Why Isn't Acura or Infiniti offering a convertible in today's market??
05-28-07, 06:58 PM
#1
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Why Isn't Acura or Infiniti offering a convertible in today's market??
Alright this has been on my mind for a while now. Even before purchasing my SC. Why is it that Acura or Infiniti offer a convertible? I realize Lexus didn't really bring a drop top to the market until 2001. But really it's been a solid seven 5 plus years and their Japanese competitors still do not offer a convertibe. I'm not looking for a folding hardtop, though we all see that slowly becoming the norm as Pontiac and VW are both offering one. I know Acura had their famed NSX years ago but that was not really a mass produced car so to speak. Infiniti in my opinion has no excuse as they have a great platform to build off of with their great G35. Plus they are a tier above Acura in terms of prestige from the Big 3 Japanese Lux manufacturers. Look if this keeps up Hyundai will have a convertible before these Acura and Infiniti step to the plate.
Summer is here and this is whats on my mind.......that and World Peace.
Summer is here and this is whats on my mind.......that and World Peace.
05-28-07, 07:12 PM
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imo having a convertible doesnt make a brand any better vs another
having said that (and reposting what i said in another thread), NNA told infiniti dealers (well, GMs really) to expect a g35 based hardtop convert.... but that was before the g37 delay... so who knows what their plans are
having said that (and reposting what i said in another thread), NNA told infiniti dealers (well, GMs really) to expect a g35 based hardtop convert.... but that was before the g37 delay... so who knows what their plans are
05-28-07, 07:29 PM
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I think Infiniti is still trying to solidify their basic lineup before doing things like convertibles, etc. They currently do not have a flagship sedan. From what I have heard, it's due out soon, but who really knows. I think once they get a Q replacement, upgrade all of their engines, etc, they can focus more on things like convertibles, hybrids, etc.
As far as Acura is concerned, I have no opinion on them as I do not feel they are a true luxury brand.
As far as Acura is concerned, I have no opinion on them as I do not feel they are a true luxury brand.
05-28-07, 07:42 PM
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I think Infiniti is still trying to solidify their basic lineup before doing things like convertibles, etc. They currently do not have a flagship sedan. From what I have heard, it's due out soon, but who really knows. I think once they get a Q replacement, upgrade all of their engines, etc, they can focus more on things like convertibles, hybrids, etc.
As far as Acura is concerned, I have no opinion on them as I do not feel they are a true luxury brand.
As far as Acura is concerned, I have no opinion on them as I do not feel they are a true luxury brand.
05-28-07, 08:36 PM
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I've always thought just the opposite. Even when I was shopping for a CLK cab, I noticed they held their value better than their coupe counterparts. same across the board with other manufacturers i.e. Mustangs, Beetles or 3 series.
05-28-07, 09:37 PM
#7
I think a relevant point is that convertibles just don't sell in big numbers. From my perspective, both Acura and Infiniti are largely in the same position, where their sales are primarily coming from the entry-luxury market with V6 sedans (TL, G35). Then there are SUVs and other vehicles.
With Infiniti they have the G37 coupe; Acura abandoned the RSX, which was in some ways a TSX coupe, and also abandoned the CL and previous Legend coupe. Infiniti launched with a softtop M30 convertible, but that was a very poor seller and was abandoned.
In the end both are focusing on different areas. Acura's SUV share is large due to the success of the MDX. Infiniti has its M35/45 vehicles, which until a possible larger vehicle comes around is their flagship. Acura needs to do something to revitalize RL sales, but it has a strong duo with the TL/TSX.
If Nissan can do an Altima convertible, maybe Infiniti can do a convertible as well. I am not expecting a convertible from Acura for the foreseeable future; their lineup has been redone save the needed redoing of the RL IMO.
With Infiniti they have the G37 coupe; Acura abandoned the RSX, which was in some ways a TSX coupe, and also abandoned the CL and previous Legend coupe. Infiniti launched with a softtop M30 convertible, but that was a very poor seller and was abandoned.
In the end both are focusing on different areas. Acura's SUV share is large due to the success of the MDX. Infiniti has its M35/45 vehicles, which until a possible larger vehicle comes around is their flagship. Acura needs to do something to revitalize RL sales, but it has a strong duo with the TL/TSX.
If Nissan can do an Altima convertible, maybe Infiniti can do a convertible as well. I am not expecting a convertible from Acura for the foreseeable future; their lineup has been redone save the needed redoing of the RL IMO.
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05-29-07, 01:12 AM
#9
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Convertibles, obviously, are fun in nice weather, but, obviously, are good for little else. They need a heavy-duty unibody structure or additional bracing in the underside of the frame with crossmembers to counteract the natural loss of torsional and longitudinal strength, are easy to break into with a knife if they don't have a folding metal roof, take up a lot of rear seat room unless they are purpose-built 2-seaters, lack roll-over protection for the occupants (like the Solstice and Sky) unless they have built-in roll-protection devices...(not all convertibles do), have sloppier handling and steering response because of greater weight and body flex.....and, last, cost more to buy and insure.
Of all of the convertibles in the American market, Mazda, with its Miata, has perhaps come closest to getting the formula right....it has superlative handling in spite of the lack of a fixed roof (a bolt-on roof is available, and recently, power-folding-top versions were offered). Porsche Targas, of course, also have great handling, but at the cost of a much heavier and more complex structure than the Miata's.
Of all of the convertibles in the American market, Mazda, with its Miata, has perhaps come closest to getting the formula right....it has superlative handling in spite of the lack of a fixed roof (a bolt-on roof is available, and recently, power-folding-top versions were offered). Porsche Targas, of course, also have great handling, but at the cost of a much heavier and more complex structure than the Miata's.
Last edited by mmarshall; 05-29-07 at 03:27 AM.
05-29-07, 04:34 AM
#10
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I've wondered for a long time why a G convertible didn't closely follow the release of the coupe. We KNOW that platform is designed to be a drop-top, because the 350z convertible has been available almost from the beginning.
The market for convertibles is, of course, smaller than the market for non-convertibles, but the customers are FIERCELY loyal. My wife LOVES her convertibles, and until this year has never been without one (she's 31). The ONLY reason she was willing to trade her Sebring for the RX is because we have a baby on the way and we needed something that made it easier for us to put him in the infant seat. Just a month before we bought the RX, we were in negotiations for a Solara Convertible. In a few years when he's old enough to get into a booster seat mostly unassisted, we'll be back shopping convertibles again, with the Solara and 3-series (I have a 4-door already that we love) being the top contenders. If Infiniti released a G convertible, it'd go on the shopping list. Likewise if Lexus were to badge-engineer the Solara.
The market for convertibles is, of course, smaller than the market for non-convertibles, but the customers are FIERCELY loyal. My wife LOVES her convertibles, and until this year has never been without one (she's 31). The ONLY reason she was willing to trade her Sebring for the RX is because we have a baby on the way and we needed something that made it easier for us to put him in the infant seat. Just a month before we bought the RX, we were in negotiations for a Solara Convertible. In a few years when he's old enough to get into a booster seat mostly unassisted, we'll be back shopping convertibles again, with the Solara and 3-series (I have a 4-door already that we love) being the top contenders. If Infiniti released a G convertible, it'd go on the shopping list. Likewise if Lexus were to badge-engineer the Solara.
05-29-07, 10:04 AM
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You and me both. Not that Infiniti isn't selling a ton of G35's without a convertible model. It only seems natural.
05-29-07, 10:45 AM
#12
Convertibles, obviously, are fun in nice weather, but, obviously, are good for little else. They need a heavy-duty unibody structure or additional bracing in the underside of the frame with crossmembers to counteract the natural loss of torsional and longitudinal strength, are easy to break into with a knife if they don't have a folding metal roof, take up a lot of rear seat room unless they are purpose-built 2-seaters, lack roll-over protection for the occupants (like the Solstice and Sky) unless they have built-in roll-protection devices...(not all convertibles do), have sloppier handling and steering response because of greater weight and body flex.....and, last, cost more to buy and insure.
Of all of the convertibles in the American market, Mazda, with its Miata, has perhaps come closest to getting the formula right....it has superlative handling in spite of the lack of a fixed roof (a bolt-on roof is available, and recently, power-folding-top versions were offered). Porsche Targas, of course, also have great handling, but at the cost of a much heavier and more complex structure than the Miata's.
Of all of the convertibles in the American market, Mazda, with its Miata, has perhaps come closest to getting the formula right....it has superlative handling in spite of the lack of a fixed roof (a bolt-on roof is available, and recently, power-folding-top versions were offered). Porsche Targas, of course, also have great handling, but at the cost of a much heavier and more complex structure than the Miata's.
Plus all the wind and noise
