Are Honda And Acura Starting To Lose The Edge As Well?

Honda lost its edge long ago, when they stopped building fun, nimble cars in favor of some bloated, ugly and unresponsive vehicles that where supposed to better fit the american market.

Acura lost it the day the Integra died.

As for Toyota/Lexus, I don't they've lost anything. Toyota is still selling its load of beige cars while Lexus continues to out-Buick any Buick on the road.

Toyota lost their edge when they started believing they were immune to quality issues.

They make great, albeit boring vehicles. But honestly I think they thought that their system was so perfect that they were insulated from quality issues. This has since been proven false, and the truth is they are marginally better than most as far a quality goes.

Honda already lost it's edge with me. But again speaking from personal thoughts, not sales or beige buyers. They have had no inspiring models since the S2000 debuted. The Civic Si that came out was basically an Acura RSX Type S with a Civic body, so nothing new here except for a four door option.

I won't go through my listing again of all the models from each brand, but I think Honda needs to help itself first, then help Acura. The failure stems from their lack of interest in anything to do with performance or style. Every model now looks too similar, and they all fit middle of the road or bottom of the tier. I remember when you could tell the difference between the Civic models, and it actually named it on the car. Now it doesnt really matter since they all offer the same engine (aside from the Si) and no nameplates for discerning model. So unless you know their wheel stock well enough or pay attention to fine details, then as a buyer, you are not gaining much by going to an EX from a base.

I'm ranting and earning de-boosts I'm sure cause there are lurkers here who love to deboost anything anti Honda and pro Hyundai but do not post opinions or comments. New policy perhaps, in order to boost/deboost, you have to post in that article. Yeah that will happen.

Anyways, back to Honda. Toyota and Honda are the new GM offering loads of different models that really are not discernable in any respect other than size or sheetmetal. They should be put in a market segment called "A to B", since that is the group of people who don't appreciate driving and just want to get places with all their accesories and features to keep them awake from dozing off while cruising in these mobiles.

I smell wut ur cookin.

its a damn shame. Acura has the most advanced all wheel drive system in the world rite now, but they dont have a sports coupe to throw it into? and noone wants to buy cuz they all have a beak/bottle opener.

hondas line up is boring, bloated and due for an overhaul.

All four brands (Toyota,Lexus,Honda,and Acura) are lame.

I second that!

I love how LexSucks got +2 I agree with him and I get -6. You people all have issues!!

Both Toyota and Honda don't seem to realize they are on a 9 Year design cycle in a 4 Year design cycle world.

Whats wrong with Lexus? (from a sales standpoint)

Honda and Acura are just ugly cars, only the new MDX has something to look at. Lexus/Toyota definitely need some sportiness and BIG tires put in their cars.. Did I mention BIG tires??

Honda/Acura has been lost for quite some time... Not a one of their vehicles interest me, same goes for Toyota/Lexus

I would still love to hear from all the lovers of Honda and Toyota (more Honda) on this site. Either all the people who praise all the BMW and MB articles LOVE Hondas so much or there is a bunch of people on here who refuse to post or backup de-boosting with any words and just keep voting negative.

Not one constructive disagreement on Honda articles, it's funny.

But what am I saying, boosting on Honda articles work in reverse anyways. So right now I really have a +4 boost!

Yeah it's kind of funny. Everyone seems to agree but all posts are like at -1000 !!

I have noticed the same thing. I think it is just one guy with 10 accounts. I was speaking badly of honda in another topic and went from +4 to -5 in less than an hour.

Did everyone forget that Lexus makes the LFA? Also isnt the ft-86 suppose to come out winter next year for Toyota?

The LF-A is overpriced (An Audi R8 V10 hangs with it), and the FT86 will come with about 160hp. Lexus/Toyota are not enthusiasts brands.

They should take notes from Nissan / Infinity. Nissan to attract the tuners with the 370Z and Infinity to back it up with the G37 coupe. Only to use the same engine in several other designs. Toyota and Honda need a competitor to the 370Z and marketing, they have nothing. They all need a RWD or AWD compact.

The 370z though nice isn't really setting the world on fire. You can't bet the farm on a small 2-seat sports car.

Not trying to set the world on fire, nor do I believe they need to bet the farm, but they need a niche. something like a Supra from Toyota and from Honda a RWD Prelude with matching power plants in the premium brands. Just ideas, its not like the companies are going under.

There is this fanatic fan boyz syndrome when it comes to critiquing Honda or Toyota regardless of the topic but especially when it comes to their designs.

Truth is, if Honda had kick ass designs this topic wouldn't even exist.

Honda has lost its way long ago. They have not produced a really well thought out design since the mid 90's. Even the much loved S2000 wile looking good on paper has numerous flaws that present themselves in real world driving.

I don't want you to think I'm just some fan boy here to bash Honda. I used to own a CRX and a 92 civic Si and I absolutely loved both of them.

My next car was a 2005 S2000, but the numb electric steering, impossible to access and uneven power curve and unpredictable handling ruined the experience for me. For example even if you shifted at redline the engine would drop below vtec and well out of the power curve. Then as you passed over the vtec point you would get a sudden jolt of power that could unsettle the rear end if you are accelerating in anything but a straight line. In 2004 they tried to make the car safer by setting it up to understeer. The result was a car that would sometimes understeer when you where expecting oversteer and vise versa. I have never driven a car that was so unpredictable and difficult to control at the limit. I sold it after only a year.

In contrast my daily driver now is a 1990 bmw 325i. It has an even power curve, amazing steering feel/feedback and predicable handling all the way past the limit to an easily controlled drift. Although its not nearly as fast as the S2000 its 100 times more satisfying to drive and I always feel confident pushing it to its limits. These attributes (minus the drifting) are the same reason my 92' civic si was so much fun to drive.

Sorry for the rant. I just get a little worked up when I think of what has become of my beloved Honda. : (

Acura never had an edge.......

they have an edge on their grille now :P

Honda Acura IMHO have truly lost their way. Look at the styling of the new Honda Odyssey, it's an odd looking piece of work. Next, look at the new Honda Pilot, too gross looking IMHO. The entire line of Acura is an unmitigated styling disaster IMHO.

Just ugly cars... Acura the ugliest...

Who's Acura?

That Acura located at the top stole the 2009 Mazda 6's side profile. The new Accord coupe's tailights came from the Mazda 6 when viewd directly from the rear. Now give me my negative points.

Honda is fine. They made Funner cars before but alot of companies are going soft these days in order for a better sales. Example: bmw. I used to love them. Had a 1995 estroli blue bmw. Old but light and fun.