Went to test drive a 2012 TSX with 34k miles and all service records. Drove great, and was a lot of fun. The only issue that bummed me out was the driver's seat was torn on the side. The rest of the seats looked fine, no rips, or loose leather anywhere else.

Does this particular model have cheap material on the seats? I'd be open to buying this and simply repairing that area, but I am a bit concerned about the quality of leather/vinyl on this model.

Otherwise I'd like to get a PPI and make the guy an offer.

Thoughts?

 

Acura used very cheap leather, but I've never seen it peel like that, specially on the inner side of the seat. Mine has creases and is starting to peel on the door side seat lumbar (from getting in and out).

I would keep looking. 2nd gen TSX are getting easier to find, unless you are completely sold on this one. Leather repair is hard and expensive.

 

I, personally, have not seen this happen before. But I will say that our leather is not of the highest quality.

 

If the price of the car is attractive enough....why not look on ebay or craigslist to find someone doing a part out that has a seat?

That's not normal wear. My 1G seats have "134k miles" on them. The driver side bolster is just starting to develop cracks.

My GF's 2G seats look great...with very little wear.

We bought both cars used. So...maybe we lucked out with skinny previous owners? Or the leather isn't as bad as people are implying?

 

That rip is definitely not from regular use.

 

The other edges on most Honda/Brands are not leather! Auto manufacturers uses a combination of leather vinyl on their seats. The inner/main sections will be leather, while the sides & back will be vinyl. The failure of this seat is most likely the use of improper cleaners & protectant. This one looks like the victim of tire shine or similar. Vinyl is not very tolerant to heat when the wrong protectant is used, & this is a very good example. If you buy the car, take it to an upholstery shop for repair. Any good upholstery shop can replace that section. I have had it done on my old accord when the vinyl wore thru.

 

Thanks for the feedback.

An upholstery repair shop here with good reviews said they can fix it for 150 bucks, which seems reasonable to me. Given that there really aren't any other TSXs or TLs on the private market for these years, I may just move forward with a PPI.

Is there anything else in particular I need to look for, any problem spots with these cars?

 

Of course now the dealer comes back on my price I offered for a 2012 certified TL. Dude has been turning me down on the price for two weeks, and now is practically begging me to come get the car.

The price difference between the TSX with 35k and the TL with 35k is currently 6000 bucks though, and I find it hard to justify the difference for the TL. The only real difference is the TL is a CPO so the warranty is stretched out until 62k miles.

The owner just emailed me the maintenance records from the dealer for the TSX, and I've scheduled a PPI for the car tomorrow at 10:30.

 

Actually, this may be covered under the 4/50 warranty. Can you take it to an Acura dealer and have it evaluated?

 

Car checked out clean on the PPI, and I negotiated a fair price. I should take possession Monday or Tuesday. Pretty stoked now.

I will check with a dealer to see if it's covered, or just pay the upholstery guy 150 to fix it. Then detail it and should be good to go!

Will post pictures once I'm all done.

Thanks for the feedback everybody.

 

Congrats! Look forward to seeing some pics of the car!

 

I got this car tightened back up. Just did oil hcange, transmission change and brake fluid flush. Leather seat repaired, tinted windows with ceramic and finally full detail today.

I love driving this car. What a blast, and great MPG too!!!

 

[QUOTE=SLCPUNK;15646424]I got this car tightened back up. Just did oil hcange, transmission change and brake fluid flush. Leather seat repaired, tinted windows with ceramic and finally full detail today.

I love driving this car. What a blast, and great MPG too!!!

Awesome, but this is going to sound odd...

I recently just bought a 2012 CPO with 36k on it, and it had a similar tear in the seat! The dealer was more than happy to put it in writing and fix it, so when I go to get my tags, ill drop it off and they will repair it.

As for the car, it is such a blast to drive!

One more question, what % are your tints?

 

[QUOTE=Eggs999bacon;15646503]Whatever it is, it sure doesn't look legal.

 

It's 30 on the front and 15 on the back. Legal here in Nevada.

 

How, and how much was it to repair the leather seat?? Mine is just as bad in the same area!

 

That part of the seat isn't leather.

 

lol the seat is an assembly, it's partially leather, hence why they are called leather seats (as a whole). A referencing picture in post 1 denoted a specific area of the leather seat (assembly) which has deteriorated. From this understanding my question posed was:

How, and how much was it to repair the leather seat?? Mine is just as bad in the same area!

 

CPO covers the fix and I made sure it won't be some bullshit stitch job. I'll get pictures up soon, been busy with work and just enjoying this car.

 

Actually, if you want to be picky, it is "leather seating areas"