Acura RSX (All years/types)

beowulf7 · May 2002

I bought a desert silver RSX-S. Desert silver is *so* good looking. joe249 is right; silver is the hot color of the 2000s so far. Every Eclipse, Altima, Rav4, etc. I see seems to be silver. Desert silver is a blend of sand color (hence the "desert" portion of the moniker) and silver. The color is very unique and I've received many compliments on it.

The only bad thing is that desert silver comes w/ a tannish gray interior, which isn't bad, but isn't as attractive, IMHO, as the black ("ebony") interior. Good luck w/ your choice!

joe249 · May 2002

No way am I paying Acura dealer $460.00 for fog lights. I need a web site for aftermarket stuff.
I saw a Type S at dealership with a clear plastic nose. It looked like some one took an Iron or torch and put polyurethene on the nose about 2 or 3 feet.You can definitely see the detail of it going across the hood. It cost $509.00 .Sales person said you don't have the hassle of putting a bra on it(sorry ladies) nose mask.
Also, sub woofer on top of doughnut so I should'nt put tray over it$109.00 for an oversized boot tray are they nuts? Maybe, i can find something at Walmart.Also,I don't care about the woofer.

dmgstewart · May 2002

I need people's experience, even actual data, on the intial acceleration of the base model (known as the Premium here in Canada) vs. the Type S.

I've read in a slew of places/reviews that the base model provides more acceleration at initial speeds (lower RPMs?), while the Type S reveals itself at higher RPMs. Have others experienced this???

Some reviews went on to say that in pure start and stop city driving, the Base model actually feels faster, since the Type S doesn't get to show it's stuff.

That sort of difference would be important to me - I expect to be doing a lot of city driving, and not sure I'd want to spend $4,000 CDN. on the Type S if I'm not going to get the benefit...

Any info, comments, impressions much appreciated!

Mike

joe249 · May 2002

I've type S and if I was you I'd get the base due to your driving habits.I'd save the 4k that's alot Canadian, I live across the boarder in Maine.
My S in first gear doesn't impress me but,second gear you can take it up to 8000rpms and your flying.
I drove the base RSX it was 160 hp and I liked it and my wife said for me, it was plenty of car. She was right but,life is short and the S is exhillarating.My wife is Canadian and ma femme bought a Subaru AWD.
A good car for you would be a WRX sedan but,it cost way more in Canada,more than Type S. Anyways save your money .You will enjoy the base RSX for sure.

joe249 · May 2002

Let me know if your car comes with heated seats.
Thanks,we don't get them here.

dmgstewart · May 2002

Les Habs? Oh no, I'm afraid I'm a Leaf's fan!

While the Canadian base model doesn't have heated seats, both the Premium (equivalent to the US base model) and the Type S models all do. They're included as standard equipment. Good thing that they are standard - I can't imagine unheated leather seats in the depths of winter!

Anyone else have thoughts on the initial acceleration of the US base/Cdn. premium vs. Type S?

Cheers,

Mike

bobst · May 2002

I have never driven one of the cars, but we have looked at them in the showroom and I have a copy of the sales brochure. It shows very clearly that, up to 5500 rpm, the base engine has more horsepower and more torque than the engine in the RSX Type S.

jfunk · May 2002

The base RSX engine is optimized for more power and torque at lower RPM's for town/city driving, for which it should be plenty peppy in that rev range.

However should one in an RSX-s choose to go beyond 5500 RPM's, and perhaps wail on up to 8000 RPM's- then it's bye bye base.

It's entirely a matter of preference, I personally don't mind (thoroughly enjoy actually) revving the engine to stratospheric levels. But even in the type-s mid range power and torque is much improved over the previous generation VTEC with the addition of VTC,(Variable Timing Control) or the "i" in i-VTEC which optimizes power and torque at all engine speeds.

himiler · May 2002

The clear film you saw on that RSX is a 3M product called Stonguard. I have the full kit on my Prelude and the stuff is incredible.

Check this site if you want details on the stuff:
www.xpel.com

nyccarguy · May 2002

The Desert Silver is a gorgeous color for the RSX. It is sharp and really sets itself apart from other cars on the road. The downfall is that you CANNOT get the Desert SIlver with the Black Interior (which is a must for me).

jfunk · May 2002

You already bought your new Prelude so it doesn't matter right carguy??
Curious, have you seen the "titanium" interior color in the RSX? I actually kind of like it, perhaps it just appeals to me as a departure from the black on black interior of my Prelude. Don't get me wrong the black in the lude's interior is purely sporting, and cool, but over time it seems a little overwhelming and I feel it would be nice to have something a little lighter or two-toned.

nyccarguy · May 2002

You are correct, I did just buy a new Prelude. I just meant that overall, I wouldn't buy a car or color of a certain car if I couldn't get it with a black interior.

wayde · May 2002

I agree w/ the comment on black interiors. The same thing is true with the pearl white type-s - only available w/ titanium interior. My 98 GS-R was white/black - very sharp. I'm hoping Acura changes the interior colors for 03 :-)
Armrest comment: I kinda liked not having it there - the only negative is the lack of storage - but since my center console usually ends up as a junk pile, maybe this is for the best.

joe249 · May 2002

What color is your car and did you put it on your self? Looks like you have to know what you're doing.
Salesman said, it's alot easier than putting a bra on.
However,$ 509 .00 also, it looks a lot cheaper to buy on web and if I could find someone to do it.
Couldn't see a kit for fog lights,just hood,mirrors and headlamps.Also, after my insurance deductible they would pay a grand. Thanks I've got to research this more.

himiler · May 2002

joe249--My car is silver (it's basically invisible on the car) and I had the upper and lower kits installed by a vinyl guy at a custom shop. I figured it would be safer to have a pro do it for $100 than to risk screwing up the stuff myself.

Yes, the install of the large pieces is fairly tricky, but the headlight kit was simple enough for me to do. $500 installed is not that bad a price, considering that I spent ~$375 for the kits and then another $100 for labor.

You could make your own foglight covers from the thicker-gauge film since you can buy it in uncut sheets from xpel.com.

nyccarguy--I agree on the Desert Silver RSX. Killer color. Not quite silver, not quite grey. What a pity it's not offered with a black interior. I can't get into that funky brown "titanium" (yeah, right) color it comes with.

wayde--The lack of a center armrest was one of the major reasons I passed on the RSX. There's no way I'd be able to drive my 1500 miles/week in comfort without one. Let's hope Acura figures out that it's hard to be taken seriously marketing a car as "luxury-sport" when you neglect something so fundamental to luxury as a center armrest. DUH!

jfunk · May 2002

"Titanium" is the actual designation for the alternate color to the "Ebony" via Acura- I didn't make it up! And brown it ain't, it's composed of lighter gray tones. Of course you are entitled to your opinion, but I like it.

I can't believe you actually considered the RSX? The majority of the posts I've read from you seem to categorically denounce the vehicle.

I would have liked an armrest also, but right or wrong Acura omitted it for a reason, I believe to allow for the more aggressive lateral bolstering of the seats and free up some interior room (width), noting that the seats are closer together. Anyway I'm hoping there will be an aftermarket solution soon, if one doesn't already exist.

I guess I'm just having a hard time believing that an armrest is a "major" reason for you not getting the car based on your other postings here. Am I missing something?

joe249 · May 2002

I'm going to try it out since my S is silver,no armrest plus putting the woofer on top of the doughnut is nuts also. I put a trunk tray in over the woofer for golf clubs and shoes.
If I could of found an 01 Lude or GSR I would of grabbed the first one I could get my hands on.A dealer called me to say he had the last Prelude in New England. I rushed over there and it was almost Barney purple.
Except for the 200HP.I can't see much difference same cheap knobs and no door moldings.

joe249 · May 2002

My wife bought an 02 GT Limited Subaru AWD as we live in Maine.It's Titanium Pearl a greenish gold with black leather and that phony wood trim. This cars looks rich.My S is Silver/BLK beside her car she wins hands down for style and looks interior and exterior.
I like that Desert Siver the RSX has but, not that titanium leather as it doesn't do it IMO.
I like my S better every day it's a fun ride.

dmgstewart · May 2002

Himilier - re: "Let's hope Acura figures out that it's hard to be taken seriously marketing a car as "luxury-sport" when you neglect something so fundamental to luxury as a center armrest. DUH!"

Don't forget, a centre arm-rest wasn't standard in the BMW 3 series until quite recently, so Acura is in good company. The Lexus IS300 also didn't have an arm rest in it's first year. So, while I agree it should have one, other luxury sports cars haven't.

Does anyone know of an after-market one?

Cheers,

Mike

himiler · May 2002

Of course I considered the RSX-S! I was driving a '98 GS-R at the time and was really interested in the car. Why else do you think I was so disappointed by it? In fact, it was on my way home from an extensive Type-S test drive that I (on a whim) stopped at the Honda store to drive the Prelude.

Talk about a world of difference.

As far as the center armrest goes, it was pretty much the straw that broke the camel's back. I guess I was willing to put up with a certain amount of decontenting to get to the RSX-S's drivetrain (which, despite all of its technology is fairly dull), but not having an armrest clinched it.

dmgstewart---I would have gladly paid for an armrest in the RSX, were one even available. As far as the IS300 is concerned, the only thing "luxury" about that car is the Lexus logo it carries (it's considered an entry-level model in its home market).

muffin_man · May 2002

In it's home market it also comes with a 4 cylinder engine. However, it is not the 'entry-level' equivalent of a Civic, by any means.

verozahl · May 2002

The Toyota Altezza in Japan has a 2.0L 4-cyl engine, correct? That's why it's called the 'Lexus IS200' in such trim outside of the North American market?

... not a bad RSX competitor. Prices nearly same, right?

l_yao1 · May 2002

I am a RSX-S owner, but just speak the truth, IS300 is a better car from all aspect. If I had the money for a IS300, I would bought that one, not the RSX.( at that time). But now I just love everything of the RSX-S( maybe bacause I owned one") but anyway, I will recommand to others to buy the RSX now not the IS300!! ( just compare the price and the stuff you get) This is not for those people who have too much money to spend lol!!

verozahl · May 2002

Well, it depends. The RSX was built to be a sports coupe whereas the IS300 was built to be a sports sedan. RSX could be a sedan, and Lexus is thinking about an IS300 coupe, but really, that's the big difference if you have the money and don't care if you get a Toyota or a Honda.
Both are very nice cars, but nothing to make me stop, drop, and roll out of my Integra.

beowulf7 · June 2002

I drive like I learned in driving school - 2 hands on the wheel! The point is that I couldn't give a rat's [non-permissible content removed] about having an armrest. *But* what I did miss a lot that I had on my Integra was the fact that underneath the armrest, you have a nice storage area. On my RSX-S, I've found work-around solutions, like using the tray by the cup holders, the large door pockets, and the roomy glove box.

My RSX-S is of the desert silver variety. The more I look at my car, the more I know that this was clearly the most gorgeous color, IMHO, of course. I, too, would've preferred the "ebony" (black) interior, but the "titanium" (tannish gray/grayish tan) is not a hideous color. Also, it won't get as hot as the black interior after taking a beating from the summertime sun.

muffin_man · June 2002

Yeah, it's an IS200, I haven't priced one, but it is probably close to an RSX-S. You know, I've never been in an Altezza, I'll have to test drive one when I get back. I'd like to compare interiors to the RSX.

verozahl · June 2002

Well, while waiting behind traffic at congested intersections on weekend afternoons, sometimes, I like to try to calm down. Armrest is nice at such an occassion.

Current models I like on the market (2002) are Lexus IS300, Acura RSX, Nissan Sentra SE-R, Infiniti G20, Nissan G35, ... maybe the Toyota Celica (maybe). Oldsmobile Alero comes rather close for a GM product, but you are talking about one FAT steering wheel and questionable interior build quality. Obviously, the Alero would be a big boat next to any other coupe or small sedan I would consider. Oh, I like the Volkswagen Jetta, Audi A4, and BMW 3-Series.

Nope, not a big list... a cross between Japanese and German products, and a very picky one at that. Acura is still on the top of the game with the RSX, and they better be when the Integra gets replaced, probably later this decade. Until then, I'll enjoy my ride. None of those cars comes too close, but hopefully they will carry through with evolutionary improvements (2002 Lexus IS300 is better than 2001 Lexus IS300, reports say).

Muffin_man, you're in Japan, right? No excuses, hop over to test drive Toyota Altezzas and Honda Integras. I'm very curious as to how the JDM IS300 and RSX drive!

muffin_man · June 2002

I'm in Japan alright, but want to hear something horrible? They do NOT offer test drives here. Hard to believe, I know.

himiler · June 2002

Do us a favor -- go rent a R34 Skyline and post a full report!

sphinx99 · June 2002

And while you're at it, could you please ship me some JDM spec parts for my S2000? I'll send you part numbers

verozahl · June 2002

Only countries I would say have real 'car cultures' worth caring about are America, Germany, Italy, and England. The French, Swedes, Canadians, Japanese, etc. view cars as 'necessary evils' on the whole, with obvious exceptions such as the French or Japanese sport coupe projects. The socialists in England are basically trying to wipe out the idea that normal, middle-class people can have cars, and taxes in Germany and Italy are nothing to sneeze at.

Thus, I do not disbelieve Muffin_Man's statement.
He's probably more likely to rent a Demio than a RX-7... \(>_<)/ yuck.

Thankfully, the Japanese export most of their best product, hence, we have the RSX.

muffin_man · June 2002

Himiler - You know what? I may just do that. Not that I have any idea where to rent one, but I better check that out. Opportunity of a lifetime and all.

verozahl - well, I think that you are more likely to rent a Focus than a Corvette, no? Actually, I think Japan's car culture easily surpasses America's. The percentage of cars here with functional and decorative upgrades is very high, and racing and neighborhood drifting clubs are everywhere. Cars are huge here, huge!

verozahl · June 2002

Bring back a Nissan SilEighty with you, please. I'll pay cash of the Ben Franklin variety (I don't know who exactly on the yen bills)... that is, if you can find one for sale! (^_^)

So, are boxes really that big in Japan, or are cars still alive there? Looks to me that SCION or Element et al. is the future (ewwww).

muffin_man · June 2002

Japan has at least one used car magazine the size of a Los Angeles phone book. I think it covers all of the Kansai area, if not all of Honshu. It's insane! I've looked through it, and while I never specifically looked for the SilEighty, I'm sure it would be no problem. If you really want one, I could help you get it, but I can assure you that getting it to the US isn't going to be cheap.

I've thought a lot about starting up a car/aftermarket related exporting business, but it seems like a lot of work and I am really lazy.

Box cars are huge here, but sports cars will never die, have no fear.

nyccarguy · June 2002

The IS200 is powered by a 2.0L Inline 6, not an Inline 4.

verozahl · June 2002

Muffin_man, it's good to have you saying that sporty cars won't die, but the Box Godzillas are sure intent on tossing them out... why don't you see if you can put that 'telephone-sized-used-car-directory' for Kansai and put it online (minus the Mocos and Marches and Vitzs and so on)?

Nyccarguy... who many cars use I6's that only have 2.0 liters? That's not common, is it? Guess I'm used to the Honda where Honda maximizes power output of 4-cyl engines, ne?

Keep it "real" here, guys. Too much nonsense in TH and over at Bimmer and Volkswagen and so on these days. Japanese sporty cars or bust... why exactly do people go for two-decades-old-engineering in Mustangs? The world may never know!

muffin_man · June 2002

You know, I was about to post up the latest 900 page edition, but then you have to go off on Mustangs. Why is it that everybody has to take an import vs. mustang/camaro side? Just because you can't understand the appeal of a roaring V8, doesn't mean there is anything wrong with it. And for the record, there is nothing wrong with old design, as long as it's functional, and whether you like them or not, Mustangs are very functional. (although I prefer Camaros)

sphinx99 · June 2002

They also have a real exhaust note.

nyccarguy · June 2002

I was just correcting you, that's all. There are actually a few manufatcurers who make small displacement Inline 6 engines: BMW Makes a 2.0L Inline 6 for the 3 series for every country except ours.

But to stay on topic, I saw a Whits RSX Type S with a spoiler, tinted windows, & factory fog lights on the highway while sitting in traffic the other day. Very nice looking. That Desert Silver is still a knockout color for the RSX in my opinion.

greenguy · June 2002

"That Desert Silver is still a knockout color for the RSX in my opinion."
I would agree. I saw one yesterday with OEM body kit and aftermarket 17" wheels. To put it lightly I was aroused! But I dont like the titanium interior. The black looks the best for interior.

nyccarguy · June 2002

black is the only interior color i will ever get in any car i ever buy. Yet another thing I like best about my 2001 Prelude: The interior color comes any way you want, as long as it is black.

sphinx99 · June 2002

It's true, Prelude is all about having choices

revka · June 2002

Hi Folks- For those interested, here's a direct link to our new RSX vs Civic Si discussion. Got any thoughts to share on the subject? We look forward to seeing you there.

Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards

verozahl · June 2002

... but why does this silly new Si?!

joe249 · June 2002

Why not change the filter on 5k oil change? Dealer told me not to until 10k .Also,I use Castrol and changed filter and oil every 3k on my Integs and had no problems.
Seems to me you're leaving dirty oil in engine ,if you don't change the filter.

rihoops · June 2002

I had a 1996 Integra. Is th RSX that much better? I live in New England and the Integra sucked in the snow. I'd be trading in my 99 Accord EX V6.

joe249 · June 2002

Live in Maine love my Types S. I teach skiing and I have no qualms about it.Try the S and have some fun.
If you like the S ,why not sell your car outright?

donzg · June 2002

When I test drove the 2002 RSX I asked the dealer why is there so much hush hush for 2003. According to them they are coming out with a 4 door version of the RSX. I personally prefer a 2 door coupe. But for some people it may be worth the wait.

beowulf7 · June 2002

I don't believe it. Why would Acura spend so much money design a sedan version of this coupe when it's obvious that this demand does not exist. How many Integra sedans were sold vs. coupes? I don't remember the actual value, but it was very low, like ~10%. That means it's not a good business decision to expend all this extra cost to manufacture a sedan that will only be marketable to 10% of potential RSX buyers.

Now you are right about Acura's hush-hush factor. I'm thinking it's b/c Acura doesn't know if it wants to introduce the RSX Type R this year (IMO unlikely) or next year as a 2004 model (more likely). My perfunctory research indicates that the 2003 RSX will be out in late Oct./early Nov. The only difference between the current RSXs might be new exterior and interior color options. Who knows?!

nonracer1x · June 2002

Where do you come up with the 10% for sedans, Beowulf? A carseat fits in the backseat of the dealer RSX better than in my 94 Integra coupe (which does have a right armrest) but it's still a tight access via the front doors.

Has anyone seen or heard anything definite about the 2003 colors and/or actuality of a sedan (now that my family has grown)? [I registered quickly,maybe my handle should have been ex-racer-x] Thanks, still waiting.

"While the Integra could be had as a three-door coupe or four-door sedan, the RSX will come only as a coupe powered by a new 2.0-liter DOHC four. But...there's good reason to expect that a small sedan is on its way from Acura to soon complement the RSX. By offering four doors, the old Integra had an advantage over those would-be competitors that all the horsepower and performance in the world could not efface. That's been thrown to the winds by Acura. We'll see how smart a move it was." Car Connection

Acura RSX (All years/types)

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