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Acura RSX vs Honda Civic - Driving Impressions
Sorry about the bad spelling on the title. I missed it while typing and can't change it now. A host could probably fix it though!
I know every other car has been compared to the RSX on Edmunds but what about the car that shares the most blood-line relation.
They ride on the same platform, sell for nearly the same price and have basically the same engine. When comparing the base RSX with the new Si which is the better drive or better buy?
I know every other car has been compared to the RSX on Edmunds but what about the car that shares the most blood-line relation.
They ride on the same platform, sell for nearly the same price and have basically the same engine. When comparing the base RSX with the new Si which is the better drive or better buy?
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Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards
If you don't drive highway alot, I doubt you'd get the Type S into 6th. I drive 50 miles daily on winding country roads (what a problem!) and the SI handles them beautifully! Besides, my bike fits in the car, so I can take it to work and ride at lunch.
P.S. The seats, in my opinion, are much better in the SI, way better support.
I test drove an SI out of curiosity today and could barely contain myself. I am looking for a 2nd car for my highway commute and had left Honda since 97 to go for Volvo wagons - the turbo sport ones. Never regretted it.
I've had a '95 GSR, a '96 Prelude VTEC and '93 and '95 accords. Loved the Prelude and missed it up until I dove this Civic. Wow! And the seats are perfect. I was actually lvg in disgust when I happened to sit in an SI in the showroom. Currently haggling on a black one. The dealer has 3 of each color for 2002. Another dealer is advertising at $16,250. If anyone is looking, send a msg.
Considering that going prices are almost $5,000 less than base RSX's, I can't imagine somebody getting one after driving the Si. (unless they are aesthetically displeased with it)
I'm not sure how much the regular RSX goes for. But your figure of $2.5k more suggest it is at $18,400. Maybe that's accurate, I'm not sure.
But what I see the $2.5k over the SI is
1) Automatic Climate control
2) 4y/50k warranty + road side assistance
3) 16" rims
4) Standard side airbags (a $250 option on the SI)
5) Front and rear floor mats (~ $60 on the SI)
6) *Nicer* interior
7) Presumably *better* service
I like auto climate control. When I had a 97 Civic EX, I hate the sliding tempt. mechanism. I can never get it to the right tempt.
Longer warranty is always good.
W/ 16" rims already, I could buy snow tires and swap using existing rim (though I'm sure it'll get scratched up by the tire place). W/ the SI, I plan on using the 15" as dedicated snow tire/rim and buying 17" for summer. It'll cost me more getting 2 sets. But at least swapping is easier and gentler on the rims and tires. So, it is a toss.
Side airbags cost more on the SI. But not too much.
6) and 7) are just MHO.
Lastly, there's a stigma towards 2 door hatches in US. Most people see them as cheap. Thus the popularit of coupes. Personally, I like the SI looks. I also like the looks of wagons, esp. Audi wagons.
Floor mats should be included in every car purchase by now! Just make it as part of the purchase price.
I'm not too worried about people asking me why I didn't get a *higher* level car. Maybe coz' I'm just don't care what they think. If they want to spend more money to get something they don't really need, go ahead.
With the
01 A4 1.8T, I paid $28k. To get the (at that time)
A4 2.8 would cost me $32k.
S4 2.7T would cost me $40k.
RS4 (if it ever comes) will be $50k.
I'm sure when I get to RS4, someone is going to ask me why didn't you get an A6 instead.
Then, I'm going to have to get the A6 2.8, A6 2.7T, A6 4.2, RS6. When I hit that, someone will say, why not get an A8. Before I know it, I'll end up w/ a Ferrari.
So, if you are worried about people asking you why didn't you get a higher trim level RSX-S, just steal the RSX-S badge and slap it on!
I think it's great car for women. Definitely not good for men IMO.
Oh give me a break. How would this car be good for one and not the other?
The Matrix doesn't have an independent rear suspension does it? I haven't driven one, but I imagine this would cause it to not ride nearly as well as the Honda or Acura.
Let me ask you this. Do you think the Celica is a guy or girl's car?? Research seem to point out that it is more a girl's car.
Integras buyers are mainly women too. I know it is surprising. A lot of discussions you may have read seem to imply that Integra buyers are mainly male, but that's not the case.
It is just MHO (my humble opinion). Ok, if you want one from me, Matrix could be had w/ an auto or stick. Si is only stick. Though I'm sure there are plenty of women stick drivers, I believe the majority are men.
I don't believe it ham but I actually agree with your last paragraph. Most women do drive automatics. In not offering a automatic SI Honda severely limited it's demographic. Most Americans don't even recognize a manual transmission now much less want to drive one.
Greetings from sunny Miami.
By a wide margin! I haven't sat in that car, but I have trouble believing you. You say you haven't driven an Si, but have you sat in one?
The Altima just reeks of cheapness even with the 03 "upgrades", the IS300 had cheap materials on the dash and felt busy, the Corolla was a base model so it just felt cheap and the driving position wasn't comfortable, the Volvo was OK but the one I sat in had a funny smell so I didn't spend alot of time in it.
Immediately thereafter I made a food run in the SI and remembered why I bought it. It has a great driving position, great seats, great shifter, great ergonomics, and a cool steering wheel. Out of the cars I liked I would rank the Celica 1st, the Golf 2nd, and the ES300 3rd. Usually I am not a fan of ES300's but this one was black with a black interior .. nice.
The Matrix is out of the picture because you can't get the good engine with the good suspension. Only AWD Matrix have IRS and the AWD version is only available with the 130HP (isn't it 125 in the AWD) engine. Kinda sucks because I like the interior with the exception of the Pontiac buttons on the stereo.
I hear a factory built AWD Turbo Matrix is in the works though. Might be an interesting alternative to a WRX wagon.
To those concerned: The good news is you are free to start up a new discussion, on this board, to include the Matrix/Vibe and other vehicles you'd like to discuss.... Okay? Thanks for your participation.
Revka
Hatchbacks & Wagons Host
why???
Bruno
As long as fuel efficiency (gas mileage) is not being sacrificed too much, there's no such thing as too much HP. Once your gas mileage suffers beyond what you desire, then you've discovered your performance bounds.
And now back to the subject of the Acura RSX vs. Honda Civic Si - driving impression.
Revka
Hatchbacks & Wagons Host
One more point is that one of the greatest attributes of "hot hatches" is that they are as practical as they are fun. This means that you should me able to store your stuff while not going broke at the gas pump.
There are also RWD Hatchback cars: Audi sales them in europe and also the BMW 3 exists widely there in its hatchback configuration. Torque steer effect depends more on the low-end torque than hp. The sport version of the engine of the Matrix for instant produced respectable hp without giving any substantial torque, and it's not fun to drive at all.
Bruno
If HP doesn't matter, we should all be driving eco-friendly hybrid cars instead of buying an SI or RSX. Be truthful to yourself. 160HP is barely enough when most car makers are selling cars bet. 170-210HP. It won't be long before the SI gets more power.
By saying 160 is enough when compared to 127 or 130 is just plain.. err you know....
"fb reh eb ot etah dluow i"
I guess that is the debate that goes on between people who think of their cars as strictly utility and people who consider their cars an extension of themselves.
For me, the more power the better. It is great when you can step on the pedal and feel the thrust of machinery and the precision of pin-point steering. That is why I enjoy more power and a sports-type machinery.
As just a transportation device, I would agree with anonymousposts, and that is why Camrys, Civics, and Accords are so popular (that and they offer creature comforts, reliability, and room for a relatively small price when compared to other automobiles).
Yb het ayw ym fb si eryv appyh.
"em dlot eh tahw ton si taht"