I got the check for my dad's old Camry on Friday. It was an old car and it had issues, but I hated to see it go because it was once his baby. I did some car shopping, even considering cash for clunkers using my old Mercedes (which I think is too nice to have the engine seized up on purpose), and decided that rather than buy a new car, I would go with a used car and go more upscale.

I live a long way from the office, so I need a car that is reliable, good on gas, and comfortable on the highway. I didn't want to spend a lot on a new car since I know I'll be putting so many miles on it... I figured that a quality used car would be a good idea.

I drove a couple of Camrys and Accords, but I had to look into the Acura RSX. I work with a lady who drives a 5-speed coupe and a guy who drives a 6-speed Type S, and they both can't say enough good things about their cars. So I drove a couple of RSX's too. Loved the Type S, but it takes premium unleaded... that's a definite minus for my commuter car. So I found a local one owner base 5-speed with 41K miles. Drove an Accord with manual transmission and the RSX back-to-back, and that sold me on the RSX.

I picked up my car yesterday. It has brand new tires on it and a cold A/C. It corners well on local twisty roads, shifts like a dream (compared to an old Porsche!), a little bitty leather wrapped steering wheel, and a sunroof. It's not the fastest car on the street, but that's not why I bought it. I think I'm going to enjoy driving to work a bit more than I did when I had the Camry!

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Interior shots...

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Looks nice Ken. What year is it and will a hops grinder fit in the hatch back?

I was thinking you might ask that question. I do believe it will fit. One of the reasons I wanted this car is that it is an upscale hatchback. I drove a Ford Escort hatchback for many years and that little car carried some big things.


EDIT: The Acura is a 2006, the last year they made this model.

Nice!

Saw one just like it today and thought, "what a nice shade of blue". Very nice.

Sweet car! Looks good on the lawn under a shade tree!

I've autocrossed the Type-S. Wasn't very fast. On brand new autocross tires it handles about like I'd expect one of those old FWD bigblock Caddillacs would. My '94 civic was worlds better. I'd imagine you could probably stiffen it up and improve the handling, but the type-S was already stiff enough to make you cringe over speedbumps, I can't imagine making it stiffer.

They have nice seats though, except when the driver's side broke on him and Acura replaced it under warranty. And when the transmission lost 2nd gear twice and was replaced by acura both times. And when the throttle body went bad and the computer would freak out at idle.

Other than that I loved the car. I think he ended up selling it before it got to the 50k mark.


Here's a picture from an autocross at Marina a while back ( note the horrendous understeer ) :

Yup, had a -s, liked it on the street, hated it at the races. Got my a 914. I still think I'm gonna buy a used 05-06 once they go down in price enough. Slick cars that are fun to drive and reasonable comfortable.

the 02-04 -s's were a bucket of problems though, as chris pointed out. Warranty FTMFW.

The one thing that pissed me off is I had the tranny apart TWICE in a few months because they cheaped out on replacing screwed up synchros because of the design problem they fixed the first time.

Now it just needs this:

Excellent choice, good value, wonderful driving dynamics and a great color . Just don't "rice" it

Paul

I'm going to keep it bone stock, except perhaps adding foglights (probably genuine Honda or Honda JDM) and maybe change out the stereo. I've read better things about the 5-speed than the Type-S 6-speed.

Oh, and I will probably start looking for a winter beater.

I say that about everything I own........


It all turns into some modified forced induction creature with stiff suspension.

I've got a modified all-motor 911 with stiff suspension if I want to get my ya-ya's out.

I did get more than one "ya shoulda bought the type S" comment on the clubrsx forum, though...

Man, how are you going to keep up with those pimply faced 17yo RSX owners? I respect the car, but you are gonna have fun with the lunkheads that drive them

Well, I *did* own a Dodge Neon once.

Good luck on Club RSX.

It is like pulling teeth there looking for any sort of intelligence or good discussion.


Stiff old 911 or not, I bet it will have coilovers and good rubber or a few flow mods within it's ownership by you

It's like heroin. Enjoy the modified brain chemistry that requires you to have speed

I can help him out.... I've made good progress with my base rsx, and I can give advice without him being flamed...


cliff, goodluck on finding a 05-06 -s for cheap.... they are still holding their value very well (with some still above the 20K mark).

though, the fault with the type-s was the transmission. 2nd gear is the bitch of the problem.

For auto-x, stiffer rear sway, and better tires helps. I thought even stock the car wasn't bad, but now that i went from 205's to 245's... holy hell does this thing turn





this is at GMR (glendora mountain road.... the right set-up and it will be quick.

but even as a dd, 30ish MPG will be good.


ohh, and congrats on the DC5.

Yeah, I'll probably never get one. I might end up putting a K20 in something though,


Yup, They had to have mine apart twice because they didn't replace the screwed up synchro on 2nd when they fixed the design issue. After that it shifted beautifully though.



I actually had decent tires on that at the time, the same, but slightly bigger than on the 914. I just decided to go with a better platform for my autox car, and I can only afford one.

the the type s transmission was either solid, or shit.... but def lackluster to honda's typical reliability. thats why people who go turbo or supercharged go with a 5 speed because it will survive better.

a k20 swap would be cool in something ligher like a civic EG hatch or something. I just like the rsx over most other honda's.

and good tires is always key. 205 to a 245 is a huge difference, and all season michelin stock tires to Yokohoma Advan a13's gives soo much grip. I'll see how i do at the next auto-x i go to ... however the 914 at a near 2000lb's and mid engine design makes it better for auto-x. The rsx is louder though , and that's what i have with me when im at school

hahaha... I've been flamed there already for buying a base model.

Transmission longevity was a part of my decision, but more so is being able to run regular unleaded. The next time gas hits $4/gallon, I would be kicking myself for buying a type S as a daily driver. I would be putting in the more expensive fuel just to get to work. Yeah, it's only $2 or $3 extra every time I fill the tank, but 2-3 times a week adds up pretty fast.



Thanks Ben. I've gotten a lot of compliments on it so far. I like the way it's put together... the materials (headliner, steering wheel, etc.) are definitely a step up from what I've been accustomed to. I just hope I can get in and out of it the next time I throw my back out.

I wanted a car that I will only have to wrench on if I choose to, not because I have to. I think I will be fine in that regard.