Acura spent about a decade making and selling top of the line cars but as a result, there wasn’t much for the budget-minded car buyer. The 2013 Acura ILX offers an entry-level vehicle for Acura lovers in search of a compact car that is sportier and more luxurious than the typical family sedan. If you’re interested in an Acura, stop by our Clearwater area Acura dealership and take the 2013 Acura ILX for a test drive.
Power and Performance Expectations for the 2013 Acura ILX
There are several engine options for the 2013 Acura ILX so every driver should find the one that meets their driving style and needs.
2.0 Liter 4 Cylinder Engine – this option provides 150 hp and 140 lb-ft of torque. It offers a 5 speed automatic continuously variable transmission and is a front wheel drive. You’ll get 24 miles per gallon when driving in the city and 35 miles per gallon on the highway.
2.4 Liter 4 Cylinder Engine – the premium ILX puts out 201 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque. This car comes standard with a 6 speed manual transmission and there is no automatic option with the premium model. You pay for the power in the form of slightly less fuel efficiency. The 2.4 liter offers 22 miles per gallon in the city and 31 miles per gallon highway.
1.5 Liter 4 Cylinder – the Acura ILX Hybrid version uses an electric motor that helps provide power to the car, by converting energy from using the brakes into electricity. The battery gets recharged each time brakes are pressed. The gas engine and electric motor generate 111 horsepower and 127 lb-ft of torque. The fuel economy on the hybrid ILX is 39 miles per gallon in the city and 38 miles per gallon on the highway.
Trim Levels and Optional Features
There are two trim levels for the 2013 Acura ILX sedan: the base model and the Hybrid. Both trim levels offer the following standard features:
- Sunroof
- Keyless ignition and keyless entry
- 16 inch wheels
- Leather wrapped steering wheel with tilt and telescoping capability
- Bluetooth
- Automatic dual-zone climate control
- CD player
- Auxiliary audio jack, USB and iPod audio connectivity
- 6-speaker sound system
- Pandora
- Rearview camera
You can upgrade to the premium package with the base Acura ILX model if you prefer, which gives you 17 inch wheels, leather and heated front seats, power operated driver’s seat, xenon headlights, foglights, more advanced rearview camera, 7 speaker sound system, active noise cancellation and satellite radio.
For the base model and Hybrid model, you can choose the optional Technology package for the 2.4 liter engine. This package includes everything in the premium package, plus a surround sound audio system that offers digital music storage and a navigation system.
Top of the line features car buyers normally pay extra for are included as standard options on the 2013 Acura TSX. The car offers a practical vehicle with both luxurious and sporty features all in a compact size. Here’s what you should know about the 2013 Acura TSX – please visit us at your Tampa Bay area Acura dealership to take it for a test drive:
The 2013 Acura TSX Power and Performance
There are two engine choices with the 2013 Acura TSX:
2.4 liter 4 cylinder – this engine puts out 201 hp and 170 lb-ft torque. It comes with a 5 speed automatic transmission and sport shift paddles as standard, but you can choose a 6 speed manual transmission if preferred. The automatic transmission goes 0 to 60 mph in 8.7 seconds, while the manual transmission shaves a second of the time and reaches 60 miles per hour in 7.7 seconds.
Fuel economy estimates for the 2013 Acura TSX are 22 miles per gallon in the city and 31 miles per gallon on the highway for the sedan, and 22 miles per gallon in the city and 30 miles per gallon for the wagon.
3.5 liter V6 – this engine provides 280 horsepower and 254 pound-feet of torque. It has a 5-speed automatic transmission with sport shift paddles. This car goes 0 to 60 miles per hour in 6.4 seconds.
Fuel economy for the V6 engine is 19 miles per gallon in the city and 28 miles per gallon on the highway.
Trim Options and Features
The different trim levels offer different features as standard options, but all 2013 Acura TSX vehicles provide a good variety of standard features that help classify the vehicle in the “luxury vehicle” category.
You can choose from a sedan or Sport Wagon body style. Standard options for both the sedan and Sport wagon include:
- Heated outside mirrors
- Xenon automatic headlights
- Sunroof
- Foglights
- 17 inch alloy wheels
- Keyless entry
- Leather seats
- 8-way power driver’s seat and memory settings
- 4-way power passenger seat
- Dual zone automatic climate control
- Steering wheel with tilt and telescoping capability
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- CD player, auxiliary audio input, satellite radio, 7 speaker audio system
- USB port
- Bluetooth
- 60/40 split and folding rear seats
If you choose the sedan with the V6 engine, you will be upgraded to 18 inch alloy wheels, road noise cancelling for your audio system, and a firmer suspension to help keep the ride smooth.
There are some buyers who choose a car from the internet and make the purchase without so much as getting into the driver’s seat, but we recommend all drivers take the vehicle they are considering for a test drive before they buy. You may fall in love with a vehicle at first sight, but you never know how the car will handle or feel until you drive it for yourself. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your test drive from your Tampa Bay area Acura dealer:
Research Options Before Visiting Dealership
The internet has made it possible to learn a lot about vehicles before you visit the dealership, which can save you a lot of time and help you make better decisions. Try the following online resources before visiting a dealership to get the information you need to narrow down your car choices:
- Your Tampa Bay area Acura dealership website
- The manufacturer’s website
- Independent review websites, including Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds.com and Cars.com
Know What You’re Looking For When You Visit the Dealership
Once you have a short list of cars that you are most interested in, you can prepare for a visit to the dealership with a list of questions or concerns. Knowing what you’re looking for and what you are NOT looking for can help you narrow down the list of cars you’re interested in and help guide you to the best car for your needs. After you’ve asked questions of your sales team at the dealership, you can let them know which vehicles you intend to test drive to make final comparisons before you are ready to buy.
Test Driving Tips
Even though the audio system is probably part of your considerations for a vehicle, when actually test driving a car you want to keep the radio off so you can hear what the vehicle sounds like when you drive it. You can test the radio or entertainment features from the parking lot of the dealership to test those things out. Focus on the following when you are taking a test drive:
- When sitting in the driver’s seat, can you adjust the seat and steering wheel to adjust your size and height properly? It should be comfortable and you should be able to reach all controls of the vehicle easily.
- Can the mirrors be adjusted to safely eliminate most blind spots?
- How much noise do you experience when driving? Is the noise level comfortable or is there a lot of road and car noise you don’t like?
- Is there enough room for the passengers who will commonly ride with you?
Largo Area Acura Explains Common Car Financing Terms
A new car is typically the second biggest investment people will make, after their home. When spending a large amount of money, you want to spend some time making sure you understand the financing and terms of your purchase. Before you sign a contract with the dealership financing department or the lending institution of your choice, take some time to familiarize yourself with the following common financing terms. Here are some tips from your Largo area Acura dealer for common car financing terms to understand:
Average Cost of a Car
In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission indicates the average cost of a new car is $28,000 while the average cost of a used car is $15,000. The majority of car buyers need a car loan to purchase a used or new car.
Prepare For Car Buying with Credit Research
Don’t go to the dealership to buy a car until you know where you stand financially. You can get a copy of your credit report for free once each year from each of the three credit bureaus, and this provides you with information that lenders will see when you apply for a loan. You won’t get your physical FICO credit score unless you pay for it, but just looking at your credit report should give you a good idea whether your score is low or high based on whether or not you’ve made a lot of late payments or have negative notations on your credit history.
Review your report to make sure there is no inaccurate information that could be causing a lower credit score than you should have. If you find mistakes, take steps to correct them before applying for a loan because it can affect your ability to get approved as well as what your interest rate is on your car loan.
What to Pay Attention to When Getting a Car Loan
When you get a car loan, there are several important aspects to pay attention to before signing the contract.
Principal – the principal of a loan is how much money you want to borrow, although it does not represent the actual cost of your car loan because it doesn’t include interest or finance charges. If you are buying a car that is $22,000 and you have a $2,000 down payment, then the principal loan amount is $20,000.
Loan term – the number of months you will make payments on a car loan is called the “term” of the loan and can range from 12 months to 60 months.
Annual Percentage Rate (APR) – this is what the lender charges you for the car loan. It will add money to your monthly payment unless you happen to get a 0% APR loan.
Clearwater Acura Reviews the 2013 Acura TL
While the exterior appearance of the 2013 Acura TL hasn’t changed much over the years, the interior and under-the-hood stuff have made a number of improvements. The standard model is fully loaded yet keeps a reasonable price tag in comparison to similar cars in its class with the same features. Reliability ratings have shown the Acura TL offers a low cost for ownership long after the warranty expires, too, making this a budget friendly vehicle all around. Here is what you should know about the 2013 Acura TL, available at your Clearwater Acura dealer:
2013 Acura TL Performance and Power
You’ll feel the power driving the Acura TL thanks to either the 3.5 liter V6, or 3.7 liter V6 six speed automatic transmission delivering 280-305 horsepower. The car features the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) which directs the energy to outside rear wheels when going around corners with some speed, and it offers a sporty suspension.
If preferred, you can get a six speed manual transmission with the SH-AWD trim level of the 2013 Acura TL.
Interior Design and Features
Inside the 2013 Acura TL, you’ll notice a sporty yet luxurious interior design. The dashboard trim, doorsills and center console are all platinum plated. The front seats are ventilated and heated. Changes to the design of the 2013 Acura TL included additional body sealing points which has reduced the noise level inside the car by 2.7 decibels.
Exterior Design and Features
Acura vehicles have very distinct front grilles that set them apart from other makes. The 2013 Acura TL has a grille with a slight bird beak appearance! The headlights are darkened and the turn signals are narrower than most other vehicles adding to the unique appearance. In the back, the license plate is located higher than other vehicles.
Safety Features and Technology
The blind-spot information system will eliminate back up accidents, lane changing problems or parking problems thanks to cameras and indicators that let the driver know if there are cars in the blind spot. Other fun inclusions are the USB connectivity, Bluetooth, power moonroof and heated leather seats.
The Technology Package includes a navigation system and AcuraLink for weather and traffic updates, a keyless access system and a 440-watt surround sound system. The Advance Package includes ventilated/cooling front seats and 18 inch wheels on the base model or 19 inch wheels on the SH-AWD trim.
Largo Area Acura Dealer Offers the 2013 Acura MDX
Many drivers have called the 2013 Acura MDX the best choice for anyone who needs three rows of seats in their vehicle. Despite its size, the vehicle remains easy to handle and doesn’t feel like you’re driving a bus down the road. The MDX is often compared to the Mercedes-Benz M-class, the BMWX5 and the Lexus RX350 because it is a luxurious SUV. Here is what you need to know about the 2013 Acura MDX, and feel free to visit our Largo area Acura dealership to take the car for a test drive.
2013 Acura MDX Interior
As expected, this luxurious SUV has a spacious interior and room for seven passengers with the three rows of seats. The driver’s seat offers a memory system and will remember the driver settings for up to two different drivers. The front seats are heated, and all seats in the MDX are designed for comfort and made from leather.
Everyone can ride comfortably thanks to the three-zone climate control.
If you need a little more than what comes standard on the 2013 Acura MDX, you have options to add a voice recognition navigation system, heated second row seats, surround sound stereo with 10 speakers, a DVD entertainment system for the back row seats, and a power outlet in the console to quickly and easily charge all of your electronics.
Performance and Power
The 2013 Acura MDX is capable of towing up to 5,000 pounds with its 3.7 liter V6 engine and ability to deliver 300 hp. The SUV offers all-wheel-drive and a six-speed automatic transmission.
2013 Acura MDX Exterior
Acura has designed its vehicles in a way that you can instantly recognize them when you see them driving down the road. For the 2013 Acura MDX, you will know immediately what car it is because of the grille across the front of the vehicle, and all of the angles around the exterior.
The MDX comes with xenon high-intensity discharge headlights and 18 inch alloy w heels, but you do have the option to upgrade to 19 inch wheels if that is important to you.
Test Drive the Acura MDX
If you’re looking for a comfortable and stylish SUV with three row seating, come visit our Largo area Acura dealership and take the 2013 Acura MDX for a test drive. You may discover it’s the perfect vehicle for your family’s needs.
The windshield wipers on your vehicle are important for ensuring you can see where you’re going. If it’s raining, snowing or your windshield gets dirty and your wipers won’t clear them off, you’re at risk for a car accident because you can’t see what’s in front of you. If you push the spray button on your windshield wipers and nothing happens, here are some troubleshooting tips for wiper problems from your Tampa Bay area Acura dealer:
Check That You Actually Have Washer Fluid
Sometimes people think there is something wrong with their windshield wipers, but they just didn’t realize they ran out of windshield wiper fluid! Open the hood of your car and check for the washer fluid reservoir tank. If you’re not sure what it looks like or where it is, check your owner’s manual and it will tell you what to look for. If the tank is empty, buy a bottle of windshield wiper fluid and pour it in. You may need to “prime” your wipers before they work correctly, so press the button a couple times and release and you should start seeing the spray come out of your wipers.
No Sound When You Push the Button for Wiper Fluid
If you press and release the button to try and spray washer fluid on your windshield a few times and do not hear the washer pump kick on at all, there is a good chance that either the fuse needs to be replaced, or the pump itself needs replacing.
Check your owner’s manual to find out where your fuse box is, and which of the fuses works with the washer pump. If replacing the fuse doesn’t fix the problem, and you definitely have fluid in the reservoir tank – you probably need to schedule an appointment with a mechanic for service or replacement.
Clean the Windshield Wiper Nozzles
The windshield wipers are outside of your car and can easily get clogged with dirt or other debris that prevents the wipers from spraying windshield wiper fluid on your windshield. Scrub the nozzle area with a toothbrush or grab a can of compressed air and give the wipers a blast. If the fluid sprays afterward, the wipers were simply clogged.
Clean the Washer Fluid Reservoir
Sometimes the tank that holds the fluid can become clogged with algae or other junk. Clean it out and see if you can get the fluid flowing to the wipers again.
When Acura first released the RDX in 2007, they were looking to entice buyers who wanted a sporty CUV. They realized shortly after loading the RDX with sports features that the car buyers didn’t care as much about sportiness as they thought – instead, they wanted a comfortable and stylish vehicle that was also fuel-efficient and safe for families. The RDX was redesigned and the new 2013 Acura RDX is ready to please. You can visit your Clearwater Acura dealer to test drive the RDX and see if it meets your needs.
2013 Acura RDX Power and Performance
The previous RDX featured a 2.3 turbo engine that delivered 240 horsepower. It was a 5-speed automatic transmission. The 2013 Acura RDX now has a 3.5 liter, V6 engine and 6-speed transmission that delivers 273 horsepower. This speeds up the 0 to 60 miles per hour acceleration and improves estimated gas mileage by 3 to 22 miles per gallon. In exchange for improved fuel efficiency, the RDS does lose some of the crispness for cornering, but it’s not overly noticeable.
Exterior Redesign
The outside of the Acura RDX does not look much different from the previous version. There is an improved suspension that allows for a smoother ride because of a softer spring and new dampers. You probably won’t notice, but the 2013 Acura RDX has a 1.4 inch longer wheel base and wider track, which basically just means you get more room inside for the passengers. The previous version of RDX had very angular lines, giving it a somewhat aggressive appearance; while the 2013 Acura RDX is softened.
Interior Redesign of the 2013 Acura RDX
Before, the buttons and controls were positioned all over the place. In the 2013 Acura RDX, the buttons and controls are more organized, with separation between controls for navigation, radio controls, and HVAC controls. This helps drivers keep their eyes on the road while also making adjustments to their controls.
The Tech Package comes standard with a navigation system, a multi-view rear camera, fog lights and a 10-speaker stereo system.
Test Drive Tips
While you may fall in love with a vehicle based on appearances alone, just like you should never judge a book by its cover you should never judge a vehicle on its appearance! Make sure you test drive any car you are interested in buying before you make the purchase. Every car drives a little differently and not all great looking cars will be comfortable or fit your needs. Visit your Clearwater Acura dealer to test drive the Acura RDX or any other vehicle you are interested in learning more about.
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