Hello everyone, I'm planning on buying a 2012 TSX. I want to get some of the members here opinions. I'm deciding between the TSX with tech package vs. TSX Special Edition. For those with the tech package how do you like he navi? I tried it out and it look nice but was little disappointed that you can't load your play list on the screen.

So let me know guys. For those with the tech pacakge please let me know what you think any regreats? And for those with the SE, same question.

 

IMHO, most of the tech pack can be done by a smartphone. However, the better sound system and XM traffic and weather seems nice. Of course, I've never been in a base so this stuff may be available in that version.

Basically you are paying around $2 to $3K for the option. Hell I've yet to use the CD player and know only about 5 voice commands.

 

When I first heard about the tsx se I was very excited. Milano red, 6MT. Then I found out it did not have tech. I am now waiting for the ILX to arrive. It will have 6MT and tech. Have nav with my 06 tsx. It came in handy with the 3 cross country roadtrips.

 

Honda/Acura nav systems are generally far better than those in Mercedes or BMW although I prefer the BMW interface (iDrive) because I'm used to it.

While a smartphone will technically give you a similar standard of information, the smaller screen and usually not ideal location make the screen useless.

Tech also incorporates the backup camera, upgraded audio and bluetooth.

For me, not having tech would be a dealbreaker but ymmv.

 

i have the 2012 SE Milano Red 6MT.... i really wanted the tech package, but i have never had a car with tech, and just use my android smartphone via bluetooth, and it works great.

The upgraded soundsystem would have been nice, but i have to admit, what i have isnt bad either..

one day i will upgrade the soundsytem myself, and maybe even get a custom installed dvd/navi system... and if i dont... ill be ok.

also how often will you use it? like professor, i have yet to listen to a cd. I just listen to siriux xm, or stream music from my phone.

 

For me, the 6spd manny was more important to me than the Tech. I wanted to get the tech with the 6spd but Acura was stupid enough not to offer it. I mean if I'm spending over 30k I should get all the bells and whistels. Now if they offer it in the '13 model (SE, 6spd, Tech), I'm going to be PISSSSSSSSSSSED.

 

me and you both....

 

Just picked up a 12' Special Edition. All the cars I have had with Navigation have been nice, I just never use it much. The main thing I like about Tech Package is the backup camera (with the SE would have it in the mirror like the RDX on base models) and knowing what street I'm on by looking at the screen.

My wife hates full leather, so she really wanted the suede inserts and the lip kit. Also got a good deal on the SE from buying past Acura's and Lexus' from them.

 

Thank everyone for your input. I agree that the navi is pretty good but I think that it can be better. I think the inability of it not being able to display your iPod playlist and tracks is a ludicrous. I mean Ipod or known to have thousands of sound and if you plug it in via USB you'll lose control of your iPod and have to use the vehicle's control. But then I like the Navi in that it makes the interior looks better because without it you'll have a pretty large screen displaying almost nothing, in my opinion it's like a dead space in the car. But as my friend mentioned I can upgrade the speakers/sub/amp myself for cheaper. Still a tough decision tho lol

 

I love the tech on my car and am really glad I got it when I had the choice. I use it almost everytime I drive, especially on my long road trips and also the sound system and backup camera are probably my faves. Can't live without them.

 

You say that as if these cars had full leather to begin with.

 

All of it is leather. It is just that some of the leather is naugahyde and comes from the hide of the Nauga cow.

But then, most here are too young to remember naugahyde.

 

Well you know what I mean lol!

 

me three!

 

Oh yes, the Nauga, a Sock Monkey for the Boomers.

 

I didn't think I would use the navigation much because I have an Android phone, but it's a lot more convenient having it on a big screen in front of you. I also love having a backup camera. I would go tech unless you really wanted a 6-speed.

 

Wow both case are very strong. Here are my thoughts:

SE - I like it for the aero kit and the all black interior with the sport pedals. Don't like how there's a 3-5" screen is pretty a old gameboy. No color and it really hurt the overall look of the interior IMO.

Tech - I like the back up camera and the better sound system but then I can replace the SE ones for cheaper and better quality. As for the Navi I dont use it since i have an iphone. If I want a bigger display I could use my iPad with the TomTom app. But then the navi makes the interior looks so much better!!! lol

 

if you arent horny for the sport pedal just get the tech

I love my tech and i use alot of the features alot of the time. I have sport pedals installed anyway (65 bucks), i dont want the red guage light, and im meh on the seats. The contrast stitching and black headliner are nice, but im berry berry happy with the tech package. It completes the car as far as im concerned

The iphones GPS apps suck. I use the navi all the time! + music harddrive and zagat ratings and POI and etc

 

I'd go with a Tech Tsx. Like most I know 2 or 3 of the voice commands. But the Lady at the dealership Explained Nearly All of them in An Hour of sitting there with me post Sale. It's Sick how smart these cars are wl the Tech. Learn them I'm sure they'll be useful. I went with tech for the upgraded sound, Back up and Navi when I needed it.

Navi completes the interior. It's a Lux Feeling. Even when you don't use it it's a Plus Just seeing the car travel along the lines. And the Real time traffic is sick. Tells you what's backed up and from what exit to the other exit in which it's backed up. You can Avoid Routes.

Go with the Tech. YOU CAN ALWAYS ADD THE REAR BUMPER AND SIDE SKIRTS ALONG with Front Bumper Add Ons.

You'll have the SE look wl the TECH !!!

If you go Non Tech I think youd regret it after riding in a tech model and see all Of the features it offers

 

I didn't know you can buy the lip kit!!!! Can you tell me where I can get a set? Sorry I'm new to the Honda/Acura scene. Always been a Toyota/Lexus guy.

 

Your dealer has the SE "kits" in stock, you prob just have to get the rear painted.

And the only thing I think I would miss from the SE is the black headliner just because it looks cleaner that way.

 

Weird...I remember being able to select which playlist I want to play from my ipod in my car...Unless i'm misunderstanding what you mean by not being able to select playlists...

 

My car is a headliner away from being the ideal SE package anyways Well, unless the 6-sp was a dealbreaker for you.

 

I see you don't happen to know how much the dealership charged for the front and side do you?

For example in my sis c350, when you plug your iphone/ipod in via usb and then go to the aux/usb/ipod menu it will load your playlist and songs on the screen and from there you can select which playlist/song you want to play.

When I went in to look at the TSX, the rep didn't do a good job at show me the navi since he was having problem using the voice control to get it to play a song lol. Hopefully that help clear things a little.

 

I think you can get the body kit for about 1200-1500 installed if you were buying it when you buy the car. (a little bit more negotiating wiggle room)

 

for me, i went to aux, then it has a list of all my songs or playlists and i can manually select which playlist i want to play or which artist/album/etc. i used the dial in the middle

 

you can use voice commands to search, select, and play songs and playlists off your ipod.

I don't have an apple device, so I never bother to learn those commands, but they are in your Navigation manual that came with the car.

I wished the TSX had voice commands for USB drive music

 

Milano Red > Nav

 

For me e 6MT is a deal maker. For 2012, the SE was the only way for me to get the 6MT

Also, the base radio shows the playlist/song list via the screen/knob, u just have to press the back button I believe to toggle the display. Although it just shows, I think, 4-5 lines at a time.

 

If you can find it go for a left over 2011 6spd tech. The best of both worlds. But realistically, to truly enjoy this car you have to go with a 6spd. It's the essence of what Honda does best. No one has a smoother and slicker manual tranny than Honda. The shifts are relatively short and gear ratios are well matched for the power band with the k24 motor on this car.

 

I had an '04 tech, and felt the nav made the car seem to age faster, as the nav wasn't nearly as modern as some of the new gadgets coming out when I got rid of it in '07. When I bought my '11, I was torn, but really didn't want to pay the extra $3k. I had a tech loaner for a day, and I really didn't like the interface and didn't notice any great stereo difference between the base and tech. And with a Droid RAZR, I really didn't need the nav.

So me, I dont miss the tech and am perfectly happy paying $3k less without it.

 

I enjoy my nav. I use it in conjunction with my iphone to find addresses. In my area you can get a ticket for handling a phone while driving and it is a lot easier to look at the nav screen than at an iphone.

The backup camera is a HUGE crutch, but I love it too.

Sound system is great with ELS. I only use the apple dock, but that's standard on the TSX. The bluetooth and HDD are nice features but don't get much use out of me. I don't listen to cds and I prefer seeing the playlist on the nav screen.

 

does any know if it's something that can be retro fitted?

 

Sure... The question is do you want to spend $2,000-$3,000 in parts, labor, and rip apart your dash and interior to do it?

 

Ahhhh good point. So from what I'm reading, I think the best route to go is to get the TSX with navi and then buy the lip kit separately and install them myself.

 

or buy the kit at the dealership and have them install it for you before you receive your car. Probably better chance at getting a cheaper price too when you haggle for the total price of the car.

 

I tried that route in Dec. There was only one in the East Coast. 3 total at that time in the US. They wouldn't budge on the price so I decided to get the new SE for less than a 1k more.

 

I'm a NAVI and DVD-Audio guy, and love the back-up camera, so I'd never buy and Acura w/o the TECH package. Never.

 

You know if there's a way to play dvd or hook up a dvd player to the navi screen?

 

That's it. 6MT Tech. And Luster is right. I'm sure they will tweak the prices of them if you negotiate that. If you don't want to pay it now. You can always add them later on down the road.

Look at this Kit
https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-tsx-photograph-gallery-144/rawesomes-build-thread-cbp-cu2-794788/