Originally Posted by LuvMyTSX

Jeff from VTEC posted an updated review on the TSX.


Here's what he says:

I've had the '09 TSX for about a week now and I've now put more than 800 miles on it. In that amount of wheel time, I've managed to forget about comparing this to the previous generation TSX and instead shift my focus on what the 2009 TSX is all about.

First off, I think the new motor is certainly a win. The tractability is amazing and as long as you have about 3000 rpms on the tach, the car pulls pretty nicely (it gets even better at 4000 rpms). This means that you're not suffering a huge penalty by short shifting the car, nor do you ever find yourself in that vast black hole of torque on the 1-2 upshift that existed on the previous generation TSX. While the really curvy roads required constant shifting between 2nd and 3rd, even in my modified TSX, I found that this car pulled out of most turns on the same roads with quite a bit of zest by staying in 3rd gear. Only on the very tightest hairpins did I even think about kicking it down into 2nd. On top of all that, this car has delivered what I consider to be amazing fuel economy (for a 3400+ lb 4-cylinder). So far my net average over the entire 800 miles is over 26mpg, and that includes the dyno sessions and several hours at the drag strip. 30mpg on the freeway is quite easy, and 30+ mpg is even easier on secondary roads with posted speeds of 45-55mph. I imagine that with the taller gearing, 5AT owners may be reporting lower-mid 30's on the freeway.

I took the car to the drag strip yesterday, and invited LudegarH22A7 along so he could help shoot some video and photos. We went to the strip in Montgomery, AL, which is about 170 miles from home. The TSX felt really good on the freeway, the seats are superbly comfortable and the amazing ELS audio system helped the miles fly by. We tested the iPod interface with Jay's (Ludegar) iPhone and his 4th gen 60GB iPod video, and both interfaced successfully. Interestingly, on the 60GB iPod video, once the connection was established, his screen displayed an Acura logo - I meant to get a photo of it, but unfortunately I forgot. The iPhone displayed some error message about how it was connected to an incompatible peripheral, but we were able to play music from it anyhow. When not listening to the music on either of his iPods, we played songs off of an 8GB SDHC card, attached via a Sandisk Micromate USB SD reader.

As I mentioned earlier, with the miles, the steering feel has improved in the car somewhat, and I've also grown more accustomed to it, so until I drive something with more feel, it's not aggravating me anymore. The car doesn't meander as much within its lane now, which is a also huge plus. I spent the day playing around with the car on some of my favorite local mountain roads and found a new level of respect for the car. While I still think it's not quite as responsive as the previous TSX, it is still more than willing to get down and boogie. I want to say the car actually is a now a bit more neutral than the past TSX, but I'd have to get back behind the wheel of an older one to certify that statement. When playing around with it, I found that I could effect very a mild degree of oversteer when dialing in the correct amounts of steering and throttle inputs. I was able to sense the additional weight, but I may not have noticed it so much if the tires didn't start getting greasy. The brakes are supposed to be mostly carryover, with the exception of slightly larger rear rotors and the addition of brake assist, but there seems to be more to it, because considering the additional vehicle weight, the additional braking power and fade resistance seem to indicate that there's more to it than that. The new steering wheel has a nice fat rim and it may just be an illusion, but it seems smaller in diameter than the previous one, which gives it a nice and sporty feel.

If you're wondering how it did at the track, it did okay - 0-60 in 7.6 seconds and the 1/4 mile in 15.8@88.5 (it was so consistent I did 3 consecutive 15.8s). The car could definitely do a bit better than that - there were significant grip issues - I was launching at part throttle, just off idle, and then ramping into it - otherwise I would get a lot of wheelspin and/or axle hop. And driving it today, I think the car actually feels stronger now - I performed a 5-60mph run and the performance computer registered 7.2 seconds. I need to analyze the numbers from that run and compare it to one of the 15.8 runs to see how they line up. While it may not be a burner at the strip, on the street this car feels like it has more "everyday" speed to offer than the '08 TSX.

Overall, I think if you were considering taking a look at the '09 TSX, but were put off by the initial drive reports (including the one we published last month), I think the TSX deserves a hard second look. I'm glad I've had the opportunity to drive it again, as the time with it has certainly improved its position in my book. The level of luxury for the money is quite impressive, and it's a better all-around performer than I initially gave it credit for. Add the impressive fuel economy on top of that, and the car has a lot of things going for it.

Link

Originally Posted by dom

Good to see some positive feedback. I certainly didn't think the 09 would be a sales flop and by most accounts it won't be. But it still doesn't sound like its enough of an improvement over the first gen, at least from my perspective.

Originally Posted by Colin

I think some of the problem is that not everyone is looking to improve the performance of the car. I know some G1 owners bought the car as a 'stepping stone' on the way to something else, but many bought it for what is is. For those folks, this is a good upgrade.

Originally Posted by prballard

I hope to get a test drive on a 6MT tonight. If I do I will give you a full report.

Originally Posted by LuvMyTSX

Part of me is curious and wants to go to the dealer for a test drive on Saturday, but I don't want to be tempted into buying a new car.

Originally Posted by dom

first year gremlins, first year gremlins, first year gremlins

Originally Posted by dom

first year gremlins, first year gremlins, first year gremlins

Originally Posted by TMQ

The improvement seems to be pretty small. The competition is much tougher now in the same market segment, I think TSX sales will likely go below Gen1 if you compare the model years from 2004.

Originally Posted by Colin

That might be true if the only possible pool of buyers were former or current G1 owners.

Originally Posted by prballard

Hey Colin have you driven a 09 yet? I got big a difference between my 6MT test drive and my 5AT test drive. I was hoping you would give your opinion.

Originally Posted by Colin

I drove an AT yesterday and my thoughts are up on my page along with a few pics. I have a limited amount of time in the MT but didn't notice any real difference in the steering between the two. I'm planning to drive more today to see if I feel the same thing that you're talking about.

Originally Posted by prballard

Thanks for posting. Just got in from tennis. Now I am icing my knee.

Originally Posted by Colin

Yeah, you'd think knees would last longer than 46 years.... mine ache all the time too, and tennis is a thing of the past for me.

Spent a bit more time in the MT today, and I cannot detect any difference between the two cars' steering. I do however have a theory why current TSX owners are having such a hard time.

Current owners are driving a car with a 16.0 to 1 ratio. The new TSX is 14.8 to 1. This makes it much more sensitive to steering inputs. I have had little trouble adapting to this because I've been driving EPS equipped S2000s for the last 8 years. Our first one had a 13.8 to 1 ratio, and the current one has a 14.9 to 1.

I have a decent amount of track experience and I really appreciate the quick ratio. I agree the steering is overboosted, but no more so than the RDX or S2000.

Originally Posted by prballard

Count me in, I sold. I am going to buy a 2009 TSX 6MT w/ tech.

Now, just to pick the color.

Originally Posted by Colin

Cool! I'm really liking the look of the Palladium Metallic. The Red and Vortex blue are a bit disappointing.

Originally Posted by Colin

Cool! I'm really liking the look of the Palladium Metallic. The Red and Vortex blue are a bit disappointing.

Originally Posted by prballard

I didn't care for the palladium metallic. "The Element" sort of blended into the body. That may sound good, but it really doesn't work.

I understand about the red (very dark), but why didn't you like the vortex blue?
BTW - they are the only two colors I haven't seen in person.

The vortex blue and the polished metal are my two first choices so far.

Do you agree that the crystal black looks more upscale (Lexus, etc.) than the nighthawk?

Originally Posted by LuvMyTSX

That's what I keep telling myself. That, and I want to wait for the diesel.

It's just so tempting because I don't have navi in my 04, and would like bluetooth and iPod integration, etc. I'm being wooed by the tech that isn't in my 04.

Originally Posted by Colin

Paint looks fine to me? Is there supposed to be a problem?


(not that I'm anticipating a new bout of whining...... )

Originally Posted by GeorgeTSX

Same here. Although I just made my last car payment on my 04 TSX (bought in April 2003) and it will be nice not to have an almost $500 a month car payment for a while.

Originally Posted by RogerPodacter

curious, are you guys still paying full insurance once you've paid off your car? i make my last payment on my 04 this month, and i am debating lowering my insurance. i first saw the new model TSX today, so i decided to jump on the forum and see what's up. i am gonna enjoy having no car payment for a long time before i buy another car

Originally Posted by dom

I thought it was pretty common knowledge that the paint on the 1st gen TSX was horrible (Easily chipped, thin). Its been discussed around here several times.

Originally Posted by Brandon24pdx

Chipped very easily, yes.