Background:
I have a 2004 Milano Red TSX Automatic w/Nav. I've always loved it, yet after 9 years, my TSX was looking rather run down: the outside was dented and painfully faded (almost pink!). I thought it was time for an upgrade.
So I researched and (more often than not) test drove a TON of cars: Naturally the new TSX, TL, RL and ILX; the Audi A4, A5, S5 & A6; the Mercedes C- and E-Series; Infiniti G37 (both coupe and sedan); Hyundai Genesis (ditto) and Honda Accord (ditto again!).
Yet, after each, I reached the same conclusion: it was fine, but not materially better than my TSX. I still think it's gorgeous inside and out, and while it might be a bit underpowered, I live in a metro-dense area, and don't really race anyway. So I finally decided that I wanted to restore my TSX to look brand-new -- and I allocated $7,500 to the task.
The Purpose of this Post
The reason I'm writing this is to describe how I'm spending the money (it's literally being worked on right now -- I should have it next week), and get people's opinion -- along with ideas (maybe I could push the budget up a bit, if I missed a nice idea or two!).
As I discovered, there are ENDLESS ways to spent $7,500 on a TSX. You could easily devote that much to the engine itself, and what you spend it on really says a lot about what is important to you as a person.
In this case, I'm a 39 year old corporate type. I will never race this car, although a bit more engine pep would be appreciated. My goal is not to impress would-be racers. I primarily just want it to be absolutely gorgeous.
So here's how I'm spending it:
1. A quality paint job.
More than half ($4,200) is going into a really nice paint job. Now, I realize that opinions about paint can run hot: No doubt some of you think it's outrageous to spend more than $2,000 on a paint job, and others will scoff that high-end paint ALONE costs that much, before labor. I don't know the answer. But I do know that this place came recommended by a car enthusiast friend, and when I visited the facilities, they were repainting a Maserati and a BMW 6 Series. Good enough for me. For $4,200, they fully dis-assemble the car (well, as much as possible), thoroughly prep every piece, and use high-quality PPG paint. They've just finished prepping it; I'm having it painted its original Milano Red, but with some level of metallic flake in it (I'm actually approving paint chips on Tuesday).
2. Replacing the entire outer trim
All of the chrome, the front grill, the drip molding (black plastic pieces than run from the front windshield over the roof to the back), door seals and (as luck would have it) the front windshield to boot.
This was a tough decision, because it was all in good (but not spectacular) condition -- but I was afraid that if I didn't replace it, then it would look like an old car with a new paint job, rather than a new car. The new door seals are to ensure it stays quiet.
3. Fully restored OEM wheels w/ zinc-plated slotted/drilled rotors, and restored & painted (silver) calipers.
I originally considered larger wheels, and maybe this was a mistake. But I do know that I prefer the stock wheels to virtually ALL of the third-party wheel pictures I've seen (someone did an excellent job of setting up a Flickr site with TSX aftermarket wheels, and I swear I disliked every one). I do like the Work VS-SS 18", but then I heard that larger wheels might negatively impact performance & road noise, and got spooked. Plus, this way I can keep my tires, and avoid another $600 or whatever in expense.
I replaced the rotors and painted the calipers because they were terribly rusty and plainly visible -- I had to do something. I considered getting a Big Brake Kit, but at like $2K it seemed a bit much: and if I did, then I'd probably have to get 18" wheels to match, and even THEN the engine wouldn't justify any of it. So no Big Brake Kit.
4. Cold Air Intake & Hondata Reflash
I've always wished the car had a bit more pep to it. It handles really well (IMHO), but was never quite powerful enough. I'm hoping that this, plus my plan to start using the Sportshift (which I just started getting into before dropping the car off three weeks ago at the shop), will do the trick!
5. Restored Interior
Any piece that was scuffed in any way is being replaced with OEM parts: New floor mats (obviously), new door sills (the cool ones that say Acura), a new center console (the leather on it was a bit worn), and a few other panel pieces here & there. (Overall, it was in pretty top-notch shape already, so fortunately not too much.)
I'm not replacing the leather seats. They're in good, not great, condition, but at $1K a pop, I can't justify it. If all goes according to plan, those will be the only element of the car that doesn't look brand-spanking-new.
6. M3 spoiler/trunk lip, rolled chrome exhaust tips, splash guards, nice license plate frames and new license plates.
The M3 spoiler/trunk lip seems pretty popular already, and I've always been a huge fan. Naturally, it's being painted to match.
I've never been a fan of the stock exhaust tips -- I always thought they were a bit too understated, so I got some nice Borla rolled edge & angled chrome exhaust tips.
The splash guards are a matter of taste (I know some people hate 'em, but from what I've seen of TSX pictures, I think they look sporty).
I got some rather cool-lookng red license plate frames (WeatherTech 63022), and even brand new, shiny license plates to boot!
7. A cleaned out garage & cleaning supplies.
This car has never spent a day in a garage since I bought it -- and it has the faded paint and swirls galore to show for it. Well, no more: For the past three months I've done anything and everything to clear out our one-car garage (which had been a de facto shed), and now it's totally empty -- my "new" TSX's new home.
I also got some nice cleaning supplies, and a deal with my mechanic to apply a synthetic paint sealant every six months or as needed. (I've waxed my cars throughout my life, but have concluded that I was probably hurting more than helping -- for example, I always did it in direct sunlight. So now I'm just going to wash and let a professional seal it.)
What do you think?
So that's it. What would you have done the same? What would you have done differently?
I have a 2004 Milano Red TSX Automatic w/Nav. I've always loved it, yet after 9 years, my TSX was looking rather run down: the outside was dented and painfully faded (almost pink!). I thought it was time for an upgrade.
So I researched and (more often than not) test drove a TON of cars: Naturally the new TSX, TL, RL and ILX; the Audi A4, A5, S5 & A6; the Mercedes C- and E-Series; Infiniti G37 (both coupe and sedan); Hyundai Genesis (ditto) and Honda Accord (ditto again!).
Yet, after each, I reached the same conclusion: it was fine, but not materially better than my TSX. I still think it's gorgeous inside and out, and while it might be a bit underpowered, I live in a metro-dense area, and don't really race anyway. So I finally decided that I wanted to restore my TSX to look brand-new -- and I allocated $7,500 to the task.
The Purpose of this Post
The reason I'm writing this is to describe how I'm spending the money (it's literally being worked on right now -- I should have it next week), and get people's opinion -- along with ideas (maybe I could push the budget up a bit, if I missed a nice idea or two!).
As I discovered, there are ENDLESS ways to spent $7,500 on a TSX. You could easily devote that much to the engine itself, and what you spend it on really says a lot about what is important to you as a person.
In this case, I'm a 39 year old corporate type. I will never race this car, although a bit more engine pep would be appreciated. My goal is not to impress would-be racers. I primarily just want it to be absolutely gorgeous.
So here's how I'm spending it:
1. A quality paint job.
More than half ($4,200) is going into a really nice paint job. Now, I realize that opinions about paint can run hot: No doubt some of you think it's outrageous to spend more than $2,000 on a paint job, and others will scoff that high-end paint ALONE costs that much, before labor. I don't know the answer. But I do know that this place came recommended by a car enthusiast friend, and when I visited the facilities, they were repainting a Maserati and a BMW 6 Series. Good enough for me. For $4,200, they fully dis-assemble the car (well, as much as possible), thoroughly prep every piece, and use high-quality PPG paint. They've just finished prepping it; I'm having it painted its original Milano Red, but with some level of metallic flake in it (I'm actually approving paint chips on Tuesday).
2. Replacing the entire outer trim
All of the chrome, the front grill, the drip molding (black plastic pieces than run from the front windshield over the roof to the back), door seals and (as luck would have it) the front windshield to boot.
This was a tough decision, because it was all in good (but not spectacular) condition -- but I was afraid that if I didn't replace it, then it would look like an old car with a new paint job, rather than a new car. The new door seals are to ensure it stays quiet.
3. Fully restored OEM wheels w/ zinc-plated slotted/drilled rotors, and restored & painted (silver) calipers.
I originally considered larger wheels, and maybe this was a mistake. But I do know that I prefer the stock wheels to virtually ALL of the third-party wheel pictures I've seen (someone did an excellent job of setting up a Flickr site with TSX aftermarket wheels, and I swear I disliked every one). I do like the Work VS-SS 18", but then I heard that larger wheels might negatively impact performance & road noise, and got spooked. Plus, this way I can keep my tires, and avoid another $600 or whatever in expense.
I replaced the rotors and painted the calipers because they were terribly rusty and plainly visible -- I had to do something. I considered getting a Big Brake Kit, but at like $2K it seemed a bit much: and if I did, then I'd probably have to get 18" wheels to match, and even THEN the engine wouldn't justify any of it. So no Big Brake Kit.
4. Cold Air Intake & Hondata Reflash
I've always wished the car had a bit more pep to it. It handles really well (IMHO), but was never quite powerful enough. I'm hoping that this, plus my plan to start using the Sportshift (which I just started getting into before dropping the car off three weeks ago at the shop), will do the trick!
5. Restored Interior
Any piece that was scuffed in any way is being replaced with OEM parts: New floor mats (obviously), new door sills (the cool ones that say Acura), a new center console (the leather on it was a bit worn), and a few other panel pieces here & there. (Overall, it was in pretty top-notch shape already, so fortunately not too much.)
I'm not replacing the leather seats. They're in good, not great, condition, but at $1K a pop, I can't justify it. If all goes according to plan, those will be the only element of the car that doesn't look brand-spanking-new.
6. M3 spoiler/trunk lip, rolled chrome exhaust tips, splash guards, nice license plate frames and new license plates.
The M3 spoiler/trunk lip seems pretty popular already, and I've always been a huge fan. Naturally, it's being painted to match.
I've never been a fan of the stock exhaust tips -- I always thought they were a bit too understated, so I got some nice Borla rolled edge & angled chrome exhaust tips.
The splash guards are a matter of taste (I know some people hate 'em, but from what I've seen of TSX pictures, I think they look sporty).
I got some rather cool-lookng red license plate frames (WeatherTech 63022), and even brand new, shiny license plates to boot!
7. A cleaned out garage & cleaning supplies.
This car has never spent a day in a garage since I bought it -- and it has the faded paint and swirls galore to show for it. Well, no more: For the past three months I've done anything and everything to clear out our one-car garage (which had been a de facto shed), and now it's totally empty -- my "new" TSX's new home.
I also got some nice cleaning supplies, and a deal with my mechanic to apply a synthetic paint sealant every six months or as needed. (I've waxed my cars throughout my life, but have concluded that I was probably hurting more than helping -- for example, I always did it in direct sunlight. So now I'm just going to wash and let a professional seal it.)
What do you think?
So that's it. What would you have done the same? What would you have done differently?
