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.
Options

Acura TSX

24567…99

Comments

  • ickes_mobileickes_mobile Member Posts: 675
    is a good bet since the Euro Accord will have one. The 17" wheels I'd think are less certain. But, there is always the TireRack and a more unique look for your car.
  • venus537venus537 Member Posts: 1,443
    very interested in the tsx. i think it looks great. i do have a question about the rear deck lid though, will this be changed for our market? the current design is for the wider license plates that are used in europe. it doesn't seem like it would look right with our taller less wide license plates that are used in the usa. any thoughts?
  • robertsmxrobertsmx Member Posts: 5,525
    That may be one of the changes that the car will see when it comes here as Acura. Since other Acuras use the rear bumper for the license plate, the TSX could use a similar setup.

    As for handling, et. al, TSX will also be the basis for the next Accord Type-R in Japan and Europe. FWD or not, the current ATR is ranked high when it comes to performing on the track. CAR magazine took ten performance cars to a track for comparo, and ATR finished second, behind Audi TTQ, and just ahead of BMW 328Ci Sport followed by Peugeot 406, Lexus IS200, Ford Mondeo ST240 (Contour SVT here), a good mix of AWD, FWD and RWD vehicles.

    And here is what AutoExpress has to say about the car in a single sentence...
    "the 2.2 Type R provides the thrills to better many a BMW."

    If TSX can deliver performance thats close to what the current ATR does, it would be good enough for me.
  • rihoopsrihoops Member Posts: 91
    For 25K it will be loaded and it will be a blast, can't wait to trade in my 99 Accord EX V6 Sedan for it.
  • diploiddiploid Member Posts: 2,286
    http://world.honda.com/news/2002/image/4020910.jpg


    Looks pretty decent from this angle.

  • mariobros100mariobros100 Member Posts: 15
    Here's the link for some "official info" on the Euro Accord from the Honda worldwide site : http://world.honda.com/news/2002/4020910.html


    The Highlights

    ============

    Two models:


    2.0 L 155HP @ ?? and 141 lb/ft @ 4500 rpm

    5 speed Auto and 5 speed manual


    2.4 L 190HP @ 6800 rpm and 163 lb/ft @ 4500rpm

    5 speed Auto and 6 speed manual


    *2.0L come in two variants: Econo and Comfort models


    *A class leading drag coefficient of Cd 0.26.


    *2.4 liter models have VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist), and all models are equipped with ABS, EBD and brake assist.

  • ickes_mobileickes_mobile Member Posts: 675
    http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=36615
  • diploiddiploid Member Posts: 2,286
    Competition:


    http://www.wieck.com/public/*2PV_042552


    Separated at birth?

  • tomjavatomjava Member Posts: 136
    Wow, very nice.

    Thank you for the link.
  • ickes_mobileickes_mobile Member Posts: 675
    to more pics:


    http://www.honda.co.uk/accord/

  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    Did you notice that page listed estate derivatives to follow??

    I wonder if Acura would bring over a TSX sport wagon??
  • ickes_mobileickes_mobile Member Posts: 675
    An estate is planned for Europe and Japan. You can see its outline on the front page of the Japanese new Accord page:


    http://www.honda.co.jp/newACCORD/


    I'd think it would be a good possibility for NA too. It would give Honda an entry into the small wagon set agains the Lexus IS300 Sportcross, Audi A4 Avant, BMW 3-Series, Mazda6, VW Passat, et al.


    The wagon is supposed to be built on a longer wheelbase than the sedan. My guess is that rear seat room and trunk room are going to be among the major distinctions between the NA and Euro/JDM Accords. If the wagon is on a longer wheelbase, those differences may be minimized.


    Given that the car is set to debut in Paris at the end of this month, I would expect that we would start to see press previews, especially in UK magazines such as Top Gear, Auto Express, or CAR. Time for a trip to BN and Borders...

  • ickes_mobileickes_mobile Member Posts: 675
    Auto Express has one! Go to the link below, click on the preview tab (near the top of the page), then latest previews.


    http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/front_index.php?cp=1


    Very possitive comments such as:


    "The ride quality of BMW's 3-Series was a clear influence on the development of the front-wheel-drive Honda, and enthusiastic drivers should be impressed by the chassis."

  • diploiddiploid Member Posts: 2,286
    The Estate profile looks very plain, not sporty like the IS300 wagon. We've actually seen it already - it was those fuzzy blue spy pictures which turned out to be very accurate for the TSX.

    It think its emphasis will be on utility rather than looks. Don't know if that's going to help it in the US market.
  • diploiddiploid Member Posts: 2,286
    The competition: "Honda sees the Accord competing with Alfa Romeo, Audi, Saab and Volvo."


    "Improved motors – with a diesel on the horizon – will, Honda says, give better performance, especially when mated to a new six-speed manual gearbox. A five-speed is also available, along with a five-speed auto/sequential unit."


    The true motive for not having the manual in the V-6 NA Accord sedan!


    http://www.itechnology.co.za/index.php?click_id=132&art_id=iol103167098114A263&set_id=4

  • ickes_mobileickes_mobile Member Posts: 675
    I notice that the '03 NA Accord coupe has a 105.1 inch wheelbase. This is probably the same as the Euro/JDM Accord. Hopefully, the Euro/JDM car has more rear seat legroom than 31.9 inches...
  • himilerhimiler Member Posts: 1,209
    Per Car and Driver mag, the JDM/Euro Accord "rides on a wheelbase that's about three inches shorter than that of our Accord sedan, or about the same length as the U.S.-market coupe's (105.1 inches)."

    Even if legroom is no better than the coupe's, there should at least be more headroom.
  • ickes_mobileickes_mobile Member Posts: 675
    one explaination for the long passenger compartment and short deck on the NA Accord, thus keeping overall length down.

    I'm interested in seeing the room in the TSX vs. Passat vs. Mazda6. Mazda especially seems to claim a lot of room in a car not much bigger than the TSX. I wonder if they're using the old GM tricks of a short and low rear bench to increase volume. I haven't read many complaints about the rear accommodations, however. Hopefully the TSX proves just as roomy...
  • jjpcatjjpcat Member Posts: 124
    Why did you say using a short bench will increase the volume? I understand a lower seat will increase the headroom and thus the volume.

    I am really wondering how these leg room/head room are measured. I can give more than 10 cases where I feel just the opposite when I sit in the car. A quick example, Honda Civic has a larger rear leg room than Toyota 4Runner (36in vs 34.9in). But when I sit on the rear seats, 4Runner seems to provide much larger leg room. Of course, front seat was set to my driving position in both cars, so that we are comparing apple to apple.
  • ickes_mobileickes_mobile Member Posts: 675
    I don't know for certain, but I'd guess that rear legroom would be measured from the end of rear seat cushion to the back of the front seat. Variables would be at what vertical point the measurement is taken and where the front seat is positioned.
  • carpeople1carpeople1 Member Posts: 13
    ANYONE ONE KNOW IF THAT IS OFFICIALLY WHAT THE CAR IS GGOONA LOOK LIKE?
  • amazing2uamazing2u Member Posts: 67
    How can anybody officially know what the TSX will look like since Acura (Honda) has not even acknowledged its existence yet? :-)
  • ickes_mobileickes_mobile Member Posts: 675
    and learn to spell "gonna" if you must use it...
  • swsmsswsms Member Posts: 62
    We actually will not know anything "official" until a couple months before launch. I know a few dealerships are already accepting deposits and a local Acura dealership in Dallas said the TSX will be here in March 2003. In addition, the salesperson added (note I didn't ask) that it would have a 220 HP with a 6MT. With all that said, these pics are official enough for me!
  • regfootballregfootball Member Posts: 2,166
    "I'M HAVING DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING.....THE VOLUME OF MY VOICE!"

    -austin powers
  • diploiddiploid Member Posts: 2,286
    C&D has a little snippet about the TSX in its October issue. Nothing that we don't already know, but they seem adamant that power will be at least 200hp, not 190, when it reaches our shore since it'll probably cost 25K, which is a about 2-3K above the RSX-S.

    A Monday article from autoexpress says that the Euro Accord will have 6 air bags and ABS as standard equipment.
  • venus537venus537 Member Posts: 1,443
    if you go to some of the earlier posts you'll find some links to the euro accord. this is what the acura tsx will be. i think the car looks sweeeeeet.
  • swsmsswsms Member Posts: 62
    Here is the model matrix for all Honda/Acura products for next few years. Notice the engine choices for the TSX: 2.4L 180HP or 2.4L 220HP with 6MT.


    http://www.vtec.net/modelmatrix/


    Enjoy!

  • himilerhimiler Member Posts: 1,209
    ...They'd build us a TSX sport wagon, too. It might give the folks at Audi and BMW something else to worry about.
  • carpeople1carpeople1 Member Posts: 13
    why is the interior just like the accord? If they are going to sell it wit the accord, why would they pick the TSX over the cheaper accord?
  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    I'd love the wagon. Or else I could get a Mazda 6 wagon.
  • himilerhimiler Member Posts: 1,209
    Why choose the TSX over the US Accord?

    For starters, you won't be able to get a 6-spd manual in the Accord sedan, nor can you get the 200+hp 2.4L engine.

    Also, the Acura has the better warranty, and will doubtless carry more standard equipment than the Accord. The TSX will also ride on springs with higher rates unavailable in the US Accord sedan.

    I would expect Acura to dress the TSX's interior up a bit with some faux carbon-fiber or some brushed aluminum trim in an effort to distance it from the Accord's. Not that there's anything wrong with the new Accord's interior, mind you.
  • diploiddiploid Member Posts: 2,286
    I'd be happy if they just transplated the RSX's interior into the TSX. The light gray interior is handsomely done. Honda can throw in some wood trim here and there if they want.
  • himilerhimiler Member Posts: 1,209
    In the TSX: Only if they upgrade the plastics, add a temperature display, ditch the videogame gauge markings, and lower the cowl height.

    Wood trim is gauche unless you're driving a Bentley, in which case who cares what anyone thinks.
  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    Please no faux carbon fiber (or faux anything), or white gauges. The trendy stuff just looks dated so soon.
  • himilerhimiler Member Posts: 1,209
  • diploiddiploid Member Posts: 2,286
    I happen to find the plastics in the RSX's interior to be very high quality. The silver metallic touches are a bit overdone, I admit, but the rest of the cabin is handsomely done.

    I just have a problem with it having the exact same interior as that of the NA Accord, even though I know it itself is an Accord.
  • carpeople1carpeople1 Member Posts: 13
    you can get 240 hp on the EX accord, to match the Altima, or was i just daydreaming..?..?..
  • ickes_mobileickes_mobile Member Posts: 675
    The long term wrap up in CAR on the Civic Type-R notes that the faux carbon fibre on the center console looks great but showed lots of scratches and nicks after six months.
  • diploiddiploid Member Posts: 2,286
    They could always leave it as plastic.

    But then the interior would resemble something like that of the IS300 (read: stygian).

    They could make it plood, but then it would look cheap.

    They could use real wood, but then it gets expensive.

    Suddenly the faux carbon fiber makes more sense, no?
  • himilerhimiler Member Posts: 1,209
    Yes, but the 240HP Accord uses the 3.0L V6.

    The TSX will be offered only with a 200-220HP 2.4L I4, so as to not cannibalize TL sales.

    diploid -- compared to the soft-touch materials used on the dash and door panels of the Integra and my Prelude, the plastics in the RSX look and feel cheap. The RSX interior design is good, but it needed to be rendered in better materials.

    I don't care for even real CF trim. Too much reflection off the high-gloss surface. They need to use a satin-finish aluminum or nickel-plate material like the trim found in the Jeep Liberty. That stuff both looks and feels NICE!
  • carpeople1carpeople1 Member Posts: 13
    btw, i know that TSX will use it, but does the new accord use i-vtec too?
  • himilerhimiler Member Posts: 1,209
    The new Accord I4 uses i-VTEC, but the V6 does not, using the older three-rocker system.
  • diploiddiploid Member Posts: 2,286
    TOV has a link to a short film of the TSX. It has a rear bumper! Some of the pics made it look as if didn't have a rear bumper (similar to the Corvette).

    Good video overall...still no details of what the interior will look like (anyone else also interested in seeing how much room there is in the back? No? Ok...).
  • ickes_mobileickes_mobile Member Posts: 675
    uses the NA Accord Coupe's 105.1 inch wheelbase. That should be enough to suggest that it is much smaller than the NA Accord sedan or Mazda6. Hopefully, it closer to a Passat than an Audi A4...
  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    This is a video of the TSX.


    http://web.madritel.es/personales2/j1234/accord.mov

  • sunilbsunilb Member Posts: 407
    from www.globalautonet.com:

    -------------
    "The 2004 TSX will be formally introduced in January at the Los Angeles and Detroit
    shows and will go on sale in the spring, priced from about $26,000. Imported from Japan and powered by a 200-bhp 2.0-liter four-cylinder, the TSX is slightly smaller than the redesigned U.S. Accord that is just going on sale. The TSX will be slotted between the RSX and the TL in size and price and will be aimed at such near-luxury
    European sedans as the Audi A4, the Saab 9-3, and the Volvo S60, as well as premium Japanese models such as the Infiniti G35."
    -------------------

    So, really, how does Honda/Acura expect to sell a car with the same interior as the US Accord, but smaller overall and a 2.0L engine for $26K? An EX-V6 is the same price! Admittedly, Honda won't let you get a 4 door EX-V6 WITH a manual tranny.

    If this is the engine and pricing they are going to use... they've really got me confused.
  • diploiddiploid Member Posts: 2,286
    If I were a buyer I wouldn't mind the price or the engine because the TSX will most likely weigh less than V-6 NA Accord.

    I would, however, mind the interior if it's exactly like that of the NA Accord.
  • sunilbsunilb Member Posts: 407
    that's a good point, but then I could look at a 5spd, 4door, EX-L with a 2.4L engine (granted, lower HP but possibly more torque). And this would cost around $23K.

    I really want to like this car, so I'm trying to figure out what the $3K premium is for...? Just handling? (not trying to underestimate the importance of handling, but $3K is significant money).

    Also, the article mentioned that this is supposed to compete with the G35 and A4... sounds like some tough company to hang with (G35 has better power, and the A4 has a better interior and available AWD).
  • venus537venus537 Member Posts: 1,443
    the 200 hp sounds right, but the displacement doesn't. www.globalautonet.com has it wrong on that, it will be 2.4l.
This discussion has been closed.

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles