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Mazda 6 vs. Acura TSX

12K views 25 replies 19 participants last post by  DragAzn  
#1 ·
Looking for people's opinions. I'm looking to spend around $20k.
I want manual, non-nav. I know Mazda's got $3k cash back. I'm looking at the Mazda 6 s 5-speed. Not sure if I want leather, Bose, and Moonroof.
Other option is TSX, non-nav, 6-speed. I would prefer the Xenons and 6-Speed.
Opinions please.
 
#6 ·
Originally posted by Jax6S@Oct 17 2005, 02:13 PM
TSX for 20K?  Goodluck!

You can get a lot more car for the money than getting a TSX.  For a barebone TSX price, you can probably get a fully loaded 6S.
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Edmunds reports the TSX as having a national base price (MSRP) of $27,190.

And no matter how much you pay for the TSX, it's still only going to have 4 cyl.
 
#7 ·
When looking for a new car last year, my final two choices were the TSX and the 6S. Both cars had pluses and minuses, but the final decision came down to price. The 6 is a much better value. The TSX comes fully loaded, and other than a couple dealer installed accessories, the only 'option' is the NAVI. The best price you are going to see on a new TSX (non-NAVI) is around $25K. If you only have $20K in your budget, the 6 is the only way to go!!
 
#8 ·
20k may not be enough to get what u want...what's that? TSX??
yo...seriously i test drove both car before i got a 6s...bear in mind that the TSX only offer 4 cycl which is definitely a slow car...n itz cocky as hell..honestly it doesn't worth that much...u probably'd be lookin at somethin else like IS300 if u really hv that much...

go for the 6 with v6, u won't regret gettin it...
 
#9 ·
Go for the Mazda6 if you want a more sporty car, in my opinion. But if you want a nice luxury car, TSX is the way to go.

Although I would say that the 6 is a better deal than the TSX, I don't think it automatically makes the TSX as an inferior car period. I mean...the TSX was meant to be compared to like the is300, 3 series, and what not. A cheaper alternative, really. The TSX comes with quite a bit of goodies standard, except for a four banger.
 
#10 ·
They are basically the same car. The 6 is a tad sportier, and alot cheaper...while the TSX has a leg up in quality, interior, resale value, option packages, etc.

You can make a TSX as sporty, or sportier then a 6...it just costs more to do so. The TSX owners are also a pretty nice community (most of the acura community is), so I definitely consider them kinda brother cars (6 and TSX) in terms of overall feel and package.

Don't completely discount the TSX's 4 cylinder either...it dyno's quite high.

http://www.comptechusa.com/store/media/dyno/tsx_catback.pdf

178 whp @ 7000 rpm.
155 ft/lbs @ 5500 rpm (to the wheels).

I wish the 6i had the TSX engine.
 
#12 ·
How about this...do you have any goals for your car? What do you plan on doing with it, if anything? And is money not really that much of a concern?

If you just want a nice ride, you could go with the TSX. If you feel that it is lacking power, you could get the hondata reflash which helps tremendously

www.hondata.com, basically the best mod for the RSX and the TSX one can do
 
#13 ·
I also looked at both the TSX. Like some of the others that have looked at both cars, I found better value in the Mazda. I also agree with the others here that you will NOT be able to get ahold of a brand new TSX for 20k. The 6 is more in your price range so I would stick to what you can afford. You won't be dissapointed in the quality of your 6, however the TSX does have better overall quality. Acura in general makes a very nice car.
 
#15 ·
Originally posted by edboc@Oct 18 2005, 11:44 AM
I understand that I can't get TSX for $20k. My goal is to have a reliable, car that's quiet, handles and brakes well, and gets good mpg. 
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TSX is about 27K. And yes, it's true that TSX is reliable, quiet, handles and brakes well and gets good mpg.

I think I might be willing to pay more for the Xenon lights, and 6-speed Tranny.
It doesn't make sense if Xenon lights and 6-speed tranny are your only reason why you pick the TSX over the 6.

Rather than spending the money for a TSX, why don't you just buy mazdaspeed 6?
 
#16 ·
Originally posted by edboc@Oct 18 2005, 11:44 AM
I understand that I can't get TSX for $20k. My goal is to have a reliable, car that's quiet, handles and brakes well, and gets good mpg.  I think I might be willing to pay more for the Xenon lights, and 6-speed Tranny.
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The xenon light thing can be fixed with a 250 buck HID conversion kit. As for the 6 spd tranny i dont think it makes that big of a difference. Personally I like the 6 10100000000000x better than the tsx. I just think the TSX doesnt look that great. If you want an Acura go for the RSX or the TL
 
#18 ·
Originally posted by Bignoze6@Oct 18 2005, 11:08 PM
only 22 hp lost for a 4 cyc with 1400+kg? 
wow thats almost the same as a V6 mtx 6?
amazing!
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1> Vehicle weight plays no role in HP or WHP.
2> Acura tends to under-rate their cars horsepower, so it's not that it only lost 22hp, it's that it started with more than 200 at the crank.
 
#19 ·
Originally posted by Sigma@Oct 19 2005, 12:41 AM
2>  Acura tends to under-rate their cars horsepower, so it's not that it only lost 22hp, it's that it started with more than 200 at the crank.
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If that's true, why did the SAE standard drop their horsepower ratings so much (in some cars)? Seems to me that if they had so much wiggle room, this wouldn't have happened- especially in cars touting nice round numbers, such as the RSX's 200hp. I do agree they are strong motors, but something doesn't add up.
 
#20 ·
Originally posted by Trouble1986@Oct 18 2005, 05:47 AM
The 6 is a better car IMO.
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I've just purchased a 2005 Mazda Luxury Hatch (2.3L) ..I traded a 2003 Honda Accord Euro (Your TSX) and a 2004 Mazda3 SP23 Hatch in on the Mazda6.
Yes the Mazda6 is better to drive, now with 6 speed manual. My Honda was a liitle like driving a fridge...no character at all. It had 18" wheels and handled well but the steering was a dead ...the Mazda has 18" wheels and the same Sumitomo HTRZII tyres...it is just so much more involving to drive. It has more torque and is more responsive.

The Mazda6 is really my wife's car but it looks pretty smart. Daridari (from OZ)
 
#23 ·
WOuldn't a mazdaspeed 6 be a better comparison to the TSX considering the price. Then you have the same money but one is a luxury car and one is perfomance car.

Otherwise, I can not see how a different head light and one more gear (just means you shift more) is worth $6000.
 
#24 ·
Originally posted by Sigma@Oct 18 2005, 11:41 PM
1>  Vehicle weight plays no role in HP or WHP.
2>  Acura tends to under-rate their cars horsepower, so it's not that it only lost 22hp, it's that it started with more than 200 at the crank.
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Actually, that's not really true


There was a recent article on the hp vs whp thing, and most imports, toyota and honda cars targeted, were somewhat "overrated".

Technically...they weren't overrated. It's just that the domestics in the comparison were "underrated"

But yeah, Acura didn't underrate anything. The RSX actually dropped in hp, the TSX only increased to 205 SAE HP because they modified a few things like the intake. The TL and RL dropped in power as well.