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Sedans Acura TSX 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
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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Replying to: p72weil (Mar 26, 2008 5:08 pm) The best news I read in the article was that Acura is introducing a 2.4L turbo diesel in a year. Likely to be placed in the RDX and TSX and might be good for up to 40mpg. The RDX really needs this mileage improvement. The TSX needs more displacement. I know Edmunds keeps saying to keep posts related to the article, but aren't they? We are offering our opinions on the article and the new TSX. At least we're not talking about cars that aren't even mentioned in the article. Do they want us to talk about the way the article was written? I don't get it. Isn't this "CarSpace Community" for opinions on articles? I would think current TSX owners would be good people to hear opinions from for the upcoming 2009 model. It almost seems like they don't want any negative opinions and only people to write what they like about the car. I admit there are some good points to this car. They are just the same positive points the outgoing TSX has. The 2009 doesn't answer the critics. I like the silver trim in the current model. Why is the steering wheel all black and look like it has a parachute in there instead of an airbag? I know you need to change, but silver trim is still a good thing in cars. Or carbon fiber in small touches too. Not just all black. This is my opinion. |
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Thanks for the input David. Yeah, all the opinions posted so far are all speculation from the write ups and photos. I know it is wider and longer, but weighs a bit more too. The beauty of the TSX has been the perfect balance of luxury, fun to drive orientation (6-spd) and good mileage. I don't need or expect muscle, but a bit of a hp bump would have been nice. The exterior might grow on me. Right now, I am not a fan of the razor grill and all the sharp angles all over. However, that seems to be the trend more now. I heard the 6-spd has actually been improved in this new version. Which would be amazing, since the current 6-spd is already unbelievable to drive. My old Miata R-package had the best shifter. I'd love to see Acura take about an inch off the shifter. I believe Chris Walton did drive the car. At the bottom of the article it states he was invited to a press day that was prepared by Acura. So, his time was likely limited in the car and maybe where he could drive and what he could do was limited too. I agree that seeing a car in person adds that much more. Photos don't always come across well for cars (online or in mags). Plus, the TSX is so fun to drive that I was sold when I first drove my '04. I was all ready to get an A4 when I passed an Acura dealer and saw the TSX sitting on the lot. I was sold after the test drive. It was the only 6-spd in Denver, so I had to get it the next day. We'll see how this new one is received. I like the razor grill in the MDX, but to me it doesn't fit a smaller sports sedan. It's more of an SUV design (big chrome grill). Sports cars and sports sedans should have big wide open mouths to breath the air. Not chop at it.
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Replying to: tbone12 (Mar 27, 2008 8:33 pm) Was that at the Littleton store? My dealer had to do a trade w/ the Littleton store to get the no-nav manual trans TSX I wanted a couple of weeks ago because it was the only one in the western U.S. I wanted a specific color combination as well. |
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My original post got pulled because I put my place of business in the signature at the end... so without further to-do, I'll repost. I shall call this piece: "Slighty Biased Anonymous Salesman Chiming In..." As an Acura Salesman I'm a bit biased. That being said, the 2009 TSX is an outstanding improvement over what currently exists. As a current TSX owner, I am also a bit biased. That being said, the 2009 is an outstanding improvement over what exists! The power is better, but not over the top. In L.A. you need torque. On these freeways, we're lucky to crack 50 mph unless it's 3 am. I was on the 405 yesterday at 5:30 pm. The Pacific Plate moves faster than that freeway at 5:30! Cars in L.A. need torque. The TSX has that now. I'm not talking G-Force air-craft carrier launch torque, I'm talking no sweat getting on a freeway, pass slow poke in the 72 LTD torque. The 09 is only better. I don't know if Mr Walton actually drove it but when I drove it I noticed significant reduction in road noise and a far superior ride and handling than my 07. The steering is responsive yet softer. Great on a canyon road or parking lot. Most Euro cars are great on Canyon and a bicep workout in the parking lot. TSX is both. The Tech in the car is a perfect improvement to the current Tech. It builds on Acura signature Technology and is far more ergonomic and user friendly. In addition, so much of it is voice activated anyway. Honestly, when I saw the photos and read the specs I was really concerned. I was expecting more as far as performance. Now that I've seen it and driven it I understand. There's just the right amount of performance for this car and in person, inside and out, this car looks great. So for all you out there considering this car, please take the time to go into the dealer and see it and drive it. You will be pleasantly surpised. David
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Replying to: jtsaint72 (Mar 28, 2008 6:09 am) The TSX could have hit a special point for people who want a little luxury in a car that gets good gas mileage or it could be for enthusiasts looking for a muscle car with a little luxury. Instead they get the slow engine that sucks gas like it was an SUV - what market niche are they trying to hit?
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Replying to: boe_d (Mar 28, 2008 8:59 am) I couldn't believe there were no other 6-spd's in the area. Until I did some research and read 75% of the TSX's built were auto's (in the first year). So many people are missing out on the gem in this car. Boe d: Have you read anything about the TSX in the past five years? Muscle doesn't make a car a good driving experience. Although, Hyundai is banking on it with their 395hp Genesis sedan and coupe. It's the overall dynamics. The TSX excels, because it has the perfect mixture (it won all the awards for being a well executed car - in doing everything well, but not truly being the best at any one thing). it does have plenty of power to make it fun (and quick when revved up), and it handles amazingly. The TSX is a light sports sedan, so the light weight (light aluminum 4 banger) allows it to carve corners better than many RWD sports sedans. In my mind, it performs much better than the AWD and heavier A4. It's the Lotus theory, lightweight = amazing driving dynamics. The TSX is civilized on the highway and in rush hour traffic. And it is ready to go whenever the driver gives the command. A Lotus Exige only has a 1.8L Toyota engine. Yet can outperform any car in a slalom course (even Ferrari's). The TSX does get good gas mileage (high 20's) for a good performing car. And will run for many miles over 100K miles. So, that is why it has won so many awards. It does many things very well (not the fastest, not the slowest, not the most comfortable, not the least comfortable, but is one of the most fun to drive sports sedans and is at the top of most FWD lists). Now, in regards to the new model.... It does just as many things as well as the previous model. It adds technology (if someone wants to pay more for it), adds weight, reduces the trunk space, but is longer and wider. They slightly reduced the hp for more torque. The major changes are on the exterior styling. Looks like Acura answered the critics in one area. The Auto Press said the last model was a bit bland compared to the competition. So, this exterior is a bit edgier. On a side note: Is the TSX the only car that uses "X" in the name that does not offer AWD? Isn't that usually the identifier of an "X" in the name (325IX, Eclipse GS-X, G35X, Jaguar X-type, etc.)?
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Replying to: tbone12 (Mar 28, 2008 5:55 pm) The problem arises not in comparison to the previous model, but comparison to its competition. They had better keep the price of this car under control; otherwise, it will not compete well against its competition (BMW 3, Audi A4, etc etc). I was looking forward to considering this car for a future puchase; but, it just doesn't offer anything more than my A4 does. Acura complains about not turbocharging the engine to keep costs down. My A4 is quicker, with more torque, gets 33 mpg on the highway, and costs less than $30k brand new. Why can't Acura accomplish the same?
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Replying to: rascal99 (Apr 04, 2008 7:17 am)
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