I test drove a TSX with a six-speed manual transmission and had roughly the same reactions. It is a very, very nice car, but not as sporting as our SVTs. On paper, the acceleration numbers are just a tick or two slower than the Contour (C&D: 7.2 0-60, 15.6 1/4 mile), but the driving impression is one of a car designed for a completely different driver set. This is an entry-level luxury sedan with generally good manners. The shifer and clutch are classic Honda snick-snick, and the interior is very nicely done. But it ultimately leaves the driver feeling dissatisfied when the car is pushed.
Not dissing the car at all -- I think its accolades are deserved. The most logical heir to the Contour SVT throne at the moment seems to be the Mazda 6s, or at least it does to me. I'm looking forward to the Mazdaspeed version just announced for the 2005 model year.
As a step up in performance, but still maintaining the utility of a four door sedan, I think the WRX deserves a very hard look. Thank God they got rid of the bug-eye headlights.
Lee K
