So about a month ago, this thread was created and we all thought it was a joke.... (the thread is closed so you can't post).

https://acurazine.com/forums/car-talk-5/anyone-else-get-called-acura-la-auto-show-805076/

Well turns out it wasn't. I was contacted (as was Kris) by someone in Acura marketing about coming out to LA for the weekend to test drive a new Acura.

The event was Friday, March 11th to Sunday, March 13th

All expenses paid, spouses included, all the bells and whistles + a nice chunk of $$$$....it was too good to be true.

So my wife and I decided to make a longer trip out of it and flew out on Tues March 8th for a week-long vacation (sans children). I'll post pics of that later. Here's the one I was able to pull off my camera of Kris and I at the event. I'll post some more once I get the pics of my camera, Kris too.



The event started out Friday night at the W Hotel in Hollywood. Cocktails and dinner with several senior Acura executives. Got to meet the chief designer for the car we were driving, the 2012 TL. Top shelf everything. It was very nice.

Saturday morning we were up early, breakfast, then a brief overview of the car, talks by the designer and several other execs. This is the designer.



Then we walk out to the parking lot where the full Acura lineup was waiting for us... RL, TL, TSX, TSX wagon, RDX, MDX, and even and ZDX



They gave us a digital camera and a map and told us navigate to our final destination (The Rose Bowl) and on the way take several pics of the cars in action.

So up through the Hollywood Hills we go, Kris and I in our own 2012 SHAWD TLs. The car is amazing, we really got to get on them (more to come).



So we get to the Rose Bowl and they've got a huge inflatable tent set up for us with a buffet lunch and oh yeah, an auto-cross setup.



So after lunch we all get to take turns beating the crap out of the 2012 SHAWD TLs. Oh man what a blast. Even my wife took a turn sliding the car through the turns.





Then we had the opportunity to drive all the other cars around the Rose Bowl neighborhood. During the event, we all got to sit down to do interviews about the event and the cars.

Saturday night we were provided drivers and given $$$ to go out on the town. My wife and I ate at The Wood Ranch BBQ Kris and his wife ate on the Santa Monica pier.

Oh and we also were asked to create our "Celebrate Acura" stories, which were published.

Kris: http://celebrate.acura.com/OwnerStories.aspx#464
Neil: http://celebrate.acura.com/OwnerStories.aspx#458

 

Kris' pics

The Morning Briefing of our day ahead.




The Lobby to the Hotel (the "W")




The Lapping day track

 

fuggin sick!

 

Wow that is awesome. Looks like it was an awesome time.

 

How come stuff like this never happens to me?

 

Looks like an awesome time. Hope you told em to get rid of the beaks and make RWD cars.

 

<---jealous

 

what did you speak about with the designer? no beaks?

 

http://www.acura.com/ModelLanding.aspx?model=TL

They definitely softened the front fascia and rear as well.
They had a 2011 TL parked next to the 2012 and you could definitely see the changes.

 

Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

What was their excuse for going in the first place?

 

^^^^^
That's what I would have asked, had I been given the opportunity.

AWESOME trip. Acura certainly pulled out all the stops for you. This stuff never happens to me.....

 

Bad market research?

 

 

poor guy probably didnt even go

 

This looks like it was fun but would've been more fun if you get to test drive each models' competition. This reminds me of the Lexus' Taste of Luxury test drive event, where Lexus' competitors like BMW, Audi, Jaguar, MB, Cadillac were all present. Love that event...3 years in a row! Too bad they stopped it.

 

I don't think we could have crammed in much more fun.

 

We got to drive the RL, TSX, TSX wagon, RDX, MDX and ZDX all around the Rose Bowl neighborhoods. It was a blast.

The RDX is an interesting vehicle. The TSX wagon is a great car, you really don't even notice it's a wagon when you're in it. Honestly I thought it handled better than the TSX wagon.

 

sounds awesome!

You should rub it in everyones face that thought it was a scam haha

 

Wow! I remember that thread and that poor kid getting ripped a new one for "falling for it". I think a few guys even said they hoped he would get ripped off so they could laugh at him. I hope he didn't get discouraged and not go. You guys look like you had an awesome time!

 

lol, that was funny



I hate you two. I hope the remaining hair falls off your head and resides on your back. I hope you are enjoying the cold weather again.

 

Do you have to say so many negative things about their new lineup to get asked out there to do this?

I'm glad you guys enjoyed the experience.

 

Very cool.

 

Glad Acura is getting more involved with the enthusiasts! Thats looks like it was a great time and I am really loving the 2012 TL.

 

awesome ... i got a call for this too, but they never confirmed anything with me i would've loved to go ... seems like you guys had a lot of fun!

 

Awesome.

 

In LA and no PM...ass! :-P

I actually walked by the W on Friday night cause I was meeting some clients for an aftershoot drink.

But as I've said to other others. Hollywood sucks. Its the worst of what we have to offer. I avoid as much as possible. There are so many nicer and better areas of Los Angeles.

Other than that. Glad you guys were given an awesome experience.

 

Nice trip!

Let's hope you were honest in your opinion about the design direction for Acura.

When you were all seated at the buffet....did you all chant: Kill the beak! Kill the beak! Kill the beak!????

Did you tell them RWD is the new hotness?

Did you tell them there is a world where there are more than 6 gears?

Did you tell them about the wonders of dual-clutch gearboxes?

Did you tell them about them new fandangled direct injection motors?

Did you tell them how neat it would be to have quality front brakes?


Did you complain that they made you stay in the hole known as Hollywood?!?!



...ok seriously now.....but I was a bit serious before.......Nice trip...congrats....nice to se Acura taking an interest in those few who are still interested in the brand.

 

Looks like an awesome time, especially for a Nigerian scam. Those scammers really outdid themselves this time...

Pretty cool getting the royal treatment like that. I read your published story, and then noticed one in the listing above you from a guy named Ken in Medford Oregon who drives an RL.

 

It's the same car it was three months ago ... Am I missing something? They changed 2% of the car and suddenly everyone likes it?

I ain't buyin' what they're selling.

 

Maybe the wine and dine/red carpet treatment helps with the rose colored glasses.

 

Actually i did bring you up. I said you needed to be there helping the amateurs that were filming Seriously though between them wanting us to keep this hush hush and the fast paced weekend i would have liked to have contacted a bunch of the Cali members to finally meet up with them, but time wise were were always on the move.

 

1. Sorta
2. I did (that and V8)
3. Yes, i asked what took so long to get 6 and why not more.
4. Yes, i did. I asked when we will see it (heard a we are working on it)
5. Asked when the "old" J was going to get its halo and go away, they said soon
6. Those were furthest from my line of thinking
7. No, we were at the "w" which was pretty cool. No complaints there.

 

Well my only grip about the pre-2012 was the styling. I mentioned before the rear never bothered me though.

Everything else was great. Hell they finally put a 6 speed in there as well. They been listening to the forums complaints and responded accordingly.

 

Who were you talking to? Was it anyone who mattered in the Ack food chain? Did you get the impression that they actually interested in what you had to say?

 

Looks like you had a blast. Thumbs up to Acura for putting something like this together.

 

Very cool. TL still looks like shit but that sounds like a really fun experience.

 

Some of those guys are now in this thread congratulating the OP now

 

Wow sounds like a great event, only wish I could have been called.

 

Everyone there mattered. They all had input in some form. There were discussions on the last day, they asked us our opinions, and took notes. Im sure they listen to us here as well, they know (Zine) exist.