SWMBOs new ride

Picked up from the dealer today with 19 miles. 2018 Acura TLX 2.4 w/Tech Package. Fathom Blue Pearl paint. SWMBO and I share a hatred for cars in the white/silver/gray/black spectrum, so blue is good.

Spent my afternoon installing a Curt hitch, the lift for her mobility scooter, and wiring it all up.

Shameless plug. If you need a hitch, buy one from Curt Industries. They're made in the USA, fit right, and are the same or lower price than the other brands. This is my 2nd one. Curt makes a lot of hitches for cars that aren't "supposed" to have hitches, and their product is high quality. In this case, they were the only manufacturer that had already certified that their hitch for the '14-'17 TLX would also fit the 2018 - a car that's only been on sale for a month.

Back to the car. There are so many buttons, switches and screens that I'll never figure out, but SWMBO likes the toys. It's not fast (she got the I-4) but the power is smooth and seamless. I was going 85 on the freeway before I realized!

Yup, it's a really fancy Accord, but with far more goodies than are even available in the top-spec Honda. She likes it.

I'll happily be her passenger.

85mph on the highway in Las Vegas? How many cars were piled up behind you, you rolling road block?

In reply to joey48442:

During rush hour, one is lucky to go 45 on the freeway!

Oh, and it's almost always rush hour.

More info on the scooter stuff, please-if it is acceptable to ask for that.

(I have a TSX, and a MIL with a scooter, and I want to install a hitch anyways)

Thanks for the info on Curt hitches. Especially that they are made in the US.

This thread is relevant to my interests. We're in the first stages of shopping a replacement for DW's owned-since-new 2004 TSX, and the TLX will be one of our first stops, based on our very positive history with the TSX. I'd love to hear your impressions and experiences.

Hey Duke, what's the time frame on selling the TSX? I'm looking for a first car for my girlfriends younger sister, one of these certainly checks all the boxes and buying from a GRMer is always better, and you're local.

I'm also very pleased with Curt hitches. I've bought both the gooseneck and the traditional hitches and they've all been top notch.

Ah, but does Curt offer a hitch for the scooter? Then I'll be impressed.

Sonic wrote: Hey Duke, what's the time frame on selling the TSX? I'm looking for a first car for my girlfriends younger sister, one of these certainly checks all the boxes and buying from a GRMer is always better, and you're local.

Undecided, but if it goes, probably in about 6 months. The thing is, I am driving a 2003 325i with twice the mileage that is in need of all the things a post-100k BMW needs. I'm trying to decide whether it makes sense to maximize returns and sell the TSX and spend a little on the E46, or just dump the BMW as is and enjoy another 3-4 trouble free years out of the Acura.

The TSX is an automatic, if that matters.

In reply to mtn:

We exclusively use products from Pride Mobility. She started with Pride, then tried some others like Bruno, but we like Pride the best.

Once the hitch is installed, installing the lift is fairly simple. The lift comes 95% assembled, you just add the proper bits based on the size of the receiver (1 1/4" or 2") and the height of the receiver from the ground.

The toughest part is running the power cable up to the battery. On her old Accord, it was easier, just followed the fuel lines. The Acura has a smooth underside for aero and it was a bit tougher, but I made it work.

I feel as strongly about products from Pride Mobility as I do about Curt hitches.

Thanks for the tip - I am now looking at a Curt hitch for my T&C. For some reason the Class 2 hitch is about 25% more expensive than the Class 3 hitch for the same vehicle.

pinchvalve wrote: Ah, but does Curt offer a hitch for the scooter? Then I'll be impressed.

Don't need one! There is an accessory mounting point on the back of most mobility scooters already! It's commonly used for O2 bottle carriers, cane carriers, etc. Works great for a trailer as well.

Duke wrote: Thanks - I am now looking at a Curt hitch for my T&C. For some reason the Class 2 hitch is about 25% more expensive than the Class3 hitch for the same vehicle.

Maybe because there's not much call for a Class II hitch when a Class III is available? Honestly, if you have the choice, I can't think of why you'd want a II instead of a III. Most everything is geared towards a 2" receiver, finding stuff for the 1.25" is more difficult.

In reply to Duke:

We are looking for something sooner than that, thanks though. In your shoes I'd probably keep the TSX and unload the BMW, you still have the manic Miata for fun times for now.