Your opinions on Acura RSX Type-S

[Islandvic]

What do you think of the Acura RSX Type-S?

Anyone here drive one?

Any experience with one?

When are the new one's coming out based on the new civic?

 

[1 FMF]

friend bought one last summer, tan, black interior, 6-speed. Put a KN cold air kit and intake on it.
I drove it twice to and from the airport, not a bad car. I have an 02 camaro so I laugh at the rsx's get up and go, but it does handle and drive well, and was comfortable to sit in.
His had a problem with the front end, forget what exactly but the dealer knew about it when he described the problem and told him he had to wait 2-3 months for parts to come in because everything was backordered because it was such a common problem. Had to do with front end clunking when turning hard as slow speed, either tie-rod or knuckle joints or something. Nothing serious, barely noticeable, he drove the car from Ct to FL and had it fixed in FL.

 

[Matt_S]

Every time I've seen one, it's typically a 20-something guy weaving furiously in and out of traffic, driving me nuts in the process.

I sat in one at the Detroit Auto Show. I thought the interior was very uninspired compared to other vehicles its size, especially considering Acura's reputation. Then again, I don't care for most Honda interiors, anyway, especially the Ridgeline. I thought my wife's former '99 Civic was pretty good, though, but the RSX had too many similarities to that car.

Anyway, back on topic, it's got to be a very fun car to drive and I understand the engine is primarily tuned for fast, high-rpm driving. If that's your style, you'll have lots of fun.

 

[Auto-Union]

I got one. Just a base model. I like it a lot. Price was great, $18,600. Has lotsa stuff for the $. Interior is great, lots side kneeroom. Getting 31 mpg, driving fast. Better than new Civic. Only other car I like as much is Accord Coupe. Do a search OT, there are a lot of RSX posts.

 

[Auto-Union]

It will probally be discontinued, no more $20k Acura. btw- the warranty is longer than Honda. There is 2.9% financing now. Go ahead and check one out. I prefer base. Type-S has isues with the trans...grinding ???? Maybe the kids don't know how to drive a manual. Really, it's crazy nice for the price.

 

[AcuraTech]

Nice car for the price. No reliability issues that I know of. Seems like a well built car. I wouldn't hesitate to drive one.

From what I have heard this car is going away and not coming back. The RSX doesnt sell very well. Acura is going more along the lines of Lexus and only offering larger, more luxurious cars and leaving the entry level small car market to Honda.

 

[AcuraTech]

Oh yeah, synchros. Seems to me like alot of the kids that drive them like to hot rod them and burn out the synchros prematurely.

That is compounded by the number of twenty-somethings that go to RSX forums and read about other peoples synchro problems, causing them to think it is normal. Word spreads fast on the internet.

BTW word to the wise - never go into a dealership claiming that you know what the problem is with a car because you read it on a forum board. That will really p*** off the mechanic. Just let them find out the problem and let you know.

 

[Auto-Union]

As far as the sales being slow, I DEFINATELY think more people would buy them if they knew about them. People I tell about mine are like "RSX what?". Technically, they are out-dated. I don't mind the fact there are not a lot of them on the road. Pay invoice, no more. It's funny, I think there is a niche out there for a premium small econo-car. The RSX has a great premium name, nice inside and great mpg for the urban granola types. I really could not pick out another car I like as much.

 

[brianl703]

I've gone into the dealership claiming that I know what the problem with a car is because I have the TSB for it.

Oddly enough, they don't seem to mind....especially when I can demonstrate that the problem is exactly as described in the TSB.

 

[Auto-Union]

100% Made in Japan is a good thing too, as far as I am concerned. When I said better than Civic, I meant better for me. Mom likes the Civic.

 

[AcuraTech]

American Built Hondas - Very Well Built

Japanese Built Hondas - Bulletproof

It's different in Japan. They take serious pride in their engineering, build quality, and company reputation. I think the concept is called "Kaizen". It is taken to fanatical levels above and beyond what it is in America.

 

[mikemc]

My brother had a Type-S six speed and it was a screamer. Very high revving and very fast. Seemed like a very solid car.

 

[brianl703]

quote:

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They take serious pride in their engineering, build quality, and company reputation.

---

I used to think that, till NTT bought the company I worked for and nothing--repeat--nothing changed. Same ****, different owner.

 

[Al]

I would consider buying this car.

 

[Mr Magoo]

Acura Tech,

Does the 06' Civic have a timing belt or chain ?

 

[Schmoe]

Civics went with timing chains this generation. Hope the 8th gen. Accords will do the same.

 

[Auto-Union]

The Blue is hot. That's what I wanted but could not locate. Originally, I checked out the red at the dealer. I ended up with silver. Locally, there is a copper one, looks nice. They hold their value so well is is silly. Now that they will not be produced anymmore, I dunno, resale values look good.

 

[Islandvic]

The one I was thinking about was sold today.

It was a good enough deal I could have driven it for the summer and re-sell it for at least $2k profit.

'04 Type-S, Blue, Manual Trans, 15k miles, clean title, no liens, showroom condition.

 

[Bror Jace]

I'm gonna take a dissenting view. I owned a '90 Integra from 1990 to 1995. Then, not having a lot of money, but wanting a new car I bought a '95 Civic. From the day I drove that car off the lot, I wanted to get a new Integra. Towards the end of the 90s, I decided to forgo the beady-eyed Integra and wait until the new RSX was available.

Wow, was i disappointed. I remember everyone raving about the RSX when it came out. Not me. I was pretty ****ed at Honda and their dropping the wishbone suspension in all vehicles built on the Civic platform.

I never thought the RSX was a good deal. $23K+ for the Type S version: a glorified, deboned Civic with a 6-speed tranny and 200hp? All those mandatory 'luxury' features jammed into a car that used to be about fun-to-drive. Maybe if you could get a stripped down version ... with the hottest drivetrain for $19-20 ... but that wasn't happening.

And I never felt the car was particularly good looking with the front end being styled to look like part of the (bland) Acura family. The whole package just didn't work for me on many levels.

Instead I got an '03 Nissan Sentra SpecV. I figure it's 90% of the car the RSX is but only 2/3 the price ... with lower insurance. The car isn't exactly awesome, but it is quick and as time goes on, I am increasingly grateful that I saved my money and bought the less expensive car.

I am a fan of the SCCA Speed Challenge Touring series, specifically the Realtime (Acura) team. They gave up on the RSX after a season or two deciding to concentrate instead on the TSX ... and its more capable suspension. I guess I wasn't the only one.

And now you folks are saying that Acura is dropping the RSX. Perfect. I saw this coming a while ago ... but for a while I figured I was wrong and the car was the hit others were claiming it was when it first came out.

--- Bror Jace

 

[Auto-Union]

I can't imagine spending less than $19k on a car.

I can't imagine getting more for the money. 4yr/50k warranty.