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Acura RSX (All years/types)
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Comments
Obviously, driving brought out the facts better!
BTW, Turning diameter has nothing to do with strut or double wishbone setup, it is more of a compromise in a choice of steering gear ratio. I wouldn't call it a monstrous difference, but RSX-S steering advantages will probably come at higher speeds compared to other cars with shorter turning diameter. For similar reasons, you'd expect Acura TL Type-S to have a greater turning diameter than Acura TL, although both use double wishbones.
dkneedsnwcr:
Congrats!
I've heard that the wheel locks become stripped very quickly. (I heard this from a guy who puts on winter tires, his wore out in 3 years).
Here's the relevant link:
http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/comparison/articles/47901/page020.html
So, himiler, I wouldn't accuse the RSX-S of having a "monster turning circle diameter", although I agree it's not something Acura should brag about, either.
revka, could Edmunds put the entire comparison test as a single, downloadable PDF? It would be much more preferable for printing instead of having to print out each of the 15-18 pages individually. Thanks!
I had not looked at the numbers and what you called monster turning diameter. Prelude got 37.4 feet, and RSX-S got 38.1 feet. That is a difference of about 8" in diameter when going through a full circle! 36-38 feet is generally considered a norm.
The fun-to-drive factor is what it's all about.
'06 Civic LX coupe
'11 BMW 335i coupe xDrive
'13 Honda Accord sedan (wife's car)
You'd see quite a difference between Acura TL and Acura TL-S too. The steering on the Type-S being tighter (probably tuned better for stability at higher speeds) also has a greater turning diameter. I'd be curious to see how Civic Si performs in this department since it supposedly uses VGS, something that could make RSX-S even more interesting. And that could happen, since latest rumor on next Accord (JDM) is to have it as standard equipment on top trim level(s).
'06 Civic LX coupe
'11 BMW 335i coupe xDrive
'13 Honda Accord sedan (wife's car)
Thanks much! -- lena
500kms so far and not a problem ... knock on wood.
Kane12, please let me know what you found. I'm going to become a worry wort I think.
... there is obviously a resemblance between the sketch of the Acura RSX and the actual vehicle that roams the roads today. However, I don't think they look very similar at all. IMHO, the bigwigs at Acura took the designers' sketch and made the engineers tone it down (made it more conservative looking). Since seeing is believing, I'll let this discussion board decide.
First, the tantalizing artist's rendition:
http://www.geocities.com/beowulf747/AcuraRSX/AcuraRSXsketch.jpg
Now, the unexciting photo:
http://www.geocities.com/beowulf747/AcuraRSX/AcuraRSXphoto.jpg
Maybe it's an optical illusion since the sketch has all that shiny glare. Regardless, I would have much preferred a production car looking like the drawing. Is anyone from Acura reading this board? Is it too late to change it for the 2003 model ;-)
It's kinda like in Back to the Future (2 or 3? can't remember).
Anyways, knock on wood ... the car's one week old and I'm halfway to the break-in.
Mostly cruising speed too, about 60mph in 6th most of the time.
Just a quick question before I go. Do I need to get the new 'program' for the OBD (or whatever it is)? How do I know if I need it? I got the car last Friday, 1 day after they called to tell me it had arrived.
Thanks.
All you have to do is just accelerate slowly and don't go into the high RPMs for at about 1500k mi. After that gradually go up to higher REVs and don't do it in 1 day. Go to 6k at first. The next day 6500, then 7k, etc. Also don't forget to vary your engine speeds (RPMs) during break-in. This is just as important! don't leave it on cruise control! The best way to do this is to find a not so traveled country road or highway and in 4th gear go from 30 to 60-65mph. Then coast back down to 30mph. Then accelerate slowly again to 60-65mph. Honda engineer & race car driver Ken Woods told me back in '98 to do this at least 20 times all in one shot before the car reaches 200mi. After that he said you should still vary your RPMs but not as religiously as I described above. The above procedure can be dangerous. I was on the right lane on a 3 lane highway after I picked up my new GSR from the dealer. Cars would come up dangerously close as I deccelerated down to 30-35mph even though I had my emergency lights on!
Anway, RSXs, especially the Type-S seem to have a very low tolerance during break-in period. Drive your RSX like you used to drive when your grandma was in the car!
There 's another perfect reason why I hate buying cars 1st year out. My '01 Civic has a recall and a dozen TSB's already..
'06 Civic LX coupe
'11 BMW 335i coupe xDrive
'13 Honda Accord sedan (wife's car)
'06 Civic LX coupe
'11 BMW 335i coupe xDrive
'13 Honda Accord sedan (wife's car)
I'm not disbelieving what you've said, I just find it rather difficult to obtain specs on a relatively new part that hasn't been in production for too long. Nevermind the fact that you got the dimensionals from another Manufacturer. Perhaps those specs were for Mazdas?
Best of luck to you in your lawsuit. Perhaps they'll publish what a "piston slap" is.
Sorry for being a smarta$$, it's just the way you've gone about it that causes me to reply in this way.
In a comparison to my '88 Accord (which I hopped into last nite cuz I needed to clear the driveway to get my car) it's a dream (mind you, 13 years of advancement may have something to do with it as well).
The steering is crisp (didn't think the accord was vague, but after sitting in the RSX for a week, it sure felt vague). The stick is wonderful (just love the short shifts). Handles like pen on paper (searching for some imagery, best I can come up with).
There's nothing that I can find wrong with the car. There's some nitpicking (sightlines like I said before, and I'm having some problems going from 1st to 2nd), but minor in the overall scheme of things.
Don't like the break-in period (but what new car doesn't have one?). Don't care about the head turning quotient, although I do get some, it's not the reason I got the car. Love the seats (especially the heat when it's cold in the morning), climate control.
Uhmm ... can't think of anything more. So, to sum it up ... I love this car.
Derek
If the wedgy, upswept shape were actually attractive, perhaps this could be forgiven, but it is deadly dull "Honda Civic generic" (c'mon Honda, that grill has got to go), and, IMO, just isn't worth the hassle. If I had to stay under $25,000, I'm afraid I'd have to go with the WRX, ugly or not. Instead, I opted for a 3-series coupe. Better design, better visibility, and actual torque.
Shame, did love that shifter.
"Piston Slap" is where the skirts on the pistons are not long enough to compensate the side to side motion of the piston inside the cylinder, which cocks the piston slightly sideways inside the cylinder, letting compression and oil get by. This can only be a result of poor engineering.
The engine is apart now , and has been measured at Acura and is within factory spec. I myself witnessed the motor torn apart which pistons had 1/8" to 1/4" of play inside the cylinder. This is a common problem on drag racing motors which use short skirt pistons but this method will not work as a every day driver, nor drag race application if the slap is too much.
This not just a problem with ONE car, this is a design flaw and will effect other vehicles the same way.
if you own one... CHECK YOUR OIL REGULARLY!
'06 Civic LX coupe
'11 BMW 335i coupe xDrive
'13 Honda Accord sedan (wife's car)
I also have a general comment about engine break in. Why don't auto manufacturers break in the engine for us before selling us the car? I assume that it takes 1000-1500 miles for sufficient break in. Since engines are covered for 36,000-100,000 miles (depending on the make), having the engine pre-run for 1000 or 1500 miles doesn't seem like a bad idea. That way, once you get the car, you can drive it to its full capabilities (i.e. red-lining the engine).
Also now a days brake in period is supposed to be VERY short.....may be 400-600 miles which you can put in less than a week.....
Also vbiloation of brakein period does NOT void your warranty...it is just believed to be better for longer life (150+k miles) of an engine (by brake-in superstitous people!!)
Oil changes for every 8000kms (~5000 miles).
To all the RSX owners, what type of mileage are you folks getting? If you reply, could you also let me know which model you have?
Currently, I'm getting around 26mpg with a Type S.
Thanks.
Derek
As for mileage I'm getting around 26-27 combined city/hwy driving. Btw, this is on the TYPE S model.
It's hard to believe an engine manufacturer such as Honda would have such a design flaw. Although, nothing is perfect, of course.
'06 Civic LX coupe
'11 BMW 335i coupe xDrive
'13 Honda Accord sedan (wife's car)
http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/preview/articles/48117/article.html
The Tiburon, at least from the pictures and predicted specs, is looking like a better car than the RSX-S. At the least, this new generation Tiburon can eat up some of the RSX's market share. It looks like a poor man's Ferrari 456, which makes for better styling than the RSX's Civic look. Its 17" wheels are superior to the RSX's 16" joke. 2.7 L engine may or may not be superior, but it should be quieter. Hopefully, it won't have the annoying oil guzzling problem that some claim the RSX does. I don't know how its 7-speaker Infinity sound system compares with the RSX-S' 7-speaker Bose package. Oh yeah, those sexy dual-exhaust pipes on the Hyundai!
How will Acura respond for the 2003 RSX? C'mon Acura, we know you can give us a pleasant surprise! IMHO, it will require more effort than merely putting in a center console/arm rest. I don't mean to be so hard on Acura since I drive one of their vehicles myself. Nevertheless, Hyundai, of all manufacturers, has raised the bar. Let's see you jump it, Acura.
since when are 16" wheels a joke?
the 2003 tiburon is a nice looking car. if you are impressed with cosmetics you'll love to show off your dual exhaust and 17" rims as you're waiting for the tow truck for another trip to the dealership.
give me proven reliability anytime over flash.
Yes, the Hyundai was a joke in terms of reliability and workmanship. But they are trying to change that. Why doesn't Acura offer a 10-year 100,000-mile power train warranty like Hyundai?
I admit I was (and still am) also a skeptic with any Korean car company when it comes to reliability. However, they deserve a second chance, and as the article implies, the 2003 Tiburon might make people think differently of Hyundai.
with acura's reputation for reliability, they don't have to resort to a lifetime warranty.
anyway, i still don't understand why anyone would compare acura with hyundai?
the acura is a different class of car and would win in any comparison test.