I wonder if anyone has noticed the flimsy pieces of plastic at the base of the gear selector in the 5AT model. For an "upscale" automobile, it looks extremely cheap.

Wish there was a car where Acura and Lexus designed the exterior and interior, respectively.

 

You're just being nit-picky because everything else in the TSX's interior is so well done that little things like that makes you take notice. Just be thankful that you don't have to sit inside the interior of a G35 everyday where the word "flimsy" can basically be used to describe everything in the interior.

I also noticed the flimsiness you describe when I had a courtesy car loaner during my TSX's 10K service. But I didn't think it was bad... just one of Acura's few indiscreet ways of keeping costs down. After all, this is still by far the best interior at this equipment level one can get for under $30K.

Fortunately, I don't have to deal with it since mine is a 6sp.

 

What do you mean by "upscale"? Because if a person that makes 14k a year, the TSX may be upscale, but for those that make 2million, the TSX--if bought--would be used as a commuter.

 

Still not sure what looks cheap down there?

 

Your Johnson? :fingerfawk:

 

 

:sqntfawk:

 

 

>> but for those that make 2million, the TSX--if bought--would be used as a commuter.

Hey I don't know about you...but I use it as a commuter.

About the plastic cover, YES that's FIRST thing I noticed when I did the testdrive.
And it's my only negative impression.
Yes it looks cheap like it's cut out of the bottom of an aluminum food container....
The thing is that it is SO very visible, being shiny silver, smack in the middle of matt blackness.

I have actually been wondering if there is an aftermarket replacement. I suppose it only take a mold , a metal polisher, and molten metal to make them.

 

Cheap looking plastic...Another good reason to get the 6 spd. Most cars are used as commuters...mine sure is. The TSX is a good car but its affordability,reliability and fuel economy make it an excellent choice for a commuter. Cars are intended to be driven.

 

Is it possible to install a boot on the AT to cover the shiny-cheap plastic ?

 

Possible...yes, but you'd have to do some modifications to the plastic surround so that you could tuck the boot in around the edges. I don't know how much the surround is but I'm sure it's not cheap if you screwed something up. Also you wouldn't be able to see the gate pattern which could be confusing for anyone who isn't used to your car. The other thing that would be a problem is that you will need a lot of material to make a boot and it would be pretty baggy because there is a very long throw from P to D3.

I just don't think it would be worth the effort becuase it would A) cost a lot of money and B) look weird.

 

It is fact that the TSX is so much more affordable than its competition, when similarly optioned. So why on earth would they try to save [at most] a few hundred dollars?

Why oh why?

 

If the shift boot on the AT looks cheap then what about the same faux metal that runs the length of the dash thats made out of the EXACT same plastic

 

Don't get me wrong, the interior of the TSX is very nice. Just nit-picking.....hehe

 

I get it, but don't forget the Faux metal on the dash as well.

 

Right, but to me personally, the dash bars, from driver's angle of view, don't look as plsticky as the shiftcover...it all has to do with the subtleness of light & reflection.

 

I like my faux metal dammit.

I deliberately chose it over faux wood.

I dont have it around my shifter though.

 

Maybe if there were a shift knob that was large (or wide) enough to prevent the driver from seeing the moving plastic parts of the boot....maybe not.

 

It's Sears, not Saks, but so was the price.

 

i don't really see a problem here. it probably works because if you use anything else, compared to what's there now, it would look odd. it's subtle and matches the rest of the trim. if black plastic were used, i think that would look even cheaper. leather and/or chrome? probaby wouldn't look good since metal and leather would contrast too much. so in the end, the more equal dispersement of the trim works. no?

besides, i haven't heard any other non-owners (admirers, coveters, etc.) mention anything "cheap" about the interior.

also, i guess it does depend on the interior/exterior colors of the car. seems to look fine with a CG/Ebony combo.