Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Options
2010 Acura TSX
This discussion has been closed.
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
I'm more informed now. I'd do more research & have a mechnic check out the car before I buy it next time. We might not have this conversation if I had bought a $3,000 - $4000 E30 to begin with. I guess I had this romantic fantasy thatI'd tell my kids one day "I bought this car for only $950..." you know how the rest of the story goes.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Perhaps, this was their plan? Too limit the amount of V6's out, as it would go right in the TL territory. Making the 4cyl still very attractive. Some will still opt for it, but we will know they paid way too much for it. Not when I can get a loaded Accord, and still lease it for slightly under $400. Its not a TSX, but its still an Accord, both are.
According to the first test run it isn't even that great a drive (Motor Trend) for the dollars over the 4 cyl.
Then I said to myself, well maybe I should buy a car for my wife whose X3 lease is upnext July (2010). So I considered a Passat Sedan, A4 Avant, & TSX V6. Drove the A4 and was very impressed with the interior materials, the Audi Turbo 4 is smooth & quiet (very short test drive). The Audi was nice, but didn't blow me away (got back in our X3 and liked it better). Plus the rear is so raked that it barely has more cargo room than the sedan.
After driving the A4, I decided to check out the MINI & the GTI for myself. I drove the MINI yesterday & thought it was a nice car. Very fast. I looked down and realized I was going 75 in 4th gear at one point. The MINI has blind spots galore & I had to look up & under the windshield at every stoplight. The clutch takeup is very abrupt too. Great handling, great brakes, solid little car. Definitely a FWD BMW. I got back in my Prelude afterwards and just felt so much more connected to my car than the MINI. I didn't LOVE it. The sales manager came out to talk to me when I left and commented that my Prelude looks a lot nicer than some of the 3-4 year old cars that he appraises. He was even shocked when I told him the car had been hit a few times.
So I start reading up on the 4cyl TSX last night. The 4cyl you say? Well that's the only way you can get it with a 6-speed manual transmission. People simply gush about this car. The consumer reviews are ALL so positive.
I said to myself, for the past 7+ years and 113K+ miles I've been and continue to be really happy with my Prelude...Why not check it out? I know it is wrong wheel drive (front) & is very nose heavy (60/40 f/r), but the test drive shall set it free.
I walked into the dealership (Curry Acura - Scarsdale, NY) and was greeted my a salesman who immediately commented on my Prelude. Wow, nice car, you trasding that in? I told him no way (he said he'd personally buy it in a heartbeat). He said he'd be right with me, then another salesman came and asked me some questions. "Will you be looking for a car with or without navigation?"
I replied "Navigation with 6-Speed Manual Transmission." He told me they didn't have any of them in stock (shocker). He went and got the keys to a SLUSHBOX TSX & we were off.
Here's what I took away on my short test drive. Beautifully crafted interior. Very high quality materials. The center stack with the NAV controls is a little busy for my tastes, but I'll eventually figure it out. Perfectly sized steering wheel. I love the thick bolstering on the front seats. The car has a phenomenal driving position. The engine was very responsive and the steering felt very direct. The suspension transmitted a really nice amount of roadfeel (more than the MINI). The whole time I'm driving the car I'm saying to myself, this thing drives like my Prelude with 4 doors & a bigger trunk. It is the first car short of an E90 3 series (too small & too $$$ for a second car) or G37 sedan (VERY IMPRESSIVE, but doesn't meet the fuel economy requirements for me to get $3500 for my BMW & too $$$) that I really ENJOY driving.
I left the dealership thinking this is the car I'm going to buy. I just have to wait for the cheap financing to pop up & find a good dealer with an EXCELLENT service department who can get me a TSX with a 6-speed manual transmission (unless my wife decides she really likes the car, then we'll go with the 5-spd autobox).
Does anybody know if the engine is chain driven or belt driven?
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Thanks for sharing your research experience/process. I would deeply analyze the TSX forums before buying that car. I was once SOLD on the 2009 TSX 4-cyl. Although, after reading the forums, I noticed a good percentage of drivers were getting annoying engines noises and rattles that couldn't be repaired by the dealer. I personally couldn't buy a luxury-branded car knowing that it would rattle within a year - and engine pinging definitely broke the deal for me.
After much soul searching, I bought the 2010 Fore Fusion Sport model (front wheel drive version - there's AWD too). It's not as sporty (handling) as the TSX, but its fairly close for a good price. I didn't read anything about engine noises, etc. As for technology, the Microsoft Sync is a winner. I would at least try it out.
Just trying to help a fellow astute car buyer ;-)
Thanks for the advice. I'm glad you're happy with your Fusion, it seems like a good car that gets great reviews. I see a ton of them on the road.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
I am really thinking I could be totally happy with a 4cyl TSX.
I was browsing among these forums 2 yrs back when I bought MDX. We are thinking of buying a second car and we have zeroed in on 2010 TSX v4 with Tech. So far we have a quote of 200$ below invoice + Destination charge + Taxes + free all season mats.
I was wondering if anyone out there has a better price quote and suggestions. I am in the tri state and can buy it from any where pretty much.
Thanks bunch folks
-M
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
I am not sure what I should do. And honestly how much I am upside down. With good deals out now, it could help offset it. Apparently I am about $6,000 upside down. That was back in early May. From my dealer, but I haven't tried any other dealers. And don't know if that was a realistic number, but my trade is low on KBB for an 08 car.
You know, if you want something, you gotta make it happen, so I am looking at the
VW Jetta Wolfsburg edition(red) Honda Accord EX-L V6, or a TSX 4cyl.
People trade all the time, so maybe I am not trying hard enough and being forceful enough.
I have not test driven the car. I have been holding off on that, as I am a little bit stuck in the car I have now, and that would be a torture to drive one and not get one. But, I still might do it anyway. I just need to have someone tag along with me. With great lease deals, it seems like I can get one for not much more than I am paying now, so that is a good thing.
I like the fact that it lets you use paddleshifters, sport mode, and I am very impressed with the capability of the navigation unit. That has a cool wow factor to it.
What makes the TL more car for the money? It's physically larger, but that's about it. Same Accord platform, same engine/transmission, same suspension, same features, etc.
"I mean for over $10k less you can be in a 09 TL SH-AWD with tech than a top of the line RL and with the TL your getting a bigger car and bigger engine; there is no point to the RL the way Acura has it and then they sit there a wonder why the RL doesn't sell well."
The TL and TSX are brand-new designs while the current RL is a legacy vehicle (introduced 5 years ago). The new RL will be in a whole different league from the TL and TSX when it appears next year.
being the TL is physically larger inside and outside you get more car for almost the same amount of money; you can not make a logical explanation that by getting the TSX V6 loaded your getting more car for your money because your not; the TSX is smaller in almost every dimension and volume; the rear seat in the TSX is completely useless for passengers and trust me I've tried when I've had one as a loaner car from my Acura dealer; if you compare the TL and TSX V6 side by side on the Acura website you'll see a couple areas where the TL has advantages over the TSX; I was only stating that for Acura to price the the TSX V6 so high that you'll be better off getting a TSX V4 then a loaded V6 to get more money's worth and better gas mileage which is more bang for our buck! and that if you want the V6 get the TL; if the prices of the TSX V6 tech and Base TL tech are almost the same why not get more room and comfort by getting the TL; it just makes financial sense unless Acura tries to pull some BS with the financing rate or leasing rate on the TSX V6 that make it more attractive to get than the TL financially then you might be right but that is all a wait and see what Acura does game
in regards to the RL, it was refreshened for 2009 and they could have made adjustments but the RL has never sold well and I'm sorry the new TL SH-AWD loaded is far superior to the RL in price, size, engine, etc;there is no logical reason to get a RL right now if only to say I'm driving a Acura RL; I've read these kind of reviews by MotorTrend, Car and Driver, and Consumer reports so my thoughts are backed up by professional reviewers; the only way Acura is going to bring the RL back from obscurity is to completely redesign it and dump a RWD or AWD V8 engine into for 2011; unless Acura is willing to do this in order to compete with the top of the line sedans with V8's from Infiniti, Lexus, BMW, Audi, and Mercedes it will never sell well
The Ford Explorer (Exploder) fiasco a few years ago revealed that Americans can't be bothered to check their tire pressures & will sue (or their heirs will) when it's revealed that low tire pressure was a contributing factor to the rollover.
Ain't America great? Tort reform? We don't need no stinkin' tort reform.
We apparently don't need people who look after their vehicles either.
Oh boy.
I was at the Acura Dealer yesterday & checked out the TL & TSX as my wife test drove the I-4 TSX (that poor salesman :P ). I don't know about dimensions, but the TL definitely seemed to have more room. Now as far as trunk space goes, I'd have to give the nod to the TSX. The TL might have more cargo volume, but the TSX has a very large, usable trunk. They are too close in price, but I'm sure Acura figured out somehow that TSX buyers are not cross shopping the TL (either way, if they are, Acura wins)
But using your argument (retorically speaking), why go for a 4cyl TSX when you can get a loaded EXL-V6 NAV Accord for the same (or less money)? Like I said above, people aren't cross shopping the TSX & the Accord.
fedlawman: You guys have a Volvo right? Which one, what do you think of it (obviously it isn't your E30 M3), & would you buy another one?
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
I never did say that.
"if the prices of the TSX V6 tech and Base TL tech are almost the same why not get more room and comfort by getting the TL."
Because some people prefer a more compact package.
"in regards to the RL, it was refreshened for 2009..."
It got some cosmetic tweaks, but it's still the same 5 year-old car. The new RL coming out next year (reported to have Honda's first production V8) should compare very well with it's intended rivals.
Yes, I think we have the perfect mix of cars for our family. The M3 to play with on the weekends, and the Volvo V70 wagon for the family during the week. Our Volvo has the rear-facing 3rd row seat, so we can haul 4 adults and 3 kids (!!!) to the movies if we need to. We love our Volvo (it's been a fantastic, comfortable & luxurious touring car and has been utterly reliable), but with almost 100K miles, I've have been checking out new cars. So far, nothing out there is a worthy replacement. I like the new V70, but I don't think it's as good a car as the previous generation (it's more refined, but the new 3.2L V6 can't touch my 30+ MPG hwy economy), and since Volvo stopped offering the 3rd row (only the V90 has it), it's not an option for us.
Of all the new cars I've looked at with 3 rows of seating, the Acura MDX would be my choice if I had to buy a new "wagon" today. It's very nice. If I didn't need three rows, then I'd strongly consider the Hyundai Genesis. It's the nicest $30,000 car on the market.
But as it stands, $250 for a timing belt change and $300 for front & rear brake rotors, and our 2004 should be good for many miles to come. It's a great car and I see no reason to part with it.
After driving the X3 for the past 2 years, she feels like she's sitting too low in the TSX (that's what I like about it), so she's going to drive it again.
She likes the Volvo because it has true wagon cargo space behind the seats (as opposed to the 3 series & A4 wagons with their raked rears that rob cargo space. The Volvo V70 is a nicely styled wagon. I have a feeling that most dealers here will only have XC70s in stock (AWD+heaftier price tag+even worse gas mileage = not for us).
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
If it true that the 2011 RL will have Honda's first production V8 that will most likely solve the problem the RL has had all along!! hopefully that will make the RL sell better and compete much more with the V8 sedans by Lexus, Infiniti, BMW, etc
I remember when the current RL came out in 2005, it really impressed as a beautiful sedan. The press raved about it's handling too. It's biggest problem was price - it was just too expensive for what you got. Still is.
I also think that, although logically the TSX V6 should cost the same as the base TL because arguably, it costs the same to manufacture, the $5,000+ premium over the I-4 TSX is hard to justify. Personally, I think the turbo I-4 from the RDX would have been a much better choice for the TSX.
Who knows why Honda chose to put the V6 in the car instead of the Turbo 4 from the RDX. They thought that people would pay a price premium for a V6 over an I4, but not a Turbo I4 over a NA I4. A V6 is more refined. Some people think a 4cyl is a 4cyl turbo or no turbo.
The V6's numbers look better on paper (marketing wise) as it pumps out 280 Horsepower, 79 more than the NA I4 & 40 more than the Turbo 4. The V6's torque is 84 lb-ft more than the NA I4 & only 6 lb-ft less than the Turbo 4 (Remember, we Americans BUY horsepower, but want torque). As far as gas mileage goes, the FWD RDX gets 1 mpg more than the TSX V6 in the city (on paper). Anyone who has ever owned a Turbo knows they get awful gas mileage in the city. The V6 TSX is rated at 27 MPG Highway vs. 24 for the RDX FWD (Turbo). Turbos also have lots of extra plumbing and even though modern turbos are built to last, a V6 is more durable due to the fact that it is less complicated.
Now I'm just playing devil's advocate on the part of Honda. I'd love it if the TSX were available with the Turbo 4.
I also think Honda needs to develop a 6-speed (or 7 speed) automatic to get the acceleration numbers down & fuel economy numbers up for the V6 & the Turbo 4.
We're going back to the Acura dealership tomorrow so my we can test drive the car again & maybe strike a deal. Wish us luck!
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
My first question was: Is this in the instruction manual? His response "I dont think so in the 09's, but it may be in the 2010's manual. I haven't checked yet. But we did get a press release from Acura saying 'they no longer recommend/require premium fuel in the TSX's'"
Anyways, I've been trying to find this "press release" online that shows this. Has anyone seen this or can confirm it? I was still planning to put premium fuel in the car, but if Acura has officialy stopped recommending/requiring it, I would reconsider.
Can any 2010 owners check their user manual?
Use whatever type of gas you want - it won't hurt the car.
But premium gas only costs an extra $0.20/gallon. Your paying $30,000 for a premium sedan - paying an extra $2.00 each tankful so your engine runs as the engineers intended is cheap insurance if you ask me.
If you're driving a 16-year-old rusted-out hulk, then saving twenty cents a gallon is, if nothing else, consistent with your lifestyle.
Driving a $30K vehicle that recommends (some require, but the TSX isn't one) spending that $100/year extra implies that you can afford it, so why not? In many cases the computer takes care of the effects of running 87 octane in an engine designed for 91, but the effect is often lower fuel mileage from retarding the ignition. Result -- no savings & possible net loss.
When I go to higher elevations here "out west" (5K ft or more), I'll run regular all day long -- they sell a lot of 85 octane gasoline is Colorado. The only engines that need premium at high elevations are turbocharged.
To each their own, I guess.
Nothing. It's the manufacturer's recommendation that should guide you.
My Volvo V70 does not require premium gas, so I use regular. My BMW M3 requires premium gas, so I use it exclusively.
By the way, just because you can't detect detonation, doesn't mean your TSX isn't experiencing detonation at certain times. Knocking can be very dramatic and obvious (especially in old cars), but it is often undetectable. Just because you can't hear/feel it doesn't mean it's not occurring. You may never climb hills or drive under part-throttle. Someone else may lug the engine frequently and cause undetected detonation. You may never have a problem with your TSX, but the person who buys it second hand 3, 5, or 8 years from now may be looking at a premature engine rebuild. There's just no way to know.
The way I figure it, the engineers that designed the car probably know more than I do about the best way to operate and maintain my car. To my mind, using regular gas in a car designed for premium is no different than trimming the costs in other areas...
Stretch your oil change intervals from the recommended 7,500 to 10,000 miles. Drive 5,000 miles past the wear bars on your tires. Shake the dirt out of your air filter when it's time to replace it. Change your fuel filter at 40,000 instead of 30,000 miles. Add a mere 10,000 miles to your transmission fluid service interval, etc.
You'll save hundreds of dollars each year and most likely never notice a difference in the performance/reliability of your car.
One more thing-the new owners of the mazda has over 300,000 miles on it-still running excellent-just needed to be repainted and new seat covers. We made sure it had proper maintenance-oil changes, etc.
At least you follow good maintenance practices. It does beg the question though - why are you so fastidious about oil, fluids, tires, etc. but blasé about gasoline?
My brother's volvo is the S-80 which recommends premium gas-he uses regular. He used premium for almost a year-switched to regular and has not switched back.
I just traded in my 2007 RDX for a 2010 I4 TSX. Just before the trade, I had an opportunity to drive a loaner 2009 TL base w/ SH-AWD overnight. Honestly, I was not impressed with the TL's engine. Once it was spooled up, the RDX had quicker pick-up and passing ability. While I haven't tested the TSX V6, I'd have to agree the RDX turbo would have been a better choice.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Are there any "must have" options that anyone can recommend?
Thanks!
Such as the technology package that is worth a whopping $2k to get it.
Navigation, fancy stereo package. Or take that a step further and get the V6, which is another several $1k to get. Before you know it, you have a decked out car, that is busting outside the price budget you had set in the first place..lol.
People say they love the technology package, depending on how much you use navigation or those features it could be worth it.
I have to be honest though, most cars are coming equipped with them, and your going to find eventually all cars will have some sort of similar option.
At this point, if you see yourself using it, then get it from the start. It is nicer to have it already built in. Though the Iphone or a portable is just as usable.
This weekend, I noticed most VW models on the lot, already had navigation in them. This will soon be a near standard option.
Is it worth the $2k upgrade? Many opinions on this, but ask yourself if you'll actually use it.
We love the car!
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD