Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
Options
Acura TSX
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
you're hitting below the belt with that comparison. say it ain't so.
-BMW--great cars...my first car was a 2002. Nothing bad that you can say about them, but the "status" thing wasn't worth the extra $7-10k for a comparably equipped car.
-TL--Way too much HP for a front driver. Not really even that fun to get on due to massive torque steer.
Passat--Drove every model in the lineup. Not one felt as tight as the TSX or BMW. I was close to pulling the trigger on a fully loaded GLX 4motion Wagon because the dealer basically wanted to give it to me (3k below invoice + 60mo. 0%). The interior was nice and funky/hip, but that did not make up for the rather soft ride of the car. VW made a huge mistake by losing the VR6 in the Passat. Also, I must admit that I am extremely skeptical of VW reliability, having owned a few in the past. Perhaps in the past I would have traded reliability for that VW soul, but it seems that they have engineered the feel out of the Passat altogether.
Regarding power in general-- Numbers on paper are nice, but to me it is the feeling you are looking for. You will never know that the TSX is .2 or .4 sec slower than a 325 0-60 unless you look at the stat somewhere. I am personally not one for overkill...there is obviously a point of diminishing returns as is evidenced by the TL. Plain and simple the TSX 6MT is a blast to drive and a heck of a value. The car is nimble. I have had no problems with the low-end. Just rev the damn engine. That's what Honda built it and geared it for and it works well.
I'm pretty much down to a choice of the TSX or a G35 sedan. Would go with the manual TSX or auto G35. Haven't been shifting for 4 years and not sure if I want to go back. Decisions, decisions...
A great car for the money, and a lot more fun to drive than the Passat.
I'm staying in Seattle.
IMO, the Passat handles nearly as well as the TSX (I think the Passat is getting a bum rap in the above posts). In fact, in some ways, it handles better (doesn't get as upset easily in the bumpy corners). It rides a LOT better, has more room, better brakes, and some lux features the TSX does not (like power folding mirrors). The styling is a little dated, but that is a relatively minor issue.
I'll probably get toasted for saying this, but I think the Passat is a better all around vehicle than either the Acura TSX or the Accord. I just don't trust the reliability of the VW at all. I also badly wanted a car that came with a top notch NAV system.
I love my TSX to death. Can't wait to get into every morning, But, I think the Passat would be a fine alternative choice.
I bought a new Honda Accord 1 month ago. I got the 4 cyl 5 speed, EX-L silver with black leather interior, spoiler, and mud flaps.
Big mistake, I'm OK with with the 4 cyl and 5 speed--but I am not happy with how the car handles. A car is something you use every day and if you love to drive you want something that is fun!!! Quite simply the car is not fun to drive. I tested lots of cars and really loved the TSX and Mazda 6s w/ 5 speed.
But somehow ended with the Accord--I can't say anything bad about the Accord, it is a great car but it is not the right car for me--just too disconnected from the road and cornering.
So I offer this up as caution, if it is not a real financial hardship, get the car you want even if means spending a few thousand more!
Any comments on what I should do? When should I take my bath, hold on to the Accord for 1-3 years and then move to something else. Alternatively take a financial hit now, I have no idea how big a hit it would be I'm sure it would be significant, and get the TSX or Mazda6. UGH...
That said, I think you'd really take it in the shorts financially if you sold or traded the Accord now, but if you don't think you can live with the car for a few years you may as well go ahead and do it.
If it helps, after a year of ownership I can attest to the TSX's excellence. I drive a company vehicle, and come Friday I'm champing at the bit to drive the TSX. Literally. It has a few niggling issues, but so has every car I've ever owned. Mechanically it's been rock solid, and its driving dynamics are better than any other car I've had.
Good luck with the decision.
Johnny
Here's what I'd do with only $600 (in order of importance):
Upgrade the tires: the 215/55-16 Kumho Ecsta Supra 712 (less than $70 ea. at Tire Rack) is a great, inexpensive tire.
Install Comptech rear sway bar ($100) to significantly reduce understeer.
Install Injen CAI ($200) to improve hp at high RPM, and give more aggressive sound at wide open throttle.
These three mods alone will change your Accord's attitude, and noticeably boost power and handling.
the TSX's mirrors do fold and are powered. are you saying the passat's mirrors "fold" under power?
i don't see how a passat comes close to the handling of the tsx, it's more comparable to a domestic accord.
i can easily see the argument that the passat is a better overall vehicle. not so easy with the accord though.
First, a little background for those that need it...
My 6 MT tranny started making a howling noise on pedal take-up, so, after my dealer diagnosed a bad throw-out bearing, I'm having a new one installed under warranty within the next week or so.
After I received the diagnosis, I asked the dealer about the possibility of installing a Comptech lightweight flywheel as long as the tranny was going to be open. My service rep quoted me $330 for the flywheel, and free installation since the tranny wouldbe open anyways. I told him to go for it.
While waiting for the flywheel to arrive, I contacted JTso (another TSX owner/enthusiast who lives near me) about meeting up and doing some before and after testing to gauge the flywheel's effect on acceleration. JTso has a G-Tech and OBD II performance measuring software for his IPaq, so we agreed to meet this morning to make some baseline (pre-flywheel) runs.
PHASE I: Baseline data:
My car: 2004 Acura TSX 6-speed, no nav. Original wheels and tires, no mods whatsoever. Full tank of gas.
Weather: Dry, 50 degrees Farenheit. 200' above sea level.
0-60: Number of runs - 10
Best time - 7.37 secs
Worst time - 7.74 secs
Average time - 7.65 secs
1/4 mile: Number of runs - 3
1st run - 16.05 secs @ 92.3 MPH
2nd run - 16.20 secs @ 91.0 MPH
3rd run - 16.0 secs @ 90.3 MPH
Average - 16.08 secs @ 91.2 MPH
Now, for comparison, we also ran JTso's beautiful TSX through the 0-60 gauntlet.
JTso's car: 2004 Acura TSX 6-speed, no nav. 2005 TL factory 17" wheels and 235/45-17 Yokohama ES100 tires. Eibach springs and Koni yellow shocks, Comptech strut tower brace and rear sway bar, Hondata gasket, K&N CAI, DC Sports header, Neuspeed short shift kit. Mostly full tank of gas
0-60: Number of runs - 6
Best time - 7.03 secs
Worst time - 7.74 secs
As a control measure (and for the fun of it), I also did 4 runs in JTso's car, with the following results: 7.37, 7.03, 7.03, 7.03 (practice makes perfect). Overall average for JTso's TSX is - 7.31 secs.
Conclusions?
Well, we both agree that JTso's mods have improved both the performance and aesthetics of the TSX. His car is consistently 0.3 secs faster than mine to 60 MPH, and it has an aggressive sound under WOT.
My opinion is that JTso's engine mods account for half of the straight-line acceleration gain, and the suspension mods account for the other half. I say this because under hard acceleration, JTso's car's rear end squats much less than mine, which when combined with superior summer compound tires, improves front tire traction and allows harder starts without as much feathering of the throttle.
By comparison, my stock TSX feels soft and wallowy - it lacks the hunkered-down feeling that JTso's car has. I also drove JTso's car on some familiar roads in my neighborhood, and found it to corner flatter, grip better, and push less in corners, yet it still rides acceptably well - in other words, JTso's TSX still feels like a "near-luxury" car.
Stand by for the PHASE II in the coming week (or two)!
I agree that the Passat does not handle as well as the TSX, but I don't really think the difference is as great as you suggest. And, in terms of handling, it does do SOME things better than the TSX (namely it holds the road better in bumpy turns).
The Accord seemed kind of boring to me. I didn't like the handling, and there were some aspects of the interior that turned me off (basically, very similar to the TSX, but seems like the dashboard has lots of unattractive joints on it). The ride was a lot more comfortable than the TSX though, and there was more room. I could not fit in the coupe at all, and I HATE the way the sedan looks.
I personally think the Accord is a much better value than the TSX. You get more room, an available V6, and a better ride for less money. And, I personally don't think the Accord's 160 HP engine is any less response than the TSX's 200 HP engine.
Why didn't I buy an Accord? Because it stinks to make car payments on a vehicle that bores you. I feel passionate about the TSX. I love driving it. I love looking at it. When I go to pick up my date, I feel proud of my car. I would never have felt like that about the Accord. So, for me, the "value" in this equation is that I spent a lot of money on something that I really, really enjoy. Getting in my TSX is always fun, and I never felt like that about my Accords.
But, YMMV. If you're happy with the Accord's looks and handling, I think it can be a fine option.
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.ef4ea38
Do you guys really think those mods will make a difference? Also, for the sway bar and injen, can I have someone do the work? I am not capable of doing it myself and to be honest, I don't want to at this juncture. I live in Charlotte NC, there is a local shop that specializes in Honda and Acura, maybe they can do it or point me to someone else.
What about lighter weight alloys, will that make a noticeable difference?
My biggest problem with the car is the disconnect from the road and the average handling, wish I could power into a curve with a little less roll.
Fedlaw, I really like your comments and advice for some low cost mods. Would the injen violate warranty? Anything else with a big bang for buck?
Finally, are there any good Honda forums out there--I've been to few but I thought they were just OK--I'm sure there are better. I have been to several good Mazda forums such as Mazda6club and Mazdaworld.
If I were to change now it would be a Mazda6s w/ MTX over the TSX for financial reasons--there are some good deals on the 6 and it really is fun and handel great. But overall I am leaning to keeping the Accord for a while.
Doesn't Honda have some kind of aftermarket package for the Accord? I'm pretty sure that they have something for the coupe, don't know about the sedan.
But then again, you aren't paying for only hp in the TSX. It's a pretty nicely loaded car. Even if it's not fast enough for you, it's not a slug. Go buy a Neon SR-T and have no power windows for the rear passengers. Or the new 268hp C350 Benz for nearly $40K.
And that's the only "problem" with the TSX: it's peak torque (166 lb-ft) is pretty low for a 3200# car. My 3400# Olds puts out 230 lb-ft and that's why I'm hesitating although I think the manual tranny (haven't driven a manual yet) would compensate somewhat. For me, the automatic wouldn't cut it.
Right off the line is another issue. I personally feel that that there are a lot of traction issues at launch. And, I think that shows in the 0-60 times.
But, again, if you are really worried about high power, don't get a TSX. Sheer power is not what that vehicle is about.
At the end of the day, the TSX is certainly not a "fast" car. But, it is very peppy around town, and does great at highway speeds.
Power is NEVER an issue for me in this car. I do think there are other downsides (like the stiff ride, and the average brakes). But, I actually see the drivetrain as a strength.
I'll give you that :-) Actually your comment about the stiff ride gives me as much pause as the power issue. I've gotten used to a pretty relaxed ride and kind of enjoy it. The car mags don't talk about the ride being stiff but CR did. Do you find the large turning radius an issue?
Another thing that appeals to me about the TSX is the size. I'm driving a "boat" currently and although I like the ride and power, I'll be more comfortable in something 8-12" shorter and a couple inches narrower.
The nearest Acura dealer is 100 miles away (actually about 5 within that radius) so I can't just pop in for another test drive and there aren't many manuals around either.
Installation shouldn't be too tough, although I would seek out a pro if you don't have 'car-nut' buddies to help you out.
As to the warranty, I don't think it would be a problem, unless your engine ingests water - then Honda would give you a hard time. The only time a CAI might ingest water is if the filter is submerged, which would require driving through a very deep puddle (higher than the door sills).
Personally, I don't think the CAI is right for everyone. I probably won't get one for my TSX, because I don't want the added noise (it detracts from the luxury character of the car, and I know my wife would protest) and filter maintenance. On the other hand, if I owned an Accord and was looking to add some performance and attitude, it would top my list.
Good luck!
I've read every car test available for the TSX. Some sources (such as C & D) just seem in love with the vehicle and I don't find their comments to be all that accurate. But, I thought CR completely nailed all the strengths and weaknesses of the car. I found their evaluation to be very accurate. So, I'd take a look and see if that answers any questions you have.
The turning circle has been a non-issue to me. I find the car very easy to maneuver around town.
Compared to the Malibu, the TSX will probably be a bit faster, with a more optimized transmission sticker tires, and more horsepower. I think you'll find the engine to be a bit more peaky (you have to rev it to get max power). But, you're definitely not going to be taking a step down in power and driveability.