AZsilverTl

You beat me to it. The strategy of pursuing retirees as your prospective buyers is proven to be disasterous.

Tiny portion of population is interested in a car that is slow, plushy, and devoid of soul. Also, older people tend to keep their cars for very long time. So once Acura does sell that RLX, it will be a few decades (if ever) before their customer returns.

You have to look back and see what made Acura a great brand. Integra, Legend, and later TL were all sporty cars that offered a great value to the customer. Integras got people in the showrooms, they were fun and still hold a huge niche among the tuner crowd. When Integra and Legend were being produced they were at the forefront of the performance wars. 1.8 liter GSR was making 170HP and was a superb handler, and this was 20 years ago.

Right now Acura is not producing anything that is even remotely exciting. ILX is a joke, no other word for it. Acura SUVs, are meh. Until NSX gets here, the most exciting car that Acura currently makes is the 6 speed TL SHAWD. And TL is still missing an extra 100-150 HP to make it trully a "WOW, that is amazing" car.

Today's Integra is built by Toyota, it is called FRS. Today's Legend is being built by Nissan, it is called G37.

noobie

As much love as Jaguar did with the X-Type based on the Ford Mondeo when they tried to take on the 3 series.

At least Infiniti gave it a more reasonable try with the G37.

noobie

While I think they could have done so much more with the RLX, this may be a bit harsh. Many excitement seekers would agree that the old RDX was a better drivers care and more exciting, yet no one bought. The new boring RDX is a sales success. My first reaction at the new MDX was WTF and yawn, but you know what, I bet it will a home run or at least a solid double.

They need to balance what the masses want to sell enough volume. In the sport luxury segment, I think they are off the mark on what the masses want as it it more excitement and refinement and less practical

The FRS and BRZ are killer cars in their class. Amazing Toyota made it!

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

The problem with the RDX was trying to produce a driver's car for a segment of the market that cares more about room, comfort, and ease of use/maintenance. They should have worked out a way to place the RDX drive train into a proper car body instead of trying to launch it with an SUV.

Fabvsix

In 2004 I bought the last of the 7 2004 RL's at COST....$36,000.00 out the door. Dealership made NO dough as they were mandated to REMOVE all remaining 2004 RL's on the lot to make room for the all new 2005's....I traded my 2001 CL Type S (they gave me 14K) put down 8K cash and financed the remaining balance and paid if off in less than 6 months...I have her today with 25,000 cherry California miles and folks still thinks she brand spanking new....I would swear they brought back that body style with all the modern features, bells and whistles....I still like the sleek LEGEND look of her......
And yes it was intended for OLD Men and Ladies......The yuppies didn't buy the 2005+++ RL that looked like an Accord on Steroids!!!!!!!!!!!

neuronbob

The 1G RDX's engine should have gone in the TSX IMHO. But that's just me.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

Agreed. Never understood why they never did it. The ridiculous argument they were using about the intercooler never made sense to me since they could have just as easily run a front-mount instead of top mount.

noobie

The RDX was launched before its time, trying to create a new segment. One occupied now by X1, Q3, EX and to a lesser extent Mercedes GLK.

I think the market viewed it as an upscale Honda CRV or Rav4, which clearly it was not. The new one fits the role very well.

In a way I give Acura props for pushing the envelope, but building a misunderstood vehicle, or should I say not marketing it properly.

Then again, not sure BMW X1 buyers would have seriously considered the RDX, just like 5 series may not seriously consider the RLX.

JAB00

Acura is a mess. The MDX and revised RDX are the only thing decent in its line up. The RLX is a $50k FWD sedan tha is dead on arrival. It's bland looking and has nothing to offer that the competition doesn't already have. The Germans will eat its lunch. Caddy will sell more.

Japanese brands are just lurching from one thing to the next. The new GS is plain ugly. The Infniti is odd looking and the RLX is a FWD car! What a mess.

jhr3uva90

Fortunately, luxury SUVs are quite profitable, especially with platform sharing. Also, Americans seem to prefer SUVs. Finally, Lexus must not be failing too much, if they are maintaining their #3 position in the USA.

Colin

I believe that Porsche sells more SUV than cars. This should tell you about US buying habits and what 'really sells'. We need to face facts that those of us who like coupes, small sedans and manuals are a dying breed. Oh, we can whine endlessly but if someone like Porsche sells more SUVs and hatchback Panameras the writing is on the wall.

RDXinNETX

Colin is spot on here as IIRC correctly Porsche sold 15K of Cayennes in 2012, which was close to 2 or 3X more than their next model. jhr3uva90 also nailed it as SUV's are over the top margin wise.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

Well your post seems to be pretty subjective....I find the GS and the new Infiniti Q50 pretty good looking........also sat in a RLX and felt that its interior was very nice for the price and ample room. The XTS is similar to the RLX - no V8, no RWD, priced similarly - and that thing is selling 3000 copies a month.