stanwelks

I'm considering buying a used 2009. How much difference is there between the 4 cylinder 2009 with tech and the 2012 4 cylinder with tech? Are there big differences with tech?

mrstak

iTrader: (1)

Use the search next time.

2011+ has an upgraded screen and HDD based navi instead of disc based in the 09-10 ones.

The navi/phone/sound interface is a little different between the two as well.

Steering is a little tighter on the 12 than the 09. At least for me.

MoaarLow

Holy Shit! There are a bunch of threads with this discussed in DETAIL. From exterior, To Interior, the package differences Etc. Search

spyked

The improvements occured in 2011 over the 2009 model. Tech package is more up-to-date, the 09 models were using NAV tech from 2004 models.

Also, in 2011 the cars got better MPGs though engine and transmission refinements. Steering was tighter sometime after 09 model year. Sound deadening was added in 2011. Interior got an upgrade in console and steering wheel materials. Added rear air vents (as if the rear holds human passengers).

The important updates on are on the outside. Grill on the 2011 TSX and 2012 TL is what they should have had starting in 2009.

So...if you can get a newer model for the same as an 09, you'd be a fool not to do it.

tuan43

if money is tight, get the 09. new cars depreciate a lot in the first couple of years so you CAN save a lot of money on a 09 IMHO.
if money is not tight, get the 12 and be very happy in it!

ssjoeboe9

Whats a tsx?

ceb

I'm not sure how you can say that the outside is more important. The technical advances far outweigh the cosmetic changes.

KillerG

The 2012 also has a thicker windshield for sound deadening, and rear AC vents, use of the search feature is heavily encouraged

And ceb, I agree with you to a point, the technical advances were very important and I personally feel the same way but,

you need to understand, some people value aesthetics and form over function, even to a fault, and that is that guys opinion.

Have you ever been to stanceworks? Make an account on their forums and see how that goes

http://www.stanceworks.com/

PyroDave

in 2012 we have google, in 2009 we only had search engines. does that answer your question?

spyked

I hear ya, however, my point is this:

If Acura would have used the 2011 TSX grill and 2012 TL grills from the start in 09, they wouldn't be in the predicament they find themselves in (on the verge of being closed up). They had two great cars, the TL and TSX, and RUINED them by...wait for it....making the outside ugly. Cosmetics trumps technology all day, every day, when new cars are introduced.

Those 09s were SOOOOOO bad according to the public that they actually ruined the TSX as a brand/model, period. That is sad and frustrating to me. I mean, Acura is discontinuing the TSX because of a GRILL design when you think about it.

I see 2012 TLs on the road now and I think...that is a goodlooking car! But it's too late...ditto for TSX. All because of a grill

ceb

Absolutely correct and perhaps my response was badly phrased. Aesthetics are subjective while technical improvements are more likely to be objective.

I'm not sure that most would agree that Acura is close to going away.

While we might be able to to differentiate between an '09 and an '11 grille, I'm not sure that the average Joe on the street could.

Perhaps we look at the beak (be it a TL or a TSX - pre or post 11) differently now because we are used to it.

There is clearly a popular consensus that the Acura trademark beak was designed by a Bangle wannabe but it seems premature to believe that a possible discontinuance of the TSX is based on grill design.

mrstak

iTrader: (1)

plus i really doubt the grille of the TL was the unbecoming of it...it's basically the entire way the car looks...from the front, back, side...the whole design of the 4g TL is horrendous.

ceb

Right. I believe that the whole beak theme is a fiasco and I'm not sure if "a little less offensive" from the new models is good enough, but there is no question that the newer models are a huge technological advance - too bad we can't have the new tech in the old body style.

komplexZ

I guess I'm a minority, I prefer the 09 grill to the redesigned grill, that's what really turned me on to the car. I like it better than 1st gen tsx too

KillerG

I like the 09 look too, its what initially drew me to the car, that being said, I would love to upgrade my navi somehow...

If anyone ever attempts upgrading 09/10 navi to 2011... I'll be right after you, I dont have enough technical expertise to tackle such a brave project myself

PyroDave

i dont mind the grill that much, i dunno why everyone has a problem with it. especially plastidipped black with the emblem chrome i think it looks really good

MrOtocinclus

My opinion of the '09 grille changed over time. I remember when I first got the '09, I cringed every time I walked into the garage. Now, I'm used to it and actually like it more than the '11 grille.

If I had to pick between an '09 or a '12, though, I'd still go with the '12. Firstly, regardless of which car you pick, you'll be starting off with a clean slate. A lot of the so-called "problems" that I have with my '11 are because I was used to the '09 and had a frame of reference. Examples include scrolling through songs and activating voice commands.

Secondly, there were some issues with the '09, considering it was the first MY of a new generation. Personally, I had the rear shelf creaking issue, and of course there was the issue with premature brake-wear as well. I haven't had any real problems with the '11 in the 6 months that I've had it.

If you're getting a car for the long haul, then the '12 would be a better choice, IMHO. Let us know how it goes!

mkeefe

11 has refinements and advancements from the earlier 2nd gen models.

Acura going away? Hardly. They took a chance on a new look, didn't land and other than the ZDX (seriously, wtf is that..) they haven't really seen a shortage of sales on any model. No one car design could kill an entire company, unless they never learnt from their missteps.

afax226

I think Acura finally got this style of grill right with the ILX. The grill on the 11+ TSX is better than the one before it is still a little too two dimensional. The grill on the TL at least has a nice crease line on the flat bar to make it more interesting.

TrojanTSX

I have both and like both. Our 11 does have a better front end than our 09 but not to the point were I dont like it. The 09 seems to have steering that feels like a rubber band, very responsive and tight and the 11 has a heavier feeling steering wheel and not as rubber bandy feeling.

Maybe I not describing the steering right, but it does seem like the 09 has a twitchier steering wheel than the 11. Like the rear end of the AP1 S2000 vs the AP2 S2000.

TSXKid2010

Ceb and KillerG agreed?! LOCK THIS THREAD. NOW.