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Acura RSX Owners: Meet the Members
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The RSX does five points better on average in fuel economy, which will save you about $250 a year ($2.50/gallon, 15K miles per year), not quite offsetting the insurance increase you mentioned above. Those low profile 17" tires are going to cost you a good $100 more per set to replace every three years, maybe $150 (RSX's 205/55/16 is a VERY conventional size and has been for four or five years, so tire prices in that size are coming way down), There goes another $40 or $50 per year, and you can see we are almost offsetting those insurance costs.
Obviously, YMMV, and I am just making the point that when you start to analyze numbers that small in a new car purchase, "behind the scenes" factors begin to play a bigger role too.
To my mind, what one cannot overlook between these two cars is the $3500 price gulf. As I said in my post a few pages back, that additional $3500 is easily worth it for me in terms of better performance (handling specifically), better interior, and one or two more amenities like the ACC. But those things are going to hold a different value for everyone. And one of the criticisms above is all too true - the RSX has a lot of intruding road noise at highway speeds.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Anyway, your points are noteworthy. Unless you're at a race track the performance difference you claim is not a issue in stop and go traffic. Its nice to see a vehicle division that causes others to change. Don't you?
goose, it is my turn to agree with the points you make, except one:
"Unless you're at a race track the performance difference you claim is not a issue in stop and go traffic"
The thing is, I wasn't referring to timed runs, I was referring to handling that is so much better that it makes the car more fun to drive even in everyday trafficky situations. The one thing I do very little of, however, is stop and go on the highway, where the car's better handling would obviously make no difference at all. But it turns corners on the street more quickly and with less body roll, and is more responsive in quick lane changing, and 100 other little differences like that.
Now as for Acura causing other manufacturers to change, I am not sure they have, but if so I applaud it! :-)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
When comparing cars in the class of the tC, RSX, et al, I don't think you'll find that significant diffrence evident. (even considering the 'little' things) What diffrences you'll find when really pushing these cars is paid for by a less compliant ride the other 98% of the time your driving. I think you really have to go beyond this class of "sporty" cars to get into a real "sport" car tuned suspension that would impress a true enthusiast (and at a much higher cost).
I hear and read a lot about the great handling of the RSX, Mazda3 and MINI when compared to the tC but even if one is to concede an advantage, there certainly isn't enough difference to justify the thousands of dollars more in cost.
I appreciate the insight to analyze cost of insurance, replacement tires, etc., but much of that can be minimized by choice and one could go on forever comparing the cost of every component of these cars. I think it is rightly stated that even with all trhings considered, it is tough to overcome and justify a price difference of over 3 grand among this class of cars. If I were willing to pay 22k or more in this class of vehicle based on handling, I would rather move up in class to a used, real, sports car.
Despite having shorter wheelbase RSX has HUGE turning radius rivaling some full size SUVs like Navigator. RSX stock Michelins make the car downright scary to drive in rain. In contrast, tC Yokos are very predictable in foul weather.
RSX gets stolen far less than Integra, even thieves realize the current Civic isn't worth modding.
Seemed to have less headroom too.
Overall, my kids confirmed that while the tC is OK for them, the RSX wouldn't be.
But, if I never (or rarely) planned to use the back seat, I did like the front seats of the RSX better. haven't drvine one in a long time, so can't comment about that aspect.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Thank goodness - there is such a thing as clutter - important to avoid in a small car.
"RSX stock Michelins make the car downright scary to drive in rain"
Extremely overstated - have you actually done this? Not scary at all. Do I love the HX MXM4s? No.
"RSX gets stolen far less than Integra, even thieves realize the current Civic isn't worth modding."
Actually, it is because the RSX is the first Integra to have a standard perimeter alarm system and an immobilizer chip in the key.
The stock stereo in the tC is a messy sea of little buttons, and a volume knob (long overdue) will not change that. Nor will it change the large swath of cheapish aluminum-painted plastic that glares at you from the center stack, or the silly little door over the stereo that sticks out of the dash two inches whenever you actually want to use the stereo (which for me would be.....all the time!).
Maybe I am just getting old - the interior of the tC is very obviously designed to appeal to younger tastes.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
06 tc gets steering wheel audio controls, buttons on the head unit are non-issue.
Letters B-o-s-e on RSX head unit will not change the bland sound of the stereo.
Nor will it change the large swath of cheapish aluminum-painted plastic that glares at you from the center stack
Agree about painted aluminum, but prefer the symmetrical design of tC's center stack over the odd layout of RSX
One thing I give to RSX is the slick shifter, nobody does manuals better than Honda.in this price range. However, grab them while you can. 06 is the last year for RSX. Honda is soon to become a Truck and Minivan company.
So I widened my search for a new car and included the tC with the RSX.
The acura interior plastics are superb. I like that soft dashboard feel. The RSX bucket seat fit like a glove and the fabric soft. The RSX radio controls are great for the driver but not for the passenger. Reminded me of a jet fighter.
TheAcura sales department was high presure and tried to sell me a TSX so I tried it first. I enjoyed the beautiful interior and great ride until I hit a small pothole and the wheels gave a soda can sound. I was very annoyed by that sound and postponed my road testdrive of the RSX.
I am 30+ married and my wife has an A4 so I thought the tC might be too youthful for me. But the price and my recent discontent with Acura compelled me to try a tC. I test drove it twice.
The first was white tC with a big spoiler. I thought this is a quiet coupe. The interior was decent but could be jazzed up with blue lights. The seats were also good. Exterior ties with RSX
For the second tC test drive. I brought my wife and the salesrep. The salesrep told me to floor it and try the suspension and hard braking. It felt heavy compared to my old integra and the TSX but it also had less tire and pothole noises. It also felt solid A4-ish. She also loved the available interior accessories.
So if you are planning to race get the RSX or TSX but if you want solid quiet coupe with accessory selection and no hassle get the tC.
I put a deposit down for a tC coming in 2 weeks If I ever need more power or better handles I can even get the suspension and supercharger from the dealer. Love the tC.
I used to work with Motor Week and I have a serious love for Ferrari's.
It's fun to be an owner of an RSX as I call it my "mini" Ferrari.
I didn't expect to get into this car but needed something a little better then my 89' plymouth colt with 163k miles on it.
A friend of a friend owns a dealership where they had this 2002 dark blue RSX with 20k miles on it...Great Car..he gave me a sweet deal, and I drove the car home that night (leaving behind the rental I was using to get around in while my colt was being salvaged).
I took it to Santa Monica Acura and they replaced the front breaks and the dealership I bought it from bought me new RSX floor mates and some minor plastic parts that were missing.
My Dark Blue 2002 RSX has leather, 5-spd Auto and still has it's stock stereo system which I hope to replace someday. it has some minor scratches at the rear of the car..but it's a pretty sweet car. I paid $14,995 before taxes and got a 3 year bumper to bumper. It's currently still under the manufacturers warranty with roadside assistance which makes me kinda happy. Other than the occasional speeding and extended night drives I take through the canyons and by the beach I've been babying the car and get stressed when it comes to leaving her outside all alone.
I looked at the RSX, Civic, and the Mazda3. I was not impressed with Mazda's lack of safety on Side-Impact Crashes (I think I saw 3 stars as the best?). That and the salesperson thought he had me in the bag from the moment I said hello.
The Civic felt like there was nothing to it, which made me think that it might be susceptible to dings. That and the salesperson dragged me up to a used lot (told me that it was the new lot) when I specifically said a new car, on foot (or rather, on crutches since I was recovering from surgery) and left me there with my girlfriend. Said he'd be back in 5 minutes since he had to go help another customer. I left the lot 10 minutes later and was accosted by another salesperson on the way out who tried to convince me to buy an Element when I said that I was looking for a new Civic. When I mentioned the problem of being left in a Used Car Lot, he smiled. I mean, talk about lack of any common sense. I'm on frickin' crutches!
The Acura handled nicely, but it just seemed small. The salesperson acted like I couldn't afford it and I was wasting his time. For some reason, Honda and Acura feel that they don't have to work to get you to purchase the vehicles. It seems so weird that in sales, the salesperson makes you feel bad for helping him make money.
When I went to the Scion Dealer, I got a salesman named Terry. He knew everything about the car and he knew everything about the other cars I was comparing with. He made the whole thing about me, which is surprising considering the low margin on these cars. At any rate, he gave me a good deal when the car took 2 months to show up, he threw in the TRD Shocks and Struts package for free. I've had problems, but I can't really say that I have seen fewer problems on any of the other new cars.
The salesman moved on to Nissan and still calls me to see how my car is doing and that if there are any problems that he will get them taken care of. Maybe it was just the salesman, but it was nice to actually have a person take an interest in you before and after you buy your car. I just did not get that feeling from Honda or Acura.
http://www.honda.co.jp/auto-lineup/integra/
It's pretty cool. I just wonder why they don't offer the Type R in US.
.
I'm partial to the RSX so if it would hold it's value at least as good as the tC, I'd still consider it.
joeluc: type-R sales were always very limited in the Integra line, the type-R can be pretty harsh to drive, and there weren't enough serious racers ready to buy to justify importing them half the time.
Type-R's have the sound-deadening material removed to save weight, which is a BAD thing in the RSX if you ask me (although good for racing), not to mention seats like iron (good for racing) and rock-hard suspension (great for racing, REAL bad for feckless American roads). Plus, with the added gear like the LSD and other stuff, the price is usually more than the type-S - perhaps a hard sell in equipment-oriented America, where at a $26K sticker (or so) it would be without NAV, HIDs, power seats, all that junk that Americans love so much.
Again, there just aren't enough serious racers with money in hand to make it worth it for Honda. I wish they would bring it over anyway! :-)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Overall, I love the car. I have no regrets owning one since I really have trusted Honda ever since I bought my 97 Civic EX--which has 152K+ miles right now and still runs like it only has 70K on it. Although I have read some messages from other RSX Type S owners having problems, I still believe in my Type S's reliability. I just find it possible that not all things are built perfectly. Some products have flaws (even it is unacceptable for us consumers) and some don't. Even Mercedez Benz couldn't get rid of their electrical problem (new cars having malfunctioning break lights--I see them all the time). Somehow due to mass production of vehicles nowadays, consumers end up relying on luck just to get a flawless vehicle.
I know there will be some acura fans that don't agree with me and to them I would say that the tC is selling better than the RSX for a reason... most small car buyers are not tuners. :P
The tC sells more because it costs less, an age-old formula that continues to work a lot of the time. There IS a difference between these two models. Whether or not it is worth $3 grand to each person is up to them.
Now, if you really think that EVEN ONE used tC is selling for $18K when they can be bought NEW for less, then you have precious little experience of the used car market. There may be a sucker born every minute, but there aren't enough to sell many used tCs at that price.
As for the RSXs, you do realize that an '04 can be two full years old now, right? Miled-up '04s could easily get down to $14K in resale. And they'd be a bargain at the price, too, as long as they were under 50K in miles.
joeluc: you know, you CAN still get your hands on some fairly recent model type-Rs. They sold them here up until 4, maybe 5 years ago. If you can find one that hasn't been raced or modded, you will be a miracle worker. But if so, and you are ready to pay premium dollar, I am sure it would give a current type-S a run for its money. The RSX has put on weight from the previous generation, and the 'R' had most of the power of the current 'S'. Not to mention a standard LSD for putting the power down, and old-style VTEC just to make things really fun. :-)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
The RSX-S has waaaaaay better handling than the tC, not to mention the extra 35 horsepower are pretty nice! :-)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
you just can't find an RSX with less than 20,000 miles for less than $15k unless you're super lucky.
I bought mine with 20,000 miles (2002) for $14,900 and am very happy to have bought this car (my friend knows the owner of the dealership) I could easily sell it for over $16,900.
but hey, enjoy the scion...acura will always be a superior brand.
I write cause I'd like to hear from others who have experience with repaired RSX's.
My car was hit at the drivers side front wheel...it's been fixed and is currently at the body shop for repairs. I can't wait to get it back.
how has your RSX run after front end suspension repairs?
thanks for your reply...I'm keeping my hopes up and also hope to have a car with no frame damage as well.
:sick:
I purchased my RSX a little over a year and a half ago. I'm still having fun with it! See my initial post way-back-when. Post# 2102 (All Years/Types)
If resale value is important to you, then to me that pretty much cancels out the benefits of a car that's easily modded. Modded cars are worth less than stock IMO.
I was wondering whether or not the performance options on the tC help bridge the handling gap between these two cars. Specifically, the TRD shocks/struts kit, the TRD lowering springs kit, and the TRD front strut tie bar are what I'm interested in. How does each of those affect the car? Also, what does the TRD sport muffler do for the car? Does the exhaust sound better or is it too much? Thanks for any help!
The TRD springs/shocks and a rear anti-roll bar would go a long way (front strut bars are only barely noticeable in most cars). The exhaust... go for it if you think the tC's too quiet (neither car is loud). I haven't tried a tC with any of those mods though. The price can add up to the level of the RSX, at which point I'd expect handling to be pretty even.
The tC's automatic is a little better than the RSX's; the RSX's manual is better than the tC's.
The RSX's steering feels a lot more fun. It's a little stiff at initial turn-in for some people though. And the engine is less torquey low in the rev range, but a lot sweeter if you frequently go above 5k rpm. The view forward is a lot better in the RSX, but when it comes to looking to the side or back, the tC's a lot easier. Passengers will probably prefer the tC even if the RSX's interior materials are a lot nicer.
I dunno... try them out.
He now is the proud owner of a 2006 Scion tc and he absolutely loves it! It handles well and is nice to look at too! He finds the interior to be roomy and comfortable.
Before you decide, I would read up on the stolen car info. The last thing you want is to have your car stolen. Even though my Dad loved his RSX, he would NEVER buy one again
1995 Honda Civic
1989 Toyota Camry
1991 Honda Accord
1994 Dodge Caravan
1994 Chevrolet Full Size C/K 1500 Pickup
1997 Ford F150 Series
2003 Dodge Ram Pickup
1990 Acura Integra
1988 Toyota Pickup
1991 Nissan Sentra
I don't see the RSX anywhere on this list.
I am into sporty cars and liked the look of the RSX especially with the rear wing spoiler! I test drove the base RSX last weekend and thought it felt sporty and seats have a snug fit. I also like the interior which has nice quality materials. I do have a bit of a lead foot(which worries hubby if we decided on the Type S with 6-Spd) but there's always some slow poke I need to pass so I want a car with good pickup and go power! Now I am considering the tC due to price, comparable looks to the RSX and cool options. Does the tC have good power and feel sporty to drive or more like a small sedan? I am test driving one tomorrow. On the plus side for tC, the dealer is only a mile from our house. But I am worried about the availability since they only have 1 silver one now. I prefer blue! The Acura dealer 30 miles away has what I want now. Decisions, decisions, decisions... :confuse:
The tC seems to be a better value over the RSX, but I'm waiting to see what Acura does with the RSX next year.
Either one is a good choice though.
"... not exciting... Handling is sound but not really sporty... The driving experience is more like that of a small sedan than a sports coupe..."
http://www.consumerreports.org:80/cro/cars/models/scion/tc/road-test/coupe-mt.ht- m
The RSX has an immobilizer for one thing, so the only reliable way to steal it is on a flatbed (unless they get the keys). It was also designed to have less parts compatibility with the Civic.
So I wouldn't worry about it so much anymore. The old Integra theft rates still affect insurance though.
And if you want the tc to perform like a rsx, just get the rsx, you’re going to end up paying more for the tc by the time you buy all that crap.
As for the Basic RSX vs tC, the tC is the hands down winner in my opinion. I shopped both and could not come close to the tC in price . The only definitive difference mentioned in these forums is the RSX handling which in certain at-the-limit circumstances has an edge, but in every day driving there is certainly not an appreciable enough difference to justify a couple of thousand dollars. Other than that, the advantages/disadvantages of both equal out until you come to price - nad there the tC is the indisbutable winner.
I have 24000 in less than a year and a half with 0 problems, complaints or regrets. In this class of car, the tC still cannot be beat as a value.
unbeatable.They recovered my drivers seat even after
40000 miles and did not use the lame excuse of normal wear and tear.Before 50000 miles the tranny was acting up and it was replaced with a new one and gave me a warranty till
100000 miles and they gave me a brand new TSX for a loaner.
I have a Toyota now only because Acura does not make a
wagon except for the MDX which is $1oooo more.Besides my son works for the dealer so I got a big discount on my Highlander.If you want fun go for the TSX,if you just want
a high quality hatchback go with Tc.I don't think Toyota
gives loaner cars with warranty work.
I have a 1999 RX 300 with 125,000 miles on it and if not for voluntary servicing, I would have a rough time remembering my dealers name because there is no need to. I can say the same (so far) for my tC with 25,000 miles.
When I bought the Lexus, it came without the auto-dimming mirror it was supposed to have. They could not retro fit one, so, after 2 months and 2500 miles, they gave me a new car! That's service!
I do not expect quite that level from my Scion dealer, but if things continue as they are now with respect to the reliability of the car, I'm not too worried about it.
No doubt the TSX is a great car, but it is a totally different class than the tC. A choice between the two would have to be based on factors not well suited for direct comparison - hence, I did not shop the TSX. Ended up with the tC and have no regrets. Would highly recommend the tC.