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Acura TSX
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Enjoy your new TSX, Indydriver.
I just thought I'd add my thoughts on the sport shift auto by Acura. I don't have a TSX but I do have an RSX auto. I bought it for the same reasons as the other posters. Unfortunately for me, the RSX auto (sport shift) only comes in the base model so I miss the added HP that the Type S RSX has.
Having said that, I have had my RSX since October of 2001 and have close to 55,000 miles on it. I use my sport shift every day and I have found it to be very versatile. Downshifting when entering corners and then using the torque curve to power through the turn is fun. It seems to cut down on the front end dip that is typical with braking around a corner. I also use the sport shift to downshift when coming to a stop in snowy conditions instead of relying on the brakes alone. The engine breaking creates less havoc on slipppery surfaces. Another feature is that the sport shift allows you to start off from a stop in 2nd gear instead of first. This is very helpful when there is snow on the ground and less torque is required to start off without tire spin.
Granted, all of the above mentioned features can be had with a MT, but it's nice to have those MT features available on an AT car.....without the worry of burning clutches or bad knees.
First let me state some experience with manuals. I grew up on Honda motorcycles. I did not own an auto auto until my late 30's. My last three cars have been autos and I yearn to return to the thrill of dancing with both feet and both hands. On the flip side, this car will be passed down to a child who will be 17 when I give it up and my wife, who is deathly afraid of manual transmissions is giving me hell about buying one that will end up in the hands of a new driver.
Ok, now to the cars. I test drove an MT 4 cyl Accord vs. AT 6 cyl Accord. I have test driven AT TSX and TL. All Honda transmissions be they manual or automatic function extremely well. The 4 cyl cars, both Accord and TSX, have low torque, high revving engines. An MT is a big advantage in exploiting this kind of powerband. You get no torque-steer from these type engines.The 6 cyl cars have a nose heavy feel compared to the 4 cyls. They weigh about 200 lbs more and all the weight is on the nose of the car. The front springs feel noticeably less responsive as though the added weight has partially compressed the springs resulting in less available travel, hence a harsher ride and earlier onset of understeer. This coupled with a much more powerful engine, easily induces the dreaded torque-steer. On these vehicles, an auto makes a lot of sense. So, I have authorized my Acura dealer to order a 6MT TSX for me. I am under no obligation and will keep looking. However, right now, I pretty confident this is the car for me.
Oh, one more thing about the manumatic. This may not mean anything in a Honda, but on my 300M I had to replace the torque converter at about 90,000 miles. I am convinced this was due to extra wear and tear from aggressive use of the manumatic shifter.
What I've recently discovered after driving my TSX for 4 weeks is the D3 setting. I'd read nothing about it, but if anyone is thinking of bypassing an auto transmission without trying the auto in D3, you won't have a fair picture of the car.
The manual describes it as the setting you'd use for towing a boat or something, but what it really is, is the SPORTS setting. Maybe everyone in the world already knew this but me, but it came as a pleasant surprise to know that my stately TSX had another interesting side to it's personality.
In D3, the computer locks the shifting to only the first three gears and the shift points are at considerably higher revs than the sedate D setting. The firmer you press the gas pedal, the longer you delay the shifts into 2nd and 3rd, so with practice you can have the transmission shift pretty much at the same points as you would if you were shifting manually while making haste. Kinda the best of both worlds, I can drive sedately when traffic is congested, yet I can still have a little fun too.
As far as manually shifting the automatic, I haven't used it as much as I thought I might. I think it's because I simply can't hear the engine as I do my MR2, and without that feedback, I don't have a real feel for when to shift up. The engine is so quiet, I've often forgotten I was in manual mode and ending up driving around in second gear. <grin>
Um, no, it won't. There really is no comparison between the MR2 and the TSX. The TSX is much heavier in front and feels it. A bit more understeer in tight corners as well as body lean.
One of my favorite, albeit mean, things to do with my MR2 is lulling someone tailgating me into an interstate cloverleaf exit ramp. I barely slow down for 'em so it's interesting seeing the tailgater behind me suddenly swerve and decellerate as they start drifting into the curve. Can't really do that as much with the TSX.
I'm spoiled on the MR2 as far as sporty handling, but that's not really what I bought the TSX for. . .
I believe he was wondering if the TSX handles as well as his dearly departed GT-S, not an MR2.
I had a buddy at flight school who had a GT-S (it was red with the 'Corolla GT-S' writing on the side), and that thing went like heck. Back then (1988), that Toyota was a demon in the curves and in a straight line - though my '86 CR-X Si was an even match for it.
I don't think the TSX will let him down...
Someone told me that the TSX has no trip computer, unless you also get navigation. Is the computer in the navigation system one that will give you fuel information, like average mileage or distance to empty? What about elapsed time or trip miles?
Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences and advice.
Also, no trip computer on the non-navi.
Feature to price I doubt you can find a better value than the TSX. Good luck with your car search.
Who's your daddy? LOL.
IOW, 215/45-17 will have more cushion than a 195/45-17..
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Thanks.
(I hope to buy an O4' TSX in next 3 months)
Torque is a measure of twisting force. In engines, "it is rotational force generated by the engine". The more torque an engine produces across it's RPM range the more power you get from it.
As the the TSX enthusiast site, Town Hall TOU does not allow for us to say. But a smart person using google should be able to find it.
MT
1st 3.27
2nd 1.88
3rd 1.36
4th 1.03
5th 0.83
6th 0.66
Final Drive = 4.76
AT
1st 2.65
2nd 1.52
3rd 1.08
4th 0.77
5th 0.57
Final Drive = 4.44
If I get the manual it is because I like to shift. If I have to shift occasionally on the highway to pass or go up a steep hill then so be it. It would be well worth it for the improved fuel economy, lessened engine wear and noise, and general sense of calm that cruising at a lower rpm would provide.
Who really needs the extra .1 of a second gained in acceleration by cramming all those gears so close.
As it is I am not sure the TSX can accelerate faster than a regular Accord with the manual tranny. They both have about the same torque and the Accord is lighter. In almost all every day acceleration the Accord will be faster. Only on the track (up near the redline) will the TSX possibly beat the Accord - possibly.
I would prefer the Accord powertrain in the TSX any day. Unfortunately too many people judge a car by its horsepower.
Regarding the TSX's gearing, 6th gear is 0.66 which is way overdrive. I don't know if you'd want to go to much more than that. Given its powerband, it should cruise at higher revs than your favorite V-8. Finally, if you look at the ratio spreads in the TSX 6MT, the thing that stands out is the gap between 1st and 2nd. 1st is very low with this final drive ratio, then the gap to 2nd is pretty wide given the rest of the spacing. I'd be interested to hear from you 6MT owners if that gap is very noticable in hard driving.
I don't expect the TSX to be like a V-8, just more like the automatic version. The Corvette is barely idling at 60 mph - 1,300 rpm.
The TSX is not alone here. Gearing seems like it continues to get too short at the expense of noise and economy, without much gain in acceleration.
I always thought it amusing when they test top gear acceleration for automatics that shift down anyway.
As I recall from magazines, the TSX runs mid-7s 0-60 and high 15s for the 1/4. The 4 cyl manual Accord runs mid-8s and low 16s. Not a huge difference but enough to be felt.
We're deciding between the two in the next year. I'd appreciate the insight of those that have taken the time to drive both.
Car and Driver got 7.5 seconds 0-60 for both the Accord EX 2.4L manual and the TSX manual.
1)Most of the tests show similar 0-60 times for the Accord and TSX in automatic forms. However, in the few auto tests that are available, the TSX's acceleration is usually tested with the VSA on. Because the VSA will act to prevent wheelspin this may disadvantage the TSX slightly. The gearing form the AT in the USDM Accord is identical to the gearing in the TSX.
In all honesty, I don't expect the TSX to be a lot faster in terms of 0-60 times. The TSX is slightly heavier than the USDM Accord, and it has bigger wheels and tires. The torque figures are similar for both cars.
I think the TSX will feel a good deal more powerful in the midband, and the highway. But, that will not be reflected in 0-60 times.
2)The manuals are a much different issue. I'd expect the TSX 6MT to be a good bit faster than the Accord 5MT. The 6MT is much more aggressively geared than the 5MT.
The TSX and Accord, in four cyl forms, are not fast cars with either transmission. None of these vehicles is going to be a dog, and all will have plenty of power for day to day driving. But, none will push you back in the seat.
According to Car and Driver, they get the same 0-60 times. Manual vs. Manual, both did 0-60 in 7.5 seconds. I don't have the mags in front of me right now, and I can't remember the 1/4 mile times, but I am positive that both of them got the same 0-60 times.
Were you test driving a V6 TSX? I am not aware of a V6 TSX.
With the automatic, there's definitely a trade-off between smoothness and performance - you get one or the other but it's tricky to get in between and more so than with older cars I've driven.
I sort of wish Honda/Acura had a "sport-mode" button so that you could get higher shift-points without having to nail the gas so hard. These engines are a blast with a manual transmission unless, of course, you're in heavy traffic every day.