Odometer (Legend): 522,572
Odometer (ILX): 42,344
Welcome summer! Love those weekend highs.
Today, the Legend coupe went in for an oil change and I added yet another page to the 2-volume set of maintenance records that date back to 1994.
The oil had last been changed on February 14th at 519,701 miles, so it’s definitely taken me awhile to rack up nearly 3,000 miles on this one. For $43.78, I was out the door with fresh 5W30 oil and a new filter. It’s worth noting here that I’ve never topped off the car’s oil level between changes. I’ve checked the oil level mid-change and it’s always been within allowable limits.
The mechanic did make mention on my paperwork of some leaks that I may need to address before my big trip to North Carolina later this year for the National Acura Legend Meet. Namely, the power steering rack and the differential (both of which are original to the car).
Acura of Tempe, Arizona must be feeling patriotic, because they had this Vortex Blue TSX Sedan and Milano Red TSX Wagon parked at the entrance to the service department. They just need to park a white one in between them!
While waiting for the service, I had time to check out the all-new MDX that went on sale recently. Those signature “Jewel Eye” headlights that we’ve also seen in the new RLX are appearing here as well.
The MDX is powered by a 290-horsepower 3.5 liter V6 that delivers impressive fuel economy at 28 mpg highway. That seems really great for an SUV of this size and weight. Remember, this thing has a third seating row for passengers and can accommodate 7 comfortably!
The interior appears to be nicely appointed, too.
Apparently, this latest Acura MDX – when equipped with some of the higher end Technology or Advance packages – can be outfitted in Forest Mist Metallic with Eucalyptus (green!) leather interior.
I haven’t seen a green-on-green car since my dad’s 1972 Ford Gran Torino Sport! (pictured in the background here with my younger brother who is now 25):
Next week’s Independence Day holiday will mean extensive travels for the ILX, but it won’t be going too far this weekend.
I found a lot of random stuff to share over the last several days. First, some NEW Acura news.
2015 Acura TLX Spy Photos
Brenda Priddy Spy Photography caught the 2015 Acura TLX out for hot-weather testing in Death Valley. This car will reportedly be the successor to the current TL. Temple of VTEC has a photo album here.
Can’t wait to see more about this exciting new model.
Drive to Five New Member
My friend William has a 2000 Honda Accord sedan 5-speed that he and his family have driven since brand new. It rolled 500,000 miles a few days ago outside the base where he’s stationed in Georgia.
Congrats, William!
And my friend Spencer also hit a milestone in his Cashmere Silver Metallic 1994 Legend LS coupe 6-speed. Notice how he managed to get 234,567.0 on the odometer with 901.2 on the trip meter. Clever thinking (and some pre-planning) there!
Spencer’s car looks great for its age and mileage!
Curbside Classic Feature
Check out this write-up by Brendan Saur of Curbside Classics which is a nice discussion about the evolution of the Legend and its successors. Brendan did a great job of capturing the highlights of Acura’s flagship, from the original 1986 Legend to today’s 2014 RLX.
Blasts from the Past
If you’ve got 7 minutes to spare, this YouTube video is a fun 1995 comparo between the then-new 1995 Nissan Maxima and some other luxury competitors, including the Acura Legend LS.
Link here since it won’t let me embed.
My favorite comment was during the acceleration test when the narrator claimed the Maxima had better performance because it “powered ahead of the Lexus, the Mercedes, and the Legend.” Notice that he didn’t say “the Acura.” This exact point is why Acura abandoned the Legend nameplate in favor of the alphanumeric “RL” name. People were associating the car with the name “Legend” more than with the name Acura.
Look how they throw the car around those cones at 3:24!
And yet another throwback: This is a scan from my high school yearbook (year 2000). Even back then, I took a great deal of pride in my car, a 1989 Honda Prelude Si. In fact, I made sure to get the exact same parking space every day – right along the street where I could keep a close eye on the car AND have it be protected from receiving dents from careless fellow classmates.
Around that same timeframe was when my family had a 1993 Legend L sedan. I must’ve been keeping an eye on classifieds because for some reason I clipped these two out of the Pioneer Shopper that came out every Thursday!
It seems odd to see such a pricetag on a 1993. It’s also hard to believe these clippings are from 15 years ago.
Sure wish I could get $17,500 out of my 1994 today!
drivetofive 