Acura Camshaft

First Drive: 2004 Acura TSX - Part 1

Dave Gardner, National Manager for Acura Canada, is worried that RSX, EL and Integra owners are looking elsewhere when it comes time to move up to a compact sports sedan. "We want to stop the migration of Integra, RSX and EL owners to European brands," he said at the North American introduction of the TSX in Hollywood, California. 

A quick look around the Honda universe convinced Acura North America representatives that the European/Japanese style Accord (which is completely different from the recently-redesigned North American one) would make a perfect Acura sports sedan...with a few modifications. Acura threw in a 200 horsepower VTEC 2.4 litre four banger, a 6-speed manual with a lightweight magnesium housing, standard 17 inch wheels and performance tires, and added a full complement of luxury interior goodies - and renamed the car, Acura TSX. 

"The Acura TSX is designed to attract European intenders who might otherwise shop for cars like the BMW 3-Series, Audi A4, Mercedes-Benz C240, Lexus IS300, Saab 9-3 or VW Passat," said Gardner. "Buyers in this segment want styling, a car that's fun-to-drive with good handling characteristics." 

Great idea, really. While the European Honda Accord is too small and sporty to be a North American Honda family sedan, it's perfect as a mid-range Acura sports sedan. And though it is smaller than our Accord, it is bigger than the current BMW 3-Series - its primary rival according to Gardner.

At the test track: Driving the Hyundai Equus sedan

Last year, when Hyundai moved upscale with its Genesis luxury sedan, the question was: would anyone pay about ,000 for a South Korean car? The answer was "yes." This fall, Hyundai is upping the ante again, with its ,000+ full-sized Equus ultra-luxury sedan.

For ,888, Ita s NSX - Extreme Makeover Edition [Nice Price Or Crack Pipe]

For ,888, Ita s NSX - Extreme Makeover Edition Everybody is enamored with the NSX, Acura's ode to aluminum.

Best Rated SUV for 2010

If you are thinking about buying the best rated SUV, now is the time. In this new year, reputed car companies have introduced some good brands of SUVs.