First generation Acura TSX.
It’s not the fastest, or the fanciest entry
level luxury sports sedan...
But it’s a Honda.
And It’s just right.
history
The Acura TSX was introduced along side the
redesigned TL in 2004.
Acura lost its previous compact sedan in 2001,
when it discontinued the Integra to build
the RSX.
The 2004 TL was based on the growing midsize
US Honda Accord, both of which were built
in the USA at Honda’s Marysville Ohio plant.
The TSX was the rebadged smaller, sportier
Accord that other parts of the world got,
and it was built in Japan.
So Honda put an Acura badge on it and sold
it in the US as the TSX.
All TSX’s came loaded with plenty of features
that we'll see in this video.
Besides interior and exterior colors, the
only options were the transmission and the
navigation unit.
There were also some A-spec accessories that
could be added at the dealership.
Year changes
The 2004 and 2005 model years were pre-facelift
and had some visual differences from the 06
to 08 TSX.
The 2006 got a slightly wider grill that didn’t
have a chrome trim piece on the hood
Revised Headlights
Tail lights with a smoked reverse lens
Updated Bumpers with
Integrated fog lights now standard on the
front bumper
Updated Side skirts
And restyled Wheels
My TSX is a 2006, which I like because it
was the first year of the facelift and the
last year before they had TPMS sensors, making
it easier to swap wheels without a warning
light on the dash, which now also featured
a multi information display.
2006 was also the first year to have an 1/8”
Auxiliary Jack in console, 2 position driver
seat memory, and Bluetooth hands free link
for phones.
Performance
The 06 to 08 k24a2 engine made 5 more horsepower
than it did in 04 and 05, thanks to slightly
different cams, larger valves and larger throttle
body, bringing the total to 205 horsepower
@ 7000 rpm  and 164 lb ft of torque @ 4500
rpm.
2007 and 2008 models are similar, although
they use a different ecu that is flash pro
friendly, ideal if you are planning on a lot
of performance modifications.
The only modifications under the hood of my
06 is a K&N replacement filter and I took
off the silencer box behind the front bumper.
I thought It was a little too quiet stock,
and now the K24a2 sings a beautiful song all
the way to redline.
The most important thing when it comes to
performance is the 6-speed manual transmission.
The auto is fine for the average driver, but
it’s the manual that I love most about this
car.
It’s a close ratio box, so you’re shifting
often and it really bonds the driver with
the vehicle.
If you’re just looking for point a to point
b transportation, then the auto is a great
choice.
Suspension
The TSX comes standard with 17” wheels and
double wishbone suspension that provides a
great balance of comfort and handling.
The TSX is one of the last Hondas that still
use this setup from Honda’s golden era of
the 1990’s.
Most modern Hondas have switched to more cost-effective
McPherson struts, which just don’t offer
the same driving experience as double wishbone,
but that’s a topic for another video.
I like to upgrade suspension on everything
so I installed Koni yellows with Ground Control
coilovers.
That made the cornering and handling even
better, but did decrease ride quality a little
bit.
I only lowered the car 1 5/8”, which took
out a lot of the wheel gap, making my daily
driver look how I think it should have came
from the factory.
I also run a set of 18x8” BBS RS-GT wheels
in the summer.
And those are wrapped in 235/40 series tires.
Interior
The TSX’s interior came loaded with an impressive
list of features for its price.
A radio with 6 disc CD player.
In 2006 an auxiliary 1/8” jack located in
the center console became standard.
Leather seats with heated front seats
Full power adjustments on the driver seat,
as well as the passenger front seat starting
in 2005.
Two position memory for the drivers seat became
standard in 2006, which is great for a shared
vehicle.
A full opening sunroof with tilt
Integrated programmable garage door remotes
for 3 doors
Power locks
Power windows
Remote key fob for the doors and trunk.
And here’s a trick... hold the unlock button
to make all 4 windows roll down.
Great for a hot day, or if you like all your
windows to be opened evenly when you drive.
There’s plenty of room throughout the interior
for storage and there’s even this fancy
red cloth lined “Not an ashtray”
The rear seats are a good size and even comfortable
for a small car.
Between them is a fold down armrest with cup
holders.
Forward facing baby seats and boosters fit
great but when I had a rear facing baby seat
behind the seat, I had to move it up most
of the way to make the seat fit.
The rear seats split 60/40 and fold down when
more cargo room is needed.
The 13 cubic foot trunk came with this rubber
cargo mat and 4 tie down hooks.
The TSX came equipped with modern safety features
for the era:
Driver and passenger front dual stage air
bags and side air bags
side curtain air bags
traction control, which can be turned off
and things like ABS and door beams, which
all vehicles had by this time.
Longevity
Hondas will run forever.
However,  I live in Ohio, so rust was inevitable.
I hoped it wouldn't be this soon but I've
already had to repair rust on the inside edge
of the right rear door and the insides of
both rear wheel openings- link to that video
is in the description.
The exterior is looking good for 150k miles,
but the underside tells a different story...
I bought this car in 2012, when it was only
6 years old with 44k miles.
I undercoat the car with fluid film before
every winter but those 6 winters with the
previous owner were enough to get the rust
started.
Besides rust, I have no complaints about this
car.
Instead I have a list of highlights that make
the TSX a great value.
The Hid projector headlights have a crisp
cutoff and offer excellent visibility for
night driving.
After 10 years, the plastic headlights on
my 06 were getting hazy,  but I re-cleared
them and they’ve looked brand new ever since.
I’ll put a link to that how-to video in
the description.
The TSX is well equipped and intuitive.
everything is easy to use and you can drive
the car without needing to read the owners
manual.
The K24a2 is an excellent motor, combining
power and fuel economy, while using a timing
chain for lower maintenance compared to a
timing belt.
It does require premium fuel though.
The rear of the car looks just right with
factory dual exhaust tips.
The 6-speed manual transmission is perfect.
 
And the TSX is fun on twisty roads, even in
stock form.
Other vehicles I considered before settling
on the TSX were the 2006 Civic Si sedan, which
is a little more sporty with the Limited slip
differential, and just a hair smaller than
the TSX.
But I wanted something more luxurious and
after owning a modified civic for so long,
I was tired of people wanting to race me.
Whoa, did just I grow up?
I also thought about an e90 3 series before
settling on the TSX.
With a 100 mile daily commute, My wallet
and I are both glad I didn’t choose the
BMW.
At 150k miles, most of which were highway,
This TSX has been the lowest maintenance vehicle
I’ve ever owned.
All I did was change the oil when the display
said it was time,
Changed the transmission fluid at 125 k miles,
I’ll put a link to that how to in the description
Front Brake pads, I have a link for that too
Rear calipers, pads and rotors.
I’ve got a good video on that one as well.
Lower temp sensor
Knock sensor
The Rear toe adjustment bolt seized so I had
to cut it out and replace it.
But that’s Ohio rust for you.
The hinge on the Storage door broke so I picked
up another used door.
I re-Cleared the headlights
Replaced a cracked Foglight
And Treated the Rust on the rear quarters,
a link for that is below as well.
Value
With so many bells and whistles, the reliability
of a Honda, and timeless clean styling before
Acura put a beak on everything...
The first generation TSX is an excellent buy.
The TSX was almost $30k new and as these cars
are aging and racking up miles, they’re
becoming very affordable.
TSX prices in 2020 are as low as a couple
grand for a high mileage example in need of
some work, and go as high as 8 grand for a
low mileage 6-speed.
That’s about half of what prices were 8
years ago, when I bought my 06 TSX in 2012.
I sold my Acura a few months ago for $5500.
I miss everything about the car and although
one of the reasons I originally bought it
was becauseI wanted something small and fun,
8 years later I needed something bigger for
hauling kids, cargo and towing.
The size of the TSX is its only limitation.
My new daily is an 80 series Land Cruiser,
imported from Japan, so it’s right hand
drive.
And massive.
I really miss the handling, 6 speed manual,
and mileage of the TSX.
But daily driving one of the most indestructible
vehicles ever built has its price.
Working from home now, instead of commuting
100 miles a day, really softens the 12 mpg
reality that hits me at the gas pump.
So if you’re looking for something small,
sporty, somewhat luxurious, reliable, efficient
and fun, you can’t go wrong with a first
generation Acura TSX.
Thanks for watching
and although I no longer have my TSX, I do
still have a few more Acura videos to upload.
So consider subscribing for more project vehicle
updates and how to videos, here at the 6th
Gear Garage.
