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Acura TSX
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ConsumerGuide justed gave the 2005 TSX the highest numerical score in the "premium compact" category, and named it "Best Buy."
http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/new/reviews/full/index.cfm/id/- 38061
Car and Driver has the Acura TSX on its "top 10" list for the second year in a row.
Most recent C & D test of the TSX:
http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=15&article- _id=8550
Would someone please let me know if there is a trip computer in the TSX? I remember one on the right side of the instrument cluster on the TL.
Thanks. Also, please let me know how the car handles in snow and whether you use snow tires and, if so, do you use 16 inch rims?
The TL and TSX should both handle OK in the snow. Both cars come standard with all-season tires. With the TSX, most drivers who get snow tires opt for 16 inch rims.
The 9-3 was removed from Consumer Reports' recommended list for reliability problems, so I'd give it a pass.
We own an Audi A4 1.8T and an TSX. Take this for what it is worth, but I personally think the TSX is the superior vehicle overall.
Is premium a requirement?
Thanks
I'm 6'-4" and 230...will I fit in this car?
While I appreciate the sporty nature of this car, I do have to drive significant hwy miles for work. Is the car comfortable for long hwy stretches?
Can the nav really be worth 7% of the value of the vehicle. I've never had one and I need some convincing from you nav fans out there.
What kind of mileage are you getting? Do you really have to use 91 oct? The dealer already told me (a fib?) that, wink, wink, it will run fine on regular, just a little less hp.
Are you happy with the OE tires? (I can replace tires on a new vehicle with less than 500 mi at little or no cost).
That's enough for now, I'm sure there will be more later. Thanks for your feedback.
I'm 6', 215 and fit fine. No problems with headroom due to sunroof. The only "fit" problem I have is the door knob pokes me in the arm when I rest my left arm on the driver's door. But, the only way to really tell is sit in one.
I've taken a couple of fairly long (200+ miles) highway trips and haven't had any comfort issues. The seats are very comfortable and supportive. Not as good as Volvo seats, but still fine to me.
I don't have the navigation system - I didn't need it. Others say they can't live without it. If you're traveling a lot, I can see where it could come in handy. Others have bought hand held GPS systems for much less.
My gas mileage is improving as the car gets more miles on it. I'm now getting 25 city, 32 hwy on 93 octane gas (we don't have 91 where I am). I know people say 87 or 89 is okay, but the manufacturer recommends premium so I use it. Not to be harsh, but if you're worried about the extra .20/gallon look at an Accord (or other car that runs on regular). Doesn't make sense to spend $25000+ on a car and then skimp on gas.
The OE Michelin's are a little loud and can be a bit slippery in the rain. They wear well, though, but due to their cost I'll look at another brand when the time comes.
Hope this helps.
I don't have navi.
The engine is designed for premium fuel. While it won't harm the engine, using regular will decrease performace and gas milegae to the point where the trade off of cost per gallon / mile per gallon will be negligible. Use premium. If you want the best mileage, get an accord.
If you travel a lot I think it would be worth the investment for you to get NAV on your TSX. With unexpected road closings and other emergencies (such as getting a craving for Chinese food in the middle nowhere), I think the NAV is worth the money.
Johnny
Used TSX's are a bad buy, because the car retains its value well and the supply of used and demo vehicles is tight. I'd just buy a new 2005 if I were you.
I do see your point about used TSX's. It's a little early in the game to consider one of those. Maybe in a year or so.
Johnny
Does anyone know anything about this?
Thanks
I have the NAV and would definitely buy it again. It was a huge help when I was in FL before the election and driving in unfamiliar areas. It's especially useful when the basic street pattern is straightforward (e.g., a grid.) And it's a huge help to be able to punch in points of interest on the fly (nearest Target, nearest pizza, nearest gas station, nearest ATM, etc.) Maps just don't cut it after you've had Nav, esp. if you're often the only one in the car.
But NAV systems still have a LONG way to go to replace local knowledge. Un a city like Washington, DC, for instance, which has a lot of traffic circles, diagonal streest, routes that wind along rivers or through parks that are longer but faster than the "direct" path, and traffic chokepoints that slow some roads WAY down below their intended speeds, NAV often suggests routes that are suboptimal. Don't expect NAV to be much help if you spend all your time driving in familiar areas.
My MPG has varied. In FL (heavy on highways) it averaged close to 30 over the first 15K miles. In DC (heavy on stop-and-go) it's been closer to 21 over the most recent 1K miles. I've used 93 exclusively. (And I always smile when car manufacturers say "91" since I'm not sure I've ever been at a gas station (other than a Sunoco) where the choices aren't 87, 89, 93.
The two areas where the TSX has been less than perfect are seating and turning radius. The seats are fine for trips of up to 2 or 3 hours. (But they are nowhere near as comfortable as Saab or Volvo seats on longer hauls) Also, the lack of memory seating is a problem if you share the car with another driver. Finally, the turning radius of the TSX is AWFUL. It's worse than most SUV's. As a result, it's a pain to parallel park the car and to manuever it in tight garages. What in 95% of other cars would be a tight u-turn becomes a 3 point turn in the TSX.
But the TSX is a fine car overall. (And a GREAT choice for the money.)
No full throttle acceleration or hard braking for the first 600 miles.
Johnny
1) I LOVE the seats in my TSX,and can drive for hours without feeling the least bit sore. I'm not offering that perspective as a counterpoint to what you are saying because I respect that YOU don't personally find the seats comfortable. I think seating is a personal issue and a lot of TSX owners love the seats.
2) The turning circle on most Honda products is wide, and it tends to be especially wide on the vehicles with large tires (like the more sporty sedans). That said, the TSX's turning circle was intially reported to be something like 39.8 which is A LOT LESS than a typical SUV. That number turned out to be inaccurate, and Acura is now claiming a turning circle closer to 38, which is on par with most other vehicles in this class.
At first we looked at the new beetle convertible. But after further review, putting a 2 and 4 1/2 y/o in the back seat did not seem like a 'wise' move on our part.
So we looked at the Saab's. We love the looks but cost and reliability have created enough doubt in my mind.
So after going over Edmunds.com for hours I come across the TSX. Seems like a good fit for me to commute with allowing my wife to use the TL and Suburban as needed.
My story FWIW.
Also, anyone ever attach a tow hitch to the TSX? I'd like to have one for so I can use a bike rack.
I live in a densely populated urban area too (I work in downtown Los Angeles, and live right outside the city). I have no problems parallel parking whatsoever.
Again, however, let me be clear to emphasize that some of the issues are individual. I'm not trying to discount something that you don't like about the TSX. I'm just saying that I drive the same vehicle and don't have a similar problem.
2005 Acura TSX - 40.0 ft.
2005 Honda Accord EX - 36.1 ft.
2005 BMW 330i - 34.4 ft.
2005 Lexus IS300 - 34.1 ft.
2005 Acura MDX - 38.0 ft.
2005 Lexus RX330 - 37.4 ft.
2005 Toyota 4Runner - 37.4 ft.
So I stand by my comments: The TSX turning circle is HUGE -- substantially bigger than other 4 door sports sedans, and, for that matter, bigger than many SUVs. And it definitely negatively impacts parallel parking and other tight manuevers.
I thought that was worth pointing out to prospective buyers because it's something many people WON'T pick up on til AFTER buying their cars. (That was never part of my test drive "routine" in the past, though it will be in the future.)
But I hope uncledavid and others who seemed offended that I'd point out this TSX shortcoming didn't miss the OVERALL point of my post, which is that I LIKE my AT/NAV TSX, and I think it's a great value for the $$$.
As to the turning circle, I really don't know what the truth is on that issue. When I bought the vehicle last year, the turning circle was something like 39.8 in the TSX brochure. In this year's brochure, it is closer to 38. Most of the media reports are based on the first number, not the revised number.
But, whatever the case, I certainly do not find the TSX hard to park or clumsy to maneuver. For ME (and, again, this may not be the case for you and that is fine) turning circle is a non-issue.
There are some things I don't like about the TSX, but the issues you raise have not been a factor for ME. I love the seats, think the car is easy to park and maneuver in tight spots. But, I also think the ride is too harsh, and I've been less than thrilled with Acura service.
Also, comparing it to RWD cars really isn't fair.. though I will admit.. it does have a turning radius somewhat bigger than normal..
regards,
kyfdx
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kyfdx - I think the comparison to RWD is a key issue here. I've been driving Honda FWD vehicles for 15 years or so. One reason turning ciricle is a non-issue to me is that all my vehicles have had a RELATIVELY large turning circle. That said, I really don't see how turning circle would impact on parallel parking.
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As for the comparisons with the coupe, I'd say it is a notch worse. My last two cars where Accord EX Coupes. Neither vehicle had a particularly nice ride. However, the TSX has a less comfrotable ride than either.
Of course, one question is how this vehicle compares to others in the class. My daily driver is the TSX, my sister has an A4, and my father had a 3-series. The A4 and Beemer both have summer tires, and both ride about as stiffly as the TSX (although the TSX has all season tires). So, I think the issue here is not specific to the TSX but has to do with sport suspension and low profile tires.
My impression of the AT is that it is the very best automatic that Honda has ever made. It is responsive, smooth as butter, and never seems to be in the wrong gear. It is not bad as a manumatic, and I use that feature almost every day.
But, the car seems to be a lot happier with the 6MT (which, I also drove, and loved). It is also easier to control the torque curve with the manual. IMO, the 6MT is the way to go if your lifestyle will support it.
BTW, in most parts of the country, the 5AT holds it's value better than a 6MT. I personally see that as a non-issue though.
I don't have a link to the AUTOMOBILE article. I have to say though that I found that article to be total trash. In fact, over at the TSX enthusiast site, we were all laughing at how badly done it was. A better, more objective test of the TSX is in a recent issue of Consumer Reports. I also though Car and Driver was a little more balanced.