Acura TSX Test Drive (PICS...LOTS)
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,618
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
Acura TSX Test Drive (PICS...LOTS)
went with a friend to check out the Acura TSX. we test drove the 6-speed fully loaded with everything including Nav. amazingly, with everything, the sticker price is right around $29,000 which is very competitive against the IS300.
I really liked the TSX inside and out. The 4 cylinder is very smooth and has decent acceleration. i loved the interior styling, very nicely done IMHO. I think Acura made a big mistake in making the TSX so similar to the TL. personally, i would take the TSX over the TL. i just like the TSX better and it's $6k-7k cheaper than the TL. yeah sure the TL has the V6 with 270 hp compared to TSX 4 cylinder with 200 HP, but i simply think the TSX is better styled, economical, and just a big BANG for your buck. you get a ton of stuff fully loaded for under $30,000.
Acura has made the TSX a very strong competitor against the IS300 for sure.
the only two things i didn't like are Front Wheel Drive and the blue lines on the instrument cluster. besides that, it's all good.
two thumbs up to ACURA for making this sweet car at such an affordable price!
I really liked the TSX inside and out. The 4 cylinder is very smooth and has decent acceleration. i loved the interior styling, very nicely done IMHO. I think Acura made a big mistake in making the TSX so similar to the TL. personally, i would take the TSX over the TL. i just like the TSX better and it's $6k-7k cheaper than the TL. yeah sure the TL has the V6 with 270 hp compared to TSX 4 cylinder with 200 HP, but i simply think the TSX is better styled, economical, and just a big BANG for your buck. you get a ton of stuff fully loaded for under $30,000.
Acura has made the TSX a very strong competitor against the IS300 for sure.
the only two things i didn't like are Front Wheel Drive and the blue lines on the instrument cluster. besides that, it's all good.
two thumbs up to ACURA for making this sweet car at such an affordable price!
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 7,379
Likes: 24
From: Florida
That's a lot of vehicle for under $30K. I like the perforated leather and steering wheel, the alumnium dash trim, and the user-friendliness of the center console and NAV controls. I tend to think the Acura NAV systems are one of the easiest to use in the auto industry 
Lexus Champion
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 3,525
Likes: 1
From: Pennsylvania
Originally posted by lexusk8
That's a lot of vehicle for under $30K.
That's a lot of vehicle for under $30K.
Pole Position
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Texas
True,
It is a nice car. Very nice interior and exterior. But a four cyl. with a 29k price tag won't cut it.
0-60 in 9 sec w/manual. 10 sec with an automatic. Add in 3 more passengers and it's gonna take alot out of it entering a freeway. Let alone the mountains. FWD
Great daily driver nontheless, but I'd rather get an Accord V6 for much less money.
It is a nice car. Very nice interior and exterior. But a four cyl. with a 29k price tag won't cut it.
0-60 in 9 sec w/manual. 10 sec with an automatic. Add in 3 more passengers and it's gonna take alot out of it entering a freeway. Let alone the mountains. FWD
Great daily driver nontheless, but I'd rather get an Accord V6 for much less money.
Lexus Champion
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,175
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut
Originally posted by Ditto
Great daily driver nontheless, but I'd rather get an Accord V6 for much less money.
Great daily driver nontheless, but I'd rather get an Accord V6 for much less money.
9 seconds to 60 is what my 2.0 liter Sentra runs ... with an auto ... that's pathetic, Acura.
M.
Last edited by whipimpin; Aug 5, 2004 at 10:42 AM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,720
Likes: 1
From: San Diego, CA
Originally posted by adidas1532
i love how honda is so good at that. they make a great car that is powerful, yet affordable. let's hear it for the acco... err... tsx!
i love how honda is so good at that. they make a great car that is powerful, yet affordable. let's hear it for the acco... err... tsx!
But yeah, the car is down on power. I had a little skirmish with one a while back. The owner was VERY surprised to see my tail lights. Other than that it's a solid ride.
Last edited by Technics; Aug 5, 2004 at 10:54 AM.
Trending Topics
Car and driver stated the tsx manual does 0-60 in 7.2 seconds. Which isn't that bad...
http://www.caranddriver.com/article....&page_number=2
Jeff
http://www.caranddriver.com/article....&page_number=2
Jeff
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles
Michael S. Palmer
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4
Joe Kucinski
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers
Joe Kucinski
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Pole Position
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Texas
I got the 0-60 times at Microsoft Carpoint
http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/Sp...IP&tab=2&sub=0
It's still underpowered regardless. If the TSX and the IS300 are the same price, I'll get the IS.
My GS4 will eat the TSX alive.
http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/Sp...IP&tab=2&sub=0
It's still underpowered regardless. If the TSX and the IS300 are the same price, I'll get the IS.
But t yeah, the car is down on power. I had a little skirmish with one a while back. The owner was VERY surprised to see my tail lights. Other than that it's a solid ride.
My GS4 will eat the TSX alive.
Last edited by Ditto; Aug 5, 2004 at 11:23 AM.
Guest
Posts: n/a
TSX is not head to head IS 300 competition. All the comparos compare the TSX to very low entry level vehicles. Just look at all the magazines. . IS 300 is still TL competition. I can see people saying it is IS 300 competition though, giving us the "value" arguement. It is loaded and pretty solid.
And I'm not sure why you posted pics of such a pedestrian car. I think we have a lot of dudes here who's girlfriends have one.
Even overseas where it is the Euro Accord, they don't compare it to the IS 200.
The TSX is a very solid car. Oh and Acura has a 5k A-spec package that adds no more HP, no bigger wheels or exhaust. 5k for some springs and a bodykit installed.
Makes L-tuned look like a bargain.
And I'm not sure why you posted pics of such a pedestrian car. I think we have a lot of dudes here who's girlfriends have one.
Even overseas where it is the Euro Accord, they don't compare it to the IS 200.
The TSX is a very solid car. Oh and Acura has a 5k A-spec package that adds no more HP, no bigger wheels or exhaust. 5k for some springs and a bodykit installed.
Makes L-tuned look like a bargain.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,271
Likes: 14
From: Annapolis, Md
I did some thinking on this matter and it really depends on what type vehicle you're looking for in that class of vehicles.
If a person prefers a little more luxury(non ricey look) definitely go for the tsx/c320 over the is300. I think the is300 is a nice car but where does it really fit in it class? It has a little of everything but nothing great in stock form. Lexus should have brought out 2 versions of the is300. Yes the is300 have the rwd advantage but the tsx handling is not that bad. Trust me if you drove one before you would know.
The tsx interior looks a lot better than is300 interior so both cars have its negs and positives.
The is300 just doesn't do much for me unless it's modify. I really don't see any is300 around my area anymore, it's either a tsx/A4 or 325. I’m sorry I didn't mean to bash the is300 but Lexus need to do something with the is300 real soon. Etc: More power or gadgets or something. Being rwd is just not enough to sell a car. Imo
Other than the advantage of rwd the is300 is no competition for the TL but I want start that argument.
If a person prefers a little more luxury(non ricey look) definitely go for the tsx/c320 over the is300. I think the is300 is a nice car but where does it really fit in it class? It has a little of everything but nothing great in stock form. Lexus should have brought out 2 versions of the is300. Yes the is300 have the rwd advantage but the tsx handling is not that bad. Trust me if you drove one before you would know.
The tsx interior looks a lot better than is300 interior so both cars have its negs and positives.
The is300 just doesn't do much for me unless it's modify. I really don't see any is300 around my area anymore, it's either a tsx/A4 or 325. I’m sorry I didn't mean to bash the is300 but Lexus need to do something with the is300 real soon. Etc: More power or gadgets or something. Being rwd is just not enough to sell a car. Imo
Other than the advantage of rwd the is300 is no competition for the TL but I want start that argument.
Last edited by rogers2; Aug 5, 2004 at 12:43 PM.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally posted by rogers
I did some thinking on this matter and it really depends on what type vehicle you're looking for in that class of vehicles.
If a person prefers a little more luxury(non ricey look) definitely go for the tsx/c320 over the is300. I think the is300 is a nice car but where does it really fit in it class? It has a little of everything but nothing great in stock form. Lexus should have brought out 2 versions of the is300. Yes the is300 have the rwd advantage but the tsx handling is not that bad. Trust me if you drove one before you would know.
The tsx interior looks a lot better than is300 interior so both cars have its negs and positives.
The is300 just doesn't do much for me unless it's modify. I really don't see any is300 around my area anymore, it's either a tsx/A4 or 325. I’m sorry I didn't mean to bash the is300 but Lexus need to do something with the is300 real soon. Etc: More power or gadgets or something. Being rwd is just not enough to sell a car. Imo
Other than the advantage of rwd the is300 is no competition for the TL but I want start that argument.
I did some thinking on this matter and it really depends on what type vehicle you're looking for in that class of vehicles.
If a person prefers a little more luxury(non ricey look) definitely go for the tsx/c320 over the is300. I think the is300 is a nice car but where does it really fit in it class? It has a little of everything but nothing great in stock form. Lexus should have brought out 2 versions of the is300. Yes the is300 have the rwd advantage but the tsx handling is not that bad. Trust me if you drove one before you would know.
The tsx interior looks a lot better than is300 interior so both cars have its negs and positives.
The is300 just doesn't do much for me unless it's modify. I really don't see any is300 around my area anymore, it's either a tsx/A4 or 325. I’m sorry I didn't mean to bash the is300 but Lexus need to do something with the is300 real soon. Etc: More power or gadgets or something. Being rwd is just not enough to sell a car. Imo
Other than the advantage of rwd the is300 is no competition for the TL but I want start that argument.
Clearly the market agrees with you, as the IS sells under 1k cars a month (though 5 years old) and the TSX is selling like hotcakes (though newer model and cheaper).
The tsx Is a very fun car to drive,I like it alot. I sold my 98 gs and bought a 04 tsx Navi about 3 months ago I already have the oem kit m3 Lip ,and 18 bbs rgrs on it. I am going to be dropping it in the near future. The only thing I dont care for is the stiff leather seats and the terrible system. My gs NAK is no competition. The Lex has 10x better build quality of Acura . I will come out and say it Lexus build quality compared to acura is not even close. I have owned a 98 accord exv6 99 TL 02 TL Type S so I can truthyfully say it.