1992 Acura Vigor | Retro Review
Vložit
- čas přidán 5. 05. 2021
- Want to help keep our weekly Retro Reviews alive? DONATE NOW: mptevents.regfox.com/motorweek
The early to mid 90's was definitely a high water mark for Acura. Wish they still built them like this!
Show 1036 | Originally Recorded 5-30-1991
Follow us on social media:
Facebook ( / motorweektv )
Twitter ( / motorweek )
Instagram ( / motorweek ) - Auta a dopravní prostředky
Want to help keep our weekly Retro Reviews alive? DONATE NOW: mptevents.regfox.com/motorweek
Can y’all do the Buick lesabre the 2000-2005
I´d like to donate but don´t live in the USA and only have Paypal. Is there any possibility? Also, I´d like to request the Hyundai Tiburon v6 if possible ;)
Hi! We have just opened it up so that the link can now accept international donations. Thank you so much for your support!
pro trick : watch series at Flixzone. Me and my gf have been using it for watching loads of movies these days.
@Imran Graham yea, I have been using Flixzone for since november myself =)
Those Honda interiors from the late 80s and 90s have got to be peak efficiency everything is just placed perfect and still looks modern.
Well said
And they hold up over 25yrs
well said, my 97 RL is still nicer in every way than our 2006 S500
Amen.
and they're screwed together extremely well, just like old bmw interiors. all the switchgear is so tactile too
Ah. When Acura had the coolest names in the biz: Integra, Vigor and Legend. Can't believe that they threw them away.
The Legend nameplate is still. Its sold in Japan as Acura sells them as the RLX.
I agree. Looking at Acura now, its hard to believe it was the Asian front runner in luxury and it lost it after removing these name plates. I saw a video on the Legend in the Japan and it basically looks like an Acura over here. Yes it has more technology and performance, but the Legend name truly meant something special in the US and its loss meant a different direction for Acura. Acuras are still great vehicles with alot of luxury and their awd is impressive, but they may never catch up with Lexus, maybe Infinity though.
I know right.
Motorman says car manufactures did it so you'd most likely have to mention the brand name along with the model if someone asks you what car you drive.
For instance you wouldn't tell someone you drive an RL because they probably wouldn't know what car your talking about. It kind of forced you to say i drive an Acura RL.
Ketchum Advertising messed that up in 1994, after renaming prototype vehicles they were shown of the 1996 Legend and Vigor to 3.5RL, 3.2TL, and 2.5TL. Integra was in limbo until the late 90s, when what was renamed RSX finished styling in 1998.
The 1991-92 Japanese crash is the reason why the RL felt less special, plus a desire to chase the wrong benchmarks and rename the brand nomenclature, to adopt a less "ghetto" image.
No one ever says that, but shame on Honda Americas. Marketers didn't like how the Legend name was very popular with harder sets of black/minority youth (often in crime scenes), who weren't affluent by traditional means and not solely the 90s version of Ricky Ricardo, Carlton Banks, or Steve Harvey type.
They were trying to gentrify Acura's image and erase that, by appealing to more conservative buyers.
Many years ago when I worked at an autoparts store a customer brought in a Vigor to test the battery. The car was about ten years old and had well over 200,000 miles but that engine ran so quiet and smooth you could hear the light ticking of the fuel injectors. Very sweet car.
Yeah all cars have loud fuel injectors
@@coastaku1954 🤣
@@kamrankhan-lj1ng My 2013 Ford Escape has audible fuel injectors, so does most cars I've encountered
@@coastaku1954 my car might also have "loud" fuel injectors. But it is all drowned in the din and clamour of the engine sound.
@@coastaku1954 ok this is a 92 vehicle
My father in law still has his 1993 Vigor to this day. Bought it slightly pre-owned back in late 1994.
Nice, a rarity among vehicles. Very intriguing to note these engines of this period were longitudinally mounted.
I totally forgot about the Acura vigor these things are so rare, really strange layout front wheel drive longitudinal inline 5
And a manual to boot!!!
Audis also have longitudinal engine/front wheel drive designs
Yup. Rare. Just like the legend. Glad i have a 90LS coupe legend. 5 speed
Are used to have one it was an amazing car went almost 400,000 miles
@@johnmiller9024 so does Volvo
I consider myself a car enthusiast yet never knew Honda had messed around with a 5cyl engine. Neat!
For 96, Acura replaced the Vigor with the TL and that same 5cyl motor went until 98 in the 2.5 version TL
@@joshriver75 Interesting. Thanks for the info. Now I must go look into the TL with this engine.
I read it wasn't very popular at all. People either got the Integra or a Legend. The Vigor was priced in the middle and I guess just didn't catch on.
@@HourRomanticistThat's true. Even in their day, Vigors weren't really common. I'm sure they sold many more Legends despite the higher price.
2 Retro videos in 1 day?? You're spoiling us! 😁👍🏼
Ey its Jonh Travolta... lookin good baby
I saved one about a month ago with a blown engine. Just got a new G25A 5 cyl mailed to me recently. Gonna upload a video of it running once the engine is inside.
Spark plugs get oil from lower tube seal misfires occur.also crank plully cracks and slips making alternator not charge battery.coolant sensor may fail I had tl2.5 rip piston 4 may you finally sleep 255kmi.
Any updates?
@@Dillon1791 big oof, seems like he either forgot about posting the video, or he never found the courage to upload it, OR he never got it to run, I hope it’s the first one
I’m subscribing cause if he ever uploads anything, I’d be willing to see it
@@hondacrx4909 I just saw this. The car is done. But not complete. I'll be posting HD Videos shortly
Luxury really was something else in the 90s
Yes it was, a real occasion.
because it was about comfort and not computers as it is today
@@ShaiyanHossain Very true. 1990s was the perfect blend of tech and traditional luxury. I'd say even as a 7-Series owner, that the 2002 BMW E65 changed all that for the worse and my M760i is an evolution of that. These Acuras had LCD navigation systems in Japan at this time already.
Comparing the E32 my grandfather had, to the late E38 my mother (daughter) drove, way too much changed in terms of the luxury experience starting with E65. The idea was to make cars feel more like airplane cockpits, chock full of screens.
@@ShaiyanHossain Japanese Luxury was about build quality, attention to detail, and thoughtful placement or interaction,
Rather than pillowy lushness of American luxury or whiz bang technology of euro luxury. I prefer the Japanese take on luxury
Wow, a stick shift Vigor?!?
That is like finding a rainbow colored unicorn these days.
Wrong analyzation lol those are everywhere haha
Someone requested this earlier and they posted it same day!
Same mind bro. A coincidence
What a cute little grille. How times have changed!
Now they are monstrous and ridiculous
How inconsiderate nowadays they give you a car with the grill
True, I still love how the first generation (1996-1998) Acura TL looks. Like a modernised Vigor basically due to it having the same exact inline 5 cylinder in the 2.5 trim.
Huge shark grill on everything
I miss the days when seeing a stick shift was common place.
In a luxury sedan, too!
That’s right! You can get sticks in very few models, but they are only offered in the base models. 😩
Just not practical for most folks.
The advantages of standard transmissions are gone.
They aren’t cheaper because they no longer have the sales volume.
They aren’t more reliable as you are guaranteed to have to replace a clutch and synchros wear out even with the most dedicated double clutching and rev matching or heel-toe shifting.
They are slower than DCTs, CVTs, and even traditional automatics (though CVTs are less reliable).
They no longer return better fuel economy even with most anemic short shifting.
Really, all that’s left is the fun factor.. but that isn’t so fun if you are using it as a daily commuter.
@@Bartonovich52 Party pooper.
"obvious it was a luxury automobile"...with a manual transmission! Those were the good ol' days.
Boy, I can’t remember the last time I saw a Vigor!
Yeah they all rusted away. I always loved the lines of this car.
Yesterday, at transmission shop in VA
My Nonno owned one, which I think the family sold when he passed away. I have a child's memory of that car. Ironicly, the thing I remember most is the door handles and the hum of the engine.
@@jeffreyrainey1015 I noticed you used the word Nonno for Grandfather? Does your family have an Italian background? Both of my Mother’s parents came from Italy when they were three years old with their families.
There’s a mint one for sale in Ontario last time I checked Kijiji
Always loved these when I was younger.
2 retro videos in a day! Awesome!
Sounds like a doubleheader of retro reviews today!
Thank you so much for honoring my request, Motorweek staff! 🙏
That’s great!
Thanks for calling me out on the accidental S4 re upload
Miss my ‘93 Vigor. Good handler and it’s Accord-like styling made it a good sleeper.
Check the pain I inflict, like a convict, the Fulton digger
Jump in the Acura Vigor, after I stick ya
Rip ya like a razor, straight up Henny with no chaser.
R.I.P. Biggie Smalls
he was a nigor in a vigor
Who?
The beautiful luxury of those years 😍😍😍😔😔😔
1:39 John: BUT WE HAVE TO CRITICIZE THE VIGOR, AS WE ALWAYS DO ACURA SEDANS FOR SPARSE GAUGES! LOL
That is a boner-killer for John.
John is adamant about his oil pressure gauge 😅
@@ascott2168 DONT FORGET THE VOLT METER!
@@roddydykes7053 😀 yeah John’s just from the old school ! Still the OG tho 🤘🏽
It seems to me that American cars were most likely to be guilty of not having complete instrumentation. In Europe, even basic hatchbacks would give you more instruments than a POS Oldsmobile "luxury" sedan.
Honda's and Acura's hay days were in the 90s. The 1990s Hondas were classic design pieces. The 2004 TL was a beautiful design as well. I also loved the late 90s Integra design. I wish they would go back to their names that they use to have.
Unfortunately, some of the early 2000's TLs suffered from variable valve timing issues (probably since Honda doesn't use automatic valve adjustment and requires manual adjustment, something most people forget to do regularly--every 5 years or so).
2004 TL was the last time Acura got it right. 20 years later and the entire lineup still lacks pizazz
😃 Ahhhhh classic Acura ! I’ve only seen about 10 Vigors in my 34 yrs of life but they’re def nice. Love the frameless door glass, thin A- pillars, longitudinal design/long dash to axle ratio & those yellow fog lights 👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽...and that cognac colored interior 🤩
Honda really was firing on all cylinders in the ‘90s. If that Vigor was new today I’d buy it in a heartbeat.
Acura TLX
Its a beautiful car
REALLY? Check your history. The 5 cylinder Vigor engine failed over and over and over. Why do you think they got rid of it, it was garbage.
TLX Type S
All five cylinders?
Interesting. A longitudinally mounted engine with front wheel drive. I actually remember this being quite popular
Yes, but not so popular with inline 5.
Afair only in Vigor and Audi.
@@jareknowak8712 You're forgetting the first generation Acura TL (1996-1998) that generation also comes in the 2.5 trim being the inline 5 cylinder engine carried over from the Vigor.
Been waiting for this review!!! I got to drive a gorgeous emerald green Vigor GS with that burnt orange leather interior a few times and even as an automatic that car hard torque and was so quick with an amazingly good ride and firm handling. That 5 cylinder engine note was something special too, and it was basically a Honda f22a with an extra cylinder so it was good for 300k miles.. great car!
Wow. I want one. I really like these vehicles from the late 80s early 90s. They still have the traditional styling cues but sleek and rounded.
A real beauty in and out. With tan leather and wooden inserts, in my opinion this is the best car interior Honda has ever done, and I would dare say perhaps one of the cleanest car interiors in the car history. That dash is an absolute masterpiece of clean and smooth looking design.
Interesting, didn't even know there was such a thing as a 5-cyl Honda (I'm not from US so this one was actually informative, that interior looks lovely and cosseting too!)
I would love to drive this car even now in 2021 looks like a great car back then 👍🤟👌💯🇸🇮😜
I haven't seen an Acura Vigor in years!!!
I'm putting a new G25A1 (5 cyl) inside my vigor this coming weekend
Front end kind of resembled Mazda’s 929... 90s had the best styling entry luxury cars .. ❤️❤️❤️
To my eyes, cars during '90 were prettiest looking.
This used to be such fun car! All 90s Acuras were super fun.
the v6 rdx's of today are still fun, despite being high off the ground.
@@twystedhumour there are no v6 rdx. They’re all turbo 4s
I had a 93 Acura Legend. My older friend had a Acura Vigor. The Vigor was my favorite. Fast as hell and handling was crazy sharp.
🤣 they weren't fast at all 😂😂😂😂
My friend had one of these waaay back when and had cai headers and catbcak exhaust and it had a unique sound,that 5 cylinder tho👍
It's still a handsome car today. Kind of a stretch that you guys called it Accord-based when the engine doesn't even sit in the same direction and the wheelbase, dash-to-axle, are all different.
It is based on the CB7 Accord for a fact, but a derivative of it. Honda got a lot of mileage out of that architecture.
I was fortunate to have one of these in my youth. Great car!
I had a Vigor almost exactly like the Vigor featured here. Mine was an automatic. Loved that car. Great running vehicle!
Mine is 5 spd man
Remember when entry level luxury cars had manuals? I 'memba.
Old Vigors and Legends still look classy.
I didnt know Honda made an inline 5.
Yup, the Vigor isn't the only one with that engine. Fun fact the first generation Acura TL (1996-1998) Also has a 2.5 trim with the 2.5 inline 5 cylinder carried over from the Vigor.
A luxury sedan with a manual trans, you have to love the 90s
Remember seeing these on the street when new. Always thought it was strange seeing the rear windows down in how they tilt to have a point. Regardless still a classy looking car even at 30 years old - they have aged very well!
I always liked the looks of this car, inside and out.
I had no idea Honda made an inline 5 cylinder engine cool!
Fun fact: Thats not the only Acura with that engine, the first generation (1996-1998) Acura TL also comes with the 2.5 trim inline 5 cylinder lol.
My Vigor - exactly like the one shown here, was the best car I've ever owned. Beautiful camel & wood interior.
Still have my '92, with 283,000 miles.
I owned a '97 Integra Type-R too, for a few years, until it was stolen.
THAT INLINE 5 ENGINE LOVED IT.
The exterior door handles were also used on the Honda Domani MA4.
Want to know what is wild! The length and width of the the Acura Vigor is the same size as the 2020 Honda Civic.
Yeah the current civic isn't a small car anymore. Its what the Accord used to be, now days an Accord is like a 90's Buick LeSabre in size.
Love these old cars. Most are still on the road and going strong. No screens to deal with. Simple engines and fixes. Brilliant. And most of all how easy it was to get a manual. Miss those days.
Honda's/Acura's heyday. I don't remember the Vigor being too popular of a car, but they certainly were a nice, handsome luxury car, and the unusual 5cyl engine was interesting. It looked far too much like the '90-93 Accord outside though. It's strange they opted for a longitudinally-mounted 5cyl with FWD, which created a really cramped backseat. I'm surprised they didn't instead opt for a turbo version of the Accord's 4cyl, transversely-mounted, allowing for similar performance and more rear leg room. It probably also would have reduced development costs. All that aside, I've always really liked the Vigor. Acura has always struggled as a luxury brand to bring competitive cars to market.
Maybe they wanted to imitate Volvo or something
@@roddydykes7053 They were technically competing cars, being similar-sized luxury sedans. The fact they both had 5cyl. engines is a coincidence though.
It allows for front mid engine, like the Nissan 350z. It also showed Honda could out Audi, audi. It's a longitudinally mounted 5 cylinder fwd that doesn't sit far outside the wheelbase.
That cabin still looks good today!
So many of these were in the Atlanta Area during their Heyday. I never see any of these on any road any longer. I always liked the look of these cars.
I had the exact same car in a stick. Loved it.
This video doesn't do this car justice. The exhaust note from the five cylinder engine is simply ear candy. Reminds me of the old school Audi 5000s.
Nice review.. i like it..
This car still look luxury even going to old..
My grandpa had this car. We pronounced it Viii-gor like the name of a Count from Transylvania.
I sold my Vigor about 5 years ago. It was a good car.
You are gonna regret it, the Vigor is on it's way to be a classic!
Currently fixing up a 93 vigor gs, love the car, but extremely hard to find parts
*Eric the Car Guy has entered the chat*
This was my 1st car in 1996, it had a lot of torque especially with a 125 shot of nos. Had jdm front 1pc headlights was a good looking car. Look up Vigorousone on cardomain
how'd you lower yours? what happened to it?
@@jay92889 goundcontrol coilover with tokico struts. It was t-boned, some idiot ran a light and hit me. It had so much done to it.
I love the simplicity of the engine bay. Easy to do a tune up.
liked it more than the legend less common at the time. when it was 3 years old white on brown only problem was theft was a popular option ..I owned 3 hard to find these days
This was just a gorgeous car.
From the future looking back everything thats luxury just seems quant, yet endearing. Its like simple and approachable, and I like that
Is it the grandfather of the TLX? Longer wheelbase than the Accord but less legroom at the rear seats just like the Vigor.
I like the Acura Vigor. The root from the TL.
Basically, since the first generation (1996-1998) Acura TL also came with the same exact 2.5 inline 5 cylinder engine. Although I wish they had also brought their 5 speed manual over unfortunately it only comes with a 4 speed auto in the first generation TL.
Bought one back in 2002 just because I needed a car.. I soon realized it was my favorite car. How I miss those old Honda/Acura cars.
Never knew Honda/Acura made a 5 cylinder! Interesting!
If I could get one of these new today I would take it over just about anything.
I love the cognac colored interior in the Honda/Acura Vigor!! Looks cool!!!😎😎😎
I'd love one of those today what a machine 😍
That’s still a great looking car. They literally should bring it back, bet it would sell
YEESSSSSSS I QUIT MY CLASS JUST TO SEE THIS REVIEW!!!
These are wicked, have only seen one recently in any less than rust bucket condition
You can so clearly see what everybody seems to neglect: since honda partnered up with Rover the honda interiors got so much nicer and upscale. It wasnt only Rover benefiting from the cooperation but honda as well. Before they worked with Rover their interiors looked nothing like this.
Everyone forgets about Sterling!
The body lines on this car are still impressive to this day. Get comments on mine once every so often.
Mint interior on mine and perfect paint/body to this day.
There is still one or these driving around my town in decent condition. Looks good
They just don't make them like this anymore. This car is a gem.
LoL “hardcore audiophiles” we’re absolutely NOT drooling over the “digital signal processing” In 1992, they were ripping out these stereos and installing expensive aftermarket stereos as soon as they drove off the lot!
I almost bought one these used at a used car dealership in the early 2000 era. It was clean inside out and quiet.
YES I WAS LOOKING FOR THIS
That rear glass..... Love it
There is currently only one of these for sale on craigslist in my local area. Cool color combo, but has the non- enVigorating transmission.
It wouldn't be Motorweek without some emphatic button pushing. 2:05
Still love this shape!
Very cool retro acura
Too bad Honda doesn't put manual transmissions into their sedans anymore. It was the only reason why I purchased Hondas in the first place. I'll be hanging onto my '16 Accord 6MT for a long time.
The Accord comes with a manual. The 4th gen TL (09’ - 14’) SH-AWD also came with the manual, but they’re extremely rare.
That is a beautiful interior.
Beautiful car even for today's standards.
I haven't seen one in a while, I wonder if they're worth anything?
My man loves his oil/volt gauge.
I'd question calling it Accord based when the engine and transmission configuration is completely different. A friend of mine had one about 20 years ago, it twice had the driver's door jam internally. As you might imagine, accessing the inside of the door panel with the door shut is a chore.
Love the Vigor!
I like how the door windows are frameless
I really like the design
I love the vigor but I also love cup holders