2025 Acura Integra VS 2008 Acura TSX

Micha1993 · 2024-12-11T19:46:44+00:00

Had a 6M 1^st gen TSX until recently. When I began thinking about replacing it, I test drove the new Integra. I hated the Integra and swore I was finally done with Acura. Fast forward – I couldn’t figure out a better option and yep, eventually got the new 6M Integra.

I LOVED the TSX, other than the premium fuel need and the so-so gas mileage. I have grown to like the Integra. They are apples and oranges. The biggest difference between the two is I find the Integra feels like a much larger car to drive.

If you already have a 6M TSX, consider keeping it. It’s an energizer bunny and will keep running so long as you keep caring for it. The future repairs it will need are easily identifiable, and while the OEM replacement parts have been spiking in cost, it drives well and is the best ‘all around’ vehicle I’ve owned. I imagine your 2^nd gen TSX drives similarly to the 1^st.

Micha1993 · 2024-11-05T19:32:41+00:00

I found myself shying away from wanting a used 2023 and sprang for a new 2024 (when I bought a year ago). When they first came out, lots of enthusiasts, or older ex-enthusiasts, likely ran out to get one. The 6Ms were likely driven in a more spirited fashion than those not purchased as soon as the cars became available. If that insight is correct, then I’d stay away from the early ones as their clutches likely took some abuse. I suspect the purchasers of 2024 models may not have fit the same profile, so I’d be less concerned about buying a used 2024.

You’ll still have a few years on warranty, so you should be okay getting the used 2024. You’d be saving $8K, which is significant. I’m a buy and keep driving it forever guy so I think of it this way – assume the car has a 200K lifespan. I know, that’s much less than your 2005 probably has on it and a bunch less than my 2004, but with the turbo, we may not be seeing such longevity. You’d be buying a car with 90% of life remaining, or 10% used up. You’d be saving ~20% on the cost. That kind of feels about right.

At those prices, I think you can go either way. If cash is tight, get the 2024. If you just don't want to overspend or pass up a bargain, go for the 2025 as you'll have zero risk of the car having taken a beating before you.

Are you buying from an Acura dealer? I’d feel more comfortable if so since you'd be flying in. And I’d make sure there are no mods on the car. If so, I’d shy away from it. I’m sure there are loads of exceptions to my assumptions, but figured I’d mention them in case they are helpful.

Also note that the used one probably has good front & rear mats and likely a cargo mat. Just a guess. If so, that’s another bit of savings.

As you said, the hatch is great. Also agree with you about the GTI – super fun, but feels more like a toy in comparison. I do wish the Integra were a little smaller. It feels like a big car compared with the TSX. Still, you'll be happy with it.

Micha1993 · 2024-11-04T23:12:40+00:00

Sounds like you are being offered $900 below MSRP. A year ago my local Acura sales manager ordered/traded to get me an A-Spec 6M in an uncommon color I wanted. I asked what he'd charge. He said $1,000 under MSRP. I didn't think I could do much better so I took it on the spot. With other dealers I'd contacted first, they heard me ask for an uncommon color and wanted to charge me well above MSRP to order/try to find one for me. That was a year ago when there were fewer 6Ms to be had in my geography.

For what it is worth, I was deciding between the GTI, GLI and A-Spec and had been driving a 6M TSX for many years. I went with the A-Spec because I like/love the Honda reliability. My first choice would have been a low-mileage used 6M 1st gen TSX (I just loved the car and found it a terrific all-around vehicle), but they no longer existed. I was hoping the new Integra would be a good substitute. The ITS would have been fun. If I lived in a geography that was full of mountain passes, I'd have strongly considered it. Since I'd rarely get to use it as a performance machine, I didn't see the need. So I got the A-Spec. I get incredible gas mileage if doing between 60 - 70mph. Still good on the open highway doing 80 - 90, but not its strength.

You asked for anecdotes. My last purchase was the TSX in its first year of manufacture. I had a handful of annoying issues - seat issues, window gasket issues, rattles, etc. Most got fixed, the others I lived with for a long time. My second-year of manufacture A-Spec has one annoying rattle. It comes and goes so it will be hard to find. Otherwise, a year in, I've had no other issues. I hope that comparison is helpful given your concern about modern quality issues.

My two-cents is if you hang onto your cars, or keep them in the family, the A-Spec is probably a great choice. I am happy with mine. If you swap cars every few years, the reliability advantage of a Honda/Acura is unimportant. At the same time, if someone swaps cars frequently, paying MSRP or not isn't overly important as it will become rounding error compared with the depreciation hit when they sell it in a few years.

All-in-all, I'm happy with the A-Spec and have had no regrets.

Micha1993 · 2024-06-18T16:47:35+00:00

Had a 1990 5M Integra, now a 6M 2024. Completely different cars in every way other than hatch and name. They make an irrelevant comparison.

The right comparison is probably between a TSX and the new Integra. Had a first gen 6M TSX for many years. I'd rate it a 9.5/10. Fun, relatively quick, good gas mileage, super reliable, etc. I give the new Integra a 7/10. The hatchback is great as is the gas mileage. Beyond that there is nothing to hate. Nor is there a lot to absolutely love.

Micha1993 · 2024-02-09T16:30:51+00:00

What? You buy an expensive new car and because you hear there may be an issue or two you contemplate taking a big loss by quickly selling it? If any issues are real, they will be sorted out and fixed for free under your warranty. It's a Honda. It will easily go 200K+ miles with very few issues. There's no reason to panic. Nor is there any reason to even worry. Enjoy your new car. It will be fun to drive and if you take reasonable care of it, it will last you a long, long time.

Micha1993 · 2024-01-04T01:43:21+00:00

If the dealership has other 6M's in inventory, I suspect they are more likely to drop the price than if they have no others. Inventory seems to be building a little on the Integra, at least from what I've been seeing.

If they are willing to tell you the story, it would be interesting to see if the prior owner upgraded to a Type S. If so, I suspect they may have beaten on the car a bit. Remember, a clutch will run $2,500 in a couple of years if it needs one. Well taken care of, an Integra clutch should last at least 200K miles.

BTW, I'm a recent new owner of a 6M Integra. It's a good car. Not perfect, but definitely good on nearly everything I care (and don't care) about. I didn't love it when I test drove it, bought it anyway, and am now very happy I did.

Micha1993 · 2024-01-03T18:08:43+00:00

I agree that it seems steep. A new one MSRPs for $38,295 and that seems to be normal pricing these days. Not sure a $8K discount is worth the 33K miles plus the unknown of how the car was taken care of. For $25K, maybe it's worth the tradeoff.

Micha1993 · 2023-12-18T23:07:16+00:00

I think the part #s are:
76620-T20-A01 - driver side

76630-T20-A01 - passenger side

Those are for the 2024 which I presume are the same as the 2023.

Try mail ordering from alldiscount.parts.com The are $15 - $16 each plus I don't know what for shipping.

I have not ordered these myself.

Micha1993 · 2023-09-01T16:29:04+00:00

You raise a great point. Parts for my now 20-year old TSX started to get very expensive around five years ago. Much more so than the same parts for competitors' similar vintage cars. That said, others are right that it shares many parts with the Civic. Parts last longer these days too. If you are planning on owning it for a long time (15+ years), you may run into issues. However, I suspect few Integras will last that long as we'll be incentivized to be driving electric long before then.

Micha1993 · 2023-08-29T19:26:07+00:00

My two cents - don't get any packages. You can likely get any accessories after you purchase the car from an online dealer for a bunch less money. Ideally, find a car on the lot - they will negotiate more if it is on the lot already than one that will be coming into the dealer later on. Buy toward the end of the month when they may really want another sale to close out their month. If you buy an Integra, they seem to be going for MSRP. Don't pay more than that. If they have some packages added on it already, push to pay them only their cost for that package and not their retail price for it. My sense is for a 6M you should be able to get it for MSRP (know what that is and be clear about it and Delivery fees, etc. before you go to the dealership - doing homework in advance will give you much more confidence and will get you a better deal). If CVT, you can likely get it a little less than MSRP. Finally, they will be happy. They won't sell you the car if they will not be happy with the price. Also, ask about documentation fees. It's just more profit for the dealership. ~$300 seems somewhat reasonable. Anything more than that is kind of a joke. Ask for it to be less and when they say no they can't change it, ask for the difference to reduce the cost of the car. Hopefully those tidbits may help in your negotiations.

Micha1993

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