JTS97Z28

iTrader: (4)

Just a rant here to see if anyone else agrees with me. So today I was at two dealerships, Honda to get the oil changed in my wifes Accord, and Acura to pick up an oil filter for my 08 Type S TL. At Honda I was amazed at the new Accord and how nice it looked and the amount of available features on the touring edition. Things like LED headlights, adaptive cruise control etc etc. Then at Acura the first car I saw in the showroom is the ILX. I thought ok cool this is the first one I have seen in person. My apologies to anyone here who has one, but man that thing was IMO lame. Whatsup with the door handle located half way down the door???? wtf. Then I wanted to sit in it which ofcourse I couldnt because the seat was too far forward and I saw no power seat controls just a couple levers that made the seat do weird things. So basically I gave up on that car before I even got inside of it. The MDX, same as its been for as long as I can remember with the same interior styling and buttons since 2004. The TSX and TL are ok, but again nothing very special just normal 4 door sedans that dont really have anything special to set them apart. However, cars like the new Ford Fusion and Honda Accord have more available luxury gadgets than an Acura. Even from what I have seen of the new flagship Acura just looks like an updated RL. Without even seeing one in person I can already say I would easily want a new Lexus GS or a BMW 5 series over it. Dont get me wrong, Acura makes a nice car, but how do they expect to compete when there is sooooo much more available on much lessor vehicles? I havent heard much of anything about the next TL, but I hope Acura really steps it up because what they offer now certainly wont win my business. I would have expected to see decent cars at the Honda dealership, and awesome cars at the Acura dealership. It felt the complete opposite to me today.
Anyone else feel the same way?

ttribe

Join the crowd. Spend some time down in the "Automotive News" forum and you'll find some...healthy...debates over this very issue.

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Yep, I've heard good things about the new Accords too.

MTEAZY

I think it's time to buy another 3G TL.

Redsand353

Join the club. I dont plan on buying another, the 3G Type-S was the last cooler/attractive car they made, and im not just saying that cause i own one.

Most would think its exciting to get a loaner vehicle when you bring yours into the dealer for work. Nope, not when you own an acura.

neuronbob

Um....welcome to 2009, my friend.

iSeeYouTwo

My buddy just traded in his 3G TL for a new Accord Touring. He loves it, and I don't blame him!

knight rider

iTrader: (1)

^^ yup it's been going downhill for a long time.

That's why there are a lot of us here that used to drive Acuras.

edit: Something tells me that the new NSX isn't going to do anything for the brand either.

Redsand353

The new accord is a very impressive car, but even so, I know I could get better for the money if I was currently in the market for a new car. The bland factor is still there for me.

EuRTSX

The neighbor got a new Accord. It looks fantastic!

JTS97Z28

iTrader: (4)

No I know, it's been this way for a while, but I think what finally pushed me over the edge was seeing the new ILX today.

UA6~RBP

I couldn't agree more. I have nothing wrong with the potential of the latest Honda/Acura concepts but it bugs me with the direction both companies are taking. For example, I love the ILX, but I am having the hardest time wondering why the screwed up the package options (specifically, why can't you opt navigation on the 2.4L 6MT?). The RLX is a nice looking car, I'll give them credit for that, but why can't Honda spend a little bit more time looking at what their customers really want?

It's time for them to take a chance. Imagine the success Honda would have if they brought back the S2000. If I was working at Honda, I'd be watching the new Miata like a hawk and seeing what things they can bring to the market to have a killer car.

I really hate the new Civic, and the Odyssey kills it for me too. The ONLY Honda I like is the Accord. The new one is beautiful (even though I think it looks like a rebadged Genesis) and the old was great looking as well.

I just think, for the large majority of users on the site, if they had to buy a brand new car, many wouldn't go with Acura again.

F23A4

Acura is in a predicament right now: the most direct competitor to the current RL is the TL but one is hard pressed to go with the TL with a superb new 9G Accord now in showrooms. Insult to injury, the 9G Accord represents better value than the ILX and TSX (to me anyway).

oo7spy

Wait, someone in Car Talk isn't happy with Acura/Honda? https://acurazine.com/forums/car-talk-5/honda-acura-versus-world-debate-839150/

Please excuse my being blunt, but your post reeks of ignorance. To judge a brand on the excitement generated from its lowest model is baffling. The TSX is on the way out, the TLX will be here soon, and the MDX will be redesigned soon enough as well. After all, it is a 2007 model.

Still, those reasons could be considered slightly persuasive until you say this:
Have you even read one article about the RLX, or did you just look at a picture? What makes you want the GS or 5 series more? Is it performance, features, or styling? I ask because the RLX will blow them both out of the water except for on the styling front which is a subjective measure.

Of course you are entitled to your opinion. Of course Acura is not the hottest brand on the market. Of course no one on AcuraZine has to like any of what Acura offers, but your reasoning sucks IMHO. OP, I will give you that at this very moment, Acura is transitioning to a new direction and the selection is sub par for its own standard. However, I think any brand is subject to the same critique if the timing is right.



For those who complain about the styling being "bland", look back to 2008. Acura releases a completely different, edgy, and polarizing design with the 4G TL. What happens? Critics shit bricks, so they back off on the next designs of new models. What happens? Critics shit bricks. Acura can't win for losing with the "enthusiasts", and yet, they still manage to do just fine.

Fixed.

Acura doesn't have a current RL.

CAgine

but but the handling...(electronic steering) is super quick and agile...you totally get your moneys worth

JK, Acuras still have good interiors (minus the RDX and ILX) + reliability.

Costco

Funny thing is, nobody cares about these upcoming Acura models other than current/former Honda/Acura owners and enthusiasts.

I get a fraction of my car talk discussion reads from AZ, and people on various mediums - Autoblog, Jalopnik, reddit, real life, etc. - few people care about what Acura is putting out.

Car Talk merely happens to be the most vocal and visible because like I said, most of the people who actually notice what Honda is doing are former Honda owners.

oo7spy

That makes sense. There are two ways to sell a product. 1) Make the most exciting product on the market and hope that the excitement, popularity, and hoopla will result in $$$, or 2) make a product that works great, delivers what 90% of consumers need, and make lots of $$$ when people buy what they need. Toyotas are boring as hell, but they sell in droves.

Honda for the most part follows that model, and they get blasted for it. The difference I see is that Honda does have some enthusiast soul that peeks its head out once in a blue moon. Take SH-AWD for an example. The issue people have is that Honda is running a business and not a popularity contest.

leedogg

I would say the biggest thing Acura has going for it is it's industry leading safety. The ace body structure is fantastic. If that isnt one of the most important features in your book, it should be.

Costco

I get it, but the current generation Civic getting a facelift two model years in. The 4G TL is polarizing and just didn't work. They're like two opposite ends of the spectrum, neither of which many people here took a liking to. Of course the Civic will sell regardless on name alone.

On the other hand, Toyota is actually getting edgier with their designs and making huge strides in the interior department, contrary to what Honda is doing. And it is working well for Toyota despite the media fiasco with the inherent quality drop and self-accelerating cars... Toyota is simply outselling Honda, despite the shortages and blame on natural disasters.

The new Accord is a bright spot, but as usual Honda is simply following Toyota. If you have to copy someone, copy the best I guess.

F23A4

....and that was thanks to the TL SH-AWD.

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

RPhilMan1

One Acura.

Two Acuras.

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

Another one of these threads? We all know how crappy Acura is becoming, we don't need a reminder.

fsttyms1

Ah yes, critique all the models that are on their way out and compare them to the new stuff out there.

And im sorry, i cant take much of anything you typed seriously considering the fact you couldnt figure out how to move the seat back on the ILX

Black Tire

Last good Acura is the TL of 2005. It's been downhill ever since.
Even the new Toyota Avalon looks better then anything that Acura offers.

KaMLuNg

iTrader: (5)

if i get another acura it will be the MDX for functionality... anything else will be another brand...

ttribe

The MDX is still quite good. IMO, the rest of the lineup jumped the shark a while back, though.

Agreed.

minkl81

iTrader: (2)

after 1G TSX & 3G TL, Acura became and that shield beak

F23A4

This

vp55

iTrader: (6)

Besides the current MDX, the last Acura that really caught my attention was the 3G TL-S.

Tannis

Don't know about anyone else but styling is a huge thing for me in a car. It is only second to reliability and handling right there on the same level. I chose my TSX because it had all three of those attributes. But one thing that will turn me away from a car quicker than the 4G TL steering is the styling. I WAS excited about the TLX and RLX to be. But then I started seeing some of the photos that I suppose are going to be close to production standards and was completely taken aback. For once I actually started comparing Acura to Toyota. Anyone can go down the street and buy a freakin Camry. I don't want an new Acura that is put to shame by the likes of the more mainstream brands.

And I know I read a few posts where someone was ostracized for having an opinion of a car based on looks. Well... I wouldn't date a fat, ugly chick no matter how great she is. If you are trying to say otherwise then you are just lying to yourself. I feel bad for Acura that they had to take it to such extremes of taming their image to please buyers. Now the owners are pissed and I was looking for to a new 2014/15 Acura after I'm done paying on this TSX.

And with BMW/Mercedes/Ford and the like all running towards edgy and aggressive designs, why wouldn't Acura just stick with what it was already doing? It was almost like they were the reason everyone else decided to push the limits of their styling a bit. And the new BMWs are looking mighty fine. To be honest, if the production TLX or RLX don't strike me as a car I would care to own outside of the technology and handling aspect, I have a really good feeling I'll be a German car owner not long from now.

Say what you want about this post. Rip it apart if you have nothing better to do than be a defensive fanboy. But don't kid yourselves. Styling is 90% of what draws a potential buyer in. The car then has to sell on its' traits and qualities.

pimpin-tl

My 2012 has been the best Acura I have owned. Some people especially on this site can't accept change and the 4th gen 2012 redesign is a great looking car. It made me give up my 07.

Ken1997TL

Love my '11 TSX wagon.

savage

I thought the TSX sedan/wagon were the best looking of the lineup.

fsttyms1

I hated the 4gTL when it came out. The MMC made it look better for me, to the point i have/am actually considering one (with the options out there and where i live i really like the idea of the shawd) and with a little paint and a little work to the grille it can look better. Hopefully the 5g will continue to improve its looks (though i am not holding much hope). Hopefully RJ will continue to make grilles for them.

probmxstyle

My 2012 6MT TL w/SH-AWD is pretty damn exciting to me. Plus, at $36k, no other manufacturer came close to what it offered for the price.

Jakes_tl

I remember when the 04 TSX and 04 TL came out - I was shocked how beautiful they were and to me they were some of the best looking cars on the road but when acura made the 09 TL i seriously think acura had a major drinking party, everybody got trashed and designed the TL. As for the TSX 1G is way better looking then the 2G. As for the current MDX i really like it and i think it is one of the better looking SUV's out there.

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

Well, there are very, very few fanboys in the Car Talk section. In fact, most left Acura a while ago, but still love the forum. So you'll see very little of that in here. Now, in the model forums... different story...

RPhilMan1

Wholeheartedly agree here. I almost bought one but Acura canceled my order due to the model year changeover.

The value you get for that low of a price is amazing. It's crazy how with manufacturer rebates and dealer incentives you can come close in price with the two fully-loaded smaller sedans...

oo7spy

The OP never said that the styling of the current lineup is what disappointed him. I have never tried to argue and persuade someone to change their feeling about the look of a car. Style is a completely subjective measure. As it changes, it will detract loyal customers and attract new customers to the brand. What bothers me about the Acura bashing is ignoring the fact they they make a very reliable vehicle with the same or more features as their competitors for less money.

You won't date a fat chick, but would you stay with a super model that always forgets about dates, fucks like she is sleeping, and maxes out your credit card every month?