AUVette

I've been looking to get a TSX for awhile but I'm really on the fence about which transmission I should go with. I've never been into the Japanese car scene but do remember hearing some bad things about Honda's automatics not to mention two of my friends having trans replacements in their Accords.

Those cars were 4-speeds and the TSX I'm guessing has a newer, updated design.

So the big question is: Are the auto transmissions reliable or should I get the 6-speed?

jlukja

I've never had a problem with my AT. Changed my own AT fluid at 30k mi. and the dealership did it again as part of the 60K mi. service. Smooth shifting as ever.

However, the MT is considered one of the best out there. If you don't mind rowing your own and aren't faced with a daily bumper-to-bumper commute then I think you'll be very happy with it.

I suggest you browse the Problems & Fixes subforum and you'll get an indication of the types of problems that are being experienced. Keep in mind that people post about their problems but not so much about not having problems.

Simba91102

I think overall the TSX 5 speed auto. has been quite reliable. Properly maintained, it performs well and seems to last. We have two, one w/ 145K miles, the other w/ 127K. Both transmissions have been trouble free. As with everything, I'm sure there are exceptions, but I'm pretty sure that you'd be satisfied with your choice. There are some here (mainly in the MT camp) that may tell you that a choice of transmission should not be made on the basis of reliability, and I wouldn't completely disagree. But.... I answered your question, and perhaps if you were comfortable with the AT being a valid choice, you might then devote some energy on the question of which version you'd prefer (and as sweet shifting as the 6 speed is, they have their own brand of occasional problems). My accolades are consensus. You could find plenty of horror stories here (well, if they were easier to find that is) in regards to both transmissions, so try to keep some perspective (regarding comments you might get here). Oh, and welcome.

AUVette

Thanks for the replies. I looked over the P&F forum and didn't see anything too bad.

nj2pa2nc

Both transmissions can have problems-I personally enjoy my problem free 6MT 06 tsx with 123K+miles. I had the MT fluid changed at 100K miles. It is all up to the person driving the car.

AUVette

If I didn't already have a sportscar I'd probably be 100% set on getting the 6MT. I drove an RSX-S and the transmission was great.

darowa

The automatic transmission problems were virtually all involving cars with V6 engines. The first generation TSX was 4-cylinder only and not involved in the durability issues with the V6 application.

nj2pa2nc

go test drive them and then decide. All of the vehicles my husband and I own have MT.

deadlyklappy12887

it will be fine if you dont plan on supercharging it

Miamicarfan

No problems.

75,000+ miles on mine.


As Darowa mentioned, the vast majority of Honda and Acura transmission problems involved cars with V6 engines. I think they could not take the torque and the transmissions overheated and came apart.

I believe the problems were resolved for 2004 and newer models across the Honda and Acura line. I remember this problem was especially bad for TL and CL Type S cars prior to 2004. I remember reading the Acura TL Type S boards at the time. 2002 and 2003 owners of this model had to replace their transmissions multiple times. :-(



The 2004 to 2008 TSXs have very little torque. 166 pounds/feet . Here is a situation where i don't mind my car not having that much power off the line. :-)

llwtsx

No problems with my TSX AT at 61k (2006). A buddy of mine had his TL tranny replaced by Acura on his 2004 at 65k miles.

I will also say that the Honda tranny's matched with a V6 for 2004's (and earlier) are very failure prone. My wife had a 2000 Honda Oddy that went through 3 tranny's before we got rid of it. These are the tranny's that Honda extended the warranty to 100k miles. Great engines, piss poor tranny's for a V6.

In my case(s), after some discussions with the SA's, Honda did do the right thing and just about covered the costs for all 3 tranny replacements (cost me $500 on the last one).

Going forward, Honda will have to prove to me they've built a solid engine/tranny combo and I would want to see 7 to 8 years of repair/failure history before I would ever consider a Honda AT with a V6. Until they do, I will not consider/buy a Honda/Acura AT with a V6. I'll stick with the 4 cylinders, thanks.