Spied on the Street! 2018 Acura TLX (MMC)
#202
Suzuka Master
The new CRV outsold the Accord by about 10,000 units in January. Granted the CRV is new and the Accord is due for an update - but it's impossible to ignore those numbers.
I've got one more car before I hit retirement and it will likely be an SUV (in about 7 or 8 years) - likely a CRV or RDX depending on how my 401K fares over the next few years.
I've got one more car before I hit retirement and it will likely be an SUV (in about 7 or 8 years) - likely a CRV or RDX depending on how my 401K fares over the next few years.
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justnspace (02-07-2017)
#206
#207
Azine Jabroni
I read somewhere that spending on experience is supposedly better for you. But I love driving a nice car.
#208
You'll Never Walk Alone
iTrader: (1)
But then it comes down to volume. I was just hearing the new over the weekend that Mercedes Benz was the leading luxury car make in 2016 with sales of over 2 million units worldwide. I'd think BMW isn't too far off that, followed by Audi. Acura on the other hand sold 160k in the USA. My guess is that including Canada and some other countries, Acura probably sold just 200k worldwide. In other words, Acura is doing just 10% of the volume of Mercedes Benz.
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#209
Team Owner
Well said, iforyou.
But but keep in mind, a decade ago, BMW and MB sales weren't what they are today. Yes, they were still much greater than Acura, but, as you suggested, they evolved and continue to evolve and never look back.
Acura fell short by staying stagnant. The TLX MMC is, if true, a complete disappointment. But if sales are lower than Acura corporate predicted, I can see why they didn't want to throw a ton of money into a model that isn't meeting expectations.
That being said, I think you are right about Acura making some substantial changes for the next generation of the ILX, TLX and RLX. It's frustrating for us because of the timeline, but car companies are slow to make changes... Understandable when you're dealing with billion dollar developments.. But very frustrating for the consumer. It's rough when Acura sales people are tearing their own products apart. I couldn't believe what a couple sales guys I spoke to were saying, and it's much the same what you read on here.
But but keep in mind, a decade ago, BMW and MB sales weren't what they are today. Yes, they were still much greater than Acura, but, as you suggested, they evolved and continue to evolve and never look back.
Acura fell short by staying stagnant. The TLX MMC is, if true, a complete disappointment. But if sales are lower than Acura corporate predicted, I can see why they didn't want to throw a ton of money into a model that isn't meeting expectations.
That being said, I think you are right about Acura making some substantial changes for the next generation of the ILX, TLX and RLX. It's frustrating for us because of the timeline, but car companies are slow to make changes... Understandable when you're dealing with billion dollar developments.. But very frustrating for the consumer. It's rough when Acura sales people are tearing their own products apart. I couldn't believe what a couple sales guys I spoke to were saying, and it's much the same what you read on here.
#210
You'll Never Walk Alone
iTrader: (1)
Yea, being able to adapt and evolve is important. Honda has often been good with that, while adding their own uniqueness to their products. I feel that Acura had the chance to do that too. Think I mentioned it somewhere else not too long ago, but scraping the RWD V8 tier-1 program along with the HSV meant that Acura was destined to fall behind. We can all see the effect now. I don't think the problem lies with not having RWD or V8, rather, the back up plan to that program was non-existent. Smart luxury merely means using whatever is in Honda parts bin and add a few luxury bits and that was it.
Yup, I totally understand the disappointment and frustration. It's been 8, 9 years since Acura went downhill and we currently don't know if the new gen models will be any good. We just know there's a chance that they will be good.
Haha, yea, these Acura sales people have essentially 5 models to sell, excluding the NSX. But then, One of those 5, the RLX, has been DOA. Leaving 4, and even the ILX isn't doing well. TLX is doing ok, but the only models that these people can make money on are the RDX and MDX. That doesn't sound enough.
With that said, I'm hearing different things about the TLX MMC. I guess we won't know for sure until April.
Yup, I totally understand the disappointment and frustration. It's been 8, 9 years since Acura went downhill and we currently don't know if the new gen models will be any good. We just know there's a chance that they will be good.
Haha, yea, these Acura sales people have essentially 5 models to sell, excluding the NSX. But then, One of those 5, the RLX, has been DOA. Leaving 4, and even the ILX isn't doing well. TLX is doing ok, but the only models that these people can make money on are the RDX and MDX. That doesn't sound enough.
With that said, I'm hearing different things about the TLX MMC. I guess we won't know for sure until April.
#211
Suzuka Master
Maybe they will hit the Goldilocks' zone this time. Not too radical not too bland, just right.
#212
Burning Brakes
#213
Azine Jabroni
#215
Suzuka Master
Think it was early last summer. Granddaughter was starting college. She had been driving the old Xterra hand down from my grandson but it was turning into a maintenance pit.
#217
i'm really looking for the refresh, i'm ready to replace my 2009 IS350. not a fan of the current IS styling and engine choices (I4 turbo is too weak, 3.5 V6 is still flawless but it's been out since 2005). even if the refreshed TLX keep the current I4 instead of going turbo, i'd still give it a hard look for it's competitive price and better exterior styling.
#218
#219
Drifting
Check Honda's Accord and Civic sales. They are fairly flat or off, despite being excellent, well-received models. (I know - I own a '13 Accord EX that is superb, especially for its price). All the action is in SUVs and crossovers. I believe the CRV is Honda's biggest seller these days.
#220
Team Owner
Nothing wrong with that, but it's starting to tell me that those who love the TLX looks, are generally part of a small demographic.
#221
You may be right - in my opinion it's a much cleaner design which appeals to me.
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TacoBello (02-09-2017)
#223
I do much prefer it already to the new Camry's grilles. The Lexus/Toyota spindle grille is The other new Camry grille looks like it took cues from Kylo Ren's helmet.
#224
Burning Brakes
Unfortunately though acura would be using bad logic in that case. Instead of thinking the whole market is bad why spend money based on ACURA's sedan sales they really need to look at what others are doing. It would be like saying we have a ton of pickup trucks that are selling OK but the dump trucks that have a 2 stroke engine in them don't sell - I guess the market just doesn't need a dump truck. If they got someone in there who knew how to design cars, they might actually have TLX sales. Putting sprinkles on a turd doesn't turn it into a cupcake.
#225
Team Owner
Yeah I'm not much of a fan of that silver Camry you posted. It's like it has a beak, but as you said, with Kylo Ren attached also.
If it came purely down to driving dynamics, I would choose the TLX 100 out of 100 times, when compared to the Camry.
but just looking at the red Camry vs the TLX, I'm leaning over to the red Camry. I just feel it looks better. Beauty is in the eye of beholder though, right?
If it came purely down to driving dynamics, I would choose the TLX 100 out of 100 times, when compared to the Camry.
but just looking at the red Camry vs the TLX, I'm leaning over to the red Camry. I just feel it looks better. Beauty is in the eye of beholder though, right?
#226
You'll Never Walk Alone
iTrader: (1)
Unfortunately though acura would be using bad logic in that case. Instead of thinking the whole market is bad why spend money based on ACURA's sedan sales they really need to look at what others are doing. It would be like saying we have a ton of pickup trucks that are selling OK but the dump trucks that have a 2 stroke engine in them don't sell - I guess the market just doesn't need a dump truck. If they got someone in there who knew how to design cars, they might actually have TLX sales. Putting sprinkles on a turd doesn't turn it into a cupcake.
The TLX on the other hand has about 2 years left in this current generation. On top of that, we are talking about 3000 units/month optimistically.
You can easily see the huge difference in # for both.
Given that the TLX is on an Accord platform that is on its last stretch (i.e. new Accord will ride on new Civic platform), perhaps, Acura figured that even if they invested heavily in the TLX MMC, its handling would still fall short of its competitors. And again, for all that effort, how much more sales can they really get?
Then there's the general luxury car market situation. Overall, this market declined significantly. Only a couple cars in this segment had gains, namely the brand new A4. In particular, the Lexus IS and ES both dropped about 35% last month - even more substantial than the TLX. In fact, the TLX outsold the IS.
Don't get me wrong, this is not to say spending heavily for the TLX MMC doesn't make sense. I'm just showing that there's another way of looking at this.
#227
Azine Jabroni
Yeah I'm not much of a fan of that silver Camry you posted. It's like it has a beak, but as you said, with Kylo Ren attached also.
If it came purely down to driving dynamics, I would choose the TLX 100 out of 100 times, when compared to the Camry.
but just looking at the red Camry vs the TLX, I'm leaning over to the red Camry. I just feel it looks better. Beauty is in the eye of beholder though, right?
If it came purely down to driving dynamics, I would choose the TLX 100 out of 100 times, when compared to the Camry.
but just looking at the red Camry vs the TLX, I'm leaning over to the red Camry. I just feel it looks better. Beauty is in the eye of beholder though, right?
Acura needs to knock it off with all the wax poetic commercials, drop the meaningless taglines, and go back to just making cars.
Last edited by kurtatx; 02-10-2017 at 01:48 PM.
#228
Thread Starter
Stealthy A-CL Member
iTrader: (1)
Would be very disappointing if there really are no powertrain changes in the TLX's model run.
Historically speaking, the 2G TL received a 5AT and Type-S variant, 3G TL got a Type-S variant, 4G TL got a 6AT, 1G TSX got a 5HP bump, 2G TSX got a V6 option and a Wagon variant.
Historically speaking, the 2G TL received a 5AT and Type-S variant, 3G TL got a Type-S variant, 4G TL got a 6AT, 1G TSX got a 5HP bump, 2G TSX got a V6 option and a Wagon variant.
#230
Yeah...hoping for a different transmission than the ZF, but not expecting it. The IS is getting long in the tooth with the transmission also, and the mileage is NOT good with the 300 or 350. Trying to hang on to my 07 TL until something comes along. The A4 looks awesome but the long term $ scares me.
#231
The only thing that we have seen is a reference to a Wikipedia site post....but the reference in that was an online article that said "look for" the TLX to show up......well short of a confirmation. I looked on the auto show site and they just list the current model year Acuras as being there.
#232
The only thing that we have seen is a reference to a Wikipedia site post....but the reference in that was an online article that said "look for" the TLX to show up......well short of a confirmation. I looked on the auto show site and they just list the current model year Acuras as being there.
#233
Yeah...hoping for a different transmission than the ZF, but not expecting it. The IS is getting long in the tooth with the transmission also, and the mileage is NOT good with the 300 or 350. Trying to hang on to my 07 TL until something comes along. The A4 looks awesome but the long term $ scares me.
#234
Azine Jabroni
#236
Team Owner
But, for the record, I believe it was likely the owner of the car, as to why it failed so hard
#237
Team Owner
#239
Team Owner
Of the TLX at the show? Or just the show itself?