Acura TL: Renewed Vigor

Acura’s first stab at a small luxury sedan was the Vigor, a model introduced in 1991. Featuring an inline 5 cylinder engine, the car failed to compete against the BMW 3-series – its targeted market – and barely held its own against the similar size Lexus of the day. After three less than stellar model years, the Vigor was dropped from the Acura line up, but replaced by the TL, a car that truly has energized the Acura line up. Where the Vigor lagged, the TL has excelled: so much so the TL is the best selling Acura and a strong competitor against similar cars from Mercedes, Infiniti, Cadillac, Lexus, and BMW.

Sometimes failure is the strongest catalyst for change. Okay, the Vigor wasn’t a total flop, but it certainly wasn’t a car that could compete successful in the midsize luxury car category. As with so many products developed by Honda, the company is a quick learner and the evidence has been borne out in the TL, the most popular selling Acura on the market. The current TL is no slouch, neither will it bust your budget. Here is what you get for the princely sum of approximately $33,000:

Potent Engine -- A 24 valve V6 motor powers this baby to produce 258 horses and 233 lbs of torque. Featuring VTEC technology, the TL’s engine squeezes out every ounce of power while producing an ultra low amount of emissions.

Tranny Wonder -- A six speed manny tranny is standard and a 5 speed automatic shift gate transmission is optional. Both transmission choices work effortlessly and are precision tuned to provide maximum response.

Wheels and Brakes -- 17 inch tires and aluminum wheels help the TL navigate every curve and bring the sedan to a sure stop every time. 4 wheel drive disc brakes, ABS, brake assist, stability assist, and traction control round out the safety features found in every TL.

Suspend This – For ultimate driving satisfaction, every TL comes equipped with an independent double-wishbone front suspension and a multi-link rear suspension. Add in gas filled shocks and stabilizer bars and you have a vehicle that can conquer the toughest corners as well as do justice on the famed Nurburgring race track.

Luxury Abounds – Creature comforts abound for the TL driver and its passengers. An 8 speaker ELS surround system envelopes the cabin, a HandsFreeLink makes phone conversation while driving a breeze, and heated seats ward off the coldest chill that a dark winter’s morning has to offer you.

Safety, Safety Everywhere – Front and side airbags along with a seatbelt tightening system provide the ultimate level of safety for all cabin occupants.

Now in its third generation, the TL continues to be updated to compete with the BMW 3 Series, its chief rival. Although most critics still give the 3 Series the engineering lead, the TL is proving to be more reliable in the long run. Count on Honda to further close the overall gap when the fourth generation TL shows up in about three years time: maybe, just maybe, we’ll have a new leader in the midsize luxury car class. If the TL does wrest the lead from BMW, current owners will not be surprised as they continue to heap praises on a car that already leads many consumer satisfaction surveys.

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Acura RSX: Integra Again

Back in 1986, when the Acura brand was introduced by the Honda Motor Company, two models started it all: the Legend and the Integra. Since that time several additional models have joined the Acura line up and the two original models were renamed: the Legend became the RL and the Integra was renamed the RSX. Today’s RSX – a three door hatchback -- continues to offer pretty much what the original Integra stood for: luxury, engineering, and value. Let’s take a closer look at this popular seller and what the car means to both the driver and to the company. Honda’s introduction of Acura was prior to and done slightly different than Toyota’s introduction of Lexus and Nissan’s roll out of Infiniti. Unlike its Japanese cousins who were introducing pure luxury brands, Honda decided to include “near luxury” as well as luxury cars in the Acura mix. This marketing method was Kind of like selling Cadillacs and Oldsmobiles under one name, but without the creation of a third brand. Honda’s strategy has paid off as the Integra/RSX has been a popular seller and a nice bridge for Honda loyalists looking for something a bit more refined than the typical Honda, but without the Acura price. Truly, a star was born with the Integra and continues to shine with the RSX. For driver’s, the RSX offers a gusto not found on the average Honda, giving it plenty of room to be “specially tuned” by the aftermarket crowd. With 17 inch tires, 6 speed transmission, and 7 speaker Bose sound system, the RSX has been designed to provide optimal driving fun at an affordable price. Featuring 2+2 seating, sport styling, and a 201horspower VTEC engine, the four banger RSX effectively combines performance with fuel efficiency. For the Honda Motor Company, the RSX has helped to keep Acura sales strong. Recently, the company began to market the Acura brand well beyond its North American roots and the RSX [curiously still called the Integra elsewhere] has led the way. Recently, however, the company has decided to discontinue the RSX to concentrate on further separating the Honda and Acura divisions. Thus, the original intent of Honda for Acura has been changed and Acura will now be exclusively marketed as a luxury brand. For Integra/RSX lovers all is not lost. Honda will likely sell a similarly equipped Accord while Acura will continue to sell the TSX, a four door upscale version of the RSX. Changing consumer tastes have shown that a near luxury coupe doesn’t have quite as strong as an appeal as a four door sedan, so the RSX will not be produced after 2006. The Integra/RSX has served Acura and its drivers well; new models are certain to build upon its success as the Acura brand is spread worldwide.

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Acura Integra: The Car, The Legend

Released as a 1987 model, the very first Acura Integra started what was to become a strong following of owners who were drawn in by the car’s sports appeal and reasonable prices. Based on the Honda Civic, the Integra successfully brought customers over to the Acura brand and has been widely credited with spurring Honda’s luxury division to its “legendary” success. In 2002, Acura renamed the car the “RSX” to bring the name in line with the alphabet soup designation of each of its models. Whatever you call the car, the Integra has lived up to all of the hype surrounding the model. Let’s take a closer look a vehicle that has an interesting, if not a bit strange, legacy. From Civic to Acura Honda’s decision to launch a luxury car division was based on two factors: luxury versions of Honda automobiles were already being sold in its home market, Japan, and the American automotive market was ripe for some competition. Honda felt that the US market would more readily accept an all-new Acura brand over an upscale Honda, thus the decision was made to proceed with Acura. The brand’s first two models, the Integra and Legend, were based on existing Honda platforms, the Civic and Accord, respectively. As odd as this may seem today, the modified platforms made sense during the 1980s allowing Acura to concentrate on marketing and dealer network development while introducing variations of two highly successful Honda models. True Entry Level Luxury While most luxury brands use the $25,000 figure as the price point for their base models, Acura has held down the price of the Integra/RSX several thousand dollars less than that threshold. Truly, the Integra was never a luxury car, instead it was and is a well equipped, easy-to-tune, fun-to-drive, sports coupe. This pricing strategy opened the Acura door to many motorists who might have otherwise stayed away and kept owners in the fold once they were ready to upgrade to a pricier Acura model. Highly Popular…With Thieves, That Is One claim to fame that the Integra has is its appearance on every single “most stolen” vehicle list. Indeed, as many as seven different model year Integras have appeared on the list as a swiped Integra is most prized for its parts. As with many imports, all of the individual parts combined can retail for more than three times the vehicle’s price. In addition, the car’s powerful engine often finds its way underneath the hood of less powerful Honda models. Check your local chop shop for their selection of truly “hot” Acura Integra parts! Curtain Call Although the Integra name is synonymous with sportiness and value, as is the current RSX appellation, Acura is discontinuing the model as Honda seeks to further separate its two divisions. No longer will a thinly disguised, yet potent Honda wear an Acura nameplate. Indeed, Honda has now separated the research and development departments for the two brands in a bid to differentiate the lines. Apparently, Honda believes that Acura can now stand on its own and “bridge models” such as the RSX will not have a place in its model line up. Beyond the RSX, Acura currently has no other sport coupe to entice owners. That all may change if a rumored two door version of its hot new TSX sedan is released. If it is, Acura owners will pay a premium over the Integra/RSX price, but receive a car that is even more opulent, more potent, and better engineered than the model that it will be replacing.

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2006 Honda Accord: Still Topping Lists

One of the best vehicles in the midsize category in the American automobile market, the 2006 Honda Accord has been redesigned and re-engineered. It is not only one of the best vehicles, it also is one of highest selling as well. It sports a good combination of high technology and quality. It is very much usable for everyday operations and functions. Its main competitor is the Toyota Camry. It is offered in both sedan and coupe styles. It has also been made available in three trim levels that comprise of the DX, the LX, and the EX. The vehicle has a maximum passenger capacity of five people. Taking a look around the Honda Accord, the vehicle has a design that has angular headlamps as well as sharpened noses which is very much like that of the Acura RSX’s. It is very much muscular and very agile. The vehicle also has carefully sculpted combination of concave and convex surfaces in its corners and sides. If you try to go inside its cabin, the interior is very smooth, firm, and quiet. It holds wide seats that are very comfortable. This is due to the springs and urethane padding beneath is. This also reduces vibration much. These seats have the option of a manual height adjustment or power adjustments. The entire trunk of the 2006 Honda Accord measures some 14 cubic feet. The power of the 2006 Honda Accord is due to its 2.4 liter i-VTEC engine with four cylinders that can produce some 166 horsepower, as well as another 3.0 liter VTEC V6 engine that could generate a maximum of 244 horsepower. Both these engines are great on fuel efficiency. The 2006 Honda Accord has a huge range of color choices to choose from. The list comprise of carbon bronze pearl (black), carbon bronze pearl (ivory), desert mist metallic (ivory), graphite pearl (gray), nighthawk black pearl (ivory), Redondo red pearl (gray), royal blue pearl (gray), sapphire blue pearl (black), taffeta white (ivory), and alabaster silver metallic (black). Featured accessories for the 2006 Honda Accord include in its list a deck lid spoiler, a rear wing spoiler, wheel locks, 15 inch alloy wheels, a removable roof rack, a ski attachment, a snowboard attachment, a bike attachment, a car cover, a half nose mask, a full nose mask, door edge guards, a gold emblem kit, a gold exhaust finisher, a Fenderwell trim, door visors, fog lights, a moonroof visor, front and rear all-season floor mats, a cargo net, a trunk tray, a metal trim kit, a leather steering wheel cover, an outside temperature gauge, a leather shift knob, the XM® satellite radio, a six disc in-dash changer, a DVD-based i-VES, a cassette player, and an MP3 player among many others. Same Day Car Parts is where customers and owners can order genuine Honda accord parts and Honda accessories at wholesale prices. Same Day Car Parts supply every Honda parts available today. The store’s huge inventory and efficient delivery system allows for a quick and easy delivery.

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2006 Honda Accord: Still Topping Lists

One of the best vehicles in the midsize category in the American automobile market, the 2006 Honda Accord has been redesigned and re-engineered. It is not only one of the best vehicles, it also is one of highest selling as well. It sports a good combination of high technology and quality. It is very much usable for everyday operations and functions. Its main competitor is the Toyota Camry. It is offered in both sedan and coupe styles. It has also been made available in three trim levels that comprise of the DX, the LX, and the EX. The vehicle has a maximum passenger capacity of five people. Taking a look around the Honda Accord, the vehicle has a design that has angular headlamps as well as sharpened noses which is very much like that of the Acura RSX’s. It is very much muscular and very agile. The vehicle also has carefully sculpted combination of concave and convex surfaces in its corners and sides. If you try to go inside its cabin, the interior is very smooth, firm, and quiet. It holds wide seats that are very comfortable. This is due to the springs and urethane padding beneath is. This also reduces vibration much. These seats have the option of a manual height adjustment or power adjustments. The entire trunk of the 2006 Honda Accord measures some 14 cubic feet. The power of the 2006 Honda Accord is due to its 2.4 liter i-VTEC engine with four cylinders that can produce some 166 horsepower, as well as another 3.0 liter VTEC V6 engine that could generate a maximum of 244 horsepower. Both these engines are great on fuel efficiency. The 2006 Honda Accord has a huge range of color choices to choose from. The list comprise of carbon bronze pearl (black), carbon bronze pearl (ivory), desert mist metallic (ivory), graphite pearl (gray), nighthawk black pearl (ivory), Redondo red pearl (gray), royal blue pearl (gray), sapphire blue pearl (black), taffeta white (ivory), and alabaster silver metallic (black). Featured accessories for the 2006 Honda Accord include in its list a deck lid spoiler, a rear wing spoiler, wheel locks, 15 inch alloy wheels, a removable roof rack, a ski attachment, a snowboard attachment, a bike attachment, a car cover, a half nose mask, a full nose mask, door edge guards, a gold emblem kit, a gold exhaust finisher, a Fenderwell trim, door visors, fog lights, a moonroof visor, front and rear all-season floor mats, a cargo net, a trunk tray, a metal trim kit, a leather steering wheel cover, an outside temperature gauge, a leather shift knob, the XM® satellite radio, a six disc in-dash changer, a DVD-based i-VES, a cassette player, and an MP3 player among many others. Same Day Car Parts is where customers and owners can order genuine Honda accord parts and Honda accessories at wholesale prices. Same Day Car Parts supply every Honda parts available today. The store’s huge inventory and efficient delivery system allows for a quick and easy delivery.

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