Do you see Acura and Lexus in the same class?

[slatr]

I have always thought of Acura as more like a BMW. A driver's car.

Lexus more = to Mercedes.

 

[Toasthead]

Acura NSX > All past, current and future Lexus's

 

[realEZE]

Originally posted by: andylawcc
yes. both in the same class, with Acura more geared towards the younger professional crowd (RSX, TSX, and even the TL [3.5L V6 TypeS].

They are both premium brands, as in they have cars that compete at the same entry/mid muxo segments. But overall, I feel Lexus is considered a cut above.

This is mainly due to the fact that Lexus has offerings in the higher end, that Acura does not. Meanwhile Acura has offerings in the lower end, which Lexus does not. All this does it lower the Acura badge.

In the end, I agree that Lexus tends to be an older crowd, while Acura is more for the new-age yuppie, since it has a more affordable entry point.

 

[manowar821]

Pfftt... I'll go infinity, if I go for luxury.

 

[mitaiwan82]

more NSX plz

Originally posted by: manowar821
Pfftt... I'll go infiniti, if I go for luxury.

fixed

 

[jtvang125]

Acura needs to go back to the drawing board.

TSX - Great car. They can keep it as a FWD since its entry level. A V6 wouldn't hurt either.
TL - Definitely needs to go RWD or their SH-AWD system. A small V8 would be great as well to be a better competitor with the Lexus GS. Have a manual model to keep the performance edge.
RL - This is suppose to be their flagship model so no v8 means less prestige and image. The older RL was a fairly big car but since have greatly shrunken too. A flagship model needs to be big with a big v8. Since their introduction I've only seen maybe 3-4 on them on the road yet the new Lexus LS came out not too long ago and I have seen 3 times as many of them already.

 

[Dari]

Considering that Acura has the best engines in the world and the best manual-shifters/gears in the world, they are definitely for drivers. If you like to drive, get an Acura. If you want Bentley driving you around and showing off to people about how much money you have, get a Lexus.

To me, Acura says a lot about the individual considering you get the best bang for your buck: smart shopper.

 

[dds14u]

Originally posted by: Toasthead
Acura NSX > All past, current and future Lexus's

Really?

Maybe you should take a look at the future of Lexus.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: jtvang125

RL - This is suppose to be their flagship model so no v8 means less prestige and image. The older RL was a fairly big car but since have greatly shrunken too. A flagship model needs to be big with a big v8. Since their introduction I've only seen maybe 3-4 on them on the road yet the new Lexus LS came out not too long ago and I have seen 3 times as many of them already.

Everyone says they need a RWD V8... that would appeal to car guys, but how much do luxury car drivers actually care about having a V8 in a midsize car?

I think Acura needs to make the RL look LESS like an Accord. The current one looks more like an Accord than the previous generation (which looked much better IMO - more like a luxury car). Accords are ugly.

I forget what else I was going to say.

Edit: I remember now - the TL looks way better than the RL! And it's a more significant departure from the Accord as well.

 

[Ryan]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: jtvang125

RL - This is suppose to be their flagship model so no v8 means less prestige and image. The older RL was a fairly big car but since have greatly shrunken too. A flagship model needs to be big with a big v8. Since their introduction I've only seen maybe 3-4 on them on the road yet the new Lexus LS came out not too long ago and I have seen 3 times as many of them already.

Everyone says they need a RWD V8... that would appeal to car guys, but how much do luxury car drivers actually care about having a V8 in a midsize car?

I think Acura needs to make the RL look LESS like an Accord. The current one looks more like an Accord than the previous generation (which looked much better IMO - more like a luxury car). Accords are ugly.

I forget what else I was going to say.

Also, consider that the main competitors to the RL (namely - the Infiniti M and Lexus GS) have optional V8s, but the vast majority of those sold are V6 models. I think your point about design distinction is the RLs main flaw - it looks too plebeian next to the M, GS, 5 Series, and A6.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: PeeluckyDuckee
Both are meant to be the more upper class luxury representation of their respective siblings, Honda and Toyota, but for some reason I feel Lexus is more up there than Acura.

Perhaps it's the fact that I can't get out of my head Acura has the Integra and RSX on their plate.

Lexus seems more distinguished.

Agreed. Lexus is definitely a step above Acura.

My wife has a Lexus IS250 and we looked at the TL but she liked the Lexus so that's what we bought. I talked to the Controller here where I work who used to own a Lexus and who now owns an Acura MDX after we bought ours and she said she doesn't get loaner cars when she takes her MDX in for service even though she was told that they provide the same level of service that Lexus does. My wife gets a loaner car when she takes her car in even for oil changes.

Acura is definitely not on the same level as Lexus.

 

[torpid]

I've gone car shopping twice for the brands discussed here.

First time, looking at new cars, in 2002, drove: A4 1.8, A4 3.0, BMW 325 AWD, Acura TL and TL Type S, Infiniti G20 & I30. I did not drive a Lexus because when I went into the dealership, no one talked to me for 15 minutes then when someone finally did, they told me that "people who buy a lexus don't need to test drive, they know what they want".

Had the A4 for 4 years and loved it. When it went out of warranty, I had 4 problems in 4 months. Decided to look into reliable used cars. Test drove basically the same cars, and now was able to test two lexus models, the IS and GS 300.

Of all the cars I drove, I enjoyed the BMW the most. It had a refined interior, incredibly fun drive, great performance. It was just too pricey at the time and I did not care for the exterior look of it. When I was looking for reliable cars it was not considered.

After that, it was the lexus cars. Both the IS and GS were really sporty and fun to drive.

The TL type S had horsepower but was not even as fun as my 1.8 Audi and the steering and suspension were too loose and luxury-oriented.

I don't get why people think Acura is for performance. I did not feel that way at all test driving. Acura felt like bargain luxury to me. For $30k you basically got a fully loaded v6 car. My A4 cost about that and was only a 1.8. But it was a turbo at least.

Acura is just too bland for me.

I ended up getting a used GS. I miss a few features of my Audi but overall am quite happy.

 

[EKKC]

yes.

Lexus = luxury toyota
Acura = luxury honda
Infiniti = luxury nissan

don't try to bring them up to another class.

 

[JC86]

Originally posted by: spidey07
Performance and Interior wise they are similar. I give lexus the edge on both.

IS350 not available in a manual means lexus sucks.

I think the reason its not available in manual is becasue they want you to buy the IS-F, Lexus' challenge to the M3.

Generally speaking, I think Lexus is up there with Mercedes, BMW as mainstream luxury cars while Acura and Infiniti are a notch below. They're still nice cars.

 

[psteng19]

Originally posted by: iversonyin
Because the way Acura was priced when it came out. Acura was aiming toward "affordable" luxury while Lexus was aiming straight toward the Germans.

False.
Lexus was a super bargain when it was first released in the 80's, as were Acura and Infiniti.

Lexus and Acura are about the same as far as interior quality goes (Lexus has nicer leather and more wood), but Acura is sportier even though it is FWD based.

Personally, I would go Infiniti if I wanted a luxury sports sedan, if gas prices weren't so high. The VQ isn't exactly fuel efficient on a 3500 lb chassis.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: JC86

Originally posted by: spidey07
Performance and Interior wise they are similar. I give lexus the edge on both.

IS350 not available in a manual means lexus sucks.

I think the reason its not available in manual is becasue they want you to buy the IS-F, Lexus' challenge to the M3.

Generally speaking, I think Lexus is up there with Mercedes, BMW as mainstream luxury cars while Acura and Infiniti are a notch below. They're still nice cars.

I wouldn't put Lexus anywhere near Mercedes. Lexus can't touch them as Mercedes has perfected the luxury sports sedan.

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: JC86

Originally posted by: spidey07
Performance and Interior wise they are similar. I give lexus the edge on both.

IS350 not available in a manual means lexus sucks.

I think the reason its not available in manual is becasue they want you to buy the IS-F, Lexus' challenge to the M3.

Generally speaking, I think Lexus is up there with Mercedes, BMW as mainstream luxury cars while Acura and Infiniti are a notch below. They're still nice cars.

I wouldn't put Lexus anywhere near Mercedes. Lexus can't touch them as Mercedes has perfected the luxury sports sedan.

well atleast in terms of models, but yeah none of the japanese brands make anything as serious as SL65 and CL65s. If i was totally money is no object, i'd have an SL/CL as my daily beater.

 

[maddogchen]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: JC86

Originally posted by: spidey07
Performance and Interior wise they are similar. I give lexus the edge on both.

IS350 not available in a manual means lexus sucks.

I think the reason its not available in manual is becasue they want you to buy the IS-F, Lexus' challenge to the M3.

Generally speaking, I think Lexus is up there with Mercedes, BMW as mainstream luxury cars while Acura and Infiniti are a notch below. They're still nice cars.

I wouldn't put Lexus anywhere near Mercedes. Lexus can't touch them as Mercedes has perfected the luxury sports sedan.

no, i disagree. Lexus reliabilty > Mercedes.

If you want to perfect the luxury sports sedan you would merge BMW driving, Mercedes styling, Lexus reliability.

 

[realEZE]

Originally posted by: jtvang125
Acura needs to go back to the drawing board.

TSX - Great car. They can keep it as a FWD since its entry level. A V6 wouldn't hurt either.
TL - Definitely needs to go RWD or their SH-AWD system. A small V8 would be great as well to be a better competitor with the Lexus GS. Have a manual model to keep the performance edge.
RL - This is suppose to be their flagship model so no v8 means less prestige and image. The older RL was a fairly big car but since have greatly shrunken too. A flagship model needs to be big with a big v8. Since their introduction I've only seen maybe 3-4 on them on the road yet the new Lexus LS came out not too long ago and I have seen 3 times as many of them already.

Look at the prices dude...

TL competes with ES350.
RL competes with GS350.

Now how do those comparisons look?

 

[ebaycj]

Originally posted by: her209
I choose Lexus because its easier for Asians to pronounce.

LOL

 

[psteng19]

Originally posted by: JC86

Originally posted by: spidey07
Performance and Interior wise they are similar. I give lexus the edge on both.

IS350 not available in a manual means lexus sucks.

I think the reason its not available in manual is becasue they want you to buy the IS-F, Lexus' challenge to the M3.

Generally speaking, I think Lexus is up there with Mercedes, BMW as mainstream luxury cars while Acura and Infiniti are a notch below. They're still nice cars.

Nope, no manual in the IS-F either.

Lexus is definitely a step up from Acura and Infiniti in terms of prestige and public perception.
I would put Infiniti slightly ahead of Acura just because of the fact that they have a fuller lineup and don't share any platforms with Nissan's (except for the QX). Plus they're all RWD chassis.
In terms of fun to drive, Infiniti is on top of Lexus and Acura.

 

[dbk]

Yeah....Honda - > Acura, Toyota - > Lexus.

 

[PricklyPete]

I would say most people agree with you.

 

[intogamer]

Acura is kind of more unique than the Lexus

The TL is awesome. Acura has good reconigition and its not flooded everywhere!

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: EKKC
yes.

Lexus = luxury toyota
Acura = luxury honda
Infiniti = luxury nissan

don't try to bring them up to another class.

A company that makes good inexpensive cars can make good luxury cars. Nobody calls Cadillac "luxury Chevy."