My friend is looking for an 'entry-luxury' vehicle for himself, and the Acura TSX was on his list. Direct competitors: Audi A4 1.8T, Mercedes C230, Lexus IS300, BMW 325i. I don't know if it was the salesperson we rode with, or just Acura in general, but the car came off as being bland. Much more impressed by the Audi and the Mercedes (yet to test drive the Lexus and the BMW). Reliable? yes. High resale? yes. All what you would expect from a Honda based car (TSX is based off of the European Honda Accord platform). Exhilarating? no.
I have had my V-6 EX Accord for about two months now and absolutely love it. The car is very responsive, when TCS (traction control) is switched off. Handling is not bad for a 3K + pounds car, the suspension is well balanced between comfort ride and performance. I think Honda had it in mind to compete with the entry luxury markets when they launched the new gen Accord EX. I couldn't think of any other luxury ammenities that should be included with the car for the price....
But why TSX, why not TL?
But why TSX, why not TL?
cr4zy - you purchased the sedan am I correct? I was looking through the brochure my parents brought home - the V6 sedan only has a 13mm rear stabilizer bar, as opposed to the 14mm on my I4. I finally realized why most magazines criticized the slushy handling of the V6.
I'm planning on change that out also... overall, handling is surprisingly not bad, compare to older Accords. I have a '99 V-6 coupe, that I drive daily, which have a whole suspension upgrade (performance springs, shocks, strut brace) and when comparing the handling of the new car to the '99, the new one took the curves almost just as well (thank in part to the more responsive and lighter steering). So far, I have no complain about the car, and I think within our family, we've owned just about every generation of Accords.
Ahh ok. Yea it's not too bad but I think it could be a lot better, but that's just my two cents. The TL sway bars are on nationwide back order, so the only option at the current moment is the Comptech 22mm. (Either the bar itself or the rubber bushings are on backorder)
Thanks... can anyone recommend any cars in the pricerange that would be clear cut preferable over the TSX?
I'm looking for that nice luxury/sporty mix. Considering TSX, TL, and G35... anything else to consider?
Thats good then, I think paying 30,000 for a Japanese built car is better for your money than paying 35,000 for a Mexico built Mercedes
How bout the Nissan Z or the Mazda RX then? Sporty, but not necessarily luxury. but you can get it for under 28k
As an owner of a TSX, I'd say it's an above average car. Depending on what you're looking for, it may or may not fit your needs. When I purchased, I was looking for an entry luxury vehicle with FWD and got good gas mileage. RWD would have been okay, but I literally live on the side of a mountain and the road up to it is about a 5% to 6% grade and FWD does still give better traction than RWD. My price range was about $25k to $32k, with my preference leaning towards the bottom end of that scale. Sportiness was a consideration although not my determining factor. Practicality was also high on my list, meaning 4 doors is a must. Reliability is a MUST for me. I can't stand buying a car only to have it go in to the shop 3 or 4 times a year for a major issue (ahem...my Ford Explorer). I test drove the following cars: IS 300, BMW 330, G35, previous generation (not 04) TL, the TSX, and even a VW Passat.
As far as bang for the buck goes, Acura's always win. Both the TL and the TSX are loaded for the price. IMO, the IS300 was a little too expensive for what you got, and I can't stand the ricer looks of it. Reliability was a huge plus for the Lexus.
BMW handles like a dream, but my friend has a 328 (before they upgraded the engine to a 3.0L) and he's had nothing but problems with it. In addition, CR has rated the reliablity low and has moved the BMW from their recommended list because of the reliability issues. Also, the price is a little high.
G35, nice car. 4 door is too expensive for me though. Interior didn't feel as nice, believe it or not, even though the TSX uses leather on the centers of the seat.
TL just looked old. The Type-S was fun to test drive, but I knew they'd be coming out with a new body style when I drove it and wanted something that looked fresher.
Passat. Reliability is okay. Interior felt crappy. In addition, the dealer was a jerk, so that was an easy elimination.
I've put about 10k miles on mine (purchased last Sept.) and here are my pros/cons for the car.
Pro's:
Loaded for the price
Handles very well - the only car I felt that handled better than it that I test drove was the BMW.
Very fuel efficient, especially when premium (which it requires) is about $2/gallon - I'm averaging about 29mpg but I'm not a huge leadfoot
Still pretty unique on the road - not too many that you see everyday. I think I've seen about 4 or 5 since I bought mine. Not a huge pro, but one nonetheless.
Sporty enough for me. High revving if you really want it to go though.
After 10k miles, everything still seems mechanically sound, although 10k is still early in a car's life so I'll wait and see. Although, honestly, if I have a major problem (transmission, engine, electrical, etc) before 100k miles I'd consider it a dissapointment towards Honda's reputation of quality.
Cons:
Systemic creak in the windshield that it seems almost every TSX has and the dealers can't seem to fix
Systemic creak in the driver side door panel that almost every TSX has and the dealers can't seem to fix
For a luxury brand, Acura is nothing more than a hopped up Honda. The buying experience may vary, but mine was no more spectacular than going to Ford or Honda. My sister, buying a Lexus was treated like a queen.
Overall, I'm pretty happy, although those creaks are driving me (and it seems like a lot of other TSX owners) crazy. Hopefully Acura will put out a TSB for it, as I've already taken it in to 2 different Acura dealers 3 times to try and get the pops and creaking fixed.
As far as bang for the buck goes, Acura's always win. Both the TL and the TSX are loaded for the price. IMO, the IS300 was a little too expensive for what you got, and I can't stand the ricer looks of it. Reliability was a huge plus for the Lexus.
BMW handles like a dream, but my friend has a 328 (before they upgraded the engine to a 3.0L) and he's had nothing but problems with it. In addition, CR has rated the reliablity low and has moved the BMW from their recommended list because of the reliability issues. Also, the price is a little high.
G35, nice car. 4 door is too expensive for me though. Interior didn't feel as nice, believe it or not, even though the TSX uses leather on the centers of the seat.
TL just looked old. The Type-S was fun to test drive, but I knew they'd be coming out with a new body style when I drove it and wanted something that looked fresher.
Passat. Reliability is okay. Interior felt crappy. In addition, the dealer was a jerk, so that was an easy elimination.
I've put about 10k miles on mine (purchased last Sept.) and here are my pros/cons for the car.
Pro's:
Loaded for the price
Handles very well - the only car I felt that handled better than it that I test drove was the BMW.
Very fuel efficient, especially when premium (which it requires) is about $2/gallon - I'm averaging about 29mpg but I'm not a huge leadfoot
Still pretty unique on the road - not too many that you see everyday. I think I've seen about 4 or 5 since I bought mine. Not a huge pro, but one nonetheless.
Sporty enough for me. High revving if you really want it to go though.
After 10k miles, everything still seems mechanically sound, although 10k is still early in a car's life so I'll wait and see. Although, honestly, if I have a major problem (transmission, engine, electrical, etc) before 100k miles I'd consider it a dissapointment towards Honda's reputation of quality.
Cons:
Systemic creak in the windshield that it seems almost every TSX has and the dealers can't seem to fix
Systemic creak in the driver side door panel that almost every TSX has and the dealers can't seem to fix
For a luxury brand, Acura is nothing more than a hopped up Honda. The buying experience may vary, but mine was no more spectacular than going to Ford or Honda. My sister, buying a Lexus was treated like a queen.
Overall, I'm pretty happy, although those creaks are driving me (and it seems like a lot of other TSX owners) crazy. Hopefully Acura will put out a TSB for it, as I've already taken it in to 2 different Acura dealers 3 times to try and get the pops and creaking fixed.
GasX
Lifer
- Feb 8, 2001
- 29,033
- 6
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Take a look at the Lancer EVO RS - with the luxury option (only way to get A/C). It'll be smaller, less comfortable and less luxurious that the TSX, but it is the ultimate sleeper - other than the visible intercooler, this model has little to make it look like the 274HP light weight monster it is...
Doesn't look like a sports car, does it?
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