CD Article: 2006 Acura CSX

[Jameel]

The idea of Acura CSX is that its not an economy car. Its a compact luxury car. It continues to sell well because a lot of people who want luxury but don't want to drive a large car.

Synergies can be drawn between Toyota Camry/Lexus ES350, Honda Pilot/Acura MDX, Toyota Highlander/Lexus RX350.

But this is very unique. The idea of a compact sedan as an economy car is evolving to compact cars can be luxurily appointed as well.

I'll always see it (CSX) and I've always seen the EL as Civics with leather.  I just can't get over the fact that people will pay ~$7,000 to own a Civic with leather  .

[footlong58]

The idea of Acura CSX is that its not an economy car. Its a compact luxury car. It continues to sell well because a lot of people who want luxury but don't want to drive a large car.

Synergies can be drawn between Toyota Camry/Lexus ES350, Honda Pilot/Acura MDX, Toyota Highlander/Lexus RX350.

But this is very unique. The idea of a compact sedan as an economy car is evolving to compact cars can be luxurily appointed as well.

I'll always see it (CSX) and I've always seen the EL as Civics with leather.  I just can't get over the fact that people will pay ~$7,000 to own a Civic with leather  .

Why does what other people think and do with their automotive purchases get you bent out of shape?

[UmroAyyar]

I see and understand your predicament, its similar to buying a 1-2 yr old used car than the current year. Its all about value for the money. You want a Sony camcorder or a Samsung camcorder. 

I won't be an Acura CSX buyer, doesn't fulfill my needs, but I still think its a fabulous vehicle and fills a void.

EDIT: The people who buy this vehicle are not stupid. 

[Jameel]

Why does what other people think and do with their automotive purchases get you bent out of shape?

I didn't think I was getting "bent out of shape".  I was stating my opinion.

EDIT: The people who buy this vehicle are not stupid. 

hahahahahahahahaha....  Nice way to cover yourself! 

[mdxtasy]

I don't think it was a 'get bent' situation...moreso a case of poor choice of words.  I sat in the CSX the other day while the MDX was getting an oil change.  I don't really like the dash design, but it is functional.  I don't like the centre console design, and I don't like the redundant controls on the steering wheels, the ones closer to the hub are more difficult to reach.  It would have been more practical to have them go vertical vs horizontal.  The trunk is big, the seat feels comfy.  Not bad.  It feels nicer than the 01 EL I had.

[wing]

How does it compare in size to a 320i ?

[mdxtasy]

How does it compare in size to a 320i ?

The car feels bigger....but that's because there's 8ft of dash in front of you....whereas in the BMW, you're a lot closer to the windshield.  The rear seat room isn't bad at all, the c-pillar is kinda intrusive when you get in and out but nothing to be concerned about.  The legroom is good for 2 adults out back. 

[wing]

So it's cheap compared the the similar sized BMW ?

[gosteelerz]

If you can afford the premium version of this car why not just get the TSX.  You get a vastly superior car and will not have to suffer the Civic stigma.  This car bears a stronger resemblance to the Civic than any of the ELs.  The Altezza style tail lights have a decidedly down market look to them when compared to the Civics.
 

[Shnak]

That "triangle" is so that the car doesn't feel like a wet noodle when driving.

There are better ways to make your car stiff than having these 'triangles'... my Jetta doesn't have triangles, and it's certainly no wet noodle!

[village]

Personally, I think Acura dropped the ball on the CSX.  Though admittingly, it's sales record will decide for us.

It was always a luxory oriented Civic, that was fine.  I do want heated leather seats, and as much luxory as I can squeeze into a compact car.  But the old design was, well a generally boring, bland and regular looking car.  So the Civic/EL platform sharing wasn't exactly prominate nor a detractor.

Now with the new crazy design of the Civic and it's split dash.  It's glaringly obvious, even to us dumb consumer that it's merely a Civic in a suit.  Add that to an increased price tag, and suddenly it's not such a good deal.

But nevertheless, bring on the luxory compacts.  I'd be happy to trick out a Honda Fit with heated leather seats/navi, etc...  But with that money, most people step up into the base of the next level rather then top out in the lower.

[locutusx]

The only reason people like to trash Acura CSX because it shares its platform with Civic, Civic is not a little pony either.

i wonder if those same people would trash the Integra, or especially the vaunted Integra Type-R? maybe they didn't know that it was based on the 92-95 Civic platform...

[locutusx]

If you can afford the premium version of this car why not just get the TSX.

just responding to this point only:

2006 CSX Premium with Auto, taxable total $30,680

2006 TSX with Auto, taxable total $38,630

An 8 grand difference ain't nothing to sniff at. And after tax, 8 grand becomes $9200

[mdxtasy]

Good one locutusx....if you can afford premium....why get a CSX....why not just get a Bentley?   

Yes wing....it's cheap compared to the 3 series....for the same level of performance and interior room as the 320...

[locutusx]

Good one locutusx....if you can afford premium....why get a CSX....why not just get a Bentley?   

screw that, why not get a Maybach instead! cuz if u can afford a CSX it obviously means you won the lotto or are a supreme court judge or something! lolz.

back on topic...

what other similar sort of cars can you get for about $30k, pre-tax?

Toyota Camry Solara SE - $29k -- (oh no, another 4-cylinder engined car with sport-luxury pretensions, "why not just get a Camry LE", lol)

VW Jetta (2.5L) with Leather Luxury pkg & Auto - $30,310
-- wow, very surprised after pricing out that Jetta. now i know who exactly Acura had in mind when they came up with the CSX's pricing scheme.

RSX Premium Leather with Auto - $31,380 (same engine as CSX)


see kids? the CSX's price really isn't all that crazy after all...

[gosteelerz]

Good one locutusx....if you can afford premium....why get a CSX....why not just get a Bentley?   

Yes wing....it's cheap compared to the 3 series....for the same level of performance and interior room as the 320...

Or maybe just a Civic.

Same level of performance as a 320 is a bit of a stretch.

[a4_tom]

Also if you compare the price of Civic EX sedan vs CSX, with the additional features of latter, Acura worths every pennies by its sportier handling alone.

[G0dspd]

What is so "sportier" about it? (real question!)  Suspensions ... flappy paddles thing ...

[Prius]

I've test driven the CSX and to me, that RSX engine made no difference compared to the Civic EX that I also drove. The extra oomph is negated by the extra weight. As for torque, no not really, unless you stay about ~4,000rpm, that's where the torque's at.

I really don't like how Acura has been jacking up prices recently just because they want to compete with Infiniti and Lexus.

e.g. $2,000ish jump from a base 2004 RSX to a 2005 RSX with no noticeable equipment added

RL priced at $55k for 2003, jumped to $70k for the new RL with SH-AWD. Ok, yes it has a lot more equipment but $15k?!?

TSX - $34,800 (auto and manual) for 2004 MY. Now it's $35,900 for the manual, $37,200 for the automatic and all that's added is bluetooth, power passenger seat, illuminated steering wheel buttons and more hp to stay above the 200 mark under the new SAE standards. I don't know if all that's worth $1,100 ($2,400 for automatic). The power passenger seat might taken half of the cost though.

[gosteelerz]

The only reason people like to trash Acura CSX because it shares its platform with Civic, Civic is not a little pony either.

i wonder if those same people would trash the Integra, or especially the vaunted Integra Type-R? maybe they didn't know that it was based on the 92-95 Civic platform...

Completely the opposite.  Back then Civic drivers were getting high end components at compact prices.  Also the Integras had absolutely no resemblence to the Civic from a Cosmetic point of view and had significant performance improvements.