Is The EASIEST Way To Tell Someone Has NO IDEA About Autos When They BUY An Acura Sedan Or An Infiniti?

The same cam be said regarding any car manufacturers. Everyone has a budget and specifics they like in the car.

My neighbor has an RLX

Popular vehicle, also shows how intelligent they are especially if they got it certified pre owned, or even used, paying significantly less than luxury makes while getting the benefit of most of the same features, with better reliability only real compromise is badge appeal.

I have neighbors with a Infiniti Q50, M45x, M35. The M45x is slick albeit with a really dated interior. But tons of fun to drive I bet. The Q50 & M35 are in basic trim. It's just those guys wanted.

I owned an 06' FX45 AWD. Totally considered getting the FX50s but Infiniti never really updated the interior. They need next-gen midsize SUV's badly.

I have a friend that once got a new RL because it was like 30% off MSRP towards the end of the model year. Maybe they are just value conscious and got a firesale price.

I don't see anything wrong owning an Infiniti / Acura, Fiat / BMW, Kia / Mercedes / Jag / Chrysler....

I test drove an S60, Arteon, and TLX recently. There wasn't anything particularly "wrong" with the TLX, I think it still looks good (on the outside, particularly in A-Spec trim), although the interior and especially the infotainment look very dated. It's nice to be able to buy a normally-aspirated V6, I have a friend who has a V6 TLX and he easily gets 35mpg on the freeway. With mileage and smoothness like that I don't understand the ubiquity of the 2.0 turbo 4 cylinder....

People are people. Every brand has informed buyers and uninformed buyers. Case in point is BMW. Many BMW owners are extremely knowledgeable. Conversely a broad survey of BMW owners a few years ago revealed that close to 50% of the owners did not know whether their BMW was rear wheel drive or front wheel drive. Of course none of the latter visit this site for sure.

They might be a value/aspirational shopper that wants European but their budget doesn't allow them. Or, they are practical buyers and feel Japanese cars check all of the boxes and are more reliable and less money to maintain. Lots of reasons but driving dynamics probably isn't #1 on their list. An exception being the old G35's, which were great driving cars.

Acura and Infiniti sell is price, make that deeply discounted price. Infinitis can had easily because they are lot anchors that Nissan incentivizes the hell out of. Acura is for people who didn't get the point of the Emperor's New Clothes. They think it's a Mercedes-classs brand when it's just a pack of restyled Hondas.

When I was car shopping a couple of years ago, I visited an Infiniti store and drove the QX30. I was shocked on how noisy and course the engine was, and for the price was lacking features available on lesser cars. One was a power liftgate, and looking at their web site it still appears MIA. By the time it was optioned up, it was approaching $50k. Way too much money for what it offered.

I don't let what other people buy get me "miffed." My wife bought a loaded Acura TL 9 years ago. At 130,000 miles it has never had anything but routine maintance which was inexpensive. The dealership service is outstanding, especially cpmpared to my MB. Not my kind of car, but drives well and shows very little wear. Of course they have lost the plot since then and the TLX could be any mid-sized sedan.
MD once commented that the RLX is nothing but a stretched previous generation Accord which is now all I see. How they put a $62,000 price tag on it is the definition of optimism. They only sold 90 last month in NA.
Infiniti has always been a one car brand and the screwed that up with the steer by wire BS.

Is The EASIEST Way To Tell Someone Has NO IDEA About Autos When They BUY An Acura Sedan Or An Infiniti?

No. Not when you can get it dirt cheap on a lease. They are not terrible cars. I know many that have leased Q50 for $200-300/month and QX60 for $300-$400...

The irony is that you can lease these wannabe premiums for the price of a mainstream.

What does it say when that car is a Mitsubishi?

-00J

Ouch!!!

That wasn't very nice.

-00J

I know, but maybe there is some truth to it.

-00J

Or even worse, remember that Honda Accord Crosstour (a.k.a. AMC Eagle (go google that one)).

-00J

Different Generations of drivers were brought up with different Expectations as to what the traits the car they drove had to have.

For decades - and for MOST drivers. a car was a transportation appliance to get back and forth to work. High performance driving just wasn't taken into account.
Fact is - it is the performance driver that is in the minority.

Indeed and comfort and convenience is making a massive comeback.

Different Generations of drivers were brought up with different Expectations as to what the traits the car they drove had to have.

For decades - and for MOST drivers. a car was a transportation appliance to get back and forth to work. High performance driving just wasn't taken into account.
Fact is - it is the performance driver that is in the minority.

Nope, definitely going with BMW buyers. Horrible reliability, ridiculous depreciation and overpriced.

IDIOTIC subject. Cant believe this was even posted.

It is not intended to compete with the Landcruiser. Plus, it is far less expensive and more comfortable. For the vast majority of people the Telluride is the sound choice.

No, we claim it's the POOR man's Land Cruiser. Because of it's IMAGE and PRICE, not because of it's off-road prowess. I looks BETTER and it's an amazing value with way more toys at a bargain price. BTW, I sat in the latest Land Cruiser at NY auto show and I will tell you that could be THE most disappointing interior of ANYTHING over 50k.

001

(1) You're not sorry.
(2) You're a hateful bigot who despises poor people. You probably ARE one.
(3) You can't spell your name correctly worth a damn.
(4) As for the Kia. You're right. It's far more modern, refined, and upscale than the old tractor from Toyota.
(5) Go back to worshipping your Shawn Mendes posters with the continued hope he will see things your way.

Well, many are coming to a different conclusion than you....from someone who has been driving the Telluride off-road...."Jason Darrah- I have been driving a Telluride EX that was modified by Wanderlust Overland now for about 2 months. I have traveled from Portland Oregon to Flagstaff Arizona and then on to Moab Utah and back to Oregon. Half of the trip I was pulling a Overland Trailer. The ride and comfort features are amazing. Through Neveda I was cruising highway speeds of 90 mph while still getting 19 mpg and if I needed to pass I switched to manual shifting dropped two gears and I would be at 100 in a blink. In Moab we took it on Jeep trails, I followed a friend with a Rubicon by the end of the trip we overly impressed with its off road capabilities. Many of the obstacles we thought would be too much for it to handle, it did with ease. It is of course no match for a Jeep Rubicon off road but we were still extremely impressed none the less. The traction control did its job very well, with many times having only two wheels on the ground. It pulled the trailer effortlessly and was still maintaining 14 to 16 mpg while averaging speeds of 70 to 80 mph. All in all I am very impressed with this vehicle."

The stated question has no relevancy whatsoever. Buyers of Acura and Infiniti aren't trying to be perceived as "car enthusiasts" or keepers of great knowledge.

They just want a comfortable, quiet, safe and reliable ride - with a touch of luxury included.

And for the most part, that is precisely what they get.

How does this make them clueless car buyers - who are being played??

Yes, they can sometimes get these vehicles at a more "standard" lease price than what they've signed for. But that alone does not make them "car know-nothings!!" They are getting what they want most in the cars they are choosing.

To tell that someone doesnt know about automakers is when seeing the Seltos and think it copied a Nissan Kicks or Volvo but when the 2020 Chevy Trail Blazer comes out we act like we don't see that in the GM as well.

You can tell someone doesnt know about cars when only seeing the kia Soul's A pillars to Landrover and ignoring the 2020 Trail Blazer, Nissan Maxima, Nissan Kicks, Mini Cooper, Land Rover, infinti Q SUV,, SAab. But only the Veloster would be the copycat because it is Korean.

Speaking of Infiniti. I see the M's greenhouse is off Impala. ACCORD. 2017 Avalon, Some Lincoln MKz, but only the 2020 Kia K900 would be the copycat.

SUVs with slanted C pillars
Toyota 4 runner, 2001 RX, 2002 MDX, 1st gen Vue, 1998 Passport, 2020 Cadillac, 2nd generation Equinox, Ford Explorer, Mercedes M but only the 2003 Kia Sorento would be the copycat because it is Korean

Audi Grilles, Mazda, Lexus, Toyota Camry, 2020 Chevy Trailblazer but only Genesis would be the copycat because it is Korean allowing the 2020 Altima to get away with it.

Audi Tail lights, GMC Accadia and 2018 Rav 4. Had it one of those been a Hyundai it would had be accused of copying. But because neither is Korean people are going to play dumb as if the GMC Accadia's tail lights didnt RIP off the older Rav 4.

2009 Vlvo S60 and 2009 Buick regal hint backends. But only accuse the 2020 Sonata's backend of copying the Civic's. But never mention the Buick's backend to the 2009 Volvo S60

No one brought up the Acura ZDX side profile ripping the BMW and Mercedes

People act like the Tellurise is the only FWD crossover.

Ignoring the RX, CR,-V, Equinox, Traverse. pilot, MDX but only the Tellurise gets criticized for Being FWD because it is Korean and allowing the Highlander to get away with it.

Shall I bring other designs to the kitchen table like the Mercdes G, Jeep Wragnwr. DODGE nitro, but only the Soul would be the copycat allowing the CuBe to get away with it.

When the 2009 Genesis came out it got accused of copying the Lexus GX but I see this Acura on this post obviously copied the GX to but because it is not Korean or wont get criticized for being fwd nor copying.

The tail lights off the Acura copying the older Cruze's tail lights. But because it isnt Korean it can get away with it. Had it been a Hyundai then that's what would had been said.

That Infiniti 's greenhouse copied the 2011 Buick LaCross. But because Infiniti isnt Korean it can get away with it. Had it been a Kia then that's what would had been said.

nahhh buddy the infiniti greenhouse came out in mid 2007 on the 2008 G35. we invented that style, then refined it on the 2011 M37, buick stole it.

If the Kia Niro looked like the Prius like the Leaf and Insight did it would be accused of copying. Yet when looking at the Leaf and Insight even if it is obvious we still act like the Leaf is orginal.

Also the Kia Borrego was a RWD SUV and so was the 1st generation Kia Sorento. So if they wanted to they could had made the Telluride RWD and look at its sells being FWD compared to Borrego 's sells RWD?.

If RWD was all that why is the Telluride selling better its 1st month compared to the Borrego's 1st month?

The Borrego was the stretch too far. For packaging purposes, FWD/AWD is a better plan than RWD.

People bring up Hyundai 's resale value sucks ignoring so did Saturn, Pontiac, Mitsubishi and Suzuki. But because those are non-korean only bring up Hyundai and Kia's resale value and allowing Dodge, Chrysler and Fiat to get away with it.

The point of our article is how can their products even compete when there are so many better products from so many others? They don't win on looks, value, sexiness, image, performance, gas mileage, resale, NOTHING. Not is 2019. Not even close. And what a shame.

001

Resale matters ONLY to people who buy. With leases being subsidized, resale value isn't that big of a factor there.

Believe it or not, some people do not buy cars for image. They buy them looking for the trade off of content versus price.

An Acura TLX--for the money--is a smarter move than an A4/3/C.

PS: The point of the article was NOT to ask how "...products even compete when there are so many better products from so many others..." and instead to demean people for choosing those products: "Is The EASIEST Way To Tell Someone Has NO IDEA About Autos When They BUY An Acura Sedan Or An Infiniti?"

MD, thanks for pointing this out.

The easiest way for manufacturers to get into the luxury market was to dress up one of their mainstream cars. That approach is not working anymore as the gap between top of the range mass market cars and second tier luxury is closed.
Kudos to Lincoln for sweating the details on their new SUVs to make them distinctive and to Genesis for taking the harder route.

Hate post

You find it elitist, yet YOU YOURSELF made an elitist statement above. YOU are a hypocrite.

Do you mean the same infiniti that italy's emblem of high snobiety maserati, copied for their entire line-up????? That Infiniti?!?!
Levante = QX70 (FX35/45), Quattroporte = Q70LWB (M37), and Ghibli = Q50, sheesh this has to be the silliest post ever.

Yes, as an Infiniti owner that is looking elsewhere, I am frustrated that the automaker has lost it's way. I didn't purchase because I don't know anything about cars, but because they once made cars for buyers that wanted style/performance in an affordable premium car, and now they've sacrificed their soul at the altar of the crossover gods. Sorry, but
we're not Acura - they make FWD cars we never did until that ridiculous re-badged pathfinder came out.

I know PLENTY of folks who know NOTHING about cars driving around in Benz's, BMWs, Audis, Lexi, Ferraris, Lambos, etc. Stupidest post ever.