View Full Version : 2009 TSX - Saturn Aura, anyone?


gojackets
02-12-2008, 06:16 PM
I've had several Hondas/Acuras, and they make fantastically reliable and fun to drive everyday cars, so I follow their new models, and was suprised to see this redesign:

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=124730?imw=Y#2

Separated at birth from a Saturn Aura?

bassy
02-12-2008, 09:06 PM
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/il/news/2008/0208/acura.tsx.500.jpg

vs.

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/pictures/VEHICLE/2008/Saturn/2008.saturn.aura.20128980-396x249.jpg

???

Are you serious?!

SayNoToPistons
02-12-2008, 09:14 PM
Oh sweet, a JDM/Euro Accord!

thecow135
02-12-2008, 09:20 PM
it looks nice at least...

N rider89
02-12-2008, 09:26 PM
very different cars

climacus
02-12-2008, 10:23 PM
Back in 2003, the TSX was a stand out. But everyone have upped their game in the design department and this new TSX only look slightly hipper than a Saturn Aura or Camry. Honda should have bangled the hell out of this car.

And why can't Honda get out of their freaking FWD funk already? Infiniti went from zero to kicking ass and taking names against the European marques virtually overnight, while the entire Acura line-up have remain glorified Accords (TSX, TL, RL) and Odyssey (MDX), still using the same V6 engine after all these years.

When they finally get around to slapping SH-AWD on these cars, they will just end up with nose-heavy, gas guzzling boats with an Audi price tag.

aliveoutofhabit
02-12-2008, 10:57 PM
I see Aura in the side profile (mainly the roofline and fender bulges).

Still looks pretty nice.

IcarusX8
02-12-2008, 11:05 PM
...............they have four wheels? and yes roofline definitely.

SayNoToPistons
02-12-2008, 11:07 PM
Back in 2003, the TSX was a stand out. But everyone have upped their game in the design department and this new TSX only look slightly hipper than a Saturn Aura or Camry. Honda should have bangled the hell out of this car.

And why can't Honda get out of their freaking FWD funk already? Infiniti went from zero to kicking ass and taking names against the European marques virtually overnight, while the entire Acura line-up have remain glorified Accords (TSX, TL, RL) and Odyssey (MDX), still using the same V6 engine after all these years.

When they finally get around to slapping SH-AWD on these cars, they will just end up with nose-heavy, gas guzzling boats with an Audi price tag.

Because they sell.

Razz1
02-12-2008, 11:08 PM
It was a nice car at the auto show. I was impressed. The seat was comfortable.

Shadow12one
02-12-2008, 11:16 PM
Back in 2003, the TSX was a stand out. But everyone have upped their game in the design department and this new TSX only look slightly hipper than a Saturn Aura or Camry. Honda should have bangled the hell out of this car.

And why can't Honda get out of their freaking FWD funk already? Infiniti went from zero to kicking ass and taking names against the European marques virtually overnight, while the entire Acura line-up have remain glorified Accords (TSX, TL, RL) and Odyssey (MDX), still using the same V6 engine after all these years.

When they finally get around to slapping SH-AWD on these cars, they will just end up with nose-heavy, gas guzzling boats with an Audi price tag.

Because unlike RWD cars, you can manage driving an FWD in any city in the country at any time of the year (Chicago during winter a great example). FWD cars are much easier to handle in bad weather than RWD. Sure, there are some people who drive mainly RWD cars and are used to driving in bad weather to an extent but for 90% of the people, they prefer a car they can drive year round without worrying about handling problems much, in any weather condition. Basically it all goes back to what the post above me said, its what sells. RWD cars are a niche market.

brillo
02-12-2008, 11:31 PM
Honda doesn't build FWD cars for safety, they build them for efficiency (fuel economy) and cost. RWD with modern stability control is better in bad weather than FWD. Honda is all about fuel efficient low cost transportation that they can maximize through platform sharing...period.

bassy
02-12-2008, 11:41 PM
What roofline? You guys can't be f^kin' serious! :scratchhe


This is the 2007 Acura TSX, aka 1st gen, which is the same as the ones from 2004, 2005, and 2006:

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//pictures/EI/2007/Acura/2007.acura.tsx.20111094-E.jpg

Compare it to the 2009 TSX. It's the same roofline!

Of all cars, why the hell would Acura copy a Saturn?:Wconfused And oh, if you really look closely, you'll see that the Aura roofline is more sloping, whereas the TSX roofline is more angular. They don't look even close...lmao.

Anyway, Acura sucks in terms of exterior design; the 2009 Acura RL should be helpful to insomniacs...

gojackets
02-14-2008, 03:45 AM
Grille, trim around windows, center crease on hood, overall roof/trunk line, fender "flares". Headlights are clearly more aggressive. I see lots of similarities. Not saying it's a carbon copy, and I'm sure they didn't intend to imitate Saturn specifically. Original point was, the cars are great in terms of mechanical reliability, but why can't they come up with original styling? To me, the previous TSX was a cleaner (and better) design.

swoope
02-14-2008, 03:54 AM
das is der passat. a couple of years ago..


beers :beer:

bassy
02-14-2008, 11:31 AM
Grille, trim around windows, center crease on hood, overall roof/trunk line, fender "flares". Headlights are clearly more aggressive. I see lots of similarities. Not saying it's a carbon copy, and I'm sure they didn't intend to imitate Saturn specifically. Original point was, the cars are great in terms of mechanical reliability, but why can't they come up with original styling? To me, the previous TSX was a cleaner (and better) design.

:uhh:

Again, look at the previous gen Acura TSX and compare it with the 2009 TSX. Except for the new front grille (new Acura corporate styling called "power plenum" or something like that; found on the current TL and MDX) and the fender flares (on the current TL and MDX again), the window trims, hood's center crease and roofline on the 2009 TSX are the same as those on the 1st gen TSX. Acura hasn't released any other pics (besides the one that was posted by me), so I can't comment on the trunkline/rear end or whatever.

The 1st gen Acura TSX was out even way before the Saturn Aura, but I didn't hear anyone saying how similar the Aura looked to the TSX when the Aura first came out. But now you're saying that the TSX is similar to the Aura? You should have your eyes "recalibrated" or something, man, because the two cars don't even look remotely similar. The new TSX redesign is evolutionary (again, compare it to the previous TSX) and is readily recognizable as an Acura. If anything, the 2009 TSX looks even more like the current TL, which was exactly my initial thought when I first saw the pic. I didn't think, "Damn, that looks like the Saturn Aura," like how you probably thought.

Anyway, if you're still adamant that the new TSX is similar to the Aura, that's your prerogative. But I disagree and have to throw in my two cents worth.

911SC
02-14-2008, 09:12 PM
Just to set the record straight Mr. Climacus, the V6 in the Acura started out as a 2.5 i believe, which then grew to a 2.7. That in turn became a 3.0 which then was transformed into a 3.2. which is now a 3.5. Starting at around 164hp in the first one and is now up to 286hp. So as you can see, they haven't been using "the same V6 engine after all these years".
And what's wrong with 6 cyl. engines? Porsche has been using them for years and no ones complaining.

RXei8ht
02-15-2008, 12:42 AM
Looks A LOT like the current TL

gojackets
02-15-2008, 04:15 AM
:uhh:

Again, look at the previous gen Acura TSX and compare it with the 2009 TSX. Except for the new front grille (new Acura corporate styling called "power plenum" or something like that; found on the current TL and MDX) and the fender flares (on the current TL and MDX again), the window trims, hood's center crease and roofline on the 2009 TSX are the same as those on the 1st gen TSX. Acura hasn't released any other pics (besides the one that was posted by me), so I can't comment on the trunkline/rear end or whatever.

The 1st gen Acura TSX was out even way before the Saturn Aura, but I didn't hear anyone saying how similar the Aura looked to the TSX when the Aura first came out. But now you're saying that the TSX is similar to the Aura? You should have your eyes "recalibrated" or something, man, because the two cars don't even look remotely similar. The new TSX redesign is evolutionary (again, compare it to the previous TSX) and is readily recognizable as an Acura. If anything, the 2009 TSX looks even more like the current TL, which was exactly my initial thought when I first saw the pic. I didn't think, "Damn, that looks like the Saturn Aura," like how you probably thought.

Anyway, if you're still adamant that the new TSX is similar to the Aura, that's your prerogative. But I disagree and have to throw in my two cents worth.

Whoa... It was just a first impression I had seeing the photo. All you have to say is "I don't see it". Didn't realize this was going to spark so much concern for you...

snowflakes
02-15-2008, 05:38 AM
Looks like another honda/acura to me.... and the saturn.... idk, its still a saturn to me too... lol

snowflakes
02-15-2008, 05:38 AM
in my mind, a saturn will be the same foreverrrr till it changes there name or some shyt...

Sephiroth
02-15-2008, 09:40 AM
Looks prety lame, like always. It seems like Acura has a new front fascia that they are applying to all their new models. The RL is completely fugly.

NotAPreppie
02-15-2008, 06:30 PM
Back in 2003, the TSX was a stand out. But everyone have upped their game in the design department and this new TSX only look slightly hipper than a Saturn Aura or Camry. Honda should have bangled the hell out of this car.

And why can't Honda get out of their freaking FWD funk already? Infiniti went from zero to kicking ass and taking names against the European marques virtually overnight, while the entire Acura line-up have remain glorified Accords (TSX, TL, RL) and Odyssey (MDX), still using the same V6 engine after all these years.

When they finally get around to slapping SH-AWD on these cars, they will just end up with nose-heavy, gas guzzling boats with an Audi price tag.

Infinit went from 0-kickass because they stopped using rebadged Sentras and Altimas.

Startl_Respons
02-15-2008, 07:07 PM
Aside from the grille, there is no Aura in the new TSX. That's because the A, B, and C pillars plus the door lines are all about the same as the current TSX and a bunch of Honda Accords.

The Aura is the car that copied just about everything out there, including Honda and Audi.

However, the new TSX doesn't look new enough and merely continues Honda/Acura's recent completely lost styling sense, which includes the Civic, the new Accord, Acura MDX and RDX. The only thing that's been acceptable is the CRV.

Startl_Respons
02-15-2008, 07:09 PM
Infinit went from 0-kickass because they stopped using rebadged Sentras and Altimas.

In case you didn't know, Infiniti has slowed down recently in their kick ass department. Name some Infinitis that are kick ass aside from the new G37 coupe.

bassy
02-15-2008, 09:24 PM
Whoa... It was just a first impression I had seeing the photo. All you have to say is "I don't see it". Didn't realize this was going to spark so much concern for you...

Look, my very first post was basically a pictorial "I don't see it." Then a few people chimed in, sharing your inaccurate observations. Then you went on listing things that you thought were "similar." Then I had to make that post to point out where your assumptions were fallacious. And now you're thinking that I'm getting all butt-hurt 'bout this? :lol2:

:uhh:

Didn't I say that you can believe what you want and that I just wanted to throw in my two cents worth? By creating a thread on a forum, you're inviting discussion. So, what's the problem?

Personally, I don't care about Acura, so I'm not a fanboy trying to defend it or something. If you had made some lousy observations about another car from another brand, I would still call out your lousy sense of observation.

That's all.:eyetwitch

WoodsOfGreenRx8
02-15-2008, 09:28 PM
I dont like the front fascia at all. We used to own an 06' but traded it in a while ago for a Mazda3.. Dumb move. I can tell you that at the end of this year, we will be loosing a Mazda, & it wont be the RX8 for an 08' TSX.

Startl_Respons
02-15-2008, 09:42 PM
I'm just curious how much HP the engine of the new TSX will have.

bassy
02-15-2008, 10:16 PM
I'm just curious how much HP the engine of the new TSX will have.

It still has the inline-4 engine. It loses 4hp, from 205hp to 201hp. The torque went up to 172 lb-ft.

Startl_Respons
02-15-2008, 10:26 PM
Sounds like this isn't really an all-new TSX.

bassy
02-15-2008, 11:26 PM
Nope. That's why most of the Honda fans at the Temple of VTEC (www.vtec.net) are pissed off.

The refreshed 2009 RL is pretty fugly as well. There isn't much hope left for Honda/Acura. They gotta do something. Offer a RWD V8 sedan/coupe. Get a better team of designers. Have an actual NSX replacement soon. Pronto! Do something...At the rate they're going, they simply can't compete with Lexus, Infiniti, BMW, Audi or Mercedes.

What a shame...The old Acura Legend was such a nice car, especially the coupe. The NSX was a real looker/performer, too.

the stig
02-17-2008, 02:40 PM
i like the tsx. but i hate how america jack up the price turn it to an acura.

thecow135
02-17-2008, 03:24 PM
Nope. That's why most of the Honda fans at the Temple of VTEC (www.vtec.net) are pissed off.

The refreshed 2009 RL is pretty fugly as well. There isn't much hope left for Honda/Acura. They gotta do something. Offer a RWD V8 sedan/coupe. Get a better team of designers. Have an actual NSX replacement soon. Pronto! Do something...At the rate they're going, they simply can't compete with Lexus, Infiniti, BMW, Audi or Mercedes.

What a shame...The old Acura Legend was such a nice car, especially the coupe. The NSX was a real looker/performer, too.

offer a acura g8 =)

Ol1i3x
02-22-2008, 08:47 PM
there are a lot of rumors about a type-s version with the RDX turbo. and a lot of rumors saying no to this claim. does anyone have any information on this? if there is a 260+ hp turbo version thatd b awesome