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[vtecstyl3z]

2004 Acura TSX
Sporty new sedan from Honda's European market.

By Sam Moses

Introduction

Acura felt it should have a car to compete with the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4, so it came up with the TSX, an intriguing car that does much with little. It starts with a European Honda Accord, slightly smaller than ours, including the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, and adds impeccable execution all the way to your driveway. That execution is what the TSX pits against the benchmark BMW 325.

Honda's 200-horsepower engine boasts a broad torque curve that responds immediately to the drive-by-wire throttle and quick work with its sweet gearbox. The suspension dances to the tune of a European sports sedan. The brakes scrub off triple-digit speeds without drama and the pedals are set up well for effortless heel-and-toe braking and downshifting. For an enthusiast, the 2004 Acura TSX eliminates the lust for European-market cars.


Model Lineup

The lineup for the Honda TSX couldn't be simpler. There is a choice of a six-speed manual gearbox or a five-speed automatic with Sequential Sport Shift, for $26,490. The only option is a $2000 navigation system, in which Acura takes pride: it's intuitive, thorough and fairly easy to operate.

Notable standard equipment includes a 200-horsepower version of the 2.4-liter double-overhead-cam iVTEC engine, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with traction control, 17-inch alloy wheels with V-rated performance tires, perforated leather seating, side curtain airbags, moonroof, HID headlights, and 360-watt Acura premium audio system with six-disc CD changer and eight speakers.

[vtecstyl3z]

2004 Nissan Maxima
The original U.S.-sized sport sedan gets serious.

By Phil Berg

Introduction

The all-new 2004 Nissan Maxima is quick and stylish. With the Altima assuming the role of a bigger, more powerful car, the Maxima has moved up market to a pricier position. The latest Maxima is intended to dazzle its driver with refinement and available equipment, and it will likely sell to a fraction of the number of buyers who like the popular Altima.

So the Maxima makes no apologies for what it can't do: It's really no place for children, it looks weird from some angles, and it's not any quicker than the Altima.

That's just fine by us. We like the Maxima's unique, highly styled personality and we like its focus on performance. The sporty Maxima SE rides smoothly and quietly, while the more luxurious Maxima SL rides more softly. Cruising on the highway is effortless and Nissan's 265-horsepower V6 delivers responsive performance for quick passes. Maxima's interior is innovative and comfortable with seats that are supportive and luxurious. The interesting Skyview roof, a glass panel running lengthwise over the front and rear seats, is the sort of feature associated with futuristic concept cars. Also interesting are the available rear bucket seats. Together, these features make back-seat riders feel like full-fledged adult passengers.


Model Lineup

Two models of Nissan Maxima are available: 3.5 SE and 3.5 SL. Maxima SE is aimed at the driving enthusiast, while Maxima SL is more luxurious.

SE ($26,950) comes with a choice of six-speed manual transmission or five-speed automatic (same price). SE comes standard with a firmer suspension and larger 18-inch wheels and tires, as well as the unique Skyview fixed roof window that stretches from between the front seat passengers to the rear seat area.

SL ($28,900) comes with a four-speed automatic. SL comes standard with leather heated seats and a stereo with more capability, as well as a softer ride on its 17-inch wheels and tires. SL also comes loaded with features that are options on the SE.

You can upgrade your SE to have the fancy stereo and all the luxury items that are standard on the SL, but you can't turn your SL into more of a driver's car with the bigger wheels and stiffer suspension. Maxima SE options packages: Sensory Package ($2350) includes the fancy stereo heated leather seats and a four-way power front-passenger seat (all standard on SL). SE Driver Preferred Package ($3550) adds the Sensory Package contents, plus rear spoiler, xenon headlights, driver memory system including steering wheel, outside mirrors and driver’s seat, power tilt/telescopic steering wheel, electric folding mirrors, driver seat power lumbar support, power entry/exit seat (A/T only) and heated steering wheel. To the above, the SE Journey Package ($5550) adds DVD navigation system with 7-inch color center display to SE models with automatic transmissions. The SE Elite Package ($6400) adds two-passanger rear seating, rear center console, auto up/down rear windows, rear power sunshade with front and rear controls, heated rear seats and rear 12V power point to the above.

Similar packages are available for the Maxima SL at much lower prices.

Vehicle Dynamic Control ($900) is available for both models. A limited-slip front differential ($350) is available for the SE. A conventional sunroof ($900) is also available.

[vtecstyl3z]

2004 Mazda RX8



By Daniel F. Carney

On Sale: June/July 2003
Expected Pricing: Less than $37,000

The 2004 Mazda RX-8 will make its debut in showrooms in June or July 2003. Mazda RX-8 will reintroduce the rotary engine, but in a more affordable, practical package than the RX-7.

The RX-8 will use a new, normally aspirated version of the rotary engine rated at 250 horsepower; the proposed engine is 30 percent lighter and smaller than the engine used in the RX-7. Unlike the third-generation RX-7, the RX-8 will not be turbocharged, making its engine less costly. Mazda hasn't decided on a price for the RX-8, but the company pledges that is will be less than the $37,000 price tag on the RX-7 when it last sold in this country.

Poor fuel economy and high levels of exhaust pollution have been challenges for the rotary engine in the past, but the RX-8 rotary engine features a new design that Mazda says will boost economy and clean up emissions. The redesigned engine will also feature a sporty low-pitched exhaust rumble, instead of the rotary engine's more typical high-pitched drone, Mazda executives said.

As before, the compact engine is mounted in the front of the car, but behind the front axle, to provide perfect 50/50 front/rear weight distribution for ideal handling characteristics. A new oil pan, half as deep as the sump on the RX-7, allows the engine to sit lower in the car, contributing to a lower center of gravity for better handling. A six-speed gearbox transmits power to the rear wheels, adding to the RX-8's sports car credentials.

The car's final weight has not been determined, but the company has aggressively trimmed mass from the RX-8 concept using aluminum and plastic for body panels and even installing a carbon composite driveshaft. Double-wishbone suspension (also known as unequal length control arm suspension) and large-diameter disc brakes reside at all four corners, boosting expectations that the RX-8 will put smiles on the faces of drivers who value responsive handling.

To broaden the car's appeal, Mazda has packed sedan-like interior space into the RX-8, squeezing that space under a coupe-styled exterior. The company boasts that the 10-cubic-foot trunk area will accommodate a pair of size 67 Samsonite suitcases. Access to the relatively spacious rear seat is through a pair of rear-hinged suicide doors, similar to the third door on the Saturn coupe.

While this design makes the RX-8 unquestionably more flexible than the RX-7, the jury is out on whether the resulting styling will be popular with prospective customers. Sports car and coupe buyers are a fashion-conscious lot after all.

The styling is notably smoother and more attractive than the RX-EVOLV concept, which foreshadowed some of the RX-8's styling themes when it debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1999. RX-8 is slightly reminiscent of the styling of Mazda's MX-3 2+2 coupe of the early '90s. The view from the rear looks a bit like a Miata with the optional hardtop in place.

The high roofline that gives the RX-8 its slightly hunchbacked profile provides headroom for adult rear-seat passengers. That space, combined with the ease of entry and exit through the rear doors will make the RX-8 a practical sports car. It remains to be seen whether sports car buyers care about rear seat room, or whether driving enthusiasts who need a back seat would rather choose a traditional sport sedan with even more space and comfort. We'll find out.

[S15-guy]

the RX-8 seems to be the sporties of them all, my pick!

[karasac]

rotary power!!!

[CapSule]

[vtecstyl3z]

no love for my acura LOL..... i dont like that tsx ... i liked da rsx haha!!

[|[ .tainted. ]|]

rx8

maxima [i've seen one and it has a funny commercial ] then the tsx

i don't get the silver thing in the interior of the rx8 though... is that alloy?

[S15-guy]

doubt it, would make it heave and more expensive, its probably that plastic-chrome shit :S

[Alex]

The 2004 Mazda RX-8 is cheap!! For the reputation Mazda's rotary engines have I would expect a higher price tag than $37,000!

[ViperGTS-R]

That skyroof thing on the '04 Maxima is a marketing gimmick...If you can't even open it, why bother putting it there in the first place?

Bah...Gimme an RX8 and shut up!

[awddrifter]

Ive heard rumors of a new rx-7 coming out after the rx-8 sometime... anyone have any news or pics on this??

[karasac]

no pics that i have seen

[S15-guy]

[GoFastLookSlow]

[S15-guy]

[|[ .tainted. ]|]

AN FD WITH A RENESIS!? wowwwwwww... that's like my dream come true
turbo or not... kinda like having no turbo... since turbo can usually be implemented...

[S15-guy]

[karasac]

the thing about the renisis is it only has 162 lb/ft torque, and the 13B-REW has 217, so putting a renisis in an fd would make it more reliable,not more powerful

[|[ .tainted. ]|]

i'm not really about having power anyway... so it suits me well

[GoFastLookSlow]

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf...A256CB6007C3918


Theres a link with some insight on the next gen RX7.

[TRD-hachi-roku]

does torque mean reliability?
i thought that torque was what turns ur car...hmmm.....

[netbizkit]

[netbizkit]

[S15-guy]