[larchmont]

This isn't anything that's confirmed, but I'd have to say it's more than just a "rumor" because it's in Consumer Guide.

I just noticed it by accident when I went to look at the latest TSX review in Consumer Guide to check on something else. Apparently this has been added recently by the publication, don't know how recently. I notice also that they either re-tested the TSX or just reconsidered the ratings, because the numbers in 3 categories have changed a little. They are now giving the TSX 1 point more in "quietness" and in "ride quality"(now 6 each, rather than 5) and 1 point less in "instruments/controls/interior materials" (now 8 rather than 9).

Here's what they're saying about A-Spec:


TSX sees no major near-term changes, but should soon follow big-sister TL by offering factory-developed "A-Spec" performance options. Acura hasn't confirmed this yet, but it wants stronger "street cred" with America's youth, so it seems only a matter of time before dealers will be selling TSX upgrades like stiff springs and shock absorbers, bigger wheels and tires, and "aero" body add-ons. As with the TL, TSX equipment will be sold separately and in various packages to suit owner budgets and needs. Unlike similar items available on the "aftermarket," installation would not affect the regular new-vehicle warranty, provided an authorized Acura dealer does the work.


I can't believe we haven't heard about this. (Have we??)

 

[kiteboy]

Not surprising; these packages must have very good profit margins for Honda. It's a little ironic they do this to try to get into the tuner market, because I always thought the major attraction there was that it's "not factory".

If they're serious, they should offer go-fast parts, like TRD with its supercharger.

 

[Joker]

I can't believe we haven't heard about this. (Have we??)

Yes we have Larch, in fact I posted some pic's of the TSX A-Spec concept some time ago
http://www.tsxclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=810&page=2&highlight=tsx+a-spec
Look for it very soon

 

[ChinchillaX]

I really liked the TSX A-spec concept.

 

[larchmont]

Yes we have Larch, in fact I posted some pic's of the TSX A-Spec concept some time ago
http://www.tsxclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=810&page=2&highlight=tsx+a-spec
Look for it very soon

Yes, thanks for the link -- I didn't see that, because the thread was about the TL, and who cares about the TL?

But actually IMO that doesn't do it -- depends on your "criteria."
I knew all about the "concept"; what I didn't know, and what I think is big news about this, is that apparently IT WILL ACTUALLY BE AVAILABLE SOON. In that thread, our member Miseaujeu said the service writer at his dealer told him it will be available later this year:

http://www.tsxclub.com/forums/showthread.php?p=13126#post13126

......and it turns out that was probably right.
But, as you probably know as well as I do, something that somebody hears from a service writer at a dealer isn't more than a blip on the radar screen -- it doesn't have any real credibility (sorry y'all dealers out there). When a publication like Consumer Guide says it, and says it in such a way, IMO that's news. What I'm saying is, I think this is the first thing we've seen about this that's anywhere close to authentication.

 

[hip]

Yes we have Larch, in fact I posted some pic's of the TSX A-Spec concept some time ago
http://www.tsxclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=810&page=2&highlight=tsx+a-spec
Look for it very soon

Ahem, ahem...
I posted this back in November...

http://www.tsxclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=824&page=1&highlight=SEMA

 

[Joker]

Ahem, ahem...
I posted this back in November...

 

[WanTing]

<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/23/im/rotflolapmp.gif' alt='Rolling On The Floor Laughing Out Loud And Peeing My Pants' border=0></a>


ROTFLOLAPMP AKA " Rolling On The Floor Laughing Out Loud And Peeing My Pants"

 

[larchmont]

Ahem, ahem...
I posted this back in November...

http://www.tsxclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=824&page=1&highlight=SEMA

Well, I guess I'm a tough audience. :donno:

I just checked through that whole thread, literally every post, and, not that it should matter to anybody else, but..... I don't see anything on there that says it's really going to be available -- which is what I'm talking about here. One of the displays.....:

.....says it's "scheduled to go on sale this November" -- but, which November? Remember, that was at the very beginning of Nov. 2003, which means it was written prior to that, which I would have thought therefore meant Nov. 2003 -- but it didn't go on sale then, did it? (Did it?) :donno:
Maybe they meant Nov. 2004, which would basically coincide with the current indication -- but since it seemed they meant Nov. 2003 and that didn't happen, I figured it doesn't mean anything at all.
(Except GREAT PICS, of course.)

Like I said, I'm a tough audience -- this is what comes from years of reading and hearing things that seem to mean something but then you find out they don't, so you develop a fine filter, maybe too fine.

But it works for me. (Sort of.)

 

[hip]

As my little nephew likes to say... "nice try" Larch

Unfortunately your "fine filter" may need calibration?

You choose the TL instead of the TSX

 

[Joker]

Well, I guess I'm a tough audience. :donno:

Not a tough audience at all Larch, in fact I think you have the wrong impression.
We very much welcome discussion on any level, regardless if it has already been discussed. Especially with the size of our board So please discuss, discuss
Like you said, the A-Spec for the TSX was touched on, but that was about it.
I too am very excited about the A-Spec becoming available, and was just talking to my dealer about it.
I doubt I will buy it though, as I have the Mugen suspension, but very cool none the less.
So how about you? Can We look forward to seeing your ride sporting an A-Spec badge in the near future Larch :thumbsup:

 

[larchmont]

As my little nephew likes to say... "nice try" Larch

Unfortunately your "fine filter" may need calibration?

You choose the TL instead of the TSX

Ouch!!!!!!! :mecry:

So.....can y'all read what it said about the TSX A-Spec? (I can't.)
Particularly, did it say anything about when it was supposed to be coming out?

 

[hip]

Ouch!!!!!!! :mecry:

So.....can y'all read what it said about the TSX A-Spec? (I can't.)
Particularly, did it say anything about when it was supposed to be coming out?

It actually doesn't say when its due out...

 

[Joker]

It actually doesn't say when its due out...

I will see if I can find out any info for you Larch.
BTW, you never did say if we'd be seeing your ride with an A-Spec badge in the near future?? :mardi:

 

[larchmont]

I will see if I can find out any info for you Larch.
BTW, you never did say if we'd be seeing your ride with an A-Spec badge in the near future?? :mardi:

As to when it's coming out, actually I'm pretty satisfied just from the Consumer Guide thing that it'll be coming out later this year, probably around when the '05's come out.

As to whether you'll be seeing it on my car I know I won't be one of the first to get it. I'll be looking for what other people say about it, and I'll be asking them my usual inquisitional series of questions about it......

(Yes, it's true.)

 

[Joker]

I can tell you from the TL board that the responses went something like this...
Most said it was overpriced.. Those who did buy it, said it was worth every penny, and that they were very happy that everything is under warrantee

 

[larchmont]

I can tell you from the TL board that the responses went something like this...
Most said it was overpriced.. Those who did buy it, said it was worth every penny, and that they were very happy that everything is under warrantee

Well, like I said, I'm a tough audience.....

IMO the experience with the TL tells us not too much about how it's going to be on the TSX. To me, the nuances of a car are everything, and even more so when it comes to a car like the TSX. And the TL story tells us little about how the A-Spec will mix with the TSX.

The most special thing about the TSX is its wonderful "balance of qualities." The TL, IMO and apparently in the opinion of most reviewers (although I don't think any of them put it quite this way), doesn't have quite the same wonderful balance of qualities. If you're into classical music, it's kind of like the TSX is Mozart, and the TL is Beethoven (which is nothing to sneeze at either). BTW what I'm saying about the TL, I could say about lots of other cars -- such as the G35, for example, about which it's even more true. Compared to the TSX and even compared to the TL, the G35 is like Beethoven on speed and having a nervous breakdown.

Anyway, back to the subject: I imagine that even most TSX fanatics wouldn't wax so poetic about the "balance of qualities" and maybe many don't give a rat's hoot about it -- they'd welcome any kind of extra pizzazz and testosterone on it. But to me, with this kind of car, even besides the fact that the A-Spec is likely to be somewhat different than the TL's A-Spec, the question of whether the thing is desirable goes way beyond just what the package is: It's a question of how the package affects the overall story of the car.

Larchmont, who thinks maybe he should change his sig to:
Aren't you glad you asked?

 

[Joker]

IMO the experience with the TL tells us not too much about how it's going to be on the TSX.

Considering that the TSX A-Spec package looks to be identical to the TL A-Spec package, I'd say that the TL'ers comment's are very much relevant Larch.
Joker - who has owned both the 04 TL, and 04 TSX

 

[larchmont]

Diffrnt strokes, diffrnt folks.

As I said, the fact that the packages may be similar or identical doesn't at all answer it for me.....

Lemme put it this way: If you like whipped cream on your sundaes, it doesn't necessarily mean you want it on creme brulee.
Or you might, and I might not. :donno:

 

[Joker]

You might want to be more specific in what you would like to know about the A-Spec package for the TSX then Larch.
Keep in mind that most of the A-Spec package is cosmetic (other then the suspension). This is why I say both A-Spec packages are very similar.