I currently have a 2002 Audi A4 3.0 and am looking at upgrading/sidestepping over to the TSX. I'm really impressed with everything on the car except the lack of torque. I had a 2000 Honda Prelude in the past, so I'm well aware of pushing the engine to rev limits to get the most out of it. The manual transmission is the very best I've felt also. However, my situation is this:

I'm looking at a 2005 Carbon Gray Pearl w/out Navi w/42,000 miles. It a leased car from Savannah, GA. The rear is de-badged and the front left headlight has moisture trapped in it (salesman said they were meant to breath and that's why it's there....rrright). I was wondering if anyone on here owned the car before it was transferred over to Macon, GA.

There's nothing wrong with the Audi; I'm just worried about future costs of routine maintenance.

Thanks for the help,
John

 

I know that the headlights are not meant to "breath" and im not sure, maybe a few members can confirm for me..but i believe the headlight is covered under the warranty, and there the dealership should replace it free of charge.. it was a common problem with all tsx's.

maintenance wise, the car is pretty good..just the regular stuff..fluids, brakes..etc

 

lol, if headlights are meant to "breath", and why don't i poke a hole on my roof and let me interior "breath" a little......lol never trust thos salesman.

is there any other TSX beside that one?? like a completely stock one

 

yeah...it was pretty funny with the headlight. I'm really concerned that the car was a tuner car for someone (even though it was a lease). It looks kind of shady to tell you the truth. Engine bay looked perfect though with no scratches around bolts and it was completely clean. However, I would highly doubt these come stock with a K&N panel filter. There was a sticker on the air box for it.

 

my guess it that previous owner tried to mod the headlight, or it's a manufacturer problem. However, they are NOT meant to breath. if I were you I would stay away from that particular salesman in first place.

 

Why would only one headlight breath?

 

exactly...on all accounts with the headlights and the salesman. I think I'm going to stick with the Audi for now and check out the TSX again when they put the RDX engine in it.

 

42,000 miles on a 2005?

Headlight is not normal...it can probably be replaced under warranty.

As for the car being abused, there's no way to tell. It could have been that he just replaced the filter for the fuel economy since he apparently is a traveling salesperson or something (I couldn't even rack up that many miles in 5 or 6 years). A drop-in filter means that he probably didn't get a CAI or SRI. The de-badge is something that anyone can do as soon as they get home from the dealer.

I think you should just stick with the Audi until a better TSX comes around...

 

Note that the TSX got a mild facelift and some engine retuning in 2006 that adds 15-20hp in an apples to apples comparison with the earlier models (they went to SAE net hp, which only adds 5 on paper, but only if compared to another SAE net number).

I just came over from a Jetta 1.8T (the one with the nice 3.94:1 final drive ratio versus the later 3.65:1) , and only miss the torque (1) in 6th gear, and (2) below 2000 RPM. Otherwise, it's quite responsive and I haven't really even broken 4000 RPM yet (still breaking in the car -- I've been into the mid-4000's a few times so far, but only under a light load).

 

42,000 miles! Geez! you can probably find a better example of a non-navi 2005 TSX with lower miles. Especially since the factory warranty on that foggy TSX is about to expire. I'd keep looking.