each year. If you take into account the TSX total sales AND its percent change during the recession and now after, its doing really really well for Acura.

I don't know why so many people are uptight with what I said. This is a TSX thread and I gave the TSX and its sales a compliment ?

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

I don't think those are really excuses. Those are all valid reasons. Excuses would be something like, "oh people want something different." If I really have to, the only excuses I see are the polarizing look and size increase. Anyways, this doesn't really matter, I guess everyone has a different opinion.

Looking back at the facts,

2006: 71,348 (- 6870)
2007: 58,545 (- 12,803)
2008: 48,766 (- 9779)
2009: 33,620 (-15,146)


If I remember correctly, the economy was doing pretty good before 2008. Yet, look at the drop from 2006 to 2007, and damn, that's a huge drop for 2007 to 2008. The economy was still ok at that time. What happened there? Still the same 3G TL. In fact, Acura introduced the Type S variant too. That should theoretically increase sale. But boom, 7000 less one year, than 13000 less the next. Does that mean the 3G TL has problems? Can anyone explain what happened here? The only reason I can see is increased market competition.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

The TSX is pretty much the 3G TL. If only Acura would lower the price for the V6 model...............................that thing should sell quite a bit better.

smarty666

Can't really argue about that!

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

I would like to see something like this:

TSX I4: $29k
TSX V6: $33k
TSX V6 SH-AWD: $36k

+$3k for tech package for each. Make the TSX V6 sportier to differentiate itself from the TL FWD. Move the TL further up market.

smarty666

I think your going to have to wait till the 2014 model years to come out to see if indeed they both move upmarket as Acura as hinted at! They'll need something though to slot below the TSX.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Not only that but they would have to move the RL really upmarket or cancel it all together to differentiate it from the TL.

SSFTSX

If they brign TSX production to US. it is possible to bring the price down by couple of thousand and make interior a little more upscale.
For 2011 there is 2mpg improvement in fuel economy and more quierter ride. I would say TSX is now already the best in class for refinement when you compare it with BMW 3/Audi A4.

when you compare TSX/TL interior TSX is more simple and not overhelm with buttons

Edward'TLS

Move Acura upmarket ? Why ? How ?

And up to where ? Tier-2, Tier-3, Tier-4 ?

Not after Honda has now decided to drop the goal of Acura going after the Tier-1 luxury brands. The new direction for Acura is now going SMART LUXURY - if only anyone knows what exactly that means.

smarty666

They are not moving up to tier 1, what I'm referring to is some links to Acura execs saying that their in the process currently of moving the sedan line-up up a step and that is why the 2G TSX and 4G TL grew so much in proportions and size. It was a while ago and I'll have to take a look through AZ to see if I can find the info I'm talking about.

Edward'TLS

I see what you mean.

It's just I wonder what's on Honda's mind, when Acura is not moving up to Tier-1, but it's product pricings are quickly approaching the true-Tier-1 product level. Doesn't Honda learn from the RL mistake ?

pttl

As far as looks are concerned... the RL is far more pleasing than the TL. So, all they would have to do is put a 395hp/360lbft V8 in the RL, keep the AWD system, and boom....instant separation from the TL. But we all know where the Big Ack stands on the V8.

smarty666

I think what they are doing is slowly moving the sedans into a position that properly lines up with Lexus, MB, Audi, etc. Right now they are like Infiniti with their line-up. If they move each up a step it will look similar to what Lexus AND the others currently have. Problem I see with this is, they've had trouble selling the RL at its current price and offerings, unless they do some majorly drastic in its next generation, I still don't think it will compete well even in the flagship luxury sedan class.

new entry = IS250, G25, 328, C300,
3G TSX = ES/IS350, G37, 330, A4, C350
5G TL = GS, 5, A6, E, M
3G RL = LS, 7, A8, S

nj2pa2nc

Just learned the 2011 tsx wagon is at my dealer. Guess other dealers have them also