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Sedans Acura TSX Acura TSX
5068 messages, Last post on Nov 17, 2008 at 10:59 AM
You are in the Acura TSX Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
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TSX NAV plusses: -> integrated with other car functions (i.e. "clean" appearance) -> don't have to buy a separate unit that must be placed on the dash -> works well. TSX NAV minuses: -> $2000 option -> integrated with other car functions (i.e. if it fails, you may not be able to control the radio or HVAC) -> will become outdated as built-in NAV systems become more technologically advanced -> NAV data and maps must be routinely upgraded to stay up-to-date. Updates are available for $185 at http://www.acuranavi.com/ -> Can't be moved to other cars. An in-car automatic navigation system is a very useful tool. Certainly much more efficient and robust than paper maps. The thing you need to decide is whether you want the portability of the Garmin so it can be used in all of your cars, or if you prefer the clean, integrated appearance of the factory-installed system. And of course, is it worth $2000? I own a Garmin GPS V and have been quite satisfied with it for several years. When I bought the TSX, I opted not to NAV, since the TSX is a car I use more often where I'm familiar with the streets. For most trips to unfamiliar places, I drive a different car that doesn't have built-in NAV, so I use the GPS V. |
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Replying to: mbenson3 (Jun 17, 2005 8:20 am) First, Acura's nav system is built by Alpine and Acura holds certain patents that are not used in Alpine's other nav units. Most of the after market units look a lot like a radio with a panel that ejects and positions itself in front of the unit. These type of units are designed with either a single DVD drive (which is necessary for it to operate) or a DVD and a CD drive combo. The advantage of the combo is that the required DVD is always in place and you're able to play your CDs. The TSX has the DVD drive in the trunk and the in dash CD player takes up to 6 CDs. Of the after market nav that we located there was only one that fit into the dash much like OEM nav. Fortunately, it was one that had a DVD and CD drive combo. When we got down to the actual operation of the unit the TSX's nav was far superior. It is by far more intuitive and the voice command is great (though it does take a little getting use to.) Don't buy on price because a guy I spoke with who deals with insurance companies replacing stolen electronics made an excellent point about the after market nav--or any in dash electronics for that matter. He said that he's been in business for 20 years (I can verify his place has been there at least that long) and thieves steal the after market nav systems. Unfortunately, they steal just the screen and control part and leave the brains of the system. This means you have a worthless piece of equipment as does the thief. In all his years he said that thieves haven't stolen a single OEM nav systems that he's aware of (he's well known in the Los Angeles area--besides he was steering us away from buying from him and buying from the dealer). In fact that is why he recommended buying the nav unit that looked most like the OEM nav so it would discourage most thieves. Acura's nav is better (IMHO) than the others. If you buy an after market your buying a second rate system that is more likely to be stolen. |
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Replying to: mbenson3 (Jun 17, 2005 8:20 am) I did give very serious consideration to the Garmin 2630, but finally decided to try the PDA approach. Of course, I don't yet know if it will meet my expectations but am optimistic that it will. I am sure that the Garmin unit is better, but not sure that the difference justifies spending 4-5 times the cost of the PocketMap. I'll make another post after I have received the unit and given it a fair trial.
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I have a 2004 Milano red TSX with less than 16,000 km (10,000 miles) and have been noticing that the paint on the front end of my car is chipping away. I have been to the dealership and showed them the car and was told by the service rep that this was the worst case of chipping he had seen. The service department contacted Honda and I was told that their stance is normal wear and tear. I washed the car after the winter and there was no problem. But after the thaw I started noticing white spots on the hood like someone threw a handful of salt on the front end of my car. There are no dents where the paint has been removed. It seems like the paint is being chipped away by the sand on the road (I live in Montreal). I'm going to start filing a complaint with Honda myself to see what happens. I don't feel that a car thats not even a year old should have rust forming on the hood. I owned a 99 EL and it looked brand new after four years compared to my new TSX. What should I do? Who should I contact? Has anyone else seen this problem? Are there any test to prove that there is a paint defect? Could anyone help me out with this? |
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Replying to: ronabi (Jun 17, 2005 8:48 pm) As good as the units are they do not come close to Acura's nav system. Even the little things like "telling" it to find an ATM machine is a convenience that the hand units don't have. Once you understand giving verbal commands its safer than taking your attention off the road to program the nav unit. Also, the resale on a vehicle with a nav unit is going to be considerably higher as well easier to sell. It's still too earlier to tell exactly what those resale figures will be, but all indicators suggest that the nav unit is a good investment and will provide a good return. |
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Replying to: storyman (Jun 18, 2005 7:23 am) Leasing companies know this and assign lower residual value percentages for vehicles with nav.
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Replying to: 307web (Jun 18, 2005 8:44 am) My preference is not to lease unless it is through a corporation for tax purposes. The only exception I've seen are those few individuals who worked for the auto maker's corp. office. They get a sweet deal on leases. Of course this is just an opinion and it really depends on an individual's lifestyle to say if a lease is a good idea or not. I've had too many friends who have been stung at the end of a lease because of mileage or revised resale value. On the point of shelling out 2 grand on the hopes of higher resale value I completely agree with you. However, I don't agree with your estimation of a few hundred dollars on resale. Most drivers who don't currently have an OEM nav system don't know of their value/use. As word spreads on its value the demand on a used vehicle with nav will likely increase--in my estimation. As for after market nav systems they really don't compare to the OEM that is in the TSX. Yes, they will get you from point A to point B. If that is all you need then the after market solution is a good fit. If you like the amenities, like voice control and voice navigation, then OEM is a better idea. It seems that your decisions are based on $$$, while mine is based on convenience of use. It still comes down to lifestyle.
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Replying to: 307web (Jun 18, 2005 8:44 am) |
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Just for laughs, I went to the Edmunds Used Car Appraiser and punched in a 2002 Acura TL in my zip code. The resale value of the navigation system was $887 on trade-in, $945 for private party, and $1,157 for dealer retai. Thus, the resale is bad from the standpoint that the navigation system's value depreciates more than the overall vehicle. That's not surprising since that holds true for accessories in general. However, the resale value is more than just a few hundred dollars after three years. The other thing I've noticed is that sometimes it's easier to unload a vehicle with the navigation system. Ultimately, the navigation system isn't a significant value-add for resale, and one buys it because one needs it or wants it. The Acura navigation system is probably the best stock system in the industry, and it has significant advantages over portable systems. If you're certain you don't want it, don't get it and save your money. If you THINK you want it, go ahead and get it. It's your money, your preferences. I have seen MANY Acura buyers who were on the fence, regret not purchasing their vehicle with the navigation system. A number of Acura forums have the common question of whether they can get the factory system refitted to their vehicle (no). I have seen very, very few navigation system buyers regret getting it. Usually the main complaint is that Acura is slow in releasing recent mapping updates. E.g. Alpine will release map updates for its own systems but Acura's updates will lag a year or two behind. That may affect folks who drive in fast-growing areas.
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Replying to: wmquan (Jun 18, 2005 11:12 am) The original post called nav an "investment" you should buy to increase resale value. Clearly it adds much less than the original cost so it is a money loser. Most or all leasing companies have a lower residual percentage for vehicles with nav for that reason. Nav and only a few other options have this problem (mostly other expensive options that add little resale value such as rear seat entertainment centers). Most other options do not hurt the residuals.
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