darrinb

theres nothin out that i like right now in my price range

biker

1.
Lexus IS250
BMW 325
TSX
2. Need a winter beater
3. 99 Accord LX 5sp

VTEC 2

1 What auto(s) are you considering to be your next vehicle?(Make/Model)[/B][/SIZE]
BMW E90 325i/330i or coupe

2 Why are you interested in this next auto?
Used have E36 325i and love the way BMW drive.


3 What are you driving now? (Make/Model)
Acura 3.2TL

RedRSXGrrl

1 What auto(s) are you considering to be your next vehicle?(Make/Model)
I would love to have a Porsche, so the Porsche Boxster S would be my next car.

2 Why are you interested in this next auto?
I want a Porsche.

3 What are you driving now? (Make/Model)
Acura RSX 04

Crazy88

This observation is very accurate. Acura is a stepping stone into luxury. The age segment in BMW or MB is older than Acura. Those big boats from the germans seem more practical at an older age, while something like Acura or Infiniti seem like they are for the 20-40 age group. 20 years from now i think ill be more into luxury, class than sport.

Chaptorial

1 What auto(s) are you considering to be your next vehicle?(Make/Model)

Current or next generation BMW M3 SMG


2 Why are you interested in this next auto?

Its the next logical step up from my current car considering all the mods done to it and the level its at now. Big fan of the 3 Series styling and with no interest in a car with 4 doors its the perfect setup. Also while it only has two doors its spacious enough on the inside for my tastes. Plus the SMG setup is perfect for me. Also its time to go with a RWD application. Enough with the FWD.

3 What are you driving now? (Make/Model)

03 CL Type S

vishnus11

Im only 16 so im being real here. Im countring on getting a "healthy" scholarship to some undergraduate school If I do then Im gonna get a different car:

1. What Im considering:
1992-1996 Nissan 300ZX 2+2
1997-1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GS-T
1997 Acura Integra Type R
1999 Honda Civic SI

2. WHy:

Nissan: Probably what I like most right now. Its a classic, looks badass and has t-tops, which I love. Its also pretty peppy, which should be pretty fun. But it gets les than stellar gas mileage.
Mitsu: Convertible!!! Dead sexy looks. Turbo is fun and fast. Gas mileage is pretty darn good, given performance. But mitsu build quality and reliability are iffy?
Teg: Fun and Fast. Exclusive. Good gas mileage. Little boring in the styling department. Doesnt even have a sunroof or a/c.
Civic SI: Fun and fast. Mildly exclusive. Looks pretty good, and lotta aftermarket support. Ricey image. Just a sunroof.

3. What Im rollin in right now:
1996 Acura 3.2TL NBP - Wouldn't sell it for the world. Test drove 05 RL and TL and see no reason to upgrade.
1994 Honda Accord Coupe - Daily beater, and a fun lil runabout.

applesplatter

1 What auto(s) are you considering to be your next vehicle?(Make/Model)
New Touring 350Z or a used '04 G35C. I'm torn between the two.

2 Why are you interested in this next auto?

I want a six speed. Also, want to get rid of my car before it hits 100,000 miles. I'd buy another Acura coupe if there was one.

3 What are you driving now? (Make/Model)
2001 CL-S

bkknight369

1 What auto(s) are you considering to be your next vehicle?(Make/Model)
Honda s2000
Nissan 350z
(anticipated time of purchase: 2007 )


2 Why are you interested in this next auto?
I'd like a second car for fun/weekend driving, when it doesnt rain too hard


3 What are you driving now? (Make/Model)[/B][/SIZE]
Acura cls

AutoGirl

..forgot to mention that hubby's looking at a Subaru Legacy GT for his next car. Haven't test driven it yet...but wow what a car!

YBA

1 What auto(s) are you considering to be your next vehicle?(Make/Model)
Lotus Exige or Elise (in 2 years)

2 Why are you interested in this next auto?
Auto X

3 What are you driving now? (Make/Model)
Acural TSX 04...

my wife said if I buy this Elise, she will leave me. I already started packing her stuff...

ilitig8

1. (1) 05 Pathfinder LE (later this year)
(2) E92 M3 and an Elise OR 997 TT OR F355/360 OR M5 (when they (E92/997TT) debut

2. (1) I need to replace my SUV and I need 5500lbs towing for my track car
(2) If the E92 M meets my expectations then I will get it and the Elise if not 997 TT, I like quick cars that are also excellent track cars out of the box, the F355 or Modena these go in and out of favor mainly due to the fact each has some potentially very expensive problems, if I get one of these I will keep the E46 M3; I am on the wait list for an M5 but will almost certainly sell my spot

3. 04 M3 and 95 Trooper (those are the ones to be replaced)

Vandy

iTimmy

We seem to have more then just audio and a TSX in common! But I plan on getting the Elise prior to a wife so its a package deal me/elise or nothing

YuppieCL

1) 2006 S4

2) AWD, HP, price range

3) 01 CLS

Jerky

I agree

Acura is NOT a luxury brand, it's called 'near luxury'

My research on this site shows the the common owner is 20-30 years old, much younger than BMW or MB owners, agreed.

once we start our familes and kick that baby factory to "on" we start seeking different criteria in vehicles than our aspecs

This site, does not however accomidate the MDX owners, so we are missing an important segment in the acura family.


In summary, It's agreed, the Acura is a segue into a true luxury brand, not a destination brand.

Crazy88

If acura is going to be a destination brand they need to come out with a V8 car, and have cars and SUVs that will tap into the $65,000 range which will most likely never happen. the NSX is an exeption but most people buying a $90,000 sports car will not opt for the NSX there are much better cars for the money. seriously can you guys imagine a $65,000-75,000 Acura sedan?? that thing would be amazing.

Jerky

great points crazy

acura is trying for the RL to be the next GS, but it's not quite hitting the grade based upon the opinions i've been reading around here.

Acura brand is 25-45k for most of its cars (most, discluding nsx of course)

most other luxury brands have vehicles way about 65 as you mentioned (lexus and MB and BMW)

I have a friend who has an nsx, and people ask him why he didnt get the viper

Jerky

good points here...

but do you really think the TL and RL are destination cars? The owners may never want to upgrade? (fyi, i have a brand new TL)

i'm not hating here...but answers here clearly indicate most are moving on to other brands in a few years.

TSX 'R' US

and it'll probably have a V6...


Acura will probably never be a destination brand for me unless they open a dealership closer to me cause the Lexus dealership is just down the street...

Jerky

HOw far is the acura dealership?

I'll just bet the Mercedes Dealership is close to you however...

Are you in an upscale area?

TSX 'R' US

I'm in the 3rd (used to be 2nd) largest city in IL. The closest dealership is either Madison, WI or a chicago burb. Both at least 1 hour away, depending on traffic.

We have almost every type of dealership in town (BMW, mercedes, audi, porsche, lexus), except for Acura and Infiniti.

Jerky

Sounds like you're in a high income area, based upon the luxury brands in your immediate area.

Being competitors, you'll often find Acura and Infiniti placed close to each other. Your area is probally not a good area for these dealerships, it's not the appropriate demographic.

1 Just curious, are you in a high income area?

2 Are in a suburb?

bgsm1th

Next car: (in order of likelyness)
2003 Acura CL-S 6MT
2004 Infiniti G35
2004 Acura TL
2004 BMW 330
2002 BMW M3

Why?:
Warranty will be up soon on current car, and want something with slightly superior performance.

Currently:
2001 Acura CL-S w/ 79k miles


B

Black CL-S 4-Life

I was considering an EVO MR but with Mitshusbishi's reliability issues who knows.

Rock2534

1. Acura TL- Nice upgrade from the CL once it is dead
2. Nissan Altima SE-R- nice car, similar to CL, 18's, 6-speed
3. Subaru Legacy-good power, AWD

Currently drive 01 CL-S

1killercls

05 GTO 400 HP & RWD

F23A4

R U really getting the itch to trade up to a goat Bill??

PavDog

A used NSX. Ideally the 6-speed, but would consider a nice 5-speed. It's unique, relatively trouble-free, looks awesome (not so much with the new model), and looks like it'd be an absolute blast to drive. And the sound is "like buttah".

I haven't seen a new car that I really like. The body styles have, in my opinion, gone to shit. Too much angly, squared-off boxiness.

I do like the CLK--although it's highly unlikely I'd buy a mercedes.

TSX 'R' US

Everything is cheap here. We aren't considered a Chicago Burb. For what a house would go for in the Chicago burbs, I can have about two of here. Incomes are slightly lower here based on cost of living.

Zapata

disagree......by your logic the only cars are that truely luxury maybach, bentley, rolls royce.

biker

I saw on some forum someone got an 04 for under 20K with all the rebates.

Jerky

Zapata

We've had this conversation on this thread a few times, Ill try to find more information.

Threads like:
"why doesn acura get same respect as lexus"
"or themes around acura products being significantly lower in price than average MB or BMW cars"

Automotive Industry Analysts consider Acura is characterized as a "near luxury" brand, the vehicle lineup does not compare well with the MB, Lexus, or BMW (considered luxury brands)

The Mayback, Bentley, and Rolls Royce are considered "ultra luxury" by industry analysts.

Obviously, I like Acura, having recently bought one 4 months ago, but I do recoginze there are higher end brands. (but they come at a higher price)

Would you agree the above makes sense?

Just my opinioin here: Acura is a 'value' you get a lot of near luxury for 15k less than a luxury brand. However, you don't carry the brand name of an MB or BMW, and you may not have the same nice leather, or perfect fitted interior parts, but it bang for buck, Acura wins hands down.

Zapata

yea. I agree Acura doesn't get the respect that other manufacturers get. But what makes luxury? Build quality? Materials? Performance? Style? Technology? Acura offers nearly everything that other lux brands offer. Aside from a flagship saloon a la s500, 7series, ls etc., the Acura brand compares well and i would agrue exceeds the the lower end offerings of the the other lux brands.

I'm offereing my view as a consumer.

NSX-Tuner

Order of priority...
1) NSX
2) MDX
3) '05 or later RL

Yumcha

1) Current RL
2) Love the SH-AWD, features
3) Acura 3.2 CL Type S

Jerky

The answer is here: it comes down to Marketing Identity and Branding

http://www.frogdesign.com/client/acura/index.html

"This comprehensive project began with internal audits and competitive research which culminated in Acura's new brand strategy and identity. Our research indicated that Acura suffered from a diluted brand image. Unlike competitors such as BMW, there was no recognizable emotion associated with the Acura brand. In collaboration with automobile showroom architects Deiss & Associates, frog set out to create Acura's proprietary brand expression. Our proposed solution comprised all areas of public contact, including graphical material, collateral, an environmental corporate monument and full dealership interiors. "

Branding, Marketing, Identity are more important to american consumers than we realize. It's about perception for the most part.

I do think that Acura's median vehicle range is 30k, which is pretty low compared to MB and BMW, I suspect that their median vehicle range is 60k and 40k respectively, I dont have any info to back that up, but this is just a guess. (does it make sense?)

Crazy88

PavDog

I must be "old school" but I associate Acura with their logo--highly engineered, high quality products. I don't care much about luxury--it's all about precision & performance for me.

Zapata

great find. The article couldn't be more right. That being said i'm really glad acura is pushing this "sport" "fun to drive". It's worked from BMW very very well.

Jerky

It's not an article is a customer case that Frog designs did on their recent client, Acura

Frog designs does product and branding design, including webdesign for many big clients, Apple, Disney, Tmobile, Motorola, Microsoft, Hitachi etc

I have the privelege of working with them on several of my projects for that I manage (im in marketing in case you cant tell)


Back on subject

BMW uses excitement, sophtication, and sexyness to promote their brand. Has anyone see bmwfillms.com?

www.bmwfilms.com

they have famouse actors, directors, and effects to really bring this car's image to the fore front of 'hotness'

As we all know that BMW is the "ultimate driving machine"

Marketing, Branding...it's so powerful