guys, an rdx owner here and absolutely love the car. for a 2nd car, i am considering the tsx. i live in the snow belt and while the tsx doesnt have sh-awd, i think shld be good for my daily 50km drive to work (total 100kms/day). correct me if i am wrong? (rdx may go to wife LOL - or tsx - depending on what i prefer).

what are the things that we need to be aware of in the test drive? ive seen a few complaints here re:

a) gas tank swooshing gas sounds (hence i need to turn of audio and listen if i can bear with the sounds while on curves)
b) engine noise (eg. harder to notice given rdx is prolly noisier LOL(
c) dead steering feel (eg. tsx has a different steering system vs rdx)

anything else i shld be looking at/focusing on? my dealer has allowed me to take the car for an hour or so (couldnt take the car home for the wkend, drats!) - so i wanna ensure i have the proper "test drive" as much as i can.

the other vehicles im considering are actually a cr-v (cheaper gas, 4wd, hence decent for a daily drive), hyundai tucson (even cheaper) and a VW Golf 2.5 not GTI (cheaper, but i doubt reliability - i cant test drive reliability LOL). i like the tsx option of having stick shift too btw (which cr-v doesnt offer)

oh finally, would there be a major redesign for 2011 or 2012? if you guys think there will be, i can wait for the 2011 or 2012 major redesigned model.

thanks a bunch!

 

major redesign usually happens every 5 years. The tsx had it's redesign with the 09 so I think the next one will be the 2014 model.

 

are you getting the tech package or the base? if tech, beware of the speakers blowing up on ya.
check if u like the things on there, ie ipod integration, bluetooth quality, etc

my sister drives the crv, i personally dont like it, but its not the car, its jsut me. i dont like big cars lol

good luck with ur decisions!

 

Only the 09's had the speakers blowing. 10's don't seem to have that problem.

 

The gas swooshing noise is only audible at rolling speeds(i.e. stop signs, in slow traffic, red lights). It's not a bother to me at all...you really have to be listening for it, and if you have your window down/music playing...it's totally inaudible.

 

^ I have not experienced the gas sloshing..but maybe cuz i always have music on or windows are down..

 

Although only have had the vehicle since Friday afternoon May 21, I have driven enough to go down to 1/2 tank. Am listening for the swoosh sound mentioned, but do not hear it, maybe they modified the insulation or something for later models, not sure. Also had driven a 2009 model when they first came out and thought the steering seemed over assisted, was told Acura refiqured this on the 2010, seems much better to me and the car handles very well and sporty.

 

I only hear the "swooshing" of gasoline when the tank is full. Once it starts to move toward ~3/4 of a tank, i never hear until I fill up again.

 

thanks guys. am not anticipating that we'll be getting the tech pkg - so at least we dont need to worry about blowing up the speakers. the swooshing sounds, if inaudible with music, are ok with me. just concerned a bit with these brake squeals that you're prolly still getting. but that's hopefully correct-able. given redesign/major overhaul isnt likely till 2014 (as some said), then yes, tsx is definitely in contention. we've ruled out the vw golf already actually. LOL

 

i have a 2010 TSX and i got a dealer to apply the front brake TSB about a month ago. my squealing is gone (knock on wood). i'm pretty happy about basically everything else with the car.

 

I'd recommend paying attention to the steering, which was improved for 2010 but still feels oddly numb on-center. It's decent, but not as good as BMW, Saab, and some others. I came from a Saab 9-5 Aero, whose steering didn't have the best on-center feel, but it was still better on-center than the TSX. (And better overall than most other Acuras I've driven.) Off center, the TSX's steering is probably more precise than the Saab's.

Keep in mind the feel does improve over time. I don't know whether the steering itself "breaks in" over the first few hundred miles, or whether its feel changes solely due to tire wear, but it does improve. I also suspect its feel would improve with different tires. I can't wait to throw some Continental ContiExtremeContacts onto my TSX. They worked wonders on my Saab.

Also, of course, play around with the seats, steering wheel adjustments, etc. to make sure you can get comfortable. The car fits me like a glove, but one of my friends always has trouble getting comfortable in Acuras, so you never know.

I've never heard the fuel sloshing around.

 

Lol - picked mine up on Saturday (5/22) and have used about a 1/2 tank. I have heard no sloshing but I drive with music and windows & sunroof open when weather permits. Steering is a little numb on center but not bad for the electric steering. Overall a nice car, replaced a seven yo VW.

 

Nothing bad really to say about the TSX. I usually pick apart my cars but you may not like the steering feel and the seats and ride are too harsh for some.

 

When I test drove the TSX the first time (it was a 4 cylinder manual transmission model) and the steering felt REALLY loose and "touchy". It was almost a deal breaker for me. Then I read online that the V6 models had some adjustments made to the steering. I went back to the dealership and drove a V6 model and it felt great. Since the V6 model was on the edge of my price range, I drove another 4 cylinder model and experienced the steering feel again. The salesman who was with me said that he could feel it too and it didn't seem right.

Long story short -- it turned out to be the air pressure in the tires. The salesman told me that when the cars are shipped to them, they put ridiculous amounts of air in the tires to help prevent flat spots from sitting. The car I was driving had about 60 psi in each tire. I noticed the tire pressure (because it tells you on the dash) and we pulled over and let about half of the air out of the tires. That IMMEDIATELY fixed the problem.

Anyway, definitely pay attention to the steering during a test drive and if you feel that the steering is completely nuts and wonder how anyone would drive a car that feels like that, make sure the tire pressure is in the 30 - 35 psi range. That made all of the difference in the end for me.

 

Very interesting. I know that tires have a lot to do with steering feel so I'm sure you have a point.