CD Article: 2009 Acura TSX

[carcrazy]

Edmunds.com released the 2009 Acura TSX FullTest review. Kind of disappointing performance numbers for a luxury sport sedan wannabe. LOL ... FWIW the numbers are no better than a mainstream compact SUV. Not a pretty review either.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=126300/pageId=138874

[Jaeger]

If the people at Edmunds are even close to correct in their assessment, the TSX just plummeted off my radar screen.

That car has always had one rock-solid ace up its sleeve:  it's fun to drive.  A bit cramped inside?  Sure, but it's fun to drive.  Something less that a fire-breathing dragon under the hood?  True, but this baby just loves to dance.

Honda has really lost its way.  First they give us an Accord the size of a Chrysler 300 with a goofy VCM system that positively neuters what would otherwise be a screaming motor (and returns decidedly average fuel economy anyway).  Now they give us a TSX with an "aversion to fast driving"??  Are you kidding me???  When did Honda decide that they would much rather be Toyota?

Jaeger

[Mitlov]

If the people at Edmunds are even close to correct in their assessment, the TSX just plummeted off my radar screen.

That car has always had one rock-solid ace up its sleeve:  it's fun to drive.  A bit cramped inside?  Sure, but it's fun to drive.  Something less that a fire-breathing dragon under the hood?  True, but this baby just loves to dance.

http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/0805_2009_acura_tsx/index.html

Here's a MUCH more positive review from Automobile Magazine.  Maybe Automobile is being excessively charitable, or maybe Edmunds' guy just woke up on the wrong side of the bed.  Either way, I wouldn't write the car off without test-driving it yourself--but I wouldn't go into that test drive with sky high expectations.

Honda has really lost its way.  First they give us an Accord the size of a Chrysler 300 with a goofy VCM system that positively neuters what would otherwise be a screaming motor (and returns decidedly average fuel economy anyway).  Now they give us a TSX with an "aversion to fast driving"??  Are you kidding me???  When did Honda decide that they would much rather be Toyota?

Probably when Toyota became the best-selling brand, and most profitable non-luxury brand, in North America?  I'm disappointed by the softening of Honda's various offerings too, but I understand why they're doing it.

[Jaeger]

True - no mag is a substitute for forming one's own impressions behind the wheel - but they are informative all the same.  One thing about the Edmunds review is that they actually conducted instrumented testing - something that the good people at Autombile Magazine did not do (or did not report).

That testing shows that, when equipped the way 90-plus percent of the people buying it will choose (5 sp. auto) - the TSX does 0-60.... eventually.  (8.6 seconds).  Better be careful which minivan you decide to roll up on.  The slalom speed of 64.1 mph is also considerably slower than the number they achieved for my much larger and heavier Altima.   Edmunds test numbers do tend to support their tepid subjective account of this car's performance inclination and ability.

Jaeger

[MKII]

Just order the euro Accord grille and suspension alongside the new 2.2 i-DTEC with 6sp mt.
The euro face should bolt on pretty easy.

And didn't Honda say that the new diesel will be offered in North America with the TSX being the first vehicle to get it.

[quadzilla]

New York Times samples the 53mpg Honda Accord diesel

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/05/19/new-york-times-samples-the-53mpg-honda-accord-diesel/

[mmret]

Hahahaha 8.6 sec...what the hell.

New motors coming next year?

[Julie]

Hahahaha 8.6 sec...what the hell.

New motors coming next year?

Car and Driver's "enthusiasts" rating for the new TSX dropped to 4/10 (from 7/10, which was very good by Car and Driver's standards. The 3 series for example has a 8/10, the Lexus IS has a 5/10, the Infiniti G35 has a 7/10, and Car and Driver described the previous generation TSX as an "exceptionally satisfying driver's car")

Seems like they're going for the mass-market appeal... 

[Mitlov]

True - no mag is a substitute for forming one's own impressions behind the wheel - but they are informative all the same.  One thing about the Edmunds review is that they actually conducted instrumented testing - something that the good people at Autombile Magazine did not do (or did not report).

That testing shows that, when equipped the way 90-plus percent of the people buying it will choose (5 sp. auto) - the TSX does 0-60.... eventually.  (8.6 seconds).  Better be careful which minivan you decide to roll up on.  The slalom speed of 64.1 mph is also considerably slower than the number they achieved for my much larger and heavier Altima.   Edmunds test numbers do tend to support their tepid subjective account of this car's performance inclination and ability.

Jaeger

The previous TSX also posted some pretty unimpressive performance numbers.  In fact, in a C&D comparison test, a Pontiac G6 beat it by most objective standards.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparison_test/sedans/everyday_heroes_comparison_test

It was the subjectives where the previous TSX excelled: smooth shifter action, communicative steering, and eager and agile-feeling handling.  It had that certain je ne sais quoi. 

I was just saying that the jury is still out as to whether the new TSX has those subjective strengths.  There's no doubt that its objective performance numbers are unimpressive.

[TopGun]

It was the subjectives where the previous TSX excelled: smooth shifter action, communicative steering, and eager and agile-feeling handling.  It had that certain je ne sais quoi. 

And so eloquently stated by Mitlov...this the basis for my argument that higher performance numbers (as driven my Marketing I suspect) make for boring driving cars. 

How do we as enthusiasts make sure we are "heard"?  It certainly won't be through our wallets, as I suspect this new TSX will do better in the Sales category as it appeals to a broader customer segment.

[Mitlov]

And so eloquently stated by Mitlov.

I'd just like to point out that Captain America correctly used a French phrase in context, folks.  I rule.

[rrocket]

^^^^Didn't the US make it illegal to say anything French for fear of looking like a French-lover?    Watch out..The CIA might flag this thread...

[Mitlov]

^^^^Didn't the US make it illegal to say anything French for fear of looking like a French-lover?    Watch out..The CIA might flag this thread...

Only since 1995

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheese-eating_surrender_monkeys

[Jaeger]

Hahahaha 8.6 sec...what the hell.

New motors coming next year?

Car and Driver's "enthusiasts" rating for the new TSX dropped to 4/10 (from 7/10, which was very good by Car and Driver's standards. The 3 series for example has a 8/10, the Lexus IS has a 5/10, the Infiniti G35 has a 7/10, and Car and Driver described the previous generation TSX as an "exceptionally satisfying driver's car")

Seems like they're going for the mass-market appeal... 

Says a lot right there.  The jury may still be out, but it sure 'aint looking good....

Jaeger

[Bob Brian]

34k for a 2008 TSX with navigation? You think that's a good deal?
Check out USA Acura website, a 2009 TSX with everything goes for 32k.
The same car goes for 42k in Canada.
Honda is doing a great job in keeping huge cross-border car price disparity. They are also doing a great job in preventing Canadians to import their cars, by voiding all warranties on imported cars.
I like Honda products, but I will import a car from another brand.

[Mitlov]

I like Honda products, but I will import a car from another brand.

One of those other brands that DOESN'T have a price disparity?    The Caliber SRT4 is the only car I know of that doesn't have a significant price disparity.

[2hondas1BMW]

34k for a 2008 TSX with navigation? You think that's a good deal?
Check out USA Acura website, a 2009 TSX with everything goes for 32k.
The same car goes for 42k in Canada.
Honda is doing a great job in keeping huge cross-border car price disparity. They are also doing a great job in preventing Canadians to import their cars, by voiding all warranties on imported cars.
I like Honda products, but I will import a car from another brand.

There were 08' TSX's with navi going for 34k CDN new, clearout. You can probably get one now at that price...if there are any left.

[mmret]

34k for a 2008 TSX with navigation? You think that's a good deal?
Check out USA Acura website, a 2009 TSX with everything goes for 32k.
The same car goes for 42k in Canada.
Honda is doing a great job in keeping huge cross-border car price disparity. They are also doing a great job in preventing Canadians to import their cars, by voiding all warranties on imported cars.
I like Honda products, but I will import a car from another brand.

There were 08' TSX's with navi going for 34k CDN new, clearout. You can probably get one now at that price...if there are any left.

The 1st gen looks to be better, anyways.

[redsun_ty]

The front end is okay in my eyes, but the rest of the car looks horrible. And why does it have to grow in size? 

The interior also looks too busy...too many buttons. Driving impressions don't seem that much different from the current generation TSX. 

Oh, those option packages. How much will they cost? The thing I like about the current TSX is that there are NO option packages, except for Navigation. Leather, sunroof, auto climate control, HID's, etc. etc. are all standard.

We visited our local Acura dealer today for kicks...new 2008 TSX's with Navi are going for about 34K after a 6k rebate, plus 0.9% financing. Excellent deal IMO.

0.9 Finacing? Everywhere I go is like 3.9 or 4.9 which dealer is having that deal?

[2hondas1BMW]

The front end is okay in my eyes, but the rest of the car looks horrible. And why does it have to grow in size? 

The interior also looks too busy...too many buttons. Driving impressions don't seem that much different from the current generation TSX. 

Oh, those option packages. How much will they cost? The thing I like about the current TSX is that there are NO option packages, except for Navigation. Leather, sunroof, auto climate control, HID's, etc. etc. are all standard.

We visited our local Acura dealer today for kicks...new 2008 TSX's with Navi are going for about 34K after a 6k rebate, plus 0.9% financing. Excellent deal IMO.

0.9 Finacing? Everywhere I go is like 3.9 or 4.9 which dealer is having that deal?

Those are for the previous generation TSX's that were still leftover, back in June. I highly doubt there are any left....