2010 Acura TSX

cdnpinhead

a fortune to get a specific drive train/platform combination through the various wickets that the EPA, CARB and who knows what other government agencies place in the way. It's a huge expense for a configuration that may not sell enough units to cover it.

The Europeans have dozens & dozens of cars available that I'd much prefer to what I'm driving now, but I'll never see any of them over here.

bodble2

I think they need to go thru a government certification process. I still say for the 14 people that want one, it's not worth the hassle for Acura.

wx_geek

I am going to guess this wagon will weigh about 3700 lbs. Not very svelte. So it should be slower than the sedan and handling will also be hurt. Strip it down and make it a Honda with the same engine. Less weight, better handling and you might even add 1-2 mpg.

christopher_b

I looked at a lot of confusing remarks and reviews online before I decided to go ahead and get a 2010 TSX-nav auto. The automotive press is just odd and blogs/ forums can be really nasty for no reason. So I also talked to many very, very happy Acura owners with high miles, low miles, all models including one with an early 2010 TSX. They were all like Saab 900T owners used to be if you understand what I am saying. Sort of, um, enthusiastic; even about certain weirdnesses. I write this only because the mix of thoughts on this thread have been, well, mixed and it was confusing to me when I was looking. So it seemed reasonable to add to the mix on the positive side. In case somebody is looking, for what any of this is worth, I think its a very good car and an excellent value.

I love cars and motorcycles and I've had a lot of very nice luxury-level/ performance oriented cars, MB, BMW, Saab, Volvo, Porsche, even a really nice C5 Corvette actually, (hey, I'm getting old and it was a pretty cool short-ish term relationship...) and was more or less happy with all of them until the mechanic gave me the bills or I figured out the actual depreciation and cost of ownership. But still, I really liked them all for various reasons and they all made the drive worth it. Last, I also historically like MT cars and don't really have any big financial constraints in the decisions I make about cars, so what experience I've had was maybe a bit different than many people. Still I don't like wasting $ and this is a very good automatic transmission.

For sure I do not care at all if anybody else wonders if my car is a luxury car or a sport sedan. That's wierd. My TSX is pretty luxurious compared to anything and its also pretty sporty. Mine gets a bit over 30mpg average and way over that on the highway (I've just put 1K miles on it, but I didn't really monkey around going extra slow or anything, I'm not sure why others apparently get less). The paddles/auto work very well, the two-stage suspension is car-like slow and go-cart like fast which is nice, the chassis is pretty stiff, the VSA seems to work well, I personally like the steering and, after RWD, AWD, 4WD, FWD experience over years, I think modern FWD is the best all around drive system for the real world; they are all compromised. The I4 reminds me of my favorite old BMWs' 4 cyl earnest and sophisticated character, but this is better and can really wind up. I also got a super duper warranty upgrade for low dollars with the already, as I said above, very interesting price that was driven by a factory incentive to the dealer. Great interior, exterior, electronics, chassis, motor, performance, warranty, resale, ...... Its a really an excellent world-class little car and I am glad I got it. No need to spend 50% more on a bottom end BMW with pages of options to equal this car as far as I can see-- and I wanted a normally aspirated 4. Plus while I'm enjoying the ride, all the goodies and the handling, nobody pays any undue attention to me on the road. Pretty a much perfect situation. Well, nothing's actually perfect of course.

There are undoubtedly other very good cars. Its hard to see how buying a '10 TSX would be a completely *wrong* decision though, if a nice running/riding/looking mid-sized comfy, reliable street car is what you need/want. But I'm far beyond that, I think the TSX-nav is actually a great car and a great value. Happy guy. I think it will stand the test of aging gracefully as times change too. (This is an attribute I've come to appreciate more as years go by ) We'll be testing that out for sure and maybe we'll let you know!

hpmctorque

Suggest that Acura fans check out the "Where Is Honda Taking Acura" discussion in News & Views. We're the original owners of a '99 TL (2nd generation), and have been very happy with it, but we wouldn't consider the lastest generation TL. It's too large and heavy, and we don't like Acura's current styling direction.

Would consider a TSX, but the foot space for entering the back seat (between the bottom of the rear door and the bottom of the rear seat cushion) is unusually tight. I think it's a design flaw. Has anyone else noticed this?

The rear seat of a mid size car should provide easy access, but the one in the TSX isn't designed for average size adults, much less taller ones.

Acura needs to get its mojo back. Its sedans used to be innovative, fun-to-drive, and excellent values. The new ones are unremarkable, as reflected in the absence of new messages in the "Where Is Honda Taking Acura" site. It seems to me that fewer people will cross-shop Acura sedans if things don't change. Look what happened to the Maxima, a once hot car.

I don't think expanding the hybrid line will do the trick, because while hybrids

bodble2

"..... but the foot space for entering the back seat (between the bottom of the rear door and the bottom of the rear seat cushion) is unusually tight. I think it's a design flaw. Has anyone else noticed this?"

My brother bought an '09, and yes, we noticed the back seat is somewhat cumbersome to get in and out of due to the problem you pointed out....and we're not tall people, or long-legged.

I have an '04 TL, and I too find the current TL just too big. The styling I can get used to, but not the sheer size of the car.

(But be careful criticizing the TL. There are a couple of Acura sheeps over in the TL thread that will jump all over you, if they hear you! They interpret the lack of discussion on the car to mean everyone is too busy enjoying their TL!! :surprise: )

hpmctorque

Good sense of humor in your last paragraph!

Interesting that others noticed the back seat entry/exit issue, and I'm not a tall person, either. When I pointed it out to an Acura sales person, he agreed with me, and acknowledged that others had complained about this.

smarty666

Yes, the back seat of the 09-10 TSX is a little bit on the cramped-small side but its a heck of a lot better than the 1G TSX in size and if you think that is bad, take a look at the back seat of the IS. In the IS, the backseat is completely useless for passengers and only serves the purpose of an extension of the trunk. While the TSX rear is cramped, if your 6ft tall and under you can get two full size adults back there in the TSX if you have too. I'm about 5'9'' and I was able to get back there and still have some head clearance and a little bit of legroom, but not much. You can not do this with the IS.

I too, have a 3G TL, and have been more interested in the new TSX then the new TL. The combo of the new TL grill and overall size is a turnoff for me. Apparently the TL and TSX are supposed to be moving upmarket, so I suspect that the 3G TSX will grow in size and the back seat won't feel as cramped anymore.

bodble2

"....so I suspect that the 3G TSX will grow in size....."

If true, Acura will continue to move in the wrong direction, at least for me. :sick:

smarty666

Supposedly, and that being the key word, the sedan line-up is suppose to be moving upmarket, with the 2G TSX and 4G TL being tweener's right now compared to their next generations!

The RL is supposed to be gutted and completely redone as the flagship to compete with the likes of the LS, S-Class, 7-Series, A8, etc, with the 5G TL moving up to compete with the M, GS, E-Class, 5-Series, and A6, the 3G TSX to compete with the G37, 335i, A4, C350, etc

and a new entry level model to compete with the IS, G25, 328i, C300, Regal, etc

nyccarguy

Our 2010 TSX Tech won't be a year old until the end of August & we've already got over 15,000 miles on it. Add to that we have an '07 X3 3.0si we've been sparsly driving so we don't go over the mileage going back at the end of this month and we're on pace to do 20K per year on our 2010 TSX.

Wife & I just took an overnight trip to Atlantic City. The TSX ate up the highway miles and delivered over 31mpg.

While we love the TSX, we have found some shortcomings with the otherwise gem of an I4 engine. We now NEED low end torque. We recently moved from Southern Westchester County, NY (NYC Suburb), about 20 miles away to Fairfield County, CT. Now one of the great things about our new home is its proximity to the beautiful, historic, and very twisty Merrit Parkway. Now the Merritt is OLD and has to stay that way as it is a historical landmark. The bad thing about that is very short entrance ramps & a stop sign you must stop at before you merge onto the parkway. My wife's TSX & my Prelude both do much better when they have a "running start." Especially loaded down with our 2 kids, the 2 of us, the car seats, & the AC running, the engine definitely feels taxed.

My wife took the X3 to work the other day and commented how it really jumped onto the parkway & she was doing 85 by the time she looked down at the speedo.

au1994

Yes. The fact that the TSX is a "tweener" is one of the things that led me to get one at the beginning of the month.

After a few weeks behind the wheel I'm still smiling. MPG is awesome, power could be better, but see previous comment re:MPG. Styling works for me!

au1994

Yes. The fact that the TSX is a "tweener" is one of the things that led me to get one at the beginning of the month.

After a few weeks behind the wheel I'm still smiling. MPG is awesome, power could be better, but see previous comment re:MPG. Styling works for me!

au1994

Yes. The fact that the TSX is a "tweener" is one of the things that led me to get one at the beginning of the month.

After a few weeks behind the wheel I'm still smiling. MPG is awesome, power could be better, but see previous comment re:MPG. Styling works for me!

fedlawman

Hard to believe you've had the X3 for 3 years...

nyccarguy

Yeah man! I'm not looking forward to giving it back. The truck is going to go right to auction & someone is going to get a fantastic vehicle with brand-new tires & 5K left of BMW Bumper to Bumper Warranty + Scheduled maintenance.

My son who will be 4 in September literally starts crying when he asks about the X3 and why do we have to give it back? The poor kid is going to be traumatized.

Buyout is $26,8XX & BMW dealer offered to sell it to me for high $21K, + $2995 to make it a CPO + tax & I sald no thanks. We actually just bought a house and I don't like the idea of financing a 3 year old truck with 45K miles on it.

fedlawman

Answered you on the other forum before I read this...

I can't believe your boy is going to be 4 already. Man, has the time flown by!

Funny, I want to like the X3, but I just can't get myself to do it. My brother has one and loves it. Even the magazines say BMW fixed the first year handling bugs and now they rave about it.

I rented a Chevy Tahoe for a week last month and loved it. If I wasn't a car guy, that's what I'd be driving!

hpmctorque

I agree with you regarding the styling. It's nice.

nyccarguy

After driving an '04 X5 3.0i Sport Pkg & an '07 X5 3.0si Sport Pkg, my Dad bought a 2010 Tahoe LTZ in February. He loves it. My best friend bought a Tahoe LTZ to replace his '07 Infiniti FX35 Sport Pkg & he loves his Tahoe.

Realize that it is not your E30 M3 & you'll appreciate it. You could tow your M3 to Octoberfest with no problem. Honestly, I think everyone should own a Tahoe. It is one of the greatest vehicles ever created. Everytime I drive my Dad's truck, I like it more and more. Nobody NEEDS a vehicle that big until you have one and you find uses for it. It swallows cargo and the ride isn't affected. It is comforatble, has every single gadget available - NAV, Bluetooth, heated & cooled seats, DVD entertainment system... It is well built and has these gorgeous 20" polished aluminum 5 spoke wheels. Plus its styling is very macho!

Yeah man, my older guy is almost 4 & the baby just turned 16 months!

fedlawman

An off-lease 2007 or 2008 Tahoe would look good parked next to your TSX. They are easy to find and cheap.

nyccarguy

So one of the true joys of homeownership is handwashing the car. I washed the TSX by hand for the first time in its short life & boy did it need a serious cleaning. I wanted to compund & wax the car too, but it is too humid here in CT. The TSX looks great!

bodble2

I thought I had read somewhere that whatever grand plans they had for the RL have now been scrapped. Not 100% sure where I read it, or that it's accurate though. Personally I think Honda should forget about competing with the big boys and get back to what made them successful.

bodble2

The TSX, arguably, is Honda/Acura's best-looking vehicle right now. Of course, that could also be an indictment of the rest of their lineup!

smarty666

Yes, Acura scrapped the RWD/V8 talk for the next RL. They haven't said a clue as to what they are planning on doing with it but they need to do something major, sales would tend to emphatically say that as well.

hpmctorque

The TSX is indeed the best looking Acura, in my opinion too. Better looking than the Accord, also, but the Accord EX-L 4 cylinder is, arguably, a better value.

nyccarguy

On paper, you can argue that an Accord EXL NAVI - (4cyl) is a very similar car to the 4cyl TECH TSX. Largely due to the fact that the TSX is a european Accord. If you put value on bigger & less expensive, then yes, the Accord EXL-NAV will suit you just fine. If you place a premium on the driving experience, then hands down the TSX is the car for you.

Drive the 2 cars back to back and you'll see the difference. I bought mine (TSX) last year during cash for clunkers. There was a point where I didn't think I could get the TSX I wanted, so I figured to go with an Accord EXL V6 NAV. I drove the Accord and liked it, but didn't love it the way I loved the TSX. Coupled with the fact that the Accord was selling for MSRP turned me off to it. Now If the Accord were selling for invoice like it should minus my cash for clunkers rebate, then I might have had to think twice.

I actually paid $1000 under MSRP (not invoice) for my wife's 2010 TSX 11 months ago. We're really happy with the car and hope we can keep it for a long time to come.

hpmctorque

Good points. I prefer the more compact dimensions of the TSX over the Accord. What was it, specifically, about the respective driving experiences of these two cars that made the TSX your hands down choice?

Incidentally, I noticed that the TSX weighs a little more than the 4-cylinder Accord EX-L, which suggests that it may have more content.

If driving feel is your priority, you may want to compare the TSX with the Audi A4 Quattro 2.0T. To me, the Audi turbo 4 feels more satisfying than the Acura 2.4, and the Audi chassis feels more refined. The tradeoff is probably reliability. That's improved with the Audi, but if you keep your cars beyond the warranty period, I'm almost certain the cost of ownership would be lower, maybe meaningfully so, with the TSX.

nyccarguy

The TSX handled better and just overall road feel & suspension tuning. A quick look at the specs show that besides a shorter wheelbase & shorter overall dimensions, the TSX actually has a thicker rear anti-roll bar.

I actually considered an A4 2.0T Avant (Wagon), but the rear of the wagon is too raked & it impedes on the cargo area. The A4 is a nice car. Much more expensive than the TSX & once the warranty runs out be prepared to trade in or pony up $$$.

robr2

I wanted to compund & wax the car too

Don't compound. More than likely a good claying and proper wax will fix things.

nyccarguy

I washed it again & gave it a good hand wax. Looks spectacular!

hdjcpa

If I can join in. I have owned and driven honda accords for over 25 years straight. However last year I purchased 2010 TSX (my first acura) auto w/tech (4 cyl). I agree hands down that there's no comparison. The accord is a nice, well built reliable car. But The TSX is very well built (Japan factory where they made the NSX) with more luxury and more features standard than you can even get in the accord. Everything is standard: fog lights, rear camera, hid headlights, longer factory warranty including TLC warranty (towing for 4 years), memory driver seat, and the greatest sound system I have ever heard, and more. I know you need to put hi-test gas in it, but the extra $100 or so a year is well worth it for me (and the hi-test is a cleaner gas anyway). I have 14,000 mile on the TSX now, and its still a thrill for me everytime I get in and drive it.

hpmctorque

The fact that the TSX weighs a little more than the 4 cylinder Accord EX-L, despite its trimmer dimensions, supports your point that the TSX has more features than the highest trim-line Accord.

Thanks for your input.

nj2pa2nc

I own a 06 tsx and my mom has a 08 Honda Accord-ex-v-6. My tsx has more goodies than her car. I use regular gas in my tsx without any problems, excellent gas mileage with more than enough power. I have all the service done by acura/honda dealers. They compliment me on how well my car is maintained. I bought it new 11/17/06. It now has almost 110,000 Problem free miles. Love it.