[wofat]

I have been doing a lot of research and compared the TSX w/NAV to the Volvo S40 T5, Audi A4 1.8T Quattro, and Infinity G35. I think I have come to the decision on the TSX... it's just loaded in comparison and I love my current car (2000 Acura Integra GSR).

I guess my question is, maybe now is not the right time to buy? Should I wait until October when the 2005's come out (IF they come out then)? Will the 2005's have fixes for rattles, better sound option, etc? Should I buy a 2004 as soon as or just before the 2005's come out?

I'd like to hear your thoughts. Thanks in advance from a Newbie!

 

[robert_tg]

well but I suppose you can get 2004 at far better price than 2005

 

[larchmont]

Welcome to the site!

I'm guessing the rattles will be essentially taken care of, and that there might be some additional goodies too, but that the price will be higher, by a margin greater than what most other people think. I'm estimating $800. But don't make a move based on this -- it's just guesswork.

Good decision regardless.

Funny that you mention the S40 and the G35. On another thread, we're talking about how those cars aren't really comps for the TSX, although many or most people say they are.

Also the S40 and G35 seem sooooooo different from EACH OTHER, and I'm surprised they both made the same person's "short list."

But the main thing I wonder is why you consider the S40 rather than the S60 to be comparable to those other cars. The S60 seems pretty clearly to be far closer to them. Don't take it personally anyway -- as I said, you have lots of company! For some reason that I've never been able to figure out, the S40 is the Volvo that's usually put in there.

 

[pocketkiller]

Because those cars are SPORTY and LOW 30s. Get it through your head that people don't just look at cars based on SIZE

 

[wofat]

Because those cars are SPORTY and LOW 30s. Get it through your head that people don't just look at cars based on SIZE

Bingo. Actually, what is really attractive about the S40 is the T5 engine. 218 HP and big low-end torque. As well, it has a very nice interior. I have only removed it from my list because of reading a lot of negatives with regard to it's initial quality, plastic parts falling off, etc.

Thanks for the feedback. I guess I am struggling with whether I should try to wait for the 2005 either A) to buy a 2005 which may have some fixes, or B) to wait for the 2005 to get a new 2004 for cheaper.

Thoughts?

 

[robert_tg]

I almost got the T5 but after I looked TSX - it's done deal.
I actually spent more time loving it's exterior than I did TSX.

The fact that 2004 is the FIRST year T5 are made in Holland (was Brussel)
scared me off and there were only negative comments about this.
Then when I realized TSX is 100% JDM - I was sold.

 

[larchmont]

About the S40, it's not just that 2004 is the first year the T5 is made in Holland (didn't even know that) -- mainly it's that Volvo's reliability track record in the last few years has been horrible, just utterly horrible. Which I think we'd have to say is an upset.

About whether to get the '04 TSX, or wait:

Depends on how eager you are to get the car and how much you'd like to save a few hundred dollars or more, vs. how interested you are in the possible improvements/upgrades plus having a "newer" car.

When I got my TSX, I was willing to make all kinds of compromises to just get the car as soon as I could.
But that's not necessarily a good role model.


P.S. Yes indeed, not everybody agrees that "size" is the main factor determining the nature of a car. In fact, as I've seen, most people disagree. But most organizations seem to use it as a major criterion in deciding where to put a car.

 

[wofat]

Is there any info anywhere out there on the '05 TSX?

 

[larchmont]

Is there any info anywhere out there on the '05 TSX?

Oh....that's another thing I was gonna say, but forgot.

Another thing you should take into account is that WE REALLY DON'T KNOW when the '05 is coming out. For a long time it was sort of assumed it would be September, or October at the latest. But since we haven't gotten any word yet, who knows???

Some people have even starting joking that maybe there won't be an '05.

Or at least I hope it's a joke.


Honda/Acura is famous for keeping things under wraps. In this case, maybe it's so that people won't hesitate to keep buying the '04's meanwhile.

I'm not a fan of strategies like that. And I don't think they serve the company well. But I suppose they know better than I do.

 

[wofat]

Yes... I suppose. Actually, when I was at the dealer I was told the RSX is being phased out and that Acura will no longer sell an entry level vehicle after '06. Very interesting. He mentioned that the 18-24 y.o. market tends to be a big drain. Hmm....

 

[larchmont]

Yes... I suppose. Actually, when I was at the dealer I was told the RSX is being phased out and that Acura will no longer sell an entry level vehicle after '06. Very interesting. He mentioned that the 18-24 y.o. market tends to be a big drain. Hmm....

Sounds like he was either drunk, or stupid.
Well, you met the guy -- what do you say?

Especially that part about 18-24 y.o.'s -- even if it's true, I say there would have to be something wrong with him to say it.

About Acura no longer selling entry-level cars: I guess it depends what you mean by "entry level."

As I said, I've been figuring that Acura would add some features on the next TSX, plus that the MSRP would rise even a bit beyond what would be accounted for just on the basis of those additions. It's possible that the price of the next TSX could be just beyond what most people consider "entry level."

For example: Do you consider the BMW 325 "entry level"? I think it's just as "entry level" as the TSX, even the current one.

 

[wofat]

Sounds like he was either drunk, or stupid.
Well, you met the guy -- what do you say?

Especially that part about 18-24 y.o.'s -- even if it's true, I say there would have to be something wrong with him to say it.

About Acura no longer selling entry-level cars: I guess it depends what you mean by "entry level."

As I said, I've been figuring that Acura would add some features on the next TSX, plus that the MSRP would rise even a bit beyond what would be accounted for just on the basis of those additions. It's possible that the price of the next TSX could be just beyond what most people consider "entry level."

For example: Do you consider the BMW 325 "entry level"? I think it's just as "entry level" as the TSX, even the current one.

Note that I said RSX not TSX. I just mentioned it because I found it odd... but when I questioned it he said that it is typically 18 yr olds in there trying to buy the car and with the lack of funds, it's usually not very profitable for the dealership. Additionally, the ratio of lookers to buyers for the cars (RSX, old Integra) is higher than with their higher priced models targeted for a more luxury market.

 

[larchmont]

Note that I said RSX not TSX.....

I knew that, but maybe I still misunderstood.
It sounded like he was implying that "entry level" meant TSX as well as RSX.

And btw the TSX often if not usually seems to be regarded as that.

 

[wofat]

Maybe I am hanging out with the wrong crowds... but I fail to see how a 25 - 30K car is 'entry level'. Ya don't see a bunch of 16 year olds buying them, do you?

 

[pocketkiller]

P.S. Yes indeed, not everybody agrees that "size" is the main factor determining the nature of a car. In fact, as I've seen, most people disagree. But most organizations seem to use it as a major criterion in deciding where to put a car.

Yes, but WOFAT is not an organization...neither is any other TSX poster on this site......so ENUFF with the size remarks. We don't choose women based on size, nor do we pick our presidents on size....why cars?

 

[robert_tg]

Maybe I am hanging out with the wrong crowds... but I fail to see how a 25 - 30K car is 'entry level'. Ya don't see a bunch of 16 year olds buying them, do you?

True...but SEEMS to me a whole LOT early 20-somethings.

 

[Master47]

True...but SEEMS to me a whole LOT early 20-somethings.

I happen to think the TSX fits the more responsible 20-somethings market pretty well. For me its a transition from 2-door to 4-door without losing much of the "sportiness" factor.

BTW- I hope they announce pretty soon what the changes are for '05, I would love to put an order in to recieve in Oct.

 

[larchmont]

Yes, but WOFAT is not an organization...neither is any other TSX poster on this site......so ENUFF with the size remarks. We don't choose women based on size, nor do we pick our presidents on size....why cars?

Well, 1 out of 3 ain't bad.

I mean, we do choose women based on size, don't we? At least sort of.
I know they choose us based on size.

And I remember some years ago seeing stuff about how the taller major party candidate has won the great majority of presidential elections since the "television age" began.
I sure hope it holds true this year.

Hmmm, let's check it out:

Eisenhower vs. Stevenson: I'm pretty sure yes.
Kennedy vs. Nixon: I think yes
Johnson vs. Goldwater: yes
Nixon vs. Humphrey: pretty sure yes
Nixon vs. McGovern: I think NO
Carter vs. Ford: probably no
Reagan vs. Carter: yes
Reagan vs. Mondale: yes
Bush (daddy) vs. Dukakis: pretty sure yes
Clinton vs. Bush: pretty sure yes
Clinton vs. Dole: yes
Bush (son) vs. Gore: well really yes, considering that Gore won the election
Kerry vs. Bush: These odds say it's 10:2 in favor of Kerry. Or 9:3 if you think Bush won in 2000.

P.S. I understand it works just about as well if you do "hair" instead of height.