Ballardbeau

Hey guys, my name's Dave and I live in Seattle.

Have been reading posts here for a while and your love of this car in one of the main reasons I bought it.

My previous cars have been a Mitsi 3000VR4, a Mitsi Eclipse GTX, a
03 Corvette, a BMW Z3 (worst...car....evah), an Acura TL Type S (too big and boring, particularly with the auto, which is all they offered then) and, most recently, a Dodge SRT4.

I traded in the Dodge because, even though it was furiously fast, I got tired of the extremely rough ride (had it lowered, which I'll never do again), the complete lack of amemities and comfort features ( hey, I know it's a performance car, but no cruise? no
sunroof? no muffler!!!) and was ready for a car that combined some luxury and performance together.

Main competitor to the TSX was the Mazda RX8. I liked it, but I was tired of sitting two inches off the road, and ultimately it came down to which car had the most for the least, and hands down, that's the TSX.

Didn't want the Nav System but now glad I got it (though I haven't read the manual and have no idea how it works, except a few basic functions). I got a Silver, 6 speed, Nav, rear spoiler, foglights, factory chrome wheels, "protection package" and paid 1,400 in taxes and license and walked out for around 30K. Good deal??? Having the windows tinted Saturday; it'll be a really sharp looking ride.

So far it's everything I expected and more. Having owned a TL Type S, I was expecting superb build quality, questionable paint, great reliability, etc., but I wasn't prepared for what a different type of ride this car is from both the TL AND the 6 speed Honda Accord Coupe, which I immediately disliked. Too soft. The TSX is a real driver's car. Crisp, accurate, firm, peppy if not powerful, looks great, seats are comfy (you should sit in the SRT4 and you'll know what I mean) and quality abounds. While I am still getting used to the clutch (easily the smoothest I have ever driven) because it's so much different than the SRT4, it seems like the car wants to rev very high and needs to be shifted much sooner than the SRT4--probably because of 5 gears instead of my previous 5.

Anyhoo, just wanted to introduce myself, say hi, and thanks for all your comments that led me to a GREAT car!!

fdl

Welcome aboard.

Hang in there untill you pass your break in period and then you'll really enjoy the car.

Jason

Welcome and congrats on a great purchase. Your cars are all over the place. What do you think of the new Vette?

ABP-CL9-TSX

Wow thats a lot of cars you went through in just a few years!

Congrats on your new purchase.

kenk25

Congrats also, I was checking out the Neon SRT-4. That was one fast car and great handling but it wasn't refined. What you said about SRT-4 was totally true. Left out that a turbo might not last too long but by your posting, see you go through a lot of cars to care about the long term.

crisco

Welcome to the club - make sure you post some pics - I'd like to see those chrome wheels

Ballardbeau

Yeah, my weakness is cars and I get bored easily. I've lost so much money trading in cars (I've yet to hit the 10K mark on any of them) that I could have retired by now.

When I was looking for a new car after the SRT4, my main criteria was one entertaining, fast and luxurious enough that I could keep it for a while, and I feel pretty positive that I found it in the TSX!

The Corvette was awesome, outside of a very pedestrian interior, and I would still have it except I lost my job while I owned it and was forced to sell. Bought the Srt4 and still pocketed about 15K. I've been at my new position for 5 weeks and couldn't wait to get the TSX--not that the SRt4 was a dog; in fact, in many ways, it was the most fun car I've ever owned, but its crudeness and lack of ammenities got old fast.

Only problem with the TSX--how do you detach the driver's floor matt???? lol....kidding, but not!

Jason

What do you do for a living?

dabuda

there's little hooks that hold the mat in placed. they are towards the end of the mat facing the trunk, under the drivers seats.

Welcome and

KC 2004 TSX

You will really like this car. Congrats on your purchase!!

Ballardbeau

Thanks guys; LOVING the car so far.

I'm a Litigation Analyst for Geico Insurance Co.

I see the hooks, but I can't get the matt off of it!!

Duhhh........

sachiko

just out of curiosity, did you buy your car from Acura of Lynnwood?

prballard

Good to see another Ballard on the forum. Are you from Washington state? I have heard that Ballard's there are mostly of Scandinavian decent. My family is orginally from England. We have been in America since the 1600's and in KY since the late 1700's.

Apparently the name started in many different countries, England, Belgum, France, Norway, maybe a few more all at the same time.

But most of you guys are probably saving at this point. :whocares: SO LETS TALK ABOUT THE TSX

I love my TSX. I have had it since Saturday even though I have been on this and other TSX forums for over a year.

And BTW, I have the coolest quote of any signature.

Ballardbeau

Yes, I did buy it in Lynnwood and think I got a pretty good deal.
I didn't want the Nav, but the salesperson made me an offer 2 good to turn down, and thank God--now I love the Nav!!

Ballard, a neighborhood just north of downtown Seattle, is hugely
Scandinavian--Swedes, Dutch, Norweigans, Finlanians (?), you got it. The neighborhood borders Puget Sound and it started off as a fishing community, and still is.

My neighbor is 2nd generation Norway and flys her flag next to the American one. The community is full of lodges, social clubs, restaurants, parades, etc., celebrating its heritage. It's been an education to me as I knew little about that part of the world.

PS--how do you get the floor mats off of that stupid hook? hahaha

Mokos23

are the TSX's really common in Seattle?

well last time i went there back in 01 to visit my cousins, there were lots of modded CL's-S and 6th gen Accord coupes there.

Ballardbeau

Have seen very few TSXs, though with our large Asian population modded Hondas and Civics are a dime a dozen. Some are nicely done; others are hideous.

sachiko

I thought you might have, I test drove that car a couple of weeks ago. Who was your sales person there?

Ballardbeau

I initially delt with Lori, who is new to the business. Minh, the Internet Sales Manager, sorta took over.

It wasn't the greatest buying experience I ever had--they all seemed sorta confused--but I got a great deal and, of course, love thc car.

Took it there last night to have a spoiler and doglights installed; yesterday I also put a dark tint on the windows, and bought it with
Acura factory chrome wheels.

It is a very sharp looking car.

By the way, you didn't race it on your test drive, did you?

ahahaha

Revenent

Woot! Another Seattle area TSX owner!

Welcome to the club!

(Though I do feel a little traitorous since I'm heading up for a Vancouver, B.C. meet. Oh well - lived there for 17 years, so I feel justified. )

sachiko

I was nice to your car, no worries. I can't personally beat on a car that isn't broken in, especially knowing that someone else is going to buy it.

I definitely love the feel of the tranny on this car...if only I could make my freaking mind up between this and another VW!