Topic: New Honda models are slow sellers... duh?

[mmret]

I think its just the general shape of the surfaces in the grille area that don't work, for me. Surely there must be a grille out there, somewhere....

Biggest problem with this car (for me, anyways) is that a G37S / xS is roughly the same price, better balanced, big enough, and post facelift the G37 sedan is really nice looking whereas the TL is passable at best and requires extra money.

[Mitlov]

My favorite approach is to stick with the stock grille but just paint it body-color (except for the Acura badge):

[rrocket]

+1.  Or do something like black chroming the chrome areas...

[PJungnitsch]

(And FYI, mmret, have you actually driven a Ridgeline? IMO it's a wonderful light truck - the design is genius, and pure Honda. The only problem with it, imo, is the price. If they can keep it as good as it is but make it cheaper, I think you'd see a lot more of them).

Needs better styling and the US price but most of all a bigger box. None of the 'truckets' , Ridgeline, Avalanche, or that Ford thing sell.
On the new Honda styling, there is a lot of new Honda City's here in Thailand and they look quite sharp. Just the NA design bureau that hired the ex-Subaru designers?

[Shnak]

Totally agree with everything you wrote, especially the part about the Ridgeline. If it was $5k cheaper, a lot more people would be interested, especially those who buy discounted F150 and Silverados, my dad included. He briefly looked at the Ridgeline when shopping for a truck and couldn't believe how expensive they were. He got a really well equiped F150 for much less than even the base Ridgeline, probably $8k less on the road. That's too bad because he would've been the perfect candidate for the Ridgeline.

The Ridgeline is a perfect example of where Honda's stylists have gone off the rails. The only way "a lot more people" would be interested in that would be after a total redesign.

You mean the Avalanche was off the rails too then??

Avalanche is a real truck, RWD.  The Ridgeline is a truckette, FWD

Yep. And that's one of the reasons why the Ridgeline is great!

[Mike]

My favorite approach is to stick with the stock grille but just paint it body-color (except for the Acura badge):

Wow, 1000 times better, Acura should just do that from the factory.

[Erik]

TL AWD is something I really really really want to like but ... can't.

Maybe they'll facelift and fix it though. I'm fine with the back end, its just the nose... and no I didn't much like the Ronjon aftermarket stuff. Too ricey.

I could overlook it.  The come in a neat cherry colour with camel interior...different and sharp!

Than again, I own an RX-8...so what do I know!

Damn, I really like that. Didn't think a current gen TL could look that good!

[5 Wheel Drive]

My favorite approach is to stick with the stock grille but just paint it body-color (except for the Acura badge):

Huge improvment!

[G0dspd]

The blacked out TSX looks much better but the TL ends up looking like a moded Toyota Camry.


They also have to do something about this.

[dr_spock]

They also have to do something about this.

That actually doesn't look bad on a dark highway when all you can see are the tail lights and reflectors. 

[Shnak]

They also have to do something about this.

Agreed. The rear is what I dislike the most about the TL... I can deal with the grille, but the rear, it's just way too angular/space-ship-looking for my taste. Not to mention how narrow the trunk opening is... no way a stroller fits side-ways in that opening!

Also, I think bigger headlights and tailights would help the TL overall. They're too thin, IMO. It makes the front and rear bumpers look huge, too much plastic real estate.

[Jaeger]

They also have to do something about this.

Sledgehammer, maybe?  The front and back are equally hideous to me eyes.  This is a car that hasn't grown on me one iota.

Jaeger

[mmret]

TL AWD is something I really really really want to like but ... can't.

Maybe they'll facelift and fix it though. I'm fine with the back end, its just the nose... and no I didn't much like the Ronjon aftermarket stuff. Too ricey.

I could overlook it.  The come in a neat cherry colour with camel interior...different and sharp!

Than again, I own an RX-8...so what do I know!

Damn, I really like that. Didn't think a current gen TL could look that good!

Actually the new one with the A logo in the middle doesn't look that bad.

I was offered about $5800 off a new TL today without even trying too. Remaining 2010s. Some folks are going to get a neat deal.

[dr_spock]

Actually the new one with the A logo in the middle doesn't look that bad.

I was offered about $5800 off a new TL today without even trying too. Remaining 2010s. Some folks are going to get a neat deal.

At least when you're driving it you don't have to look at it from the outside.   I dread following or being followed by one of them. 

[Shnak]

Actually the new one with the A logo in the middle doesn't look that bad.

I was offered about $5800 off a new TL today without even trying too. Remaining 2010s. Some folks are going to get a neat deal.

At least when you're driving it you don't have to look at it from the outside.   I dread following or being followed by one of them. 

The problem is that the inside of the TL isn't exactly the greatest either... Not exactly the most ergonomic with a whole bunch of buttons (many of them too small), especially on the steering wheel. YMMV, though.

[Erik]

The blacked out TSX looks much better but the TL ends up looking like a moded Toyota Camry.


They also have to do something about this.

No a real fair picture. I don't know about you, but I usually don't spend a lot of time lying in the road, looking at cars.

No, it is not a paragon of beauty, but there is enough virture in it as a car that I could get past the looks easy enough.

[Shnak]

Ugh that last shot isn't any better.. it just shows how much of an overhang there is behind the wheels, ie. it has a huge ass.

[mmorriso]

honda just needs more recalls to get people back into the dealership.

[dr_spock]

honda just needs more recalls to get people back into the dealership.

Don't need recalls.  Just stuff failing will do.  My Civic's SRS indicator is bringing me back. The SRS module was replaced 4 years ago.  Hopefully it is something cheap like the sensor switch in the belt buckle.   

[mmret]

Actually the new one with the A logo in the middle doesn't look that bad.

I was offered about $5800 off a new TL today without even trying too. Remaining 2010s. Some folks are going to get a neat deal.

At least when you're driving it you don't have to look at it from the outside.   I dread following or being followed by one of them. 

The problem is that the inside of the TL isn't exactly the greatest either... Not exactly the most ergonomic with a whole bunch of buttons (many of them too small), especially on the steering wheel. YMMV, though.

I actually rather like the interior. Then again I am not a button-phobe.

The center rotary controller thing for the Nav is actually in a decent place imo.