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A. Should be more powerful
B. Does not have enough base
There are a couple of fixes you can do that are not expensive at all.
Generally, Honda uses Alpine components. This means, you should be able to get an Amp at your local car stereo store, Circuit City, Best Buy, or Goodguys. If the stereo is not Alpine, most likely they will have an adapter you can hook up to the stock stereo.
This will increase volume and Base.
Another option is to hook up an extra Base speaker and/or replace the rear speakers, assuming you have already installed an amp.
Just go to any car stereo dealership. It may cost you $150 - $500 for the amp upgrade depending on the Amp, installation price, and where you get it.
Also, there are many covers/paddings you can get for the front seats that will make it that much more comfortable.
When cruising on the highway, try to put it in the highest gear so that your tachometer shows you under 3krpm. Also, try not to fluctuate your speed if possible. And use A/C instead of driving w/ windows open when on the freeway.
As far as gas mileage, I have been keeping track of mine since I got the car in March, and I average about 30 MPG (90% hwy driving). I've been pretty happy with it so far!
Also, one of my good friends just bought a 2003 TL (base). Even though he's got 225 HP and 200+ torque, he knows better than to test my RSX-S. ;-)
beowulf7 - and neither is a V6 Mustang or base TL.
You guys must be on clubrsx, right?
But the bigger point is this. The RSXS has more than enough available power (probably too much if the ticket I got during my third week of ownership is any indication) and complaints about torque in a discussion about a VTEC car seem kind of off-point.
You buy a sports car with a 7800 redline because you like to rev. I love the scream of my engine past 6000 RPM. And once you get into the upper registers, you would never think to complain about low-end grunt.
And if that's what you do care about, Detroit still does it best. A bargain, end-of model Z28 will still dust anything out of Japan costing less than $50,000, but it's an ugly brute and handles like a cow.
Otherwise, fantastic car so far.
I have an RSX-S too, and I get great gas mileage. I drive 45 minutes to work everyday 5 days a week. On roads that go anywhere from 25 mph - 65 mph for 27 miles. The week before last I filled my car up completely to the top where it was floating in the gas filler and 7 days later and 451 miles on my way home I filled up again and got 34 mpg. It is remarkable, and when I baby it and not run it into the high rpms, which isn't often, I have gotten 37 mpg! I couldn't believe it! I strictly use 92-93 octane gas and always feel it up to the top. AC doesn't seem to kill the mileage nor does winding it out some, but when I hit 135 mph it sucked it down!:)
The oil in my new RSX is so clear that I can't read the dipstick! I know it's good that the oil is clear, but I would like to track oil consumption based on the comments above. Any ideas?
A second question is: how many quarts of oil is it between the "high" mark and the "low" mark?
But I noticed when I was trying to find where the water leak was coming from that there is rust starting to develope where the metal posts are that the rubber stops cover. Has anyone else noticed the water leak and the rust starting? The dealership says the leaking was normal, which to me is a bad design, and the rust is nothing to be worried about, which bothers me since water is always going to be going thru the stops and will continue to rust more and more.
if no other dealership is available, call their corporate office through the 800 number that is in your warranty book.
it's absurd to be told that a leaking roof is normal
maybe +20 years ago, but not this day and age! My aftermarket sunroof leaked only once in 7 years, and that was recently at a car wash!
On a possitive note, if you live in California or another state with a Lemon law, you can start keeping records for this.
Just a curious question, did you have a rattles from the glove box? I did and ended up fixing it myself by putting thickly padded sticky feet to each side of the glove box door and put padding in the latch. Why they left a 1.5in gap between the glove box door and the dash when closed makes no sense to me. It made all kinds of racket before I fixed it. I'm still trying to find/fix a rattle coming from the passenger door. Do you have any complaints about rattles so far?
1. Do they use salt or calcium chloride, or both, on the roads? (I live in Chicago).
2. I know salt is bad. Is calcium chloride bad too?
3. I have been hand washing the car, but in the winter I think I will need to use a car wash to make sure the underside of the car gets cleaned. Do all car washes clean the underside, or do I have to check? How often should I get it washed?
Got mine in late June and already have 10,700 miles already (problem free though) but I am going to have to keep an eye out for the oil consumption issue.
Thanks for any help you can provide
Yes calcium chloride (CaCL2) is bad, it's the same as regular salt (NaCL) in that both have chlorine, which is the bad stuff. They just use CaCL2 because you get more bang for your buck (2 Cl's versus 1 Cl). In terms of washing, as a former northeasterner, definitely get everywhere. I have a 94 Accord that has two very small rust spots forming right behind the wheel wells in the same exact place that must have been missed in the many years of washing/waxing.
hope this helped.
http://forums.clubrsx.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16399
Basically, this is how someone on that site says you can disable A/C if you want to (but I haven't done it myself). And I quote:
What you will need: Two Fingers
Time Needed: 10 seconds.
Annoyed with how you can't turn off the A/C when you turn to defog? Here's the override (realize that A/C expediates the defog process).
These steps are taken from a discussion thread on 2k1civic.com
Turn Car Off
Turn Temperature Knob To Full Blue (All the way to the left - Counter-Clock Wise)
Turn Vent Knob To Off (All the way to the left - Counter-Clock Wise)
Hold Down Air Recirculation Button As Well As A/C Button
Keep Both Buttons Depressed and Start Car
Keep Both Buttons Depressed for 7 Seconds
*AC LIGHT SHOULD BLINK*
You will now have control of your A/C regardless of what setting you are in, to revert back, simply repeat the procedue.
thanks!
I picked up my new 03 RSX Premium yesterday and it happened twice today. The service department told me it "wasn't in gear". I have a hard time believing that, this isn't my first standard.
I'm calling Acura soon - can I expect a loaner vehicle while my car is being serviced?
Thanks for the info. I will post back and let everyone know how it went with the dealer.
Just bought my RSX about a 2 weeks ago. Does anyone know where to purchase some good seat covers? Thanks
Revka
Hatchbacks & Wagons Host
BTW has anyone experienced 2nd gear to be a little notchy? I just noticed it all the time when the car is cold, but also happens occasionally when I'm driving around town. So far I only have 700 miles on it. I'll ask the dealer when I have time. Take care all.
I am now convinced that when I filled up, somehow I filled up past "full." This is sort of freaking me out. Anyone had this happen? Is this even possible, is there more room in the tank past the "full" mark?