Author Topic: Feature: A new direction for Acura (Read 1077 times)

Autos_Editor · « **on:** February 01, 2012, 03:03:08 am »

Acura is hoping its new entry-level car, a revamped RDX, and all-new NSX super car will boost sagging sales.

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DarkHelmet · « **Reply #1 on:** February 01, 2012, 08:30:47 am »

My '92 Integra GS was one of the best cars I've owned. The black cloth interior still looked like new even after 11 years of ownership. Too bad rust was a problem back then or I would have kept it until it literally fell apart.

Test drove the RSX back when it came out and didn't like it one bit. Since they dropped the Integra line, I haven't been back.

Danno001 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 01, 2012, 08:32:22 am »

Market Acuras in Honda dealerships in smaller markets and there should be no issues hitting 20,000 sales per year. No Acura dealer in Sudbury, but there is one in Barrie, a smaller market. Barrie is a 'burb of Toronto though ...

nlm · « **Reply #3 on:** February 01, 2012, 08:40:35 am »

Nah, their lineup appeals to higher income brackets and the CSX didn't have the same differentiation as the Ingtegra. With the exception of the MDX all their vehicles should take one step back in aspiration and pricing.

The revamped RDX looks like the last gen Vue to these eyes but its pricing has to be right, just a step above the Tiguan not a couple higher.

The TL needs to get back into the entry lux dogfight with the G and 3 series. Right now I think its more of an afterthought largely due to its exterior design.

The only real appeal in their lineup now is the forth coming NSX.

Vmango · « **Reply #4 on:** February 01, 2012, 08:55:59 am »

Rrocket and I were at an Acura dealership last week. The TL SH-AWD is an exceptionally nice car - if you can live with the looks. In the States, it's a CRAZY bargain too!

CanuckG35 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 01, 2012, 09:03:04 am »

IMHO, I think Acura should bring back out an entry level performance type of car like the Integra/RSX. The article mentioned that Acura sold 25k vehicles in Canada back in 2001, I wonder how many of those were Integras? Something to compete with the upcoming BRZ/FR-S would be nice. They would sell much more of this type of vehicle than the ZDX (which only sold 129 for 2011). Also, I think that Acura's designs over the last few years has really turned off a lot of potential buyers.

Weexy · « **Reply #6 on:** February 01, 2012, 09:09:29 am »

That RDX looks like a huge improvement to me.
Drove the RDX a few times and was left with the impression 'what is this thing trying to be?' Handled well for a CUV-thing & pretty good power from the turbo-4 albeit in an on-off sort of way, but rode pretty rough. Not much cargo capacity either, really. So,, sort of a sporty vehicle, sort of a CUV...

With the redesign, wonder if the MDX will be dropped??

Vmango · « **Reply #7 on:** February 01, 2012, 09:09:39 am »

I'll agree with you. I think there would be a great market for them to get into a smaller, luxury sports coupe market. Especially if they have it SH-AWD!

Vmango · « **Reply #8 on:** February 01, 2012, 09:10:33 am »

I believe the MDX is their best seller and for all purposes their flagship, no?

Soram6275 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 01, 2012, 09:12:18 am »

I loved my 1991 Acura Legend...now that was a beautiful design and I still think that this second generation Legend was the best design Acura had thus far, apart from the old NSX. The new NSX doesn't hold the same appeal to me and the stupid grill once again rears its ugly head. Why can't Acura just admit that they've f**ked up with the grill and redesign the whole line up instead of hoping that the public will eventually warm up to it. It's utterly disgusting looking. I don't know how anyone can buy the new TL. Technologically it's a marvel, but it looks so disjointed and I would hate walking up to that ugly thing every morning to drive to work. I'd say bring the Legend back albeit with a little bit modernized design. Otherwise this new crop of Acuras will forever continue to disappoint. People in this income bracket (and people in general) do care about the way the thing actually looks like. I used to be a Honda/Acura guy...sadly not anymore.

Weexy · « **Reply #10 on:** February 01, 2012, 09:17:34 am »

Quote from: Vmango on February 01, 2012, 09:10:33 am

I believe the MDX is their best seller and for all purposes their flagship, no?

Yeah, i'm sure the MDX is their best seller. Doesn't look like there's much difference size wise between it & new RDX

Acura does need a halo car - the RL sure ain't it.
Turn the RL into something awesome & call it the Legend.

Vmango · « **Reply #11 on:** February 01, 2012, 09:19:04 am »

Maybe because I bought a MDX I'm turning into a slappy......but even speaking for Rrocket.....neither of us would have any problem buying a TL. For the price, nothing comes close! I'll fully admit that I wouldn't buy it FOR its looks, but it would not necessarily turn me away, either. We were walking the lot and 2009-2010 CPO TL-SH-AWDs were going for as low as the high 20s in Detroit......with low miles!

Seriously, drive a TL - even sit in one. It's impressive....AND you can get it in a stick!

Weexy · « **Reply #12 on:** February 01, 2012, 09:26:57 am »

I had a prev gen-TL & did look at an '11 TL before I bought the S60.
The '12 redesign did help the looks (front-end anyway) but when I sat in the '11 I hated the interior. That, combined with the exterior styling = no sale.
I could have had a screaming deal on one - since the lease on the TL was up, was offered a large discount & 0% financing for 60 mos.. etc..

CanuckG35 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 01, 2012, 09:33:47 am »

^ And IMHO that is exactly why Acura's sales have dropped the last few years. A lot of previous Acura owners are just shopping elsewhere now mostly due to their polarizing designs.

Vmango · « **Reply #14 on:** February 01, 2012, 09:39:36 am »

Good cars, suspect design.

Agreed.

Snowman · « **Reply #15 on:** February 01, 2012, 09:50:54 am »

Acura need to go to RWD and expand SH-AWD.

dasiuyan · « **Reply #16 on:** February 01, 2012, 10:52:01 am »

Quote from: Snowman on February 01, 2012, 09:50:54 am

Acura need to go to RWD and expand SH-AWD.

I agreed, although I never drive a SH-AWD. All the luxury brand has developed AWD on almost each of every model. If SH-AWD works so great as on paper/video I have read, I think Acura should expand it more but not withdraw it from RDX.

Flinter · « **Reply #17 on:** February 01, 2012, 12:07:15 pm »

Quote from: Vmango on February 01, 2012, 09:19:04 am

Maybe because I bought a MDX I'm turning into a slappy......but even speaking for Rrocket.....neither of us would have any problem buying a TL. For the price, nothing comes close! I'll fully admit that I wouldn't buy it FOR its looks, but it would not necessarily turn me away, either. We were walking the lot and 2009-2010 CPO TL-SH-AWDs were going for as low as the high 20s in Detroit......with low miles!

Seriously, drive a TL - even sit in one. It's impressive....AND you can get it in a stick!

While it is large for my taste, I also wouldn't have a problem buying a TL. I think it's a very nice car for the money and with the exception of the front grill, I don't mind the styling at all. Buying a good used example makes alot of sense and I'm sure it would make a heck of a daily driver.

nlm · « **Reply #18 on:** February 01, 2012, 01:00:40 pm »

Quote from: dasiuyan on February 01, 2012, 10:52:01 am

I agreed, although I never drive a SH-AWD. All the luxury brand has developed AWD on almost each of every model. If SH-AWD works so great as on paper/video I have read, I think Acura should expand it more but not withdraw it from RDX.

It read like the removal of the SH-AWD on the RDX was a cost-savings/lower price measure.

garytam · « **Reply #19 on:** February 01, 2012, 01:15:43 pm »

Acura best year was 2001, thats because in 2001 they still have the NSX (for their Halo Car), Integra including the Type R (for the best sellers) and the affordable $35,000 TL (main stream product to compete with the other) on their product list ....

Nowadays 2012:
Halo car they have - ZDX ( who the hell will have a desire to drive that car, or put it this way, will you go to Acura dealershipt to even check out or test drive a ZDX?)

Best sellers - MDX - a $50K to 60K vehicle, who can afford one

TL - no need to say much ....

Acura should at least introduce some kind of a affordable Type R to shine up their image ..... and SH-AWD RDX with a turbo 4 will not do ..... The Turbo 4 and SH-AWD should have put into an TSX and call it a Type R!!!