Hey guys,

So it's time to move on from my 4-year lease. The TSX has been my favorite car. I've been looking at the G37 and the A4 with serious intention (the 330i and C300 were alright too, but meh), but when I test drove the 2012 TSX and was told about the 25 month leasing option I had a drastic change of mind! The 0.01% APR for 25 months is hard core awesomeness.

However, I'm wondering if anybody has any insight into what my experience would be with the new TSX. I see the engine specs are the same, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything. I like to drive the shit out of my car and use it to its full potential...no Sunday driving for me, thank you very much :P

The new tech package seems good: rearview parking monitor, full ipod integration (finally! I hated that I had to check my iPod for song title, and unplug it form the ipod connector everytime I wanted to search for a specific song), etc.

I'm NOT a fan of the fact that they got rid of the Sport Shift knob. The paddles are cool and all, but I really liked the feel of jamming the shifter up and down; somehow pressing my fingers into the steering wheel like I'm a traffic cop just doesn't have the same excitement to it...not to mention I can't shift gears as easily during a turn unless I keep my hands at 3 and 9...which will require a change in habits.

The rear window is smaller and the side mirrors are not as wide. The change in height seems pointless to me: I don't need to know if there's simultaneously an ant crawling and a plane flying...I'd rather know if there's a car in my blind spot. Speaking of which, I'm unclear as to whether the Canadian version has blind spot detectors. The car I test drove didn't have tech package in it.

I've test driven ALOT of cars in the last month and the best part of the test drive was always getting back into the familiarity of my own car. With the new 2012 TSX I felt that same "home" feeling, despite it being a radically different interior. I liked it .

Overall I'm interested in how the car performs in terms power and cornering, how the speakers sound with blasting techno, and how the gadgets operate. I haven't had a chance to play with the new Navi; the old one was really simple and intuitive. The lack of a touch screen concerns me when it comes to efficiency.

Thoughts?

 

Go with it with have a 2010 TSX and LOVE it, this is my 6th Honda product but 1st Acura. Build Quality is exceptional, I'd venture to say better then your 1st Gen, ride is great and the mid-range power has been improved out of the K24. My wife mainly drives ours as I have a work truck but when I drive I don't use the paddle shifters much but they are nice when wanting to downshift before coming to a stop or when passing and they work easily. Take Advantage of a product you know and love and stay with Acura, also that lease rate sounds really attractive.

We opted not to get the Tech Package simply for Price and I didn't feel the navi/sound/back-up camera was worth it. But for your case with leasing the vehicle you might as well get it fully loaded and enjoy those features.

 

get what you will enjoy-I was thinking of trading in my 06 tsx for the 2012 special addition tsx since it comes in Milano red and 6MT but no tech. I think I will hang onto my 06 longer. I drive too many miles for leasing.

 

my dad had an 08 5at with nav, i got the 2010 5at base. i've driven both alot, and i gotta say, i really enjoy mine a lot more. i feel like the engine has a bit more kick, it feels bigger and safer on the road(it really is a decent amount bigger haha) and i think a bit more luxurious. the drive feels like it may be a bit less sporty than the 08 but more luxury. mainly with the lighter steering wheel. i also wish i had the sport shift though, i love shifting with my right hand, not paddle shifters

 

with tech package its a good upgrade

 

If you want to have some real fun, spend a few thousand more and drop the J35, V6, in her. The extra weight up-front changes the entire dynamics of handling the car IMHO.

 

Either get the V6 or the SE.

 

I also love shifting but with manual transmission-not ss or paddle shifters.

 

Ya, the sales guy said it changes the entire drive...he suggested I wouldn't enjoy it, but I suppose I should really test that out for myself. I think it's only like $60 extra a month.

I have 4 more payments left on my '08...I'm going to try and get them to pay the rest of those and any end-of-lease stuff.

 

when i have my own car, i'll hopefully have a manual, even though im in nyc where it may be a bitch. for now, i gotta deal with what i can. its an amazing car regardless of transmission for an 18 year old