tftimm

I am a current 2001 TL-P owner who is looking at a TSX. I called and checked on insurance rates and they were only $5/month higher. Does that make sense? The car is a 2005.

Can you all help me understand this. I am looking at $105 vs. $101 per month for my TL. Also for a foot note, a 2004 TL was $110, that is with the same coverage.

I figure I will save gas with the TSX as well, about $25/mos based on 1200 miles driven a month. These are averages, although I mostly drive highway. I average 23-24 with my TL, about 80 highway/20 city.

23MPG- 52 gallons (currently w/TL)
27MPG- 44 gallons (TSX)

Help me if you see something wrong, but I could afford to increase my car payments $20/month and not feel anything in the checkbook.

I drove the TSX and 3G TL and loved the TL. The more I look at it, I don't need that much power. My wife would drive it, and I prefer her in something smaller yet still safe. The TSX gets great gas milage, 27 might be a low estimate based on my driving. I am on the board reading every day and I don't see the TSX having the same problems as the TL such as rattles, rotor problems, idle, also tires wearing out quickly.

By the way, tires are extremely important to me. They are a hidden cost most don't think of. How long do the OEM tires last on the TSX? I've got 80K mile Michelins on the TL. Have any of you worked new tires into your car deal. Say I purchase a used TSX with like 25K miles, I might ask for new tires and ask for a specific tire with a good warranty.

A bunch of thoughts and questions I've had for a while, you help is appreciated...

Tex929rr

Yes, insurance rates are sometimes nonsensical from the comsumer point of view. With the same coverages (USAA), a 2006 Suzuki Aerio (a $13K car) cost the same as a 6 month old 2005 Corvette (a $58k car), and a year later my TSX (a $30K car) came in slightly higher. I am sure they base the rate on loss histories, but it's disconcerting to see.

HBaJ

80mpg on the highway?! my TL must be really messed up then

tftimm

80% highway/20% highway

1Louder

My Dad was an insurance agent for 40 years, and I've often asked the same questions about goofy rates. Historical data for that car plays a huge role, combined with your own demographic and history (married or not, male/female, accident history), and finally repair costs. Combine all those and you get a rate. I'm not surprised at what you found - TLs would *probably* be more expensive to repair. I asked him one day about Volvos and whether they were really safer, and he said part of the "legend" of Volvos being safe is the fact that the type of person buying them is typically a safe driver. Statistically much fewer "at fault" accidents than other drivers. So part of our fortunes are tied to the kinds of people driving around in a TSX and what they do (or do not do) to them.

BTW I have an 06 AT and I'm routinely gettting 29-30 MPG with a 30/70 City/Hwy commute (50 miles a day). A recent 150 mile drive to Portland got me close to 35 for 99% highway. It's very capable of good mileage - IF you drive it that way.

As for the tires, I'm only 9K miles into them but I'm going to dump them at the first sign of wear for quiter tires, but that's just me. Lots of other threads on that topic. I though I recall reading folks getting about 40-45K out of them before needing a replacement.

tftimm

Interesting, I hadn't thought about the "Volvo" marketing technique. I figured that since the TL was U.S., some of the parts would be cheaper than the Japan made TSX.

I would be thrilled to average 28. I don't drive hard at all. I'll throw it in SS everyone once in a while as I get on the highway, but it is rare I go above 4K RPM's, especially with the TL and is "strong" tranny...

Also, how does the TSX do around 80-85 MPH. I drive down into Mexico on their highways and I cruise about 85. Does engine noise become an issue? My TL is really quiet and smooth and would hate to give some of that up.

1Louder

I actually haven't gone past 80 yet (...thinking if I should actually admit that here....)

The top gear is very tall. If I recall correctly, 65 mph turns at around 2400-2600 rpm, so I expect even 80-85 woud not get the engine into a noisy rpm range. Definitely something to check out in a test drive though. BTW, that 35 mpg was at 75 mph with the A/C on. I think unlike a lot of cars, the TSX can cruise very well at fast speeds and still get 30+ mpg.

Tsx6363

the engine doesn't even roar when you're cruising at 90 mph... speaking from my roadtrip to ithaca last weekend

Mokos23

yeah unfortunately, i wish the TSX engine would roar more like the VQ motor in Nissan/Infiniti's, but they get bad gas mileage though.

1Louder

I paid attention this AM on my way to work:

60 mph = 2000 rpm
70 mph = 2400 rpm
80 mph = 2800 rpm

There wasn't a lot of noise difference, but it does depend on the road as well.

cestmoi

I've gone to 100mph for small stretches on I24 in TN here and I couldn't tell the difference in engine noise from 70 on up. I sometimes get this devil in me that just wants to floor it, but then $$$$$ comes to mind if I get caught and so I come down to earth and slow to 80 on a 70 max.

I was once testing on how a Lexus that was kissing my butt would keep up with me and he did. Just small spurts.