Wolfman22

I have been looking at purchasing a TSX since they came out last year. My Jetta was just totaled and now it's more likely I may make the purchase soon. The other vehicle I was looking at purchasing is a 2004 VW Passat 1.8T with 4-motion. Anyway, I have been closer to narrowing my decision down to the TSX until I read all the posts about chipping paint. I was curious if anyone in the cold weather states have experienced issues with the paint chipping because of the magnesium chloride, sand/gravel and salt. I had a black car so I know how anoying chips and scratches can be even with a clear bra. Any and all feedback on this issue is welcomed and thanks.

leftride

iTrader: (1)

my cg seemed to hold up quite well over last winter. clear bra is a must.

if you have any more specific questions...shoot.

sveet

My Milano Red got chipped pretty bad over the winter. I suspect it was just what you said. Salt, sand, etc...

Easily the worst car I have ever owned from this respect, but it is a daily driver, so I am not too upset.

Plus it is so damn much fun to drive. You just sort of forget about it, however, if chips bother you, then I would avoid the TSX. Sad, but true...................

Wolfman22

virus7, do have the clear bra on the hood and fender? Or do you have a full wrap including the bumper? I had my Jetta clear bra installed and thought about the full wrap but haven't seen it done very often, plus it was almost double the price. You know how our streets are, if it's not potholes it's rocks and gravel hitting your car. I'm thinking of the Satin Silver Metallic since my last car was black and I'm kind of over that. Otherwise, I think the Carbon Gray Pearl is an awesome color. A cross between these two colors would be really cool. That's one thing I really like about the Passat, it's available in 18 colors.

leftride

iTrader: (1)

damn 18 colors! that doesnt make decisions easy.

I just have the hood and side view mirrors, i didnt go for the bumper cause of the cost and the fact that it was just plastic anyway.

Stokeless_TSX

TSX does chip alot...but hey even though im alil upset with the paint that acura used on these cars but the rest of the car makes up for it.

bob shiftright

I've had the 3M material on the leading edges of my hood and fenders and the mirrors since the car was new.

Mine is from Invinca-shield http://www.invinca-shield.com/main.htm which asks $98 for the basic kit. I added the mirror pieces. The shop that installed it for me charged 2 hours of labor.

A lot of the companies that cut the 3M stoneshields deeply discount it. Check around.

I decided to cover the leading edges of the hood and fenders and the mirrors because that's where 80% of the chips occurred on my '98 Volvo. My wife's '01 Honda has non-metallic paint and isn't as bad as the '98 Volvo by a long shot. My guess is that if a car isn't driven so that it's likely top get hit by 80mph sand, salt and gravel, the paint will hold up a lot better. I didn't cover the bumper of the TSX, because well, because it's a bumper!

There have been countless threads on the BMW E46 board about the same problem. eg. http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e46/458212-1.html

The "Clear Bra" is not any more noticeable than the factory stoneshields on a Porsche, which are made from exactly the same 3M stuff.

jcg878

4-cyl Passats can be had with 4-Motion? Are you sure??

The Passat is a great car, but very different from the TSX. I think your mind will be made up when you drive the two - you'll either like one or the other.

Dan Martin

Wolfman22 I would recommend shelling out a few bucks for the clear bra especially since you live in CO.

Wolfman22

jcb878, here's link for the 1.8T with 4-motion. You can get them in the 5 speed or automatic unlike the V6 4-motion which is automatic only. They start around $25,700 for a manual and $26,780 for automatic. You get velour or leatherette at no cost. The leather package with wood which includes the cold weather package is an additional $1915.00. So basically a Passat 1.8T with 4-motion manual and leather is almost the same cost as the TSX.
4-motion Passat

jcg878

Thanks. I'll tell jcb when I see him

wolfman, we have a v6 Passat (wife's) and love it, but it's a very different car from the TSX. It's a bit more luxurious, bigger, torqier, and cushier... but slower, less nimble, and less fun-to-drive. I really think you'll quickly develop a preference when you drive them back-to-back.

Junkster

Just make sure you buy from either Mile High or Flatiron...
NO MATTER WHAT, DO NOT SHOP AT PIKES PEAK!!!

Junkster, whose got clearbra on his Scoobie

leftride

iTrader: (1)

courtesy treated me ok, i was happier with my service there than mile high (just my opinion on the dealers I talked to), but mile high's showroom is nice

Junkster

courtesy doesn't have a lot of selection...
plus, last week I drove by Mile High and they had a buttload of TSXs, so their probably more willing to part with one at a lower price.

Junkster, who saw three CGs on the lot

leftride

iTrader: (1)

just checked the inventory of the CO dealers and STILL nobody has a CG MT on the lot. i would have thought by now...but they just must be a hot item.

Junkster

They don't update that very well... the only way is to call the dealer or do a drive-by...

Junkster, who hasn't been by Mile High in a week... time for a drive by

leftride

iTrader: (1)

junkster maybe they wouldnt notice if you switched your subie for a tsx...

Wolfman22

Thanks for FYI. on Pikes Peak Acura, they're the only one that found me a Satin Silver, 6 speed manual, Ebony interior and no navigation from out of state. I can say their is one really good salesman at Flatirons Acura that has always treated us with respect, but he did say it could be end of August or even a 90 day wait for the 2004 I want. My girlfriend almost bought an Integra from him about 5 years ago, no pressure at all. I think I will just deal with a broker either H.M. Brown or Centennial Leasing, H.M. Brown already found the same car I want out of state for $25,950 and they can have it in a week or so, I'm going to try and work that price down further and see if the 2005's come out between now and the end of August. What's the problem with Pikes Peak Acura? what are everyone's thoughts on the rear spoiler?

Junkster

Here you are wolf...

http://www.acura-tsx.com/forums/sear...searchid=21036

Take a look through some of those threads if you want further details...

Basically, their customer service is bad, they try to rip you off by at least 2 grand, and they actually have the smallest fleet of Acuras in the state (they do have the largest dealership by size... of course they never mention the fact that most of the lot is of used cars).

Take it from me, not dealing with them is the best way to go...

Junkster, who advises Wolf to hit up the northern CO regions only