Acura TSX vs. Mazda 6 (V6)

[Mikey444]

We are thingking of buying either a Mazda 6 5 door GT V6 loaded to the max. or an Acura TSX (2.4L 4 cyl.) also loaded to the max.

First of all, one thing I would like to know about the Mazda 6, is that unlike the Mazda 3 after a year of driving are you going to hear parts shake and shutter and cracking and whatever.

Second of all I would apreciate an honest opinion. To start off I like the fact of the Acura being a powerful 4 cyl. instead of a V6 mostly for insurance cost and fuel economy issues, those things can ad up to a lot in the long run. There both extremely quick agile vehicles with a sporty drive and feel which is important for us but please put in your input.

 

[crossbow]

The main difference between the Acura and the Mazda...is the Acura is an Accord with a buffed up engine.

This of course means that Acura has "softer" suspension, a quieter ride, and is less sporty around turns/curves. Its designed for people who want to have some fun in luxury, vs people who just want to have fun.

The acura motor is also pretty tapped out. You won't see much in the ways of large performance upgrades, the motors already pushing the limits of its design. (And what a sweet motor it is). A standard MTX TSX puts down roughly 30 more WHP then a Mazda 6i MTX, and about 10-15 less then a 6s MTX.

Mileage wise, the 6s gets around 22-30 (depending on foot MTX here) and the TSX MTX gets around 26-34 (depending on foot).

Going to the automatic in either car results in about a 20 WHP loss, an extra 100-120 lbs, and a loss of 4 mpg.

I'd tell you to visit the www.acura-tsx.com forums for more info, as there is a bunch of helpful people over there, who will handle your questions better then I can, on squeeks and rattles.

If you do however do a search on "rattles" or "noises" you'll find threads upon threads of complaints. So at least on that note, your still making a sacrifice by going with an accord clone.

 

[jersey_emt]

www.tsxclub.com is a good TSX forum too.

They're both excellent cars, I would think you could be happy with either. Have you extensively test driven them both already? If not, that is the first thing to do.

 

[timba24]

If you want a 4cylinder why not look at a MTX 6i its a very nice enginge and the car sheds some punds when going with the i. I have had my car for around 17-18 months now and I have not gained any squeaks or rattles.

 

[ProtegeES03]

I'd go with the TSX. Both are nice cars IMO.

 

[TampaBlackMSP]

With them both being new cars w/warranties, I'd say spend a good amount of time in both...it'll prolly come down to little things, or how one feels vs. another in real world situations, etc.

2 good choices.

 

[alexlitov]

If you want a 4cylinder why not look at a MTX 6i its a very nice enginge and the car sheds some punds when going with the i. I have had my car for around 17-18 months now and I have not gained any squeaks or rattles.

it's slow as ****...

 

[timba24]

the 6i is nowhere near slow as **** but think what you like and I will tear your tsx up on the autocross track

 

[kgo]

2 of my friends have the TSX and that thing is quite! the ride is nice....and it's true about the softer suspension. like other people have said, it'll all come down to the little things. do you want more luxury or more sporty?

 

[Mikey444]

We'll be getting a manual tranny no matter what, we're pretty much sick of auto's (they suck big time)

Performance wise, some of you guys are wrong too. The TSX is not slow as ****. Here are the specs:

Acura TSX:

Engine 2.4L L4 DOHC 16 valves
HP (hp@rpm) 200 @ 6800
Torque (lb.ft@rpm) 166 @ 4500

Maximum Speed (km/h) 225
Acceleration 0-100 km/h (s) 7.2


Mazda 6i:

HP (hp@rpm) 160 @ 6000
Torque (lb.ft@rpm) 155 @ 4000

Maximum Speed (km/h) 210
Acceleration 0-100 km/h (s) 8.2


Mazda 6s:

HP (hp@rpm) 220 @ 6300
Torque (lb.ft@rpm) 192 @ 5000

Maximum Speed (km/h) 230
Acceleration 0-100 km/h (s) 7.2


Well you can pretty much see that a V6 Mazda 6 and the TSX have the same acceleration from 0-100 km/h, the 6 probably performs better in higher speeds but the TSX does have a 6 speed manual as oposed to five speed. I wouldnt mind the softer suspension because we have a **** load of pot holes here in Montreal. And a stiffer suspension plus rough roads and mags that already bend really easily. You can spend a fortune in this country just fixing your stock mags tires shocks etc.... due to miserable road conditions.

After a lot of your coments here I am leaning more towards the Mazda 6 sport gt V6 despite my personal opinions.

 

[Mikey444]

the 6i is nowhere near slow as **** but think what you like and I will tear your tsx up on the autocross track

Let's just wait and see, hehehehe

 

[1sty]

The TSX has the smoothest transmission I have ever used. I also like its interior alot more then the M6.

 

[alexlitov]

the 6i is nowhere near slow as **** but think what you like and I will tear your tsx up on the autocross track

it's very slow. My 1.6L 323 accelarated much faster, and I test drove the 5 speed version. Not enough power for such a big car..

 

[Damaga]

TSX!
It's a beautiful car with a great interior and 6 speed tranny (HONDA tranny from heaven).
And for the Accord part, it's a rebadged EUROPEAN Accord. So I'm pretty sure the suspension is sporty enough...it's not going to be Buick-like...

 

[Replica]

The TSX is basically a 4 door RSX-S. Pretty sure it has an LSD too. They handle great. Comparing a TSX to a 6 is like comparing a Taurus to a Mustang.

 

[Mikey444]

The TSX is basically a 4 door RSX-S. Pretty sure it has an LSD too. They handle great. Comparing a TSX to a 6 is like comparing a Taurus to a Mustang.

I entirely disagree with you. The RSX is a beefed up version of the 1.7 EL that has only 2 doors. The TSX compares fine with a Mazda 6 V6.

 

[Replica]

I entirely disagree with you. The RSX is a beefed up version of the 1.7 EL that has only 2 doors. And it compares fine with a Mazda 6 V6.

Acura has always done things like this. The Vigor, Legend and the other luxory car they had were replaced with the RL, TL and CL. Just like the Integra was replaced by the RSX-S and the 4-door Teg was replaced by the TSX. The chassis is probably different than an RSX, but the motor and tranny are the same. They're very similar cars.

 

[Mikey444]

Acura has always done things like this. The Vigor, Legend and the other luxory car they had were replaced with the RL, TL and CL. Just like the Integra was replaced by the RSX-S and the 4-door Teg was replaced by the TSX. The chassis is probably different than an RSX, but the motor and tranny are the same. They're very similar cars.

The RSX is a 2.0L engine and the TSX is a 2.4L engine. Now can you tell me how they are the same?

 

[crossbow]

Mikey,

Those performance numbers are incorrect. Road and track tests the two cars as follows.

TSX tested 7/03:
Price as tested: $28,990
0-60: 7.2s
1/4 mile: 15.6s
Top speed: 133 mph
Braking 70-0: 185'
Roadholding, g: .85

Mazda 6sLong term test car Page 137, June, 2004:
Price as tested: $25,445
0-60: 6.4s
1/4 mile: 15.1s
Top speed: 120 mph (governed)
Braking 70-0: 178'
Roadholding, g: .84 (non-stock tires)


Here's R&T's Mazda 6i scores.
Price as tested: $22,425
0-60: 7.9s
1/4 mile: 16.4s
Top speed: 120 mph (governed)
Braking 70-0: 169'
Roadholding, g: .86 (stock tires)

The original 0-60 times for the Mazda 6 are only valid for a car under 1000 miles. There is a significant power increase which occurs for the mazda 6 in the first 1000-3000 miles, which greatly changes its performance numbers.

With modification, you can easily see the Mazda 6s MTX below 6 seconds in the 0-60.

The fastest online time (non mag) for a stock 6s MTX is 14.82 @ 93.35 mph in the 1/4, second place is 14.87 . (slips @ www.mazda6club.com)

TSX 1/4 times are...

16.084 @ 86 for the ATX
15.4/15.5 @ 90 for the MTX
(slips @ www.acura-tsx.com)

 

[Replica]

The RSX is a 2.0L engine and the TSX is a 2.4L engine. Now can you tell me how they are the same?

Oops, I thought it was a k20a2. Anyway, the TSX is a replacement of the 4 door teg, can we agree to that?