We miss the days when Acura would sell enthusiast models like the Integra, NSX, and RSX. You could even buy the TL and TSX with manual transmissions. Acura's current lineup doesn't get us excited in the same way that it used to. Sure the brand is reviving the NSX nameplate, but the new car is so expensive and out of reach that we really are having trouble falling in love with it. The new TLX will be Acura's volume seller, and while there isn't anything particularly wrong with it, it won't draw too many people away from BMW or Audi. Even the new Infiniti Q50 is better.

Acura has shown that it is still capable of creating some beautiful cars, but we have little faith that it will actually build them. The company has hinted that it may be developing a baby NSX both in size and engine tuning. While this sounds like a good idea, we like the idea of an S2000 successor more. A front-engine, rear-wheel-drive sports car from Acura would definitely add a bit of affordable excitement to a lifeless lineup. They could even utilize the 2.0-liter four-cylinder VTEC engine from the Civic Type R that produces 306 horsepower. The original S2000 was badged as a Honda, but cost almost $40,000 back in 2008. By badging the car as an Acura, Honda could better justify such a high price.

Acura currently sells the ILX, TLX, RLX, RDX, MDX, and NSX. The combination of letters on these cars makes it extremely difficult to remember which is which. We think that Acura should move back to its old nameplates like the Legend and Integra. The current naming scheme is in desperate need of change and a little spice. In addition to the name change we suggest adding "Type S" and "Type R" models to help give Acura's cars an edge against Germany's many sporty offerings. By adding turbochargers, all-wheel drive and even manual transmissions, Acura can recapture the enthusiast market. What makes BMW so special is the image that it has carved throughout the years by building hardcore M models.

Although BMW has lost some of its luster after building cars like the 5 Series Gran Turismo and i3, people who buy the more "boring" models know that a sportier car from the automaker they love is only a couple thousand dollars away. Acura used to have a simple, yet effective charm. The RSX for example was never the most luxurious or fastest car, but it was simplistic and captured the hearts of enthusiasts. In order for Acura to get out of its current slump, it needs to make people believe that it can build cool cars again. The NSX is a good start, but some of that coolness needs to trickle down the lineup.