But it does look just like an Accord with a cheesey looking front grill and an Acura badge. The interior is a little different, but isn’t particularly better in either car. When I could get an Accord with a more powerful v6 that gets very close to the same gas mileage, which looks the same on the outside and arguably has a nicer interior while paying a little less, what is the point of the TSX to exist? It better have mighty fine suspension, well above it’s price range — which is all I can think of.

The new rotors lasted a good 10,000 miles before they started to shimmy under high speed braking again. Nowhere near as bad as the first set though.

I traded the Accord for the TSX and the TSX started the shimmy at about 20,000 miles and the dealer told me the rotors needed to be replaced because they were rusted and could not be machined. I was not paying $600 for this, so I just live with it. In the TSX it is not bothersome because it only happens under very specific circumstances.

Honda has been criticized for having weak brakes on a lot of their models and needs to step up the game.

But most of the criticisms levied against them lately maybe justified. Comments made by many here including those of “expert” reviewers have been very critical of the electric power steering.

If I remember correctly, these things have been around a while – think 1951 Chrysler Imperial. The fact that Honda is unable to introduce a superior version using modern technology is shameful.

Another issue I’ve recently discovered is through my sister and her ‘07 Accord. With only 12K miles her rear brakes were completely worn! Not her front brakes which are only 1/3 worn, but her rears. If memory serves me, isn’t the rule of thumb for FWDs for every 3 front brake replacements, 1 rear replacement?

After contacting Honda customer service, their response was ludicrous and insulting. They insisted this condition was perfectly normal and acceptable. In fact, many user groups and forums have been justifiably outraged and complaining vehemently about this for a number of years now.

Some have required rear brake pad replacement in as little as 6K miles and others have made it as far as 23K. These kind of customer experiences are what drove many of us from the domestics car companies years ago.

Is Honda, Toyota and Nissan now going to fill the void left by the diminishing Big 3 through mediocre design, inferior engineering and recalcitrant customer service? I hope not but all indications seem to indicate otherwise.

The ‘09 is a much quieter (especially on textured roadways) and more substantial feeling car. The standard stereo is a step up from the only stereo that was available in the ‘06 model, plus it has a USB port for an iPod. The interior is well constructed, but the dash is very high and imposing. The seats are not as comfortable for me, they lack thigh support and the lumbar support is always too high.

Handling seems to be on par with the ‘06, but the ride is a bit harsher, it lacks the initial softening to a impact that the ‘06 has, and there is a lot of suspension noise. The thing that kills the new car for me is the electric power steering, right off center it gets hard to figure out how much the car is going to turn, and the effort goes all over the place as you go through the turning radius.

So while Acura giveth it also takes away some stuff.

However, what about the S2000 engine. Wouldn’t that work? Or would that not fit either?

You hit it right on the head about the 2009 TSX: it ain’t a car for enthusiasts, despite that delicious six speed manual’s availability.

The “It Sucks” chorus sings because the Gen 1 TSX was a car for enthusiasts, and we had such high hopes that Honda would give us more of the same.

It also doesn’t have nearly as many tech gadgets as the tsx tech model, and the car chassis is huge and bulky.

I have the tsx 09 and I couldn’t justify myself with a $31k accord when I paid $30.3k before tax on a 09 tech model that’s about the same speed, lighter, more gadgets, and more luxury stuff.

It’s not a purist car but somewhere in the middle between an everyday car with some sporty stuff. The car doesn’t suck and I still like it.

If you’re looking for a car for the enthusiasts, this car ain’t it. This car also doesn’t suck.

Too bad you bought now; there is louder talk about a V6 TSX being worked on by Honda, especially now that the diesel is on the shelf.

http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=797648

First of all, while the steering lacks some on-center feel, it becomes accurate off-center when pushing the car on twisty roads. I had read some criticism of the steering when I took the second test drive, so I was expecting to be irritated, but I wasn’t at all. Indeed, I found the TSX responsive with the light, agile feel characteristic of Hondas, and very well-controlled body motions. As some have mentioned, it has much less body roll than the previous generation, and to me that translates into better overall dynamics. When I drove the previous generation, the body roll turned me off.

I was also impressed with the interior. The seats are outstanding, the materials seem decent, and I had no difficulties at all with the controls or overall ergonomics. I wish visibility were better, and like others I miss the classic “low cowl” Honda design.

I wish the engine had more punch, but it sounds good, and the shifter and clutch are excellent. The engine/clutch/shifter combination is the most engaging aspect of the car, as Edmunds noted in its otherwise scathing review.

So, where does that leave the TSX? I think Consumer Reports had it right with the last version, which they said “straddled the line” between sports and family sedans. That’s true for 2009 as well. It’s just sporty enough to draw some enthusiasts up from Accords, Altimas, etc., even though it’s not a hard-core sport sedan. And it’s just practical enough to serve as a family car, even though it’s easy to find more room for much less cash. And it’s probably just enough of a value to lure some enthusiasts down from more expensive European cars. This blend of virtues will draw plenty of buyers. But as an enthusiast, it’s precisely this “just enough” approach that’s so frustrating, because it should be a real sport sedan.

I’d still consider the TSX, because overall I liked it despite the shortcomings. But the new Mazda6, for thousands less with four cylinder and six-speed manual, looks mighty tempting.

The original TSX’s design theme was tuned for European customers of Honda, still it made a huge success in the States. Other Acuras were originally designed to suit primarily American’s taste. I don’t know what went wrong with this new TSX.

I must agree, the old TSX (Accord in EU) was a good piece of work, design-wise, but the style has evolved just a bit and I think that one could easily tell “it’s a TSX/Accord” by looking it from a mile away. Personally, I like the looks of the new TSX.

I’ve read that the 2009 TSX offers power driver’s seat with memory, sunroof, Xenon headlights, and an USB port for music. The TSX has an optional technology package, which includes a navigation system real-time traffic and weather reporting, and a 10-speaker premium sound system with DVD-audio capabilities.

I don’t see anything unworthy of Acura’s heritage, trim level wise.

In terms of size, the 2009 TSX is 3.0-inch greater in width, has a 2.6-inch wider track and a 1.3-inch longer wheelbase than the current TSX.

It has grown to keep up with the competitors. Doesn’t bigger mean better in TeXaS? :)

“The new TSX is Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure is designed to reduce accident impact on passengers.”

Win some, loose some. I bet that the new body structure introduce more sheer metal. They didn’t use composites, right?

What dazzles me is the ride/performance. Many would say that the old TSX (Accord) had such a great suspension and performance. I believe that it’s good, compared to US comfy sedans, but I know that in EU there are better handling / with more sophisticated ride, sedans. One YT video of testing done by Auto Motor und Sport ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zON4bWsl2Ek ) opened my eyes. Pay attention after the 37th second. Accord ranked at 11th place in that test.

What to expect from the new TSX in regards of ride performance under stressful conditions?

Regarding TSX engine’s power rating and torque, I wouldn’t care less about the petrol variant, because there is a 2.2 diesel engine cued up.

It is bigger alright, specifically, noticeably wider. One was parked next to a current RL, and it was every bit as wide. The styling presents better in person, particularly in dark colors, but the cheese slicer grill has to go.

I was able to finagle a brief test drive of the only six speed car on the lot. This particular car did not have the Technology pack, but the dash was still a sea of buttons, a contrast especially noteworthy to me after having had a non-nav 2008 TSX loaner. All in all, the interior felt very dark. Granted, it was a black interior, but Acura has deemed to remove any faux metal from the dash, steering wheel, and interior. If you want it, their accessory catalog awaits. The wider exterior translates into a more spacious feeling interior.

Out on the road, the engine and trans remain a bright spot. The tweaking to the 2.4L motor gives it a nice midrange surge, and the powerband overall was quite linear. While the clutch take up was a little high for my tastes, the six speed still is one of the best shifting manuals out there.

Alas, I do live in H-Town, which means there is nary a curve for 150 miles. The ride is quieter and smoother, if that is your thing. So, one ring around the feeder and I was back at the dealer. He confirmed the diesel in the works, but he could relay only whispers about a Type S version.

In sum, my take is that Acura has given enthusiasts the middle finger salute. Sure, the TSX has an MT available, but the dealer I went to had one for who knows how many slushboxes. The mouth breathing masses love them some automatics, and that is who Acura really wants.

Word of advice to the design folks at Acura- the new brand ‘look’ hurts like a hangover! People may be looking, but it’s not in admiration.

I digress way back: first, the low hood line that gave that wonderfully expansive view of the road went away. Like all other automakers, Honda then starting upsizing every succeeding generation. The size thing was going okay for a while, since HP rose and for the most part stellar ergonomics were always part of the Honda experience.

In the new TSX, however, size is up, and HP is down. There is that button-city dash says to hell with simple ergonomics, a sentiment given a big amen by the similar innards of the new Accord and Pilot.

I will make final judgment pending a test drive when my 2005 TSX goes in for service, but for now, I am wholly underwhelmed the 2009 TSX. Euro delivery of a 3 series never looked so good.

“Congratulations on Acura for graduating from the days of sports compact teenagers and their carbon fiber, forged alloy wet dreams.”

Or…

“When you park the 2009 TSX next to the first generation model, you get the impression you are watching the two main robots from the latest Pixar film. Inside and out, the new model makes the out-going model look dated by about 700 years.”

And maybe…

“The new car continues to build upon the brand’s fundamentals of providing more for less, proving once again that technology and luxury need not come at the cost of reliability and price.”

My sense is that Honda does not really have its heart into building luxury cars. What Honda does best is to build compact, economy cars. So when it tries to create a luxury car it starts with an economy car and adds technology and leather seats. The TSX I am told has a Civic engine. The current RL to me looks like a bigger version of a Civic or an Accord. Honda just doesn’t understand the luxury market in my opinion. They really should just walk away from it and do what they do best.