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Acura TSX
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Later...AH
When the price is known, someone will post it without having to be asked.
Since the rear seat of an RX-8 is "usable" for 2 adults, if you can live with the very small trunk and never need to carry 3 in back, I think an RX-8 is somewhat comparable if you have $27-$30K to spend on a car.
Is anyone considering both?
Plus, it is cheaper, better mileage, lower insurance, a spare tire, yada yada yada. I try to avoid listening to my practical side if I can help it.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I guess Mazda assumes that if you get a flat, well, hey, you've got roadside assistance anyway, right?
If I were considering a RX-8 I spring for the spare tire.
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But according to an article I recently read (C&D??), the problem with run flats is that all manufacturers recommend replacing them anytime you run them flat.
kyfdx
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http://www.edmunds.com/news/regularnews/articles/63929/article.ht- ml
The question remains, however -- what good is a tire pressure monitoring system if a driver can't be bothered to actually put air in their tires.
Maybe this is a regulation that's intended to let the tire and auto manufacturers do the CYA thing. As long as drivers are AWARE that they're driving on under-inflated tires, the manufacturers are absolved of liability. In that respect it makes good sense, but I still don't like the government making cars more expensive for those of us who know how to use a tire gauge.
Yes, it will protect tire and automakers from liability. But at least a warning light might force some people to take car of their vehicles and perhaps realize it's up to them and not the James Sokolov's of the world to fix their problems.
The systems being implemented are actually pretty cheap. It uses the ABS sensors to measure tire revolutions. When a certain threshold of differential is reached on a tire, it sets off the warning light.
On topic - does the TSX currently have a pressue monitoring system?
See the NHTSA site for more info.
I believe you can get an aftermarket TPMS installed on your car for about $100 from many tire dealers, if you're the type who is ignorant or forgetful enough to not check your tire pressure periodically.
"I believe you can get an aftermarket TPMS installed on your car for about $100 from many tire dealers, if you're the type who is ignorant or forgetful enough to not check your tire pressure periodically." I presume you are using the generalization of "you" here??
Yes, "You" as in "I believe one can get an aftermarket TPMS installed on one's car for about $100 from many tire dealers, if one is the type who is ignorant or forgetful enough to not check one's tire pressure periodically." Sorry if the wording might have sounded offensive...
[begin rant mode]
As an aside, I can't believe how many cars I see on the highway with low tire pressure! It makes me want to write a big note that says "YOU HAVE A FLAT TIRE!" and stick it on my window when I pass those fools!
[end rant mode]
TPMS are a good idea. I bet if you can wait for the 2005 TSX, it will have the TPMS somehow integrated into the NAV or a dashboard warning light indicating such.
I'm hoping I can wait a new vehicle. The body shop calls me almost every day "we think we found some more damage..."
Honda Factory Performance is expanding its lineup with the addition of an all-new, dealer-installed performance package for the 2003 Honda Accord V-6 Coupe to dealerships nationwide. The package features a high-performance, sport-tuned suspension with recalibrated shocks and springs, new wheels and tires, and an aerodynamic rear spoiler and lower body kit.
Accord Coupe FP:
High-performance pre-assembled springs that reduce the ride height by one-inch and lower the Accord's roll center
High-performance shock absorbers tuned for enhanced road handling characteristics
17-inch 215/50VR-17 Yokohama tires (AT models only; standard on MT models)
Full aerodynamic under-body kit (front, sides and rear)
Rear wing spoiler
Factory Performance interior and exterior badging.
The Accord FP package can be installed on any new 2003 Accord V-6 Coupe (manual or automatic transmissions) and must be installed by a Honda dealership. Suggested retail pricing for the Accord Factory Performance package, not including installation costs, starts at $4,204 for AT versions and $3,492 for MT versions.
The Honda FP package carries the same 3-year/36,000 mile warranty as all Honda Accessory equipment and does not affect the factory warranty. An additional benefit is the ability to include the cost of the FP package in new vehicle financing arrangements.
That's roughly $23,000 for the car, another $4,000 for the Factory "Performance" kit, plus ~8 hours @$75 per for labor (another $600). To sum it up, roughly $28K gets you a lowered Accord with a bodykit, with no additional stop or go power.
Oh, boy! Such a deal.
If Honda hadn't been so concerned with acceptance in the mainstream over the last 10 years, maybe they would've built a couple of cars that don't require gussying-up. (To wit, the RX-8 would've been a spectacular Honda.)
The Civic hybrid is a neat idea, but most other car builders have hybrids in the works, so it's hardly unique. Besides, even if a Civic hybrid buyer is truly convinced that they're doing something (anything?) positive for the environment, there's no good financial case for buying the hybrid over a plain ol' petrol burner.
The S2000 comes to mind. What makes the RX-8 any better than the S2000? The rear seats? Neither the Supra or 2+2 300ZX were hot-sellers. With only 159 lb-ft of torque you might as well buy a TSX or G35 and have a real 4 door car. The automatic RX-8 only has 210HP vs. the TSX's 200HP. Neither are going to win many stop-light wars.
As for the Element, regardless of who Honda is selling them to, they are selling them ... quick. And in most cases they are selling close to MSRP.
The Civic Hybrid was the first "real" car in the US to offer hybrid technology. Sure there are some new models coming out with the technology (kind of like Saturn having the 4-door coupe first) but the Insight, Prius, and Civic Hybrid were pioneers. Just as much of a case can be made for those cars as one can for a 1.3L engine which uses as much gas as a V6 and has less torque than my 4 cylinder Accord. At least a Hybrid gets 50 MPG or more.
iTS KINDA' LIKE SUSHI... hard to swallow at at first but it GROWS on you. Its my wifes her idea...me not too crazy about it...now I love it. The interior is cool and its starting to look like a Mini H3 (yeah right!)
My current insurance company substituted a 2003 2.3TL to determine the rate, which was their "closest match" to the TSX.
Has anyone had other difficulties in obtaining accurate insurance quotes specific to the TSX?
I maybe purchasing a TSX soon. What are people in the San Francisco Bay Area paying for the TSX w/ nav and manual? I got a quote from Steven's Creek for $500 below MSRP. Is this a good deal? Thanks.
This pumped up V6 should help Acura TSX. I too prefer a V6 engine for performance. It's about time Acura seen that if they are going to offer an upscale model, then put a 6 banger under the hood.
With V6, the TSX will only get heavier, right on the nose, something that may require additional tweaks to the suspension setup to balance it out. And if it does happen, I hope it comes with LSD.
However, given the pace at which TSX is selling (almost 3000 units in July!), I doubt we will see a more powerful version any time soon. At least not before the new RL is released.
This indeed was a TSX S-type concept model they were showing. They indicated it would most likely appear October 2004. The auto show I was watching was on ESPN2. It comes on at Friday from 3:30-4:00; then anther came on from 4:00-4:30 and finally 4:30-5:00 (eastern standard time). One was the New York, Chicago and an International one.
I believe Acura would take the necessary steps to reinforce the front-end (larger brakes, stablizer bars, tires and etc) to make this competitive. It would have about 240 hp (similar to the V6 Accord's engine). This is not unheard of because Nissan uses their award winning VQ 3.5 & 4.5 series engines throughout their Infiniti and Nissan product lines with slight modifications (depending on the vehicle).
By the way (as several others have already posted and actual photos are available), the Acura TL (according to ESPN2's auto show host too) will come with 280hp.
I'm sure many of you are aware that the TSX is the European Honda Accord outside the states. I think its a very nice car in which I will take a great interest in should they sell a "S-type" version.
Anyone else think that '04 TSX prices will dip below invoice when the '05 arrives?
The question I have, Is Acura going to increase the volume of TSX soon? They sold 3000 units in July! Or perhaps they will watch how the new TL affects TSX sales. If higher volume keeps up, it will make the task easier to get a deal on the TSX.
So Honda, please do it! If this happens, all the hoopla will shift to the V6 car, and we'll be able to cut some great deals on the 4-cyl.
Actually BMW's upcoming 1-series is starting to look better all the time. It will likely have a 2.0 valvetronic motor of around 180-hp, RWD and a weight of under 2700 lbs. If they can keep the price around $25K, I see this as a lot of competition for the TSX.
- Mark
A V6-powered TSX will put some hurt on a big bunch of cars -- Accord V6, Maxima, Altima V6, E/IS300, A4, 330i, G35, etc.
As long as the handling doesn't suffer too much, I can definately get behind that!
Right now, I'm paying about $1,000 a year to insure a 1996 Civic (I keep full coverage, because it's a popular car for thieves to steal, and San Diego seems to be in the middle of an auto theft epidemic).
I had been shopping around for a 325i, C230, G35, S60, et al, when I finally decided on the TSX, which I plan to buy by the end of August. My agent was able to give me quotes for all those other cars, which ran between $1,500 and $1,700 a year. I'm guessing maybe the TSX will be in that range too, perhaps a little less. But it's still a Honda product.. and a lot of Hondas are on the "most wanted" list for thieves, because the parts are so valuable, and Hondas are popular cars to modify among the "Fast and Furious" set.
xplorx4 -- what part of the country are you in, and what did your agent quote you for the TL coverage? I can't recall exactly how much coverage I have right now, but it's comfortably above the minimum for California. I do remember bumping up my liability to $300,000 last year, because I had bought a condo, and wanted more coverage, so if I did cause some nasty wreck, at least I wouldn't lose my home. I'm selling my condo right now, so I might be able to bring my liability back down to $100,000 or less. That could make a huge difference.
Anyway, those of you in SD, Orange, or Riverside Counties, please pass along info on Acura dealers who are willing to deal, and what you're paying for a decent (not minimal) level of insurance coverage.
I drove down from Seattle to San Francisco last Thursday and the TSX was a pure joy! I made over 400 miles per tankful, and averaged a hair over 30 MPG...with A/C on and more than a little exuberant driving.
On straight, smooth pavement, the TSX is pure GT...it's quiet, compliant, and the seats are suprememly comfortable. When the road gets twisty however, it's as though the TSX transforms it's character. The car just hunkers down and attacks curves..this car changes direction like a go-cart!
I even got to play a little with some other cars on the road, and discovered the TSX is more than powerful enough to play with the big boys...even in the canyons.
I played a little with a 3.5L Altima and got the jump on him the first time. He was doing about 65 on I-5 as I slowly came up from behind him. As I got closer, I could see him checking me out in his rear view mirror, so I downshifted to 3rd gear and waited...right foot poised. Sure enough, he thought he'd show me up and punched it...but I was already on the gas!
I hung with him until we both lost our nerve to go any faster. We slowed back down for a couple of miles, then I downshifted to 3rd and tried to blow by him. Unfortunately, I didn't get the jump on him this time, and soon I was again looking at his tail pipes.
Some time later, I played a little cat and mouse with a 325i. This game was more entertaining because we were so evenly matched. These two cars are so close in power and weight, and it shows on the street. At any speed, in any gear, on straight and curvy roads, neither one of us could get the jump on the other. If one of these cars has an advantage over the other, only a racetrack would reveal it.
Anyways, I love my TSX...it is a true touring car on I-5, and a superior canyon carver in the San Mateo hills. I can't wait for the drive home tomorrow!
C'mon, be realistic here.
On the interstate it's not always the car that loses the "race". I infuriated a Maxima SE in my 1993 Civic EX by hanging with him up to 120mph. Not a happy camper at all to see a gumdrop green EX coupe riding his tail at that speed. He could have left my had he been willing to go all out, but in a car like that, all out is straight to jail stuff.
I don't regret buying our EX-L 5 speed coupe not one bit. Well maybe a little now that the 6-speeds are out. But I'd have lost my driver's license by now if I had one of those.