Hey guys,

I'm a long time Nissan fan, but I'm thinking about buying a TSX as my next car. I found a 2004 TSX with a NAV system that has 69,000 miles. It has a nice bodykit and wheels. I'm a bit worried about the mileage though. They are asking 18,900 for it, but I will definitely negotiate them down on the price.

What sort of maintenance needs to be performed? I heard that Honda's are good for 100,000 before needing a timing belt. What about the rest of the vehicle?

Is there any reason I shouldn't buy a car with that many miles? A lower mileage, certified TSX from an Acura dealer would cost ~23-24,000. For that kind of money I'd rather have a BRAND NEW Subaru Impreza.

 

edit: I just checked Edmunds.com and the vehicle appraises at $20,000 dealer retail with that mileage. =( I've always been told, "If it's too good to be true..."

 

Well this is a good question to people who have driven more than 100K. But I am pretty sure, that TSXs are pretty good reliability wise. I have had no problems with my 06, 6 months back since i got it. Well, the price is a lil more, but with those mods and navi, i think you should get it for about 18K

 

I would think it's fine. Ask for maintenance records. There's nothing major that really needs to be done. Maybe ask if they've changed the brakes pads / rotors. How often they get oil changes and/or check fluids. Just the common stuff. Can't think of anything big to look for, hopefully some other people will chime in too.

 

Is the 04 you looked at Certified pre-owned? Are you buying them from an Acura dealer? Be aware that if you're buying from none dealer there could be problems with the car, there was a member here that bought the TSX from a Chevy dealer and he had some major issues with them. Here's the thread http://www.acura-tsx.com/forums/show...hlight=screwed.

 

I would definitely get it CPO. I bought mine as a CPO (04 TSX with Navi) and not only that I have all the maintenance record they also give you extra warrenty. Worth the extra money for a CPO

 

I have an '04 CPO too and it's perfect. Got it with 16k miles on it. Paid $23.5 before TTL last year. There are more around now, so the dealers should be willing to come down on their prices a little bit.

 

Are you worried because a non-dealer is selling the car cheaper than the dealer retail value? That seems bonkers to me. Lots of people sell their cars person-to-person, both people end up making more money by cutting out the dealer. I've bought plenty of cars from private parties before (the TSX is my first new car in fact) and never had an unexpected problem or felt I had been screwed.

Obviously since you aren't buying from a dealer who has already put lots of money into restoring the car to showroom condition, you aren't going to get a car that is in showroom condition; some parts may be near the end of their service lives and require replacements, or there may be minor or even major repairs that need to be done, but if you can do any of them yourself or get them done at sub-dealer labor rates you are saving money over buying from a dealer.

DO check the car out thoroughly before you buy it -- get a Carfax report, and inspect it mechanically (bring a friend who knows what he's doing if necessary) to make sure there are no hugely glaring problems -- but I wouldn't automatically run just because the price is good.

Oh, and the TSX isn't good for 100k before requiring a new timing belt. It's good forever before requiring a new timing belt, because it doesn't have a timing belt You also never need to replace the distributor cap or spark plug wires (since, again, we don't have any). So even the 100k service is less extensive (and expensive) than older cars' 30k services.

 

these tsx are known as accords in europe and they were rated #1 most reliable car.(same car different name)
there are a few people in here who have well over 100k miles. i think sauceman is almost at 150k
engine is bullet proof

 

I have approx 100,000km (62000 miles) on my 04 @ over 3 years now. The TSX really does seem bulletproof if not misused. The only issue I have had was condensation in one of the headlamps after a year and this was fixed on warranty. TSX's have timing chains and replacement is not listed in any maitenance schedule. Tires, brakes are only items that I would expect to be worn. Check that the vehicle has not been in a major accident.

 

About buying a TSX with high mileage, I have 115K miles on mine! About your concern, as always when buying any used car, as the buyer, it is your responsibility to exercise caution and check the car out to ensure it is in good condition. Get the service records, have a Carfax report run, and just examine the car yourself for normal telltale signs of abuse. Cars are mechanical and mechanical things do break. Some mechanical maladies are "fatal," (meaning find another car) such as burning oil, a rough shifting transmission, drilled out spot welds on bodywork (indicating a crash), rough running, etc.

About durability, here is my experience on my workhorse. My TSX is just fed gas, oil changes, brakes, tires, the normal maintenance and that is about it. This car is low drama unlike some european cars brands I've owned in the past. The way this car is going, I bet I'll be able to get 300K out of it, with of course, the normal maintenance being performed. Here is an example of Acura's/Honda's toughness: my co-worker has an Accord with 300K+ miles on it and arond the "water cooler," he comments it has less mechanical gremlins than his late model E320 MB. To sum it up, I am very happy with my TSX!