Topic: Test Drive: 2013 Acura ILX Dynamic

[Fobroader]

Never got the EL/ILX thing, what was wrong with a Civic Si 4 door?? Save yourself the money, have a much better looking car and not look like you are trying to overreach financially.

While I absolutely love the Civic Si, the stigma around that nameplate is that it's a boy-racer car. I like to refer to the ILX Dynamic as a Civic Si for grown-ups.

Really, I dont see it that way at all. Sure, theres a lot of teenagers with cut springs, fart cans and a bunch of "canadian tire" performance parts  driving them but a Civic driven by a responsible adult is no more a rice rocket than a Corolla. Sure, the Civic started the whole import upgrade scene, but a 4 door Civic doesnt scream race car to me any more than any other compact 4 door sedan.

I'm inclined to agree with you, because I'm one of those people who truly doesn't care about being judged based on the vehicle I arrive in, but my experience while spending a week with the Civic Si HFP swayed me. While I absolutely love the car, there was no denying that tons and tons of younger guys in other sport compacts were continuously trying to race me at traffic lights. I wanted none of it and would go on my merry way, but it's almost as if the way the car looks was bringing out others' insecurities. I'm a pretty low-key guy, so I suppose I wouldn't mind driving around a debadged, black or dark grey Si sedan, but an HFP Coupe in a flashy colour? No way in hell.

Im in my 30's and I visit clients all the time, couldnt imagine pulling up in a civic with a bodykit 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Im in my 30's and I visit clients all the time, couldnt imagine pulling up in a civic with a bodykit 

I can't imagine you visiting clients! 

[Fobroader]

Im in my 30's and I visit clients all the time, couldnt imagine pulling up in a civic with a bodykit 

I can't imagine you visiting clients! 

Hey, some like abrasive 

[Shnak]

Honda Acura is in the similar situation as Nissan with Altima/Maxima/GX. Cars without clear (price) and value advantages between themselfs: What's the point buying TL over TSX (don't mind, there was a V6 version of the latter) and continuing why someone gona buy ILX instead TSX (even considering just the price) and finally as the autor suggests where is the market for ILX against Civic SI?

TL is bigger than TSX...

[PhiDelt]

If I were looking for a exact replacement to my 2005 TSX the ILX would be it,same size and engine. Upgraded features. Similar driving dynamics.
And I agree a comparo between a 1st gen TSX and the ILX is in order.

[Weels]

If I were looking for a exact replacement to my 2005 TSX the ILX would be it,same size and engine. Upgraded features. Similar driving dynamics.
And I agree a comparo between a 1st gen TSX and the ILX is in order.

And,, when can we expect that from you?   

[TheHire]

And I agree a comparo between a 1st gen TSX and the ILX is in order.

While I agree that this would be an awesome comparo, the chances of a good quality comparison lacking too much bias are next to none unless the owner of a mint-condition 1st-gen TSX lends their car to the media to test. 

...actually, I think I'll try to line something up.

[2JDM]

I can imagine that a 6MT 1st gen TSX drives better than this.

Hows the steering on the Dynamic model? I hated it on the standard Premium model I had as a loaner on the weekend. I'd never pay $30k+ taxes for one.

[jamesautos]

thought same engine...Civic Si has limited slip Diff bot not the ILX

so Si will likely perform better in the snow or on track

[Waterlooresident]

Lets see:  For about $30,000 you can either buy one of these, or buy 2 Honda Civic sedans  (each one $15,600 base price).  Both cars have engines that give about the same power.

So basically the ILX is a Honda Civic sedan, with a nicer looking interior, being sold at double the price? 
Does someone else here understand the extreme rip-off going on here?

Save your money and just buy a Hyundai Elantra with way more features, a better looking interior than the starship-dash Civic, and a MUCH better price than the overly-inflated=price ILX

[jyarkony]

Lets see:  For about $30,000 you can either buy one of these, or buy 2 Honda Civic sedans  (each one $15,600 base price).  Both cars have engines that give about the same power.

So basically the ILX is a Honda Civic sedan, with a nicer looking interior, being sold at double the price? 
Does someone else here understand the extreme rip-off going on here?

Save your money and just buy a Hyundai Elantra with way more features, a better looking interior than the starship-dash Civic, and a MUCH better price than the overly-inflated=price ILX

ILX Dynamic is the equivalent of the Civic Si Sedan, but not ugly, and with a nice interior. Go troll the ILX or ILX hybrid threads:

http://www.autos.ca/forum/index.php/topic,81807.0.html?

http://www.autos.ca/forum/index.php/topic,81217.0.html?

Hyundai does not have anything that handles and with a shifter like a Civic Si or ILX dynamic - not even the Genesis Coupe has as nice a shift feel, and I'd personally pick an ILX dynamic over a Genesis Coupe for a multitude of reasons, although Elantra GT I would look at long and hard – it is a better value and more practicality, it just does not drive as well or look as good in my eyes.

I bet even Force would concede the Civic Si/ILX Dynamic is one of the best manual gearboxes in the business, and we know he works for Hyundai...

[Noto]

I'd personally pick an ILX dynamic over a Genesis Coupe for a multitude of reasons

Interesting...even with the Genesis coupe dropping the 2.0T in favour of a 'base' engine with 3.8L of displacement?

[Solstice2006]

I'd personally pick an ILX dynamic over a Genesis Coupe for a multitude of reasons

Interesting...even with the Genesis coupe dropping the 2.0T in favour of a 'base' engine with 3.8L of displacement?

I suspect for Jonathan, and many others, that it's not all about hp numbers.  Especially after reading the tail of the dragon article.  Not that I am a fan of the ILX, but I wouldn't compare it to the Genesis coupe.  Hyundai and GM need some work with their manuals.

Jonathan, have you had a chance to drive the updated Genesis Coupe that was recently reviewed, Lesley thought the shifter was improved, what do you think?

[jyarkony]

I'd personally pick an ILX dynamic over a Genesis Coupe for a multitude of reasons

Interesting...even with the Genesis coupe dropping the 2.0T in favour of a 'base' engine with 3.8L of displacement?

I suspect for Jonathan, and many others, that it's not all about hp numbers.  Especially after reading the tail of the dragon article.  Not that I am a fan of the ILX, but I wouldn't compare it to the Genesis coupe.  Hyundai and GM need some work with their manuals.

Jonathan, have you had a chance to drive the updated Genesis Coupe that was recently reviewed, Lesley thought the shifter was improved, what do you think?

I haven't driven the 2014, no, but no way will they suddenly leap frog the masters of the manual transmission - but I should get in it and test that theory. The Genesis Coupe is good up to a point, but I was not satisfied with its balance and feel when lapping at Mosport DDT last year, though I did enjoy the V6 power. despite the inherent disadvantage of FWD the Civic Si is really dialled in and it seems like it allows me to get closer to its limits than the Genesis allows. the Genny steering in particular is disappointing - it should be better for a RWD moderate hp sports car.

and absolutely MX-5 trumps the Civic/ILX and the Genesis Coupe. The FR-S/BRZ twins are tempting - love the styling, nearly the same driving experience as the Miata. 

[Fobroader]

I'd personally pick an ILX dynamic over a Genesis Coupe for a multitude of reasons

Interesting...even with the Genesis coupe dropping the 2.0T in favour of a 'base' engine with 3.8L of displacement?

I suspect for Jonathan, and many others, that it's not all about hp numbers.  Especially after reading the tail of the dragon article.  Not that I am a fan of the ILX, but I wouldn't compare it to the Genesis coupe.  Hyundai and GM need some work with their manuals.

Jonathan, have you had a chance to drive the updated Genesis Coupe that was recently reviewed, Lesley thought the shifter was improved, what do you think?

I recently drove a 2014 Gen Coupe with a 4 cyl turbo and the shifter was subpar, especially when compared to the Toyobaru twins and Hondas. I found it vague, notchy and the gates were not very well defined.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

I dunno. I never cared for the feel of Honda shifters. The gates and throws were fine, but they always felt too light and fragile. I like more mechanical feedback.

[jyarkony]

I dunno. I never cared for the feel of Honda shifters. The gates and throws were fine, but they always felt too light and fragile. I like more mechanical feedback.

Go drive the S4 manual. I have a feeling you'd like it. the precision of a the Honda, with the notchiness and mechanical feeling of the MX-5.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

I dunno. I never cared for the feel of Honda shifters. The gates and throws were fine, but they always felt too light and fragile. I like more mechanical feedback.

Go drive the S4 manual. I have a feeling you'd like it. the precision of a the Honda, with the notchiness and mechanical feeling of the MX-5.

The local VW/Audi dealer just relocated to a new place a couple of blocks from my house! Easy walk home from warranty work!

[Solstice2006]

I dunno. I never cared for the feel of Honda shifters. The gates and throws were fine, but they always felt too light and fragile. I like more mechanical feedback.

Go drive the S4 manual. I have a feeling you'd like it. the precision of a the Honda, with the notchiness and mechanical feeling of the MX-5.

Exactly what my neighbours son has (he doesn't live there, I see it when he visits) , he has an 2012 S4 manual, and the Dad (my neighbour) has a 2012 MB E Series

[jyarkony]

I dunno. I never cared for the feel of Honda shifters. The gates and throws were fine, but they always felt too light and fragile. I like more mechanical feedback.

Go drive the S4 manual. I have a feeling you'd like it. the precision of a the Honda, with the notchiness and mechanical feeling of the MX-5.

The local VW/Audi dealer just relocated to a new place a couple of blocks from my house! Easy walk home from warranty work!

I didn't say go buy it, just drive it and let us know what you think. Then you will buy it!