Rather than a review, I want to share an experience I've encountered recently just by driving the TSX.

Reviews, rumors, chats, and even criticism has all been a positive embedment to the TSX's reputation. Whether it was complaints about windshiled rattles, or exterior-compliments, the TSX has exceeded far past its expectations. The prospects also seem great.

Anyways, I was driving down Route 80W (NJ) today and noticed a middle-aged man with a 3-series following me. I think him and I paced along the highway for about a good 5 minutes. He kept his eye locked on my TSX then started to throw his hands up as if he was bowing down to the Acura's new model. He then rolled down his window and directed me to take the same exit with him so him and I can "converse".

Although I was tired from working, I followed his lead and parked the car in a local town in Ridgefield. After parking, he started the conversation by briefly sharing his knowledge on cars and started to talk about how he wanted the TSX really really, really badly. He couldn't have emphasized it enough.

I couldn't help but ask why he settled for his bimmer when he was so in "love" with the TSX.

"Because" He answered reluctantly, "I'm a BMW-enthusiast"

I listened, but couldn't make sense of what he was saying, so I gave him the indifferent nod.

Anyways, I don't want to make this entry any longer so let me go straight to the point.

Because of my TSX, he's going to introduce me to some bodyshop where I can get awesome deals on the TSX's front bumper. Which is great because I needed to replace my damaged front bumper for a good 6 months.

---Just sharing the joy.

 

Another BMW owner realizes his mistake

gilbo's gonna have a fit. That's two in one night.

 

This is great..

 

Actually, my all-time favorite story...

At our one year mark, I took my gf out for a fancy dinner at this great place in Newport Beach. I valeted the TSX. We finish a most excellent dinner and come out. The valet brings my car around. I get in and just before I close the door, I hear him say to the other valet...

"Dude, that's a fucking sweet car. The interior was fucking awesome. Must cost like $40K or something."

Oh if he only knew

 

Everybody thought my car was 30K+ when I got it during October. I guess it does look much more pricey than it actually is.

 

Gosh, I had some similar experience too! I gave a friend a ride a few days ago. He said that my TSX was so nice it must have cost me $38K or something! He wanted to get one!!! Then 2 days ago I went to a posh function. A guy in a Legend parked behind me and was so impressed that he had to come to check out my car. He could not stop saying how beautiful my TSX was, though he then asked me if that was the new TL!!! LOL!

 

What does Gilbo know? That guy frequents the enthusiast site of a car he doesn't like and constantly criticizes. I'm glad he's here but doesn't he have ANYTHING better to do? Who cares what Gilbo thinks, he's obviously deranged.

 

Yeah I took a customer of mine for a ride, a guy who drives an M/B S500, and he thought my car must have cost $35K.

 

When we were shopping, the TL was one of the cars in our budget range, but it didn't seem worth an extra 5K for what we wanted the car for. The TSX's HIDs, the little blinky on the outside of the mirror, ample power, pretty good sound system, good mileage. All the "sweet spots" were hit, and no competitor similarly configured was within 3K.

The TL's DVD-Audio was actually a drawback because I didn't feel like recoding/reburning discs from my 60,000+ MP3 collection. :-) If they'd stuck say a 60GB HD in the trunk with a _real_ BlueTooth wireless link, that could have gotten a swing vote over having to do it myself.

Some amplifications: the TSX self-leveling HIDs are more sophisticated than cars with "thumbwheel" technology (like Nissan Murano). The blinky mirrors might be expensive to replace, but they're this year's "gotta have" item to instantly tell everyone you're in an '04. Both features together make this car hard to take out of any edmunds.com comparison printout... we printed sheets up a dozen times, from the Mazda-built new Ford Volvo S-40 to the Audi/Passat, C230, a couple Lexi and Toyos.

 

Gonna catch this before gilbo does...

I don't believe the TSX has self-leveling HIDs.

 

This might be a matter of definition, and if so, I could use a clarification.

It's my understanding that all HIDs (on new cars) are required to have a [self] leveling automatic mechanism, because of the increased risk of blinding other drivers. As you know if you've ever faced a cheapo retrofit.

The thumbwheel is a nifty "feature", but you really don't need it (if the auto-self-leveling is working properly).

 

That's probably gilboman asking around in his BMW. Too bad we don't have his picture.

 

This is similar to my experience in October. I had to go to the St. Regis Hotel in DC for a meeting, and I was running late so I valet-ed(?) my car. The doorman started gushing about it, then the bellboy, etc., This was a really nice hotel, so they don't bat an eye when a 7-series rolls in, E class, etc. I was pleased.

 

Gotta love it

 

I've been getting many compliments on my TSX lately. when I took it in for service last week the mechanics said it was the best looking TSX they'd seen, ever since I put on my GT1's and the tints, I've been getting thumbs up and catching people checking it out in the parking lot. I couldn't be happeir with the head turning of my car now.

 

The guy at the body shop was complimenting me on my TSX when they first got it. He said, "Why get a TL? If those people only knew." I didn't appreciate it at the time.

 

The guy at the body shop asked "Why get a TL?" when the rear clearly indicates that it's a "TSX"?

 

It even says so when you open the doors of the car.