the current civic Si was never officially rated at 200hp. its always been 197hp. but either way, the HP drop due to the new rating system was understandable...it was the same engine just new rating standards. this time acura has no excuse.
SAE ratings were used by honda since 2006, so the tsx at 205hp is already under the new rating. and if the car is underrated, why on earth would anyone at acura think its a good idea to advertise a lower HP? that doesnt make ANY sense at all unless they like kicking themselves in the nads.
you're right, i wouldnt buy one. because i''m a college student and dont have the money. but i'm a honda/acura enthusiast and want very much for acura to succeed. after many quotes from the head honchos claiming that acura will become a "tier 1" luxury brand within 5 years, this TSX is bit of a let down. sure it may be 'good enough', but luxury isnt about being 'good enough'. its about excess.
the closest competitor to this TSX is the IS250. the TSX offers nothing to persuade buyers from the IS250 except probably a lower price. a lot of people that are not honda/acura loyalists will immediately go for the lexus because of its marginally better specs, and because its a lexus. acura doesnt have that kind of brand image yet, so they have to lure people over with better specs....which at this point they dont have.
case in point, my parents dont know acura is a luxury brand, but they know that MB, BMW, and lexus are expensive luxury cars.
