So I recently got the offer to change my 5AT TSX for an identical 6MT. So my question to you is what should I look for as far as maintenance and the such with this car. I know with any car you check for oil changes, brakes, tires and I know for the manual you check for changing the trnsmission fluid and that the clutch isnt worn and what ever else I'm not too sure. The car doesn't have more than 30,000 miles on it (about what I have on mine) if that makes a difference. I would greatly appreciate if anyone could list the things I should look for and what to watch out for. Thanks

 

My 06 MT is on order, and you probably know more of what there is about the TSX to look for than I do.

Do the obvious checks, including taking a look at the service records, air filter, the color of the oil, checking for leaks, signs of body work/accidents (does it drive straight), bounce to test the shocks, wear pattern on the tires, and you or someone else should do a compression test, take a look at the plugs, and probably an A/C test, plus test all the electrical devices to make sure they work (windows up and down, door locks), charging system.

Would you use your bank to check for liens on the title to the car, to verify that ownership is clear? Is an emissions test necessary, DOT test, where you are?

 

Any smoke out of the tailpipe, on a cold start-up?

 

No emissions test here but the car should be in about the same condition as mine seeing it has about as many miles...but you never know if people care for theyre car the same way you do....so would it be worth it just to take it to a mechanic and have a general check up run on a 2004 TSX with 25,000miles or can I pretty much take a look under hood and around and be able to tell if its a good risk?

 

Also I dont know what a slipping clutch would feel like or any other tell tale signs of a worn MT car...descriptions and/or lists would be great

 

It basically feels like you give it more gas than usual and the rpms seem to climb higher than normal as if it's losing traction. Basically the clutch is the link from your tranny to your engine (I know it's a duh statement) but if you think about it, when you disconnect the clutch from the engine, you're rpms tend to go up slighty right? Same thing sort of with a slipping clutch, as you release the clutch to engage the drivetrain, a slipping clutch would not calm the rpms down and after switching gears might still be abnormally high because it's not fully connected.

Another way to test, is basically park on a level surface, with the car in gear and the parking brake on, slowly release the clutch pedal. If the car stalls immediately, you're clutch is golden! If the engine starts to slow down but continues to run, you MIGHT have a slipping clutch and I say "MIGHT" with emphasis because at least for me the car is very difficult to stall. I have only stalled once and that was intentional

 

Do you know how to drive a manual?

 

I sold my 05 TSX last september. One thing that I noticed was the clutch starting have a slight resistant to it halfway depressing it, has if the cable was off alittle. Look for that.

 

psteng19:
I can drive a manual....I learned to drive on a manual it just so happened that the car I purchased was an automatic

triton:
thanks for the USEABLE comment