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Sedans Acura TSX 2009 Acura TSX
364 messages, Last post on Sep 21, 2009 at 9:27 AM
You are in the Acura TSX Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
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The Bluetooth system works well. The microphone is located next to the sunglasses storage bin on the roof. There is a blue LED light indicating it is working. As soon as the car is turned on, it will connect to my phone. When there is an incoming call, the music will stop, and the speaker will sound the ring tone, which is just a regular telephone ring. The call quality is no better or worse than a regular Bluetooth headset. The car has voice recognition capability, and it can store phone numbers for voice dialing. Some other features and settings are also driven by the voice system. I found myself talking to the car the first day I got it. The voice system can be used for GSP navigation input if the technology package is chosen. The trip computer can show MPG gas mileage, outside temperature, tire pressure, and engine oil life. It has built-in maintenance service reminder. The trip computer display is inside the speedometer, and the needle for the speedometer looks like floating on the gauge, which looks very cool. There is a lot of technology built into this car. Technology is a strong point for Acura cars, and gadget freaks like me will definitely like this car. Some people are intimidated by the number of buttons in the cabin. I joke to my wife the inside is like a space shuttle cockpit. However, I find all the features very easy to use. The fuel economy is very good. Combine highway and local driving can have 26 to 27 MPG. Highway driving should be 32 MPG or even higher. This is as efficient as our Honda Civic. It is hard to find such a fuel efficient car in the luxury sedan segment. However, the manufacturer says premium gas is required to achieve the indicated performance. I do not think gas with lower octane level will hurt. The car we get is the base model of the TSX. It does not have the Technology package, because we do not really need it. Because it is a new model, some Acura dealership do not even want to sell it below the MSRP of $29600 (including $715 destination charge). We cannot negotiate much, so finally we get it for $28700 with free tinted windows ($300 option at the dealership) plus $300 anti-theft option then plus taxes and title. The dealer says the manufacturer is not giving incentives at this moment for them. It is not a bad deal, but next year it probably has a better deal. Overall, I am very satisfied with the purchase of this car. It meets all of our requirements, offers the comfort and performance we need, and it costs thousands of dollars less than its competitors. This car is a great value offered by Acura. It only costs $2000 over a similar configuration Honda Accord, but it packs a lot more quality material, technology, and style. The design looks cool and sharp both inside and out. I like this car more and more, and eagerly wait for the weekend every week for my turn to drive it. |
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I just went through Edmunds article Confession of a Car Salesman. It is so good. It is a 3-hour reading, but it can probably save you thousands. After owning the car for 3 weeks, I like the TSX more and more. In some other Edmunds member's words, this car is growing on me. In order to find out how the 2009 TSX compares to a BMW 328i, I went to a BMW dealership to test drive it. BMW 3-series is the car all magazines saying it defines the entry-level sports car category. So I want to find out what if I get a barebone basic BMW 3 no-thrills instead of an Acura. There is no comparison. This is my first time driving a German car, and it is sooooooo bad   . The interior design of BMW is so outdated, looks like an aged VW car. The leather feels so cheap (hard and rough), I feel like being in a low cost car. I cannot tell the car accelerates faster or handles better than the TSX, maybe only testing device can tell. I feel like I don't know how to drive a German car after driving Japanese cars for 10 years (and some American rental cars). And the sticker price is $39,000 with same equipment and feature of a basic TSX without navigation. I never know you have to pay $800 for a silver paint on a BMW, or you have to pay a $3000+ premium package just for leather seats and other things that are standard in an Acura. Even the iPod adaptor cost $400, a lot more than the iPod itself. I finally know what nickel and dime means  . After some negotiation it is probably still $10k more than what I pay for the TSX. Yes, BMW gives you 4 years of free maintenance, the exterior style is cool, and it is a smaller and more nimble car, and people will fantasize a BMW owner, but give me a break for paying 10k more for a car I don't like. BMW lovers, I am prepared for your hatred comments to my post. You guys just have too much money to spend. I wish my TSX can have the benefit of roominess and comfort of a mid-size car and still have a small car exterior package, but I cannot be too greedy. After test driving a BMW 328i, I go back to the TSX  cuddle in the comfortable leather. The TSX never feels so comfortable and smooth. 
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Replying to: haidongh (Aug 31, 2008 4:14 am) BMW simply cannot beat the value TSX offers, when compared to price. |
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I find it difficult to justify BMW prices too, but sales and resale values for the brand suggest that they aren't priced unreasonably.
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Replying to: hpmctorque (Aug 31, 2008 7:35 am) |
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Replying to: haidongh (Aug 31, 2008 4:14 am)
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Yeah, and for these reasons I'd prefer a RWD 328 to a TSX, and would probably pay the premium price for it, though reluctantly. I like the styling of both cars about equally. One thing I really dislike about the BMW are the run-flat tires. I wish regular tires and a mini spare were standard, with run-flats optional for those who prefer them. It'll be an interesting comparison when both cars offer diesels, in the near future. |
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Replying to: bodble2 (Aug 31, 2008 5:33 pm) We drive our cars a lot for commute to work, and cost of owner is a major consideration for us. Value seekers should not go wrong with a TSX, but the TSX may not offer much excitement for thrill seekers. There is an Edmund article on the fuel efficiency trend the auto industry is taking Trade-Offs Along the Path to Better Fuel Economy
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Replying to: haidongh (Aug 31, 2008 9:34 pm) |
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I have been enjoying my 09 TSX for 4 months and have almost 10,000 miles on it. It is a great car and others must also agree since my dealer still can only keep 1 or 2 on the lot because they sell as fast as they arrive. My biggest and only complaint is the glare on the nav screen, it completely washes out in certain conditions. Has enough power for everyday driving, handles well without comprimising ride comfort, and has features and technology that would cost thousands more on the competition. And due to my long commute I love that it averages 30 mpg while cruising between 70 and 80 mph, and the 201 hp 4 cyl feels just as powerful as lexus 204 hp 2.5 v6 in everyday driving. Almost bought a IS250 but to get all the features the TSX has would have cost 7,000 more. HID lights, bluetooth, heated memory seats and few other things are standard on all TSXs and optional on the IS250. And for the base price of a IS250 I got a TSX with Navi, no one comes close on value. |
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