Ack Attack Post 45: Fin

This concludes my rant on Acuras. Hopefully you have learned all there is to learn about Acuras and can apply your knowledge to Acuras as well as all cars in general. I hope to have enlightened you on some things you did not know existed, such as lighting, tuning, etc.

If all goes as planned, your love for cars has grown and you now wish to further your knowledge and do some research for yourself. Go to a car show or two, watch the Speed Channel. Learn a new thing or two and see where it takes you. I know I've learned a lot through this whole process and hope that you have, too.

Ack Attack Post 44: Branding and Debadging

All cars come with the brand and type of the car on the exterior. There are different emblems that you can buy if you want to add them to the car. Some people are tacky enough to glue an emblem on the dash to show their "car pride". If you get your car painted, it is generally debadged, meaning the emblems are taken off in order to paint. Some people like to debadge their cars so that other people will not know what they are driving. Some people put extra emblems on their car to show off. If there are additional emblems in the grille, it still looks alright, but in my opinion, they shouldn't go on the back with the stock emblems. When people take off their badges and put better ones on (ie. put on a 3.0L emblem to a 2.2L car), that is just WRONG. False advertisement is ridiculous and makes the car and the driver look stupid when an opponent beats them in a race when their car is slower than presented. Keep the stock badging, if you have to paint the car, replace the badging. There is no need for the stealthy unmarked car or the car that's a hoax.

Ack Attack Post 43: Nice vs. Rice

Among the tuners, there is a saying: "Nice, not rice". Ricer cars have cheap, crappy looking mods and have generally become the most despicable cars on the planet as far as tuners are concerned. Ricer cars have mis-matched paint, have the loud exhaust pipes, and the redneck drivers. Tuners prefer nice cars because they keep the car with the style and grace it was intended. Tuners everywhere make fun of the ricers cars and make fun of the drivers and the cars themselves. Keeping the car the way it was intended is of utmost importance to real tuners rather than adding everything you can to mod out the car. Save your money and buy a nice car rather than adding on 500 crappy mods to make people think your car is all "tricked out".

Ack Attack Post 42: Window Tiniting

Window tinting can come stock on some vehicles and generally does on Acuras, but some people like for the tint to be darker than what the manufacturer recommends. There are all kinds of small shops which can put tinting in cars, you just have to make sure they can do it right. If you put the tint in wrong, there can be bubbles, lines, etc. which makes it hard for the driver to see. I would definitely recommend letting a professional put on the tint because it's just too easy to screw up.

Tint comes in all kinds of colors and shades. Keep in mind though, some tint that it considered too dark is also considered illegal. Most people who install tint will get a shade of black or blue - like in a Mercedes. Others, who are a bit more adventurous, go for the shiny colors or the silvers, pinks, and purples. In my opinion, that looks absolutely horrid and should never have been made. Just keep in mind what other people are going to think of your car once you have the tint on. Yes, tinting does help to keep your car cooler and the leather seats from burning you quite so badly, but if it's too dark, you'll get a ticket for it.

Ack Attack Post 41: Exhaust Pipes

Exhaust Pipes are an easily customized option for drivers. They come in different sizes, shapes, colors, and some even light up. There are many different brands of exhaust pipes and in addition to the pipes, so people buy the entire system which includes the piping that goes under the car. The pipe is fairly inexpensive, ranging from $50-about $250 in price. If you want a while system though, it's going to cost you a considerable bit more. Many people choose exhaust pipes that make a really loud sound and annoy the life out of many people, so these pipes can in fact get you a ticket if you come in contact with the right police officer. I would recommend staying away from the noisy pipes. Also, some of the people who have loud pipes have a sound system. Now this is just stupid. They cancel each other out and the car just sounds like a hot mess. Pick your mods carefully or else your car will just end up as a loud moving box.

Ack Attack Post 40: Conversions

Variations to cars can easily be made by way of vehicle conversion kits. For example, a Honda Civic can be turned into an Acura RSX or an Acura Integra can be turned into a Cl. This way, cars such as the Civic and the Integra can be "turned into" more expensive cars with body lot additions. While the kits are fairly costly even before paint and installation, they are still much cheaper than the difference between the two cars would be if the consumer was to buy the more expensive car to avoid the conversion. Conversions are nice for people on a budget or for people who want the look of a different car without the interior feeling of it. The Cl is much larger than the Integra, so the 'teg is lighter and technically faster than the Cl though with this conversion kit, it would look as though it was a Cl. The Civic is slower than the RSX but also much less expensive. Civics are also very common, so the tuner who wants to add a little spice to their car might consider adding the conversion kit.

Ack Attack Post 38: Recalls

Over the years, Acura has had a number of recalls, but no more than the general car maker. The Cl's have been recalled on their electrical system/ignition switch, front suspension, automatic transmission, and engine cooling system. The Integra has had recalls on its exterior lighting, front seat belts, and windshield wipers. The Legend had recalls on the front seat belts, front air bags, and exterior lighting. The MDX recalled the front suspension, automatic transmission, engine and engine cooling system, and fuel tank assembly. The NSX only had one recall on the front seat belts, so it was the least recalls on any given car. The RL recalled the automatic transmission, front suspension, brakes, and the fuel pump. The SLX recalled the rear seat belts, service brakes, and power train. The TL recalled automatic transmission and front suspension as well as the electrical system, front air bags, engine and engine cooling system, fuel pump, and finally, the entire electric system.

Ack Attack Post 37: The Coloring Book

Each new Acura averages about nine colors. Keep in mind that colors can say things about the consumer. Silver is discreet, yellow is never unnoticed, black is more for a mysterious presence and aggressive attitude, while blue is easily matched to accessories, and red is fast and young. White is for the perfectionist while darker grays accentuate every stylistic line on the car. Shades of green are for the calm person who simply appreciates the car for being an Acura. Do keep in mind that many cars which are still labeled "white" are not really white, but are more of a cream or a light metallic butterscotch.

Of course the younger audience will be interested in what matches. Rims can match the silvers, whites, or blacks, while chrome goes with everything. If the car is an elegant color such as the cream, burgundy, or green, keep the rims simple and classy rather than sporty. Also, keep the rims the same color as the emblems on the car. Silver emblems and gold rims look absolutely horrid together. Calipers are easily painted in gray, silver, black, red, or blue. If a body kit is desired, make SURE it is painted BEFORE it goes on the car. There is nothing tackier than a mis-matched spoiler or side skirts. Make sure the colors are matched - you really don't want a two-tone car. Just remember that metallic colors don't show damage as easily and white and black cars show dirt the most.

Ack Attack Post 36: Girls in the Car World

On the forums and at the shows, few females are to be seen unless they are models for the cars themselves. It's tough to be a female interested in cars because it is such a male dominated area. At races or special events most of the girls who go are either stuck going because of their boyfriend or father or go to pickup guys by wearing half of nothing. Very few girls go to the car shows because THEY are interested in cars. The forums will have a couple, but the guys don't value their opinions anyways. There are always a few guys who tend to respect the girls more based on the mere fact that they are trying. Some guys realize that it has to be tough to be a girl in the car world, while others try to keep it more male dominated by putting down the girls and making them look dumb. A lot of the girls on the forums and whatnot are honestly trying to learn and aren't there to talk to the guys with the "hot cars". Honestly, I could care less if you drive a Mercedes or a Suzuki as long as you can answer the questions I ask. It's sad that girls are seen as objects in the car world, just something else to get your picture taken with at the show.

Ack Attack Post 35: Ranking

It is relatively easy to be confused as to which Acura is the best and which are less expensive or less luxurious. Being that the newer Acuras seem to have a similar style, confusion comes easy even to those who have an experienced eye for cars. The base RL sedan is the most expensive Acura, ranging from $45,000 to $53, 000. The 2006 RL is more expensive than the 2007, but this can easily change depending on which additional packages have been chosen. The 2007 MDX starts at $40,000, making it the second most expensive base Acura. Coming in as a close third is the base TL. Packages can change the ranking drastically because they can be very expensive and if more than one is chosen, it adds thousands of dollars to the base price of the vehicle. The fourth most expensive car is the RDX. Though it is a small SUV, it is only a mere $500 more than the TL. Fifth is the TSX, which is only about $2000 less than the RDX. Though the RSX is no longer in production for the 2007 year, it is the sixth most expensive car which is still considered to be in the lineup.

Ack Attack Post 34: Keeping Up

Over the years Acura has made many changes to their lineup as well as making many additional accessories for their cars and changes to the cars themselves. As older cars have been phased out, newer cars have to stay at or above the bar. Older Acuras had smaller rims, basic lighting, and basic entertainment. Rims on newer Acuras are larger, shinier, and much more expensive and ahead of the game as compared to their older rims. New Acks have the brightest and optimum lighting in and outside of the car. As mentioned in a previous thread, Acura lighting is extremely bright and includes daytime running lights. Entertainment in Acuras has skyrocketed with the introduction of CD changers, GPS systems, and Blue Tooth. Acuras now basically come standard with CD changers. The GPS is a little more expensive, but it comes as part of a "Navigation Package". Blue Tooth is simply a button in the car which the driver can push. This button silences the radio and allows for the phone call to be heard and answered through the car speakers. While this does seem like it would be helpful for many people, I can't think this is marketed towards a parent. If you have children in the car, they probably aren't going to quiet down just because of the phone. Business people would really appreciate the simplicity of using the technology as well as the convenience of being able to answer the phone without having to pick it up. Acura is raising the bar by way of stylistic design, entertainment, and convenience which they incorporate into their vehicles. Hopefully other car makers will be able to "Keep Up With the Joneses".

Ack Attack Post 33: Lights

New Acuras, BMWs, Mercedes, etc. come with really bright, white lights. This helps the driver to see better at night as well as aids in the bliding of oncoming traffic. There are many different types of lights which people with older model cars can buy so that they can see better. Projector headlights, Xenon headlights, Halos, etc. are just a few of the additions which mostly tuners add to their vehicles. For example, Xenon headlights have a longer wavelength and can thus light up a larger area while in use. Many tuners will put HID lights in their cars, but these are modeately expensive for just a light. A HID kit ranges from $200-$500 unless they are already on the car. So pretty much, you're paying a few $100 per bulb. Though they do clear up the view at night and make the car look a little sleeker, it's a steep price for a couple of headlights.

Tail lights are another way to personalize your car. Euro, Clear, and Altezza are just a few types of tail lights which many tuners choose to put on their cars. Changing from stock lights is a fairly easy thing to do, hence why so many tuners have chosen to add this as a customization to their cars. I personally have never seen a tail light conversion on a CL, but I know plenty of Integras have them as do Honda Civics and Accords. Black housing is also very popular in customizing lighting. Black housing is painting the inside of the plastic, the part that holds the bulbs. This can be painted a variety of colors, but it is very difficult to do because you have to bake the plastic - not too many tuners choose to do this because there is a high risk factor for messing up your headlights or tail lights. Tinting is another choice that many tuners use to customize their cars. A spray or lining can be applied to the lights so that they are "smoked" or darker looking. While this does look pretty cool, it isn't legal everywhere. So, as will all customizations, make sure to check your state listings to see if it's legal where you live before making any additions to your car.

Ack Attack Post 32: Tires & Rims

There are tons of wonderful places to get tires and rims, many of which are on the internet. By looking in tuner magazines or other car magazines, you can find at least 10 different ads for tires or rims for sale. Many of these ads transfer over to the internet where you can choose your car and literally see what the rims and tires would look like on your car before you acually purchase them. DiscountTire and TireRack are two of my favorite sites for choosing wheels. I purchased my tires and rims from Discount Tire and have been very pleased with the customer service as well as the products. They also have a wonderful replacement plan. If you get a hole or nail in your tire, just bring it to them and they will fix it. If they can't fix it, they will get you a new tire for as long as the car is under your name. Now, this is not to say that they will always replace the tire. If they can fix it with a plug they will try, but if not, you will get a new tire.

When shopping for tires, make sure that you take into consideration the number of lugnuts on your current rims - it's easier if you stick with the same number rather than having to do a conversion. Also, deciding on the number of spokes you want and the color can take some time. If you're in a rush, I would recommend waiting until you have a longer time to decide on what you really want. There's nothing worse than thinking you've bought the most awesome rims and deciding later that they aren't want you really wanted. Rims are a personal decision and you shouldn't let others' opinions sway yours.

Ack Attack Post 31: Carbon Fiber Special

Carbon fiber is a woven cloth made of carbon filaments. It is extremely light weight, so it can replace large car panels reducing the weight of the car. It is one of the leading materials used in F1 car making because it makes them so light. Tuners with money choose carbon fiber as their stylistic choice though others who are not so financially set go for the "carbon fiber look" which is a simulation of the real thing. Carbon fiber comes many colors so it can match a wide variety of cars without making them sacrifice when it comes to color choice. Tuners tend to go for the basic black carbon fiber because it shows that it is really carbon fiber. There are also textural differences between real and simulated carbon fiber. You can actually feel the woven filaments in the real thing while the simulated CF is smooth and slightly more shiny.

Carbon fiber is often used in sporting equipment, utensils, or musical instruments. Since it is in such high demand, it is relatively expensive. In referencing above, the tuners with money buy CF because of its cost. A cheap CF hood would be about $500. Most tuners aren't looking to make their cars "show cars," so they aren't worried about spending that much money on them. Many CF hoods come with vents in them which allows for more cool air to get to the engine, cooling it down faster, which is better for the car. Overall, CF is a great look and great addition to any car, but it'll cost ya.

Ack Attack Post 30: Acura Toys

There are not many Acura toys out there. The movie "The Fast and The Furious" brought about the re-creation of a new toy Integra, but other than that, theRSX and NSX are the only toys on the market. These toys range from small hot wheels types to larger remote control numbers. Some are diecast, others can be modded out by the consumer. Many are really nice and are well painted and are very expensive, while others are cheap and oorly made. Different toy makers have been able to make Acuras available to any type of consumer, from the small child to the collector. Children would not care about the specifics of the cars, so their toys are usually smaller and cheaper. A tuner wants the car to look like theirs or like a car they saw in the movies, so they would want a remote control or a car with tuner stickers and modifications waiting to be done. The collector wants the diecast model, made precisely to scale and looking exactly like the real thing. Acura seems to have their consumer bases covered and have left no one without a toy.

Ack Attack Post 29: Stolen Vehicles

Acuras are highly desirable vehicles and are always on the Top 10 Most Stolen Cars list. Integras take 6 out of the top 10 spots, since they are different years. According to Autoblog's "Top ten most stolen vehicles show that small isn't safe," the top 10 most stolen vehicles for 2005 include:

1. 2001 BMW M roadster
   
2. 1998 Acura Integra
3. 2004 Mercury Marauder
4. 1999 Acura Integra
5. 1995 Acura Integra
6. 2002 Audi S4
7. 1996 Acura Integra
8. 1997 Acura Integra
9. 2001 Acura Integra
   
10. 2000 Jaguar XJR.

All of these cars are small and relatively expensive. People know that Acuras are good cars and also realize that there are tons of Integras all over the place. Since they are so common, they are easily accessible. Hopefully the number of Integras stolen will decrease. It is interesting, however, that 2000 Integras are not on this list. Maybe the 2000 just isn't as appealing for some reason, or perhaps the sales in 2000 went down and they are not as common as the others.

Ack Attack Post 28: Car Competitions

Hondas are everywhere in the car market, from showroom floors to high speed races. This interest in speed and aerodynamics has transferred over to Acura. Acura is in numerous car competitions, from drifiting to racing to show cars. The Speed Channel often shows Acuras in races they cover. One was on the other day where and Acura TL was competing with a Chevrolet Corvette and more extreme cars. This shows that Acura does not need the NSX to compete with cars that Americans find to be fast, the NSX is kept for special occasions. Of course this TL in the race was not stock, but it was still a TL.

Formula 1 racing is a special type of racing designed for the most aerodynamic and fastest cars out there. These cars are not daily drivers and very few are made. In fact, the Acura race car won the 2007 American Le Mans Series season opener, showing that Acura is not a brand to brush off.

Ack Attack Post 27: Acura Resale Value

It is common knowledge that Hondas have a decent resale value, so it's assumed that Acura would as well. Acuras have 4 cars in the "Top 10 Cars With the Best Residual Value for 2004" by Edmunds. Of course the NSX has the highest, coming in right after the Porsche 911 and Mercedes-Benz CLK Class.

Kelley Blue Book is the best way to find out how much a used car is really worth because there are so many different categories to help determine the exact value of your car, there is also an option to see what your car would be worth for a trade-in. Be careful when you're on the site though because you're automatically taken to see the value of new cars, and you might be looking for the value of your used car. The site is a little confusing, but it's good to understand because a lot of car dealerships will talk about "Kelley Blue Book Pricing" while they are promoting their vehicles.

Ack Atack Post 26: Vtec vs. VVTi

Acura introduced a new system which alters the timing at which the valves in an engine open and close, called Variable valve Timing and Electronic lift Control. The NSX debut this new system and brought it to the consumer product market. This special system gives an extra boost when the proper ratio of RPMs and speed is aquired. It is designed to active at this time because at that speed with those RPMs, you're usually racing or quickly accelerating. This quick kick allows for the car to speed up very quickly without making the consumer do any added motions or movements. It seems to kick in out of no where and this power can be overwhelming to some if they're not careful. Techinically speaking, the VTEC was made to improve the volumetric efficiency of an 4-stroke internal combustion engine.

Variable Valve Timing with intelligence, also known as VVT-i, was developed by Toyota to compete with Honda's Vtec. This VVT-i was made to replace Toyota's already popular VVT. The VVT-i works by "by adjusting the relationship between the camshaft drive (belt, scissor-gear or chain) and intake camshaft."

In reality, both VTEC and VVT-i work about the same, it's just that they are used in different brands of cars. They give the consumer that extra kick they need when trying to merge onto the interstate without being eaten by a truck driver or that kick the kids want when racing that 1/4 mile.

Ack Attack Post 25: Crash Tests

Acura has a track record for having very good crash tests and very safe cars. The 2007 MDX, TL, TSX, and TL all have 5 star Driver's Side Frontal and Passenger's Side Frontal crash ratings. As with most cars, safety gets better as the company realizes what has been going wrong. The 1996 Integra only have a 4 star Driver's Side and a 3 star Passenger's Side test score. The 1995 Legend is exactly the opposite, with a 3 star Driver's Side and a 4 star Passenger's Side. The 1997 SLX only had 3 stars for each test, so being that it's an older SUV for Acura, it is not as safe as their newer SUV, the MDX which was referenced above. The 1992 Vigor has the worst ratings, with only 2 stars for each test. The 2005 Acura MDX was the only car in the Acura line up to be tested for the Side Impact crash, getting 5 stars in both Front and Rear Occupant.

The newer Acuras are much safer than the older production models. Some of the older models never had publicized crash test results either, showing that they were not as safe as Acura would have liked.