Article Comments - 2009 Acura TSX First Drive and Full Test

83 messages, Last post on Jul 28, 2009 at 2:15 PM

You are in the Acura TSX Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

What is this discussion about? Acura TSX, Sedan

First Drive: 2009 Acura TSX - First Impressions: Acura builds a better TSX for 2009, but it forgets to add a couple must-have ingredients (like chic styling, competitive power and raw desirability) to entice the young, sophisticated buyers it seeks. (more)

Full Test: 2009 Acura TSX - Bottom Line: A more relaxed and sophisticated commuter device than the original TSX, but it no longer makes the cut as a driver's car. (more)

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#14 of 83 Re: Honda Way [fedlawman] by tbone12 Mar 22, 2008 (1:03 pm)
Replying to: fedlawman (Mar 21, 2008 9:48 pm) This new TSX might actually sell well, since they are targeting a different market now. I believe it is more of a direct competitor with the Lexus IS250. These same buyers will want the tech package and aren't as concerned about performance (smaller engines). Likely, female, empty nesters driving more of the TSX's now. The IS250 will sell better in the snowy areas, and the TSX will sell better in the warm climates. These new buyers will not be car enthusiasts looking for a fun-to-drive car with good all around performance. So, Acura will no longer lure buyers from smaller sporty models (RSX, Civic, GTI, etc.). Now, when other car mfg's are listening to the current owners and the editors of magazines and making changes that people see as needed to stay with the brand, Acura maintains the same engine size in the TSX and doesn't add an AWD option. Even worse, it added 140 lbs. That doesn't help it stay competitive. Maybe they'll drop the RDX engine (240 hp, turbo) and SH-AWD system in it as a "Type S" model in 2010. We can only hope! It only makes sense. The first year shows off the new style and the 2nd year adds the goodies everyone has been expecting. Obviously, they will increase the price point in '09 too. Yeah, Acura will lose the enthusiast drivers, but will gain the female, empty nesters for this model in '09. Now, this makes sense why the 6-speeds are limited and why they have lower resale values than the automatics. More people buying these cars want automatic and aren't into the sporting driving characteristics. In regards to the VW R32, that is a completely different car with a different buyer. Those are more competitive with the rally racers (Evo and STi). A TSX is not a competitor to the R32, EVO or STi. Also, the person earlier mentioned reliability. So, you can drop the German cars off your list of Mfg's above. Grab any Consumer Reports magazine and Audi, VW and BMW have all black circles. People don't buy German cars for reliability. They are fun to drive, but do spend a lot of time in the shop. This is Acura and Honda's strength compared to those brands. Yes, an '07 or '08 model year will not yet have the bad marks against it in Consumer reports. It takes two years for the true reliability issues to come out. Or look at any "Consumer Review" of these cars on Edmunds and you'll see people saying they thought the new models would be more reliable and they were wrong. So, be wary of German makes if you want reliability. I considered buying the new VW Tiguan this spring. It is cool looking and has the 2.0T engine that is in many VW's and the Audi A4. Although, there have been so many issues with this engine in the different models, that I decided to look back at Acura again. I'm waiting for the next update to the RDX. Replies to this message: fedlawman (Mar 22, 2008 8:03 pm) thundrbunny (Mar 22, 2008 8:26 pm) fedlawman (Mar 22, 2008 9:11 pm) tbone12 (Mar 23, 2008 6:46 pm) pat (Mar 24, 2008 12:35 am)
#15 of 83 Re: Last Laugh [thundrbunny] by fedlawman Mar 22, 2008 (7:26 pm)
Replying to: thundrbunny (Mar 22, 2008 11:17 am) "When I bought my 2008 VW R32, all the Japanese car loving "experts" were having a laugh..." The R32 is a very nice car, no doubt, but you're talking apples and oranges. The R32 costs $5,000 more than the TSX, and is a compact coupe. I don't think Acura is losing any sleep over the R32 - it's a market they're not interested in. I doubt if any TSX owners were laughing at you. I'm guessing they were all STI and Evo owners.
#16 of 83 Re: Alot of cash for not much car [jay108] by fedlawman Mar 22, 2008 (7:57 pm)
Replying to: jay108 (Mar 22, 2008 12:54 pm) "I was thinking more of the civic si with the 200HP engine, it's a lot better deal the the TSX." Depends on how you define "deal." Sorry, I guess I just don't get why you're trying to compare a compact sporty 2-door economy car to a larger less sporty 4-door near-luxury sedan. I guess I would equate it to saying the Honda CBR600 is a better deal than the Civic Si. There's no comparison - apples and oranges, as they say. Replies to this message: jay108 (Mar 23, 2008 3:28 am) nj2pa2nc (Mar 23, 2008 4:26 am) fedlawman (Mar 23, 2008 6:58 am) jay108 (Mar 23, 2008 9:39 am) cz75 (May 16, 2008 8:41 pm) fedlawman (May 16, 2008 10:14 pm) cz75 (May 16, 2008 10:53 pm) and 2 more...
#17 of 83 Re: Honda Way [tbone12] by fedlawman Mar 22, 2008 (8:03 pm)
Replying to: tbone12 (Mar 22, 2008 1:03 pm) "I believe it is more of a direct competitor with the Lexus IS250. These same buyers will want the tech package and aren't as concerned about performance (smaller engines). Likely, female, empty nesters driving more of the TSX's now." Couldn't agree more with your entire post. Well said.
#18 of 83 Re: Honda Way [tbone12] by thundrbunny Mar 22, 2008 (8:26 pm)
Replying to: tbone12 (Mar 22, 2008 1:03 pm) People tend to be "brand loyal". I don't know if that is necessarily a good thing. I have owned Toyota, Honda, Subaru and VW cars. Japanese cars WERE as reliable as bricks a few years ago, but that halo is beginning to fade. The last brand new Civic Si I bought 3 years ago was problematic from day one. My Subaru WRX had a body that felt like it was made from recycled beer cans - the entire car shuddered when I closed the driver's door. The European car makers have realized that they had reliability issues in the past, and - while the Japanese rest on their laurels - are quietly and quickly closing the quality gap. The latest car buying guide from Consumer Reports gave the VW Rabbit high marks in initial quality, and my R32 came with a 4 year/50,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, including roadside assistance. It's important for automotive consumers to stay current with quality trends - and to keep an open mind. Replies to this message: fedlawman (Mar 22, 2008 9:11 pm) tbone12 (Mar 23, 2008 6:46 pm) pat (Mar 24, 2008 12:35 am)
#19 of 83 Re: Honda Way [thundrbunny] by fedlawman Mar 22, 2008 (9:11 pm)
Replying to: thundrbunny (Mar 22, 2008 8:26 pm) "It's important for automotive consumers to stay current with quality trends - and to keep an open mind." And believe empirical data rather than anecdotes.
#20 of 83 Re: Alot of cash for not much car [fedlawman] by jay108 Mar 23, 2008 (3:28 am)
Replying to: fedlawman (Mar 22, 2008 7:57 pm) Dear Fedlawman, I guess we can disagree on the value of the TSX. We are looking for a mini van replacement and with three kids, need a pretty good back seat, so the accord is the direction I want to go in. An accord with V6 and leather seems like a good deal at around $30K for us. My friends wife has the TSX and it's a bit tight for adult in the back, but it's fast and handles great. I'm probably too much of a tight wad to understand the value of 'near-luxury' cars. I look more at $/lb. Replies to this message: nj2pa2nc (Mar 23, 2008 4:26 am) fedlawman (Mar 23, 2008 6:58 am) jay108 (Mar 23, 2008 9:39 am)
#21 of 83 Re: Alot of cash for not much car [jay108] by nj2pa2nc Mar 23, 2008 (4:26 am)
Replying to: jay108 (Mar 23, 2008 3:28 am) I do like the looks of the 08 accord but I am the proud owner of a 06 6MT/wnav Milano red/ ebony tsx. I bought it new 11/17/06 and it has almost 40,000 miles. Most of the time I am the only one in the car. My husband has his own car, 05 hyundai elantra GT 5MT which is his commuter car. We also have a 07 Mitsubishi Raider 6MT Raider truck for hauling. IMO the tsx has enough room for two adult back seat passengers. We have tried it and no complaints. The warranty on the acura is a bit longer which for me is great. I think I got my money's worth on the tsx.
#22 of 83 Re: Alot of cash for not much car [jay108] by fedlawman Mar 23, 2008 (6:58 am)
Replying to: jay108 (Mar 23, 2008 3:28 am) I understand Jay I think the perceived "value" of a car decreases rapidly as you climb up the luxury ladder. Down close to the luxury "bottom," I think $28,000 is a more than fair price for the TSX 's bigger/more powerful engine, more sophisticated suspension, electronic brake assist, auto transmission w/sport-shift, heated power leather seats, xenon headlights, trip computer, illuminated vanity mirrors, heated outside mirrors with integrated turn signals, 360W 8 speaker 6CD stereo w/2 subwoofers, Bluetooth, 2 driver memory settings, fog lights, more comfortable/luxuriously trimmed cabin, auto-dimming rearview mirror, remote operating sunroof, smoother/quieter ride, etc. It's a whole lot more car than a $21,000 Civic. On the other hand, park an Accord EX-L V6 next to a Mercedes E350 and, although the Merc is a beautiful car, you have to wonder what you get for the extra $25,000 it costs over the Honda. Bottom line - value is a personal judgment that is on sliding scale. Your definition of luxury, your income level, your vehicle priorities, etc. will all determine what you think is a "good deal." Replies to this message: jay108 (Mar 23, 2008 9:39 am)
#23 of 83 Article by pat HOST Mar 23, 2008 (8:33 am)
Let's get some feedback on the article which is the subject of this discussion. Check the link at the top of the page. Replies to this message: nj2pa2nc (Mar 23, 2008 12:21 pm) pat (Mar 23, 2008 12:32 pm) nj2pa2nc (Mar 23, 2008 12:42 pm)