Acura RSX Info

[Johnny]

I need the expert opinion of any Acura RSX owners.

I have a good friend that owns an Acura dealership and this weekend he made me an offer that I don't think I can refuse. If I decide to do this I will fill in the details. Basically I have my choice of the following.

RSX Automatic with leather.
RSX 5-speed with leather.
RSX-S 6-speed with leather.

I will just say at this time the price is right with all of these. Now take the following in to consideration. I am 59 years old, have not driven a manual transmission in 25 years (yes, I still know how to shift).

Which one would you recommend and why. I do not drive hard and have no desire to, and I would want it to last a very long time.

Thanks

 

[The Critic]

Actually Johnny, all of those cars are better suited for your son, given your age vs. his.

The base RSX with the Automatic transmission is probably your best bet. It won't be as fast or as fun to drive as the 5-spd Base RSX or the RSX-S w/6-spd, but its the most practical choice for most people as driving a MT in stop-n-go traffic isn't enjoyable to me, at least. The 5-spd auto also has a Manual Shift feature, so that should satisfy your occassional (if any) desire for spirited driving.

Fuel economy between the 5-spd Auto and the 6-spd Manual on the Base RSX should be almost identical, given the high efficiency of the Automatics these days.

 

[JHZR2]

Go with the base with the 5sp MT.

My GF has a base acura integra, and after 11 years and 170k, it still starts and runs strong, adn she exceeds EPA fuel economy figures easily.

I personally believe that if there is a vehicle that has two engine versions, a tuned and a detuned, based upon the same engine (which I believe is the case in the RSX), the detuned one will last longer and give >90% the enjoyment... you cant often use all 200 HP anyway.

Though youre 59, consider the added cost for insurance, likely lowered fuel economy, etc.

No matter what they say, and Acura shifter/clutch combo is NOT a BMW. Typically its easier to make a good feeling 5sp, compared to 6... Id say get the 5. IF you sit in a lot of traffic, Id say to consider the AT version, but in reality this is one of those cars that you try to avoid buying in AT at all costs.

And Id say to avoid black... black cars always seem to show scratches easily.

Good luck!

JMH

 

[Patman]

Don't let anyone tell you that automatic transmissions make you any less of a man!

I love my auto trans and wouldn't give it up for anything.

I say to drive all three of them and then decide.

 

[Mr Magoo]

I would buy the base RSX with 5 speed trans. It will get very good gas mileage and still be very sporty + no need for higher octane, lower insurance cost.

The joy of Corvette ownership is 'rowing through the gearbox' at the dragstrip

 

[rjundi]

The 6 speed in the RSX-S is simply amazing, incredible shifting IMHO. I would just recommend trying all three for at least an hour test drive and then deciding. The 5speed base is adequate however why bother buying a smallish car like an RSX if its not going to be precision.

 

[rpn453]

quote:

---

I do not drive hard and have no desire to, and I would want it to last a very long time.

---

I don't think the Type-S would be of much benefit to you then. 10% worse fuel economy, premium fuel, extra insurance cost, and all the power gains are from 6500-8000rpm. Between the three, I'd almost certainly go with the 5-spd. A closer ratio 6-spd and the extra revs would be fun, but probably not for the extra price and fuel if you're not going to use it regularly.

I'm with Patman though: drive all three and go from there.

[ February 27, 2006, 07:24 PM: Message edited by: rpn453 ]

 

[Auto-Union]

I just got a Base, 5-sp, cloth last week. I love the car with the exception of a few rattles. Firstly, the price was INSANE. I paid invoice, $18.7k plus delivery/freight. The base engine is smooth and it's a fast car. I recommend it unless you MUST have an auto. The auto might be a lil slow and probally does not compliment the car overall. Nevertheless, I like my car in silver. I wanted blue, but it very hard to get. Red and dark grey are good too. Warranty exceeds Honda's. Car is rare. Interior room is excellent...I am a stickler for r/s driver's kneeroom. Stereo rocks, cloth is awesome...I can't say enough good things. Handling is crazy. The RSX comes with so much stuff you pay extra for on other cars. Sunroof/16" alloys/CD/Rear wiper/4 disc brakes/heated mirrors/remote entry...etc. If there was no RSX, I'd be looking at Scion tC harder and from what I saw it was not as nice as RSX at all. PS mpg is awesome. I swear the gauge is broken sometimes because it does not move.

PSS I hear the leather is not that nice...but it's preforated, which I like.

 

[Auto-Union]

BTW- I'm 41 and don't care about the "kid's car" demographics. This car offers so much to the owner. Get whichever trans makes you happy, but the shifter/cluch is total precision engineering.Also, I have an extra RSX splash guard set, let me know if you buy the car, I'll send you the set free if the dealer does not give you some. They are way overpriced at $80, but a necessity.

 

[Joe1]

My friend purchased the 6 speed about a year ago. Nice high revving engine that is fun to drive. The suspension is too stiff for my liking, but thats the tradeoff if you are willing to feel every bump.

Joe

 

[JHZR2]

"Interior room is excellent"

Ummm, when my MB got smashed by an uninsured driver, I gave the rsx a sit in... I fit in my fiancee's 2dr integra better! I'm 6ft5 and 225.

"but the shifter/cluch is total precision engineering"

I guess they upgraded. I learned to drive stick in a friend's integra, and my fiancee has a stick integra... the trans on both $UCK BIGTIME. Maybe its just that Im spoiled by a 15 year old BMW with 100k miles on it... I couldnt really say. Glad to hear that the clutch action is OK.

JMH

 

[Johnny]

I really appreciate everyones comments on this, some valuable information for sure.

You know the old saying "if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is", well I guess that also includes friends.

Made the trip today and drove all 3 models. Wish I was 25 again I would like the RSX-S. The one I picked for me would have been the automatic.

As some of you may know, I just purchased a new Civic EX on February 15th that now has a whopping 314 miles on it. I was told by my "friend" that he would give me exactly what I paid for the Civic if I wanted one of the RSX models. Well today after making the trip I was given the old used car, depreciation B.S. I just got back in to my new Civic and told my friend I might see him in 200,000 miles, but to not hold his breath.

Thanks again for all your replys and PM, it was valuable information.

 

[GROUCHO MARX]

Just to add, you're not old Johnny.

 

[Auto-Union]

fwiw, Auto Mag reviews the RSX clutch & shifter "best in the business". I suppose that includes BMW. Johnny, I started looking at a new cars with the new Civic. I felt I'd get bored with it and was liking the extra room in the Acura. The 50k warranty was a plus too. Either way, they are both great cars. I suppose you have the 4-door? Also, Joe, the base model RSX has a less stiff suspension.

 

[Johnny]

Yes, it is the 4-door model, sunroof, disc on all 4 wheels, and XM radio. The new 2006 Honda's have a 5-year/60,000 powertrain warranty. It's still 3/36 on the rest of the car.

I really liked the RSX and was fully prepared to drive one home, but it was not to be.

I wish they would bring those Civic diesels over hear from Europe.

 

[mechtech]

Those cars are made for spirited driving [maybe not the auto].
It would be a waste to get one and not utilize it, unless your deal is super.

 

[Auto-Union]

The Civc 2-door and 4-door are so different, it's wierd. I like both and could not decide! What I like about the RSX is there are so few on the road, 20,000 total sold last year.

 

[Patman]

That doesn't sound like much of a friend there Johnny! Making you waste all that time only to give you a song and dance! Your Civic could probably still be sold for most of it's original price, they hold their value extremely well. That dealer could've done the deal as promised and still made money.

 

[Johnny]

Patman: I feel the same way. I chaulk this up as going from a friend to a bad business relationship. If I ever decide to purchase an Acura it will not be from him.

He did buy lunch and paid for my gas for the round trip. At least I got to enjoy a full day of driving my new Civic while the sun was shining. That's something that I've not experienced much this winter.

Life goes on, life is good.

 

[Auto-Union]

Johnny, I read your post too quickly, I missed the part about the dealer changing his tune. That sux. At least the Civic has the double-wishbone suspension. Makes the RSX's McPhersons look dated. (wink)