It’s onerous to imagine that twenty years have handed for the reason that Acura TSX sports activities sedan was launched.

On April 3, 2003, the 2004 TSX first went on sale nationwide because the gateway sedan to the Acura model at a recommended retail value of $26,490. It was slotted between the compact RSX three-door coupe and the bigger TL V6 sedan. The TSX’s closest predecessor, the beloved Integra, had been retired a few years prior when Acura moved towards alphanumeric mannequin names throughout all the lineup.

Acura’s Vice President of Company Planning and Logistics, Dan Bonawitz, mentioned on the time, “The TSX is designed to compete head-on with different premium sports activities sedans from Europe and Japan.”

Value noting is that this mannequin was in actuality a badge-engineered model of the European-market seventh-generation Honda Accord, which had already been on sale in world markets. Distinctive to the European lineup was a “Tourer” station wagon variant that by no means got here stateside. From a styling perspective, other than the “H” badge on the grille, it’s onerous to inform the distinction between the Euro Accord and the North American TSX.

The primary-generation “CL9” chassis TSX was assembled in Sayama, Japan. Beneath the hood, energy got here from an aluminum alloy “K24” inline-four motor that generated 200 horsepower, and torque was fed to the entrance wheels by both a five-speed computerized or a six-speed handbook transaxle. The one obtainable possibility, other than dealer-installed equipment, was a $2,000 touch-screen navigation system with voice recognition. A part of the enchantment of the TSX was its absolutely geared up configuration; customary options included dual-zone computerized local weather management, an influence moonroof, high-intensity discharge headlights, and keyless entry.

A mid-model change was utilized in 2006 when the motor acquired an extra 5 horsepower. Beauty enhancements on the time included refreshed remedy for the entrance and rear, fog lamps, and redesigned wheels. On the inside added choices included two-position driver seat reminiscence, an audio jack within the heart console, an data show within the gauge cluster, and bigger buttons and fonts all through the cabin. A very new technology later launched for the 2009 mannequin yr with bigger dimensions each inside and outside.

I’m admittedly Acura-obsessed, so it was solely a matter of time till I wanted to personal and expertise a TSX for myself. The chance offered itself on Christmas week 2022 after I acquired the keys to a buddy’s Arctic Blue Pearl 2006 mannequin whereas on a go to to southern Utah. Though the paint was in sorry form and the odometer confirmed a comparatively excessive 188,000 miles, the automotive ran and drove nicely. Better of all, it got here optioned with each the navigation system in addition to the slick-shifting six-speed handbook.

My “new-to-me” TSX tackled my 400-mile drive residence to Phoenix on Christmas Eve with ease, with its rev-happy K24 powertrain buzzing fortunately between 3,000 and 4,000 rpm at freeway velocity at some point of the trek. Again on the home, I took stock of the service information that accompanied the automotive and did a radical inspection.

Developing, I’ll be addressing the automotive’s wanted beauty restoration and whereas I’m at it, I’d add a manufacturing facility spoiler and another exterior add-ons to the automotive to decorate it up a bit of.

Who would have thought the phrases “restoration” and “Acura TSX” could possibly be utilized in the identical sentence? That is yet one more instance of how the collector-car market is without end evolving because the a long time roll onward. Keep tuned!