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jonnyd330
jonnyd330 Reader
5/3/25 9:08 a.m.

I’ve got a 2012 Acura TSX wagon with 185k miles, owned it since new. It’s been super reliable with regular maintenance and minor repairs over the years. The K24 engine has been great, and overall, it’s been a fantastic daily.

The issue now is the A/C compressor went out, and a full a/c system replacement is quoted at $2,500. I’m debating whether to fix it or move on to something newer.

On one hand, I know this car’s history, it only needs new tires, and it still runs strong. On the other hand, $2,500 is a decent chunk of change. I’ve been eyeing a Mk7.5 Golf R or Mk8 GTI as a potential upgrade, but I’m not sure I want to spend that kind of money right now.

If I fix the A/C and keep driving it, I figure I could still sell it for around $4k down the line. Just not sure what makes the most sense.

Curious what you all would do in this situation.

 

Gearheadotaku (Forum Supporter)
Gearheadotaku (Forum Supporter) UltimaDork
5/3/25 9:17 a.m.

If it just needs a compressor, why is a "full system replacement" being quoted? Unless there are other leaks or debris in the system, swap in a new compressor and dryer. 

jonnyd330
jonnyd330 Reader
5/3/25 9:23 a.m.

In reply to Gearheadotaku (Forum Supporter) :

Unfortunately, there is a leak and based on the compressor failure it is assumed debris in the system. I could take a gamble and just replace the compressor but that might be a risk with debris. 

porschenut
porschenut Dork
5/3/25 9:32 a.m.

In the same boat with 2 cars right now.  My Baja turbo has been a money pit since I bought it but stubbornness and thinking the car might be worth the investment in 10 years keeps me going.  New engine, struts, tires, now AC are adding up.  But the loss by selling it now and the cost to buy something else are winning.  I bought low to mid range AC stuff and it cost me about 500.  Have a vacuum pump and will replace everything and shoot in a can or 2 and hope it works.  The prius is an easier choice, rear brake replacement will be a pain but under a hundred.  Then it will pass inspection for another year.  The ABS pump failure happened but it still runs OK.  

For your situation look into what the car is worth as is, and what it would cost to replace.  Then get some other quotes for the repair not using factory parts.  With 185K miles stuff that will last 50K sort of makes sense.  Another option is just pull the belt and leave the windows open!

jonnyd330
jonnyd330 Reader
5/3/25 9:46 a.m.

In reply to porschenut :

As much as I'd love to run without a/c I live in Florida and summer already started so that not going to happen. frown

buzzboy
buzzboy UltraDork
5/3/25 9:49 a.m.

185k? Barely broken in. AC replacement is going to be cheaper than replacing the whole car.

clutchsmoke
clutchsmoke UberDork
5/3/25 10:18 a.m.

I'd get the AC fixed and keep trucking. TSX wagons are rare. I bought my 07 Civic Si with 172,000 miles. It's at almost 240,000 miles now and starting to show it's age a bit.

lnlds
lnlds Reader
5/3/25 10:46 a.m.

Most sellers around me ask 10k for salvage title wagons. If you want to move on move on, but there hasn't been a real alternative for it outside of it and the demand is strong for them

CyberEric
CyberEric SuperDork
5/3/25 10:47 a.m.

Yeah I think I would fix it. Seems like a shame to sell a useful TSX wagon because the AC doesn't work. A new car is going to cost you a whole lot more than $2,500.

Pete. (l33t FS)
Pete. (l33t FS) MegaDork
5/3/25 11:51 a.m.
jonnyd330 said:

In reply to Gearheadotaku (Forum Supporter) :

Unfortunately, there is a leak and based on the compressor failure it is assumed debris in the system. I could take a gamble and just replace the compressor but that might be a risk with debris. 

Look for junk in the high pressure line off the compressor, or in the cavity in the compressor that it goes into.  Particles or black sludge is bad.

Realistically the condensor tends to filter all of that from getting to the rest of the system, compressor and condensor and flush the lines out and you're good.

 

If a potential $2500 repair worries you, you don't want a Golf R.  Or anything German for that matter.

nsxmr2elises2000
nsxmr2elises2000 PowerDork
5/3/25 12:20 p.m.

We bought our 12 TSX wagon new. Great car. We had it till 124K  miles. Sold it for a Land Cruiser. 

 

We got $12,500 on the sale.

Curtis73 (Forum Supporter)
Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) MegaDork
5/3/25 12:42 p.m.

Normally, I'm the kind of person who buys and ditches cars all the time, but I now have a van that is probably worth $4000, but I will happily drop a healthy junkyard engine or rebuild the 4L60E when it grenades.  I have a feeling I'll be driving that van well into the 300k until it dissolves into rust.

What I would honestly suggest is to youtube fix it.  You can buy a complete kit with compressor, valve, drier, and oil for $200.  I would suggest also getting a condenser for $80 because they're impossible to flush.  You can try flushing the evaporator if it's too much work to replace, but honestly you could replace everything except the hoses (which are easy to flush) for well under $500.  Then buy some cans of R134, a $60 HF vacuum pump, and some $60 HF manifold gauges and charge it up.

You could also replace all of it for around $400 and then find a shop that will charge it.  They likely won't warranty anything, but it will get you cold air for cheap.

BoulderG
BoulderG Reader
5/3/25 12:52 p.m.

Just some fan mail for the rare TSX Wagon... Great then, great now, and truly nothing out there like it.

But no A/C in Florida will kill you.

RyanGreener (Forum Supporter)
RyanGreener (Forum Supporter) HalfDork
5/3/25 1:01 p.m.

In reply to jonnyd330 :

I would keep it running. If we're looking from strictly a financial perspective, you have to look at the cost it would be to replace your car with something equivalent rather than "the value of the car" that you're repairing. My mom's avalon has 296k miles and we just keep replacing and fixing whatever breaks, which isn't much. Right now, it might need a rack and pinion repair in the future but for now we're just gonna keep driving it.

SKJSS (formerly Klayfish)
SKJSS (formerly Klayfish) UltimaDork
5/3/25 1:15 p.m.

Sell it.  To me.  I live in Florida laugh

nsxmr2elises2000
nsxmr2elises2000 PowerDork
5/3/25 2:58 p.m.
BoulderG said:

Just some fan mail for the rare TSX Wagon... Great then, great now, and truly nothing out there like it.

But no A/C in Florida will kill you.

I have recently got a IS300 Sportwagon. I wish I bought it new. Worlds better than a TSX Wagon.

red_stapler
red_stapler SuperDork
5/3/25 3:12 p.m.
Pete. (l33t FS) said:

If a potential $2500 repair worries you, you don't want a Golf R.  Or anything German for that matter.

This is the most sound advice in this thread and worth repeating.

racerfink
racerfink PowerDork
5/3/25 3:37 p.m.

How many new car payments would it take to put you at $2,500?

Seems like fixing it would be a whole lot cheaper.

jonnyd330
jonnyd330 Reader
5/3/25 4:29 p.m.
red_stapler said:
Pete. (l33t FS) said:

If a potential $2500 repair worries you, you don't want a Golf R.  Or anything German for that matter.

This is the most sound advice in this thread and worth repeating.

Yes, that is so true. My annual service the BMW is always $1k-2k which is fine since it's a fun car to drive. I guess the $2500 for a car that's probably only worth about $5k-6k is where I have pain. 

I was thinking a $500 car payment makes it 5 months so i'm leaning towards just fixing it. I looked at some cars today and prices are just not worth it. $15k gets you a pretty beat high mile car from a dealer. 

Pete. (l33t FS)
Pete. (l33t FS) MegaDork
5/3/25 4:41 p.m.

A quick Autotrader search has TSX wagons listing for $7k-15k with most in the $12-13k range.

Unless it's beat all to heck it's not a $5k-6k car.

John Welsh
John Welsh Mod Squad
5/3/25 4:50 p.m.

In reply to jonnyd330 :

I was thinking similar in that $10k still only gets you a car that needs tires and in need of another repair similar in price to AC repair.  

If you like the car, I'd keep it.  

porschenut
porschenut Dork
5/3/25 5:39 p.m.

I think your estimate for the car's worth is off.  The market is crazy now, used cars in decent shape are the hot ticket thanks to tariff insanity.  KBB numbers are not accurate any more, quality stuff is priced way above their numbers.

Pete. (l33t FS)
Pete. (l33t FS) MegaDork
5/3/25 5:43 p.m.

In reply to porschenut :

KBB numbers were never accurate.  According to KBB, for example, my S60R is worth $800.  I couldn't replace it for $10k today.

The values are based on reported sales, if people underreport the sale price to cheat on taxes, that skews the KBB numbers.

 

They are also bad at tracking valuable options.  They probably lump sedans and wagons together, and the wagons have a much higher value today because they had a low take rate when new and a higher desirability today.

 

The car market is still loopy from Covid production halts and right now we are seeing a lack of cars coming off lease to fill the used market, this is an issue separate from tariffs.

bbbbRASS
bbbbRASS Reader
5/3/25 6:06 p.m.

Fix t. Keep it. Unless you've killed the interior and driveline, that care is worth far more than you think. Shoot, I'll give you $4K for it now with the broken AC and bad tires!

nsxmr2elises2000
nsxmr2elises2000 PowerDork
5/3/25 6:50 p.m.
Pete. (l33t FS) said:

In reply to porschenut :

KBB numbers were never accurate.  According to KBB, for example, my S60R is worth $800.  I couldn't replace it for $10k today.

The values are based on reported sales, if people underreport the sale price to cheat on taxes, that skews the KBB numbers.

 

They are also bad at tracking valuable options.  They probably lump sedans and wagons together, and the wagons have a much higher value today because they had a low take rate when new and a higher desirability today.

 

The car market is still loopy from Covid production halts and right now we are seeing a lack of cars coming off lease to fill the used market, this is an issue separate from tariffs.

yeah my NSX kbb is not accurate. My corolla kbb is dead on. 

 

Go figure cheeky

 

 

Also, as a wagon owner from 1981, every wagon is always (aside from AMG and RS) undesireable when new. No one buys them sits on the lots. When used, they then are more desired. Just like many sports car at the end of their life, etc. 

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