I'm wondering if anyone has heard anything about possible changes for the next model year of the TSX (whenever that might actually be)?

I for one would like to see them add a memory seat function to the driver's seat and maybe make 6th gear taller.

If you have any good rumors then post them here...

 

i would probably say fixing the rattles. I don't think Honda has anything else plan for it. sure memory seats would be a delight but its only the first year.

 

I heard Honda is going to add a V-6, convert it to RWD and do an exterior makeover that looks really ugly. Oh, wait a minute, I've got Honda and BMW mixed up!!!
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04 TSX CG AT/NAV
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05 is over a year away! Don't count on any new news for this until June of next year? I don't think they are going to make any major improvements like the memory seats.

Changes:
1. Fix Rattles
2. Any Mechanical problems for 04 year to be fixed (but usually becomes fixed as soon as it's noticed; like faulty brake cables)
3. Possible new software for nav system (upgrade for all 04's)
4. ?

I think that's it.

 

hmmm....that would be close if bmw made v-6's.........

 

Sorry, Fookie, I should have said "I6." I need to quit being sarcastic and pay attention to what I'm doin.
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04 TSX CG AT/NAV
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Some minor incremental changes for '05 could include:

- Different paint / interior combos. US market could get Indigo; Canada could get Carbon Grey, etc. I think that a Forest Green Pearl would be nice.

- Interiors with the option of REAL leather rather than merely leather trim pieces that are dominated by leather-looking plastic.

- Satellite radio option.

- Door lock button that was flush with window sill when locked.

- Of course, the rattles resolved. (I don't have that problem--knock on wood.)

- The Tourer (wagon) version would be a surprise and relatively handy to implement with TSX-specific features.

- A 2-door would be a pleasant shocker, but I wouldn't expect it for '05. (Yer never know!)

- Moving the turn signal indicators in the instrument panel display so that those with big clod hands on the steering wheel can them more easily.

- Make the tiltable steering wheel be able to tilt UP rather than down only. (They made the steering wheel tilt only for sake of shorter people who need to lower it.)

- Make the rear end look less like a late '90's Camry's rear end.

- Produce some models in US or Canadian assembly plants, given that the CL is no longer produced. (I've never had quality, durability, or reliability problems with my North American produced Hondas.)

 

i wished they would give the tsx better leather without the holes and real aluminum trim, instead of the painted stuff..

 

I doubt a lot of this stuff. Their not going to be doing any redesigns in the second model year. Probably satellite radio.

 

Is it just me, or does anyone else wonder how Honda can be, ahmmm, well "inspired" by Chris Bangle's BMW styling but still manage to get the new designs into the showroom a year earlier than BMW?

Or is it Chris Bangle who's inspired by Honda?

Start a rumor for 2005? Hmmmm. Well, a V6 would never fit. How about a turbocharged, 270hp version of the TSX?

 

There already is a two-door version, it's called the RSX, remember?

 

The Touring version of the TSX that the rest of the world gets might be a good bet. Although Lexus doesn't seem to sell a lot of the IS300 Sport Cross (wagon) nor does BMW sell more than a handful of the 325iT wagons. Let's see how confident Honda's Acura marketing department is.

 

if acura came out with a wagon ...
i would buy a ford..... wagons arent classy like acura is
wagons scare me...please now wagons....

 

I disagree with that. The Ford Focus wagon.. yuk. The A4 and A6 wagons are pretty nice.

 

Don't hold your breath dude!! Try to name just one Honda/Acura car (made in the last decade or even two) that used forced induction and you'll know what I mean. Honda does VTEC instead of turbo- or super-charging. Besides there is plenty of power to be had in the current 2.4L engine (in the upper RPMs) so they don't really need to do FI anyhow.

 

just say NO to wagons.

 

Dunno.

I kinda think some wagons are a lot of fun to drive.

 

Seriously?

I think Honda just might have had some past and present experience at turbocharging engines.

Although I will admit that I am NOT holding my breath for a production TSX turbo.

 

I agree. I was just speculating on incremental model year changes.

The paint/interior combos shouldn't be that difficult to accomplish for a model year change.

I didn't realize that the door lock was annoying until I turned off the auto temp control and opened the windows. At first the window sill itself was too high (ergonomically, it's not good), but then once I got used to it, the lock knob got in the way.

Another incremental improvement possibility would be the key fob. Some have mentioned that the Accord has better one. Did anyone figure out what fob means?

 

I'm not a wagon person myself, but other people are, and competitors offer them. It would be fitting for Honda/Acura to show the competition the right way to do a wagon.

Happy Trails to You.............

 

Absolutely not. By no means is the RSX (aka Integra elsewhere) close to being a two-door version of the TSX. That's too big of a jump:

- From a size point of view: Civic platform RSX to the Accord platform TSX.

- From pricing point of view: thousands of dollars btw RSX and TSX.

- Appointments.

- Target audiences.

Similarly, would anyone consider the Civic coupe to be a 2-door version of the Accord? I don't think so.

 

Well I really did mean 'production' engines (for the consumer market) -- I just forget to say that!

 

Maybe a slight retuning of the engine? Bring the VTEC switchover down to smooth over the notch, toss in a few more ponies?

 

I'm with you, RB1. More HP (and torque) is always welcome, as long as existing smoothness and refinement are not comprised (as well as the thrifty nature of the engine with respect to fuel consumption). I'll bet that's exactly what Honda has in mind. Watch for them to introduce the 06 model early with the above. There are a few other things, as well: backlit steering wheel controls, power passenger seat, driver memory (I try to keep my wife out of the TSX to keep things from getting @*ucked up though and it's working so far!), maybe also couple new color choices, like a nice deep blue pearl (with tan interior, please). I might trade up - the basic TSX platform is a keeper, definitely an instant classic IMHO. It will get bloated and much pricier next iteration, so we better enjoy the gem we have now...
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Another incremental improvement would be to include a lit door lock switch. Although I can see the lit window open switches on the arm rest area, I often have a bit of fumbling trying to find the door lock switch when it's dark out.

 

Regarding the future of the TSX, I wouldn't expect much more than tweaks. No turbo, no Type-S, nada. Maybe improve the brakes, add a few luxo goodies, improved electronic toys, nothing major. The thing is, as nice as it is, I don't get the feeling the TSX is all that important to Acura - it's a gap-filler in the lineup and uses an existing platform/design with minor changes to make it competitive. It's not an Acura original. The TL/RL/MDX are where it's at for Acura right now, and I don't think that will change. I won't be surprised if the TSX does a moderately successful 4 or 5 year run and is discontinued.

The precedent has already been set with the Vigor. Like the Vigor, the TSX fills a small market niche and those that buy them will really be enthusiastic about them, but they'll probably never sell enough to be a mainstay in the lineup. It's too much of a "tweener".

Just a thought, and I'd be happy to be wrong on this point, but that's the vibe I get.

 

I somewhat disagree majormojo. I agree that the MDX and TL are the meat of the Acura line, but the TSX outsold the RSX and RL combined last month so I would hardly consider the car an afterthought.

 

I don't know of a single Acura model that is "Acura original" with the possible exception of the Canadian EL, of which I have seen two here in California in the past month.

The RL is the Honda Legend outside North America. The MDX is the Honda MDX.

Hmmm. I don't know if Honda exports the TL to anywhere outside of North America. If so, it's Honda. If not, that might be an Acura original too.

I hope that the TSX isn't orphaned, but you might be correct.

IMHO, it would behoove Honda/Acura to add and drop models frequently. Look at the targeted competition, mostly European makes. We don't see those companies treating their competitive products as "disposable". We shouldn't expect Honda/Acura to treat the TSX with any less respect. They have an opportunity to build a legacy and establish continuity.

HOWEVER, sometimes Honda's styling department knows or shows little respect for establishing legacy. Contrast that with styling queues from SAAB and BMW. Their styling portrays their companies' character and identity. Their styling evolves rather than revolts.

 

The Candadian EL is just a Honda Civic.

Have you seen the new 5-series BMW? If that's not styling revolution then I don't know what is!

 

Honda MDX is "Acura original", it only starts export to Japan this yr. TL will also export outside NA, same as "old" TL, but not in Japan, Honda build the TL in Japan and call it "inspire" for the last TL, I don't know for 04 TLs

 

I thought that the US domestic Accords that Honda exports to Japan were called the Inspire. I've seen pictures of them on the Other Site.

Is the TL also known as the Inspire in Japan?

Regarding my statement about the MDX, I see my error. Thanks. I was mixing up "original" with "exclusive".

I guess only the Canadian Acura EL is "Acura exclusive"???

 

yep, US Accord becomes new Inspire in Japan, but the 03 TLs "rename" Inspire and Sabre???(I forget how to spell it ), so the 04 TLs will call Sab?? in Japan and I think build in Japan, but not sure.

 

Here's the Inspire from honda.co.jp. It looks like they gave the US Accord a grill and more chrome trim:

http://www.honda.co.jp/auto-lineup/inspire/

I don't read Japanese, but it looks like it's available in three lines: Clio, Primo, and Verno, whatever those are.

Here's an odd link that shows the Inspire with some very fatty looking mystery meat: (Why is that meat so intertwined with grisly fat?)

http://www.honda.co.jp/INSPIRE/cruising/index.html

Note the thumbnail images at this URL. They clearly show the US Accord's rear end and tail light assembly, but without the grisly fatty mystery meat:

http://www.honda.co.jp/INSPIRE/cm/index.html

And here are some pictures from some chap whom I believe visited the Honda HQ in Japan, where I guess he photographed these American import Inspires. (You'll see messages from yours truly there.)

http://www.clubtsx.com/bbs/showthrea...hlight=Inspire

 

Brad, I wasn't aware the RL was sold elsewhere, thanks for the heads up. As others have mentioned, the EL is an Acuratized (Acurated? Acurified?) Civic, so I wouldn't call it an original either, myself. It is Acura's best-selling model in Canada though. I'm pretty sure the Civic outsells the Accord here too.

So I think for now, the TL is the only Acura exclusive. But what I was getting at is that the TSX doesn't yet seem like a core model for Acura, more of a fill-in. Perhaps that is just an incorrect perception on my part. I would like to see the TSX become a "core" or "primary" model line for Acura, but I'm not sure if it will. Or maybe it is, and I'm out to lunch.

I have this expressions magazine from Acura Canada that came today, and there is an article in it that refers to the RL, MDX and EL as core models for Acura. That seems weird, since the EL is only available in Canada, but I suppose the EL sales numbers justify that statement. But I don't think the RL sales are anywhere near the EL, so it's still a confusing statement.

Also, I agree Acura needs to do a better job of building some styling traditions. I think they're getting there with the TSX & TL, and the new EL builds on some similar themes too, with the head/tail lights at least.