Frankly, I'm torn. But, for the first time since the TL was released, I'm reconsidering the TSX.

In case you're wondering why I'm reconsidering, it's because I'm starting to think that the TSX is more natural upgrade from my Integra in terms of size, performance, and price. Additionally, the more I test drive the TL, the more I grow concerned with the "hefty" feel of the car plus the torque steering issues. Ultimately, though, it's the fact that the TSX has a similar 'feel' to my Integra than the TL in terms of tossability, and since I'm so used to that feel and enjoy driving my Integra, the TSX is more immediately comfortable/recongizable to me.

However, I still have some questions/concerns that I'd like to hear your perspectives on re: the TSX (6MT/NAVI):

- The stereo is weak. What's the sure-fire way of making this thing sound really good? No matter how I adjust the settings, it's boomy, muddy, and lame. I really need a good stereo, and if it's not easily accomplished in the TSX, it may be out of the running. I've read many of the posts in the Audio area of this forum, but there's no clear answers from what I can tell.

- Shifting out of 1st to 2nd gear... why does the engine seem to "dip" (RPMs lower, etc) before 2nd gear grabs on? It's weird. Anyone else experience this?

- What the hell is up with not having direct preset buttons on the center stack for NAVI cars? What do people normally do... use the NAV screen to select presets? User Interface Gaffe #1.

- I'm obviously concerned about the build quality/rattling issues. Status on resolutions to this?

- Are there any easy ways to improve low-end torque in this engine in the future? That's the only aspect of the performance that I find lacking. Once in 3rd gear, all is fine.

- What are the chances of getting the car $1000 off MSRP (6MT/NAVI)?

- When are the 2005s being released? Any rumors on timing/updates? I've already waited 9 months since it's introduction, will another 3 months wait pay off for me?

Any/all info greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Jon

 

Got the same problem on my RSX. My friend change his Stereo for a Pioneer DEH-P4500MP CD/MP3, ampli Kenwood 250W and a sub Pioneer 10". He got a really nice sound for about 280$ cnd self-installed!

Got The same thing on my RSX (again ). Always because I push the clutch to much. The friction point is really early (on my RSX, don't know on the TSX) so I don't need to push the clutch too far. Did you tried to push the clutch a little less ?


Can't help you there.

Gotted some rattling too on my RSX but it is UNDER WARRANTY until 60 000 km or 3 years. Got mine 2 times to the dealers to fix Dash ratling. Now everything is fine!

The cheaper way I think will be with a Cold-Air Intake (Injen or AEM). This will add approx 10 lb-ft of Torque at 4000 rpm.

Go deal your TSX at the end of the month!

Always more fun to have the most-recent models

Hope that helps!

BeN.

 

Most likely it was a space issue. At times I'll use the nav screen to select radio stations/cd tracks/disks, but 95% of the time I'll use the steering wheel and voice controls.

There's no need to touch the screen for changing tracks/stations.

-r

 

Thanks all.

Any 6MT owners experience the "engine dip" when going from 1st to 2nd gear?

Jon

 

Nope, smoothest tranny i have ever driven

 

yeah, i also experience it.

 

If I understand you correctly, then yes I do. It feels like there's a bit of a wait required for the RPM to drop to the correct speed for 2nd. If I don't wait and release the clutch immediately, the engine bogs as it slows down. Is that what you mean?

I think there's a couple of things that are at play here aside from the diff in gear ratios which was somewhat beat to death here a few weeks ago.

1) The DBW system tends to hold the revs up for a short time (feels like about 300-400 ms) after releasing the throttle.

2) I may not be getting off the gas fast enough after disengaging the clutch and compounding the effect of 1) above. I probably just need more practice with it.

 

There are two ways to access the presets without using the screens. There, of course, are the controls on the steering wheel. The button on the far right of the audio that says ch disc also skips to the next preset.

 

I was worried about not having physical controls for most A/C functions, but that's because I was new to this whole "climate control" concept (previous car was an '88 Legend). I use voice controls to change discs or stations and the steering wheel buttons to skip tracks or change volume. Passengers are free to dick around with the touch screen because, well, they're not driving. There're still tuning/volume knobs when passengers want to use em.

Picking your station like "Radio play 105.3 FM" is awesome. IIRC, you can also use it to pick station presets. The hard part is getting your friends to shut up for 5 seconds straight, especially because they usually want to comment immediately after you issue a command (but before the voice interpreter stops listening).

As for $1,000 off, depends how far from civilization. I got $500 off mine (5AT CG/quartz navi) easily near San Francisco at the end of August (Serramonte Acura in Colma), but I had a desperate offers of $700 off and $800 off from Sunnyvale Acura and Pleasanton Automall, respectively. The former didn't have the color I wanted (CG) and didn't know when it was coming in, and the latter was too damn far for me to go just to verify they really had a CG when they could sell it that night anyway. (I'd already had an experience with a good deal sold out from under me, or maybe they were just covering their mistake of offering a navi TSX for a non-navi price.)

 

Jon --

Re the sound system: Circuit City installed 6 Alpine speakers at the same time that they put in my Sirius radio. The new speakers transformed the sound, especially when playing CD's.

Re the lag during 1-2 upshift: yup, it's there. I agree with Tinky that the best way to improve the acceleration of this car is to go to forged (light) wheels and better tires. The engine's OK, it's the car that's too heavy.

 

Regarding "lag between gears." I think it's a combination of DBW (emissions issues) and a somewhat (for Honda) heavy flywheel. Before everyone askes me for specifics, let me say I don't have any, I just have a hunch.

 

They did!? Did you have to get custom cuts? My local Circuit City said you'd need component speakers to fit in the front door, and the tweeter would need a custom cut. They were out of the Polk MMC650 and it's discontinued, and nothing else sounded as good anyway. (Duh... they had a floor model, but it never occurred to me to offer to buy it.) They estimated $100 for custom cuts, plus all the normal install charges. I said fuck it, too much trouble / too expensive.

 

When I refer to this "dip" between 1st and 2nd... I'll be frank -- it doesn't feel like a weight issue as much as it does a DBW issue. It's like it's not locking into 2nd fast enough. Does this make sense? Maybe I was driving a faulty 6MT?

Jon

 

I did not upgrade the tweeters, just the four door speakers and the rear deck speakers. I think the installer "cut" the wire to the tweeters. I have the trebel set at +2 or +3, and the Alpines produce a nice clear sound. Edit: I also have the bass set at +1 and the fader set at +2 to the front. With stock speakers, that setup always produced speaker buzz in the front doors. Not any more. I don't know if the installer fixed something in the doors, or if the factory speakers themselves were buzzing.

 

We have actually discussed this one and I think we all ended up agreeing it was a DBW difference as Colin pointed out above. However, after having owned this car for a while and now at the point where I have adjusted to 6MT+DBW, I have been able to completely eliminate this issue with just adjusting technique. I can say the primary difference between this and the tons of other non-DBW MT's is that the TSX wants earlier gas as you go from 1-2 shift. Hit the gas a split second sooner and you won't get the lag ... just takes getting used to as it is just not as direct as most of us are used to driving.

 

On the part about getting a 959 (6-speed Nav), it may be difficult to grab. The production on those is very limited. You may see some serious time between getting them in stock at a dealer. Be prepared. Some regions get a few more than others, but it's still slim pickings.