00:00 - INTRO

Today's feature vehicle is a sports sedan with a jewel-like, high revving engine, a slick-shifting 6-speed transmission, agile, planted handling and a comfortable, stylish interior that provides just enough refinement to a feel special. It’s a car that I highly recommend if you’re looking for a fun, engaging driver-oriented vehicle to haul up to 4-people on your daily adventures.

00:45 - THE FIRST GENERATION ACURA TSX SPORTS SEDAN

The focus of today’s Better Than New episode is the First Generation Acura TSX sports sedan, sold in the US from 2004-2008.   

01:20 - 3 REASONS WHY YOU MIGHT WANT A TSX:

• You like cars that are fun and rewarding to drive
• You enjoy shifting a near-perfect manual transmission
• You love Honda's high-revving VTEC engines

03:15 - WHAT IS VTEC & WHAT MAKES IT BETTER?

• Honda's VTEC system uses 2-3 camshaft profiles and hydraulically selects between those profiles at certain RPM under acceleration to increase power
• Unlike some Variable Valve Timing systems that only vary cam timing, VTEC also varies lift (which opens the valves further) and duration (which varies how long the valves remain open)
• The result is an intoxicating rush to redline at high RPM under acceleration

06:15 - NOTABLE HONDA & ACURA VTEC CARS:

• Acura Integra Type-R (1997-2001)
• Acura RSX Type-S (2002-2006)
• 6th Gen Honda Civic Si (1999-2000)
• 8th Gen Honda Civic Si (2006-2011)
• Civic Del Sol VTEC (1994-1997)

09:20 - TSX WITH VTEC - THE NEXT FUTURE CLASSIC?

• Prices on cars approaching classic status can "pop" and go up dramatically in price in a very short period of time.
• Examples of enthusiast cars whose prices have "popped" recently include the 1990-1996 Nissan 300ZX and 300ZX Turbo, the Acura Integra Type-R and the 6th Gen Honda Civic Si from 1999-2000

14:20 - WHAT SHOULD YOU LOOK FOR IN AN ACURA TSX?

• Get the manual transmission model
• Get the manual transmission model
• Get the manual transmission model (subtle, right?)
• Next, focus on vehicle condition
• Finally consider features and exterior paint colors you want
• Avoid cars that have been modified unless what's been done

16:30 - ACURA TSX PRICING WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION

• $8,000 to $12,000 - Private party TSX in good to excellent condition with 80K to 120K miles, minimal owners, no accidents
• $10,000 to $14,000 - Dealer examples in good to excellent condition with same mileage, etc. as private party example above
• Occasional outliers with really low miles ($50K) for $18,000+, but the market doesn't support that... yet
• I wouldn't rule out a higher mile example if it is a one or two-owner car with regular service and maintenance records for backup

18:10 - ALTERNATIVES TO THE TSX SPORTS SEDAN

• Honda Civic Si Sedan (2007-2011) w/197-hp K20 4-cylinder VTEC engine & similar slick-shifting 6-speed manual transmission
• 3rd Gen Infiniti G35 Sedan (2003-2006) w/Manual transmission, rear drive, V6 and available all-wheel drive

19:40 - CLOSE

If you are looking for a fun-to-drive, 4-door sports sedan that offers great value, plus the engagement of a slick-shifting manual transmission combined with one of Honda’s outstanding high-performance VTEC 4-cylinder engines, the choice is simple: The First Generation Acura TSX sedan from 2004 to 2008.   

It’s an affordable VTEC experience for now, but don’t wait forever if you think you want one. 

And do get the manual… you’ll thank me later.