2005 Acura TSX from North America - Comments

Disc brake vibration the first month of ownership.

Driver side air conditioner not cooling properly within first year.

Interior of car flooded due to poor drainage from air conditioning ten months into ownership.

Ten months into ownership car emits metallic odors and howling sounds from air conditioning vents.

Leaking exhaust manifold replaced in August, 2006, (car purchased September, 2005)

Informed howling sound is due to transmission

issue.

This car would be very nice to own if it weren't for the recurring, major failures in performance systems (air conditioner, transmission, exhaust manifold) that have occurred in under a year of ownership. What's galling though, is not the statistical misfortune of having a lemon, it's the lack of responsiveness in servicing, the mechanical mistakes that caused the car to flood, and Honda/Acura's miscommunications and hostility at addressing this problem. My loyalty to this brand was fairly strong prior to this experience and a basic effort by Acura to make it right would have assured my future loyalty in spite of my dealership issues. But no, there is more investment in distrusting the customer, in not giving a direct answer, in so-called mediations that go nowhere, and in creating additional mechanical difficulties with the car that leave a customer no choice, but to seek administrative and legal remedies. Do yourself a favor, reader, and think closely about any Acura purchase. I can't say that there is any reason to expect better from the competition, but my Acura experience suggests your patience, integrity, and sanity will be sacrificed and demeaned. It's also your twenty-eight thousand dollar purchase price that will be at stake.

Okay, go out and put yourself into debt to buy a BMW you cannot afford. Have fun filing for bankruptcy.

A 2007 bmw 3 series is about $40.00 cheaper than the 2007 tsx. I do not understand how you can put yourself in debt with a bmw???

While I like both cars, a comparably equipped 325i will be at least $4,000 higher, if not more. The TSX tops out at $30K, while the 325 starts at $32K.

I agree... you cannot buy a 2007 3-Series for LESS than a 2007 TSX. The only way a TSX would get up to $30K is with the Navigation system (rated the best of any manufacturer). The BMW at 32K will be a stripped down model, and will not even have navigation, much less leather seats.

I notice that you label this a v4 engine. From this, I'm not sure I want to lend credence to something you say. I'm sure you would like a BMW 3-series; however, in terms of value and quality, you might be better off with an Acura or Infiniti. Even a Cadillac CTS would be a better deal at this point. However, if you're looking for name-dropping power, BMW is a good buy - but as always, caveat emptor.

Well, it has been 9 months since the original posting. How about an update. Maybe by now you have found a better Acura dealer. The one you describe is not at all like Acura dealers in Columbus, Ohio. My experience with a Acura dealership has been very positive. I received followed up phone calls from the service manager and the regional service area to make sure I was happy with their service.