Seems as though Honda doesn't recommend much in the way of maintenance beyond oil, brakes, tires, trans fluid. This is the car in question. I won't pay $7k, but neither will anybody else. I'm interested at $6k. I'm guessing this guy's gonna go through a bunch of dreamers who can't get financing on a 200k mile car.
Do you guys know of any trouble spots to look out for?
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/3538511472.html
I've been researching 1st gen Tsx's hard for awhile since my wife and I are trying for a youngin'. The only things that I have found is making sure you check oil levels in between changes and the AC/Heater going bad on some...expensive fix. That's all I've heard.
It looks like the pedals are all there...
Thanks. I know of a good, reasonable shop down the street from the seller, and I'll probably spring for a quick compression check.
Timing chain. Water pump. Should have had at least one at this mileage.
Yeah, that's about it.
My wife's is also a 2004. It only has 46,000 on it, but it runs like a sewing machine. Got some wear on the driver's seat and the storage door by the shifter. I had to replace the latch on the console top. That's about it. It burns about a quart of oil every 4-5000 miles.
It does tend to deposit brake material on the front rotors, or maybe rust unevenly when parked. The brake pedal sometimes pulses. It was worse with the OEM brakes, but I replaced pads and rotors at the service interval with Akebono pads and Brembo rotors. The replacements did it too after a while, though that has cured itself this time, unlike the OE stuff.
They are very nice cars to drive, particularly with the 6-speed.
Cool. My Dad mentioned that he thought he'd heard of brake issues too. I guess the old man's still got it! Seller claims brakes are new.
Seems like a lot of oil consumption for a 50k mile Honda. Has the dealer done anything to resolve the issue?
Off topic (duke) Thanks very much for putting me in touch with your sister on the Montessori thing! Meeting with the school's director on Monday.
@noddaz: I'm assuming the tensioner just wears over time(?) And I'm assuming this is an interference engine, right?
poopshovel wrote: Cool. My Dad mentioned that he thought he'd heard of brake issues too. I guess the old man's still got it! Seller claims brakes are new. Seems like a lot of oil consumption for a 50k mile Honda. Has the dealer done anything to resolve the issue? Off topic (duke) Thanks very much for putting me in touch with your sister on the Montessori thing! Meeting with the school's director on Monday. @noddaz: I'm assuming the tensioner just wears over time(?) And I'm assuming this is an interference engine, right?
Has a chain. And the chains stretch, esp on abused engines. And it is an interference engine.
Oh yeah. In the first few years these cars used up rear brake pads at a somewhat alarming rate... That has been fixed with updated brake pads...
noddaz wrote:poopshovel wrote: Cool. My Dad mentioned that he thought he'd heard of brake issues too. I guess the old man's still got it! Seller claims brakes are new. Seems like a lot of oil consumption for a 50k mile Honda. Has the dealer done anything to resolve the issue? Off topic (duke) Thanks very much for putting me in touch with your sister on the Montessori thing! Meeting with the school's director on Monday. @noddaz: I'm assuming the tensioner just wears over time(?) And I'm assuming this is an interference engine, right?Has a chain. And the chains stretch, esp on abused engines. And it is an interference engine.
Why is the chain interval so small? I've had many BMWs and Saabs to just shy (or in one case, past) 300k on the original timing chain. And I don't drive like a grandmother either, though I do tend to buy well-maintained vehicles and probably change my oil more frequently than I need to.
what we see at work (i work at an acura dealership) with the chains stretching, anytime you consistently go 10K+ on oil changes, around 100k it stretches and jumps time. mostly without damaging anything. its always the people that go 15k in between changes, it starts burning a little oil, oil level gets low, stops lubing the chain, chain stretches, bam. jumped timing.
200k on a tsx wouldnt scare me (especially being a 6spd.) id go for 6k. make sure your plugs and valve adjust are done, and keep up on oil changes and youll have a runner forever. we have numerous come in 250-300+. few rsx's 350+ and a few mdx's 300+ as well.
Is the chain easy to check? Obviously I'm not gonna go throwing wrenches at this guy's car, but if I take it to the Honda dealer down the road, is it a matter of a couple covers to check the deflection?
Poop- glad she was a resource for you. Hope it works out.
I can't honestly tell you the exact oil consumption. I change the oil once a year because it gets about 5k on it yearly. Last time I did, it was at the bottom of the range on the stick.
It runs like a top, honestly. I love it as a non-project car.
Car was a bit of a turd. "A-Spec kit" fitment was horrible. Lots of little things on the outside. Suspension was clunky and pulled hard right. Then I noticed the gap between the front driver fender and bumper was off. It had been hit at some point.
Ran great though, and everything I've read about the tsx being greater than the sum of its parts is spot on. Lot of car for the money.
In reply to poopshovel:
That stinks. I just e-mailed about a silver one with black interior too. It's an 04 with 94,000 for $9500. I offered $8500 if everything checks out ok. Keep looking, I've heard nothing but great things about them.
In reply to Eurobeaner:
What about the auto transmission? I would have to get an auto for the wife. Also, how frequent is the Air conditioning problems? I've heard about this issue on TSX boards.
The ATX in my wife's car is flawless. I am a manual driver myself but I never mind driving her TSX. I changed the fluid and filter at about 35k. It's a great unit - seems to be happier behind the K24 than it is in the V6 Accords.
Make sure it's had regular oil changes. If it's a manual, check for clutch slippage and 2nd gear issues.
Good car as long as it has been maintained. If it hasn't, it'll eat you alive.
noddaz wrote: Timing chain. Water pump. Should have had at least one at this mileage.
Really?! Yuck! My Maxima has 206k on original chain, and my buddy's old BMW has 320k on original chain. What's Honda doing wrong with their's?
sethmeister4 wrote:noddaz wrote: Timing chain. Water pump. Should have had at least one at this mileage.Really?! Yuck! My Maxima has 206k on original chain, and my buddy's old BMW has 320k on original chain. What's Honda doing wrong with their's?
Long OCI's, sludge/heat buildup and chain stretch happens.
It's not uncommon for a TSX to come in for an oil change at 8k miles and have about 1.5qts left in the oil pan.
While we are on topic of TSXs. I've found a newer 09 with 100k on the clock for dirt cheap. I might pick it up for myself of my wife if I can negotiate a better deal.
Anything to look for? By the time I left Honda I never got to see most of the newer Acuras come in with high mileage.
same engine issues as the older ones. I wouldn't even THINK about a newer honda without a maintenance history.
Rattles are alittle more common than the older cars. Early TSX's had windshield molding problems (still do on the 2nd gen) and roof molding problems. Some of the early cars were missing spot welds in the rear that caused a creak which was exteremely annoying.
Still has brake issues, but good pads may fix that.
Thanks Bob, so similar issues that the last gen accord were having. I'm not worried about moldings and stuff, those are easy fixes. Squeaks and rattles I hate, so I'll have to drive it and check it out.
One of my last vehicles I worked on at Honda was a 10 Pilot that was missing a few welds from the factory near the left rear suspension mounts. That thing squeaked and clunked horrible with a load in the back. Took me and my supervisor a few days of troubleshooting to finally determine that. Honda gave the lady a new car without question.
I have a 2004 (first m/y) and have no molding or trim issues whatsoever. It's quiet and rattle-free inside.
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