Dealership Debut
Odometer (Legend): 515,208
Odometer (ILX): 13,396
For this post we’ll take a ride in Marty McFly’s time machine DeLorean to the year 1994 when Acura Legends were still sold new. The old 515k Legend found its way into the dealership showroom for some display time. Here are the latest images of the half-million miler at Acura of Tempe, courtesy of John Bazay.
Many thanks to John for his efforts in capturing these awesome images!
Service Manager Bob Santa Maria said that they received a lot of positive comments about the car during its stay there. When I picked it up today, it fired up on the first try after having sat in the showroom for 10 days straight. It also hadn’t leaked a drop of any fluid on the dealership’s tile floor.
This was the 4th time the old Legend sat inside the comfort of a dealership.
In May 2006, I put the car in the showroom at CU Auto Sales in Salt Lake City, Utah with my friend Branson’s “twin” 1994 LS coupe. Mine had 218,530 miles on it.
In November 2007, Acura of Tempe, Arizona had it for a couple of weeks at 302,801 miles.
In June 2008, Planet Acura of Buena Park, California had the car for a day at 327,698 miles.
If only I had an air conditioned garage at home, it’d be a lot more comfortable place to putz around on the cars!
ILX News
ILX August 2012 sales numbers are out:
- June: 1,081 units
- July: 1,410 units
- August: 1,733 units
The great news is that the car is catching on! September will probably be the month when we see sales crest the 2,000 mark. For a recent review of the 2.4 ILX like mine, check out this write-up by Winding Road. They definitely captured the car’s “addictive” nature, as noted in the following excerpt:
In general, the ILX 2.4 comes together well as a package. Especially because of that motor/gearbox combination, it’s easy to find it a bit addictive. Don’t be surprised, as an owner, if you find yourself offering to drive to dinner more than your fair share.
Shout out to my friend Rich for sharing this picture of his “Legend Coupe Farm” in Georgia.
- 91 Wht/Blk L 5MT 238K
- 94 Blk/Blk LS 6MT 194K
- 95 DMM/Type E LS AT 300+K
There’s just something about these dang Acuras! They’re a lot like Lay’s Potato Chips: You can’t have just one.
drivetofive 
September 5, 2012 at 6:06 am
Tyson, your coupe looks great! I’m glad you freshened her up! What a suprise to see the coupe farm out here… the poor DMM is another rescue project dropped in line with no pulse. I guess I should have included the ugly/abused/rescued green GS (aka “The Goblin”) but then “Coupe Farm” wouldn’t be nearly as appropriate.
I always enjoy a visit to your blog… keep it up!
rich
September 5, 2012 at 6:34 am
Rich, keep me posted on the rehab of that GS as well. You’re giving Alan a run for his money if he wants to keep his title “Legend Savior.”
September 5, 2012 at 7:33 am
I did not know The Legend was in display again, new paint and all! It would sure look good as a permanent fixture in the museum at Acura headquarters in Torrance!
September 5, 2012 at 7:54 am
Would be an honor to have the car included in the Honda Collection museum in Torrance, but I’d demand “visitation rights.” See you this weekend!
September 5, 2012 at 7:49 am
Marty McFly – 1984 had me confused there for a minute. (just because that was my high school graduating year. LOL)
the pictures look a bit over saturated? Or maybe its that brighter Az. sun shine.
Da coupe looks like a million bucks!
Maybe one day Tia – The > 500k Legend in the HoA museum!
September 5, 2012 at 7:56 am
Hey Dave, the Back to the Future trilogy is my fave! I could watch those movies over and over again. Great Scott! Yeah John did say that the fluorescent showroom lighting was difficult to work with. Tonight’s the SLASH show at Celebrity Theatre! Would’ve been fun to have you in town.
September 5, 2012 at 9:59 am
The Legend looks better than ever under those showroom lights. I love it and thanks for some wallpaper pictures. Did you get new shoes recently, those tires look new. Whose sig is that on the dash?
September 5, 2012 at 10:08 am
Dominik, yes the tires are pretty new. I love the Michelin Primacy brand – they’re a bit more expensive than comparable brands, but they last forever and they’ve got optimal traction in a variety of road conditions. Glad you enjoyed the pics. The signature on the dash is that of former Honda executive Shigeru Uehara. I talked a little about his role at Honda in a post awhile back:
https://drivetofive.wordpress.com/2011/04/10/london-bridge/
He signed my car in 2010 at Acura headquarters. Following is a little more information on his key role in the development of the S2000 and the NSX:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shigeru_Uehara
September 5, 2012 at 11:00 am
Tyson- nice to see the coupe enjoying the showroom floor once again and with a facelift :). Problem with the museum is your coupe would be sent to a life of immobility which it is not meant for at this point!
September 5, 2012 at 11:10 am
I totally agree, Marc! The car’s not used to this level of “laziness.” I think it’s only been driven a couple thousand miles since I took delivery of the ILX in mid-June. I will make an effort to get the Legend out on a decent road trip sometime in the near future. We need to get your deserving coupes inside a showroom for a photoshoot soon! Maybe Bridgewater would allow you to pull them both inside for a time?
September 7, 2012 at 7:26 am
Funny you mention that.. not sure about them allowing me a showroom spot, but I was considering bringing my white coupe there sometime soon as I had promised them I would
September 7, 2012 at 12:13 pm
Is that Bridgewater Acura in NJ?
September 7, 2012 at 4:21 pm
Yes. Bridgewater was the host dealership for NALM 2011 and we had a BBQ there. Marc was able to pull his black/tan 1995 Legend LS coupe 6-speed into the showroom for the day. It looked right at home there. Is Bridgewater in your neck of the woods, Dominik?
September 7, 2012 at 5:16 pm
Yes it is, I purchased my MDX there and have ocassionally used them for service on both the MDX and TSX. What a small world, well not for you Tyson and you amazing road trips. 🙂
September 10, 2012 at 10:31 am
Where do you live Dominik? I am about 40 min south of Bridgewater in Robbinsville. My black coupe was bought at Bridgewater Acura so it’s return there last year to the showroom was pretty neat. Marc
September 10, 2012 at 12:52 pm
Hey Marc, I’m about 10 miles away from Bridgewater. I’m from New Brunswick NJ.
September 13, 2012 at 7:48 am
Ok- not far from me at all. Are you on the Acuralegend.org forum. I am on there as MarcD. Maybe catch you on there!