For the month of April I will be participating in the
Blogging From A to Z Challenge. Learn more about the challenge by clicking
here. Each day (except Sundays) I will be posting a theme based on each letter
of the alphabet. This blog is covering automotive topics for the month. To read
my other blog posts for the challenge, click here.
In the past, Acura produced the Legend, which was one of the few old school cars with an automatic transmission where you could chirp the tires going into third gear. There was also the Integra, which was weird-looking but still a blast to drive (especially the Type R). Of course, the NSX is the top legend. How many other cars has Honda built that can hang with Ferraris that cost two or three times as much?
Sadly, since then Acura has slipped into a mediocre slump. The MDX is a compelling crossover, but all Acuras have those damned metal bars over the front grille, like some poor adolescent who has to wear a head apparatus. Acuras have also become really... angular, and not in a good way.
There is some light at the end of the tunnel. American Honda recently announced that it is splitting the Honda and Acura brands, allowing Acura to be more than just an afterthought. Many have speculated this move was fueled by the increasing success Infiniti has seen since it was given autonomy from the Nissan brand. If you combine this fact with the completely surprising and thunderous performance from the new Acura RLX Hybrid SH-AWD, the future looks bright for Acura.
Hopefully the first thing the newly minted Acura design team does is moves to drop those stupid grille bars.
i used to have an mdx, i liked it, but it wasn't big enough for my family, even with the third row. curious to see what you have to say about the rest of the alphabet of cars!
ReplyDeletehappy a day!
MDXs are nice and have great handling, but the third row is rather tight. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI have owned two Hondas. My first car was an old Honda Civic. It had a choke and was semi-automatic... meaning you had to shift from first to second at 15mph, but there was no clutch. I loved that little car, but we sold it when I went to college. Freshmen couldn't have cars on campus.
ReplyDeleteMy second Honda was an Accord and it was a great car. I have NO complaints about it. In fact, even though we parted ways ten years ago, I wish I still had it. Those things just run and run with regular maintenance. Long, sad story about why I sold that car.
My dad was always a huge Honda fan, but I do believe his last car was an Acura... older style. He knew someone who got him great cars with low mileage at a bargain price. Anyway, that seemed to be a great car, too.
Interesting stuff about where these two companies are going (independently). I hope that the split makes Nissan better.
I've owned four Hondas now and never had any ridiculous problems with them. American Honda is still managing both brands, but the design and marketing teams now don't mix.
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