But the key difference is that Lexus has panache and brand recognition. So he can say it just as easily, but the buyer won't care/believe.

 

True. Theres so many other factors that go into buying a car, that it should have its own thread or something.

 

Mostly agreed. About the interiors. I think if you take a look at the TL's competitors, most of them are subpar luxury, with the exception of MB C-class and ES300. BMW, G35, IS300, and A4 aren't the most luxurous interior. Each of those cars listed focuses less on plush and more on performance. I don't think Acura needs to dip into RWD, but AWD would definitely give the brand some recognition and separation from the mainstream Honda brand. Hopefully this IMA AWD system comes true for the TL-S.

Go back 7 years and how would you react if the A4 was an upscale Passat? Keep in mind the bad reputation VW was starting to develop. VW used that strategy for the sake of the VW brand, not for Audi. I think Honda is doing the same but on the opposite end. The Accord is a good name and a good springboard for people to move to Acura. Like I said, I don't doubt people will call the TSX an upscale Accord. But ask yourself, does that really sound THAT bad? Even if the word Accord is brougth up, I think Acura dealers can counter that with "European" to help its sales. (TSX = European Accord) :dunno: Seems like anything European these days in automobile is a selling point. I know the Saturn dealers has used it on their midsize as a selling point. Same with Ford and its Focus.

 

kazi good points.

We tend to speculate so much about this whole AWD IMA thing, but is it reall going to happen? I'd hope so. Chances are, not anytime soon.

 

My guess is the TSX takes up the Prelude's spot in the price structure. It's a smaller Accord-based sporty thing with a relatively big (for Honda) inline-4. Joe Shmoe car buyer isn't going to view it as a step up from an Accord V6. It's smaller and it has a 4-banger.

So take the euro Accord with a 200 hp 4-banger, change the dash to not look exactly like the Accord, slap some Acura badges on it and sell it for $24k. Type-S model steps up to 240 hp, 6spd, LSD, sportier suspension/wheels/tires...the standard Type-S treatment. Tack on another 2 grand for the Type-S option and 2-grand for nav. That way a Type-S w/ nav still undercuts the G35 w/ leather by a good bit.

 

Damn, very good point. I never thought of it that way, but you're kinda right. So the TSX(comfort), RSX(sportiness), and Accord Coupe (all around) all replace the Lude in their own ways. Very interesting. Except, of course, the Lude was never 4 doors. But hopefully the TSX will be just as sporty and fun as the Lude...it's almost as good looking.

 

3rd gen prelude had a sedan version

 

Pretty much every generation of Prelude is based on the Accord of the same generation but smaller and with more power. Even the latest ones had a lot in common with the Accord. BTW, there's been an Accord coupe since '86.

I don't think the TSX will be pitched as comfy, that's what the TL is for. All the alphanumeric naming crap supposedly has a meaning--TL is "Touring Luxury" CL is "Coupe Luxury" etc. I'm sure SX means somethin like "Sports Xtreme" or whatever. As far as marketing goes, they'll probably sell it as a sports car for people who need something bigger than a sportscar rather than a sportier version of a boring car.

 

MrFatBooty, you are a very smart man, and I hope you keep spreading your wisdom in N&R.

Like I've said before, the lack of a 6cyl to some people is going to make is a big no-no.

 

Honda released some details about the TSX/Accord today. It gets 2 engines..

2.0L i-VTEC, 155HP with a 5 speed or 5spd SportShift
2.4L i-VTEC, 190HP with a 6 speed or 5spd SportShift

The cD is an amazing .26...I've never seen a drag coefficient that low for an every day car. I think the Insight is at like .24, the NSX is at .29. The car is about the same as our Accord with the exception of its beautiful styling.

Some new pics:





Absolutely beautiful...except for that damn Pontiac gearshift fake manual shift boot. Eugh. I love it, besides that. We got screwed

Can't wait till the TSX debuts