koffinb

Found an 05 TSX Red/Tan with 115k miles that I will be going to look at tomorrow. Apart from door lock actuators are there any other major common issues with these vehicles to look for? The car is for my girlfriend and I just want to find something reliable and safe for her. I am a huge Honda/Acura fan because of how reliable and cheap they are to maintain. I will be looking to purchase a TL Type S within a year or so as well as soon as we get things squared away with her car. She is coming from a 96 civic with over 200k miles.
Does the TSX truly require premium gas and synthetic oil? And also what is this talk I hear about the bad brakes?

It is between this and an 09 corolla with 126k miles (a little on the high side), she likes the Corolla, but I like the TSX. Just trying to do my research on both.

Any advice would help, thanks.

BROlando

TSX is MUCH nicer and more refined than a corolla.

For MPG and performance reasons, you should use premium. For highway use...it probably doesn't matter.

No...it doesn't require synthetic oil. That's a piece of misinformation.

BROlando

Although, being 4 years newer, maybe the Rolla has features that your GF finds more appealing than 200hp, HID lights, power heated leather, etc.

Well...really only 1 feature: Bluetooth audio connection. If the corolla doesn't have that...then...it sucks again.

The Corolla will get better MPG and run happily on regular gas. They're both low maintenance cars. But...Toyotas don't feel nearly as good to drive as a Honda product.

Idunno what you're planning on paying or what your price range is...but the 06-08 TSX is worth trying for, instead of the 05. A tech model is also 110% worth it.

Simba91102

First of all, comparing a TSX and ANY Corolla is grapes and watermelons. But . . . aside from the jist of your question, have her drive both. That is the most helpful factor in making a decision. If the TSX was maintained properly, 115K miles is no sweat. Brakes are wear and tear items, and depending on the kind of miles that are added, (highway versus sitting in traffic for two hours a day for instance), they'll last a long time or they won't. Either way, they're cheap and easy to replace. Honda's have been eating door lock actuators for at least 25 years (that's the first time I had to replace one). It will happily run on regular (although I never used it in mine), though the Toy will get better mileage. They weren't delivered with synthetic oil, so it's not required, though some of us prefer to use it. The 05 is a great car, and I'm of the opinion that if you find a good one, there's no need to look for a refreshed model (06-08); the benefits are way overstated. And yes, I've had both (and the 07 is still in the family, w/ 225K miles on it and still runs like new).

koffinb

Okay so here's the deal. The Toyota is out the question. Too many issues. The Acura needs a door lock actuator for the drivers side and possibly rotors (front end vibration when braking). I saw an 06 civi with 129k and tons of service records for the same price. My main issue now is, do I go with the Acura and spend a couple hundred bucks more for a nicer, more luxurious vehicle, or do we go the safe route and go with the less luxurious/stylish car?
They were both in great shape and maintained quite well from what I can see.

Also the Acura was acting a bit funny when I first went out to see it. Alarm started beeping uncontrollably, what had happened was the battery was dead from sitting for so long and so I used the key to unlock it and popped the hood to jump it. And the alarm kept going off. I guess thats part of the door actuator issue? Every time I opened another door the alarm would start going off again. This eventually stopped once I turned the car off and started the process all over again.

koffinb

Here is the link. 2 OWNER, Clean carfax, no accidents. Seems like great deal to me. Going to get a Pre purchase inspection done tomorrow on it.

2005 ACURA TSX for sale at Auto City of Virginia

kbh

Your link doesn't work on my phone. The Milano Red paint does not age well. Tends to turn kinda pink if the car spends a lot of time in the sun. Check for records that the 100k service was done properly- spark plugs, coolant, accessory belt. All else really depends on your inspection, but 115k is not many miles for a well maintained TSX.

koffinb

2005 Acura TSX , $7,575 - Cars.com


how about now?

Simba91102

Looks like a nice car (though I'll confess that I'm of the opinion that the only cars that look good in red are any Ferrari, some Corvettes, and early Miata's). If you're convinced that the paint is original, it's been garaged for much of its life; the comment about the paint is right. It would look like shit by now if it had lived outside for 10 years. Just disconnecting the battery might cure the alarm problem, or it might be the actuator. Either way, you'll need to replace the actuator. I think that's a pretty good price, and 115K miles for a 10 years old car is actually low mileage. I think the TSX would be a much better deal.

rambeezy

Try the NJ/NYC area because I've notice the pricing is good there. I got mine at @120k for 6,000.

Simba91102

He was looking for a car over two months ago (you may want to check the date of a post before you respond), so I'd guess he make a decision quite some time ago.

rambeezy

Then I'll assume this forum isn't active at all because it was in the first page.