I was forced to buy a new car after my husband won an argument with me. This is the first (and only) time that I will admit my loss. I am committing it to a public forum so he can read it at will. You’re probably thinking that if he won the argument, he should get the car. Well, he already had a sedan. He wanted me to replace my Miata with a sedan for our soon to be born family addition. He didn’t think it was fair that he take on the responsibility of becoming the Baby Shuttle while I lived a teenaged carefree life in my convertible. Once I resigned myself to the fact that I was losing my fun car, I did what many women love to do…I went shopping.
My previous car was a very basic “low-frills” car. Pretty much anything that was not a super-small, super-economy car would be an upgrade in amenities. With a new baby on the way, safety was an important factor. Having agreed to give up such a fun, cute car, I needed to replace it with something equally adorable. The TSX fit the bill. (Note: For anyone interested in reading about torque or horsepower, you should read this sentence again. You won’t find it mentioned anywhere else in this review.)
The Choices
I had narrowed my selection to a BMW 3 series, Lexus IS300, and Acura TSX. I wasn’t happy with the NHTSA crash test ratings on the 2005 BMW, so that was quickly eliminated. If I was going to consider the Lexus and the Acura, I needed to also consider their more common counterparts, the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic. I had the opportunity to rent a Corolla for a week, didn’t like it, and crossed it off the list. As far as styling went, I felt the TSX was more attractive than the IS300 and the Civic. I test drove the TSX and my mind was made up.
The Options
One of the nice (or not so nice) things about the TSX is that you aren’t stuck buying the $3,000 “snow package” because you want the sky blue car and that’s the only combination offered. Just about everything on this car is standard. The options are:
Transmission type
Color
Navigation system
I selected manual transmission, Milano Red, no navigation. (If you on the fence about navigation, just pony up the extra dollars for it. I’m actually sorry that I didn’t get it, even though it would really just be a novelty since I don’t travel in unfamiliar areas that often.)
The Frills
I love the dual climate control system. Let me say that again: I love the dual climate control system. My husband is always too hot and I’m always too cold and this gives us the best of both worlds…although we have yet to set the controls for more than a 2 degree difference. We’ve had some excruciatingly hot weather around here lately, and the A/C kicks in very quickly and can have us cooled off before we pull out of the driveway.
I live in a usually mild climate and I thought the heated seats were a waste of money (even though that cost was hidden from me). I was wrong. When I had some back discomfort after the new baby was born, I found the heated seats to be very soothing. The heat radiated to my lower back. Ah…
The sound system is amazing. This, coupled with XM, makes for one nice commute. I occasionally switch to FM…at which point I cringe at the static and truly appreciate the clarity of the sound system and digital radio. I’ve had the car a year and haven’t yet used the CD player. There are 2 FM, 2 XM, and 1 AM channel each with 6 presets. With over 100 XM channels, I find that 12 is not enough.
Fingertip controls on the steering wheel for the radio and cruise control make it easy to drive and select your drive time entertainment without taking your eyes off the road.
For those who want a sun roof, this car has one.
The Power
The 6-speed manual transmission is powerfully fun to drive. (Powerful enough for me, anyway.) It’s easy to get up to prevailing freeway speeds for a merge. Passing is a breeze. It’s fun to drive fast in this car. (But please don’t dart in and out of traffic. That’s dangerous.)
The Comfort
The leather seats are large and cozy, like your favorite easy chair, and the cabin is fairly roomy. My 6-1 husband can ride comfortably in the passenger seat even though it is moved forward to accommodate a rear-facing car seat, however, he prefers to drive. Backseat legroom is great for a small car.
The Little Things
There are two cup holders in the center console. One is the size of a soda can and the other is larger. If you have a tall beverage in the forward holder it is somewhat difficult to shift into 6th, but since my husband spilled potato chips in the car I have a “no food or drinks” rule, so this isn’t a problem any more.
The trunk is fairly spacious. I think I could fit two golf bags in it. (Haven’t tried yet.)
There is a sunglasses holder above the rearview mirror.
The rearview mirror can be set to automatically dim for night driving mode.
Power adapters are available in the center armrest (with room to keep your phone and charger in it) and in the “ash tray” (not for ashes) just in front of the gear shift.
People who frequent parking meters will appreciate the coin holders in the center arm rest.
Ladies will enjoy the vanity mirrors on both the driver and passenger visors.
The Long Trip
We took a 5.5 hour driving trip. There was enough road noise that it was sometimes difficult to hear the baby in the backseat and sometimes a strain to hear each other. These are things you don’t notice when you turn the radio up and drive by yourself. However, the road noise was not at a level where I was tired when we arrived at our destination. The ride was comfortable and was ready to get out and do something as soon as we got to the hotel.
The Service
Recommended service is very minor and at 10,000 mile or 1 year intervals. For me this means an annual trip to the mechanic. In the first year there have been no problems with this car. You’ll replace your spark plugs at 110,000 miles.
For the Guys
From the moment you are embraced by the warm leather seats you are transported to a special place. If you pay attention, you can feel the power of this car coursing through your body. The gearshift will become an extension of your am and you will instinctively feel when you need to shift—unless you’re my husband and have a fear of throwing the car into reverse when you’re heading for 6th.
Average Mileage
I mostly log freeway miles on my commute with a little “around town” driving on weekends. I get about 27 miles to the gallon with this kind of driving. It’s even better when I take my husbands car shopping.
Suggestions for Future Improvements (just in case anyone from Acura is reading)
Daytime running lights
Better beverage solution
More presets for XM
Miles to 0 for gas
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 26,000
Condition: New Model Year: 2005
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