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)

Outline

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#27 of 83 Re: Article [nj2pa2nc] by pat HOST Mar 23, 2008 (12:32 pm)
Replying to: nj2pa2nc (Mar 23, 2008 12:21 pm) That would be great! Did you read the article, though? The topic here is (supposed to be) comments on the article linked at the top. Many have missed that fact. Replies to this message: nj2pa2nc (Mar 23, 2008 12:42 pm)
#28 of 83 Re: Article [pat] by nj2pa2nc Mar 23, 2008 (12:42 pm)
Replying to: pat (Mar 23, 2008 12:32 pm) yes I did read the article-one thing is I have MT because that is what I prefer to drive. I also put alot of miles on the cars so resale is not one of things I worry about. I want something I enjoy not someone else when I am done with it.
#29 of 83 Article comment by loi177 Mar 23, 2008 (1:33 pm)
Let me give a try to article. The Performance/Efficiency Matrix Despite a 140-pound weight gain, the 2009 TSX's fuel-efficiency improves by 1 mpg city/2 mpg highway to 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway. Still, we can't reconcile the fact that a supercar with an engine three times the size and 2.5 times the output can almost match the TSX's engine for fuel-efficiency. A Chevrolet Corvette Z06 with a 505-hp 7.0-liter V8 earns 15 mpg city/24 mpg highway this thing is plainly wrong. My friend had a corvette. it wont give him more than 20mpg on US 101. One the the same route that i drive 06 5 AT that is more than 30mpg in regular driving. so big difference and he sits so close to the ground. It reduces the drag but what about visibility, insulation, Pot holes on the road, high ground clearance that comes handy at drive ways? Should i mention the low maintainance cost of TSX. it is chain driven. Consider that the BMW 135i's twin-turbo inline-6 makes 300 hp while earning 18 mpg city/26 mpg highway Now this is another gem. 330I 06 from my coworker not pass 25mpg on regular commute. I am not going into extended dirve of more than 30 minutes where TSX reaches 33mpg and BMW is still at 28 mpg. Not to mention more than $10K price difference. Opting for the Technology package adds to or replaces the above with a 10-speaker, 415-watt ELS Premium true-surround audio system that additionally plays DVD-audio discs from an in-dash six-CD changer. The system's sound clarity and ability to separate distinctly is utterly astonishing. This package also includes a rearview camera and Acura's updatable DVD-based navigation with an extensive Zagat-rated restaurant database, XM-linked real-time traffic plus a new, local/distant weather function. Automatic trip rerouting, utilized by selecting "avoid traffic incidents," works in 76 major metro areas. The voice-recognition function is extremely sophisticated and recognizes 100,000 words, or 1.7 million city and street names. Yet the display's chunky graphics (does it run on DOS?) belies its sophistication. Who is going to challenge this at this Price? In the end, the TSX remains not the sport/luxe sedan those trend-conscious people want, but the one they can afford for now. Unlike the Acura TL (especially in Type S) which is the best-kept secret in the sport sedan arena, the TSX lingers as a low-priced entry into the Acura brand There is big difference between Japanese built car and US built. Japanese arent stupid that they will transfer high end manufacturing techniquest to some other country worker which can be used against them. u put V6 from Japan in TSX. Its price will blows past TL. Prices for the 2009 Acura TSX and its 2008 on-sale date have yet to be announced. Currently, 2008 TSX prices range from $28,000 for a base car up to $31,000 for a TSX with nav. Adding the Technology package adds about $3,000 to the bottom line, taking the TSX up to almost $34,000 $34,000 is fair price u get much better looking & bigger car than Lexus IS-250 with all the electronics. Escpecialy that Rear view camera very handy in downtown parking. It seems that article hasnt taken into account all the factors not only concerned with HP. Replies to this message: cdnpinhead (Mar 23, 2008 3:16 pm) pat (Mar 24, 2008 12:36 am)
#30 of 83 Re: Article comment [loi177] by cdnpinhead Mar 23, 2008 (3:16 pm)
Replying to: loi177 (Mar 23, 2008 1:33 pm) ". . .the TSX remains not the sport/luxe sedan those trend-conscious people want, but the one they can afford for now. Unlike the Acura TL (especially in Type S) which is the best-kept secret in the sport sedan arena, the TSX lingers as a low-priced entry. . ." Thanks for the comments on the article -- I'm sure Pat is doing cartwheels down the hall in pure joy. Well, here's my comment for now. The quote above is total carp (intentional). I bought my TSX (admittedly not an '09) because (unlike all other Acuras and most other near-lux or full-lux cars) it came with a manual transmission and fold-down rear seats. I could have bought a TL or RL. I could have bought a BMW 3-series, but I don't like run-flat tires (no spare, no repairs, no one stocks them outside of large cities) and no dipstick (with a dodgy electronic oil-level indicator). The only Merc that comes with a manual transmission is the new-this-year (and quite unreliable in the past) C-series. Audi was a possibility, but if I'm going to give up on RWD (used to be a non-negotiable requirement), I'm going to do it with something reliable. The TSX, for me, is the only lux or near-lux car that does what I want. It's not something I bought because I can't afford anything better, and God knows anyone who knows me would laugh themselves silly if "trend-conscious" were ever used anywhere in the same paragraph with my name. Perhaps these reviewers bring more of themselves to the discussion than we'd wish.
#32 of 83 Re: Honda Way [thundrbunny] by tbone12 Mar 23, 2008 (6:46 pm)
Replying to: thundrbunny (Mar 22, 2008 8:26 pm) I agree about many buyers being brand loyal, but as a car enthusiast, I am always looking to see who is bringing out the next best thing. Or move up the ranks. I see Hyundai becoming the next Nissan in about two years. And Nissan falling back down after the GTR doesn't sell to expectations. Hyundai has some spectacular models coming out and these cars look great, perform great (300+ HP) and have good reliability. I like the new Santa Fe and want to see that Genesis when it hits the market. The only ingredient missing is their brand loyalty (for now). So, yeah, brand loyalty these days only lasts a few years. I currently have a '04 TSX with 76,000 miles. It's been in the shop for oil changes, tire rotations and brake pads. Only about an hour each time. It still runs just as good as the day I pulled off the lot. I love the car and the 6-speed is fun. My manual says the first tune up is at 110,000 miles, only fluids up until this point. Not many other models can state this in a manual. In my mind, this '09 model is not as good as the car it replaces. I don't like the component sharing from the RDX and am not a fan of the razor grille. I feel like the center stack is too large for a car this size. Yeah, I do like the RDX, but will definitely look at other cars when I'm ready to buy again to give me the best car I believe fits my needs. In this economy, I need something that will be reliable, has good performance, good gas mileage and some of the goodies that I expect in the price range. I got the TSX in '03, because of Acura's reliability, the fun to drive factor and the design seemed like it would stay in style for many years. My '04 model still does not look dated. I like how Acura only changes models every 3-5 years. Audi seems to change the A4 every year now (front fascia and rear end styling always changes). Every model change reduces resale value and dates the current model. So, I steer clear of cars that make changes this often. In regards to the VW Rabbit and R32 reliability. You're talking about '08 models. Check Consumer Reports in a year to see their true reliability ratings. I guarantee there will be black circles on the VW pages, while the Acura/Honda/Lexus/Toyota pages will mostly be red circles. You can't look at a 12-month reliability report and take that as a reliable car. Only the lemons break down in the first 12 months. The good cars run when you expect them to for three years or more. Yeah, many mfg's have changed their ways. Ford has really increased in the reliability ratings. While, Toyota has fallen down a bit with their big Tundra (all other models have superior reliability ratings). Hey, even Lotus is reliable now (although they are using Toyota engines). However, VW. Audi and BMW are still maintaining the same reliability ratings. Also, that BMW 1-series with the 330 engine seems like a bargain if it's priced under $35K. It seems like a grown up Z4 M model with a rock bottom price tag. It may not be as reliable as a Honda/Acura, but it is a high performance car. Replies to this message: pat (Mar 24, 2008 12:35 am)
#33 of 83 Re: Honda Way [tbone12] by pat HOST Mar 24, 2008 (12:35 am)
Replying to: tbone12 (Mar 23, 2008 6:46 pm) Actually, this discussion is about the article linked at the top - hmm, is there an echo in here?? Let's try to stay on topic, okay?
#34 of 83 Re: Article comment [loi177] by pat HOST Mar 24, 2008 (12:36 am)
Replying to: loi177 (Mar 23, 2008 1:33 pm) Great post, thank you for your thoughts!! Cdnpinhead, cartwheels AND backflips!! At least for a moment.
#35 of 83 No Surprise by eljefe68 Mar 24, 2008 (11:04 am)
I am the owner of 2005 TSX 6 speed with Nav. I got it in 2006 as a CPO car with 9,300 miles on it, and I have (other than serious BMW envy) not had any issues with the car. If anything, I have been extremely happy with it in the 29K miles I have added since. I have the Hondata reflash, which makes a huge difference for the price. Like many, I have looked with interest towards the 2009. Visions of more HP, maybe a turbo, filled my head. Then the car appears. Cheese slicer grill, less HP but more torque, more techno gadgets. Maybe I should hold my opinions until I see one/drive one, since the first gen TSX is fun to drive despite modest HP. Since I am a three time Honda owner, maybe I have brand loyalty, but I also see how the new TSX's conservative redesign is really not surprising given that Honda has done the same thing several times before. Just look at the various iterations of the Accord, the move between the 4th gen and 5th gen Prelude. It is too bad Acura management didn't have the guts to push for more. Yeah, I will wait to drive on, but my gut right now says I will definitely look to Bavaria when the time comes to replace my trusty TSX.
#36 of 83 Gen-X by iartbored Mar 24, 2008 (3:27 pm)
I don't often fit into other people's expectations; however, I agree with the author that I would gladly pass on the bells and whistles, (or buttons) for some plain and simple driving fun.