I know you guys are gonna laugh at this. I am 3 days away from buying my first new car, an '06 acura tsx.

Another friend of mine is looking to buy a Honda Civic 06, automatic with Navigation and he took me with him today at a local Honda dealer. We test drove a brand new (with just 500 miles on it) honda civic EX and I must admit, I loved the car specially the pick up and handling..it was really smooth.

I could not help but compare it with the tsx that i test drove last week. To my astonishment, I found civic felt nicer than TSX. I pinched myself and was awake. Now, I know civic is almost 300 lbs lighter than tsx but also at 65 horses less, it should not really have felt that way.

I can't justify this situation with logic. Could it be possible that TSX that I test drove was not serviced properly? Or is it simply pre-car buying jitters?

TSX_07

 

Perhaps it's the fact that you're more comfortable driving smaller cars. I feel the same way however, the TSX grew on me the moment I drove it off the lot.

 

I've driven a new Civic and I've spent a decent amount of time as a passenger in one. In everyday life (beyond the test drive), the TSX is clearly a more refined car. In this case, you do get what you pay for. The Civic is a nice car, but it really isn't a huge leap away from anything else in its price bracket. The TSX is an incrementally better machine.

This is my opinion--your mileage may vary.

 

Self doubt is an enemy that masquerades as your friend. If money is not a problem, buy the car that will help make you feel good about yourself and enjoy the hell out of it and don't look back. That is of course unless you're hedging your bet and holding out for regret. If that's the case than I'm not the person you should be listening to.

 

I test drove both cars as well, along with an Accord, and it is obvious that Honda has dramatically improved the Civic. The Accord is getting long in the tooth and felt like a "grandpa" car, so we ruled it out quickly.

the Civic is very nice, but in the end, it comes down to the level of refinement you're looking for. I think that what makes it difficult is that the Civic is a brand new vehicle, while the TSX only has only one more year before being redone. I think that's why the Civic feels surprisingly good.

Compare the features, the finish levels and the appointment of the two cars. Then, look at the price points... I don't think that you would regret buying either car, it comes down to what you need/want!

My choice was the TSX (sportier drive, better handling, a bit more room, more power, more luxury) and i definitely don't regret my decision!

Good luck with your purchase. let us know what you chose!

 

yes, you're still sane.

the new civic is a great car, and i haven't heard any regrets from civic owners. if i was still in school and on a lesser budget, i'd be all over the civic.

i wouldn't be pressured by the thought of "moving down" to get a civic over a tsx. everyone has different priorities and wants.

but ultimately, make sure you purchase the vehicle you're most comfortable with. good luck with your purchase, and yea, definitely let us know what you do!

 

Hubby and I owned a Civic and now own a TSX. I'm sitting next to him and asked "how would you describe the difference between your Civic and the TSX?" He said "the TSX is for adults." I guess that pretty much says it all.

 

Thanks guys. there is no doubt in my mind that tsx is a more refined car with lots of luxury features that are not present in a civic. no question there.

Anyways, one thing that i have always noticed in owners of tsx is they are really happy and contended with their cars. I have rarely seen one who repents his/her decision after buying this car. Frankly speaking, I find every tsx owner with a sense of pride in owning the car and It definitly is a good balance of power, luxury and price.

I'll let you guys know my entire experience. If everything goes well, I'd one among you by this Sunday :-)

tsx_07

 

Hope you join the club buddy.

 

3 words.

Civic Si Sedan,

 

coming from the "mega moderator" of TSX forum ???

 

I was with my friend when he test drove the civic sedan. First thing I noticed was the distance from the bottom of the windshield to the front seat occupants. It gave me the sense of being disconnected from the road. Just my

 

Don't get me wrong, I would never buy an Civic. But it sounds like your confused about what to get. The Si sedan should be quicker than the TSX and probly handle better so that may help make your decesion. It may be a good compromise.

 

I never felt comfortable with a MT car so Si is out of picture. But I am with you. At 198 horse power, it would feel faster than TSX.

 

Thats exactly why I think it was a dumb move on Honda's part not to offfer an AT in the Si Sedan. They'll lose sales because of that.

 

Buy leftover 2006 TL and call it aday... can't mistake civic with TLs...

 

Sounds like you need to test drive them both again. Nice long rides. Back to Back.

 

one for the bin you are

 

good luck with the purchase!

 

:-) personally for me, there is no incentive to buy an 06 TL other than more power. it does not have ipod jack which i guess is a big plus in tsx. besides, everybody seems to think that TL drives like a "boat". I guess i am too inexperienced to make a comment like that but what I can tell is I liked the interiors of TSX better than TL.

 

torque steer in TL = no no

 

That wasn't a Civic at Satan's birthday party last night on Southpark. That's got to mean SOMETHING!!!

 

There is a long thread on just this topic. In that post I wrote a long comment about the TSX and 06 Civic. We have owned an 06 Civic EX Coupe for almost a year now and love the car. I just bought an 06 TSX after seriously considering an 07 Civic EX w/nav. I'm not going to repeat everything here, but search for that thread and read others comments as well. Both car are nice and you can't go wrong with either one, but the cars are aimed at different segments, you need to decide what segment you are looking for, then buy the best car in that segment you can find.

 

If money is an issue, buy the civic or you will stupid that you paid over $8k more for the TSX down the road. The TSX is not that fast...at all...but it does offer some luxury items the civic doesn't have. It all depends how much you value HIDs, memory seats, bluetooth, power seats, and etc.