Out with the old, in with the New(er)

by "dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford" (dtg11)
Published 06/04/2017 at 00:40

Tags: Sasha the TSX ; TSX ; Acura
STARS: 23

I’ve bought a 2005 Acura TSX!

It’s got 188k on the odo (sounds like a lot but still close to 80k fewer than my GS300).

The body isn’t in the best shape (decent amount of hail damage, scuffs, rock chips, tiny amount of peeling clear coat, and a bit of rust), but I’ll be parking it outside in a college parking lot, so aesthetics aren’t the most important. The mechanicals and suspension are all good and the interior is in great shape.

I bought it locally and other than tires and transmission fluid, it doesn’t need anything major (the tires are pretty bad, fronts are very nearly bald and rears aren’t far behind).

I’m in love with it. The 2.4L VTEC 4 banger is eager to rev and makes pretty decent power. Shifts pretty smoothly and the manual mode is fun to play with. Loving the steering wheel controls, super useful. Everything is laid out well while still being practical. Still finding all kinds of features, it’s incredible what level of thought and engineering went into this car. Oh, and having bright headlights, working (mostly) door locks, and a water tight sunroof are all severely under appreciated things.

Looking forward to more drives with a quicker, more fuel efficient, and sportier little car.

Replies (52)

"smobgirl" (smobgirl)
06/04/2017 at 00:42, STARS: 1

No kidding, I was actually going to jokingly ask about hail damage. My coworker has one parked in our office parking lot that’s uninsured/unregistered and got slammed in the storm here a month ago. I’ll let him know there’s hope in selling it eventually!

"dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford" (dtg11)
06/04/2017 at 00:49, STARS: 1

I didn’t really care, it’ll be parked outside for the next 4 years so dents are inevitable. Everything important is good, and that’s what matters!

"RallyWrench" (rndlitebmw)
06/04/2017 at 01:14, STARS: 3

I really like these, nice score! Should be a good school car for you, just take good care of that trans.

"Michael Woyahn" (michaelwoyahn)
06/04/2017 at 01:19, STARS: 5

Congrats! I did like the GS, but this car should serve you well. There’s actually a guy out in Idaho with a 2005 TSX that just rolled over 540,000 miles on the original engine and transmission, so 188,000 should be no issue! His blog is https://tsxtravels.com/ , if you’re interested.

"dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford" (dtg11)
06/04/2017 at 01:26, STARS: 1

Very neat, thanks for the link!

"dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford" (dtg11)
06/04/2017 at 01:27, STARS: 0

Going to get the fluid changed in a couple weeks here, don’t you worry!

"Land_Yacht_225" (nadenator)
06/04/2017 at 01:28, STARS: 4

I don’t know where you’re going to college, but where I went aesthetics were everything. If you didn’t drive a Range Rover people knew you didn’t belong. I always told people that my S600 was a hand-me-down from my father so nobody would know I was...*gulp*...middle class...

"RallyWrench" (rndlitebmw)
06/04/2017 at 01:38, STARS: 1

Sweet! They’ll go a long time if you’re religious about the fluid changes.

"dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford" (dtg11)
06/04/2017 at 01:55, STARS: 3

Its a smaller Christian school outside of Chicago. Judging from the other people I’ve talked to, I’ll have one of the flashier rides.

"Tristan" (casselts)
06/04/2017 at 02:50, STARS: 2

Great buy! My in-laws have the exact same car in silver. I love the seats, the steering feel is wonderfully communicative, the little 2.4 feels punchy and eager, the seats are great... It’s just a wonderful little car. My only complaints are lack of head room (I’m 6'7"... My head rubs in my suburban) and that the auto transmission shifts from VTEC to about 2,000 rpm below VTEC. I need more VTEC kicking in, yo!

"ViperGuy21" (viperguy21)
06/04/2017 at 02:52, STARS: 3

My first car was a 2004 Acura TSX(Milano Red with the tan leather interior)and I absolutely LOVED it! Miss it everyday(sold it about 3 months ago)...

Had a TON of fun in that car and made great memories that I will never forget

This pic was taken right before we sold it, after my final wash and wax. This was the car I learned to detail on, and boy was that fun. I probably put in at least 50hrs just polishing this car in the 3 years I had it

Enjoy yours!!!

"Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero" (sampsonite24)
06/04/2017 at 07:02, STARS: 1

Trinity? Or Lewis?

"Nobi" (nobi)
06/04/2017 at 07:38, STARS: 1

Make sure the quarters are solid and if so, keep them that way. Do regular maintenance, and you’ll easily get a half-million miles out of this thing without trying.

"E92M3" (E46M3)
06/04/2017 at 08:14, STARS: 0

Great cars, has it had it’s 2nd timing belt change yet?

"Boxer_4" (Boxer_4)
06/04/2017 at 08:42, STARS: 0

Aren’t the K24s chain driven?

"E92M3" (E46M3)
06/04/2017 at 09:07, STARS: 0

Oh you’re right, forgot about that. Wish their newer V6's had chains.

"dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford" (dtg11)
06/04/2017 at 09:23, STARS: 2

I’m 5'11" and I have plenty of headroom, but at that height I’d imagine very few cars do have enough headroom. Steering feel is hard to tell at this point (due to the very bad tires), but it’s got a nice weight to it. Seats hold you in but aren’t restrictive. Like I said, I’m in love.

"dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford" (dtg11)
06/04/2017 at 09:23, STARS: 0

I’m 5'11" and I have plenty of headroom, but at that height I’d imagine very few cars do have enough headroom. Steering feel is hard to tell at this point (due to the very bad tires), but it’s got a nice weight to it. Seats hold you in but aren’t restrictive. Like I said, I’m in love.

"dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford" (dtg11)
06/04/2017 at 12:14, STARS: 1

yup, chain I think

"dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford" (dtg11)
06/04/2017 at 12:16, STARS: 0

Olivet Nazarene

"dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford" (dtg11)
06/04/2017 at 12:16, STARS: 1

That’s a gorgeous color combo, a tan interior TSX is somewhat rare.

"Turd_Ferguson" (phil-schneider)
06/04/2017 at 12:25, STARS: 1

I have an ‘04 TSX w/ 6 speed manual and 202k that I’m trying to replace. I bought it with 40k on and it’s been my favorite car I’ve every owned. The steering rack finally started to leak so it’s time to move on. I’m trying to replace it with a ‘14 TSX, but it’s like trying to find a unicorn.

"Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero" (sampsonite24)
06/04/2017 at 13:08, STARS: 1

Haha that’s down the street from my office

"dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford" (dtg11)
06/04/2017 at 13:15, STARS: 1

I’ve heard the power steering is one of the few weak points in the car, you’re not the first person on here to mention it.

"dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford" (dtg11)
06/04/2017 at 13:16, STARS: 0

oh cool! If you don’t mind my asking, where do you work?

"Nothing" (nothingatalluseful)
06/04/2017 at 13:29, STARS: 1

Congrats! Great looking little car. Driving the beater Civic around has rekindled my interest in Honda/Acura. Very nice cars.

"dogisbadob" (dogisbadob)
06/04/2017 at 13:59, STARS: 1

cool car

"TheMightyTexMex" (TheMightyTexMex)
06/04/2017 at 16:36, STARS: 1

Oh nice! I just bought an 08 with navigation! It’s a surprisingly fun car, I was actually expecting it to be sedate, but nope, it can handle the corners really well!

"TheMightyTexMex" (TheMightyTexMex)
06/04/2017 at 16:38, STARS: 0

The interior is superb, too.

Everything feels solid.

"Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero" (sampsonite24)
06/04/2017 at 19:11, STARS: 1

Cigna. Over on William Latham drive

"avalonian" (avalonain19)
06/04/2017 at 22:11, STARS: 1

Bluetooth or cassette player to bump your tunes?

"dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford" (dtg11)
06/04/2017 at 23:18, STARS: 0

no cassette player, so bluetooth radio transmitter or CD’s.

"dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford" (dtg11)
06/04/2017 at 23:24, STARS: 1

I kinda wanted nav but still really like the regular radio setup. Plus I didn’t want to wait who knows how long for one to come up semi-locally. And it really is a corner carver, very composed with pretty flat cornering. Corners I good take at 25 in my GS300 are now 35 mph corners in this, on bald tires even.

"dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford" (dtg11)
06/04/2017 at 23:25, STARS: 1

Interior still looks very modern, too. Build quality is absolutely superb, only rattle is from one broken speaker.

"dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford" (dtg11)
06/04/2017 at 23:25, STARS: 1

thanks!

"TheMightyTexMex" (TheMightyTexMex)
06/05/2017 at 00:22, STARS: 1

I think the flat corner is is due to the stiff chassis, front double-wishbone suspension and strut brace. it corners better than my old m35

"TheMightyTexMex" (TheMightyTexMex)
06/05/2017 at 00:23, STARS: 2

The stock speakers aren’t very good, to be honest. gonna replace them soon.

"dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford" (dtg11)
06/05/2017 at 00:42, STARS: 2

they’re decent, except the driver’s door speaker is blown on mine.

"dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford" (dtg11)
06/05/2017 at 00:44, STARS: 1

It’s so fun to whip into corners, every drive is a fun drive. It’s not the GS (or your M35) was bad, it’s just this is so good.

"Impulse9" (impulse9er)
06/05/2017 at 03:38, STARS: 3

The speakers are actually better than I expected.

I put a $200 pioneer HD radio in mine and it sounded awesome.

I also had a blown speaker - fixed it with super glue and the rattle went away permanently.

Just be careful to learn how to remove the speaker - I broke the mount on mine.

I pulled the aftermarket radio & wiring harness before I sold my TSX last year :-(

My setup wasn’t pretty but it worked great.

You can get a good custom fit bracket with wiring harness on eBay now for like $100. I had to DIY mine at the time cause nobody made one yet.

It goes where the cubby and ‘not an ashtray’ thingy is

I HIGHLY recommend adding an aftermarket radio before upgrading the speakers.

I decided the stock speakers were more than adequate after I put my head unit in.

"Impulse9" (impulse9er)
06/05/2017 at 03:45, STARS: 1

There’s also an in-line filter that can be changed.

Mechanics often say otherwise, but it’s definitely there. Above the transmission on a rubber fluid hose

It’s only $20 for the part - I changed mine myself though it was a bit of hassle to get to. I highly recommend changing it. Also I avoid transmission flushes, heard too many horror stories.

I stuck to the recommended 30k changes, and ALWAYS use Honda/Acura (same exact fluid) name brand fluid. Seriously. Always. Seriously.

"TheMightyTexMex" (TheMightyTexMex)
06/05/2017 at 03:46, STARS: 0

True, it’s pretty light, too. I wonder what it’ll do with a set of summer tires...

"TheMightyTexMex" (TheMightyTexMex)
06/05/2017 at 03:48, STARS: 0

Hmm, I don’t really want to lose the cubby... Is there a way to add an amp and upgraded speakers/sub using the stock radio?

"Joel" (panchorlax)
06/05/2017 at 07:53, STARS: 1

Acura tsx is the eropean honda accord even in japan this car is a accord.

"dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford" (dtg11)
06/05/2017 at 10:40, STARS: 0

Yup! Which means it’s reliable and parts aren’t impossible to find.

"avalonian" (avalonain19)
06/05/2017 at 10:41, STARS: 1

You can buy a GTA car kits, for your car for only 89 bucks or pure Bluetooth for 139.

http://www.gtacarkits.com/product/acura-tsx-2004-2008-iphone-aux-kit/

"dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford" (dtg11)
06/05/2017 at 10:42, STARS: 0

I’m not worried about upgrading any of that, just fix the blown speaker. But yeah, a standard 8-speaker stereo is nothing to sneeze at.

"dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford" (dtg11)
06/05/2017 at 10:43, STARS: 0

I’m not skilled enough to do it myself, I’m having a very trusted mechanic do.

"dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford" (dtg11)
06/05/2017 at 10:47, STARS: 0

It’d be $154 for me, I’ve got XM radio.

"avalonian" (avalonain19)
06/05/2017 at 13:02, STARS: 1

Yeah, if you can definitely look into purchasing it!

"dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford" (dtg11)
06/05/2017 at 18:40, STARS: 0

I think I’ll probably put that money elsewhere in the car or in college.

"RacinBob" (racinbob)
06/06/2017 at 22:31, STARS: 1

Engine and tranmission just broken in. My wife’s 02 civic Si was traded at 195,000 miles. Still on original clutch, and axles, spark plugs. I changed oil once a year (mobil 1) and it got 6000 miles to the quart. Those Brit built hondas are gems. Interior looked like new and rattle free too.