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Acura RSX (All years/types)
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Yes, there is a maintenance schedule in the manual that shows what one should do for normal and severe driving. But I wanted to get real life examples of what people did.
For example, in my 20 kmi. service, I did an oil change, tire rotation, and wheel balance, but I didn't do any of those "check" stuff (check hoses, examine blah blah, etc.). I got my service done by a mechanic, Firestone, not by Acura. But for my 30 kmi. check (which will probably happen sometime early next year), I'll probably go to Acura and pay the couple hundred bucks.
So you went from driving 700 mi./week to 70 mi./week? Good job!
I've had 0 problems so far w/ my aftermarket PIAA foglights (knock on wood!). Not to mention they're way whiter, brighter, and cheaper than stock foglights. I don't know why anyone would pay a ridiculous $400 for stock foglights. Maybe b/c of the warranty, I guess.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Has anyone experience the same problem? What should I do? Thanks.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
The guy said I could buy the sub and have an independent shop install it, but that sounds a bit sketchy to me. Is the subwoofer from Acura really so weak it is not worth it?
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
The headunit is the weak link - my advice is to replace that 1st, and if you feel like you need to upgrade further, then look at replacing speakers/adding sub.
How much power does your Alpine have? Did you get a separate amp as well?
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
bbl29, I've had no problems parking or making U-turns, but a couple of exceptionally tight parking lots required some strategy when switching from one aisle to the next (usually when a car has created a space on the end of an aisle).
For comparison, my 4Runner has a tighter turning circle, and that is an SUV.
joshs: yeah, all I want to do is drown out the road noise, not rattle my teeth! I am going to look into both options - the Acura sub that fits in the spare, and an aftermarket head unit.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
As for the stereo, agree with joshs that it won't knock your socks off, but it's pretty good and much better than the base model's. I don't care for overpowering bass, but sometimes I miss some extra power. And I definitely vary the volume to keep up with road noise as the speed goes up.
I looked on the Alpine website and this exact model is discontinued, although the 9827 looks to be very similar.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
If you want something that's cheap, relatively easy to install, and does not take up a lot of room, I'd recommend getting an Infinity BassLink. That's what I have on my Type-S and I really like it.
I know folks w/ the base RSX install the BassLink, so it's possible to install it in your car. You can find out the tech specs for the BassLink on www.crutchfield.com. And if you want to buy it, try looking for a new unit from Ebay. Good luck.
I will be watching for Connor's response, eager to see what he recommends. I am leaning towards Bridgestone Turanza LS-H, very sticky, and good in the wet. Probably not for you, since it is a grand touring tire instead of a performance tire, and you want top-notch handling (I am looking for comfort as well).
Good luck! Thanks for posting the excellent question.
The Consumer Rating on the site is showing a 9.3 with 116 reviews (see http://www.edmunds.com/new/2004/acura/rsx/100350404/ratings_consu- - mer.html?tid=edmunds.n.ratings_consumer.vdpheader.ratingsbox.1.Ac- - ura*)
To write a review on the Acura RSX click on the Rate It button on the above page.
Shocks from the seats? Not for me...I guess that's an advantage that leather has ;-)
I guess that molding would help...I've been lucky so far with door dings, watch now, I'll have three when I get to it after work :-) It would certainly alter that clean slab-sided look.
Agree it's a stiff ride, but for me, the trade off in "ride-like-it's-on-rails" is worth it.
Biggest complaint for me is the lack of some niceties that I got used to in my last vehicle and that I miss so much...audio controls on the wheel, heated seats and mirrors, memory seat settings, etc. could have gotten the TSX and gotten all those for 5k, but no way...
Still, love the car, have put almost 15k on it since I got it last Sep and have never regretted my choice. Hardly. Often I drive upstate on weekends, 200 miles each way and I still actually enjoy the drive. This is an excellent driving, well built machine.
8000 miles and counting - no complaints and no problems. Does anyone wish the steering were perhaps a touch more precise on-center?
I am still waging the internal battle over what to do about the stereo. I will probably skip the Acura sub, since it will cost so much more than any aftermarket unit I choose. Will look into the BassLink.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Also, anyone know of any good sites to purchase authentic Acura accessories (like a wing, fog lights) at cheap prices? I used to know a few for hondas (traded in my civic), but am clueless with Acura websites.
Lastly, I've been reading that some people have installed Infinity Basslink subs to their car. If anyone has and is reading this, could they explain the steps needed to complete this. I'm not sure if it's easy to do since we have the Bose subwoofer already in the trunk and possibly could use that wiring? Also, if you have reviews, pictures, or anything regarding this on other websites for this car, please include a link.
I appreciate all the help and look forward to trying to help others as well. Most likely will make a webpage showing how I installed the subwoofer in upcoming months.
About the BassLink, it's not too bad to do. I ran the power wire (use 8-ga. or thicker) from the battery through the existing grommet on the driver side of the firewall along the left side of the car, under the rear seats, and to the trunk. The ground wire can be connected to a latch behind the rear seats. Then I spliced the Bose woofer to tap the signal wires for the BassLink.
I can show you step-by-step instructions from another Web site, but the moderators of Edmudnds does not allow linking of other forums (anti-compete policy). If you provide me with your e-mail address, I can send you the links. It's definitely worth upgrading the stereo, either to a BassLink or whatever sub you want. The stock Bose system is a joke.
I love the car and I heard rumors they might take away my color, so I'm happy I got it while its still available. On the same note, it would be nice to have the redesign, but I can't have everything. I never noticed how many other blue type-s's were around my town until after purchasing it though, I think there are 2 others.
I'm going for the basslink just because of the ease of upgrading and I still want to have space to put stuff in the back.
I don't like the new front end that much - I think they made it look more similar to the Civic than it did before. But I like the taillights - now they match the look of the TSX.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I'm still grumbling about Acura adding the heated mirrors to the standard equipment in the past couple of years. I didn't know I was paying a penalty for buying one of the first models off the line in 2001.
:-(
If I had just bought a type-S, I think I would be kinda bummed right now. Instantly my car becomes the 'S' with the small rims and the lower power. But I do think it is fair that Honda makes incremental improvements over the course of a model cycle to keep the car competitive.
From now on the most immediate competition for this car is going to come from the Scion tC, which is $3K less in both S/C and non-S/C versions, with the same power rating (off by 10 for the S/C vs the type-S now that Honda has raised the power for '05). So Honda is going to have to work to stay competitive. I fear for Honda's competitive advantage in small cars if it does not make big leaps forward with the '06 Civic, and to a lesser extent with the '07 RSX.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
ANd the reason for the 3k difference is because of the Heated mirrors, leather, climate control more hp, 6 disc in dash...so on so on. Come on you guys, you gotta play fair.
aznstuart: Toyota is offering a factory S/C option for the tC, which brings it up to about 200 hp. And that is from a 2.4 which has more torque. You are right that the standard leather etc on the RSX-S is worth the price differential, but what about the base car? Cloth seats, ditto. Single-disc CD, check. And the tC still has the bigger engine, XM- and MP3-capable radio, and reclining rear seats, not to mention the panorama glass roof and the 17" rims.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
a.) you need to rev higher (max HP is now at 7800 RPM vs. 7400 RPM that the 2002-2004 RSX-S have) and
b.) the 2005 RSX-S weighs about 70-80 lbs. more than the 2002-2004 model.
I'm not really digging the triple circles that Acura uses for the new RSX's headlights and taillights. I do like the better quality seats and the stock 17" wheels. I also like the new magnesium metallic color, although it's replacing my desert silver metallic.
I know a few people who've already bought a 2005 RSX-S out in the West. It'll take NJ a little while longer to get them (my dealership said mid-Oct.) since the cars are typically shipped from Japan to some Western US ports, and then they are trucked eastward. But I'm not looking to trade in my 2002 RSX-S just yet. ;-)
I am assuming there will be a new RSX for '07...perhaps a trade then, eh? I swore I would keep this one five years, so for me the earliest trade date is '09! :-/
I could see the next base RSX being similar in spec to the current 'S'. Maybe they could offer AWD and a slightly larger engine as well. But only if they could keep the weight under 3000 pounds, otherwise forget it.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
For now I'll be keeping my '01 Prelude Type SH:)
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
How many miles does your car have?
I initially swore to myself that I'd keep my car for 8 years - until 2010. But I'm getting tempted to explore my options. I'm definitely going to keep it until the end of the warranty - 2006. Then based on my finances, I'll either keep it another 4 or trade it in for another car.
But who knows what my financial situation will be by then, never mind if I get married and have kids.
I don't like RWD b/c we get a fair amount of rain and snow in NJ. If I lived in a warm weather state, then RWD would obviously be my first choice.
I figure AWD will add 50-100 pounds, but I think that's worth it if Acura adds a proportionate amount of power.
Maybe I'm hung over from last night, but I think Acura can add AWD and drop a 2.2 L engine and still keep the curb weight of a redesigned RSX < 1.5 tons. And that 2.2 L engine should do at least 240 HP/160 ft-lb.
I would like to see them offer the current type S as base, or at least boost the base hp to be at least 20 more than the most powerful Civic, for '07. And I would like to see them put in SH-AWD, which I think would be possible while keeping the weight under 3000#. Now whether or not they could also put in the new 2.2L engine you propose and still hold the price to $23-24K is up for debate. Perhaps they could benefit from economies of scale by merely subbing in the TSX engine - would that add more than a few pounds?
My car will be out of warranty by early calendar-year '07, and I am betting the new model will be looking pretty tempting by then, what with it being close to close-out time when they go to the '08s in the fall. :-P
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
We have the base model, which I guess has 16 inch wheels. The ride is about as rough as I would want. I would not want 17 inch wheels.
I don't drive fast and I don't think I have even had the engine over 5K rpm, but I doubt that any of you could possible enjoy your car more than I do.
My wife and I just went on a nice 60 mile drive today to the beautiful historic town of Fredericksburg VA, where we walked around town and stopped at our favorite coffee shop. It was a great day, and the car was a joy to drive.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Are you getting stick or automatic? From what I've heard and read, the TSX is a completely different animal with the 6 speed manual.
Do you take long trips?
How old are you?
How'd you total your RSX?
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
I have a 40mile one way commute to work...so yes long trips...
I am 24 but i have a nephew that i am with all the time...
I was side swiped on a fourlane highway and pushed into a barrier wall....spun hit the wall again and then across all four lanes into the right shoulder...Thankfully I am not seriously hurt...but my car was.
What does YMMV mean?