BuzzardBoy
04-24-2008, 06:08 PM
Spent today with the first '09 on the road here in Columbus out of Lindsay Acura. Literally fresh out of the prep shop, 5 miles on the Odo, on loan while my '05 had a rear control arm replaced. (This was a Black/Black auto. I got some pics on my camera-phone that I'll post later if anybody really wants to see 'em). I am a "new" TSX'er, only having owned my '05 since Jan. 30 - which I adore. So... Impressions: I am not fond of the restyled grill (which has been bashed like crazy by ppl already); it looks "wrong", and it feels plasticky. The center control stack bugs me. I think one could get used to the layout eventually, but I don't care for the arrangement, nor the look of the central control knob. I like the way it functions, just not the look. And, the placement of the Nav screen up and sunken into the dash is terrible; it's a little easier to do a quick visual check w/o having to take your eyes completely off the road, but I felt like it was too far away. Again, maybe you'd get used to it. I did really like the ride quality; felt a little more supple on the highway (the 270 loop around Columbus is a pretty busy, in-need-of-repair-in-a-lot-of-places highway, so it was a pretty fun 90+ mph test-drive :grinno: ). However, I actually like the sportier, taut handling of my '05. I think a lot of that has to do with the electric power-steering. I found it to be "twitchy"; high-speed lane changes gave "interesting" feed-back through the wheel. The same type of move in my '05 feels smooth and responsive. And then there's the question of power. This thing actually felt slower. Now obviously, my stock '05 auto isn't a speed demon, but I honestly was shaking my head when I paddle-shifted (I DO like those!) down into third and put my foot in it, and though I watched the tach swing up to 5300 (the motor does sound real nice), it did not feel nearly as "peppy". I don't know the numbers, but I'd imagine that the power/weight ratio is less in this car due to the increased size. Lemme see... The increases in interior room are nice, and the new seat is pretty darn comfortable. Oh, and the dark-red metallic (don't know the official color name...) is hot. That with quartz interior, tints and some sharp rims is gonna be drool-worthy (as soon as somebody comes out with a good-looking replacement for that lame grill!!)
So, would I spend $29,675 (sticker on it) for one? Not me. I'll stick with my CGP '05.
So, would I spend $29,675 (sticker on it) for one? Not me. I'll stick with my CGP '05.