[CL typeS]

Looking for a sedan for the wife. Currently driving a 2004 civic which is a total POS lol. Some potential choices are including TSX and 2nd Gen IS350. Any thoughts on one or the other? Any owners please chime in

Mainly looking for safety, luxury, reliability. Not really looking towards euros as we all know they are known for being reliable. Let me know if there are any other better choices out there that are recommended by you guys. I am open to suggestions

Budget around $15-18k

Edit: Sorry to clarify, we're looking at IS350 so I can have some fun too lol

The wife is open to driving stick also, but really rather not as if anything happens if shes out with friends or family, someone else can drive the car also

[!e.lo_]

I was looking at the first gen IS300/Altezza and TSX.
Almost picked up an IS300, but one thing that I don't know if I could live with; no fold down rears.

It may not bother some, but I like having the extra room.
Not sure how the 2nd Gen IS are, but that may be something you want to look into.

[Nlkko]

3rd gen Acura TL-S Manual. Fun as hell.

[!e.lo_]

3rd gen Acura TL-S Manual. Fun as hell.

OP said for the wife... I'm gonna go on a hunch and say things like, safety, reliability, running costs are more important than the fun factor.

[dn53]

I've owned my tsx for about 6 months and havent had any problems. Some things to consider with the tsx:

04-05 is slightly different from the 06-08 you can google but heres some stuff i can name off the top of my head.

new in 06 is 5+ horsepower + imrpoved long block components bluetooth, aux, power passenger seat (lol 04-05 doesnt have this)

04/05 tsx a/c compressors known to fail, door lock actuators known to fail on all models (typical honda), seat track can have play and can rock slightly (mine does this). if you end up shopping for a tsx, check for all of these.

sorry but dont have much input for the IS

[BoostedBB6]

Comparing an IS300 01-05 v a TSX 04-08, take the TSX.

The IS is a pig on fuel in comparison, cost of ownership is higher, cost of parts is higher and insurance as well (lack of used parts is a killer)

Being you said its for your wife I would ask her which she prefers, but as someone who has owned both, get the TSX.

[xjc11]

S63 AMG
:troll:

[swfk]

^I think OP said 2nd gen IS.

I had a 6MT 07' TSX and it was super comfortable. I miss it a lot. Nothing broke for 80k kms that I've owned it. Only oil changes.

IS350/250 RWD does have an epic turning radius (not sure if that matters to OPs wife). AWD is something to consider since TSX is only FF

[BoostedBB6]

^I think OP said 2nd gen IS.

I had a 6MT 07' TSX and it was super comfortable. I miss it a lot. Nothing broke for 80k kms that I've owned it. Only oil changes.

IS350/250 RWD does have an epic turning radius (not sure if that matters to OPs wife). AWD is something to consider since TSX is only FF

Crap.
Well, sadly the same applies for everything I said with a IS250/350 and even more so with the AWD models.

If cost is important but you still want a nice car to drive the TSX is the way to go. If you need to have all the bells and whistles and cost is not super important, IS.

[Timpo]

pick whichever is better on gas

[Galactic_Phantom]

Second gen IS is a pig on gas considering how NOT fun it is. Unless you're getting the one with the touchscreen the interior looks cheap as fuck.

[E-SPEC]

S63 AMG
:troll:
Pretty sure they have a life, and go out everyday. So S63 is out of question.

[supafamous]

I have a 1G TSX and it's a lovely DD. Roomier than a IS but a bit noisier. The leather is cheap because it's coated in plastic but easy to clean as a result. Have had zero problems with it. Have only driven the 2G IS once and thought it was terrible - gutless 2.5L V6, tiny back seat, old fashioned interior.

For the TSX, the 2004-05 models are cheap and plentiful (around $8-10K for a good one) and work just fine for a DD. The 2006-08s are hard to find used so prices are a bit inflated IMO (I paid $21K for mine 5 years ago and could probably get $14K for it now - nutty though mine is minty and low mileage).

For your budget you can probably snag a 2009-2010 2G TSX too especially if you don't need leather.

My 2 cents is that you won't regret owning a TSX - it'll do everything you'd expect a DD should do. Has enough room, enough power, enough nice things, it's smooth, quiet enough etc. At some point you'll regret the IS - tiny back seat, gutless motor, boring driver etc.

Edit: The TSX has terrible brakes. Budget some cash for better brake pads and rotors. Any old Brembo blank will do the trick.

[flagella]

Just take TSX. They aren't even in the same price category and if you are conscious on your budget, TSX is meaningfully cheaper and will meet all your wife's needs.

[roastpuff]

If you carry more than 2 people, the IS has really tight rear seat. The legroom is bad. The TSX is a much more comfortable car for 4 adults.

[Bender Unit]

Honda 6 MT is butter smooth and it is a joy to drive it.
Own/Owned two 1 Gen. TSX.
Realible as hell. Oil change is mostly all you need all year around.

*whatever dn53 is correct. Door actuator, Head Unit lights, Seat rail all common problem.

[JDMDreams]

Yes the sec Gen is as mentioned has a really small interior. what about a gs. You can find some within your budget

[underscore]

I was looking into the 2nd gen IS350 a while back, no major issues with them from what I could find. The 250 had issues with carbon buildup IIRC, so you'd want to add a catch can kit that was pretty cheap and depending on the mileage get the head cleaned out as well.

[Gerbs]

The is350 has like 100 more horsepower for 1 less mpg. Legroom for the back is non existent it your above
5'11

[AstulzerRZD]

The is350 has like 100 more horsepower for 1 less mpg. Legroom for the back is non existent it your above
5'11

1 quoted mpg, but real world mpg is much better on the TSX, especially in Vancouver where most of the driving is city driving.

[hud 91gt]

Really enjoying my TSX as a daily. Had the dreaded lock failure but other then that's it's been great. Very roomy even with 4 full grown men.

[CL typeS]

Thanks everyone for your input, much appreciated! Glad to hear from some actual owners of the cars. Will take her to look for TSX this weekend and probably an is350 if I can find one around. She seems more receptive to the IS because it looks "nicer" lol and probably more comfy ride. We rarely, if ever have other people in the car, usually just me and her so the backseat is not really an issue. But I'm more of a Honda fanboy myself but the extra 100 horses and more torque is hard to ignore.

Gerbs: Have you had any issues with your is350 during your ownership? And how much to fillup and mileage if you dont mind me asking?

[cdizzle_996]

IS350 all day.

This is coming from a previous TL-S owner, currently have an 08 G35S sedan, that couldn't find an IS350 that fit my budget with what I wanted.

It's tough comparing a 200hp FWD 4cyl to a 300hp RWD 6cyl.

I've been a Honda guy forever, I'd give up the few MPG any day of the week to have the IS.

[supafamous]

2010 Acura TSX V6 STK#B15060A (http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/pml/ctd/5299258847.html)

It's almost within your budget to get a V6 TSX.

My wife loves the 2G IS, particularly the Pearl White one.

[wingies]

I had a 05 tax before too and it was a great car as everyone else mentioned. It is slow but should be more than enough for your wife. But if I had to choose again I would probably get an is350. The amount of power it has over the TSX is so tempting

But then again you have to factor in the cost of the TSX vs is350. If it's significantly more may not be worth it. So I would say within 1 or 2k get the is350, anything more than a TSX would be probably be ideal

[Gerbs]

1 quoted mpg, but real world mpg is much better on the TSX, especially in Vancouver where most of the driving is city driving.

I get about 11.9/100km 100% city.:alonehappy:

Thanks everyone for your input, much appreciated! Glad to hear from some actual owners of the cars. Will take her to look for TSX this weekend and probably an is350 if I can find one around. She seems more receptive to the IS because it looks "nicer" lol and probably more comfy ride. We rarely, if ever have other people in the car, usually just me and her so the backseat is not really an issue. But I'm more of a Honda fanboy myself but the extra 100 horses and more torque is hard to ignore.

Gerbs: Have you had any issues with your is350 during your ownership? And how much to fillup and mileage if you dont mind me asking?

Got it a year and a half ago, put on 25000km, didn't have to do anything other than the usual tires, brakes, rotors, oil change. Fills up at like $72-$75 for 510km depending how heavy your foot is.

[Galactic_Phantom]

^thats insane. My buddies' 250 uses 13L/100km 100% city

[Gerbs]

^thats insane. My buddies' 250 uses 13L/100km 100% city

:fullofwin: I don't really look at it though, I just leave it to Km left. My Lifetime since battery reset was like 11.6L/10km

[IMASA]

Those onboard fuel mileage computers are not accurate. My speed3's gauge shows 10.xL/km while calculated fuel economy is closer to 12L/km.

[Gerbs]

Those onboard fuel mileage computers are not accurate. My speed3's gauge shows 10.xL/km while calculated fuel economy is closer to 12L/km.

I just filled up, I'll track the odometer as well as how much I fill up. Pretty sure you are correct though

[Qmx323]

^thats insane. My buddies' 250 uses 13L/100km 100% city

The 2.5 V6 has to work harder to push basically the same weight vs the 3.5

[Galactic_Phantom]

Welp, might as well get the IS F :fullofwin:

[Gerbs]

Have you decided what your going to get op.

[StanleyR]

co-worker is going thru the same decision. Lady went and bought a new 2015 ILX? after owning an 2006 TL since new. I told her despite the "active noise cancelling" garbage the salesman sold her on, it's gonna be a noisy and harsh POS (basically a Civic with lipstick) :lawl:

Literally the day after she and her husband took delivery she was complaining about the noise. Undercoating did little to make things better. :QQ:

Now a year later they are considering 2016 IS300 AWD or TSX (losing about 15g's on the swap from the ILX). They love the IS, but they are being cheap and want the TSX.

We have bets at the office which she and her hubby will buy :Popcorn

[Qmx323]

Welp, might as well get the IS F :fullofwin:

It pretty much goes like this

IS250 owners "I want an IS350"

IS350 owners "I want an IS-F"

IS-F owners "I want a manual transmission car with 400hp"

:QQ:

[moldex]

If you are going for the IS, don't get the 250. Perhaps current/past owners can chime in but apparently there are major issues with the IS250 and carbdon build-up.

The IS interior feels claustrophoic especially with the windows tinted; it's just not a comfortable nor practical car IMO. I would go for the TSX.

[Gerbs]

I'm 6'3ish and i feel nice and comfy as long as there's no passengers in the rear.

[EX-R]

Before i bought my 2009 TSX i was also looking at an IS. I know everyone here is talking about the first gen tsx but im pretty sure the second gen is within your budget. Bought mine in 2012 with 52500 Kms and currently has 85000kms. I have only had one problem with it. The transmission 3rd pressure switch crapped out. It was an easy $60 fix. Asides from that, I've only done regular maintenance on it.

Just like what everyone else said about the IS, If you're going to get one, get a 350. The carbon build up on the 250 is crazy. Afaik, there really isnt a fix for it because of the faulty direct injection system it has.

[a00755836]

it's either a tsx or a is350. do NOT get a is250. it's slower than my RIP corolla.

[Galactic_Phantom]

It pretty much goes like this

IS250 owners "I want an IS350"

IS350 owners "I want an IS-F"

IS-F owners "I want a manual transmission car with 400hp"

:QQ:

Whats up with the 250 and 350 having paddles but no real manual mode:rukidding:. I don't understand their purpose if its going to be a fake manual mode that doesn't actually shift

[CorneringArtist]

The only thing going for the IS250 is the sound. Otherwise it's slow, and really only gets good with the F-Sport package in the 2014+ models. Of course, the anemic 2.5 has been replaced with the turbo-4 IS200, and the new 300 is a de-tuned 350.

If my clutching leg wasn't being a shit, I might have considered a TSX or IS in auto if something happened to my car down the line, both cars are just comfy in the small bit of time I drove them.

[viet604778]

OP did you end up finding any?

[Tone Loc]

2011 TSX owner chiming in. Had my car just over a month now, couldn't be happier with it. Paid $18k for it from Northshore Acura, price was relatively low because it had 90k kms. Bought it anyway because the price was right, it had a full service history from that dealer, had all the major maintenance items taken care of, and was always a locally registered vehicle in perfect shape (minus the higher KM of course).

My TSX gives me the impression that they are generally very good cars, very comfortable and nice to drive too with neat little features that aren't so insane as they will lead to $1000+ repairs down the road. Is it a BMW 3 series in terms of driving dynamics? Nope, but it also will cost less to maintain and will probably have higher resale value in the future.

I have the 2.4 4-cyl version which IMO has a decent amount of power. Unless you are always hauling 5 people and their luggage (I am not) I see no reason to spring for the V6 especially considering the transmission issues, higher fuel consumption, and higher cost of maintenance. I test drove a V6 as well and wasn't super impressed, yes it did have a fair amount more power but the car also felt somewhat nose-heavy (think understeer) and obviously will get worse fuel economy as mentiond before. I get usually 9.5-10.5 liters per 100 km on my 4-cyl, tank costs me roughly $80-85 to fill and gives me a range of about 650km which IMO is pretty good...

[CL typeS]

Just a quick update, still looking but I cant find any local clean is350 for sale, the only ones I found were 2006 Lexus IS350 (http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/van/cto/5299463447.html) and 2006 SR Motorsports Lexus IS350 IS 350 (http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/pml/cto/5245904563.html). Which I find is priced too high for what they are and modified.

Currently looking for a late model TSX now as the wife prefers the 08 or 09? and up version over the first gen model looks. And it has more the "fancy" "luxury" features that she wants.

[godwin]

In the end all Acuras engines are latitudinal mounted FWD biased.. IS is RWD despite having a front diff bolted on. It comes down to personal experience and preference but IS will have a better weight distribution, turning radius and generally performance envelope.