ha-evolution

The rumors are getting very hot and heavy about the new ITR coming to the US next year. The new issues of Sport Compact and Autoweek both mention it. As I owned a 97 ITR (#254 - RIP), I'm calling my dealer today to get in line.

Any other takers? What if you had a choice between the two?

jond

Any ideas how much the new RSX-R will cost?

Ex-ITR5874

1. It is not US crashtest worthy in JDM/Euro spec form (bumper supports, side bags, etc.)

2. Will NOT meet US '03-'04 LEV standards in the 220hp Type R configuration.

3. Making the car US market friendly would not make it affordable nor desirable to previous Type R owners.

(Marketing director for American Honda)

Joker

I have to find a way to keep my CW, and buy a RSX-R.
Greg - who is off to work to put in some serious overtime (for the next year), and may be getting in line as well

ha-evolution

I wish I knew anything more. It's still a rumor at this point but this is exactly the way it went before the first Type R made it to the US so I would say it's definately in the works. I remember the local dealership denying it was even a possibility even though rumors where flying hot and heavy for almost a year.

As for price, it's anyones guess. I just pulled out the sticker on my 97 Type R and it was $23,535 (without AC), which would put it around $2k more than the GS-R at that time. If they price it much more than $2k above the RSX-S it's going to be nudging the EVO VIII and not have anywhere near the 265 HP.

Cosworth

I'm guessing that if they ever make USDM RSX-R, it'll be like AusDM ITR... better suspension, better gearing, but not full engine potential as in JDM land.

For me that's really unatrractive... no recaros, no brembos w/ 17", no 220ps, no HIDs... etc.

ha-evolution

re: American Honda Marketing quote

What else would you expect them to say? Honda is going to be the last to admit it is actually one the way. That's just the way they operate. At least Mitsu has been owned up to the EVO long ago. If two major publications are saying it's a go, my bet is it's coming.

Honda is being losing major market share in this segment, although admittedly it is a small segment. What do they have on the market? The Type S is not for the boy racers. The Si is too slow and ugly. The S2000 is in another segment, given it's price.

But as I said before, it's only rumors....

ha-evolution

re: Bangor ME

I'm guessing it will have more HP, namely 220 HP! Why would they release the Aussie version when they already have pretty much the same thing available as a kit for a measly $5,000.

Hopefully they will decontent the R to keep the price in line. E.g.
-Leather
-Subwoofer (what a joke)
-Power Steering, ABS, sound dampening materials (j/k)

ActiveAero

I doubt we are getting the Type-R since we now have the RSX Type-S FP (Factory performance). Its basically a RSX Type-S with upgraded suspension and a bodykit. I don't see how the RSX FP and Type-R could co-exsist.

MidNite

The fact is: I dont like the RSX's body, so I stick the Integra R

ha-evolution

That was my first reaction when they released the FP, but it's just a stop-gap measure, for the posers who just want too look like they are driving a Type R

I would believe journalists who have connections inside the industry before my own gut instinct.

Quoted from Autoweek Sports Care Guide (9/23 issue) in the section under Acura RSX "What's Next: Minor modifications next year with no significant changes until '04 or '05, however we anticipate Acura will roll out a Type-R model soon"

Quoted from Nov 2002 SCC "The rumor mill promises our market will get a Type R as early as 2003, and despite strong sales of the Type-S, Honda needs the red "R" to reenter the folds of sport compact stardom."

Truthfully I wouldn't mind if it didn't make it here. I'm quite contenct with my 97 GS-R. But if the new R is on the way, bye bye GS-R.

TsunamiZC

we all have to admit...when it comes to JDM products ...we get whats at the bottom of the barrel...and the rest of the world always gets better goodies than we do...so if a new "RSX-R" is ever sent our way...we know for sure it wont have the brembros...wont have the recaros...no HID's ....it'll have the same power most likely....let us remember the DC5-R has 217 hp...no 220 ...they scale in PS 220 ps = 217 hp ...

so if an Rsx-R is introduced into the Us market ...it WILL have bigger brakes...maybe different wheels , or maybe just the gunmetal stock wheels ..like the aussie edition...it will have the body kit ...spoilers ...and most likely LSD

now lets figure in cost.....if it will cost 4800 on top of the 22-23 k for a type s , just for the FP package ...how much do you think it will cost for a type R ....that costs alot more to produce ....

sorry but the FP package sounds like a USDM RSX-R ....but still without the LSD to acura

Ex-ITR5874

Still speculating ??

3. Making the car US market friendly would not make it affordable nor desirable to previous Type R owners.

(Marketing director for American Honda)



According to Honda, it WON`T come..

Same to Europe.

ha-evolution

I hear what you are saying and that's a valid reason. I'm not especially enthralled by the RSX Type S either. Change the S to an R and I'm sold.

Seriously, the looks aren't bad just conservative in the typical Honda fashion. However, conservative good looks = looks better two or three or ten years down the road compared to less conservative designs. I still think the second gen tegs look good (at least in GS-R guise).

Other pluses over the 3rd gen teg: Stiffer chassis, better steering feel (love that small steering wheel), interesting interior design (3rd gen is blah), clutch action

Negatives: Cable shifter(???) - if it isn't cable it sure feels like it. Sloppy (for a Honda) and six gears - it's a trendy thing.

gandhisan

Honda would never develop a new "integra" that would not be able to be sold in their 2 largest markets. Japanese market is miniscule compared to the US and Europe market. It would most likely worth their while to make one for US. Now dont get me wrong, the new RSX-R sux in my books (i wont drive a honda with strut suspension) but it will need to be here to compete with what else is coming here.

ha-evolution

Non-believer!!!

I remember back in the day when Daimler-Benz was acquiring Chrysler a certain CEO made a bunch of promises regarding shaking up management and not having any direct influence on Chrysler's operation. What happened since then? Dieter Zetsche is the current Chrysler CEO. Sounds like a German name to me.

Marketing would be the least reliable source in my opinion. They are concerned about selling cars they are currently making, not creating interest in a potential future sale. Especially when such news might cause some to forgo purchasing a current production vehicle (Type S) in hopes a Type R is on the way.

Anway, that's old news and is to be taken with a grain of salt IMO.

TsunamiZC

honda has already built there market with the RSX ....why would they need a type R ....

the Rsx is built like a luxury car trapped in a sports coupe body .....the strut suspension is there so it can have more wheel travel...thus it sits like a jeep ....and rides smooth and quiet like a luxury car....yes the Dc2 was harsh ...that was due to its lower center of gravity ....lower stance ...and less wheel travel due to the double wishbone suspension....but it handled well ....and is still a racing inspired design

the Rsx is built to "try" to please both sides of the market .....

one side is to attract the middle age crowd....young and older women , who want a car thats attractive ...trendy ...and has all the creature comforts available...

the Type S is for those who are interested in performance ....expect it still come with all the luxury items....

the dc2 was raw....not very forgiving....had a out of date interior ...compared to the rest of the market ..but was , and still is functional....it did not have all the frilly eye candy as in the Dc5 ....so it attaracted Integra owners...it attaracted those who owned G1's and G2's ..."INTEGRA OWNERS"

the DC5 has its feet placed in both ponds....performance ...and luxury ....because hondas main goal is to make money ....make more money than any integra ever could ....and heck who doesnt wanna make money ....

but they also dont want to lose any...they lost money with every ITR they sold into the US ...and they still will if they send another

plain and simple ...honda is a different company now...they used to be a peformance oriented company....but old traditions..and a old heritage which has died of ..has taken place ...ownership of the company has changed hands....and now its about how much money they will make .....HONDA HAS CHANGED lets remember whats taking the place of the prelude...yes the new accord coupe ....its all about money...and low emmisions ....sad to say ...but its true


[Modified by tsunami_zc, 9:28 AM 9/20/2002]

ha-evolution

Amen, brother. Finally someone who sees the light.

I do sympathize with your feelings in regard to struts, I was also sickened when I heard the news before the RSX was released. A question though, have you drove an RSX and if so could tell the difference in handling over the 3rd gen indepent setup? I understand the drawbacks in theory but am not certain what affect the switch to struts had in this application other than the space efficiencies, raised hood line, and big hole inside the wheel well.

TypeR0936

Lancer Evo 7

TsunamiZC

what about hard cornering....and extreeme side loads ....i dont see how a macphereson strut setup could duplicate the geometry that a double wishbone suspension can ?

TypeR0936

I agree

NewR

Very good point

MyYellowHonda

I will reiterate again.

The AUSDM DC5R is NOT just an RSX-S with a Type R bodykit. Don't dub down the aussie version when it's really not that bad. Contrast to what many of you is beleiving. If you do get the aussie version, (and isn't too expensive) it would be a worthy purchase. - In My Humble Opinion.

It has MANY things that the JDM DC5-R has got, including Recaros, LSD and Gearing.. on top of suspension etc.

The only thing it's missing i beleive, is 17->16inch rims, Brembo brakes and that 220HP engine that i want here.. soooo bad.

Besides that, there are talks going round now that Honda Australia might be forced into bringing out the true JDM DC5-R soon as well. I would'nt be surprised as a result of it's current sales so far.

I also heard doubts that the Civic Type R would be coming to Australia, since they're built in Europe?? (correct me if i'm wrong)

That said, i would happily take an AUSDM DC5R over my DC2R. But i'd be absolutely THRILLED to take a JDM DC5R over my DC2R anyday

ha-evolution

They need a type R for prestige, of which they are lacking of late. They were the originators of this segment. Let's hope your conjecture about them not caring anymore about it are not 100% accurate.

In this regard it is way more successful then the DC2 ever was. Truthfully, the DC2 did not fit in very well with the Acura line-up.


The Prelude should have been canned long ago. They didn't even like it in Japan!
(This from a former 94 Vtec owner)


Honda has always been an environmentally concerned corporate citizen. Look at how Honda got it's foot in the door in the US - CVCC! That Honda Co. continues to place an emphasis on low emmisions should be no surprise to anyone. That's why there are no V-8's or turbo Hondas in production.

And as you also stated, what company isn't in business to make money.

TsunamiZC

sorry ..i try not to dog anyting...but the only thing forth anything on a aussie ITR ...is the LSD ....everything else is pretty much superficial....the LSD ...and 217 hp motor are the only important part.....and the brakes ....