Topic: 2004 Acura TSX

[1TSX]

So, my dad wasn't thinking of selling our Accord. Its a very good car, with no problems at all. Drives perfect. But one of his co workers is interested in buying it for his kids. And he offered us a price, which is higher than its worth!

Now, the decisions. Sell the car for a good price and upgrade to another vehicle, or just keep the Accord. 

We have been eying an 2004 Acura TSX at our local Acura stealership. Off lease, 56,000 kms, absolutely mint condition (saw it and drove it). No rattles (mmret ). $22,995.00, but we talked them down to about 21k.

http://www.trader.ca/powerpage/details.aspx?vlotid=116072&adid=6622578

So?  Hows the price of the TSX? Good idea or keep the Accord?

[mmret]

Oo you get the good interior color on this one.

$21k USD is pretty close to the asking price for 04 TSXs in NY state, according to a rather brief look on cars.com. How long is the CPO warranty?

What are you doing about winter tires? Your Accord rims/tires might just fit.

Can't think of any recurring problems you need to watch out for although perhaps the battery will be on its last legs by now.

Turning circle is poor as has been discussed on this forum before.

[1TSX]

Wow, if the price is similar to the states, it must be good.

CPO warranty? I think the bumper to bumper is almost done (within one year), not sure about Powertrain (I will ask my dad when hes gets back). However, they include a powertrain warranty for 22k (which I don't think we will need).

Our winter tires for the Accord are too small. 15 inch. Those brakes look pretty big, so I don't think 15' wheels would fit. Yes, I read about your battery issues, so I will pay attention to that if we are considering this car. Turning circle is poor, I assume its because of the 17 inch wheels?

[mmret]

Wow, if the price is similar to the states, it must be good.

CPO warranty? I think the bumper to bumper is almost done (within one year), not sure about Powertrain (I will ask my dad when hes gets back). However, they include a powertrain warranty for 22k (which I don't think we will need).

Our winter tires for the Accord are too small. 15 inch. Those brakes look pretty big, so I don't think 15' wheels would fit. Yes, I read about your battery issues, so I will pay attention to that if we are considering this car. Turning circle is poor, I assume its because of the 17 inch wheels?

The TSX brakes are not huge but 15" might be pushing it.

Not sure what the thing is with the turning circle, but I have seen all sorts of cars show me up when doing U-Turns. I also wish the rack had a slightly faster ratio, maybe 0.5 fewer turns lock to lock.

You will probably be okay for not needing the warranty long term, its just that there might be small issues that you don't notice until you buy.

The auto climate control is actually decently smart in this car, I have noticed. AC is ice cold within 10 sec on the hottest days.

Make sure you get real acura rubber floormats, the floor hinge gas pedal makes it annoying to use aftermarket ones.

Drive it at night to see how you feel about the sharp HID cutoff. The angle is adjustable via a hex screw thing which is reasonably easy to access.

[1TSX]

Wow, if the price is similar to the states, it must be good.

CPO warranty? I think the bumper to bumper is almost done (within one year), not sure about Powertrain (I will ask my dad when hes gets back). However, they include a powertrain warranty for 22k (which I don't think we will need).

Our winter tires for the Accord are too small. 15 inch. Those brakes look pretty big, so I don't think 15' wheels would fit. Yes, I read about your battery issues, so I will pay attention to that if we are considering this car. Turning circle is poor, I assume its because of the 17 inch wheels?

The TSX brakes are not huge but 15" might be pushing it.

Not sure what the thing is with the turning circle, but I have seen all sorts of cars show me up when doing U-Turns. I also wish the rack had a slightly faster ratio, maybe 0.5 fewer turns lock to lock.

You will probably be okay for not needing the warranty long term, its just that there might be small issues that you don't notice until you buy.

The auto climate control is actually decently smart in this car, I have noticed. AC is ice cold within 10 sec on the hottest days.

Make sure you get real acura rubber floormats, the floor hinge gas pedal makes it annoying to use aftermarket ones.

Drive it at night to see how you feel about the sharp HID cutoff. The angle is adjustable via a hex screw thing which is reasonably easy to access.

Thanks for the information.

My dad too noticed the climate control, and how fast it heated up the car.  He also loved the HID's (we did drive it at night). He didn't mention the cut off though, but I remember Consumer Reports complaining about it. But as long as its adjustable, I am sure it won't be  a problem...just don't blind anyone I guess.

[johngenx]

Turning circle is poor, I assume its because of the 17 inch wheels?

Turning circle has nothing to do with wheel diameter.  It's about geometry and suspension/stering set-up.  Mercedes' have some of the sharpest turning circles around, and it won't change if you swap the 16's for 18's or 19's or whatever.  I love that the C-Class can easily whip a u-turn in the space of two lanes.  Makes parking lots bearable.  The Scoob is a see-saw and reverse exercise in frustration...

[initial_D]

I like the TSX, a very good car in an attractive package.

Most FWD cars have big turning radius.

[1TSX]

Turning circle is poor, I assume its because of the 17 inch wheels?

Turning circle has nothing to do with wheel diameter.  It's about geometry and suspension/stering set-up.  Mercedes' have some of the sharpest turning circles around, and it won't change if you swap the 16's for 18's or 19's or whatever.  I love that the C-Class can easily whip a u-turn in the space of two lanes.  Makes parking lots bearable.  The Scoob is a see-saw and reverse exercise in frustration...

I see. I always had in my head that bigger wheels meant less space in the wheel wells. And rubbing would occur, etc. 

[ghost]

My only caution is that, your dad is basically letting go of a trouble-free Honda Accord with good history for a TSX with questionable history. Unless your dad comes has to absolutely require a TSX over an Accord (which I can't think of any reason) it may be better to keep the Accord.

[mmret]

Just a note about the warranty, I asked about the CPO thing because on the website it mentioned something abotu Acura Certified Preowned.

The basic warranty on the TSX, for mine at least, is 4/80 comprehensive and 5/100 powertrain. Assuming that holds true for yours then you still have a decent warranty period left, CPO extension or no.

[Arthur Dent]

My mother has a 04 TSX - great drive with the 6spd - I suspect the auto would feel much less special. Its been rock solid for her so far. I recommended 16" steel wheels from a similar year Accord for winter tires and they fit real nice.

[Julie]

If I wasn't a driving nut, I'd keep the Accord and drive it to the ground.

But I am a driving nut, and am happy every single day that I made the decision to get it, even though it meant losing a chunk of cash trading in that new Civic. I love, love driving this thing!!!

Yes, the turning circle sucks. I think it's worse than most comparable FWD cars, but it's the only real negative for me, and I just live with it because this is the car I want.

I guess it depends how much your Dad wants a sportier driving car versus potentially saving some money. 2004 was the year with the most bugs, but it still is rated well overall in reliability. Personally, I'd get 2006 and up, as they got a slew of add-ons starting in 2006 for not much more (and that price differential would diminish anyways with a used car).

[Mitlov]

Peaky VTEC + ultra-smooth Acura six-speed manual = awesome.
Peaky VTEC + automatic = kinda slow.

I've driven the TSX with a manual and absolutely loved it.  I'm not sure I could get that excited about it with an auto, though, as the manual transmission itself was a big part of the appeal, and it helps you get the most out of the engine.  Handling is world's better than an Accord, though.  So if handling is important to you, go for it.

And mmret, I'll take aluminum trim with either the grey or black leather instead of the ghastly fake wood trim (which is the only option with tan seating) any day.  Even though I otherwise like tan interiors.

[Mitlov]

My only caution is that, your dad is basically letting go of a trouble-free Honda Accord with good history for a TSX with questionable history. Unless your dad comes has to absolutely require a TSX over an Accord (which I can't think of any reason) it may be better to keep the Accord.

I disagree.  If you have a trouble-free car that doesn't excite you, and you're looking at a car that does excite you, and you're an automotive enthusiast, make the plunge.  Just roll the dice on the car's history.  I did and I couldn't be happier with the decision.

[mmret]

And mmret, I'll take aluminum trim with either the grey or black leather instead of the ghastly fake wood trim (which is the only option with tan seating) any day.  Even though I otherwise like tan interiors.

Have not seen it in person, but the aluminum trim is pretty ghastly too.

[1TSX]

Thanks for the replies.

The dealer let us have the car for the evening. We noticed that the climate control and radio buttons don't light up, when the headlights are on. They are suppose to, right?  That was our only complaint. The sales person said for 2004, the TSX never had lighted buttons for those areas.  I really DOUBT that.

mmret, you are right, the car felt it needed more battery power to start, it was kind of hesitant. It still has the OEM one.

Yes, this car will have to be auto, for my mom, who can't and will not learn to drive manual. Thats the way it is. The TSX drives much better than our Accord, thats a given. Also, 2006's are out of our price range, so we cannot consider them. 

About the 04' having the most bugs; wasn't this vehicle out in Europe the years before as the Accord? So it shouldn't have THAT many major bugs?

We are going to look at another one, same year, same mileage, same color, this Saturday (private sale).

Will keep everyone updated...

[Mitlov]

The dealer let us have the car for the evening. We noticed that the climate control and radio buttons don't light up, when the headlights are on. They are suppose to, right?  That was our only complaint. The sales person said for 2004, the TSX never had lighted buttons for those areas.  I really DOUBT that.

You're being lied to.  This is a 2004 TSX interior, and I'm pretty sure I see backlit HVAC and climate controls.  Shoot, even my 99 Civic had backlighting.  How are you supposed to find them at night if there's absolutely no backlighting to even show you where the knobs are?



I do recall hearing that the early TSXs didn't have backlit steering-wheel-mounted controls, I think.

[mmret]

Salesguy is full of it.

There have been a few reports of burnt out dash lighting on early TSXs.

Curls had this problem I believe. Say fix it or no deal.

You might also want to push for a replacement battery. The OEM one is 410 CCA, the replacement ones they get from Honda are 500 CCA, according to some posts at Acurazine.


I do recall hearing that the early TSXs didn't have backlit steering-wheel-mounted controls, I think.

This is true I believe.

[safristi]

wot is he supposedly getting for his present Accord......$21K fer a soon to be 4 year olde car with a few issues..would not light my fire when it woz prolly wot $28 K'ish NEW...........i personally think U could do WAY BETTER............IMHO.....

[1TSX]

Yeah, I knew it was BS all along, about the lighted controls. These little things about the salesperson really turn me off about buying their vehicle.

Saf, the TSX was around 40k new with taxes and everything. So basically, it has lost half of its value.

We can sell our Accord for 10K. Dealer trade in is around 7-8k.