Black_6spd

Which Mazda goes up against the Realtime TSX? Can't remember if it was the 6 or 3?

JTC05

I never specified that it was a rebadged USDM accord. It is an Accord though. Just rebadged from the rest of the world that does not need an oversized version like the US and Canada. It was great for them to bring it over here, but rebadging it still does not make it a luxury car. Very reliable, yes, but the quality of the materials are Accord grade. And just to clear it up, by quality I don't mean items being reliable, I mean the grade of finish. Cheaper plastics Etc. And sweeping generalizations that happen to be true. How else could GM actually come out with an H3 and a whole new Escalade it people weren't worried about appearance and put them selves in debt to get it.

CarbonGray Earl

Don't feed the trolls fellas....Jetta trolls, Lexus trolls....

CarbonGray Earl

6...Jeff Altenberg?

vitocorleone

Yes, it is ~90% a "badge switch", but it is not a bad switch with an "Accord". The TSX is an award-winning entry-level sport sedan (e.g., C&D 10 best, etc.) from a luxury brand - the "Accord" is not in that category. "Luxury" is a tough one to nail down as everyone seems to have a different definition. For example, someone who drives a Bentley might not think an S500 is a luxury car.

I hear ya on the leasing - it's crazy that I could easily afford to lease an M5 or M6 (esp. if I got rid of the TSX!)... but I wouldn't buy one, either.

I also would like to know the real stats of the age of people buying the various Acura models. And also leasing. For example, are the 20-somethings leasing or buying more than the 30-somethings, etc. You're generalization is similar to others, but completely opposite from yet some others (for example, I often see old ladies driving the TSX - should I conclude that only gray-haired grannies drive the TSX?).

IS300 in sheer performance did outperform the TSX by a bit in direct comparisons (some people posted when the TSX came out after driving back to back on a track), but lost in every other way outside of performance - except, of course, perhaps for build quality. While I freely admit to having no interest in test driving cars I'm not going to buy, reviews indicate that the IS250 is not really any faster than a TSX, is more luxurious as one would expect for a car costing more, and drivers "suffer" from some road isolation. The latter criticism has not been leveled at the TSX.

JTC05

I love my TSX for what it is, but I seem to be one of the few honest people on here that actual accept it for what it is and not pretend for it to be something different. It's main competitors are Mazdas, Subarus, Accords and some Fords and Chevys. When you drive one back to back against a BMW, Audi, Lexus or a TL(which is in there class) you will notice a difference. Reliability aside, people look for prestige, and when you factor in leases and short term owning, the reliability doesn't matter as much. Acura needs to step up the TSX a couple of notches to be worthy of a $28k sticker these days.

thorium

Seriously guys, take things for what they are.

If you want to make a comparison...

Its a PERSONAL decision, because there are many factors. Its about BANG FOR YOUR BUCK.

BANG = the features that matter most to you
BUCK = staying within a set budget

You can get a faster car. You can get a more luxurious car. You can get a car with more technology. You can get a quieter car.

But the Acura TSX is an undeniable value. In the 25k-30k range this car offers a LOT of bang for your buck. But this all matters on your priorities. The TSX excels in interior quality, technology, reliability, resale value, etc. If your top priority is off the line acceleration then the TSX might not be the best value to you.

IlliNorge

Come on! 99% of car enthusiasts will chose Acura over any of Mazdas.....Chevys. Especially if you argue prestige like you say. I drove one back to back with an A4 and really didn't notice any dramatic differences. I owned an A4 for 6 years. Nice car. I've owned a TSX for 1 month. Nice car. Maybe the '06 advances in the TSX cloud your perception? Lexus is a damn fine automaker, but as a 33-year old guy, I'm not paying $8,000 more to say "I've made it."

Mockenrue

When are we going to learn that Internet forums provide a very bad sample for statistcal analysis? I bet there are mostly 20 somethings on the Buick forums too. According to a press release from last September (hondanews.com), the TSX demographics are as follows:

50 percent male
Median age 43 years
60 percent married
78 percent college educated
$86,000 median household income

ianS

Yup! seems like you are really the few one over here that really care about the "brand", "prestige", "luxury"...etc. And you also think you are the only one over here are ever drive a Audi, BMW, Lexus...etc.

Most of us buying our TSX are because it overall drive great and we want to keep the car for more than 5-6 yr and need a practical car. How is the IS300 being practical if it is damn too small and feel very unsafe when the side door is just touching my arm. How it can be luxury if the car need to be in the shop 10 times a year and need to fight with your SA in order to not get scam? How can some thing that made in US are being consider should market to the public????

JTC05

Maybe a 6 year old A4 doesn't have much differences. I have a 03' A4 and a 05' TSX. I have also driven my sister-in-laws Mazda 6 numerous times. The TSX is very similar to the Mazda in a lot of ways. The A4 seems to be a whole different level. Fit and finish, quality of materials, the ride and road noise and just the general feel of driving. And while some people won't pay $8,000. more to say they have made it, others will because they have made it and don't want to settle. The fact that Acuras demo shows mostly males and a good portion married, really shows that it is not a mature car. Most married men are always finding a way to grab back there youth or find something that makes them feel like a kid. The TSX is a good compromise because the wife sees it as a 4-door built by honda. It is our only way of geeting something semi-sporty that the wife doesn't know about. I am 35 and married. My Audi is mature, the TSX is fun.

JTC05

Forgot to note that the Mazda is a 6s fully loaded so it is a direct comparo.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

wow...someone has really been dipping into the kool-aid...

JTC05

Yeah, I think it is the one they have been serving at the Acura dealer that tricks people into thinking that they are not buying an Accord.

Black_6spd

Thanks.

<--- should upgrade Adelphia to include TIVO receiver

Everytime I tune into SPEED channel, damn NASCAR is always showing!

Black_6spd

I agree. I put on some TSX badges on my co-workers 2005 Accord and nobody could tell the difference (including himself).

It's so close, I even find myself accidently trying to open the door on his car!

jlukja

^^

JTC05

Well if your co-workers Accord is a european model then you are 100% correct. The US accord is specifically built here for our larger car demands. The TSX is just an Accord from every where else with Acura badges. Yes they gave us the top engine but it is still just an Accord which is a direct competitor to a Mazda 6, a Ford Fusion and a pontiac G6. Get over it.

jlukja

If you knew what you were talking about then you wouldn't be saying this. Take a closer look at the Euro Accord and at the TSX, read the specs, then tell me that they only differ in the badges.

IlliNorge

You're taking his bait! Just respond that a Passat is a rebadged A6. Same logic.

IlliNorge

I can buy into the fact that you have personal preferences with your A4 and TSX, but I can't buy into your unfounded generalizations about brand quality.

kenzo

Despite the power ratings, the MS6 is just about as fast as a Legacy GT. It's not even close to an STi or Evo.

waTSX

Dude, you have issues.

waTSX

And about Americans, and about the reasons people buy these cars, etc, etc...

CarbonGray Earl

Last time I checked, I think Mazda is in the points lead, but with rewards weight being what it is, it usually not good to be in the lead this early. good effort by them though.

I would love to split SPEED into "the NASCAR channel" and "The everything other than NASCAR channel".

sauceman

Dude, get of the crack, and please get over yourself.

It's just funny to see how many people on this board who come from Audis, BMWs and MBs or even those who simply cross-shopped with these cars who now own TSXs. It would be just plain ignorance to say the TSX is not in direct competition with these too.

And I don't know where the idea of cheaper materials in the TSX come from but it sure as hell isn't what reviewers are saying when they compare the TSX to other BMWs, Audis, MBs and Saabs of this world.

jlukja

X 13871546874681228176845148473544167791798318719

ck123

/thread

waTSX

Spot on! Speed used to be a great channel, but this entire past weekend it seemed like they ran nothing but NASCAR. I'm getting sick of it. Too bad, because their F1 coverage aces CBS's big time. F1 is about the only saving grace they have left.

sauceman

Still, their F1 coverage sucks big time compared to ITV broadcast.

xizor

This is some really twisted logic upscale cars can only be marketed towards males who won't get married, or have been divorced, because they are by far the most mature group of people. Never mind the fact that married people are responsible for a family, raising kids etc.

ianS

Also, I never see a single cheap material from Honda will peel off like those prestige material on the Audi

Also I definitely will pick the MazdaSpeed 6 over ne Audi.

vitocorleone

Thanks for posting those stats! This is pretty much as I'd expected, and skewing higher in age than Acura was originally targeting when they launched the TSX.

Black_6spd

While I agree with your first statement that the US market wanted a bigger car, you're wayy off base on the statement of it competing directly with the TSX.

Look at Edmunds.com:
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2006/acura/tsx/index.html

I see alot of luxury cars: Audi, BMW, Lexus, MB, but no Mazda.

I don't think I've seen a single comparison with the TSX vs. Mazda 6 from ANY reputable car reviewer.

afici0nad0

true...

afici0nad0

you do have a point.

from marketing perspective, acura has been viewed as an entry level luxury brand (based on their product line-up).

1. toyota, honda, nissan, ford, mazda, chevy, etc.
2. acura
3. lexus, infiniti, bmw, audi, etc.

acura does seem to occupy a weird space in the automotive industry from a prestige/luxury brand point of view. is it bad? i don't think so.

i can't think of any other brands that may also occupy the #2 space on my list.

afici0nad0

true...

but, the 05 tsx had been compared to the 06 vw gli.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=107677

like i've said, the acura brand does occupy a unique space in the north american auto industry.

vitocorleone

Infiniti does, though they don't really seem happy with it and are trying to leave #2. As does Saab. Some people would also put Audi in this group and leave the #3 in your post as Lexus, BMW, Mercedes (and a #4 would be something like Bentley, Rolls, on the lux side and/or Ferrari etc. on performance).

Mockenrue

I agree. I think number 2 on your list would include Acura, Infiniti, Volvo, and Saab. Some might argue that it includes Lincoln and Cadillac too.

afici0nad0

^

ya. i've read other responses to include infiniti in #2 also.