bairice

Hi all, I'm in the market for a used car, and I've gotten extremely attached to the Acura TSX after reading reviews and user opinions of the car. I've found a 2004 TSX (112,000 miles) that I might be interested in, but after reading the topics on this forum, I'm getting quite hesitant. I've read all 17 pages of the A/C debacle, and the huge headaches that people are facing with regards to repairs and such.

Either way I will go check out the car and ask about the maintenance history and get an idea if I should be worried. My feeling is that by 112,000 miles, everything that could be problematic has more or less been fixed (A/C etc). I guess my question is, in your opinions, are these reliability concerns something that I should truly be concerned about? Or is the "huge" problem in reality just magnified and concentrated on these forum thread? Any advice would be appreciated. I really want to be able to own one of these, but in the end, the higher priority is being able to find a car that has a track record of being reliable and dependable.

ParaSurfer1979

Should be a good car. Great chassis to mod and the k-series motor makes great gains. Especially the instant 30hp from Hondata ECU. Welcome to the AZ boards. btw does it have Navi?

bairice

Thanks for the welcome--to be honest I don't know if it does, that's something I will check out when I test drive the car. Main concern is still the A/C though, I don't want to have to set aside $2000 replacing something that, based on my impression, will break, the only variable being when.

RelaxTakeItEasy

I don't have a 2004, or as much to worry about with the A/C. But I got my car this summer with 95k miles, made sure it was well maintained with records. Closing towards 110k miles now.

I am not too sure, isn't the A/C issue more of a problem in 04s?

I only needed to change the temp. sensor in the lower radiator (corroded sensor pins/connection) and change the oil since I got the car few months ago. Drives awesome, I am impressed with the TSX.


Good luck.

Simba91102

The 04 models have had a much wider range of problems than just the AC (this forum is full of 04 horror stories)(and you 04 guys can save the burns, sorry but it's true). Not all have suffered, but enough have to keep me from recommending an 04 model period. That said, you're right to consider that after this much time and that many miles, what could go wrong probably already has and has been repaired. Unless this car is a screaming deal, I'd say keep looking, but that's just my opinion. Oh, and the 04's are the only first generation (04-08) models that have had any problems to speak of.

Johns

Yes, there are problems with the 04 TSXs. By 100,000 miles, you would think most of the large problems have been sorted out. My 04 has had most of the known problems except AC. Right now, at 143,000 miles, it's running great.

Rocket_man

Didn't they have some special warranty for 04 A/C compressors? Might want to search it.

Personally I'd spend a little more and get an 06. Some nice updates made to the 06+ and they don't seem to have the A/C problem. Or the console lights out, or many of the squeaks.

bairice

Not quite a warranty--my understanding is that the class action lawsuit will allow owners to be reimbursed for previous repairs of the compressor system based on mileage at time of failure. In addition, anything that fails after the 8 year mark will be 0% reimbursable.

Thank you for all the advice, it's always good to get some additional perspective!

frescagod

like others have said, you're rolling the dice buying an '04, which is now ~8 years old at this point. i don't think i would pay more than 5 or 6 thousand for an '04.

stick with '06 - '08 if you can.

sixwhip14

I would suggest that you get an 06 as well. You know about the a.c. problem, but did you hear about the timing chain issue on 04s?
Sure it's rare, I guess, but enough for me to keep looking.

bairice

Thank you all for the helpful responses. Unfortunately an '06 is definitely out of my price range. I will take a look at this car and make a decision based on maintenance records and such.. In the end I may will be better off shrugging off all the luxury and getting a solid lower mileage entry level car, mazda3/honda civic.

Sclass88

My '04 has 109k miles on the clock. A/C works fine, no problems at all. Note, however, that mine is a late model '04.

DuckDodgers

bairice, I would certainly go with a more recent model economy car right now. The problem with the TSX, if you are cash tight, is that things will break/fail/need adjusted that are NOT necessary (i.e. luxuries) and then you start to get discouraged with a car that has a lot not working.

Buy the newer economy car, enjoy a probably more reliable ride, cheaper service costs, and being able to use regular gas without wondering about the engine...plus better fuel economy. Then, in a couple of years, if you're still dying for a TSX, the '06's will be that price...plus if fuel costs jump, you'll have dodged a bullet if money is that tight.