My father-in-law was speaking to my wife about our new TSX. This man is *never* complimentary about anything, and told her the TSX is "just an Accord sold in Japan and Europe." He once again hurt her feelings, but that's a long story that doesn't belong here.
BTW, he just bought a new Avalon Limited and raves about it like it mankind's gift from the gods. To me it's the ultimate "snoozemobile."

 

Those people are worth ignoring. When you look at their lives, you soon find out they have very little to cling their pride to. Sucks to be them.

Similarly, but in another way, my father once called me from Australia last year on one of his business trip, and exclaimed himself: "I just saw your car over here!!"

I was all excited , and then he said, "you know, I just saw the H-badge on it and your car in reality is an Accord.."

And I to answer, "I know!!! Could you see if it was an Euro-R?"

My mother told me later I would have paid big money to see his face then, he was sooo bummed I had just burst his bubble.

Of course, maybe he thought I took pride in going more upscale since I had always bought Accords previously, but then I explained him I bought the TSX, amongst other things, because I knew it was an Accord.

 

Then you can tell him that he has just a Toyota. That he could have had a Lexus E330 for less.

I sat in the new Avalon and didn't like it. Way too futuristic for a conservative crowd in this class.

 

My advice: Take his negative energy, leverage it, and use it. Don't combat it.

So, in this case... a response could resemble:

You're darned right it's based on the Honda Accord. I happen to like Honda Accords a lot -- but the American version is too big and bulky for me (i.e., like an Avalon? ) and I wanted a bit more scoot, so I went with the European spec of the Honda Accord. Fits me like a glove. A great Sports Sedan. It may be too small and nimble for your tastes, but do you want to give it a spin? Oh, and you know what else? I get an Acura warranty and service, and resale value with this Honda Accord! For the money I paid, I'm pretty psyched about it. Thanks for taking an interest. Sure you don't want to take it for a spin? Your Avalon is really nice by the way. Very plush and big. Good choice -- Toyota makes great quality cars.

 

what a nightmare that would be. i feel your pain tho.

my gf's sister is a self-centered egotistic moron. she constantly tries to put me down in front of her parents/friends. not to mention her constant effort to try and make her boyfriend look superior (he's a skrawny FOB who cant really do anything right; literally).

but i dont just take crap , i usually give them crap. i found out lately that she's actually very stupid. everytime she pisses me off with something, i make them get into an argument (very easy to do).

but, i dont suggest you follow in my footsteps. he is your father in-law, and i dont think you want to mess with that. your best bet is to just stay away from him as much as possible.

 

Yeah, your FiL sounds like he has some issues. People who are cruel are usually cruel because they're fighting internal demons. So, try to pity them and forgive them, for they do not have the strength to fight their demons -- they unfortunately need to share the pain with others. Misery loves company.

All too common, and all too sad. People like that typically don't have the confidence to go seek help, either.

Oh, and the TSX was Car & Driver's Best Sports Sedan for 2005. Tell your FiL to stick that in his pipe and smoke it!

 

I don't think so.

 

QFT --- almost the exact response I was about to type.

When I was at my dealer picking up my car, I said something like "isn't this car based on the Euro Accord...?" and my salesman said: "It IS the Euro-Accord". And went on to say... "Europe has higher standards for their cars, so a "Honda" there is more like an "Acura" here. Since then, I've seen more pics of the Euro-Accord, and I have to say, the TSX is still a little better though. The instrument panel is one of the "wow" factors, and the Euro version looks more like a regular Accord on the inside. Also a lot of our standard equipment are extras over there, so they are not all equal to a TSX unless they spend a lot on upgrades. The body is pretty much the same, but so what... a lot of luxury cars share the same body as a non-luxury. Almost all the car makers do it. At least ours is based on a body style you can't get anywhere else in the states (or Canada). Plus "just an Accord" is a silly thing to say anyway, because the Accord is a fine car in it's own right.

I probably would have bought an Accord, but by the time I added Navi, and all the other things I wanted, the price was too close to a TSX not to get the Acura.

 

Well, yeah, it is.

Now, whether he should really say this to his FiL... you might be right.

 

What's QFT mean?

You're right, of course. The Euro Honda Accord looks like a TSX on the outside an a USDM Accord on the inside. But, once you start talking at this level of detail, antagonists already see you in the "nuance" and think you're justifying, and once they got you there, well, good luck coming back to the conversation.

The best thing to do with antagonists is to not challenge their version of reality -- after all, how often is your version of reality is going to change over a car conversation? The best thing to do is to go with their reality and just add some extra toppings. They need to find their own way. We can lead them, but we cannot push them.

When it comes right down to it, for someone to *get* to you about your TSX means that they've tapped a raw spot of confidence that bothers you. If we're all a bit raw on the Accord tip, well, that's to be expected. We're trying to play with the Sports Sedan big boys in the $35-40k range, but we're paying in the Honda Accord+ range. You can't have it all. You either pay for bragging rights or leave the bragging rights behind and just enjoy the car you bought for the reasons you bought it.

No car is perfect, and it's not the car that matters. His FiL is attacking his value system, not his car. He is trying to say that his SiL is a poser who is trying to own a luxury sports sedan when he actually has a rebadged pedestrian sedan.

This is why I advised him not to argue, because I'm not sure we are trying to be posers here. I think we're educated enough about our purchase to know that it's more than an EU Accord, but at the same time, I do not think we are trying to necessarily hide the fact that it's based on the Accord, are we? The Avalon is based on the Camary.... so what? The TSX is based on the EU Accord.... so what?

 

Hey, there's nothing wrong with the Accord. It may be a peasant-mobile to you guys but I quite like it

Unfortunately people like to belittle the stuff you have just to make them feel better for their own insecurities. Rise above it I reckon

 

No it isn't (I knew the answer). Probably they said the best under 30K$ (rightfully) or in the comparo vs S40/Legacy.

 

What if it was your own sweet daddy/mommy said that ? i am curious if you'd post this thread.

But let's be fair and REALISTIC for a second as the responsible adult we are (thank God we dont have an RSX forum !) please pray tell,
Just what part of this is NOT true, never mind how that comment(snide remark, wiseass bs whatever) made you FEEL for a sec. What part of this is NOT true ?

But then of course he could have said in a tone that would have pissed off the Pope.

 

Honda has many models that it classes differently depending on the market. The TSX is a good example. In North America the TSX is available in only one premium trim level. In Japan and Europe, the 'Accord' is availlable in a variety of trim levels, and also as a wagon. The Euro R is very similar to the TSX, there are slight differences, but despite their similarities, they are marketed to different crowds.

If someone on their soap box wants to tell you that the TSX is 'just an Accord' in Japan, they might need reminging that the car we know as the Accord in North America is called the Inspire in Japan, and is a fully loaded luxury vehicle one step below the Legend (what we call our RL).

-SWRT

 

sorry sauce I dont get the idea

 

hmmm i wonder if any RL owner would be like this if someone said "hey, that's Honda Legend in Japan!"

 

Nothing wrong w. an Accord. They are time tested and proven reliable machines thus there should be no worries about the TSX being a "beta" model with potential problems. Same goes w. the Altezza/IS300 etc.

In short, Japanese luxury cars only sell well in the USA. Even the Japanese ironically would rather spend big bucks on a German/Brit bling car. Nevertheless, us Americans are a lot more status symbol conscious therefore would not spend 30k + for a Toyota/Nissan/Honda but have no problems spending 40k + for a U.S. pickup truck or SUV. Go figure.

 

Well, yeah it is. And now you're going to make me go Google the page...

http://www.caranddriver.com/article....&page_number=1


Jon

 

Well, actually, the EU Accord looks like a US Accord on the inside. The TSX has a unique interior. Here is the EU Accord interior:

http://www.honda.co.uk/cars/newcars/...=&wheelPartNo=
(Click on any of the 2nd row of images to see the interior differences)

The EU Accord interior looks much more like the US Accord interior than the TSX.

My understanding is that our TSX has an interior designed just for us!

 

Not true at all, Honda Inspire(JDM version of the USDM Honda Accord)share the same interior with the TSX.

 

Grrr...

MSZ, then how do you explain how the images from honda.co.uk and honda.co.jp both show an Accord interior that is definitely different than our TSX and that definitely resembles the US Accord?

Research, people!

 

Come on.... Best Sports Sedan vs Best Luxury Sports Sedan.

Translation; under X$ vs the Other.

Thanks for the link anyway (I have the mag)

 

Of course it's true; the TSX is a rebadged Euro Accord, but that sidesteps the issue here. Instead of wishing her many happy miles, or telling her what a nice car she had, or wishing her good luck with the new car, etc. ....he had to say something negativeapart from that.
It reminds me of a quote from TV's "Mister Rogers" when he once was addressing a group of adults; "We see the world through the eyes of who we are on the inside." His comment tells me volumes about who *he* is on the inside.
At any rate, you're quite correct about the tone.

 

QTF = Quoted For Truth

And of course you're right. You can't argue nuances with an antagonist... I wasn't necessarily suggesting my post be an actual "reply" to the guy... that was handled much better in the post I quoted... I was throwing my two cents on why I personally like the TSX better than the Accord (since they are very similar). I have never purchased a luxury car before this, so I had to really convince myself I "needed" one. So the Accord was under strong consideration. The minor price difference between an Accord with the options I wanted, and the TSX, and the beautiful TSX interior is what did it for me.

I absolutly do not regret my decision. I love driving my TSX.

 

Ah, so we agree what he said was FACTS. so the gist of your post is really issues btween you and the in-laws...as 90% of us do. Right the hell with them

 

sheesh...and the confusion continues....
Post#20 is correct Jon, - read it more carefully again - if not agree => you're the one that need research


JDM Accord Exterior = TSX Exterior
JDM Accord Interior <> TSX Interior
JDM Accord Interior = USDM Accord Interior
JDM Inspire Exterior= USDM Accord Exterior
JDM Inspire Interior = TSX Interior

And that's about it.

 

I own a US 04 Accord EX and a US 04 TSX- trust me there are differences. If the TSX was sold as an Accord sport or an Accord R I would have an Accord EX and the Accord R/sport, since that's not the case in this country I have an Acura TSX. What's available in other countries really doesn't change my mind on why I purchase any certain car, I get the car(s) that I feel suit my needs the best. The purpose of this nonsense is that perhaps you should explain to your FIL that you bought this because you thought it offered value not available else where, not because it was a psuedo-luxury brand.

Or maybe he's just an idiot????

 

Thanks matelot for clearing that out. Now Jon, check this out if you still don't believe it:

http://www.honda.co.jp/auto-lineup/i...ior/index.html

 

You can go ahead and tell your father in law that the Avalon is a Camry... if you dare.

 

You know, if the guy just bought a SL500 or an F430, maybe I would say that he can talk all the shit he wants.... but lets face it, he just bought an Avalon. Tell him to spend some money and at least buy a Lexus GS. I would not let it bother me. Shows how comfortable he is with himself.

 

OK, Yes, the Inspire interior = TSX interior. Though, I don't really know what the Inspire is vs. Accord. And the spirit of the conversation was the differences/similarities between the Accord and TSX. I don't know where the Inspire got into the conversation.

Jon

 

So what if the TSX is an Euro Accord.... the Euro/JDM Accords has been different than the US spec Accord since the CF Accord (98+), not to mention the much more different CL9. It is basically a different car than the general US public has associated the name Accord with. Just imagine it's not called Accord in Europe/Japan, it's just two differetn cars sharing the same name.

The two share components, sure, and there's nothing wrong with that..... the US Accord is a great car, but the TSX is still way better. So the TSX not 'just' an Euro Accord, it is THE Euro Accord..... with an interior that the JDM market used on the US Accord and called it the new Inspire.

 

Move on. Some good thoughts expressed here about not getting involved with a contentious person. Certainly wouldn't suggest you say "Yeah, I knew was a European Accord. Did you know your Avalon is actually a Japanese coffin? When's the funeral?" Or maybe: "Oh that's interesting. Here's another interesting fact - 95% of Avalon owners are either senile, impotent, or both." Because to say those types of things would be hurtful. Snicker.

 

i get shit like that all the time, some friends/relatives asking why i wasted close to $30k on a 4-banger w/no torque

i take the high road...i just ignore them

 

Yep, we're in agreemnet.
Regarding the issue with my inlaws, the late George Burns once said, "Happiness is having a large, loving family..........in another state. I'm in agreement with that too.

 

The TSX is a unique and compelling combination of the best interior and exterior Honda makes world-wide: The interior from the Japanese Inspire and the exterior of the European Accord, combined with the best warranty and service Honda offers -- through the Acura brand.

Ergo, the TSX is not simply a Honda Accord -- it is a "best of" project in the segment for Honda International.

 

QFT -- Well said.

 

I wouldn't get so offerned cause it's only obvious that he does not have any knowledge.

 

Just tell them you didn't feel like wasting $5k more on a 6-cylinder w/no torque AND less horsepower.