Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » Acura TSX is a Gateway Drug 1 2

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  Feb. 8, 2011 11:41 a.m. rogerbvonceg Reader

  Before I was seriously looking, I never considered Acura in any of my research. I was looking for RWD or AWD, and Acura offered neither until 2009, and not with a manual until 2010 (in the TL SH-AWD). When I first saw the 2009 Acura TL, I think I laughed, or maybe threw up a little.
  

  Now, through unforeseen circumstances, I find myself the owner of a 2005 TSX. It is FWD, of course, and even has an automatic transmission.
  

  And it's fantastic. Yes, I miss the manual sometimes, and I hear the 6-speed is very good, but I still love this car.

  Now as I look to the future, I'm actually liking the much-maligned TL. (As long as it's a SH-AWD with 6MT).

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  Feb. 8, 2011 11:43 a.m. Duke SuperDork

  Yup. I love my wife's '04 TSX. With the automatic (which is really very good) it's an almost-perfect daily.

  Junior Brown is my hero.

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  Feb. 8, 2011 11:50 a.m. mtn SuperDork

  rogerbvonceg wrote: Before I was seriously looking, I never considered Acura in any of my research. I was looking for RWD or AWD, and Acura offered neither until 2009, and not with a manual until 2010 (in the TL SH-AWD).

  ORLY??

  Anytime somebody tells you that vodka mixes well with anything, slide them a jar of mayonnaise and tell them to practice what they preach.

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  Feb. 8, 2011 11:52 a.m. RossD Dork

  In reply to mtn:

  What a timeless design.

  The previous statements are not endorsed by Grassroots Motorsports or their sponsors.

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  Feb. 8, 2011 11:59 a.m. rogerbvonceg Reader

  Caveat:

  "...in my price range."

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  Feb. 8, 2011 12:00 p.m. rogerbvonceg Reader

  Caveat 2:

  "...sedan..."

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  Feb. 8, 2011 12:06 p.m. red5_02 Reader

  I LOVE the TSX. Buddy of mine has one and that little car is so comfortable and refined.

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  Feb. 8, 2011 12:18 p.m. David S. Wallens Editorial Director

  Acura did a press intro for the TSX at Michelin's headquarters, including lots of autocross plus time on their test track. It kinda felt like a big CRX, and I mean that in a good way.

  Yes, we now have signatures.

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  Feb. 8, 2011 12:37 p.m. Duke SuperDork

  David S. Wallens wrote: Acura did a press intro for the TSX at Michelin's headquarters, including lots of autocross plus time on their test track. It kinda felt like a big CRX, and I mean that in a good way.

  I desperately want my wife to try an autocross in hers. Unfortunately I believe that is totally off the table, judging by her reactions to a fun run pass with me driving the Miata.

  Junior Brown is my hero.

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  Feb. 8, 2011 12:40 p.m. Bobzilla Dork

  2 Big things with it. Keep the oil changed. Watch the oil level between changes. Do this and the car will run forever. Don't do it and you'll be visiting me with your wallet open.

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  Feb. 8, 2011 12:45 p.m. Duke SuperDork

  Bob:

  Any tips for a TSX that gets driven maybe 6k a year? We bought it in 10/2004 and it just turned over 37k. How often should I change the transmission fluid and coolant?

  Junior Brown is my hero.

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  Feb. 8, 2011 1:52 p.m. Bobzilla Dork

  TYPICALLY.... it'll tell you via the vehicle's maintenance minder. But with your low mileage I would change the trans fluid every 15-20k or 3 years. Simple drain and fill, 4 qts of fluid and a washer. IT's cheap insurance. Luckily the auto's in the TSX are the more durable of the two transmissions.
  

  To be fair, and everyone here know's my personal feelings for hondar, a 2006 TSX non-navi manual would be on my short list if the price was right.

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  Feb. 8, 2011 8:55 p.m. Nitroracer SuperDork

  Not being well versed in Honda speak, does the TSX share anything with the sporty RSX or is it simply the euro Accord we Americans are not allowed to have?

  1968 Fairlane 500 / 1998 Camaro Z/28

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  Feb. 8, 2011 10:00 p.m. hotg54b New Reader

  Acura considers the TSX a "sportscar"

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  Feb. 8, 2011 10:03 p.m. clutchsmoke New Reader

  I hate the throttle by wire in my sister's 6spd 05 TSX. Aside from that it's a really nice car. I heard there is some way to fix the TBW, but she has never complained about it.

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  Feb. 9, 2011 8:16 a.m. Bobzilla Dork

  Nitroracer wrote: Not being well versed in Honda speak, does the TSX share anything with the sporty RSX or is it simply the euro Accord we Americans are not allowed to have?

  It has more to share with the Accord than anything else in the lineup. It is the Euro Accord with leather and goodies. Unlike the RSX, it has a real suspension under it.

  Did I mention we can still get the A-spec suspensions for them?

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  Feb. 9, 2011 9:17 a.m. T.J. SuperDork

  To me this is sorta like saying the Camry is a good car.

  There isn't a single Acura in their current lineup I would consider owning. Just not my thing.

  {Place witty saying here}

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  Feb. 9, 2011 9:23 a.m. rogerbvonceg Reader

  T.J. wrote: To me this is sorta like saying the Camry is a good car. There isn't a single Acura in their current lineup I would consider owning. Just not my thing.

  That was me before driving this one, which was kind of my point.

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  Feb. 9, 2011 9:30 a.m. T.J. SuperDork

  I'm sure they are nice enough cars. I am also sure that no amount of goodness will overcome my pre-conceived notions about big long-nosed FWD cars. Just not interested. I realize this in more about me being willfully ignorant than it is about the quality of Acura's cars.

  {Place witty saying here}

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  Feb. 9, 2011 9:50 a.m. ShadowSix New Reader

  I drove a 6 spd. TSX before I bought my 350Z, It seemed like a really nice, sportier Accord. It handled competently in a way that the Accord no longer does, reminding me more of the great 90-93 CB chassis Accords in that respect.
  

  That said, if I was in the FWD sport sedan market I would not even stop at the Acura store on my way to go buy a new Civic Si 4 door, THAT is an inspiring car. The new Civic Si is the best one since at least the EG (92-95), steering, shifter, clutch, handling, a motor that is perfect in every way. The interior is ridiculous (too weird, maybe you get used to it after a while) and the A-pillar is in the way (just like every other new car A-pillar), but it's a small price to pay for a car that begs to be taken to the race track in a way very few 4-doors do.

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  Feb. 9, 2011 9:59 a.m. 92CelicaHalfTrac SuperDork

  T.J. wrote: I'm sure they are nice enough cars. I am also sure that no amount of goodness will overcome my pre-conceived notions about big long-nosed FWD cars. Just not interested. I realize this in more about me being willfully ignorant than it is about the quality of Acura's cars.

  I wouldn't call the TSX long-nosed... depends on what you're comparing it to. A cab-over truck, maybe.

  SCAVENGE THE SEA FLOOR FOR NUTRIENTS

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  Feb. 9, 2011 10:04 a.m. coll9947 New Reader

  ShadowSix wrote: I drove a 6 spd. TSX before I bought my 350Z, It seemed like a really nice, sportier Accord. It handled competently in a way that the Accord no longer does, reminding me more of the great 90-93 CB chassis Accords in that respect.

  EXACTLY! I love 90-93 Accords. Learned stick on one. I've seen maybe two tastefully modified examples while the rest all seem doomed, but dang if those two clean ones weren't awesome. The CB Accords are a styling icon to me as far as mid-size four door sedans are concerned.

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  Feb. 9, 2011 11:38 a.m. rogerbvonceg Reader

  ShadowSix wrote: I drove a 6 spd. TSX before I bought my 350Z, It seemed like a really nice, sportier Accord. It handled competently in a way that the Accord no longer does, reminding me more of the great 90-93 CB chassis Accords in that respect. That said, if I was in the FWD sport sedan market I would not even stop at the Acura store on my way to go buy a new Civic Si 4 door, THAT is an inspiring car. The new Civic Si is the best one since at least the EG (92-95), steering, shifter, clutch, handling, a motor that is perfect in every way. The interior is ridiculous (too weird, maybe you get used to it after a while) and the A-pillar is in the way (just like every other new car A-pillar), but it's a small price to pay for a car that begs to be taken to the race track in a way very few 4-doors do.

  I agree with your assessment of the Civic. I had looked into a 4-door Si at some point. I love how they look on the outside, but the inside turned me off. Weird and downmarket. At my age and level of snobbishness, I felt that that ship had sailed. I had an '89 CRX Si that will live on favorably in my head until I die, but I don't want another one.
  

  The TSX represented fewer packaging compromises, with an inviting, upmarket tan leather interior that just felt right as soon as I sat in it. It also has the 2.4l version of Honda's fantastic little engine, which offers considerably more torque than the Civic's. HP is about the same.

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  Feb. 9, 2011 11:44 a.m. rogerbvonceg Reader

  I'm sounding like one of those fanbois. Sorry. It's an effect of the drug.
  

  My original intent was not so much an ode to my car, but to remark on the effects of it.
  

  TJ hit it on the head. Acura (and Honda) had nothing for me 3 months ago. Now I'm wondering what my next Acura will be, and dreaming of the day I can fit an S2000 in the garage.

  I have no such feelings for Toyota, Ford, or Volkswagen (other brands I've owned).

  Has this ever happened to you?

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  Feb. 9, 2011 11:44 a.m. Bobzilla Dork

  If the TSX only cam with cloth....

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