Are Acuras Expensive to Maintain?

John Leson / December 21, 2019 / 0 / 13.4k

Are Acuras Expensive to Maintain?

The prestige of driving and owning a luxury car is a commonly held desire. The designs and brand may vary, but the effect of showing up to a nice restaurant or a business meeting in a high-end car is undeniable. While the desire for ownership is common, most people believe it to be an unattainable dream for two main reasons.

Contents hide

1 Are Acuras Expensive to Maintain?

2 Are Acuras Reliable?

3 Are Acuras Expensive to Insure?

3.1 What Factors Go Into Insurance Costs

The initial hurdle is the cost to purchase the vehicle itself. Compared to economy-focused vehicles, many luxury vehicles can cost two or three times as much. However, this does not have to be the case. Acura is one of the most respected brands in the luxury spectrum. Despite this, the financing and leasing options often make the purchase opportunities surprisingly attainable. Further, there are excellent values on the preowned market which make the decision almost trivial.

Despite these options, many people have lingering concerns about the ownership experience of a luxury vehicle. The primary concerns are three-fold: cost of maintenance, reliability, and cost to insure. In all cases, Acura seems to offer the perks of a luxury vehicle ownership experience with none of the drawbacks.

Are Acuras Expensive to Maintain?

When considering the cost to maintain any vehicle, there are a number of factors to consider. This includes costs of parts, who can work on the vehicle, and other logistical considerations. Luckily, the question “Are Acuras expensive to maintain?” has a simple answer: No.

Cost of Parts

For anyone looking for a luxury car with fantastic performance but without the associated headaches, there is good news: No, Acuras are not generally expensive to maintain. The trick to the Acura range is that the mechanical components are largely shared with equivalent Honda products. The drive-train in an Acura RLX, for example, is largely interchangeable with an Accord. The MDX? A Honda Pilot. The ILX? Mechanically, most components are exchangeable with a Civic. The result of this overlap is that Honda and Acura can provide significantly cheaper parts prices because of the volume they produce.

Availability of Parts

One of the primary factors that make so many luxury German cars so expensive to own is that the parts must be sourced internationally. Thus, any component that needs replacement involves costly delays and expensive shipping fees. Not only does this entail a financial impact, but it involves a frustrating wait wherein you are without a vehicle. Acura addresses these concerns. While Acura is a Japanese brand, the vast majority of modern Acuras are made within North America. Therefore, the parts are not only less expensive, but they can be found more quickly.

Cost of Labor

This advantage extends beyond just parts prices. Another advantage of the platform sharing between Honda and Acura is the ability for any mechanic to work on them competently. When considering the cost of maintaining a vehicle, the price of the parts is only half the battle. Even if parts are comparatively inexpensive, the cost of hiring specialist mechanics can make ownership of a luxury car cost-prohibitive. But in the case of Acura, this is not a concern. Any mechanic who can work on a Civic is fully equipped to maintain an Acura.

Other Maintenance Considerations

While the logistics of maintaining an Acura are almost entirely good news, two considerations must be made. First, Acuras are tuned for peak performance. Because of this, the engines in Acuras run comparatively high compression ratios, meaning they require premium fuel. While not a hugely significant expense, it is still one to consider. Further, the performance-oriented nature of most Acuras means that the tires are a more aggressive compound than typically found on economy cars. Therefore, the replacement cost of tires may be somewhat higher than non-luxury cars.

Are Acuras Reliable?

Acura TSX

The low cost of maintenance is not the only reason to consider making an Acura your next car. Beyond being a great deal to buy and maintain, Acuras are some of the most reliable vehicles on the road. Whereas a typical vehicle may be nearing the end of its life by 150,000 miles, it is routine to see older Acuras racking up mileage well above 300,000. This longevity is due once again to the developmental skill of the underlying brand, Honda. For decades, Honda has focused its efforts on refining their designs and manufacturing processes to ensure that Hondas, and thus Acuras, are unflappably reliable.

Reliability Can Save You Money in Many Ways

The advantages brought about by this reliability go beyond mere convenience. Of course, you want to make sure you have a vehicle you can trust every day, and an Acura is certainly that. However, due to their reliability, Acuras simply do not require repair very often and thus makes the ownership experience even more economical.

You’ll Have to Go Car Shopping Less

When selecting a car, it is important to look at the total cost of ownership over the life of a vehicle. A factor that makes many luxury cars so financially damaging is that their lifespans do not extend far beyond their payments. By the time you have finished paying off a German luxury car over four or five years, the useful service life of that vehicle is reaching its end. This puts customers in a difficult cycle of constantly needing to replace their vehicles at great expense. With an Acura, one can easily expect to own a reliable car for well over a decade. Once you’ve made the final payment, you will still have an enjoyable, reliable, and beautiful car.

Are Acuras Expensive to Insure?

The cost of insurance is a topic that will vary based on individual circumstances. Compared to an inexpensive economy car, an Acura can be a slightly more costly vehicle to insure. However, when compared to other luxury makes, policies on Acuras are surprisingly affordable.

What Factors Go Into Insurance Costs

The primary consideration any insurance company will make when calculating a premium is the driver themselves. Of course, the car is also a large factor. So what makes a car more or less expensive to insure? Many people incorrectly believe that the cost of insuring a car is directly proportional to the cost of the vehicle. While this can impact the rate somewhat, it is not the driving force.

Insurance companies also consider the reliability of the car, the depreciation, and the safety rating. In all of these categories, Acuras are well-staged to receive low premium quotes. Because of their excellent reliability and low depreciation, insurance companies are often able to offer much lower rates as compared to other makes. Further, Acura routinely leads their class in terms of safety ratings. In fact, the bulk of Acura models receive almost universal 5-Star crash ratings in NHTSA testing. This focus on safety naturally leads to fewer injuries, which in turn reduce insurance payouts. These savings are then passed on to the vehicle owners by way of lower premiums.

Lastly, the typical adage of “sporty cars are more expensive to insure” holds true, but Acura has managed to duck this stigma. Acuras often lead their class in all manner of performance metrics. In short, the average Acura is an extremely driver-focused and rewarding machine to drive. Despite this, Acura has maintained a reputation as a sensible and practical choice. Thus, owning an Acura affords the owner the best of both worlds: great performance and low insurance costs.

Conclusion

Acura manages to achieve a goal that was once thought impossible. They produce affordable luxury cars that deliver great performance without breaking the bank. By combining solid and long-established engineering with stylish design, Acura allows an owner of the joy of owning a luxury car without any of the long-term headaches, costs, or compromises. Even the ancillary costs which so often make premium car ownership so expensive, like maintenance and insurance, are largely negated with Acuras. Finally, you can experience luxury without fear or compromise.

The Author (Translated)

John Leson

I like to work on cars in my spare time. I'm not a professional, but I've been tinkering with them since I was a kid. I enjoy fixing things, and I think cars are a fun challenge. Plus, it's a great way to blow off some steam and spend some time with my buddies.

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Are Acuras Expensive to Maintain?

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