I just took delivery of my new Garbon Grey Pearl TSX Automatic (non-Navi). My early impressions are much as I expected, except for the in-town ride characteristics. Anyone else feel that the TSX is overly harsh over bumps and irregular surfaces at low speeds?

Andrew Bertsch
Sidney, Ohio
abertsch1@woh.rr.com
937.498.1170
'99 Accord EX V6 Coupe
'04 Acura TSX Auto
'99 VFR800FI

 

Check your tire pressure. The door panel sticker should be 34/32 psi. Shipping PSI is usually set around 40 psi. Makes a big difference in ride quality.

 

It's fine with me, but you do have to expect a harsher ride with 50 sidewalls than with 60 and 65. Plus the TSX suspension is definitely much firmer than that of an Accord. You'll be thankful once you start getting intimate with tight corners.

 

At first I noticed a very harsh ride, but either I got used to it or the car loosened up a bit.

 

lol don't take this as an insult but the tsx is no where near harsh. Have you ridden in a lowered car with low profile tires before? Now that can get harsh.

 

Harsh is a relative term based on what I've driven before. Stiffer than anything else I've ever owned but on the flipside it handles much better.

 

You get used to it...trust me. I thought the same thing at first too. Making sure you're running the correct tire pressure will help though...dealers tend not to check the pressures after the cars are delivered. Mine were a good 7-8 psi over the specs when I first checked!

 

Harsh is all subjective. Obviously this guy isnt a "car type guy"

 

I was kind of a comfort juckie. But I like TSX's firm ride, cus it handles great.

 

Yes , its stiffer because its a "sports" sedan. You get better handling with a trade off in comfort, but not quite as extreme as in a real sports car.

But tire pressure is definatley something to check. Mine came way to high from the factory and it made a noticable difference.

 

yup, it might be harsher because its suppose to have a "sport" suspension.

 

Yes, the TSX will have a "harsher" ride than your 99 EX Accord. Trust me, you'll get accustomed to it and you'll realise that the handling is much tighter and responsive as a result.

 

Believe me, I am more of a "car type guy" than you could imagine. At 56 years of age, I've owned everything from a Triumph TR7 to a Mazda RX7 to a BMW 328i and a SAAB 9-3. None of these cars rode as harshly as does the TSX, but I will say that with every new mile, the suspension gets a bit less harsh, and I think after another 100 miles or so, I'll be perfectly happy with the ride. This is clearly a great car...the performance/handling are superb, and nothing in this class comes remotely close in terms of bang for the buck. It took me just two days to fall in love with this terrific car.

Vifferman
'99 Honda Accord EX V6 Coupe
'99 Honda VFR800FI
'04 Acura TSX AT, CG, non-Navi