Had My Fun; Returned To Acura

[ProsperDad]

Well, as the post says, this was fun, but after inconsistent and poor service levels from my local Kia dealerships, and constant annoyances with creaking at the door seals and sunroof that needed constant lubrication of the seals, it was time.

Add to that, the fact that given what I paid (lease buyout technique) and the value I was offered for my trade (which I felt was likely high) I've moved on.

Picked up an Acura TLX A-Spec last weekend...Still Night Blue Pearl with red leather interior. Is it almost 400HP, nope...AWD, nope. Is it smooth and quiet on the freeway, absolutely. Does its 3.5L V6 produce the power I need for my driving style, yup! And with this being my 8th Honda/Acura product and 5th with this particular engine, it gives me confidence in reliability.

I think Kia is making radical changes, but at the same time has a ways to go in changing brand perception. I hope they keep launching products like the Stinger and Telluride, but at the same time, if they are going to continue to attract buyers of premium brands, they have to up their game on the service side.

Cheers all!

 

[NS_Stinger]

I had 2 Acura's (2005 TSX A-Spec 6spd, 2012 TL) before moving to the Stinger. I'll admit they were great driving and solidly built cars, the dealer experience was also well above beyond what KIA offers in my area. The problem was Acura lost its sporty edge and the cars were pretty boring to drive in comparison to the Stinger. I do have my eyes on the new Type-S TLX though.

Sounds to me like you're making the best move for you and what fits your driving style so all the power to you. I do think those A-spec models look pretty nice on the road.

 

[Mike_TX]

I've owned a bunch of TL's and TLX's (used to trade every year). They were always good cars, but they just got to be ... boring. For years Acura didn't really make any meaningful changes, especially to the interior/dash, and I just craved something different. So I went to Kia.

That "different" for Acura should be coming this summer with the new 2021, and I'm keenly interested in seeing what they look like and drive like. I'm especially interested in the new turbos ... I don't want another naturally-aspirated engine.

 

[Nuthadey]

Well, as the post says, this was fun, but after inconsistent and poor service levels from my local Kia dealerships, and constant annoyances with creaking at the door seals and sunroof that needed constant lubrication of the seals, it was time.

Add to that, the fact that given what I paid (lease buyout technique) and the value I was offered for my trade (which I felt was likely high) I've moved on.

Picked up an Acura TLX A-Spec last weekend...Still Night Blue Pearl with red leather interior. Is it almost 400HP, nope...AWD, nope. Is it smooth and quiet on the freeway, absolutely. Does its 3.5L V6 produce the power I need for my driving style, yup! And with this being my 8th Honda/Acura product and 5th with this particular engine, it gives me confidence in reliability.

I think Kia is making radical changes, but at the same time has a ways to go in changing brand perception. I hope they keep launching products like the Stinger and Telluride, but at the same time, if they are going to continue to attract buyers of premium brands, they have to up their game on the service side.

Cheers all!

View attachment 45835

Why didn't you wait a few months for the 2021?

 

[ProsperDad]

Why didn't you wait a few months for the 2021?

Picked up an '18 (same year as my Stinger) with similar miles. The '21 would have been out of budget.

I'm also eager to see the "small" Acura Type-S sedan that was hinted in the dealer presentation...rumors circulating on the Acura forums that it could be a return of the Integra!

 

[turboAWD]

How does the interior space compare with the Stinger? Thinking mostly of legroom, front AND back..

 

[Toddasaurus]

Picked up an '18 (same year as my Stinger) with similar miles. The '21 would have been out of budget.

I'm also eager to see the "small" Acura Type-S sedan that was hinted in the dealer presentation...rumors circulating on the Acura forums that it could be a return of the Integra!

That's one I'm waiting for, I might even trade in my car for it. That car could be pretty dang good...we will see.

 

[Silvermanor]

Honda products are so bland.

 

[ProsperDad]

How does the interior space compare with the Stinger? Thinking mostly of legroom, front AND back..

Interior space is great! Truck is smaller (obviously) but rear legroom is about the same. Works well for my family; wife, 17 year old and a 14 year old.

The TLX is virtually the same length as the Stinger...190.3 (TLX) vs. 190.2 (Stinger).

 

[ProsperDad]

Honda products are so bland.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion...

 

[NS_Stinger]

Honda products are so bland.

The Type R is back in play, the Si isn't a bad car, the Acura SUV's are really nice with aggressive styling, the NSX is back, the Type S is coming back in 2021. The car the OP bought is actually a really nice looking sedan it just lacks in the performance department compared to competitors. I'd agree with you 5 years ago, but they're righting the ship now.

 

[eflyguy]

Honda products are so bland.

Yup. But if you look at the average Honda (or Toyota) buyer, you'll understand why..

 

[westcoastGT]

I understand the way you feel , I bought the first Stinger GT in North America and had a few of the common early adopter issues , trunk rattle , door ticking and sunroof creaking ........................I was to the point of trading the car for a non Kia or wait for the Telluride , fortunately I was able to fix the ticking and Kia Canada footed the bill to replace my sunroof ....................its been a good experience since , but the annoying sounds were real and disappointing...............I dont know anything about Honda/ Acura because they have never attracted me but I'm sure they make good vehicles , good luck and thanks for the post !!

 

[jazzdabb]

I'm curious to see if Acura retains the disc player for 2021. I know physical media is dead but I've never had a better listening experience that playing DVD-Audio disc on the ELS system.

 

[stingerbeagle]

Wow, it's probably just a coincidence, but this is the second consecutive thread I happened to read where someone gave up on their Stinger due to rattles/creaks. Fortunately, I've been able to resolve some of the major ones in mine, but had I not, I would definitely be considering swapping as well. In fact, I still am, because there are just too many other smaller noises that others probably consider normal, but I am sensitive to.

I test-drove the TLX several years ago. I thought it was really nice, and I think it's the first car that Acura paid serious attention to w.r.t. noise levels and refinement. Enjoy!

 

[RUFFSTUFF]

I'm curious as to the complaints about Kia Service... What exactly is Kia missing? Is it how Acura provides a concierge with a warm towel to coddle your balls because you bought an overpriced Honda?

 

[Mike_TX]

Wow, it's probably just a coincidence, but this is the second consecutive thread I happened to read where someone gave up on their Stinger due to rattles/creaks. Fortunately, I've been able to resolve some of the major ones in mine, but had I not, I would definitely be considering swapping as well. In fact, I still am, because there are just too many other smaller noises that others probably consider normal, but I am sensitive to.

I test-drove the TLX several years ago. I thought it was really nice, and I think it's the first car that Acura paid serious attention to w.r.t. noise levels and refinement. Enjoy!

I was getting pretty annoyed with the rattles in my 2019, so I finally took it to the dealer. They told me there are 3 major sources of the rattles, thumps and bumps in the Stinger, and they fixed all of them on my car. Now it's quiet.

BUT ... it's the first car I've had in years that wasn't tight as a drum. I mean, I thought the concept of rattles in cars was fixed years ago, but my Stinger, like many many more, had them, and it was disappointing. My Optimas and the wife's Souls didn't have any rattles, either, so it's not because it's a Kia. Some things just weren't engineered as well as they should have been.

 

[Aarvix]

Which dealer in DFW fixed your noises? I need to pay them a visit.

 

[ProsperDad]

I'm curious as to the complaints about Kia Service... What exactly is Kia missing? Is it how Acura provides a concierge with a warm towel to coddle your balls because you bought an overpriced Honda?

Before the Kia, I've had 3 Acuras and an Infinit and my wife also has an Infiniti. When I call the dealer for service of any sort, I'm always asked and gratefully accept a loaner vehicle. Spoiled...perhaps. But, it's what I've come to expect if I'm dropping $40-$50k on a vehicle and Kia dealerships don't come close...at least none of the ones I tried in the DFW area.

 

[ProsperDad]

Which dealer in DFW fixed your noises? I need to pay them a visit.

It couldn't have been Central Kia of Plano, Huffnies in McKinney or Classic in Carrolton...speaking from my own experiences!