Is It Time For Honda To 'OFF' Acura? Give Us ONE Good Reason Why They Shouldn't.

If there was one auto company that has mystified me most over the last 20 years, it would have to be Acura.

Here is a company that had the potential to be Lexus that totally wasted and squandered this once in a lifetime chance.

I still remember their two best products, the original Legend coupe and original MDX.

If you harken back, the Legend had a beautiful, almost Italian style to it that delivered wonderful Japanese reliabilty.

It looked understated and prestigious.

And the MDX schooled the Germans and the rest of the competitors that three rows of seats in a mid-size SUV was better than two and commanded MSRP + all the typical BS Honda and Acura dealer add ons, like $200 mud flaps.

But lately, EVERY single thing they make is a miss.

And some vehicles like the RL are misses of gargantuan proportion.

Pure stench.

And it is not just the vehicles, management has smelled just as bad as the product.

Can you even name ONE good move they have made within the last 5 years or even NAME one Acura executive?

The company has literally almost imploded over the years, yet they haven't fired even one of these Dunder-Mifflen type executives!

People make fun of the GM management over the years and rightly so but these heads at Acura make some of the former GM lugheads, look like rocket scientists.

So today we pose the question...

Is it time for Honda to OFF Acura?

Let's face it...across the board they really got NOTHIN'!

Not the product OR the management to give anyone the warm and fuzzies that they have a chance in hell of making it long term.

They're like a big balloon losing air slowly.

Should they just POP it?

Would the world be a better place without them or would they even notice if they disappeared.

Spies, discuss....






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theoptimisticpessimist - 3/17/2010 9:52:43 PM

+5 Boost

One reason, ummmmmmm, ahhhhhh, uummmmm, okay off it.

WorldofLuxury - 3/17/2010 10:29:57 PM

-2 Boost

DANG! I was gonna say that... lol +1, for you then.

Actually, I do want to add that if Acura actually made themselves a Bentley competitor (must have all-leather/wood interior) at a lower price than Lexus vehicles, we can see great changes in the auto world for the consumers, but too bad that was just a bunch of phony c*** of ambition... or to just get attention

B7FAN - 3/18/2010 7:21:04 AM

+4 Boost

Acura NSX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

kuvakas1 - 3/17/2010 10:51:46 PM

+3 Boost

Surely you must have meant "evil" instead of wicked.

delan - 3/17/2010 10:40:37 PM

+9 Boost

They're still operating at a profit, no? Its not like their sales tanked Chrysler style. I think up until the beak appeared they had soem decent ideas. The previous generation TL did very well, and I would argue that it was one of their best. I dunno, I say give them another chance. In my opinion they are competent sedans whose designers are trying too hard to be different. Only BMW can do this, and do it well.

kuvakas1 - 3/17/2010 10:54:37 PM

+11 Boost

Good points. They seem to be getting it on driving dynamics but something HAS to happen about that styling. They have become the Jimmy Durante of automotive design.

IhavearedS2000 - 3/17/2010 10:55:02 PM

+7 Boost

I'm not a fan of the current styling and I really wished they would offer RWD...but that being said, SH-AWD is very much like how VTEC was in the 90's - it's great and everyone out there is copying and improving on a great idea.

Plus, the MDX is still pretty much a rock solid vehicle - can't name a better competitor for the price...

markanthony0419 - 3/17/2010 10:56:34 PM

+3 Boost

the 95 legend couple is legendary and i dont know a person in their mid 30s that didnt want one at the time. they replaced the legend with the vigor i believe (failure) then the cl tl rl came out . In 99 they gave the tl and rl a makeover (better then what it was i must say) 2001 the type s came out till 2003 the cars were good (i had a 99 tl and a 03 tl types besides my bmw it was my favorite car the type s) after 03 a makeover and the cl was dropped. all down hill from there. i dont get this company. they have the second best awd next to audi, with the ugliest fronts of any car company. i would get a honda before an acura. and they really arent looked at as a luxury car. just fire everyone at acura (doesnt chris bengal need a job?) that was a joke so i dont need all the bmw bengal comments

M35MT - 3/18/2010 12:39:59 PM

+6 Boost

Actually, The Legend became The RL

The Vigor became The TL

_43LE - 3/17/2010 11:10:44 PM

-1 Boost

Rumor has it that many at Honda Japan have always considered Acura a bastard child.

dumpsty - 3/18/2010 2:17:01 PM

+2 Boost

I believe there is some truth to your comment. Acura was only supposed to be a NA-market brand to compete with the Big3's luxury "divisions". Acura was never entirely meant to be a separate company per-se, but just a more expensive version of their reliable Honda products that consumers seemed to love. Do they even sell Acuras outside of North America?

100tnega - 3/17/2010 11:19:52 PM

+3 Boost

I like your style 001... secretly you love Acura... but you despise the beak... as do i. So you cleverly craft a way to get people to petition the beak knowing very well that OEM trolls are lurking these blogs.

Well played sir.

Agent001 - 3/17/2010 11:31:16 PM

+6 Boost

This quote from one of my favorite movies says it all..

“The saddest thing in life is wasted talent” – A Bronx Tale

001

dodgedart - 3/17/2010 11:51:52 PM

+7 Boost

reason 1: the US market is strange enough to keep it alive. the Honda badge carries itself elsewhere without the acura spinoff.
Bonus reason: The MDX

BHump - 3/18/2010 12:14:11 AM

+4 Boost

Acura's potential is off the charts...sporty "near luxury" cars and SUVs at great prices. What's currently missing is the exterior styling. Go drive an AWD TL, MDX or ZDX and tell me that the drive and interior aren't impressive. Throw in reliabililty and the Honda reputation, and it's a brand you must consider.

That's why, in so many words, they're here to stay.

Agent001 - 3/18/2010 12:47:14 AM

+2 Boost

But Infiniti is more sporty and drives better and Lexus is more luxurious and prestigious.

Acura is the odd one out, right?

001

M35MT - 3/18/2010 12:42:47 PM

-1 Boost

204E60, since he didnt compare it to a German brand, was your comment necessary? No, it wasn't.

RNeekChic - 3/18/2010 3:29:01 AM

+2 Boost

001 sometimes you come across as a douche THERE I SAID IT.

Even though I'm not the biggest fan of some of their latest car, Acura still has a market. Just cuz you don't happen to like them, here comes yet another one of those article just to bash on a car that's not BMW just to make yourself feel better. uh... well i just happen to look up I guess I'm not the only person that feels like this. HMM next article.

One good reason why autospies shouldn't off 001.

achiles - 3/18/2010 4:17:13 AM

0 Boost

Acura needs to come up with a coupe, I always replace an older coupe with a new one from acura since the first integra, and after the cl, the nsx, and the rsx were discontinued, I lost interest in the brand.

I purchased a 07 tl for the mrs, (for shopping) and that was it.

So now the new styling of the tl is okay and at the dealer you can paint the beak, but sitting in one of the them I felt more claustphobic, the seats are tiny and when I asked for a perforated seats option they said no. so upgrading to it was not an option.

The only desirable car is the mdx, I am dissapointed with everything else.

truckman - 3/18/2010 6:14:57 AM

+2 Boost

You are way off here 001. I would take an Acura any day over a Lexus, do you think Lexus looks any better? I think they are both in need of makeovers, But at least the Acura is more reliable and handles better.

gkearns56 - 3/18/2010 7:16:34 AM

0 Boost

Let's see...No RWD vehicle in their present lineup; way over priced RL sticker; ugly bird beaks on all their Acura products. They must have hired the excutives and designers that GM or Chrysler got rid of.

truckman - 3/20/2010 3:30:09 AM

+1 Boost

Good point. there should be a rear wheel drive, all wheel drive is better, they have a few of them don't they, and yes they need some fresh design, they should get someone from BMW or Audi, those cars look great.

blackbr - 3/18/2010 7:37:08 AM

+5 Boost

"Off" Acura? That's ridiculous troll bait.

When the new TL was introduced I initially pronounced the design ugly as well. Until I saw a bronze SH-AWD at the Cleveland auto show last year, with the same color interior. With a painted beak I think the front looks much better, but even unadorned I no longer mind the beak. Now I'm a huge fan of the new TL.

I drove the car a couple of months ago (although my 09 C-300 won't come off lease for more than two years). I thought the TL SH-AWD was the most fun test drive I had taken in many years. It is a completely different car than the base TL.

Stylistically, it seems very difficult to please auto fans. When a company such as Acura or BMW comes out with a daring new design, everyone boos that it's ugly. And when Lexus or some other company comes out with yet another copycat design, everyone boos that it's unoriginal. Isn't a lack of design a greater sin than a controversial one?

I don't think Acura is doing anything "wrong." The needless RL could be replaced or eliminated though.

Agent00J - 3/18/2010 8:22:53 AM

+2 Boost

My wife drives an '09 MDX and I have to admit that I love to drive it myself. Granted, it doesn't have the hard edged "beak" (a term I was one of the originators of right here on AutoSpies.com last year when I was contributing on a frequent basis) of the newest '10 MDX, but with that being said if it was totaled today or stolen or otherwise it would be replaced with a brand new MDX.

The way this thing hustles over back country roads defy physics. I spent 2 weeks with a BMW X5, the car that we were going to buy for my wife, and there isn't even a comparison, the Acura is amazing, especially the SH-AWD as it transfers power to the correct wheels in an effort to get it around corners as quickly as possible.

With that being said, I HATE THE BEAK of the TL, the TSX has grown on me, it almost looks proper on the RDX, and the ZDX...
...it looks great in person even if it doesn't photograph all that well.

My advice, and I said it in an article written last year is simply this, bring back the Legend, make it better than what Infiniti and Lexus are producing at the $50k mark, and give it some of the original style and panache the original did, and none of these conversations will rear their ugly heads again.

Suddenly everyone will be clamoring to get on the Acura ship claiming that they were always secretly routing for the underdog. At that point at least I can look back and prove that I was always in the underdogs camp cheering them on.

-00J

commander104 - 3/18/2010 10:58:00 PM

+3 Boost

If the Genesis were to be the new RL, would people be happy--I think so.

Whelan - 3/18/2010 9:19:06 AM

+4 Boost

Acura is very strong under the ugly blanket they wear. Great frams, suspensions, and strong power and drivetrains. Acura is also a way for them, to offer some of their european flare in the US market at a premium of course. The TSX is the euro Accord for example.

However, the design department has more than failed. the first TL was a great car, competitive and priced right. The first generation RL was a great success too with hard competition for the likes of the Lexus LS. I remember when I worked at Acura for a time, one of the hottest sellers was the pre-owned 2003 RL. We could not keep them on the lot, as people preferred their bulky, comfiness to the taught and trim new RL. The RL was almost a more techy TL, with the power that belonged in the TL though.

Acura refused to bring the V8 to fruition, and once they lost their ability to be competitive against Lexus, Infiniti, etc. they turned their sites more on the Lincoln/Buick crowd. They lost their base, have no direct targeted segment and are in desperate need of refreshes.

I don't say cut them off, but I do say get them redesigned, freshened up and grow a pair.

weaponX - 3/18/2010 9:29:08 AM

+2 Boost

I always had a soft spot for Acura cause I owned the NSX. Back in the day it was the bomb, more than just a Japanese Ferrari but an exotic that you can reliably drive daily. Can you say the same about the prancing horse?! LOL.

The NSX was cutting edge and a lot more unique than your ubiquitous Porsche 911. A lot better handling too. Now there's nothin cutting edge about Acura.

IMO, since the NSX they haven’t really produced any cars that would appeal to the hardcore enthusiast.

It wouldn’t make any difference to me if they folded.

pennfootball - 3/18/2010 10:33:32 AM

+1 Boost

YES YOU can say that about the the Prancing horse! New Ferrari's are light years more reliable and the double clutch geerboxes are bulletproof, they use chains instead of belts. OLD Ferrari's also never broke down IF THEY WERE PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND ACTUALLY DRIVEN! These cars work better the harder and longer you drive them, they die if you put them in a garage. Another misconception for people who never owned one.

klipprand - 3/18/2010 9:41:54 AM

+8 Boost

Fire the design team - get a new design team - problem fixed ...

100tnega - 3/18/2010 9:55:37 AM

+5 Boost

Rojonwheels has a great substitute for the beak. A couple TLs in my area with this application had me rubber-necking.

fatandsassy - 3/18/2010 10:19:27 AM

0 Boost

EH! They should have gone to BMW direction. Acura's in the past were big on performance, and tech. They could have been to cheaper alternative to BMW and still could but they need to get away from all the plastic inside and style down the cars a little.

LexSucks - 3/18/2010 10:28:46 AM

+3 Boost

Current Acura design leaves more to be desired.

pennfootball - 3/18/2010 10:29:58 AM

0 Boost

I don't understand how they can make such uggly cars and wonder why they are not selling in the US market? The last TL type S that was front wheel drive was a hoot to drive ...torque steer and all you still shirped tires going into 3rd gear. The new TSX with crappy breaks cost as much as the old TL type S at 38 grand and has half of the handling performance and less room. I don't get these people! ACURA HAS FAILED TO DO ANYTHING GOOD SH_AWD is nice but how many rich lemmings understand torque vectoring or active differentials...they don't even know what a differential is!

Whelan - 3/18/2010 10:42:10 AM

+2 Boost

Someone here loves Acura, all the comments are getting de-boosted left and right.

Acura is also a US and Canadian market car. Everywhere else they are either Honda's or do not exist.

pennfootball - 3/19/2010 10:49:19 AM

+1 Boost

haha YOu are so right about it being BMWspies! Good god they are like the annoying harry chrishna or Scientology religion on here! Drink the Kool Aid!

jsell - 3/18/2010 11:54:33 AM

+7 Boost

ummm....because here in the U.S. they outsell Infiniti and Audi...is that reason enough???

0to60 - 3/18/2010 12:08:10 PM

+4 Boost

regardless of how ugly they are, ppl still buy them. Therefore, if there is a market for ugly cars, then why not keep offering them. If honda is making money, good for them. I wouldnt buy one.

Reason - 3/19/2010 12:07:30 PM

+1 Boost

For me there is definately a love-hate relationship with Acura. On paper it's all there for the most part. Same is true for the driving experience, it's very nice. The problem is that they tout themselves to be on the cutting edge of technology when in truth what they dt to best is "just enough". That settle for 2nd best attitude coupled with their recent designs, one can't help but to be dissapointed knowing their heritage and potential. I love the look of the 04-08 TL, its a beautiful car and looks like it was designed by Bertone.
My advice to Acura is show us that you haven't completely lost it by making a statement with the next TL Type S. I suggest a DOHC 3.0L supercharged v6 with 330+ hp and torque around the same mark, and for goodness sakes gid rid of the "power plenum"! Take a page from Suburu and their "wing" motif, admit you've made a mistake, learn from it and move on!