I did test drive one a while back but I forget. It was just a really short test drive just to check everything worked properly, didn't really get into the handling or anything.

I've always liked the light and nimble feel of Honda's. being FWD isn't an issue for me, I find RWD to be overrated anyway. I've driven plenty of RWD cars and I have yet to see the real benefit of owning one, unless you consider fishtailing, losing control and spinning out in some light rain a benefit. I used to own a Honda Civic and that thing handled awesome in the corners, it was so zippy and fun. I know Honda isn't quite like this anymore but I was just wondering if the TSX still had that traditional light/nimble feeling that I love oh so much.


This isn't really important but I purchased a 2008 Infiniti G sedan last summer and the way it handles.. just not my style. The infiniti G series always gets so much praise for being based on the Z platform, but driving this car it feels like a big heavy lug. Steering is artificially heavy and non-linear (when exiting a turn the steering wheel doesn't return to center like most cars, instead you have to literally work it back into position which is really damn annoying after a while, especially when making hard right turns into busy traffic) and on slightly bumpy surfaces the steering wonders so bad, even when I grip it with two hands as hard as possible I still can't keep the damn thing in a straight line. Around the corners, it is missing that light playfulness/nimbleness you associate with most of its competitors. Just feels really heavy and dull. Interior design/ergonomics/material quality suck too, as well as the electronics. I could literally write a book about all the faults in this car, it is that bad. At the time I bought it, I was desperate for a car (I needed one by the end of that week), and that's when I found the G sedan, it was in good condition, had low miles, decent price, and I didn't have any time to think it over so I went for it. It was just a stupid mistake on my part. Ever since I've been checking listings in my area for other cars (searching primarily for a 2nd gen Acura TSX), but I still haven't found "that one".

 

Is your infiniti an AWD model? Cause it's funny, i have the TSX and my dad has the G sedan AWD and I personally thing his car handles much better than mine. (but his has hotchkis sway bars and 245 Pilot SS all around)

The TSX handles quite well, it feels nimble, but it understeers HARD especially under power. My other complaint is the steering in the TSX, it's too light (in my opinion). I upgraded my RSB on my car and that got rid of a lot of the understeer and body roll through the corners.

 

The 2G TSX I4 in my opinion is fairly nimble, but it's no EG/EK hatch nor EM coupe. Coming from a 2G TL, relatively speaking this car felt very nimble and punchy even from stock. After lowering it and putting on some stickier rubber, the car feels absolutely amazing. If you're searching for that old school Honda feel but in a somewhat more modern vehicle, 6MT would be a must.

This is obviously a very subjective topic, as I'd like to believe most 2G TSX owners that post here love their cars more than they hate them (I for one love mine). But, the answer you're seeking will be answered best from scheduling another test drive for yourself.

The 2G TSX is also offered in a V6 trim (albeit 5AT only). However, given the larger displacement 3.5L engine, it's intrinsically going to be heavier and the weight distribution will be more biased to the front. That car will be quick on the straights, but it is far from nimble in my opinion.

 

Even with a curb weight of 3400 pounds (similar to a bmw e60) it feels and drives much lighter than that... Close to 50/50 weight although artificially rear heavy the understeer is minimal unless your HOONTASTIC (iCrap).. Steering feel is lighter than older Hondas due to it being electric steering instead of hydrolic but still pretty precise.. Powering through understeer if you're really hauling ass can get difficult with lack of lsd but very predictable every time.. Body roll is surprisingly minimal with the stock suspension... All in all I go driving through the hills and turns in lake county which has some nice twisty roads with my buddies and a few have bimmers (one e60 525i another e46 330i both stock) and I fade on them around turns and have faded on plenty a BIMMER and Benz in my tsx. Although it all depends upon driver. They are quite a bit underpowered to today's standards, having a manual transmission helps a lil. These cars are still very enjoyable to drive. I LOVE my CU2

Edit: having a 6spd helps A LOT! not lil

 

The v6 will definitely make it more front heavy and being a previous cl-S 6spd owner I know for a fact this car handles MUCH better than my cl-S did being lighter in the front.. I experience much less understeer/torque-steer in my tsx than the cl... The type S just hauled ass in the straights for its day (mmmm j32)

 

Sometimes the understeer is minimal but when it really comes in it can be catastrophically bad.

My car is actually quicker than my buddies manual 330xi, especially in the corners. I have kept up decently well with a WRX and EVO in the corners before. I can't keep up with the Infiniti for shit though... in the straights OR the corners. Then there is the problem of pulling out of the corners... the gearing on the 5AT is too long. With the 6MT and LSD it would be a totally different story (and we now know we can swap the LSD in)

I still think OP is doing something wrong if he thinks the G dosen't handle well. (But i DO agree with your complaint about it wandering and not staying straight, ours has the same problem)
ex, there is a corner I can take in the G at 80-85 mph, but in my car the max is around 65 before the understeer just kills it.

But then again i have only driven a lightly modified one. And i'm pretty sure i drive my TSX harder than most people which is why my complaints about it might be a bit more.


OP you just need to drive one and experience it yourself and decide whether or not you like it. Every car i test drove I drove hard, who cares if the salesman is sitting in the car with you lol.

 

Well, he did say he bought an '08 last summer so it's got almost 5 years unknown history. It's entirely possible that his one data point of G handling is an outlier; It certainly doesn't jive with how I've felt the G/Z cars handle. I've always felt the were nice and responsively snappy.

OP might have gotten a bad example and is basing his opinion on that. I'd guess that if he rushed to buy, he might not have gotten the best car possible. It happens. Take your time shopping for the next car and really feel them out. Test drive more than one, and hopefully a new(ish) low mile one to see how it *should* feel and then compare the pre-owned candidates against that.

FWIW, I find my TSX to be peppier and as nimble (even with the Autotragic transmission), if not a little more surefooted, as my 2003 Accord Coupe MT.

Good luck!

 

^ ours is a '08 as well but was owned since new. yeah maybe something is wrong with the one he bought.

 

Hey iCrap, would you mind sharing what RSB you went with?

Stupid noob question: what's a LSD?

Thanks

 

^^^ In his sig: Progress RSB. Pretty much *the* goto bar.

LSD= Limited Slip Differential

 

I completely missed that, thanks!

 

I recently came out of a 2G TL-S. My TSX feels more nimble, until you turn and feel the heavy front end. I improved the handling by installing a Progress 22mm rear sway bar which helped. The V6 TSX is surprisingly quick and was hard to find in my region.

 

I love my tsx but it doesn't handle as well as I think it should. I'll probably upgrade the rear swaybar and see what happens. Quick lane changes and she's awesome, exit ramps that curve around? Not so much.

 

The sway bar and getting rif of the crap stock tires helps a lot. but it still needs something more... maybe i need to get some coilovers for mine.

 

The 2G TSX's quick ratio, light steering makes it feel much more nimble than it actually is, in stock form.


RWD is not over rated....but I will agree to some point that the G3X's feel a bit piggy. But they're still faster than a TSX in every way. Put both cars on any race track, and you'll see that they're not in the same league.


The TSX does, however, have a genuinely good chassis. And most Hondas handle/brake/steer/accelerate better than any other car in their category. You just have to drive them like a Honda.


Before we refer back to my last point...the G and the TSX are not in the same category....mostly because of the drivetrain layout.


The 2G has a better "feel" than the 1G. They masked some of the car's size. But the 1G would outrun the 2G on a track.


However...most comparisons of this kind of stuff aren't done on race tracks because nobody goes to a race track. On the street, you can not safely push the limits of any car. So "feel" is important.


You're going to "feel" like the TSX handles better than the G because of the very light and direct steering and relatively stiff bump damping. Plus the FWD layout and 200hp in a 3500+LB car makes the it virtually harmless. Stomp that right foot down and nothing bad will happen. You'll feel like a hero.

 

The EM1 is probably one of the worst handling/performing cars of all time lol. The only car that's worse is either another EM1...or an EM2.


The 8G was the first ever Si that actually performed. That was because there was no Integra/RSX model to make sure that the civic was purposely under-equipped.

 

I've driven many cars that handle much worse than an em1 or em2 in their respective eras.

 

Lol....you could probably take a Ford Taurus and strip it out, put a bigger motor in it, and keep up with a V8 supercar driven by some fruitcake.

I love EM1's. I've owned a few of them and tracked one. The performance is abysmal, even for the times....and that's ok. It was the most "Si" Si ever made...it was probably the best Si ever made. And it was likely one of the slowest/least effective on a race track.

Would you describe a stock EM1 as "nimble for the era" after driving it? It's a small car...so it shrinks around you better than a TSX, I'll give it that.

Again...anything bad I have to say for the EM1 comes from a place of endearment.

 

Lol cmon bro Ford Taurus?! My buddy had a red em1 si with just springs and we used to whip the shit out of that thing.. I just had to find a video of one road racing and that was the only one I could find lmao.


I was supposed to be at Palm beach raceway for their scca event but my clutch install has been delayed a week and my current clutch is trashed, or else I would be out there right NOW smh (getting extreme gear lockout during up shifts in high rev, miss shifts etc). My car gets shop time on Monday morning so next open event I'm there every time... I also go down the 1/4 mile track quite often here in orlando just for shits even though it's slow still lol... Don't underestimate your fellow enthusiasts sir

 

Well said. This car is fun as hell with the revs up.

 

Downshift and keep it in VTEC, you will be fine

As Roland pointed out, performance wise, you'll have to drive it like a Honda to get what you want out of it. This means high revs to say the least.

 

Eh I'll be honest. I merely listed the EM1 because the front clip resembles the EK lol

 

I have 47K on my 2012 SE with a 6MT. I've had KONIs on it since 8K, ProKit springs, adjustible rear control arms and 17x8" BBS stock STi wheels with 235/45 RE970s. I think the car handles great and rides very nice too, I'll take turns faster than most drivers in 3-series BMWs (they chicken out and lift while I stay on the gas). It's happened with a few Subarus as well. A lot depends on the driver and how well they know the turns they are taking. It is a very well balanced sedan IMO, and even though it isn't a sports car and is fairly large, the handling and steering is very confidence-inspiring and the car is capable of much more most will give it credit for. Brakes IMO are great as well.

For understeer -- stock Subarus understeer more, I owned one for 5 years. I'm talking momentum driving, not poweriding through turns.

Stan

 

^ would you say even a stock wrx or sti would understeer more than the tsx?

 

More? No. Less? Yes.


The TSX is a long wheel base FWD car. The chassis dynamic is good, but....it's not going to out turn a STi or new model of WRX without some careful work.

Again....a lot of these comparisons are being done on the street with really no controlling of variables. Just because you turned faster than some guy in a Bimmer doesn't mean that a TSX automatically handles better than a 3 series. It's not possible to do this type of test on the street. People are comparing their TSX's to EVO's and other cars that are clearly faster in every single way.


Who cares what handles better if you're not actually going to go to a race track with it? Drive the car and buy the one that feels better.


A TSX wouldn't be the obvious choice for a race track for so many reasons. Not to say that I haven't seen fast TSX's on a race track. But you have to try so damn hard to do what a STi or EVO or M3 can do without breaking a sweat.

 

A hot, cost effective set up for a TSX would be front stagger tires, lots of front camber, shorter gearing, a LSD, a bigger rear sway bar, and a lot of track time with the car. Plus brake pads and fluid, ofcourse.


I would start by tracking it totally stock first. Then move on from there.

 

I'm saying TSX is better balanced. Subarus are nose-heavy and tend to plow. STi vs WRX will differ because of drivetrain, STi can send much more power to the rear. I have more experience with pre-'08 models which have struts in the front, TSX also rides a lot nicer due to double wishbone front setup.

I bring up 3 series because many of their drivers tend to charge but can't commit and hang, and I also feel TSX is fairly close to their handling capabilities. Nothing against bimmers, I have an E39 wagon too.

Understeer/oversteer is hard to compare unless you are comparing taking the same corner as fast as possible, while accelerating. Obviously, AWD car will do better on snow or wet surface. Every car has it's advantages, but IMO TSX handles great for what it is.

Stan

 

Also, I think the Nissans are very capable cars and handle well. My co-worker has a manual G37 and stock for stock, I believe his car handles better and obviously has more power. But, it's built to do that, has wider tires, torsen, etc.

Stan

 

For a family-sized FWD sedan, I think the chassis dynamics and handling are excellent, and the suspension provides a great ride/handling balance. Of course it will understeer when pushed, but it has classic Honda agility within its limits, which are higher than most drivers will explore on public streets.

My gripe is the steering feel. Like many EPS systems, it provides little feedback and has poor on-center feel, with weak self-centering. It does have a linear response and good precision, so IMO it actually works better in the twisties than on the highway. To be fair, steering feel did improve when I switched out the stock Michelins for Conti DWS, but I'd say it moved from poor to just barely acceptable.

 

I actually like the Honda EPS system. Its very realistically weighted compared to other cars. Toyota's EPS feels like playing a 1990's arcade game.

I have a 1G with hydraulic steering and my gf has a 2G with EPS. I also have a S2000 (EPS) and we used to have a 8G Si (EPS). Idunno. I kinda like the EPS. Maybe because the EPS cars usually have a faster ratio and smoother movement.

 

I also can't fault the TSX's steering compared to the STi rack I had in my Subaru -- it's at least as good, if not better. Now, my friend had an EVO X, that car's steering is perfect.

Stan

 

Yeah, I agree the steering has decent weight, especially off center. In this respect it's much better, for example, than the steering in the F30 BMW 3 Series models I've tested. Also, if by "smoother movement" you mean even response, I agree with that too. That's a real strength of EPS in my experience. We have a Mazda with electro-hydraulic steering, and it provides much more feedback, but its relatively uneven response is a little jarring after I've been driving my TSX.

For me, the biggest issue is the lack of self-centering between about 10:30 and 1:30, and the resulting lack of an on-center "groove" on the highway, which reduces confidence in high speed lane changes, for example. The best hydraulic systems were vastly superior in this respect, and I miss that aspect of my old Saab 9-5 Aero. The only EPS system I've liked in this respect is in the Ford Focus ST, but I bet others are getting better as EPS develops. Mazda's is supposedly very good, and the steering feel fanatics of Car and Driver love the steering in the upcoming Jaguar XE. I hope Honda/Acura start paying more attention to this, because I wasn't impressed with the steering in the TLX (I4) I tested.

 

Tires can probably cure your "dead spot".

 

I love the torque of the J35 it pulls me out of the curves without hesitation. Now understeer.... the V6 model is very nose heavy :/

 

Stan

Any pics with the Sti wheels ?

 

Not to highjack the thread, but I rented a newer Dodge Dart a few weeks ago, and if you want to experience EPS the way it should be, try one of these. I'm not particularly a Dodge fan or anything, but the steering was so superior to that of my 010 TSX, it was inescapable.

 

Considering the Dart's Alfa Romeo DNA, I would expect the thing to handle at least handily...even though Chrysler probably still ruined it.

 

I don't have good pictures handy, here are ones I just snapped. Car is a real daily, I wheels were picked not based on looks.



Stan

 

 

Thanks Stan! Looks and functions great! much apprecaited