One of the cons mentioned by car mags about the tsx is the "wide turning circle". I guess it's because the car is front wheel drive. Besides having to take more turns when parallel parking is there any other disadvantages to a wide turning circle?

 

It's just that in some streets, if you want to U-turn, you'll have to three-point turn it instead of doing it all in one step like you would in a Volvo or an MB for example.

 

There are many other FWD cars that have a shorter turning radius. It is also a factor of the suspension and the tire size. The turning radius did bug me a little at first; mostly because I would not judge it properly and found myself having to use reverse when I didn't expect to and when it wasn't at the best time -- like with cars coming. But, now that I have a better appreciation of the turning radius, I find that it is not an issue. I find the turning radius of the TSX to be short enough to allow me to make an U-Turn, while in the left turning lane of a four lane road. However, I do find myself pulling into (or backing into) driveways a lot more on two lane roads in order to turn around that with my FWD Pontiacs. In some cases, it is probably safer to do so.

 

The TSX uses a double-wishbone suspension setup, which provides better feedback and control at the cost of being able to reduce the turning radius. The 17-inch wheels and tires also don't help the situation.

It really isn't a big issue, honestly. As for parallel parking, I have yet to have trouble with it. U-turns aren't a problem either as long as there is more than one lane in each direction. The car mags just like to try to find something to fault the car for since there is so much they can't bitch about.

 

It does iritate me to some degree. I miss being able to do quick u-turns and parking is a pain in the ass.

 

But doesn't the Accord use a very similar setup? and it has a ~36ft diameter vs ~40 on the TSX..... I guess they limted the max turning angle on the TSX also??

It doesn't trouble me at all btw.... though needed to get used to it coming from a Civic...

 

It really turns like a big car...here are some comparisons

Turning Diameter (ft.)
Acura TSX -- 40.00
Audi A4 --36.40
BMW 3 series--34.40
Cadillac CTS--35.50
Honda Accord--36.10
Infiniti G35 Sedan--36.00
Lexus IS300--34.10
Mazda 6--38.70
Mercedes C230--35.30
Nissan Altima--37.40
Saab 9-3 Sedan-35.40
Subaru Legacy Sedan--35.40
Toyota Camry--34.80
VW Passat GL--37.40
Volvo S40--34.90

Even the new TL has a turning radius of 39.70???

Those numbers make the TSX look awful...and I would say that is one of the things I hate about my car, with having to make a lot of u-turns around where I live, this car feels like it's a big bulky car whenever I have to turn it.

 

Totally agree. Especially i drive my the orther car with 32.5.

 

Okay, first thing we need to do is separate the terms "turning radius" and "turning circle".

The turning circle, which are the stats you posted, kawaii, are the overall diameter of the turning circle. Which means that the "turning radius" for the TSX is 20 feet.

Now, that said, if you really can't get a car to turn a U on a street with two lanes in either direction and enough room for parking, then you're just not turning the wheel enough because even in the TSX with its huge turning radius, it can be done.

I think people are just making a mountain out of a mole hill.

 

"The 17-inch wheels and tires also don't help the situation"

Do bigger wheels such as 18 or 19 inch exacerbate the problem?

 

the streets here are 3 lanes and unless you get the right angle you're forced into the right lane.

 

 

When you U-turn, aren't you supposed to end in the right lane anyway?

 

The height of the wheels (17") isn't really a factor, it's the width of the wheel/tire that comes into play. So 18"s and 19"s won't hurt you unless they're also wider.

 

there's so much traffic it sucks when like the left and middle lane are open but you have to wait for some old guy putzing in the right lane and then by that time theres alreayd more people flyign up the other two lanes again

i wouldn't have understood either before i moved down here but when you're sitting at a u-turn for like 5 minutes trying to get somewhere you start to get really annoyed

 

This thread reminds me of the good ol' days with people screaming, "but it doesn't have a compass!!! I'm not going to buy it"

I agree that it is a large turning circle but i'e had no problems making a u turn on roads with 2 lanes going each way.

It is purely a mechanical trade off going on. Multilink front ends coupled with FWD and the fact the tsx has such high offset limits the amount that the wheels can be turned and maintain clearance.... and I'll gladly take the tadeoff for the nice handling! As a point of comparison a m6s has similar size, wheels, suspension and offset and also sports a 39lft turning radius.

 

I had forgotten about that.

:wisheshecouldcometoSDfordinner:

 

 

Ah...those were the days....

 

OK, seriously:

If a wide turning circle is the BIGGEST complaint professional car reviewers can come up with about a particular car..... you win.

 

Don't forget the other big complaint. No keyhole on the passengers door

 

None on the trunk, either! SHEESH!!!

Matter of fact, there's only FIVE keyholes on the WHOLE CAR!! What are they thinking?!

 

And it doesn't even bring my fucking coffee to me in the morning...what the fuck?

 

Five keyholes?

 

1. Driver's door
2. Ignition
3. Glovebox
4. Trunk/Gascap lockout
5. Backseat release.

I think that's 5....

 

I can't think of another one...

 

Geek.

 

Nice.

 

I'm not saying it's a major concern but come on...it has the turning diameter of an SUV lol

Acura MDX--38.00
BMW X5--39.70
Cadillac SRX--39.70
Infiniti FX--38.70
Land Rover LR3--37.60
Lexus RX330--37.40

HA!!! BEAT ONE!!!!
Lincoln Aviator --40.50


Mercedes M-Class--39.00
Porsche Cayenne--38.40
Volvo XC90--40.00

 

So the Carrera GT has a 40 ft turning circle. I don't think I would buy one of those. It can't make a U-turn...

 

Interesting thread and stats... I'd celebrate the fact that TSX doesn't handle like an SUV

Frankly, I didn't realize it's got such big turning radius until reading these numbers... I've been U-turning on 2-lane-each-way streets with no problem at all, so no complaint here...

...except no key hole on passenger door Haha, who would even use the key hole on driver door with keyless entry?! (I know it can control the windows but :whocares: ).

 

yeah the key complaint is dumb..

i'd say the only 3 things that would make me buy a different car would be
1. better visibility (i'm short, not the car's fault)
2. comfort (bolster on the seat is in the way of shifting, also because i'm short i guess)
3. something a little sportier (RWD, little more power, better handling)

all around the TSX is a great car, especially for the money, don't get me wrong...those aren't any complaints of the car, just what I would look for as an improvement in my next car.

 

And that's all that REALLY matters. Not the number.

 

turning radius has nothing to do w/ handling, I'd be more concerned about how fast you can hold that turn at

 

 

It was only a matter of time before that came up...

 

 

It doesn't really bother me, but I do think if Acura really wants to go upscale, they need to pay attention to small details like these.... it is a lot of these small details/features/conveniences that makes a car refined. I think they could've done better in this turning circle thing, anyway

 

I don't think this should really be a big issue. It's a sacrifice you make for a more sophisticated suspension setup. Another compromise that people seem to whine about all the time. I really think people are making way too big a deal out of this.

 

I heard EVO has huge turning circle due to its excellent handling by using sophisticated suspension setup as well.