Acura TSX

uncledavid

If you want a smooth ride, and then is a high priority, do not get the TSX. It has a stiff, busy ride. It isn't even as a comfortable as your Accord. I went from a '96 Accord to a TSX and feel that there is a big drop in quality of ride. I'm not complaining, because I love my vehicle, but it is the wrong car to buy if you want a smooth ride.

automophile

I would start to feel uncomfortable if my "new" car had more than 20-30 miles on it. the MINIMUM seems to be about 7-10, for some reason. Ours had never been driven at the dealer's (still had the protective film on) and had about 12-14 on it.

I always worry that some yahoo might have abused the car during a test drive and damaged the engine, trans, etc. No matter what the dealers say, ALL new cars need a careful break-in (another topic). I didn't do it 2 cars ago, and paid for it with really bad gas mileage for the entire lease term.

tommyijr

and things could not be better. This car seems to ride better each passing day, little noises that seem to be talked about in these rooms have vanished. This is similiar to the RSX, the car I had for a year before I test drove the TSX....As time went on the RSX kept performing better, I am starting to see and feel this in the TSX as well. But, the real thing I love about this car is the following, here in Richmond, VA where I live I have yet to see another around, anywhere...how cool is that? Not like those Jettas that are everywhere. I love this car, it's quick, responsive, comfortable and, stylish without being guerish.....Oh, went to the local dealership today to check out the new TL, looks like the TSX's big brother, nice car....maybe in a few years, I am not done enjoying this ride yet.

eandylee

Which one is better?

2003 TL vs 2004 TSX

Thanks...

kyfdx

Which one is better?

2003 TL vs. 2004 TSX at $1000-1500 more?

blueguydotcom

Point of view is what matters. I prefer athletic handling and nimble vehicle. The TL offers neither.

venus537

that would be the 2003 tl. 2004 tl promises to more athletic especially with the bigger tires and manual tranny.

blueguydotcom

that would be the 2003 tl. 2004 tl promises to more athletic especially with the bigger tires and manual tranny.

2004 TL is priced much higher though. 33k v. 27k for a TSX.

walterchan

Is this Acura TSX topic still active. Now 30 days without any new messages.

kyfdx

Anyone getting a good deal 7 months later? I have to get a car by the end of the year, and even though I've been looking at other cars, a TSX at $1000-1500 off sounds appealing.

regards,
kyfdx

markjenn

I'd check www.clubtsx.com and see what deals people are getting. Both demand and supply seem to be steady. Prices seems to be holding pretty steady at a few hundred off MSRP in most markets, although occasionally someone swings a much better deal.

- Mark

anonymousposts

According to hondanews.com Acura has already met it's yearly expectation of TSX sales with 2 months to go. Not sure what the supply is like but that can't be good for invoice shoppers like myself.

tommyijr

I was at my dealership getting the oil change and saw only one TSX on the lot, the dealer I dealt with was telling me that has been norm since the TL came out, still no real dealing, maybe on some of the small extras like mudflaps ect......Also, manuals were a longer wait.

fedlawman

"In the same general category as edge-of-luxury sedans with prestige nameplates such as the Audi A4, BMW 325i, and Lexus IS300."

"Its 2.4L DOHC 16-valve four is rated for 200 hp and 166 ft lbs of torque. Mated with the standard 6 speed manual, that's enough to produce 0 to 60 sprints in the low-seven-second range."

"The TSX is light on its feet and as responsive as a polo pony, and its list of standard features is pretty much unbeatable."

wowser1

Hi, I was wondering if any TSX owners can tell me if there is any onboard computer on the TSX? I remember seeing an outside temperature but no MPG, miles left on tank, etc readings. I would be surprised if there were none being such a techno car. Also, I can't find any photos of the beige (parchment, I think they call it) interior. All of the photos on Acura's website, brochures all show black! I know the black looks good, but at least show the beige somewhere! Thanks!

chrisbolt

http://images.auction123.com/A123IH/2ef087da-cb26-475d-9ddc-04ed4- 68cf932/JH4CL96864C003395/12/webimage001l.jpg

From an ebaymotors auction.

xplorx4

If you get the $2000 navigation system option, all of those functions you mentioned are available. If you don't get a navigation system, you don't get any of those "trip computer"-type features, and they cannot be added at a later date.

wowser1

Thanks xplorx4, I am planning on getting the nav, so I am so happy to hear I'll have those functions that I am used to in my car now. The sales guy I had said the car I drove (with nav) had no computer functions!

Thanks chrisbolt for the photo. I find it odd that Acura doesn't picture the beige anywhere. They must really want to sell the black, which looks awesome, btw.

uncledavid

Can't say I'm all that impressed by all these various lists and rankings. I love my TSX, but I don't think C & D's top 10 list makes the TSX any better than the M6. Both cars are excellent vehicles.

fedlawman

"I don't think C & D's top 10 list makes the TSX any better than the M6."

Agreed.

I care more about luxury, long-term reliability, value, build quality, powertrain refinement, interior and exterior elegance, material quality, and dealer service.

Of course, making the 10 best list doesn't hurt...

gee35coupe

That was hilarious. 6 guesses...HHAAAA!!!! Looks like those "in the know" know which car carries the torch.

gee35coupe

to hang around dealer lots. It's all tuckered out now.

pat

No, no, no, no ... we are not going to turn this into another Mazda folks vs. Honda folks discussion.

Please stick to the TSX, thank you.

squirreljam

...gets pretty cold in winter, eh?

regfootball

gots to put a lil' leather bootie on it then!

gpsiir

Well, I did it, got a meteor silver TSX/auto with navi. Struggled with the extra $4000 (BTW, $29000 OTD) I spent over an Accord ex-l/navi, but after test driving the TSX, couldn't resist the fun-factor of the TSX. Drove/fell in love with the manual, but no manual/navi in the state of Colorado for the next 60 days... ah well, the sport shift is kinda neat. Driven about 100 miles so far (hey, only had it 12 hours so far), but that has reinforced my opinion.... this is a FUN car, and driving is virtually effortless. So far, averaging 30 mpg, and took it up to 100mph with no effort (an accident, actually, I just floored it to pass in a 75mph zone, and... whoops, 100 mph). Handling is unbelievable, the "sportiest" car I've driven is a 2003 accord, the TSX is way better. How does the TSX handling compare to BMW's? Only a few negatives: 1) cup holders in center console are cheap, the accord's have little spring-loaded "fingers" that hold a cup solidly (hey, I hit a few curves hard and had my cup almost fly out) why not in the TSX? 2) Glove box is too small, and storage space in general is sparce. 3) It occurs to me that any spills on the perforated leather seats will soak in like they was cloth (so, no drinks in my toy unless they have a lid ;-)

twillia

I know this was previously discussed, but I could not find a definite answer in the previous posts. Does anyone know the official 0-60mph number for the TSX automatic? MSN Auto says it's 9.7 seconds, but I think that is a little high since the number they give for the manual is 8.5 seconds but I have seen in 7.? seconds quoted in Car&Drive and other car magazines.

Thanks.

Tony

crazybabydoc

http://www.motortrend.com/features/scenes/112_0312_coy_bts/

I hope that's an auto.

talon95

The figure quoted in the caption in the link is different from the value listed in the magazine. It shows 0-60 in 8.1 seconds, "a full two seconds less than the Acura TL" which had a 6.1 second time. The TL time was listed twice in the article, so it's a good bet that it's correct. So I'm also guessing that the comparative reference between the TL and TSX was correct, so the TSX time of 8.1 seconds is probably correct as well.

Anyway, the tested TSX was a manual.

gpsiir

When you do searches on the 'net, you find numbers anywhere from 7.0 to 8.1 seconds for the manual, and in "sport shift" mode, the automatic seems to be about .2 to .5 seconds slower. Mine's quick enough for me, and averaging 29.8 mpg is worth losing a race or two off the line to a Mazda 6 or Accord V6 (my research on those cars had the Mazda getting 24 mpg, and the Accord I *know* averages 25-26 mpg.)

combustible1

some of that benefit is negated by the premium fuel cost. The Mazda 6 takes regular.

I did the math on it once, and in spite of higher fuel cost, you would still come out ahead with the TSX over the 6.. but only marginally (sp?).

gpsiir

True, supposedly you can used lower octane at reduced performance (-5hp? -15hp?), dunno what that would do to the gas mileage. I'll try it in a couple of tanks and post my results here.

varmint

Different magazines use different testing procedures. That makes comparing them a little fuzzy. MSN times are almost always slower than others, while MT *tends* to be faster.

Most put the 6 speed between 7 and 8 seconds. I'm finding that the auto is significantly slower with times of 8 to 9 seconds.

uncledavid

The 0-60 times published by MSN were a bit slow, and they were also for 0-62 MPH not 0-60 (because it was convert from kilometers - it was a Canadian review).

The time on MT's webpage is a misprint. The actual print form of that publication has 8.1 seconds for the manual (which is not far from what other sources have gotten). However, the webpage says 8.6.

The Honda Accord EX 4-cyl has several benchmarked times with the Auto in the 8.5 second range. I'm guessing that the TSX is just a few ticks faster. The TSX has a lot more HP, but you won't fee the effects of that until it get rolling. ANd, the TSX is heavier with bigger tires and wheels.

So, I'd guess that the "real" numbers are 7.5 to 8.0 seconds for the manual, and about 8.0 to 8.5 for the automatic.

gpsiir

I've read a couple of places that you can do better with the "sport shift" on the automatic...?

uncledavid

but, the sportshift is really a weak substitute for a manual tranny. If you going to shift manually, I'd get the 6MT (and often wish I had!).

gpsiir

Well, got about 400 miles on the car in 5 days, so far so good. Getting new tires, the Michelin's that are on it, in a word, suck. No snow traction whatsoever (nearly got stuck in 2 inches of snow on a slight hill, thank you VSA!). Waffled between the Pirelli P Zero Nero M+S Ultra High Performance All-Season and the Continental ContiExtremeContact, finally went to the Conti's. Bit cheaper ('bout $200 less on 4 tires), and better ratings in the snow. Let you know how they work. MPG on the first tank is 29, so happy with that. Noticed a slight "squeaking" noise between the window and the dash on the passenger side when the car is cold, goes away after awhile. I'll take it in to the dealer if it persists. Lots of fun.

TSX/Auto/Navi/Meteor Silver

combustible1

well.. if I had my way, that would be the EXACT model spec I would get too.

good choice.. I would choose the quartz interior for myself, so that would be the only thing we could possibly differ on.

A TSX doesn't seem to be in the cards for me, however.

kyfdx

only come with the quartz interior?

sjmurray3

Can you get XM radio on a TSX?

gpsiir

Has the quartz interior...., Actually, wanted red with the beige interior, but color choices are limited in Colorado. Searched the 'net, found just about every combo of colors/manual-navi's I had wanted in California, sigh. 'Sokay, happy with mine.

gpsiir

Dealer told me I could, but I had to give up the CD holder. Dunno what it would cost.... take a look at this link "http://instantox.com/tsx/" for install instructions. Ah, found it, $449, dunno if that's installed.

gpsiir

Well, replaced the Michelins with Contiextreme's 4 days ago, big difference in the snow, but seem a bit noisier. Possibly they will "quiet up" when they wear in a bit? The tires seem to, dunno how to describe it, develope a "flat spot"? sitting over night. When I first take off in the morning, the tires feel out of balance, then after 5-10 minutes, they smooth out. Handling seems the same, but I haven't really had a chance to push the tires. If I were doing it again, I'd get the Pirelli P-Zero Nero M+S tires. Maybe in the summer.... The Conti's cost me $210 with the Michelin's traded in, so not bad....

combustible1

red, I like that color too, and it's not very popular with the TSX crowd, so it would be a good color to have if you want to be unique.

As far as the tires go, I assume those are winter tires you got? If so, they'll definitely be louder as they have a more aggressive tread pattern. Don't think you can have one without the other.

gpsiir

"The Continental ContiExtremeContact is an Ultra High Performance All-Season radial that was developed to satisfy the year-round driving needs of sports car, coupe, sedan and light truck drivers by blending dry and wet road performance with light snow and slush traction.", from the Tire rack website, so suppose to be all season, has a good snow rating from 561 reviews, but noisier, I'm hoping the noise gets better as the tires wear in a bit. The michelins I took off had 1000 miles already on them, so they were "broke in", which may explain why they were quieter (sucked in the snow though). Getting ready to fill up with my second tank, think I'll try regular gas instead of premium, one of the engineers calculated that the altitude of Colorado Springs (+6200 feet) allows the use of regular gas with no effective loss of power (don't ask me, he is some kind of chemical/mechanical engineer, I'm a software/satellite engineer). I also came across a report on another forum of a guy that tried 87 octane in the TSX and had a 1-3 MPG improvement, and was wondering why....?

tommyijr

I was taking my RSX-s into get an oil change when I first saw the TSX Milano Red w/ the Parchment interior, 6sp....Fell for it instantly, I had many dealings w/ this dealership already so to make a long story short, I took ownership later that day. The color is unique which I like, in fact every time I see another TSX it is either Silver or Black. Honestly, the color got me but the car itself has really hooked me, I'd take it in any color now, as long as it's maual...

wowser1

I have the chance at an '04, BMW 325i auto, with moonroof for $299 and $3k driveoff or an 04 TSX with nav for $386 and $1k driveoff. Both are leases. The 325 is for 39 months and the TSX is 48.

I've test driven both and like both. The TSX wins when it comes to creature comforts and interior, but the 325 looks better and has more style and drives slightly better. I love both cars but the 325 at $299 is a screaming deal that won't last. I am really torn on this and need to act fast. HELP!

jmess

A better deal is the IS300 which is going at pretty close to invoice. You can get a loaded car with a real limited slip diff. More HP and torque than the 325; higher rated service and quality. Why pay extra for HIDs and metallic paint on a 325?

kdshapiro

"Why pay extra for HIDs and metallic paint on a 325?"

In the longer run you might be happier with the BMW.

gee35coupe

We need to check the option list for the Bimmer. 325i Auto can mean a lot of things in a BMW. They sure make strippo versions of that car.