Are There Differences Between '08 and '09?

[SmartDigger]

New colors

[spikey01]

Extreme differences. Have an 08 and an 09. Completely different animals.
1. Transmission ECU has been reprogrammed. Shifts like buttah now. May be available as an ECU Flash for 08's. Will know in Feb.
2. Gear ratios are changed. No longer upshifts to second after 25 feet in the middle of a turn from stopped. Second, possibly third also.
3. Accelerates faster, harder.
4. Ride is smoother. New struts?
5. Cargo Nets and idiot light.
6. Engine compartment lid doesn't rattle.
If you don't believe, come and drive both.

Michael Hamilton
5801 Murietta Ave,
Van Nuys, CA

[Macaw]

Also have '08 and '09
on #3 I think they may have changed the throttle mapping as less foot is needed for the same result...anyone else notice this?
#4 seems about the same but one is a pure and the other a cabrio so can't really compare.
#6 no rattle on either car

They do feel different....

[mdfortwoguy]

Originally Posted by spikey01

3. Accelerates faster, harder.

I'd like to see some numbers on this... a seat dyno is subjective and apt to be made inaccurate by the placebo effect. There's nothing of substance different that would make an '09 any faster than an '08.

Originally Posted by spikey01

6. Engine compartment lid doesn't rattle.

Dunno about others on here, but my engine compartment cover doesn't rattle? Perhaps you should visit your dealer for your '08.

Bill: '08s had TPMS as well.

[Macaw]

Originally Posted by mdfortwoguy

I'd like to see some numbers on this... a seat dyno is subjective and apt to be made inaccurate by the placebo effect. There's nothing of substance different that would make an '09 any faster than an '08.

I don't think it is faster just jumping between the '08 and '09 the throttle response curve seems different...could be imagination but like I said seems like less foot for the same result...which BTW is not a good thing while driving on ice....:LOL

[Bill Marshall]

Originally Posted by mdfortwoguy

Bill: '08s had TPMS as well.

Thanks for the correction.

[Dave777]

Originally Posted by spikey01

Extreme differences. Have an 08 and an 09. Completely different animals.
1. Transmission ECU has been reprogrammed. Shifts like buttah now. May be available as an ECU Flash for 08's. Will know in Feb.
2. Gear ratios are changed. No longer upshifts to second after 25 feet in the middle of a turn from stopped. Second, possibly third also.
6. Engine compartment lid doesn't rattle.

1. Yes
2. Highly unlikely. I'm pretty sure you're confusing the reprogramming of the transmission with changing gear ratios.
6. If it's rattling, you should take it in to have it fixed. Mine never has rattled.

[sk8ndad]

Originally Posted by Dave777

1. Yes
2. Highly unlikely. I'm pretty sure you're confusing the reprogramming of the transmission with changing gear ratios.
6. If it's rattling, you should take it in to have it fixed. Mine never has rattled.

2. At least according to vehix.com, the ratios remain the same between 2008 and 2009:

[Padawan]

Originally Posted by spikey01

Extreme differences. Have an 08 and an 09. Completely different animals.
1. Transmission ECU has been reprogrammed. Shifts like buttah now. May be available as an ECU Flash for 08's. Will know in Feb.
2. Gear ratios are changed. No longer upshifts to second after 25 feet in the middle of a turn from stopped. Second, possibly third also.
3. Accelerates faster, harder.
4. Ride is smoother. New struts?
5. Cargo Nets and idiot light.
6. Engine compartment lid doesn't rattle.
If you don't believe, come and drive both.

Michael Hamilton
5801 Murietta Ave,
Van Nuys, CA

I drove an '09 for two weeks while All Ball was in the shop, and I disagree with the majority of these statements.

1. Yes, the transmission has a new program, but the difference between the old and new program is not night and day. Mainly, the 1-2 shift seems to occur with less throttle lift and perhaps a bit more quickly.

2. Gear ratios are exactly the same. You may simply be noticing different behaviour because of the revised software.

3. I found that the '09 I was driving felt decidedly slower and less powerful than my '08. To be fair, the '09 only had roughly 200 miles on it, so it was still not broken in.

4. You might want to make sure the tire pressure is the same on both cars. This can have a dramatic effect on ride quality. I have not seen any information indicating that the spring or dampers have been changed.

5. True, these are physical differences.

6. My cover is completely free of rattles. You should check that yours is installed properly, and if it is, bring it in for a dealer check.

[rsheldon0074@sbcglobal.ne]

Hi..... first time posting.....The 09s have smaller numbers on the gear select....same segments just smaller...the Park...P...Drive...D and the N are smaller......I think the radio has LARGER numbers?????......My friend has 100 miles on his and it is not as responsive but we will see.....he has the new gray which sometimes looks Brown in the right sunlight.....