dfreder371

Merry Christmas to all...

My CLS6 developed a quite annoying problem. A very high pitched "chirping" of metal rubbing on metal coming from the right side, and it sounded like it was in or near the back seat. This thing would chirp when the passenger side suspension had to react to any kind of road irregularity. It sounded like a parakeet was in the car somewhere. Have this happen about 15 times a minute when the ride to work is a half hour-well, that just gets old real fast. So I made an appointment with Woodfield Acura (IL), and the did their usual magic. It was either the rear package shelf or the trunk springs were not installed correctly when the spoiler was added. All I care about is that it is gone.

I was given the use of an essentially brand new (550 miles on the odo) TSX automatic, no navi in carbon gray (very close to anthricite) with a black leather interior for about 5 hours.

I am defenitely NOT an automatic transmission four door kind of guy. But let me tell you, I am impressed!

The TSX has been discussed here before usually in a similar situation, as a loaner. If I remember correctly, as compared to a six speed TSX, everybody pretty much trashed the auto TSX. I don't know why. Although I tried twice, I couldn't get the car to spin a drive wheel from a dead stop, full throttle accelleration. But the car was swift enough for me, the trans shifted smoothly, and the handeling was at least equal to, or probably better than the CLS. Should be, it must be much lighter in weight.

The TSX pretty much has everything we have, save the tilt down passenger mirror, and as I did not use the passenger seat, I'm unsure about that. And I don't recall that I saw memory seats. But the other good stuff (heated mirrors, seats) are all there. Split driver/passenger temperature controls are standard. Nice touch. Naturally, as a four door, the seats don't power forward and back like ours do-there's no need for that.

The front of the interior quality was up to snuff and tastefully trimmed with a silver accent reminiscent of the 03 CLS. At least my seat was as comfortable as my CLS seat, and that is saying a lot. I wish my home furniture was a comfortable as my CLS seat. The instrument cluster is "wow city" as compared to what we have, but that is the difference two model years can make. If the interior fell down anywhere it was in the two rear seats. I know it sounds minor and picky, but in the 03 CLS the silver trim that exists upfront and extends to the back is missing on the TSX. In my mind, Acura blew it there, but it is a minor transgression. I just don't think the back seat passengers should be made to feel like "back seat passengers".

What really got to me was that this car seems to be screwed together exceptionally well. It should be at 550 miles, but you could tell the body integrity was up there. The brakes will require some getting used to. I have always disliked that you could depress a brake pedal about an inch or so on a GM product and nothing would happen. The CLS starts slowing with a depression of a few millimeters. This thing starts to stop when you get just close to the brake pedal, but I like that. The TSX either had a phone, or was phone equipped, I think. It had a little "shark fin" at the rear, center of the roof, and I could see the speaker/microphone ports. Damn if I could figure it out (no manual, and I had to work a half day.)

All in all, if this thing lost two doors, had a six speed, had a navi and accelleration to match the CLS6 speed, well, the gears would be turning in my head. Plus, it would be about $3,000 cheaper. However, we would be giving up a few inches in wheel base, and going two cars back to a RSX, it is amazing what a six inch increase can do for ride quality

Make no mistake. A CLS, it is not. But it is a nice addition to the family. I'll try to drive a six speed to make a valid comparo, but it will be a few days. Christmas falls on a Saturday, so that is out.

Everyone drive safe, and be careful this holiday season.

mrsteve

iTrader: (1)

I had a TSX loaner yesterday as well. Very nice car. My loaner had navigation and it is quite the amazing system. Better than the CL-S navi I have played around with before.

Other positives:

Blue LED interior accent lighting
Much better stereo than the CL

pebe

This will most likely be my future trade in car next year or so. The CL is getting old and cranky. Time to take it out back and put it out of its misery.

mrsteve

iTrader: (1)

Me too maybe. I'm waiting to see what kind of power the TSX supercharger makes.

Zapata

after all that work on the CLS???? I've considered the jump to the TSX quite a few times. All around package is excellent but the only thing that kept me away was the lack of overall power. For what it is the TSX accelerates fine but....... Dunno. I'll check the pricing again once the 06's come out.

dom

Did you shut VSA off? VSA pretty much disallows tire spinning. Shut it off and it is possible, even with the AT. If your an MT guy you'll really like the MT, no doubt.

In my mind a TSX with 225-240HP would be the perfect car.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

Comptech's supercharger is supposedly dyno'ing at around 230 whp (according to someone who spoke to a Comptech rep at the recent JGTC event in Cali).

And it's good to hear people say nice things about the 5AT TSX. It really is quite a nice car. A 6MT would have been better, but the 5AT serves its purpose well.

mrsteve

iTrader: (1)

How much boost of the CTSC? It is an MP62 so theoretically it is good for 7-9psi. Although I doubt it is much more than 4psi in the stock "kit" form.

pebe

Sport Compact Car has a TSX project car now in red. So far they put a Brembo Gran Turismo brake kit, coilover kit and 19' Volks. Looks sick.

mrsteve

iTrader: (1)

I won't buy a new car for the next 18 months or so. Also, by that time there will be a larger pre-owned TSX market available. Buying a brand-new car these days is such a kick in the wallet, especially when you can get a 1 year old model with less than 20k miles for roughly 20% less.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

I would venture a guess of about 5 psi in stock form with a pulley upgrade to around 8 psi or so. We won't know until the specs go public.

mrsteve

iTrader: (1)

What does a 6MT TSX with bolt-ons put down on the dyno?

Zapata

Steve,
Consider this is without any tuning at all.





This is a dyno from a straight TSX swap to an RSX-S w/ KPro tuning. There is some seriouse power to be had from this engine. N/A

mrsteve

iTrader: (1)

Does Hondata still plan on releasing the K-Pro for the TSX?

If so the TSX + SC + hondata = my next car.

Zapata

OH...hmmm dunno about the KPro but i know they have said that they are working on ECU reprogram for the stock car. TSX is so tempting. As much as i love my CLS....they only car i'd prolly leave it for would be a TSX.

dom

Zapata, where did you get that first dyno? Any idea on the mods that car had?

Zapata

K&N CAI, DC header, Hondata gasket and TB bypass mod

https://acurazine.com/

ECU needs to be reprogramed in the worst way

dom

Thanks.

I think I've seen that site somehwere before

Zapata

ahahahah i was gonna say

dfreder371

Anyone know if we can retrofit those sexy Mercedes Benz style outside rear view mirrors on the TSX (the ones that flash along with the corner turn signals) to the CL?

I imagine wiring would have to be added, and as it would be a non factory mod, I would hesitate. No warranty, I would imagine.

It would be cool though.

mrsteve

iTrader: (1)

Hmm... the TSX is still pretty heavy at 3200lbs. 190-200 whp is good for 95 MPH in the quarter mile. But the car really lacks the torque of the J32.

Unless I could get it into the 13s I might need to stick with a V6 motor.

mrsteve

iTrader: (1)

It would be nice, but I don't think the style of the TSX mirrors fit with the CL body line. Too edgy and too large.

Also, i'd rather have the tilt down mirror in reverse than the sidemarkers built into the mirrors.

dom

If your buying the TSX to drag your money is better spent elsewhere.

mrsteve

iTrader: (1)

I'm not buying it to drag. But I use the track times to show its level of performance. Wheel horsepower doesn't mean much if the weight and/or gearing of the car aren't adequate.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

Last I heard, K-Pro is still in the works, but is a long ways off (over a year considering they haven't even released the reflash for the stock ECU).

mrsteve

iTrader: (1)

That's fine. I'm happy with the CL for the time being.

Zapata

SC w/ tuning would net about 40hp/40ftlbs of trq? put you at like 220hp/210ftlbs of trq. 13's don't seem possible with basic low boost. Unless you have a IC w/ highboost i don't see it. I'd be happy with 14.5 1/4 range.

Chopsie

Nice review D.
The TSX is surely a nice car, currently trying to talk Blades grandmother into buying one.

mrsteve

iTrader: (1)

230whp in a TSX would run a high 13 or low 14.

My CL with 227whp ran low 14s with an extra 400+ pounds than the TSX.

einsatz

I used to have an 03 CL-S and now have an 04 TSX and I think I'm qualified to ask: WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU SMOKING?!
I pushed my CL-S in terms of handling to the point where the rear tires got lose once. With the TSX I can corner at speeds that would have been suicide on the CL. You clearly didn't push your loaner as far as you could have!

Again I've got to disagree completely. The seats in the TSX are ass compared to the CL-S. It took well over a week for me to get used to it. The TSX feels like the lumbar support is extended all the time (even if it's not), the only way to make it comfy is to have it really reclined.

Although it's more comfortable in the back of the TSX (not only my opinion, also of passengers that have been in both cars), the "view" from the back was better in the CL for reasons you explained.

The gas pedal on the TSX is hinged on the bottom. It's also throttle-by-wire.

The thing in the back is for satellite radio. You clearly had an 05 because of this and your other comment on heated mirrors. There's no microphone port. The mic for the voice activated navi is at the bottom of the rear view mirror. Perhaps you saw that hexagonal thing to the right of the steering wheel? That's the thermometer for climate control if I'm not mistaken.

Here's the link from when I took it on a test drive. Pics don't work anymore but fuck it. https://acurazine.com/forums/car-talk-5/so-i-got-tsx-little-review-pics-143354/

dfreder371

Wow, Einstaz. You get pissed quick.

All I said was that I thought it was a nice car.

However, you are entitled to your opinion.

einsatz

Fuck you, I'm not pissed.

dfreder371

Negative again, Einstz...

There is a speaker inbetween the two overhead courtesy lights, and a mike port also.

I never said anything about the gas peddle, either.

Forgettabboutit, and enjoy the holidays.

einsatz

haha you're too serious.. chill out :P
gas peddle hehehe

Zapata

All the money i'd invest into making the TSX fast....at that point i'd rather just buy a TL was thinking about this as i was swimming laps. Only downside is the TL is domestic.

mrsteve

iTrader: (1)

The TSX has much more potential than the TL.

Zapata

Explain...........

mrsteve

iTrader: (1)

The K series motor is MUCH more mod-friendly and the "tuner" market will support the K series motor much more than the J series found in the TL. Also, with the exhaust manifold welded to the shrot block on the new TL, modifications will become increasingly less efficient (i.e. supercharger).

Also the TSX handles much nicer than the TL.

The 3rd gen TL took a step up in luxury and a step back in sport IMHO. Even though it has the power of the Type-S, the potential just isn't there. Also the body style is more upscale and luxurious than the 2nd Gen or the TSX.

TSX 'R' US

at least someone has success with Woodfield Acura service...

Shawn S

MADE IN JAPAN is a big part of that observation.
Same company, but the Japanese workers just bolt them together better then the slackers at USAW.
No more Acura for me unless it comes over on a boat.

TSX is a great car.
I get one whenever I take my CL-S in for service.