Looking for a 2012 or newer wagon. Wondering if it's worth prolonging my search and hold out for the Tech package.

I know it comes with better audio and the power hatch which is pretty cool. Any thoughts? Any thing else?

 

The tech package isn't all it's hyped up to be. It's outdated even for 2012 standards. Add on your own aftermarket stereo afterwards. Apple Carplay/Android Auto compatible head units is where it's at right now.

If you find a wagon you like, I'd jump on it. A 200 mile cars.com search of my area has 1 wagon available.

 

Tech also has the satnav.

IMO, built-in satnav isn't really worth it. A standalone Garmin will always be better and most phones can do the same thing as well now too. So that's not really a deciding factor for me.

The "premium" audio? I guess it's good. But I bet the base audio is just fine as well. Again, you could probably do better with aftermarket audio for the price difference.

For me, the power hatch was the deciding factor. Thought it was a neat feature but even then I only use it about 25% of the time. The hatch is light enough to close by hand.

Not sure that helps you at all. If you want the features, wait. If you don't, don't.

Good luck! The wagon is pretty cool.

Wagon's are love. Wagon's are life.

 

I have the sedan with Tech and if I could go back, I'd pass on the Tech package and just get a 6MT Base in a desirable color combo.

 

I jumped from a 2006 TSX Tech MT to a 2012 TSX Tech Wagon. I want integrated NAV. I don't have a phone (or want one) and the Acura NAV is decent. Stereo is good - has a built in DVD to record 15Gb of CDs. Will do automatically. Blue tooth, voice command, etc. Power hatch is nice - use it WAY more than needed.

The down sides - they have nothing to do with TECH. The wagon and probably all GEN2 TSX are heavier and bigger. Not nearly as nimble or in touch with the road. The price you pay for being more stout - no free lunch. Oddly, for as big as it is, the cargo bay is 5 inches narrower than my old '93 Accord wagon, into which I could slide a sheet of plywood.

We are thinking of selling it. We bought it in June - a 2012 Forged Silver - it now has 22K on it. It is a CPO with warranty expiration in 2017 or 62K. Engine to 100K.

Let me know if you might be interested.

Jim

 

All good info. Thanks for the replies.

So the standard TSX has the ability to sync with a phone via blu tooth for hands free calling and music? This is important to me as I hate dealing with AUX cords!

Thanks for the offer Jim, but explicitly looking for a white wagon.

 

Yeah, it does bluetooth calling and music on the base.

 

I have a base wagon and I would like a back up camera.

 

Dissenting opinion here. I'd look for the tech for a few reasons

Cell phone nav works in areas of good coverage. You're on your own in the sticks (don't know how well the new google maps that doesn't require connectivity will work) and being integrated is an advantage. I've used it and a new higher end garmin and both routed exactly the same. The Garmin might have nicer graphics but it still hangs off the windshield and is an invitation to break in.

The power hatch. I use it all the time. You can open and close it for somebody else or open it as you approach in the rain with grocery sacks.

The back up camera. Invaluable if you park in close quarters.

ELS. The upgraded audio - when set properly and using good source material - is hard to beat. Every audio reviewer ranks the ELS as one of the best audio systems from the factory.

Bluetooth. The upgraded system imports phonebooks. I'm not sure how well BT audio works on the base, but it works well with Android on the tech.

The downsides have nothing to do with the tech and are the upsides of the car too. The nannies are a bit dated. No collision avoidance, lane keeping or adaptive cruise. The upside is that the car is dead reliable, handles well and will get 31+ mpg on the highway using regular gas.

There are a couple tech and non-tech wagons in the greater DC area. PM me if you want more info on them.

 

Base model allows more flexibility for easy audio enhancement and bluetooth is virtually the same. I also have and android phone so no issues there. IMO just not worth the extra cash for "upgrades" but do what ya like.

 

12 wagon GLM 11,900 miles TECH $22,000

 

Great price for a well cared for, low (almost no) mileage car.

 

yup.....kbb says 21.5 for trade in value.

looking for a quick private sale of 22.

 

Agree with ceb. The power hatch is very handy when your arms are full. The audio is the best I've ever had in a car (although I'm not one who would upgrade for big bucks). the Nav is... okay and convenient. I don't find the backup camera useful very often - except parking in tight spaces. I amazed my passengers doing a parallel park in a Prius sized space using the camera.

 

Local dealer offered me 22.5 for mine when it was in for service a couple of weeks ago - a '13 with about 40k miles - and promised to beat any other dealer's price on any Acura they had in stock or inbound. There are zero differences between the 12 and 13 (I should know, I had the 12 for almost two years) and yours has crazy low miles.

Problem is, I want a wagon and the only one I'd consider these days is an E350 wagon. That dealer doesn't sell those of course. A few months ago I was eyeing a Golf Plus Diesel, but that went away.

MB is the only company these days that does electronic nannies right - front and rear collision mitigation, adaptive cruise that brakes to a standstill, pre-safe and so forth. While Volvo's stated goal is that no driver or passenger will die in a 2020 Volvo, MB is pretty close to being there now.

While my 2012 kept me from having any really traumatic injuries (internal bleeding, broken limbs and whatnot), I keep wondering if a MB would have kept me from having that neck injury that still bothers me 2 years later.

 

The power lift gate is the most appealing tech feature for me, but it wasn't enough to make me upgrade from the base.

A few other tech package features some may have missed:
1. voice command to play and manage the music on your Apple iPod/iPhone. The phone needs to be plugged into the cable in the center armrest though.
2. 30GB drive to store your music (which no one does anymore).
3. Nav also features a collection of fun roads to take.
4. Not sure, but doesn't the Tech Package provide active noise cancellation (ANC)? Which sometimes messes with the quality of the sound system?

Note to the OP: Wagons prior to 2012 come with a spare tire and jack. 2012 wagons and later replaces them with an admittedly nice air compressor and can of goo. An OEM spare tire kit can be purchased for about $800.

I don't miss the backup camera in the wagon -- visibility is really good... almost classic Honda good. Because it's a wagon, you know the car ends at the rear window.

Alternatively, a backup sonar device is available as a dealer installed option which beeps to warn you of obstacles at the rear.

 

. ^^^^^^
just double checked and there is no ANC for the TSX. Also, I mentioned a 30GB harddrive; it's really 15.

 

my take is, its your money, buy what you want and dont settle.
fortunately for me, i found my car (2011 tsx, tech, and sport kit) just randomly looking through craigslist in LA (i live in the bay area). I would probably expand your search to areas a little further away. It was worht the flight there and the 5 hour drive back home.

i would rather have more than i need then wishing i wasn't missing one thing.

 

The nav is not something I use for directions. I bluetooth my phone to the car and let google do the directions. Its MUCH more user friendly than a Garmin or similar. And, in most cases, finds a better route. Plus it has traffic updates and instant alternative routing to get around traffic on highways.

The advantage to having a large, easy to read nav screen on the dash is that one can see the lay of the road immediately. It makes it easier to navigate around unknown areas...or to deviate from the route that my phone's nav has given. Finding shortcuts or different routes is easier. I'm a dude. I like to see where I'm at.

I also use it to get around traffic. I can look on the dash real quick and find a side street to side step a traffic jam that's right in front of me.

It also looks nicer than the base dash.

Base models don't have the power lift gate...which is awesome.

I'm not interested in upgrading the stereo. I like that the stock stereo bangs. In fact, the other day, I was hoping everyone within a block radius enjoyed listening to Metallica's 'Kill 'em All' album as much as I enjoyed it. That shit is dope.

I have no regrets about holding out for a Tech model.

The better resale value helps as well.

A non tech can be upgraded for the same cost delta as buying a tech.....but that doesn't really add value to the car. And you still won't have the power lift gate without significant effort.

 

I use my wagon as a wagon

This power lift gate is a must

I have owned wagons since my first 1986 Honda wagovan

 

Agree.

Not wagon specific, but I have a base TSX and an RDX Tech, and I never missed the tech in the sedan until we got my wife's RDX. Now I wish I had the tech package.

 

Similar to you, e63/e350 is the only real wagon I see as a replacement

However was getting my other car serviced and sat In a polestar v60 and it was fantastic and great power . My local dealer has 3 of the polestar

V90 polestar wagon is also coming

 

Get the Tech package. I bought my wagon new in 2011 and had my pick of every single color, Tech or Base, and 4 years later regret not getting the Tech (specifically for the liftgate and back up cam).

 

I have a '14 w/tech package and was lucky I found one earlier this year in Missouri. It was a 10 hour drive to come home but I was glad that I bought the one that I did and it was worth the trip. I don't think in the used market, it's that much different pricewise to go tech versus non-tech. Good luck with the hunt.

 

I like the back up camera. I can't see any of the tail end of the car when backing without it. Without the camera, the TSX would be harder to back than my 4 door long bed Tacoma.

The Nav system is only OK, but I hate looking things up on it. I prefer my Garmin GPS to the built in one.

The stereo.... Its OK, I like the FM plus XM plus CD plus Hard Drive plus USB. But I would just listen to a USB stick and FM if I didn't have the others.

The gas mileage display is nice, but not sure its Tech package only.

What else did we get with the Tech pkg?

So.... if you don't get the tech package, get a 3rd party backup camera?

¢¢

 

If I had a choice again I would still do the Tech Package for my wagon.

 

I have bought a number of 'used' cars in the near past including a Boxster and a Carrera S. I always buy 2yrs out (off lease) and hunt for cars that are either custom order or near/fully optioned.

I get a depreciated basis ...plus, dealer's don't really care, a base will retail about the same as a loaded car ...and when I comes time to sell, you have something 'better' to lift the spirits of the next guy.

Jim

 

16k for a black tech package with 69k. From a dealer.
http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/ctd/5394806660.html

 

i would buy my tech wagon again. hard drive and USB are worth never having to change cds. Power liftgate is nice but not a necessity. I have been spoiled and cant live without rear view cameras. Stereo isnt fantastic but its decent.

 

Power liftgate alone is worth it to me. When the wife takes it over she really appreciates it as well.

 

^
Agree

Except my wife makes fun of my slow gimpomatic daily driver