Hi all,

I'm still with my 05 TSX, and I'm eying the 2010 TSX for a few reasons: TrafficNAV, more power, ELS stereo, streaming bluetooth, and better handling.

Although I'm getting anxious, I get the sneaky suspicion that larger updates might be in store for 2011. Isn't it normal that Acura does a mid-model refresh? And is that normally the 3rd year?

Here are some things that I'd wait 1 year for if they were in the cards for the '11 model:

- TL's NAVI (better grphx & HD-based -- is there anything else that the TL Navi brings to the table?)
- Improved bluetooth integration with NAVIdisplay contact management and callerID with contact NAMES (for cryin' out loud!)
- A modest boost in HP for the i4 (225 HP?)
- Improved front fascia -- fixing the guillotine
- Adding the sound dampening system to the i4 that's in the V6

Any thoughts on these? Anyone who has access to product roadmap info that can opine?

I mean, if we're just going to get a copy-and-paste for 2011, I'll go and get the 2010 now...

Jon

 

If you can find anyone on here with an Acura product roadmap for 2011 I'll buy you a TSX.

Anyways on a more serious note, big changes are doubtful given that it is Acura/Honda, especially to the engine.

The I-4 is already quieter on the road than the V6 so I doubt they will make any changes to the sound dampening:

Edmunds
2009 TSX I4
41.8db - idle
74.9 - wot QUIETEST
66.1 - 70mph QUIETEST

2010 TSX V6
41.8db - idle
78.4 - wot
66.7 - 70mph

 

All the changes you listed are highly unlikely.

I would just buy the 2010 or get a really good deal on an 09.

 

Typically the MMC comes in the 4th year. Look at MDX and RDX: 2007, 2008, 2009 and for 2010, MMC. Since the TSX is a global car, it might update sooner (year 3) but with the recent talk at HMC about lengthening product cycles, I'd think it'll be 2012

 

They are launching Type S 2.4L at end of this year in EU. Type S is kind of small MMC as you get new headlights/rims/interior lighting/sporty bumpers.
MMC i am expecting spring/summer of 2011 as 2012. That will be three year point.
At that time they should give atleast 6AT/DI/HDD/upgraded rims. I will not be surprized if they put 2.4L hybrid to battle with HS hybrid.

 

Could be 2011, could be 2012. For the 1G TSX, the MMC was in the 3rd year (2006)....so a year 3 MMC is plausible here as well. However, like Colin mentioned, they might lengthen the product cycles, so who knows.

 

I agree i hope they add the caller id with contact name.

 

My memory is foggy, but didn't we get the TSX a model year after the introduction of the 2003 JDM Accord? If so, that would make the MMC in year 4.

 

I'm not sure, but I guess I go by the model years according to when it's available in the States. 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 - 2008, MMC in 2006 which is year 3 for the US. I wasn't aware it was determined by availability in Japan. Doesn't really make much sense to me, really, if that's the case. Eh, what do I know?

 

Not availability but rather years (total) in production. It takes a certain amount of time to amortize the assembly line costs. If the chassis (CL9?) is up for MMC, we all get it at the same time. They won't run two lines and stagger MMC. I think this is what happened with 1st gen TSX.

As another example, look at the Fit. 1st gen started late in the US but we still changed over to the new body w/ the rest of the world. (Even though it was only 2 years old in the US)

 

You have to go by time line not model years.
1G TSX was introduced 6 months later in US market. and it got MMC in fall of 2005 but the car was introduced in fall of 2002. so it was exact 3 year difference.


historice document claiming 0.26 Cd. how many car in world in 2002 can do that?
Now 2G TSX introduced in spring of 2008. I am atleast expecting 3 years time line to spring of 2011 for 2012 model year. if you dont consider minor model upgrades as MMC.
I am expecting new larger IS for 2011/2012 model year. Even Toyota camry has 6AT with 180ft-lb. 2G TSX has to raise the bar significantly.

 

Headlights, what headlights. Would they be the all clear ones by chance????

 

News update:

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/03/r...to-save-costs/

In the '80s and '90s, the typical product life-cycle for Japanese vehicles was four years and out. During that time, the bodies typically got a full refresh and most of the underpinnings received evolutionary updates. Automakers based in North America and Europe would typically build essentially the same cars for 6-8 years before a major redesign. Over the last decade Honda and Toyota have stretched out the life-cycles of their mainstream models to five years and other lower volume cars and trucks would stay around even longer.

With Honda facing the same economic realities as every other company, it's looking at even longer cycles. Models that are unique to North America like the Accord and Odyssey are likely to be the first to go to a six year span between redesigns. Simply delaying a redesign on an existing vehicle can be problematic because tooling designed for a specific lifespan can start to cause quality problems. Keeping a high volume car around longer can also lead to falling demand in later years.

In spite of the economic problems and models like the S2000 being discontinued, Honda is bringing a number of new models to market including the Crosstour and CR-Z. Other models like the Civic and Fit that are common globally will probably stay on the same re-design schedule.

 

Couple of thoughts. The tooling and dies "designed for a specific lifespan" is not a lifespan in years, but rather a lifespan of usage. If you're building less cars overall, the number of stampings is reduced, thus extending the lifespan.

If 'world' cars stick with the normal product cycle, then I'll stick with my prediction for a 2012 TSX MMC.

 

How about a proximately key. A Nissan Versa can be equipped with one for cryin' out loud.

 

I wonder how many TSX sales Acura loses to the Versa due to the lack of a smart key?

 

probly thousands hahahahaha, well what i iwould love is some clear headlights, like on the TYPE S in europe im looking everywhere but cant find those

 

So, the consensus is that a MMC will arrive mid 2011 as a 2012 model at the earliest due to precedent in addition to economic realities pushing back updates?

 

[raises hand] A consensus of ONE! Ha Ha....

 

Oh, was all that fodder about 2011 just you, Colin? I wasn't keeping track of who was saying what! Yeesh... you almost had me going out and buying a 2010 this weekend!

Seriously, I so much don't want a car for 5 years with bluetooth w/o NAMES. For heaven's sake, my add-on BT carkit today (Moto IFH1000) speaks the names to me!

Also, in the 09 test car I was in, the bluetooth streaming was very choppy and almost unlistenable. Which bums me out because bt audio streaming is a killer app for me.

 

from your first post it seems you want 4cylinder model. so it is safe to say its MMC is far away. but in case of V6 there is slight chance of 6AT next year. for 4cylinder it wont matter as engine dont have power to make a performance difference.
secondly. there is sales tax deduction on you federal tax return if you buy car in 2009. so it is advantageiou to buy 4cylinder TSX.

 

LOL, no it wasn't. Just a joke that although I seem to be 'sure' many are unconvinced.

Interesting comments on the BT Audio. What kind of phone do you use? Also I wonder if the bitrate the MP3s are recorded at makes a difference. (I'd imagine it must matter).

I must admit that BT audio is quite a conundrum to me. (remember I don't have it). For example, if I were to get the iPhone 3GS the feature is supported. It must run down the phones battery AND I can't imagine it sounding better than a hard wire connection. So A) I need my phone to work as an ... um.... phone, it would be undesirable to expend the battery for music. B) If were to use it in the car AND I want good quality sound, I'd probably want to plug it in.

On a side note, I'm looking for a BT kit that will voice dial with a 2G iPhone. So many BT kits with voice dialing use the phones internal voice dialing and this won't work with the original iphone (which doesn't to this). I have been looking at the Parrot CK3000 but will look into your Moto as well.

 

I thought I'd answer point by point with my OPINION... (a grain of salt may be needed)

TL's NAVI - **The TL Navi should also bring parking guidelines, though it would be "Honda like" to remove it from a 'lower car'

Improved bluetooth integration - At best, you would get the functionality of the current TL system, there are questions if it is truly better.

A modest boost in HP - Doubtful. I don't think K24 development is high on their list right now.

Improved front fascia -- fixing the guillotine - In Acura's eyes, the TSX is not broken, I don't expect a change. (the TL on the other hand....)

Adding the sound dampening system - Doubtful.

**A few years back I had heard that they planned to move all the cars to the HD Navi. I am guessing here, but the downturn in the economy probably delayed these plans. There is probably a contractual obligation to Alpine for the old systems, and they're just not 'using them up' as quickly as planned. (just me thinking out loud)

 

I would love for the V6 TSX to have the 6sp Auto 2011+. I'm quite sure that Acura will put in their 6spd auto in all their cars because it's already in the 2010 MDX & RDX

 

To continue to be competitive, they better. The 5-sp auto has got to go when so many others are using 6, 7, DSG, CVT, etc.

 

One salesman told me he expected a Type-S of the V6 model, with a manual transmission option. This makes sense, because even the TL SH-AWD model is getting a manual option. The salesman did not claim to have inside information about this -- he just suspects it.

I'd most like to see direct injection on the I-4, which should provide a little more power and torque, and possibly a mileage improvement. Another 15 hp and lb.-ft. would cure the car's biggest weakness IMO.

 

Interesting theory on the Type-S. Personally, I have my doubts, mainly because I think they'd rather sell US produced cars than Japan made cars. However, it is like them to produce a low volume car in Japan. Still such a move would happen at MMC (whenever that is)

Improvements to the K24 are another story. Items like DI and A-VTEC should debut on top of the line product and 'trickle' down to the rest of the line up. For example, a V-6 for the Legend, VTEC on the NSX and SH-AWD on the RL. Introducing front line technologies, on the entry level car would be a new move on their part. However, the TSX is the 'top of the line' 4 cylinder car so who knows....

 

It is worth noting that right now, they only have a 6 cylinder version of the 6AT. I'd bet we see it in the TL and Accord (V-6) before they do a 4 cylinder version for the other products.

 

First off.. wtf is MMC?

Secondly, They can drop the worthless v6, throw a turbo on the 4cyl and make AWD. If they had a tsx with sh awd it would create more sales than a v6. Plus 5 grand more for a v6 makes no sense, but 5 grand more for AWD is more justifyable.

 

MMC = mid model change

Sometime during the model cycle, Honda adds some features to the car and/or makes some subtle styling changes.

 

I use an AT&T HTC FUZE (Touch Pro). Stereo bluetooth streaming works fine with my Moto stereo bluetooth headset. re: bitrate; it's probably the same as I ripped it: 320kbps, but it might be downrez'd to 128kbpbs. But the streaming issues also happened with downloaded podcasts with probably 128kbps rate.

Yeah, wireless bluetooth does drain battery, but I like the idea of never taking my phone out of my pocket in my car for anything - phone calls or playing back music.