After nearly a week of having taken ownership of my new TSX, here are some random thoughts or impressions. The car is a SSM /Ebony /6MT / NONavi. The odometer had 15 miles on it. It now had about 200 miles.

First off, I am VERY pleased and impressed with the car. I love it! Here are some ideas for improvements. In some regards, most of these are issues that I did not have with my '90 Accord.

At times, at certain angles and lighting during daylight...

- that silver band across the dash shines and reflects very brightly and is a distraction. Wood trim on Ebony would be much nicer and suitable. (I like brushed aluminium or chrome designs, but TSX's metal accents don't quite hack it.) I would replace the silver band with wood trim at the drop of a hat.

- the dashboard area above the instrument panel can reflect a good deal against the windshield and make the view look ahead glary and somewhat impaired.

- the display for the CD/radio can be hard to read at times.

In other areas...

- I wish the cargo net were deeper, such as being able to hold a bag of groceries.

- It took me a longer time than expected to wash and dry the car on Saturday. A lot of water spray makes its way between the doors. Is that normal? (I've never had a 4-door before.)

- Radio tuning and sound are excellent, probably the best I've ever had.

- I really like the steering wheel control to skip between tracks on a CD.

- The cruise control is the best I've ever had. My two former Accords had cruise controls that worked in a vague imprecise way in regulating the speed. The TSX's cruise control rocks!

- The feel of shifting isn't really consistent. That could be operator error. I need to review what others' advice are.

- If found myself a few times wondering what gear I was in. I've always driven manual shift, and I would rarely think about which gear to use or even have to think about which gear I was in, but I've never used such as close-ratio gearing before.

- In the reclined position, the Accord seat is more comfy than the TSX's. (I take cat naps during lunch time at work, and the reclined position is important. In the TSX's reclined seat position, I need to add some padding to the lower back area. Also, the headrest leans too far forward when the seat is reclined.

 

I've noticed this as well. And guess what...the water will get in there when it rains too. It also gets into similar areas through the trunk. I don't know if this is normal or not. My last car was a darker color (i have ssm now) so I was thinking perhaps that car did it too but I never noted on the dark color.

In any case, I just take an extra couple minutes and use a rag to wipe down these areas, otherwise it leaves dirt and water spots which drive me nuts

 

My previous car was champagne silver (I think Honda called it Seattle Silver?), and it didn't get so wet around the door frame.

Also, if you open the TSX boot when it's a bit wet, there's a bit of a downpour into the trunk. I don't remember that with my old car.

 

"Operator error," huh? This dude is too modest.

Neat post. Impossible for me to comment on a lot of it, since I don't have the 6MT. But sounds like you just need a little more time with the car. As you probably know, a lot of people have noted that this MT is off the beaten path.

About the headrest leaning too far forward when the seat is reclined -- arguably it leans too far forward, period.

 

I've never noticed the headrest thing. On the bright side...it will be better in a crash as your head won't snap back as much. Thats also another reason to make sure your headrest is adjusted to the correct height.

Brad...what are you experiening with your shifts? When you say its not consistent..do you mean sometimes its smooth, and sometimes its a bit notchy? Maybe the shifts feel different depending on whther the syncros come into play or not. If the syncros are working maybe it feel a bit more nocthy vs shifting at the exact perfect rpms. I dont know if this is normal or not but its just a though.

 

Check with your dealer --- I believe you can get wood trim as an accessory.

 

Sometimes shifting is butter smooth from 1 to 2 to 3, and sometimes it's notchy--that is very cooperative and obliging, but notchy. Maybe I'm shifting too at too high a speed? It seems to me that the 6MT wants to be shifted sooner rather than later.

I hope no one read my message to conclude that I'm not happy. Overall, I'm VERY happy with the TSX. Most things in the TSX are a big improvement over the old Accord of mine, but there are just a few trivial areas where the old Accord is better.

I guess the dashboard reflection in the windshield and the lack of brightness/contrast in the stereo display are design weaknesses.

 

Can you describe what you mean by "not consistent"?
That goes away after a while. I'd never driven a 6spd before, though I've been driving manuals for 25+yrs. At first I felt like I wanted an indicator on the dash to let me know what gear it was in. After some time with it, I'm getting to where I can "hear" which gear it's in by the combination of road/engine noise.

Also, at first I had to think a bit when making the 4-5 and 5-6 shifts, but they feel pretty natural now. 5-6 is weird at first, because even though I know there's a lockout on reverse, it just didn't seem right. What still doesn't feel quite right yet is a 6-4 or esp a 5-3 downshift. The 5-3 in particular is a new shift motion for me. It will take some more time at the wheel, but I am getting more comfortable with it as time goes on. I've had the TSX exactly one month today.

 

Ya..i find shifts before 3000 are usually butter smooth, but above 3000, if you make the sycnros work its sometimes notchy. To hit that perfect shift try waiting about a half second longer before moving the shifter..the rpms on the TSX dont drop as quickly as most other cars.

 

Larch what do you mean by off the beaten path. Like its got awsome control and is really good, or it takes some getting used to?

Brad i have a 90 accord (4 door thou) now and its almost dead. 170,000 miles and its not gona last much longer. I have driven the tsx three times now and the only thing i think is going to take some getting used to is the dash. Its really alot higher than my car now. I know most new cars now are like that. With any new car its just gona take a little to sit right.

 

keylay, I'm coming from an '89 Accord (still have it actually) and I find the same thing, the height differences are the toughest to get used to. I miss that funky go-kart feel of the low seat, cowl and wheel position. Visibility out is better in the older car too. But overall, the TSX is very comfortable and is a much safer vehicle so those changes do have some positive payoff. The past few years driving the Accord I've started to feel like all those truck/SUV bumpers were aimed right at the height of my head...

 

"Unusual" -- behaves a bit different than other MT's.

So, basically the same as "Takes some getting used to."

 

Me2. In general the sight lines are better in the TSX than in my previous car, which was an '03 TL-S, but I constantly find myself leaning up and/or forward to get a better view over the dash and cowl. (How's that for the name of a new mag? )

Also, isn't the rear-view mirror the same kind of problem? I'm always leaning this way or that way to see around it or over it.



Yeah, "Dash and Cowl." Pass it on.

 

Yep. Makes it d@mn hard to read house numbers on the right side of the road and I worry about not seeing pedestrians to my right. The only solution is to lower the seat, but the experts at Dash and Cowl magazine say that just makes the rest of the car feel even taller.

 

Enjoyed your reading your impressions of your car so far...thanks. I noticed the headrest leaning too far forward on the passenger side but not the drivers side...wonder if it's only happening in some TSX seats?

 

I think the headrest issue is systemic across the entire set of current Accord platforms. My wife complains about this in our '02 Accord EX also. Regarding the padding in the lower back area, have you adjusted the lumbar support in the seat?

 

I've noticed dirty spots below the front doors. It's just an inch or two wide, that looks like possible rain runoff coming out of the bottom of the doors. Anyone else noticed this?

 

Silly as it sounds, this was a big factor in my choice of a Jetta several years ago. The headrests adjust both up and down and front to back.

Combine that with a telescoping steering wheel (brand new in the Acura lineup with the 2004 TSX) and seat height adjustment (standard even without electric seats) and you can get your driving position almost perfect.

 

I havent noticed but I guess this ties in with the mater getting into the door frame. I guess the bottom part of the door has a significant gap? and the seal is just below the door sil. I'll have to take a closer look, but basically there is nothing to stop water from getting in that area.

 

Funny thing about Accord headrests. I've had three Accords and each seat and headrest has (attn: Grammar Police: have or has?) a different feel or position without much in the way of user control settings.

I take cat naps in the passenger seat. Does the passenger seat have lumbar too? I guess I'll find out at lunch time today. In the meanwhile, I stole a couple of soft cushy pillows from my sofa.

 

no lumbar for the pass. seat.

 

I have found that if I get the seat in a good position that I cannot move the steering high enough to have a clear view of the turn signals in the instrument cluster. I'll try moving the seat back a bit. I'm sure that will help. Or, maybe the steering wheel is too small? It's ironic to have a tiltable steering wheel that swivels so low that I cannot imagine anyone but midgets wanting that position, but it doesn't swivel high enough for an average size North American. Clearly, it's operator error. I need to fiddle with the settings.

 

I have seen water draining down that area. Thank goodness for water drainage holes. 20 years ago, a lot of cars did not have sufficient drainage, where water and moisture would accumulate and stay. This would inevitably lead to that car cancer called rust. I have seen some first and second generation Accords with this problem, particularly in the door area.

 

That's similar to my '90 Accord. Its overall visual ergonomics from the driver's seat were better than the current model. The windshield rarely had reflection problems. It's easier to gauge where the front end is.

The layout of most controls and overall comfort level is better in the TSX with the exception of the steering wheel hiding the turn signals. I cannot hear any turn signal blinking sound that I usually can in the Accord. (I'm hard of hearing and use a hearing aid.) Does the TSX even have an audible turn signal sound? If not, that would be a negative if you consider Accessibility issues. (Why do I feel like I'm a guinea pig right now?)

I really like the stereo volume knob within short distance of the steering wheel.

 

To me, YES -- and in fact VERY GOOD. Distinctly audible "clicking," yet not really obtrusive.

Edit: Actually, on second thought..... there have been a couple of times when the radio or music was on, that the turn signal was "clicking" without my being aware of it. So maybe, for many people, the answer would be "Not really." Just gotta try it.

 

I have a manual too, and all my shifts are smooth. The TSX has the been the smoothest stick shift Ive ever driven.

 

Congrats on your new car! Excellent choice in color/configuration.

 

Sorry if I'm restating the obvious, but you do know that your TSX steering wheel will also move in and out (telescoping) in addition to tilting up and down, right?

 

Oh, ja! I'm aware of that. Thanks. I know I'll find a good position sooner or later. So many options. Move this or that up or down or in or out.

I see there's still no seat ejector?

 

Brad, agreed on all your points re: visual ergo of the older model, better overall comfort in the TSX and the turn signal indicator being blocked. The audible signal indicator is almost inaudible esp with the music on. I can live with the tops of the tach/speedo being blocked, but not noticing the signal on makes me look like an idiot. It's very easy to flip the signal "on" when you only mean to "flash". I'd prefer it if the visual indicators were placed at the bottom of the instrument binnacle, not at the top.

 

It happened to me twice over the weekend. The blinker must have been on for quite a while--a couple miles--but I couldn't see any indication of it. It must have driven other drivers nuts.

Regarding my guinea pig statement, just watch for subtle on-going improvements to appear in the 2005 models that addresses many of our comments about ergonomics and usability issues.

 

Guys! As far as the water getting between the door thing, I use a leaf blower to dry the car. It's great on wheels, mirrors and grills and those irritating places in the back aroung the trunk lip and the tail lights.

 

That's one thing that really concerns me. Yes, the water is stopped by the rubber seal, but it never got into the door with other cars. (volvo .. not sure if this is a honda/acura thing)

As for the trunk, the lid seems to open too much so the angle is pointing the water right into the trunk. Lately I've been opening it maybe 30° at first to let the water run off onto the windshield, then up to 90° if necessary. That seems to limit the spill over.


While we're talking about ergonomics, I really wish this car had seat memory. It takes me so long to find the perfect position!! Thought I had it yesterday morning, then when driving home the steering wheel felt too far away. gah! I didn't change anything.

-r

 

That's a funny thing! This morning I had thought the same thing too, but no one had been in my car since the previous day.

The issue with ergonomics concerns not being able to see the turn signal indicators because the steering wheel is in the way. (I usually drive with my hands in the 10 and 2 o'clock positions. I have moved the steering wheel as high as it goes, and the signals are still blocked. I'm neither tall nor short. What use is a tilting steering wheel if it benefits only very short people, who would need only to lower the steering wheel?

It's paradox that the TSX has wonderful headroom and a beautiful dash, but dashboard designers were totally ignorant of anyone _occupying_ that headroom.

 

Addendum about whether the turn signal is audible (I paid some more attention to it):

Completely forget about hearing it if you have the windows open on the freeway.

 

Need to get yourself a good "old man" hat to wear while driving. Might buy you a little more forgiveness and patience from other drivers...

 

I found myself driving with my blinker on for a block or so yesterday.. as it's tough to see or hear. Guess we just have to be more concious of turning it on and off.

 

I keep moving my seat back and back, but the pinkies on the hands on the wheel are in the way. My doctor said it's better to not have the arms stretched out too far ahead of you whether you're working on the 'puter (such as at home or work) or driving a car.

Possible solutions include:
- A larger steering wheel.
- A relocation of the blinkers in the instrument panel.
- Moving the seat way too low.
- Amputation...ouch! Maybe that's a bit drastic.

 

My seat is all the way to the floor, but I can't move it any higher or the rear-view mirror will really block my view. (I'm 6"1 .. not sure how the mirror fits for everyone else) Although I can see the turn signals just fine on the dash.

-r

 

I moved my seat back a bit more, and I can see the turn signals now. It's still quite comfortable.