I WENT OFF ON A TANGENT! :slap: I was discussing the options available to an Acura customer and you went off BS'ing about value for the dollar! If you feel that 5-series owners are in a different income bracket than RL customers and just have "excess monetary money they can just blow away" lets look at the options available to a consumer buying a 3 series. They can buy a 325i, 330i, 330ci, 330ix, M3, etc. THE CONSUMER HAS OPTIONS. If he is concerned about "value for dollar" he will most likely get a 325i. If he wants the most out of his 3-series he will buy an M3. Or any other 3-series model that is available. Whatever he chooses, BMW still gets the Sale. The Acura consumer does not get that option. He must go searching through other dealership lots to get choices. Whichever Honda chooses for the RL, a V8, IMA, or Hybrid, it should not be standard. It should be OPTIONAL. Will it be as many options as a 3-series or 5-series, no, but its a start in the right direction. Hey, a person buying a TL or RSX have the option of an S. In the TL family the car serves two needs the TL is a nice small family car and the TL-S is more sporty and creates an "option" for consumers. Oh, but Acura should not have made the TL-S because they won't sell as many as regular TL's! :slap:
Acura customers may come back because of the price value of their products but once they step into the showroom and they are confronted with a luxury car that has no options and no trim levels they will likely shop around.

When you go to Sears for a new suit do they just have single breasted black ones? No, they have single and double breasted (trim levels) and black, gray, blue (colors) and some even have vests (options)!

You ask, does it make good business sense to make and offer a V8? I don't know. I'm not the VP of production for Honda, I don't have the projections that specify how much R&D will be and I don't have their sales forecasts. Just because Infinity doesn't sell its V8 sedan does not mean Honda's would flop. Besides the actual sales figures of V8's in certain cars there are other benefits. Take the GS400 for example. Yes they sell more GS300's but do you think they would sell as many GS300's as they do if they didn't make a GS400? Besides creating an option for consumers it also creates awareness to the Lexus and GS names. How great would it be if Acura had a commercial that boosted a 5.5sec 0-60 time for the New 325hp V-8 RL! That would get plenty of traffic in the showroom. Once the poor saps are there and find out that they can't afford the V8 or are not willing to shell out the $$$, the salesman can turn around and save them $100/month on an equally equipped V6 version. Now that person is driving the car they wanted and are completely satisfied. When their lease is up or are ready to trade it in they may then be able to afford the V8! Now don't get your feathers all fluffed because I mentioned V8. This is merely an example. I could have said IMA or Hybrid.

 

My first reply was to you saying:
I only replied that Acura is also known for its price value and this is where Honda/Acura gets repeat customers. You went off on arguing about "most" millionaires buying Sears suit and how they don't care for status cars and Britney Spears and her Sebring convertible.

I've already acknowledge in my first reply to you that Acura DOES loses customers who wants more. So there's no more need of dragging this out any further.

Beating a dead horse again here, but for the price of a base TL-S that comes fully loaded, you get a base BMW 3 series with leatherette seats or pay more for a MB C class. I don't think having no options hinders Acura.


Oh yes, and I'm sure that if I'm a "millionare" I will shop at Sears too for my suits.

Now please, I said it since my first reply to you and I'll say it again and again and again. Acura does lose customers who wants more than the RL. Are you happy? My whole point was that Acura and Honda are known for price value.

 

I agree with Kazi.. on every point..

its so true that for the money you spend on a TL or whatever you will get a very basic bmw.. its more value for the money by far..

that has and always will be honda's and acura's goals. Now if you look at a damn NSX.. that **** is mad expensive.. cause they are capable of making such vehicles.. but what is the point.. there is more of a market for cars with good value then for cars with a badge.

look at the recent new cars coming out.. with more punch for the money.. its a trend that is hitting the auto industry and that is why BMW is now makin all these entry level cars also... just to compete.

 

What the hell happened to this thread?

Anyway... um... I'm gonna make a few points:

1. I get damn good service at my Acura dealer, even just for my RSX. They offer lounge, shuttle, and loaner.

2. The RL is an old old car. If you're gonna compare the RL to anything, compare it to a 1996 Mercedes E-Class sedan, not the newest S-Class, and certainly not the newest Accord.

3. Mercedes and BMW are expensive. Screw "experience", I buy cars for driving, not sitting in a loaner while it's being fixed.

4. Acura has consistently rated above Mercedes and BMW in initial quality, long range quality, and customer satisfaction, along with Lexus, Infiniti, Toyota and Honda. Check JD Power for the past decade. Acura was the top automotive brand in quality in America for the first 3-4 years it was eligible.

 

All I mentioned about Sears is that the survey showed that most millionaires were more likely to have a Sears credit card than a Neimann Marcus credit card. I did not say millionaires buy Sears suits. I also said that the survey showed that most millionaires spend about $400 on a suit contrary to popular belief. I know you don't believe me (I would be skeptical myself) but this survey was on finance.yahoo.com. About the Britney Spears thing. I'm sure she does have other cars, I don't doubt that. It just supports my claim that not all millionaires need to buy the most expensive item they could find. I don't know the name of the show that aired this on MTV, but the show follows a celebrity around for like a month or something. I know that on every episode the celebrity would repeat the same phrase, "You think you know, but you have no idea!" or something like that.

My whole point was that Acura customers have no options. Are you happy now?

 

Fine, its settled.

Just need to reiterate again, Acura's "no option" vehicles, even though they're loaded with standard equipment, typically are priced at most competitor's less standard equipped equivilent models.

TL-S: $31,830
330i: $35,295 (no sunroof, no leather, no CD changer)

And to add to your point. BMW might have a lead on workmanship and extra "service" fluff over the Acura, but it does cost quite a lost more for those extra. Like I said before, if money was not a factor, give me a 330i. But in reality, I rather buy the TL-S and put that extra 10k to better use. That is why Honda/Acura are known for its price value.

 

Stiffle it, both of you. Acura makes good cars for everybody. See, I've made a simple point and it took me all of three sentences.

 

Actually it was 2 sentences...your last one was a point about you making your point!

 

Good point:thumbup:

 

Last time we went to Acura of Middleton in Middleton, WI for service on our TL, they BARELY gave us the keys for a 1998 Electron Blue Integra. I thought that was a slap in the face. But YES, they SHOULD be giving you the new cars to loan. Who knows, if you loan a brand new 03 Type S to an 01 TL driver, they just might decide to make an offer!