I am coming from a 3.5 altima, and am looking into honda's as they seem to be a bit more reliable and have MUCH better interiors. I am looking for some advice on which one I should go with. The tsx has a great interior/exterior, but lags a bit in the power department. The Accord has a great interior but the exterior to me atleast is a little on the bland side, but the v6 is comparable to my 3.5, so I can appreciate that. One issue I had with my past 2 nissan's are rattles, how do the tsx and accord fair with them? All things considered equal, what route would you go if you were in my position in terms of reliability and quality? Thanks in advance, and sorry for all the q's looking forward to being a honda/acura guy sometime soon!

 

Have you driven the 2 cars yet? If not, then it's too early to tell, though if you're concerned about the engine going into this, then chances are the TSX is not for you.

 

I have driven both, but the looks of the tsx are in my opinion far surperior, and the quality of the interior/exterior also.

 

the TSX is absolutely fine in the power department, although it is a little slower than the Accord V6.

It also depends if you are going for the auto or the manual. The TSX 6MT is very responsive, I have driven the automatic and found there to be a considerable difference. There seem to have been some rattles that owners have complained about, but I have not experienced any rattles in my TSX yet.

IS the TSX and Accord the same price? Are you buying new or used? Either way you cannot go WRONG, it depends on your preference. The TSX is definitely more nimble than the accord, and most of the people on the forums here will chose the TSX over the V6, as they are roughly the same price.

 

Both new and unfortunately, AUTO

 

Don't know about the Accord, but the TSX does have some rattles.

I came from all V6s in my previous cars, so it was a tiny bit to get used to in the TSX. However, the TSX's 4 banger produced more power than any of my previous V6s did, so it really wasn't an issue for me. The feel of the car and the interior is miles ahead of all my previous cars. I suggest you drive it and see for yourself.

 

I agree :-)

However, based on the years of reading this board and your initial comment, I'd genuinely be concerned about whether you'd be able to adjust to the engine. Nissan makes a strong V6, and, while Honda makes amazing I4's, there's certainly a difference in low-end torque. The TSX is not a stop-light racer by any means (at least not without serious mods). A Toyota 4-cyl would be a more similar driving experience as they emphasize low-end torque over high end output. The TSX excels at being good at everything rather than being the best at any one thing. The TSX is more of a driver's car (again, not racer's car). It has spirit and it's fun to drive... especially once you dump those crappy oem tires for some real ones.

I have an 04 AT TSX. It has a dual personality. In regular auto mode and at lower-mid rpms it's very much a reasonably sedate comfortable sedan. Pop it into sports shift mode and/or get the rpms up over 5k (easy to do, and Honda I4s are built to rev high so don't be afraid to do so when you want performance... and V6-like gas mileage) and it comes alive.

The earlier TSX's (like mine) had more rattle issues than the later ones.

 

imran83, your personal tastes re: the interior trim and amenities will determine, but I've heard (and found) that treatment of the customer is better at the Acura dealer. Another decision-maker: compare mileage from the Acura's 4-cylinder and the Accord V6.

FWIW, I like my TSX with the 5AT just fine. It felt zippier to me than a 2006 Accord V6 EX with 5AT. Sport shifting is fun, but it's nice to just let the car do it. I've found that, depending on my throttle use, the full auto drives conservatively, or aggressively, just as easily. I'm still learning the nuances, but I drove other cars that I had to stomp to get the same acceleration that the TSX gives me with the slightest suggestion.

 

any reason why you wouldn't be looking at the 08 Accord??

 

I wouldn't....first year model

 

1st model year issues, and its exterior has not quite grown on me yet. The coupe however..... but I need the 4 doors

 

i can understand that, but i'd say go test drive one there pretty impressive

 

I agree. The coupe is hotness and almost makes me think I could give up the other 2 doors, but I dunno. Might be a bad decision for me in the long run.

 

Being wary of first year issues is legit, but I think of all the auto makers you run the least risk with Honda/Acura. I've tried to get better pics of the coupe, but every interior shot I see the front seats are up against the rear ones. I'm sure they do that to make the cabin look larger, but they look awful small back there.

I personally think the TSX is a better car in every category but engine power. So it's up to you how important that is...

 

I'm caught in the same dilemma except between the 08 Accord Coupe vs 07/08 TSX vs 09 TSX. I can probably negotiate down the price right off the bat for the 07-- and maybe the 08 TSX if 09 is really coming out in the spring. I know that dealers around here won't budge on the 08 Coupe or the 09 TSX for a while.

...and then there's that Accord Diesel coming out next fall. I assume it's coming out for coupes too.

 

I think there's an eensy weensy chasm about a mile across in price difference between buying a pre-owned, even certified (if you can negotiate a competitive price), and a new model. The money you save can be poured right into an extended wrap warranty, so that instead of 4 years/50,000 miles of coverage (I got that right, didn't I?), you can get 6 or 7 years, and 100,000 miles. All this assumes you're not dead set on a car with a pristine, untouched interior, perfect exterior, and super-low odometer. I empathize with those who crave that (I bought my 1987 Jeep YJ off the prep lot, with only 1.5 miles on it).

 

Also, depends on how much space you and your family think you'll need?

The Accord is of course roomier and its suspension is less firm.

I bought my TSX for its better handling, greater agility, more compact size (without being small), and much more preferred exterior and interior looks.

I have an automatic. It can be kind of slow (but then again, I have also tried an automatic BMW 328i with an inline 6 that feels very powerful in manumatic mode and not much faster, if any, than the TSX in normal automatic mode, so this may more an "automatic transmission" than TSX issue.) The sportshift allows you to enjoy nice torque when you feel like it and shifts quickly. (It's well-rated in reviews.)

EDIT: I find the automatic kind of slow only from a standstill. It's quite peppy when you press on the gas at mid-range speed.

 

I'd just get an 05-06 TL instead.

btw, the best looking Accord coupe was the 6th gen (1998-2002) (imo)

 

I would love a TL, but I like knowing what has been done to the car from day 1. I tried the sportshift on the test drive, it wasnt bad, but coming from a 06 3.5(auto), the torque was just non-existent to me.

 

And there's your answer. In comparision to Nissan's 3.5, the TSX will be pretty lacking in torque, especially so in the AUTO configuration. I was not super impressed with my '05 AT TSX test drive, but had faith that the 06 6MT was going to be much more engaging and fun. I was right and have not regretted my purchase.

If you were in the market for the 6MT, I believe it should move up on your list. If not, well then I think you should look elsewhere. The 6MT makes it more fun to drive and the engine seems livelier. The car is not fast (will never be fast), but is a great performer in the curves and has excellent features/value. Re-consider the pre-owned TL thing, it sounds like a better fit.

 

imran, I went from an 02 Maxima (~same powertrain as the 3.5SE/SL/SE-R Altima) to my 07 Accord V6 EX-L and the difference in lowend is night/day between those two. After 6 months, I am still adjusting to the lack of low end "oomph". I cannot imagine the TSX comparison. (While the TL's lb-ft is nothing compared with the VQ, it has much more than the TSX.)

There were three reasons why I did not consider the TSX: TSX engine output, TSX interior space and GREAT deals on loaded Accords.....which may have gotten better due to the 08s hitting showrooms.

 

i drove an 07 maxima for a year before i got into my 04 tsx.
cons:
-you will definitely notice a big power drop, vtec or not
-this is very much subjective but i loved the nissan CVTs (not sure if ur altima had one)
-CVT allowed the V6 to get almost 30mpg on highway and low 20's in city. you will get about the same #'s in the tsx with with much less HP
-the tsx suspension is noticeably stiffer and you may not like it on long trips

pros:
-the tsx will feel much more nimble on turns and feels more taut on acceleration and braking.
-better interior
-better visibility

 

I really like the wheels on the new Accord, but that is about all...