Acura TLX discontinued

[Hohn]

Sedans are going the way of the station wagon. I lament the loss, but there's nothing that can be done about it. The market responds to what is favored.

IMO, the TLX had some pluses and minuses. I looked at a TLX Type S before I got my ES350. The TLX was much "sportier", but honestly the back seat was smaller, the fuel mileage was not nearly as good, and the weight was much higher. And I couldn't find myself wanting to deal with the wonky way the PRNDL buttons work.

Most SUVs now are indeed car-like in the driving dynamics. This is a big parts of the dearth of sedans. I can tell you my test drive of the CX-90 blew me away. I can't believe a vehicle of that size and proportion can drive like it did. Alas, the CX-90 fails the "purse test" and "stroller test" and simply isn't anything at all close to what a family vehicle should be. It's beautiful, and the engineer in me was duly impressed by the amazing driveline and chassis dynamics. But overall the vehicle just misses the mark in the little ways that matter most. The Sienna and Odyssey have nothing to fear from SUVs of this kind.

If the typical SUV drove like my GX, then sedans would never disappear. The GX is absolutely old school truck, body-on frame with a live axle.

But it's pretty hard to sell people on the lower roofline these days. The advantage of better aero at highway speeds and lower CG is just never a real world factor for many buyers. Not when modern tech allows those huge SUVs to still deliver better mileage and to handle remarkably well.

On my recent trip, I saw a newer Escalade zipping through traffic at well over 90mph. Putting aside the absurd driver, I couldn't believe that thing could transition lanes like it did. This was a TALL and heavy SUV and it was showing little to no body roll and quite impressive transient response. I think they have 22" wheels now.

There are some ways in which the shorter roof vehicle will always be superior. But those ways just aren't relevant for many buyers now, who'd rather have the headroom. At to that the OEMs who need more room for complex hybrid and EV drivelines, and the incentive they have for larger vehicles.

It won't be long until you simply can't find a new vehicle for sale under 3500#. The average is already WELL over that, I'd think.

 

[trd1zz]

IMO, IS manual was always missed opportunity. If they had manual, i would definitely consider that considering 3 series now is manual only in M versions. Never understood why they did not keep that option. Car is nice, yeah it likes to understeer but manual would make people get over heavy front end easier.
It is almost like someone in management said: “yeah, let’s just not bother with it.” Even if it didn’t sell as good as auto, it would bring attention to the model and brand.

At least the Japanese still making more affordable sedans with manuals. Civic Type R (FWD!), Integra S, GRC.

BMW moved on. You want a manual sedan? $80k M3.

And the Japanese still offers a naturally aspirated V8 sedan in the IS 500.

 

[KrisZ]

At least the Japanese still making more affordable sedans with manuals. Civic Type R (FWD!), Integra S, GRC.

BMW moved on. You want a manual sedan? $80k M3.

And the Japanese still offers a naturally aspirated V8 sedan in the IS 500.

What you fail to mention is that the Civic type R is almost $50k now. Is it more affordable than $80k, sure, but that's a lot of money for a dressed up econobox, while that $80k BMW is essentially a track ready luxury car.

 

[rijndael]

And the Japanese still offers a naturally aspirated V8 sedan in the IS 500.

Gone after this year.

I looked at a new IS500 last year, it has a CD Player!

 

[trd1zz]

What you fail to mention is that the Civic type R is almost $50k now. Is it more affordable than $80k, sure, but that's a lot of money for a dressed up econobox, while that $80k BMW is essentially a track ready luxury car.

Not quite $50k.

$45,895 vs $78,400 (MSRP's)

M3 is 41% more expensive. $32,505 more. So yeah, Type R is a lot more affordable.

 

[KrisZ]

Not quite $50k.

$45,895 vs $78,400 (MSRP's)

M3 is 41% more expensive. $32,505 more. So yeah, Type R is a lot more affordable.

Just like the BMW is not quite $80k, yet that's the figure you used.

You truly don't understand what you're getting for that $80k in a BMW, I do. I participated in their track day event a few years back and these things are quire remarkable. We've spent half a day in 90F+ heat with AC on full blast and being beaten up on a racetrack with speeds reaching 150mph+ on the main straightaway. Then they were used the second half for the next event.

There is nothing from Honda and Toyota that can touch this kind of level of performance on a race track.

Like was mentioned already, at least Lexus attempted to have something with the IS model, but Honda and Acura are a joke simply on the basis of their insistence to use a FWD platform. It simply cannot compete with anything that claims to be sports oriented.

 

[3GTL300k]

Just like the BMW is not quite $80k, yet that's the figure you used.



There is nothing from Honda and Toyota that can touch this kind of level of performance on a race track.

What about the "BMW" Supra?

From my limited watching of videos, the Supra does seem to be a good colab but for that price, I'd rather have abase Corvette.

The Subaru colab on the GR86 BRZ doesn't seem as good. I like the rumors that Toyota is considering going with their own engine for the next version.

 

[KrisZ]

What about the "BMW" Supra?

I guess we could give Supra to the Japanese side, but that's a real stretch IMO.

This makes the civic type R even a lesser proposition IMO, because its almost $50k price tag puts it in the Supra category. One has to be a serious Honda fanboy or have a bad case of nostalgia to get a type R when there are much better offerings in similar price range, like the Supra.

 

[trd1zz]

You truly don't understand what you're getting for that $80k in a BMW, I do. I participated in their track day event a few years back and these things are quire remarkable.

But did you buy it?

It doesn't matter what I get for $80k. I'm sure the new abomination of an M5 at $125k is remarkable as well.

No one’s comparing an M3’s capabilities to a Type R but you. There’s a reason one costs $32,000 more than the other.

The original point was that if I’m looking at the more affordable 4 doors with a manual transmission BMW isn’t even an option.

 

[trd1zz]

I guess we could give Supra to the Japanese side, but that's a real stretch IMO.

This makes the civic type R even a lesser proposition IMO, because its almost $50k price tag puts it in the Supra category. One has to be a serious Honda fanboy or have a bad case of nostalgia to get a type R when there are much better offerings in similar price range, like the Supra.

Supra is a 2 door not a 4 door sedan / hatch. Different world.

If we want to talk 2 door then yeah, Miata. case closed.

 

[KrisZ]

The type R is not comparable besides having four doors and a manual either. Yet here you are trying to compare it to the BMW offerings.

 

[Wylie6G72]

It's my opinion that they had finally recovered, style-wise, from the very polarizing 4th gen. I've seen a few very nice TLXs on the road and I'm very impressed with Acura's design this go-round. So it completely tracks that they're now going to kill it. . Whether you like the TLX or not, shall we all collectively mourn the loss of yet another sedan? Sad days.

 

[fantastic]

They don’t though. No suv is as efficient. The RAV is a pig compared to the Camry, for example.

View attachment 292197

Yes, I would think there are two different buyers with different priorities. Sedan is going to give you a bit better fuel than an SUV but 41 city/38 hwy is still very good for a CUV if opting for the hybrid. Sedans are losing ground to their CUV/SUV counterparts & that trend seems to continue. Good that the Japanese seem to still be offering a Sedan for now for those types of buyers. CUV's seem to offer the best overall versatility, reliability, etc. so the tradeoff of less fuel seems to be not a major issue.

 

[Nessism1]

TLX 4 cylinder, 2WD, weighs 4000 lbs. 4WD is 4200. That's a lot of poundage to lug around day in day out.

 

[meep]

The weights there really surprise me.

My 2008 Jeep grand Cherokee weighed 4400. My aluminum bodied 2018 F150 supercab (4wd, 2.7L) was around 4700 lbs, only 500 more.

 

[edyvw]

At least the Japanese still making more affordable sedans with manuals. Civic Type R (FWD!), Integra S, GRC.

BMW moved on. You want a manual sedan? $80k M3.

And the Japanese still offers a naturally aspirated V8 sedan in the IS 500.

Yes, that is a good IMO strategy and marketing. Not sure if they make any money, but that serves a bigger purpose. Same as M models once did. BMW for a long time lost money on M models. Maybe still does. But the point is to make people want that car, and if they can't afford M, maybe they can 330. But you are part of the game. Same goes for Type-R etc.
VW messed up there with manual. But then, their all North American strategy is messed up.

As for IS500, it is OK car. Nothing more than that. I drove it and had opportunity to drive it on track during one marketing event. Yes, sound is good, but that is about it. As I mentioned above, they strugle in front with weight, and this one REALLY struggles in front with weight. It understeers a lot, engine would like, but suspension cannot, then transmision is blah. Take M340 with 100hp less, and IS 500 is 3-4 second behind per lap. But that tells you more about focus when cars were made.
As I mentioned before, IS is lost opportunity. If they made manual, more balanced vehicle, entertaining vehcile above everything. More people would look at them. And that is also bcs. BMW made 3 series too big, too distanced from the road. So there is opportunity there. But...

 

[edyvw]

The TSX is one of the best sport sedans ever. Ours has a measly 230K on the clock... I would drive it to NY right now and not even check the oil. It did break down once; a coil failed. This one has had a steady diet of M1 since day 1.

View attachment 292152

That one is IMO best designed. It was being sold as the Accord in Europe.

 

[edyvw]

Not quite $50k.

$45,895 vs $78,400 (MSRP's)

M3 is 41% more expensive. $32,505 more. So yeah, Type R is a lot more affordable.

It is still Civic FWD.
One thing is for sure, it will move your kidney stones or tromb from vaines. Bcs. 62% weight in front had to be pinned down to get that performance.

 

[JeffKeryk]

That one is IMO best designed. It was being sold as the Accord in Europe.

Dig the cool license plate frame...

On FB I learned the factory Nav unit in the trunk accepts a rear camera. An installer offers a plug in connecter cable that outputs to the factory Nav screen. Not the best clarity as compared to anything today, but easy peasey install to the factory gear. Ya never know who/what is behing you backing out of the driveway...

I recently added a set of Michelin Pilot A/S rubber; just because. Another pic of our beloved TSX:

 

[edyvw]

Dig the cool license plate frame...

On FB I learned the factory Nav unit in the trunk accepts a rear camera. An installer offers a plug in connecter cable that outputs to the factory Nav screen. Not the best clarity as compared to anything today, but easy peasey install to the factory gear. Ya never know who/what is behing you backing out of the driveway...

I recently added a set of Michelin Pilot A/S rubber; just because. Another pic of our beloved TSX:
View attachment 292270

I saw the frame. You are ruining the classic!