I know it might be the wrong forum to ask for an unbiased opinion, but I thought I would try anyway.

I'm having a hard time deciding between 2 cars.

Used 2005 MCS fully loaded. It's beautiful, but the seller wants $30k (+$1k for shipping). It has Perfect Power ECU, Mitek exhaust, springs, control arms. It has 210hp.

Or, I can spend $1,500 more and get a 2005 TL auto with Navi.

Or, I can save $4,000 and get a 2006 TSX auto with Navi.

The practical side says that I should go with the TL, but the other side says MCS.

Is the MCS safe to put a baby in the back seat? Side impact issues on the MCS? Reliability issues? Warranty with a modified car?

Help me decide...

 

I went w/ the MCS over the others.
I lease, so its a bit different. I was looking to save $, but I want something fun to drive to work everyday(which is 15mins each way).
I also drive 90%+ of the time alone.
The TSX would have cost the same monthly payment... but its got no soul.
TL is kinda the same way. I'm coming from a 330i, so they are both kind of a step down. The mini seemed like a move in an entirely different direction.

The baby issue.
I was #6 on the list for a year at my local mini dealer, and bagged at the end and got the 330i. I thought the back seat was not safe enough to put my kids in. Well.. I've changed my mind. My kids are 6 & 5 and the 1yr old will probably not be getting in it much.

I think you should be looking at a stock MCS, not a used one w/ mods.
Have you driven one yet???

 

If I had kids, I'd pick the TL. Nothing against the MINI. I just like the TL and believe (maybe incorrectly) that it has a better safety rating. However, don't forget the MINI is thought of as "the safest small car on the world's highways" by AAA.

 

For a baby, in a car seat, I'd forego the MCS if that were my only means of transportation. If the MCS is a second car with occasional baby duites, go for it, but remember that the ride is harsh, and that isn't necessarily a good thing for the very young.

 

Side impact is OK with the MC/MCS as they have a very stiff structure, side airbags and side curtain air bags.

If you're looking for a car to put a baby in all the time, don't bother with the MINI, unless you're good at yoga or something :P

Like others said, if you do have another car for weekday/baby duties, definitely consider the MCS, it is more fun than the TL. But if its going to be your only car, the TL is a great choice! Nicely equipped, lots of power, handles decently for a relatively big car. Still, its no MINI in the bends, hehe.

 

Agree. We have a 2004 TL and a 2005 MCSC. They are both good cars, but different cars. We're long past baby responsibilities, but I remember long ago trying to get my young colicy son to fall asleep -- we'd take him for a drive. Can't imagine anyone falling asleep while riding in a MINI!

 

My brother just got a TSX and its a nice car. Not so sure the TL would be worth the extra 5-6K. Drive them both.

How young is your baby, and do you have another car?
I agree w/ those here, that if its your only car, then no MCS.
And putting a kid in a car seat would be a serious pain in the neck... literally.

My older kids can get in and buckle themselves in. They also recently started liking taking hi speed, hi G turns.

 

I drove a new TL and it was very underwhelming. After all it is based on the current US Honda Accord platform and they are both built in the same Honda plant in Marysville, Ohio.

Actually, the Honda Accord drives nicer than the TL and has better side impact ratings that its more expensive TL sibling (www.iihs.org) both equipped with standard side airbags.

The TSX is the European/Asian Honda Accord. A finely crafted car that has no soul and at the end of the day is just another overpriced Honda. The TSX was brought over to entice customers that were turned off by the Buick-isque US Honda Accord and US Acura TL.

The MINI is a superior drive no matter how you cut it and slice it. To me a new MCS over a TSX or even a TL is a no brainer, children and all.

 

Another reason why I don't like the TSX and TL is that these cars are front wheel drivers. At that price point, I would seriously consider the new BMW 3 series with its RWD layout, 50/50 weight balance and superior road manners to any Acura automobile (With the exception of the new AWD RL sedan and the ancient NSX sports car, which would be equals at least).

If the TL and TSX were both rear wheel drivers, those would be palatable choices, but those cars are just aimed and marketed to recalcitrant Honda/Acura lovers that don't know any better or refuse to leave towards superior choices in the market like the Infiniti RWD sedans/coupes or the Bimmers.

The TL is built right here in the US and the TSX is built in Suzuka, Japan, home of the Acura RSX coupe.

 

I own a 2004 TSX 6MT non-navi and my wife owns a 2005 MCS 6MT, sport, premium. I like driving her car now and then, its fun and handles well, but I enjoy the refinement of my car much much more. More comfortable seats, power adjustment, better AC, much better speaker system.

You sound like you've never driven a TSX. There's a reason its a C&D 10 Best 2 years running, it has tons of soul. Its sporty and nimble, unlike the US Accord or new TL. It can't handle like a MCS because of the weight difference, but it is probably better than any 4-door sedan out there except the 3-series, which costs far far more.

My TSX cost less than my wife's MCS, if you're talking about overpriced FWDs, point the finger at MINI first. The TSX also costs less than a fully equipped Accord, and its probably 5-6k less than a comparablely equipped 3-series or Infiniti G35.

 

I have an 03 MCS as a weekend/track car. I never put my kids in it, not for safety reasons, but because it is a major pain to get them in and out. Especially if they fall asleep.

Forget about putting an infant seat in. It will fit, but it's a major chore to wrestle it in.

 

Nothing wrong with either the TSX or the TL.

My wife had a TL and it was a good alternative to the more dowdy Mommy-mobiles out there. We were able to get the kids and their stuff in it fairly easily. It also struck a good balance between comfort and moderate performance and gave us no problems while we owned it.

I have driven a friend's TSX and found it to be a blast on the curves. A true sleeper. It's too bad it's styling isn't a bit more exciting. The quality of the interior appointments of the TSX puts the Mini to shame.

 

Just my 2 cents. Drove the TL...never could find a 6spd to try so I passed...seems like a nice car...the TSX has no torque unless u wind the heck out of it...sorry, driving day in and day out full bore is not my idea of fun...prefer some lowdown grunt....the Mini has this (at least the 05's)...Honda makes a nice car but their obsession with only making HP over 4k makes no sense to me...that said, if u have kids, the MCs would be a royal pain. Try an 05 3 series with 6 spd and no options....the 06's have been too Bangleized for my taste

 

Did you read my post? I said the TSX is a "Finely crafted" automobile but it has no soul. Yes I drove it and it is nice and smooth but it just doesn't get my juices flowing. Ditto for the TL.


I owned nothing but Hondas and Acuras for 12 years so I am well acquinted with these cars, their pluses and minuses.

The MINI is the best FWD handling car in the planet. And if you option one conservatively, you will be well under $25K for a brand new '05 MCS which beats the TSX in handling and driving fun anyday of the week.

Honda/Acura needs to understand that RWD is not only meant for 2 seat sports cars and their image in the sport/luxury car market would be greatly improved if they started offering cars with RWD/AWD (Which is what attracts most buyers in that market segment) and engines that make grunt at lower RPMs. Also please fix the styling, please.

Having said all this, I find it interesting that the original poster is cross shopping 2 Acuras with a car that is vastly different (The MINI). I have seen more Acura RSX vs MINI comparisons than any of the latter.

 

A one or two year old E46 would be my choice over a TL or TSX. The MCS is too expensive used. I would buy a new one for a little more and mod it myself.

OP, what are your reasons for each car? Each seems to be in a different class or target market.

 

Just my 2 cents, but I really like that Honda makes cars that you have to rev to get power. I had an Integra and have driven pretty much every other Honda / Acura out there and the great thing is durring normal driving they sip fuel and will last forever, then when you need to go you simply put the hammer down and the car will rev like crazy and you will shoot down the road.

I just got my Mini and look forward to putting a baby seat in the back in a couple of years. It might be a pain, but it will be worth it. Like many others have said Hondas just lack the soul that the Mini has.

 

Just go crazy and get a G35 coupe!!!

 

First of all, the MCS and TL/TSX are very different, it is so hard to make a comparison. Things are getting more and more difficult everyday, what is next? Uhmmm, should I buy a Suburban or a MCScA?

But again, you have your options, and I respect that. I drove both TL and TSX and really like them both. If it was upto me would go with a TL. The navigation on the TL is state-of-art and the car is well-built. But would I buy an Acura? Absolutely not. I would definetely look at a new BMW, and of course an AUDI. The new A4 with the 2.0T is awesome. You can get one at low $30,000.00. Maybe an A3, around $25,000.00 range. So, if you are about to purchase a car at that range, do not limit yourself with Acuras or Hondas, ther is more to that.

My honest opion, MCS RULESSSSSS

Good Luck

 

i think you need to first get your priorities straight. then your candidates won't be wide spread like comparing apples, sheep, and donkeys or something.... :impatient

 

Hey XX911XX I was in the same boat you're currently in a month ago. My top picks were the Acura TSX and Mini Cooper S as well.

I actually really like the interior and exterior styling of the TSX, it's really clean and orderly. Almost anti-septic which is probably why a lot of people here are saying it has no soul. I actually only sat in the TSX and test drove the RSX. The base RSX with 160hp seemed to have enough giddyup for around the town tooling, but definitely not a hooligans toy. I'd imagine the TSX has the same high rpm horsepower delivery but at 200hp the TSX would still be a hoot to drive. I think if I had a baby I'd probably have ordered the TSX instead of my MCS.

However I am single with no children or wife and my income allows me to have multiple vehicles.

The MCS is the modern day mustang. It has aftermarket parts coming from everywhere and is easily modified to have over 200hp. Its handling rivals cars that cost 10 to 30k more. It IS a rougher ride than most subcompact and compact cars though. The sport suspension is a firm but not bouncy ride. It is a very safe ride though. Have a look at this:

http://www.bridger.us/2002/12/16/Cra...operVsFordF150

The clincher for my decision was the test drive. My general impression of my Acura's is, "ooh it's nice" and "I'm scared I'm gonna break it". My impression of the Mini Cooper S was "Wheeeeeeeeee!" and "I love this car!" I couldn't stop smiling and laughing as I test drove the Mini. I actually told my friend who rode with me that it was more fun than riding motorcycles which I love and have been doing for 13 years. It was like hanging out with an old best friend. But that was me. Everyone may have a different experience when they drive a Mini for the first time.

Everyone is right, these are two totally different cars. The TSX is practical and sporty with a dosh of prestige. The Mini is rebellious and point and click quick with an exotic prestige. The TSX is by no means boring, but its also not a performance machine. Its aftermarket parts are very limited. You can make the car look really sporty, but you'd have to do a lot to it and spend a lot to make it fast.

I think the Mini clinched it for me because it is unique but not so exotic that it would stick out like a ferrari. It is sporty but not ridiculously to the point of sacrificing fuel economy and ride comfort. It actually is very economical as it is one of the few supercharged cars that can get up to 30mpg. Being able to customize the car to the point that the chances of you having the exact same Mini as another person are 1 in 100000 is awesome.

For a single person like me in this stage of my life the Mini Cooper S is the perfect car for me. 5 years down the road with a wife and kid.... I think I'd need to pick up something extra for the wife and kids.

One things for sure though, I wouldn't recommend buying a modded mini. You don't know what they've done to it and if these mods have caused problems. Also, the warranty might be void due to these mods. My brand new MCSa cost about $3,000 less than the price you listed. $3k can buy a lot of mods. Just think about that.

With the current gas prices I woulnd't even consider the TL unless I really liked it. It's not a bad looking car, cut I'd rather go for an Infiniti rather than the TL if I were in the market for a sporty V6 grand tourer.

Hope this helps.

--pyratio

 

good statement



hey kenchan,

you drive a G35 coupe right? My sister is considering it, could you possibly gimme some feedback?thx

 

I own a 1999 TL, had it for 6 years and now trading it in for a mini. After owning the TL for 6 years, I would say it's an Ok car. I will never get another TL again though because it's just so plain, no style to me. It understeers alot, not much power even for a 3.2 225 horsepower car. The mini S can go faster than the TL from 0-60. The TL is a family car and if I wanted another family car, I would get the WRX for speed, or Evo8 for speed/handling.
In the end, without being to bias, I say all 3 cars are great choices. They are all great depending on your needs. My need now is for a smaller car with unique looks (everyone's taste is different) and handling, so i picked a mini.

 

XX911XX, have you driven each car? Plenty of people put their babies in the backseat. You need to be rather nimble to do it, but it is doable. Once you drive all three, let us know your impressions. Happy test-driving!


Clover

 

yep, i'll send you a PM.

 

I believe the new Acura TL is the best selling import sedan in America right now. I also know the TSX sells much better than was expected.

Guess Honda is doing something right.

My personal opinion? I don't like the TSX. It's a great car for $28kor so, but not my style. I have driven the new '04+ Acura TL multiple times,a nd I think it's a great car. I love the styling and I love the way it drives. I think it's a bargain at $33k. I doubt I'd buy one though.

I'd buy a brand new TL before I spent $30k on a used MCS. That seems too high. I'd just buy a brand new loaded MCS for $25k or so and pocket the rest.....or put it into upgrades.