pbook4g5

Am I crazy? (maybe)

I've had my eye on the sport wagons for a year or so. I've had my TL-s for just over a year. I came from an 03 Accord V6 Coupe 6MT. Drove the Accord for 7 years and 200k miles. Loved it. I thought the TL-s would be the same thing as my Accord only bigger and with 4 doors. The experience just isn't the same. So, with that, I'm thinking of getting rid of it for a sport wagon. A lot of 2012 models are coming off lease and I'm looking to pick up a low-mileage one.

I'd miss the 6MT, but its my daily and I'm kind of getting over that. I have an 08 S2000 to help me satisfy the need for a clutch.

My question for you all is: are there differences in models? All the reviews I've found and from my research, there hasn't been anything different in models since they were introduced in 2011.

Also, what should I look for as far as things going wrong?

Note: I know I'm being that "lazy" guy and not doing my research.... but I just don't have the time at the moment. I will tomorrow when I get home and get to my own computer, but any guidance you all can provide would be greatly appreciated.

xtcnrice

Only difference is tech package vs. base as far as I know. I own a sedan though, so you might want to get input from someone else on this board, but afaik, it's just tech vs base.

TECH = backup cam, navi, ELS sound system. Navi is a bit dated.. backup cam is useful if you care, obviously not if you don't. ELS sound is ok, not the greatest. Problem with ELS sound is, it's hard to upgrade your sound system without redoing all of it, because the ELS amp is an absolute buzz kill and will make aftermarket speakers sound absolutely terrible even if they're good speakers. The reason is because the ELS amp modifies the signal in a way to make the sound sound half decent on the piece of crap speakers the TSX comes with. When you get something nice, they all sound of out proportion. If audio upgrades isn't your thing, TECH is fine.

There is no 6MT in the wagon unfortunately... that would've been AWESOME. There's also no V6 either. Acura really dropped the ball on these aspects IMO.

2012wagon

There are many of here who have miatas s2000 Elise etc next to our wagon

I love my wagon.

For me tech package is must as it gives you power lift gate

2012+ has no spare tire but cubby hole

Good luck .

Your exterior color options will be determined by whether you want beige interior or black interior

Again I have been a long time wagon owner (Subaru dl wagon, outback, Lexus sport cross) and many many hatchbacks

Power is adequate . For many of us tsx wagon owners amg e63 or ctsv will be next stop

Come join the wagon party !

BROlando

The fact that its a wagon makes up for the fact that its automatic. The wagon is my girlfriend's DD. I absolutely love it. We have the tech package because all the factory goodness that comes with it. I wasn't really planning on upgrading anything in those aspects. It has a power lift gate, nav, backup cam, and the ELS surround system sounds good to me.

I have a S2000 and a 1G tech 6mt TSX. The TSX is my only car for 6 months out of the year because of the AMAZING(ly bad) weather in IL. I'm not 100% sure I could handle driving an automatic car for 6 months. But...after lowering the wagon on KW ST's and putting some tires on it....IDK...maybe I could.

If the wagon were manual, it would be the perfect DD for me.

2012wagon

I love me some 3 pedal action

My Subaru DL and outback were both manual

My tsx wagon is a better overall and more refined car than both of those agricultural equipment

Puppetmaster

This is the main significant difference, but I know you can actually buy the parts to "rebuild" the spare tire well if you need it.

The tech package, IMO, is worth it. I have a base and regret not going with the tech. I wouldn't use the nav because I use Waze on my phone, but the ELS vs the base sound is much more refined. Stock for stock, no comparison. The power lift gate and back up cam are definitely worth it too. I thought it wouldn't matter, but whenever I drive my wife's MDX with Tech/RES, I'm slightly bummed out by the better sound.

The wagon is slow by most standards, but it will move decently well if you take high into the tach. The only "problem" there is I find myself driving the car pretty hard most of the time to get it moving. The high revving has also caused me some oil consumption (and there may or may not be other issues contributing to this). Even stock, it was well balanced and handled decent for a stock form car. With Konis and Eibachs, it's a world of difference, but again, for what it is - an AT, N/A, 4 cyl wagon.

Overall, I love my wagon though, and would consider getting another MT "toy" one day if I ever had the money, but would still like to keep the wagon as long as possible.

2012wagon

Puppet

Get more money and new toy soon, so you can sell me your wheels !!!!

xtcnrice

^^ forever stalking them wheels!

pbook4g5

If I'm going to upgrade the Stereo (speakers and amp(s)), do I need the tech? Power lift gate would be nice but really I don't mind lifting it myself.

And going from a clutch to no clutch... That's my biggest fear. I actually hate the TL-s clutch so I'm thinking the s2000 will suffice my need for 3 pedals

2012wagon

If you want to upgrade speakers get non tech

To me the power lift gate is worth it's weight in gold. It will matter during resale value too

Living with two kids coming to grocery store and power remote lift gate is a life saver. You could think I am a fat lazy American but I am neither fat nor an American

The thing I miss most from my Lexus is the keyless door entry where I can touch to unlock. Super helpful with two young kids



Then again I use my wagon as a wagon and am not a 16 year jalopnik reader jizzing on 1983 brown diesel manual wagon .

iCrap

If you want to upgrade the stereo then DONT get the tech. You cant change the speakers because the amp and speakers are paired or something.. if you change them it sounds terrible.

2012wagon

Locally when I was looking I couldn't even find a non tech wagon

Dealers here kept the wagon fully loaded mostly


Good luck with the search

xtcnrice

Yeah I was thinking you might not have much of a choice in tech vs non-tech OP, let alone the typical interior/exterior colour personal preferences. Given the very few sales in TSX wagons, the "perfect one" for your needs may be hard to find.

pbook4g5

There's one right down the road from me that's non-tech, low mileage, certified. Black on black. I want white but I don't know how far id want to travel for it.

robpp

iTrader: (2)

dont let LACK OF SPARE deter you.

the spare, jack, bolt, hold down are all generic honda.
buy salvage or pick a part.

the inserts for the under rear area cost me about 250 for everything BRAND NEW.
and spare and jack was about 120.

as others have said......tech is all nice to have.....but none of it is absolutely necessary.

pbook4g5

I'm not worried about the no spare tire. I put a nice stereo and sub in my s2k and took out my tools and spare. That's why I have good insurance with awesome towing

2012wagon

I wanted white too but couldn't stand the beige interior

Black interior was must for me
So I ended up with ugly grey on outside

Oh well I spend most of time inside the car

xtcnrice

Grey looks pretty good IMO!

2012wagon

Eh it's ok. Nothing to write home about . When I lived in Boston all I saw were dull grey and black cars. Was never going to be part of that sheep conservative culture

Sadly my wagon is a sheep now

Puppetmaster

You might think I'm crazy, but any new ride I consider, fitting those rims to it is a factor. Not the only factor, but definitely taken into consideration.

xtcnrice

I would too if I had a set... CE28s are both sexy and lightweight

xtcnrice

2012wagon is gonna try and convince you to get a car with a different bolt pattern now

Majofo

2012wagon

Damn you puppet

P.s I stalk the for sale forum you told me about and nothing has come up last 4 months

BROlando

There's some dealer in Wisconsin selling a vortex blue wagon tech with 19k miles for $20.9k right now.

Deals are out there. Cot dang. That's almost as good of a deal as we got on ours lol.

I like having the tech because I don't really have to upgrade the stereo. Its already pretty nice. Not BMW or Lexus Mark Levinson nice. But nice.

It also comes with quite a few features that are nice for resale and for use. Once you get used to having a map constantly displayed on the dash...you'll never want to go without it.

Traffic jam up ahead? I can quickly look at the map and dart around it. Heavy fog or dark road? I can glance at the map to make sure I'm not going blindly into a sharp curve. Road trip to Canada/Mexico? Nav still works without paying international charges on my data plan.

It also makes the car and dash look more upscale and attractive, IMO.

Your TLS has a nav screen and tech features. You'll miss it with a non-tech.

You'll also miss the 3rd pedal and the power. But...the wagon is a much cooler car (IMO). And its mad useful.

Flipster23

iTrader: (15)

6MT Accord Sport.

pbook4g5

I have used my navigation less than 10 times in my one year of owning the car... and I thought I would use it all the time. But I don't have realtime traffic and the 07 disc is pretty outdated.

The screen stays off 99.9% of the time when I'm driving. It does make the dash cooler, though.

2012wagon

6mt accord sedan is a fantastic car. I love it , but I need the wagon space


I have no idea about stereo (I listen to am radio)

Nav is from 1991

Back up camera is from 1989


Lift gate matters for me . Rest of tech package is garbage to me

Of course if one hasn't owned a non Acura with amazing modern tech nav and crystal clear back up camera, then I am sure the tsx tech package is great

blacktsxwagon

I also say get the Tech. I have the base and regret it. Mostly, I just miss the back up camera and the power tailgate. I would be fine with everything else. I like the simple interface and screen of the base, but still, I wish I sprung for the Tech.

In any case, the base model is not that base compared to other luxury cars. Still has Xenons, heated seats, XM radio, etc.

2012wagon

Wait my wagon is a luxury car ?

jimale

I have a 2013 base wagon and love it. What I miss, though, is my 2006 Mazda6 Grand Sport wagon with a V6 and 5MT. Shouldn't have let it get away...

2012wagon

For those with base what do you see in the screen that we use for navi ? Or is it like my Lexus hybrid where I had the flip up navi and base had no flip up screen ?

jimale

The screen shows clock, compass, radio/XM/CD info, etc. It doesn't disappear or flip like some screens I've seen.

iCrap

It's a screen which looks like a 90s clock and it shows time, temp and compass stuff.

2012wagon

Thanks . Looks like my 90s navigation tech is perfect match for yours as well

pbook4g5

The car I'm looking at buying is currently sitting in my garage. Keeping it overnight.

I like it. It's pretty slick.

I think I'm going to go for it.

2012wagon

Pics ?

Is it the black base ?


Congrats in advance

pbook4g5

Its a 2012 black on black base model. 21k miles. Certified. Will have all scratches buffed and/or repainted if necessary. There's a few on the passenger side that are in the clearcoat. Other then that, its a great looking car.

I'm ok with this dealer doing the paint work. I've used their body shop before on my TL-s.

pbook4g5

http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/de...3464/overview/

xtcnrice

Great looking wagon