We're reaching that time when the integra should be replaced. We have narrowed down to the following;
03+ rsx, tsx, 06+ civic and 03+ accord coupe.

The only things i really know or think i know about the above are;

rsx, timing chain
tsx ??
civic??
accord, bad auto trans

We were thinking about a 3 series but the trans issues on those is chasing me away.

The main requirements are 27+ mpg and reliable and under 90k miles.

 

RSX had a timing chain? That's new to me!

I've always liked the First gen TSX. Coming from the Integra, you should feel at home in that thing.

 

accord 2.4 & tsx use a timing chain while the 1.8 civic has a belt.


I would go with the tsx since it has more luxury standard equipment (leather, xenon, premium sound, xm, dual exhaust, nice looking! etc)

 

i'd choose the TSX.

next would be the accord... but only in a V6 6 speed.

 

+1

 

Actually, I find the Accord and TSX quite similar. Interiors are VERY similar, only noticeable difference is exterior styling and size.

The Accord's auto trans problem is only with the V6s. 4cyl autos I've heard are quite reliable, and I've had zero problems with mine. It'd be quite the switch coming from an Integra, though.

Frankly, all of those cars can fit your requirements. Are you looking for 27 mpg in the city or highway? I've got a 4cyl auto Accord, around town I get around 22 mpg ( a lot of stop and go), but on the highway ~35 mpg is the norm, I've touched 40 a few times. I'd be willing to bet the RSX TSX and Civic can beat that. 4cyls have timing chains, V6s have timing belts.

I'm not particularly fond of the current Civic. I had one as a rental while the Accord was getting repaired, and it's quite down on torque and power compared to the Accord. Sound system IMO was MUCH better in the Accord. For the most part, 06 Civics and 03-04 Accords go for about the same price.

I like the TSX because of its exterior styling, but IMHO it's a lot like a downsized Accord. Seeing pics of the interior, they're almost carbon copies of each other.

I'd go for the RSX if you simply want a next-generation Integra, because that is pretty much what it is.

Best of luck with your choice

 

I vote TSX but I am slightly biased. I personally love the exterior styling of it and feel that it has aged amazing and still looks good. I still get compliments when its freshly washed of some people thinking it is a new car.

 

+1 The TSX is a great car.

 

As i thought, the civic is at the bottom of the list. We want to have a combined of about 27+mpg. I also don't want something that will tach at 3500 when going 80 on the highway. Also it has to not be a liability when pulling out into traffic.

I wasn't sure which car had the chain, but it's good to know the tsx has one.

 

I go TSX because it falls in the middle of RSX/Civic and Accord. Plus its an Acura so it will hold value better, more attractive outside, very reliable, and its smaller than the Accord but it handles much better than an Accord does. But if you go TSX only get it with a 6 speed since the Auto TSX has no balls at all.

 

If you get an 06 the auto is definitely better. They made the CAT much less restrictive and it gave it like 10hp more. You can fix this on the 04-05 by putting in a high flow CAT for about $200-$250 and it really gives it a definite power increase and if everything else is left stock then no noise increase hardly.

 

Tsx.

 

forgot to note here that obviously it still will not be as good as the MT though. however figured that is a given but just wanted to make sure no one thought I was saying that.

 

TSX gets my vote. Great little 4 door commuter.

 

TSX. Pretty much a great commuter, but still fun, gets really good mpg (I just got 31mpg on a tank last week), very reliable, lots of gadgets, holds its value well, and still looks really good IMO. I'm actually really sad to give mine up this week. Just stay away from 04s and you should be good.

 

I love my TSX dallison Get the TSX!

 

I'd go TSX as well.

 

The TSX is a more responsive and fun car with the 6M.

I was going to get a 6M TSX in '05, but got the TL instead mostly because my wife wanted a car with an auto transmission.

 

it sounds like the tsx is the clear winner here. The last one i drove was in 04 when i had one as a loaner. I do like it also, but thought it may be out of the 10k range. There is one at a stealership locally and i sent an e-mail so we'll see what happens.

All they can say is

 

I'd go with a newer Civic.

 

I'd say the TSX as well, but if you're looking for an automatic, I also suggest watching for and trying out Accords, particularly if you find a well-maintained, reasonably-priced V6 coupe.

 

what kind of mileage will the v6 get? the v6 in my rl gets 20mpg. We want to stay in the upper 20's

 

From what I've read you can get upper 20s on the highway with the V6 AT. That transmission is as notorious as the 2G TLs for breaking, though. I'd stay far, far away

 

According to Edmund's, a 2004 LX V6 Auto would get 22 combined. So, not upper 20s, unless you're looking at the highway numbers (27).

EPA Mileage Estimates: (City/Highway/Combined)
Automatic: 18 mpg / 27 mpg / 22 mpg

http://www.edmunds.com/used/2004/hon...462/specs.html

Edit - If you're comparing fuel costs remember Accords also use regular gas, but TSXs call for premium.

Edit 2 - I thought Honda worked out the transmission issues with the seventh generation? I may be mistaken, though.

 

Tsx

 

TSX.

As stated above, if you're looking into an 03+ AV6 coupe .. go with the manual. Auto transmissions are made out of glass.

 

I'd get a TSX... Yes I own an Accord.

 

TSX. Civic should not even be on that list

 

Dallison, I have a ten minute commute to work, and 9 of those minutes are on long stretches of "highway" roads. People zip down them at 65-80 MPH. I average about 27 MPG on my V6 Accord.

Also, I have not had any problems whatsoever with my transmission. I am very careful to change the transmission fluid every 30K miles.

 

forgot that the tsx required premium so maybe that will be on the back burner, but i do like the timing chain.. I'll have to flog each of the cars to see if it can handle the wife's right foot.

 

I'd vote TSX too. And I wouldn't worry too much about the auto tranny, at least on the 06-08s. Stay away from 04s, they notoriously have ac problems. 06 has the updated styling, slightly fatter steering wheel, the newer wheels and some tech toys. MID, bluetooth, memory seats, fog lights standard. 07 added TPMS. And I have yet to find any difference between the 07 and 08. The auto tranny is geared higher than the manual. Its rated 1 mpg higher on the highway than the manual. I do a lot of mixed driving, about 50/50 and I average about 24 or so, but I tend to have a bit of a heavy foot from the red lights.

 

06+ TSX. Stay away from 04's.

 

Try no to let the premium gas deter you. The TSX gets really good mpg, especially on the highway. You can always put mid-grade in, too, as 91 is "recommended" but not "required". FWIW, I've always used 93 and on my 90 mile one-way commutes, mostly highway, I get around 30 mpg at 75-80 mph. Highest I got was 35 mpg a few years back on a trip to DC.

$10k may be a stretch, especially if trying to avoid 04 models, which we all recommend doing. Good luck.

PS I'd tell you to go look at mine tomorrow at Precision Acura, but it's an 04 and has some A/C and heat issues at the moment. I'm trading it in tomorrow.

 

Being as I am only at 52k miles on mine I haven't had any issues really besides the AC compressor seizing but what reason is everyone saying stay away from 04s for. I mean I have been around the community for a while and haven't heard of any major issues.

 

Mostly because of the A/C. Especially for someone on a budget, a $2000+ repair is extremely costly and can be pretty much avoided by going 05 or newer.

04s also had the center console lights problem, which would likely no longer be covered by warranty, and that was also a very expensive repair.

 

<<< former TSX owner......so I'm biased.

 

True I guess I didn't think how much the A/C repair would cost cause mine luckily occured under warranty.

 

Those are the 2 big ones. Bunch of other smaller problems as well.

But I'd mostly suggest an 06+ simply because of the MMC and all the nice added features it brought.

 

I love my TSX.


That's it.

 

yeah speaking from a stock stand point the 06+ bumpers look much better although I love my 04 jdm lip kit. however I think the 04-05 wheels look better. So jack pot would be to find used 06+ with 04-05 wheels