Originally posted by fastball
That's one thing Honda tends to avoid, and I think it's a good thing. They don't try to go too far off the beaten path, and while it won't win over tough design critics, most people aren't offended. They aren't inspired, either, but the low key, conservative approach holds up well over time. How many Honda's look dated? A 1990 Accord coupe looks as good today as when it was new. How about a 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix? Period styling gets the car locked into an era. Tail fins of the 1950's. EVERYBODY knows when those cars were built. But crisp, conservative looks stay fresh for years.
Very, very good point. I like to use the Celica - G3 Integra example. The G3 Integra was around for 8 model years, which is absolutely nuts, yet I'd say it looks better than the new Celica. The Celica is a "now" design, which I hate. Honda designs for 10 years in the future, I believe. I liked the Celica's design when it first came out, ALOT. But now it looks bloated and too edgy when I see it next to an RSX or a G3 Integra. While Honda may get blasted for being "conservative" and "bland", tell me this: Which looks better, a 2003 Chevy Monte Carlo or a 2003 Honda Accord Coupe? The latter is "bland and conservative", but it's obvious to every non-redneck who doesn't own a 'Calvin pissing on Ford' sticker that the Accord not only looks far better now, it will in 20 years. Good stuff.
Ben, while the ES is selling like hotcakes (projected 70k this year, that is CRAZY), I think it's way too soft. It is completely isolated from the road. In a sense, it's like a refined Buick. Very refined. But people seem to love it, so maybe it's just me and the enthusiasts that feel this way. And yeah, it's really really ugly. My dad strangely likes the design(and he owns an S2K), but he's the only one I know.
babs, the thing was that the article said it like the RL had a 3.0L V6 now. That's what confused me. I was thinking that the RL would go Hybrid, until I read that article about the Acura 400HP Hybrid. That confused me a ton. I just don't understand how they can get 160HP out of an electric motor...I mean, the freaking Hybrid only has like 30HP out of its batteries
I hope Honda puts Acura on the road to AWD and Hybrids across the board...but the problem is, people have TONS of misconceptions about Hybrids, from their reliability to their use. And anyone that drives the TL/CL Type-S and says it has no torque MUST own one of those Calvin stickers.