First Drive Impressions + a few pics

[Colin]

I've got my thoughts up on my page along with a few pics of Gregio Gray Metallic on my site:

http://satoauto.com/cblog/index.php?/archives/165-2009-Acura-TSX-First-Drive-Impressions.html

[nj2pa2nc]

I test drove a basque red pearl 6MT with the tech package the other day. It handled very well and shifted extremely smooth (I thought my 06 shifting was great but this is even better). The extra features are ok but I would rather have blind spot and traffic ahead monitors like the volvo s-80 (my brother has that car and those two features come in handy. After looking at and driving the 09 I think I will keep my 06 until the 2010's come out. I am hoping they get the Milano red or something like it. I do want to thank Lehigh Valley Acura for letting me check out the car knowing how much I love my 06 and had no intentions of buying.

[wstagner]

I drove a gray one with taupe interior. I'd call the leather gray not taupe. Unlike most people here, I've no problem with the exterior appearance and I like the fact that it appears there's a little more leather (rather than vinyl) on the 09 seats. What I cannot get past are those ugly gray plastic gauges. They make an otherwise upscale luxury car look cheap. Also, the plastic wood is no longer available at all. For fake wood, it looks pretty nice in our milano red tsx.


I'm more of an olde luxury kind a guy (we love our recently purchased 2008 tsx). Steering feels loose in comparison to the 08 and "punching" the gas makes the engine sound like the Honda 09 Accord with the 4 cyl 200 horse engine. I didn't like that either.

I like the features of the new Navi but don't like the jog dial or how you now have to "type" by turning the dial. They should have kept the touch screen.

All of these points will be moot as soon as the 2008s are gone and we're probably gonna trade or sell our 2002 c240 Benz for another 08 tsx.

McGrath Acura in Westmont as approx 40 08 tsx left as of 4/28/08. They have 10-15 09 tsx.

Feel free to ask me any questions.

Walt

[wstagner]

One of the things I do for a living is sell high-end audio equipment. The new ELS system in the TSX isn't necessarily an improvement on the 08 TXS version. In fact, in my car, I have the bass turned down3/4 of the way and it's only then that the stereo sounds good. Otherwise, just like the Bose/MB system I have in other car, the bottom end is just loud and boomy.

There is plenty of volume available in the standard TSX audio system, so in my opinion there's no way I'd consider the new audio system a sonic upgrade.

Unless I lived in my car, and I don't, the standard audio system is quite satisfactory for me.

Feel free to post queries about this as well. Differing opinions are always good.

[Warthog]

My wife and I went and test-drove the new TSX last night. Compared to our 2006, we liked the styling a lot better - it's much more dynamic. The inside is no real improvement in our opinion - it's "fussier" for sure, but still very comfortable and luxurious. The handling seemed pretty good ( I can't say it was noticeably better as I wasn't flogging it hard) and I didn't have big issues with the steering like some reviewers. It wasn't noticeably quieter on the highway and definitely sounds "cheaper" somehow when floored - it just doesn’t sound as good. A major gripe is the lack of rear fender liners - come on Acura, how cheap!

Anyhow, the net to me is that it looks like a neat car, and its larger size will make it much better for transporting five passengers. It would definitely be on our preferred list if we were buying a new car.

[bly]

I test drove the 09 tsx tech package today and I admit that the driving experience is pretty good. I really liked the acceleration from the car (the extra torque in noticeable) and the car hugs corners very well while holding down the gas pedal. The sound system is amazing and the sub woofer in the back really gives that extra bass boost that I enjoy.

Overall, the car definitely feels much bigger. The front grill looks better in person but it's still taking a while to grow on me. When you floor the car, I agree that it sounds loud and cheap. I rather much prefer the vtec boost than the linear power distribution in the 09 model.

The luxury features are definitely a plus on the car (ipod link standard) but I'm very happy with my 07 model. However, I would like to see what mid-model year changes Acura has in store for this car...