Howdy! First time poster here. I just wanted to share my extended test drive experience with the '09. My family is currently in the market for a new car so this is in the running.

Below is my slightly edited post from when i first posted it over at Maxima.org.

I test drove the 09 TSX this weekend and actually came out of it quite impressed. The steering is a little light at very low parking lot speeds, but it gets tighter as you put more load on it. Under-freeway turns are much more precise than even on my Max (RSB/FSTB/Summer Tires/Forged alloys/Springs/Struts), with barely a feel of body roll. It basically felt flat on those turns. On the freeway it also felt more solid.

The 2.4 is also quite peppy given it's low rating. You still feel the VTEC engagement at 4k but it's not as pronounced as the 1st gen. Sure it's no stoplight sprinter, but it still gets up to speed briskly without feeling like you're annoying people behind you, it also kicks down gears nicely when needed (it was the auto). The "manual" downshifting is quicker but didn't feel as quick as that of even the CVT-based "manual" of an Altima SE and definitely not as engaging as that of the '08 G35 with the rev match algorithm. I think the 6-spd would be much more fun to drive given the cars sporty demeanor. Given it's 8-second 0-60 rating from Edmunds, it surely didn't feel that way.

The brakes are also quite good, not as good as on my max but then again it barely had 100 miles on it, so it probably needed proper break-in. I did try the 60-0 stops that Edmunds did and there was no hint of fade.

The door "thump" when you close them do sound nice and solid.

I do, however, see why some 1st Gen TSX owners are complaining. Although it's a good all-around car with a sporty characteristic, it does feel heavier and less nimble -- but it's not as bad as some reviewers make it sound. The 2nd gen is just more solidly built so your senses can easily deceive you.

The ELS surround sound was wonderful, most especially for an OEM solution. I also loved the redundancy of most controls (Audio, climate, nav, bluetooth), you can do it via steering wheel, the dash controls, through the nav system or via voice.

One thing that did catch my eye almost immediately was the odd texture of the dash. First thing that came to mind was "black-painted styrofoam". It felt nice, though. The seats "hug" you. It's the same feeling i had when we bought our departed RSX several years ago.

As for the looks, i actually like it. I've always felt that Acura does the best when it comes to Euro-looks on their vehicles when compared to Infiniti and Lexus. The TSX is no exception. Then again, this is the Euro Accord after all.

The front, as one mentioned, does look transformer-ish. It reminds me of Optimus Prime, but hey, i loved Optimus!

Seriously though, the car is absolutely beautiful in person. Simple elegance is what i would call it.

I believe the engine bay can easily fit a V6 or even a turbo. And unlike my 5.5 gen Maxima, i can already tell that changing spark plugs will be a breeze! LOL.

Overall, i'd give the car an 8 out of 10. It could use at least another 20-30hp, but the base engine is still a fun little revver. I also think the dash material could use some sprucing up a bit.

I actually wouldn't mind getting one. It's not the best, nor is it the worst, of the bunch. But it has a good mix of everything. It's also fun to drive, in a non-jackrabbit type of way.

Your mileage may vary, but given the type of roads i drive on around here, i think the TSX would actually be a good, fun, daily driver. You can wring the daylights out of that fun engine without getting into too much trouble, and the chassis will comply nicely. I've always felt that i can barely stretch my Maxima's legs because there's either not enough room for it, or that it will catch the po-po's eyes like bee to honey.

By the way, the only thing that bothers me is the strict requirement of Premium fuel. I feed my Maxima with it, and don't mind the premium, but do remember during the evac here in Houston where only regular was available for a couple of days. The TSX brochure mentions Premium as a requirement or one will risk damage to the engine.

 

Great write-up. I have very similar feelings about the car and it's good to see the car making good impressions on people coming from other brands. Do you plan to buy anytime soon or are you still shopping around?

 

Great write up, once again proving the old adage: "It's more fun to drive a slow car fast, than a fast car slow!"

 

haahaha nice review

 

Great review! i wouldn't buy one and think the car has alot of room for looking much better and i like the G1 much more.

quick question, is the nav screen a touch screen? it look slike its too far out of reach to be a touch screen...

i';m sorry to sound like an asshole or be a prick but thats the stupidest statement i've ever heard. you sound like you never had a fast/powerful car to drive around. idk maybe its just me, but i have a 2.3CL, i think its slow. i drive it hard, and don't care, but then get inside my 93 6spd Legend, which is quite quick, and I love not having to push the shit of my car inorder to go FASTER then what i do in my CL. ITS MUCH more fun driving a fast car, even slow. i love being able to "drive slow" or rather take it easy on it and still be driving faster then my CL.

 

No more touch screen on the nav.

 

Thanks for the nice review, this pretty much echoes the sentiments I have from my test drive yesterday. You can't just write off a car by looking at pictures of it online (go test drive it!). In person the TSX looks really good, and it's a damn good car. A few improvements, including more engine power, could be made, but it is a very nice and fairly priced luxury sedan.

 

All new Acuras use an interface dial to control the navi. This allows them to place the screen higher on the dash to keep it in your line of sight.

As for you second statement, you do sound like a prick and an asshole. You obviously have never heard the statement. An 'old adage' means it's been around a while and I didn't make it up.

 

Thanks. This is in the running, so far it's this, the G or a Legacy 3.0. I test drove the Legacy after the TSX and although it felt more powerful, i really didn't feel the drive at all. AWD is nice, but odd as it sounds i didn't feel as connected to it as i did to the TSX.

It's not a touch-screen. There are pros/cons to it, but i think for this application it's good that they went with the knobs/buttons. The screen is set deep into the dash (to allow for the cowl/hood and prevent glare) that it would feel awkward to reach out to touch it while driving.

NP on your reaction to the adage, but i have to agree with Colin to a certain extent. My 3.5L Maxima is a fairly competent "speedster" so i know what it feels to drive a relatively quick and fast car, but there's hardly room for it around here that i really don't need to even go past 4k rpm to get up to speed in the city, in fact i can still get by with 3k and still get a jump on stoplights. Going higher would just cut short the excitement because i need to stop for the next light. On the freeway, in an ideal environment, i do get to stretch her legs but only for short sprints, again because i've hit the ideal speed faster.

It's really hard to explain, but being able to hear the engine and wring out a "slower" vehicle has its benefits and fun-factor. I used to own a 2k Civic EX bought in '99. That thing was snail-slow, but it was fun to drive and hear the engine scream. The Maxima is competently faster, but i only get to hear the engine in short intervals.

Of course, these only really apply in real world traffic-filled road conditions. Out on the open road (when it does happen) and on the track, i'd take a faster car for sure.

 

BTW, you can put 87 or 89 octane in there, the anti-knock sensor will control it, but performance (and likely mileage) will be degraded some. YMMV, but some feel that the optimum performane with 91 or 93 provides better mileage sufficient to make the expense difference negligible.

Welcome to the forums, if you end up buying her, I hope you become a regular visitor.

 

Hi everyone....as you guys know, I am sold on the 09 already but it was nice to see a PWP with a full bodykit at a dealership nearby. The car looks amazing with the kit on it and can't wait for mine to come in. Interestingly enough, they had an 08 in the showroom too (next to it) and the 09 looks so much better (and bigger) IMO....again...the IMO = In MY Opinion so I don't expect everyone to agree with me, nor am I trying to convert the one that feel the previous generation was better...Just making an observation.

I HATE WAITING!!! COME ON 09 PWP TSX!! I am ready

 

Did you order the sport bumper kit with yours? My dealership said they could not order it because Acura had placed a hold on them in the warehouse. I called Acura Client Services last week and they told me there was a paint issue with the sport bumper kit but that they should be shipping soon (I called them because the parts guy at the dealer didn't have any specific date info). Then Yesterday I got a call from ACS and they told me the bumper kits would be shipping next week! I could get the car now without the kit and it's so hard to wait for it, but I really want it so I'm doing my best to stay patient.

 

Ease your pain by downloading the manual(s) and studying up ... or would that make it worse? When I was reading my manual I kept resisting the temptation to run downstairs and try out what I'd read. I finally just sat in the car at night and studied + played.

 

26Shaun.....I don't think we can order one directly from the manufacturer...I was under the impression that when the cars gets in, parts order in and puts them on. I haven't heard any problems with the kit and I have seen one at the local dealership. I'll have to inquire about that when the cars gets in next month....Thanks for the heads up!!

 

I was also gonna comment about the gas, OP says reg. will damage the engine? On previous cars Acura always just said, reg. can be used but performance will be less.

I like the car overall too, but the rear quarter panel to to the rear bumper looks bloated and shapeless. maybe it was just the white version.

 

123456SPEED...I am under the impression that the gas is just lower performance and slightly less gas mileage. In fact, I was listening to a car radio show on the weekend and they were talking about just this exact topic. As far as the back of the TSX...I like the new line, I like that nice little curve on the back that curls where the top of the trunk is...hard to describe but I think you know what I mean. If you get the chance to see one with a bodykit...nice...

 

The sport bumper kit was available when the 09s went on sale on the 24th. Acura did not place the hold on them until the 28th when they identified a "paint issue". They would not go into more detail about the issue, but apparently the problem has been fixed and the kits should become available again starting next week.

 

Thats great news...hopefully the problem will be solved by the time I get to order mine (in about a month). I just hoping that when I do order one, I won't get the defective one because how would I know? They could try to pass off their defective products....

 

 

Do you tell this to customers who have reservation about Acura's 4 bangers and V6's? That's salesmen talk I've ever heard it. If I had a dime for every Porsche owner that said they wished their car was slower I'd be none the richer.

 

^ You're an idiot. It's a joke for crying out loud.

 

It's why he's got a season pass to my ignore list. But ever the optimist, I regularly take him off because once in a while, a gem escapes from his keyboard. We all have good days and bad days.

 

Jokes are funny.

 

Hmm, really? You're a joke and you're not funny

 

Okay, okay, guys, attack the ideas, not each other. Let's get back to appreciating the new '09 TSX....

 

I want to read about driving experiences, not insults.

 

Just an update on this. I really wanted to test drive the stick, so i stopped by this weekend and did just that. It was a black/black 6spd with tech... man, what a beaut!

Anyway, just a little background, i haven't driven a stick in waaay more than a decade. Back then, it was on a "VW Sakbayan" a.k.a "Country Buggy" (look it up on Google, funny looking car). Anyway, it had a 4 spd manual.

Fast forward and here i am sitting in a 2009 TSX 6-spd. I was a bit nervous, of course, but after i started moving... boy! i just realized how much i missed driving a stick. The clutch and shifter is absolutely buttery smooth. There was no stalling, no hunting, no issues whatsoever. Because the car is also very quiet it was a little tricky judging where i was on the rpm/speed range so gauge when i should upshift... so that took a little while to get used to.

The characteristic of the manual is just so different from the paddle-shifter equipped TSX i test drove earlier. If only Acura dealerships here had the exact combo i wanted, i'd have already been a TSX owner by now.

 

I'm sorry but your comment too Colins comment is the stupidest thing I've ever heard...well in a while.

I agree with colin....

-former corvette owner.

 

Great review, nicely written, 8 out of ten, "styro" for dash, yep, it's all there.

Where's the money shot?

That's right. You've got 35K in your pocket and the new car itch.

The big question: 2009 Acura TSX, Audi A4, BMW 3, Honda Accord Coupe, Infiniti G, Nissan Altima/Maxima, Mercedes C, Pontiac G - the list goes on and on.

Count it out in $100 dollar bills.

Right into the palm of his hand.

"Better to drive a slow car fast..."

"Only needs a new grill, new rims, factory kit - did I mention the suspension?"

"It's a Honda! Maintenance should not run more than another $1,000 to $2,000 for the next few years."

"Oh yeah, BMW builds that into the price."

"What's that, you're going to wait for Gina?"

http://www.bmwblog.com/2008/06/10/fi...-gina-concept/