larchmont

My wife doesn't much like the TSX passenger seat, but loves the new TL one. So, I start wondering a bunch of things.

Can you replace the TSX seat with the TL seat? Stupid question, I imagine -- I assume that's impossible.

Can you just replace the TSX headrest with a TL one? The TL headrest is a lot better.

Or, what can you do at all in terms of replacing or modding a seat?


P.S. Assume that $$$ is "almost" no object.

jiggaman

if money is no object than i would suggest buying a TL for your wife.

larchmont

I had a feeling somebody would say that......

kenbiddulph

Time to get out the measuring tape :d

If it'll fit, I dont see why it would be a problem.

larchmont

No foolin', huh?

fjtorres

Money not being much of an object, it is pretty much a certainty that you can replace the passenger seat with something to her liking; whether it can be a TL seat will depend on the degree of parts-commonality that Honda maintains between their JDM and NA designs.

1- Since the TL is based on the NA Accord, if an Accord Seat will fit, so should a TL seat. So, yes, start measuring...
2- If the TSX driver's seat is acceptable, you could try for the equivalent JDM power seat which is intended for the right side of the car and should thus be a perfect fit.
3- Even if the appropriate OEM seats should not be available, there is always the aftermarket; checK for replacement Seats for Accords from Recaro or one of their competitors; check in the Back of just about any major car Magazine; C&D, MT or R&T...

Happy Hunting!

larchmont

Thanks, dudes -- what great replies! Looks like we'll be able to do something, might be really interesting actually.

That's probably all I need, but of course I'm all ears for any other ideas.

accsuperstar

wow, thats a nice gesture

i wish i was your wife

wait a minute.....

Crazytree

what's wrong with the seat?

AKay

STC

iTrader: (1)

Get some JDM Recaros!

larchmont

Hard to define confidently. I feel reluctant to give specifics, because sometimes a thing that seems to be a problem isn't really a problem, it's just that it doesn't work within that totality (fancy, huh?) -- plus, it's such an individual thing, so it might not apply to anybody else.

But with that disclaimer, here goes:

(1) We both think the headrest pretty much sucks. It comes out at you kind of acutely. (Somehow it's not an issue for me; doesn't come into play in any of the ways I sit.) And it doesn't allow for much adjustment, although there is one weird thing you can do with it (don't know if it's safe): If you pull it completely up and remove it, you can turn it around 180 degrees and put it in backwards. We tried that and at first we thought that would be a solution, but that didn't work either.

(2) The shape/configuration of the seat in general just isn't user-friendly for her. However, I must say that when the headrest pushes your head and neck forward unnaturally, nothing else about the seat can feel good, so it's hard to say for sure what else is really wrong. And we're not saying it isn't a high-quality seat.

(3) The lack of power adjustment plays a role. Even with the other things, if it were a power seat, you'd be able to adjust it "just so," and that might make enough of a difference. I know how it is, because I've experienced it myself in some cars.

BTW it's not like she's so extremely picky about seats -- she's about as picky as I am. To me, most car seats aren't acceptable at all, but a lot are acceptable, and some feel perfect -- like the TSX seat, which for me is the best car seat I've ever come across. (Second was my old 320i.) She had no problem with my prior Acuras -- Legend, and TL-S.


Aren't you glad you asked?

TSXautoXer

How much is the TL's seat? If it's not too much of the difference, I'll say get Recaro seats.

Recaro's Website

larchmont

After Ftorres's post, I looked up aftermarket stuff on google and immediately I came across Recaro -- looks mighty good.

What it'll come down to is, trying a bunch of possible seats and picking what feels best. I think that's what we're gonna do. (Also, of course, making sure about the feasibility and seeing how it all mixes with the TSX interior.)

Crazytree

Wierd... I never use headrests. When I get real lazy on my commute home I sometimes use them... but the fact that there is no neck support prevents me from relaxing. Considering buying a pair of those shitty neck pillows you strap to the headrest anchor area.

bob shiftright

I was going to suggest Recaros, too. The downside may be that you lose the side airbag. Or it may not be, I don't know how the JDM Recaros are equipped. If you're in Larchmont, then PAR, the Porsche broker in New Rochelle, is a big Recaro dealer.

http://www.parcars.com/parseating/2_1index.html

Also, you may find it easier to just have an upholsterer add or remove some of the padding in the seat.

My wife hated (well, she still hates) the seats in my Volvo because the headrest is too far forward for her, we "solved" the problem with a lumbar support pillow that moves her a little further forward in the seat. She thought Porsche seats were OK and they actually were made by Recaro according to the tag on the seat bottom.

ClutchPerformer

That says it all, right there.

chrisalberts

1. Her head shouldn't be touching the headrest in any case. It's not a head rest, it's a head restraint and the only real time it should come into play is when being rear ended. If her head is touching the headrest and she doesn't like it then I suggest she sit more upright.

2. Forces me to ask "what shape is your wife?". If the headrest is the main problem try removing it. You may find you can replace with the headrest from (god forbid) a German car, where they usually pivot so you can adjust their protuberance.

3. Even if you get a TL seat to fit (issues being the physical size of the seat and the rails) then getting the power adjustment to work is going to be mondo bucks I suspect.

They may not be very helpful, but I have two suggestions:

1. have your wife spend a LOT of time trying to adjust the existing seat. Unless the seat in a car really sucks, usually it's just a matter of adjustment (both of the seat, and of the person to a different position) to get the seat comfortable. This may not be the case for unusually small/large/shaped persons.

2. Trade the car for a TL. I know you love your TSX, but the cost of buying a TL seat (probably a couple of thousand) and having it fitted (maybe another thousand or so) would pay for the depreciation loss od selling/trading your car.

C.

larchmont

I asked for it, didn't I?

Thanks, everybody -- great input.
Bob and Chris -- I really appreciate the additional ideas.

Seems like my lady and I aren't the only ones who've had some problem with this, although I don't think it's been addressed much on here before.

Chris, about trading in the TSX for a TL: We considered it. But I really don't like the TL nearly as much as I like the TSX, including (no joke) the driver seat. To me, the TSX seat is perfect, and the TL seat is merely acceptable (barely).

Subjective, ain't it?

chrisalberts

Seats are an important issue. I would consider an Audi A4 except for the the fact that I found over an extended (2 hour) test drive that the driver's seat was not comfortable for my (admittedly fat) ass.

Ironically the Audi sports seats that we had in the old S4, but that they no longer include on the regular A4s with sport package were the comfiest seats I've ever experienced.

Seats are a very expensive part of the car, of course. I remember being told that a set of seats for my 99 BMW M3 (it had those weird looking "Vader" seats) was about $6000 for the pair.

Good luck,

C.

jcg878

Larch - you're definitely not the only one. My fiance doesn't like the passenger seat either. She find the headrest uncomfortable, and complains about the lack of lumbar support. She's pretty tiny so I'm surprised the lumbar support bothers her, but when I hop in her car it used to feel like there is a knife in my back (now I crank it up too, so I'm accustomed to it).

In her passat, the passenger seat is very comfortable but the driver's seat is not as nice as the tsx (bottom is too short). I think that the missing power passenger seat really hurts the car and is a cheap move by Acura - the only one that I really complain about (well, besides the sunroof control, pleather, rattles, and the lack of a V6 - j/k).

The headrest thing improved after she bought one of those travel neck pillows and she uses that on long trips.