mmarshall

Yes. I apologized in the review for the rather poor images....not much was available on Google for the 2009 TSX. The American-market TSX is the same as the non-American-market Accord.....hence the "H" on the steering wheel instead of an "A".

mmarshall

Thanks.

You can save 4K or so by opting for the base model TSX. Both the manual and automatic are the same price.

As far as the TSX-IS250 comparison, I like the TSX for chassis refinement, ride quality, and interior room, but I like the IS250 for the AWD option, interior plushness, and brakes. Both cars now have too much plastic inside, but the IS250's is better-finished. The old 2008 TSX, though, IMO, will match the IS250 in interior quality. The IS250 AWD, though, is sluggish, and all IS rear seats are a joke. All post-2005 IS models, without the optional 55-series tires that the 2001-2005 models had, also ride too stiffly for my tastes. I liked the TSX's 2.4L four....it felt as strong as the IS250'S RWD V6, and definitely stronger than the AWD V6.

mmarshall

High gas prices, I think, are finally going to stop the HP war, at least in sales if not in production. The Mercedes E63 and BMW M3 that I reviewed recently not only averaged mileage in the low teens, but had Federal gas-guzzler taxes slapped on as well.

Some people, however, will probably continue to have muscle cars....they just will not drive them as much, and have econoboxes on the side for daily driving and commuting.

mmarshall

I just trhink it's easier to have the key fob in your pocket and not have to fumble with it sticking it in and out. It's easier to simply push a button on-off. You can call me lazy if you want, but I like the push-buttons.

On some BMW's, without the Keyless Option, you have to insert both a key fob AND push a button to start it up.....go figure.

mmarshall

Thanks for posting the additional pictures, Mike (1SICKLEX) They're a lot better than the ones I found on Google.

mmarshall

HP and torque, don't forget, is not rated the same way it was a couple of years ago. The same amount of actual power will now give a slightly different reading.

mmarshall

Anytime.



Don't sell the TSX's four-banger short. Like I mentioned above, it felt as strong as the RWD IS250's six, and definitely stronger than the AWD IS250, which is borderline sluggish. The FWD TSX does have a little more understeer and body roll than the RWD/AWD IS250 and Infiniti G35/37, but the flip side is better ride comfort.

ffpowerLN

iTrader: (1)

That picture isn't even the Euro Accord, it's the US Accord!

2009 Euro Accord:



2009 TSX:



US Accord:



Like 1SICKLEX said, this is Acura's biggest problem...

mmarshall

Thanks for updating the shots, ffpower. I would have taken some shots myself of the particular car I reviewed, except that I don't have a digital camera and wouldn't know how to download and post them anyway. My computer-posting skills trail my auto-reviewing skills by a considerable margin.

Not only was there a lack of good pictures on Google (which are easily transfered and posted), but many of the existing ones were mislabeled. I have noticed that not only with the new TSX but other cars as well. In future reviews I may not post an image at all if it can't be verified 100%.

Anyhow, that's that. I still wasn't impressed with the new TSX interior compared to the 2008, no matter how it's labeled. The fit and finish inside the 2008 model was superb.

Threxx

mmarshall, as thorough as your reviews are about the little details of a car I'd think it'd be really beneficial for you to get a digital camera and take pics with your reviews. Most of the shots of various cars around the web are from far away and just very generic overview shots. I have a feeling you'd include a lot of up close detail shots to show in pictures what you're talking about in words.

Digicams are insanely simple to use these days.

I'd recommend picking up something cheap, compact, and basic from Canon and loading this software on your computer (it's free) - called Picasa
http://picasa.google.com/

Excellent photo manager, and it even has a built in 'publish to web' button built in that will eliminate every bit of complexity in publishing your reviews... you'd just make a review album and include the link to the photos in your review.

mmarshall

Thanks. I'll consider it.

GFerg

Thanks for the review. Much appreciated as always. Did you notice if the new TSX requires premium or not??Ive read elsewhere, but not from a reliable source. I'll driving this car myself on saturday, so I'll see.

mmarshall

The service people there said yes, it does take Premium. So does the TSX literature (EPA mileage is 20/28 manual, 21/30 with the automatic). With a compression ratio of 11 to 1 for power, I can't imagine the engine using 87 Octane except in a pinch, for very short periods, with the knock-sensor operating. It's inteesting....more and more cars, in a reversal from the past, are getting the same or metter mileage with automatics now than sticks. That shows you how far along transmission technology has become. For many decades that was almost unheard of. Some hybrids, depending on how the electric motor cuts in, also now get lopsided city/highway ratings.

Have fun driving the TSX. You don't necessarily have to write up a whole review like me, but give us your impressions of it. And, if you can, briefly look at a 2008 with the beige/woodtrim interior and see if you agree with me that the new 2009 interior is a let-down.

Tundra470

man I really wish the front grille wasn't so solid, it seems to weigh down the hood a bit.