losiglow

iTrader: (1)

Well, I made a real bonehead move last week and ended up totaling the TL. I took a turn too sharp at an intersection, drove up over the curb and into a Taco Bell drive through. It was rather epic to be honest. I ran into a 2004 Saturn which bumped into a 2002 Lexus behind it. Both airbags deployed. My arm got a bit jacked up but nothing major. I had two coworkers in the car with me - we were headed to lunch. Both of them were fine, as well as the lady I hit in the Saturn. So all in all, no injuries which is the most important part. But both the TL and the Saturn were write-off's. The Saturn was 10+ years old and, well, a GM product which pretty much sums it up. And the TL with >100K miles, both fenders pushed back and both airbags depolyed, the insurance informed me I'll want to start looking before they even appraised the car at the tow yard.





With all the time and effort I put into the car I was pretty much devastated. You tend to get emotionally tied to a vehicle when you've put a lot into it and had a lot of memories with it. I owned this car for about four years and probably spent a few hundred hours dropping weight off it and tweaking everything here and there. However, after a week, my whole outlook changed quite a bit. I have a son who will be getting his license in a few years as well as my 15 year old niece who is living with us long term. Based on that, I decided to pick up a little TSX. It's an auto, 61K miles, got it for $10K which was about what I got from the insurance on the TL. My niece and son can sport it as a shared family car since it's easy to drive and gets good mileage. My wife loves it as well and prefer to drive it on short trips running errands as opposed to the Pilot which is a bit of a tank. It's gutless, but I like the dash layout better than the TL and I love the size. I always found the TL a bit too big. The TSX is about what size I want my next vehicle to be.



It's in great shape mechanically and was always serviced by the dealer. I'm not planning on modifying it at all - just chilling with stock. It's got navigation, but I never liked Honda's nav so that doesn't really matter. The screen is nice for audio and AC function though. The auto shifts nice and smooth and the engine purrs real nice. The K series is a good motor from what I hear. It has a bit of power up top when needed. I get about 32mpg as opposed to around 28mpg in the TL.

Anyway, I'm scouting out for my next vehicle at this point. I'm not in any rush. The TSX is a nice DD but it's really more of a "temporary" solution. Since this one was paid in cash and I'm close to paying off the wifey's Pilot, I'm in the mode to get in debt again with a new ride However, I feel the need to punish myself with a slow ride for a while to account for my adolescent hotrodding. Acura is likely not an option - the TLX is a disappointment on paper IMO and there isn't a manual option (yet). I have a fair bit of research in front of me and plenty of time. But if anyone can think of a vehicle smaller than the TL, south of $20K and with some balls, I'm all ears

stm25rs

What year is the TSX? 61k miles for 10k sounds like a steal.

My roommate has a TSX, and I'd say his purchase of that car was a big factor in me trading my Legacy in for the TL.

losiglow

iTrader: (1)

2007. He had it listed for $11,700. I talked him down to $10,200. It has a few cosmetic defects - A small dent on the passenger side door and some deeper scratches on the front driver side fender. It had some nasty rattles that he was apologizing for during the test drive as well. However, after owning a 3rd gen TL (rattlebox central), I'm a master at finding rattles. I got rid of two of the three. Still searching for that last one. It only happens when the AC is on and I'm stopped.

He had already bought a Toyota Tacoma and just wanted to sell the TSX to pay down the truck. Sort of the right place at the right time I guess. It's a good quality vehicle and reflects well on Acura IMO. But it's still gutless.....

NBP04TL4ME

Glad you made it out relatively unscathed and no one was hurt. And agree with stm25rs - that is a hell of a find on the TSX. Would love to find something like that here for my daughter.

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

Damn, sorry to see. You must have been going pretty damn fast

Congrats on the new car!

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Sorry to see this, but glad you got a TSX.

Drei

iTrader: (2)

I'm guessing you had VSA turned off?

BeattieWasHere

That's sad to hear, glad everyone was alright though. I'd hate to see what your premiums will be after this is all said and done.. lol.

Timmy18

Sorry about the loss. At least the TSX can handle the curves better than the TL and if you go crazy behind the wheel once more your odds of loosing control is lower with the TSX (better chassis), lol.

Over time you'll fall in love with the TSX I think.. I don't see how anyone couldn't, they drive so good and are peppy around town.

Timmy18

Maybe you can find another TL, maybe a '07-'08 Type-S, or a '03 CL-S 6MT?

anx1300c

iTrader: (2)

'07-09 335i.

screaminz28

iTrader: (1)

Just make sure it's either below 100K miles or has an extended warranty. Not hating for sure - I REALLY wanted a 335i.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

must have been a real epic lunch.

glad every one is okay.
it's also cool to see you think of your family first, with the TSX as a temp. solution.
you'll be back with your adolescent modding ways; albeit in something quicker

bouncer07

At-fault collision sucks.

StanCeD_J32

iTrader: (11)

Sorry to hear - Atleast you're still planning on staying with the Acura family =)

losiglow

iTrader: (1)

VSA was on. Didn't make any difference that I noticed. I was relying on my BC coils when I took the turn. They performed fine. But remember, if your suspension is no longer the weak point in your handling, you're tires probably are.

Luckily my policy doesn't renew until May 2015. But no, I'm not looking forward to it.

It's a nice car but low end power is non-existent. I know, it's a Honda, which means you have to get >4000 RPM before anything remotely exciting happens. Still, I'm half tempted to just go out and get a Camaro SS (not really....). I'm kind of getting tired of no power down low. My first car was a '77 Camaro. My dad and I dropped a 350 with a four speed in it so I've been exposed to low end power which has resulted in me never truly being happy with all my Honda's. The TL worked well, especially after the weight loss, since it was gutsy enough down low and was able to get to higher RPM's pretty quick with the 6MT. It was also easy to stay within the power band. But starting fresh, I'm just not sure I'll be going with another Honda/Acura product for the long run.

That would be my only option if I stuck with Acura.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll research it.

This is true

Yes, as a reasonably priced vehicle with plenty of amenities and good reliability that I can pass down to my kids. But I don't think my next vehicle will be an Acura, unless they come out with a 6MT version of the TLX

FamilyGuy

Agreed. I wanted one too, but just horrible reliability. My friend's 335i went through 2 transmissions and a wazoo of small issues. He eventually got rid of it. Get ready to lose all your money on maintenance. I think the new ones have gotten better, but I'd stay away. BMW still hasn't learned how to properly build a turbo.

Look at Infinity or Cadillac for nice 4 door sport sedans, or a TL type s or sh-awd.

EvilVirus

iTrader: (8)

its even more epic coming from justanothercurbhitter


Glad no one was seriously hurt. It doesn't take that much speed to loose control when making turns.
Post pictures of the new ride once you get it

TacoBello

The 6MT version if the TSX is way more enjoyable. You'll find that you don't have to keep hammering the throttle to get moving like you do in an a auto- just downshift and go.

When it comes to cars with lower horsepower/torque, I've always found the manual versions to feel much more "alive" and enjoyable.

PrimeTiime

Evo 8 or 9. 15k in decent shape. Around 20 for great shape. 4 Doors, AWD, A little smaller than the TL, MUCH faster, 4banger turbo'd which means good gas mileage as well.

TSX is blahh

aIRpeACE

iTrader: (2)

i wonder how fast were you when you made that turn.

but glad everyone is ok and you found another Acura

losiglow

iTrader: (1)

You're 100% right. When I first test drove the TSX it was a manual and it was a ton of fun. However, for a family vehicle and one that my niece and son might end up driving, I opted for the auto. Plus, manual TSX's are a bit tough to find around here.

I've test drove both the Evo and WRX/STI and they're fun, but I'm looking for something a little more "mature" for lack of a better word. I'm in my mid 30's and more interested in something more professional.

Too fast I know I wasn't technically speeding, so not more than 45mph, but I doubt it was much less than that either. Unfortunately physics got the best of me. Damn that centripetal force.

aIRpeACE

iTrader: (2)

base on the pic, look like you floor it

anx1300c

iTrader: (2)

It's hit and miss with the 335. But for everyone who owns one that has issues, there are several people who have none at all. "Get ready to lose all your money on maintenance" is a big stretch, too. They're not exactly cheap cars to maintain, but then again neither is a TL; especially one with Brembos and/or one with a 5AT that you're constantly doing synthetic transmission flushes and pressure switch replacements on.

dezymond

Sorry about the TL, but nice pickup with the TSX.

I do hope your nephew and son learn a good lesson from your mistake as well. Glad you're ok and everyone involved is, but please don't be so reckless anymore, I know alot of people who got hurt driving like that.....Luckily they're all still alive.

alexb92

The extra weight of the passengers probably affected the turn.