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

Messages Page 7 of 9: 1; ...; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9; Prev; Next; Last

#57 of 83 Re: Alot of cash for not much car [cz75] by fedlawman May 16, 2008 (10:14 pm)
Replying to: cz75 (May 16, 2008 8:41 pm) "A 2900lbs., 197 hp four-door Si is plenty comparison to a 3400lbs. four-door 201hp 2009 TSX." "I feel the 2009 TSX substitutes features for capability." You're right! The geniuses in Honda's marketing dept are definitely on to something here. Develop and market a family of cars, starting with a small, affordable, sporty and spartan model and build up with several higher level models - each one a little larger, more expensive, refined and feature-laden,yet less sporting than the one below it. It's an interesting idea - I wonder if BMW, Audi, and Lexus would ever have the courage to try something so radical... Replies to this message: cz75 (May 16, 2008 10:53 pm) fedlawman (May 17, 2008 10:07 am) ocg35man (May 19, 2008 4:56 pm)
#58 of 83 Re: Alot of cash for not much car [fedlawman] by cz75 May 16, 2008 (10:53 pm)
Replying to: fedlawman (May 16, 2008 10:14 pm) Too bad Acura's mission is to offer both luxury AND capability. They certainly can't claim to be a top-tier luxury marque and they've always been an also-ran for the sporting market. The 2009 TSX is a less capable car than the one it replaces, so is that also part of the geniuses' in Honda's marketing dept.? BTW, the TSX IS at the bottom of the Acura brand, so why does the TL offer more sport AND more features? Face it. The 2009 TSX is an odd-looking also ran that substitutes feature content for sporting capability in the entry level of the sport luxury sedan market looking to get spanked by the IS or G35 for almost the same money. Replies to this message: fedlawman (May 17, 2008 10:07 am) ocg35man (May 19, 2008 4:56 pm)
#59 of 83 Re: Alot of cash for not much car [cz75] by fedlawman May 17, 2008 (10:07 am)
Replying to: cz75 (May 16, 2008 10:53 pm) "They certainly can't claim to be a top-tier luxury marque and they've always been an also-ran for the sporting market." Agreed. But Acura's ace in the hole has always been superior value. They can afford to be an also-ran because 95% of the buying public can't tell the difference between a BMW and an Acura from behind the wheel anyways. "The 2009 TSX is a less capable car than the one it replaces, so is that also part of the geniuses' in Honda's marketing dept.?" Yup, I think Honda blew it with the 2009 also, but I suspect that they know their customers better than we do. The vast majority of TSX buyers are not enthusiasts, and so in designing the 2009, they addressed TSX owners most common complaint - NVH. "BTW, the TSX IS at the bottom of the Acura brand, so why does the TL offer more sport AND more features?" More so with the previous gen TSX than the new one, but the TSX has always been sportier than the TL, which by comparison, is a bloated, floating, understeering pig. The new TSX has lost some of it's edge, but it's still lighter and more nimble than the TL. "The 2009 TSX is an odd-looking (subjective) also ran (agreed) that substitutes feature content for sporting capability (no different than the latest BMW 3-series, Infinity G, Audi A4, and Lexus IS) in the entry level of the sport luxury sedan market..." Unfortunately, that's where the market is going (bigger, heavier, and softer). It alienated me years ago - that's why I drive a 20 year old BMW now. "...looking to get spanked by the IS or G35 for almost the same money." The TSX offers the same performance and luxury of the IS250, but offers more passenger comfort and costs $1500 less. The G35 costs significantly more. Actually, it's pretty obvious that Acura targeted the IS250 as it's performance benchmark for the TSX. None of these cars are sports cars anymore. Too bad...
#60 of 83 I'd Be Driving. . . by cdnpinhead May 17, 2008 (1:03 pm)
a BMW 3-series today, but for the run-flat tires, dipstick issue (not just that - it's the concept that a mere driver shouldn't be opening the hood, besides which the oil level sensors didn't always work) and crappy lease deals on the wagons. So, I've got last year's TSX & enjoy it. I guess that proves I'm not worthy to drive a BMW (or the other "real" sports sedans), unlike the badge-seeking multitudes who can't tell the difference between RFT & real tires and continue to buy the brand. Oh well. The TL doesn't offer fold-down rear seats, which is a deal-breaker for me. I think it's necessary to do an S on the TL to get a manual transmission, also non-negotiable -- with the S, as I recall, you have to take the nav, which I don't want -- I'm very happy with my portable. There actually are reasons why people who like to drive cars (and can, kinda) would choose a TSX, though it sounds like the new one is no prize.
#61 of 83 2009 Acura TSX by k2h May 18, 2008 (9:49 am)
If Acura wants to really compete with the rest of the luxury brands out there, they really need to separate themselves from Honda. Look at Lexus, in my opinion you wouldn't think it was a Toyota to begin with, even Infiniti they both have it together to compete. With Acura there's no way they can, their interiors look too much like Honda, their behind in technology(in some ways), FWD is not the way to go in this segment. Hasn't Acura learned from the other's yet? If anyone asks me how I would rank Lexus, Infiniti, or Acura, I would rate Lexus first, Infiniti second, and Acura third because Acura is really not luxury, it's "semi-luxury."
#62 of 83 The '09 TSX... by bodble2 May 18, 2008 (9:51 am)
has become sort of a cheaper, entry-level, 4 cyl version of the TL.
#63 of 83 Sport Edition??? by 2002jetta May 18, 2008 (10:11 am)
Can we get a sport edition of this car with the 2.3 Turbo in the RDX?????? PLEASE!!!!
#64 of 83 09 TSX - Continued Disappointment by eljefe68 May 19, 2008 (9:27 am)
As I have posted elsewhere, from the pics and the specs, we see Acura ill-advisedly chose to give the new TSX a funky restyle and no increase in power. Now I read that they have pretty much neutered its fun to drive nature. HERESY!! Why do we all love our first-gen TSX despite the modest HP? Because the first-gen car is way fun to drive. I swear my 05 has the same spiritthat my 98 Prelude had, but now, as I read it, all Honda has done is turn the TSX into the car for all those driving poseurs who think they are sporty with their slushboxes and the ladies who like gadgets. Simply pathetic. Replies to this message: bjcman (May 19, 2008 2:48 pm)
#65 of 83 Re: 09 TSX - Continued Disappointment [eljefe68] by bjcman May 19, 2008 (2:48 pm)
Replying to: eljefe68 (May 19, 2008 9:27 am) I have to say that the TSX is an ugly car, but I have some disagreements with the review. First off, when did an AWD IS 250 with Navi cost $32K? Can edmunds.com find me one? Second, I have no idea why edmunds.com is disappointed about the TSX not being a driver's car. There are rumors of a Type-S version and a coupe version of the TSX. Also, watching the recent TSX commercials, it would appear to me that Acura is targeting young individuals that will buy their first entry-level luxury sedan, not a sport-sedan. In addition, I live in the bay area, and I almost never see any driver really use their car. There are so many BMW drivers that take turns extremely slow. Heck, I went mountain driving with friends, and someone who drove an E46 M3, attacked corners at an incredibly slow speed.
#66 of 83 Re: Alot of cash for not much car [cz75] by ocg35man May 19, 2008 (4:56 pm)
Replying to: cz75 (May 16, 2008 10:53 pm) Top of the line TSX costs not much less than well equiped G35 or IS250. In terms of performance, it has 4 cy. engine and much slower than Camry V6 or Accord V6. This car is only for someone who truly loves Acura and wants more gadget/luxury than performance. If gas price in U.S. goes well over $4/gal., it might be a little more attractive for some people. Otherwise, it would be a tough sell against some other nicer cars that cost about the same or slightly more than TSX.