RevenantAE

How does the RSX stack up against the following...
1: Celica GT-S
2: Mazdaspeed Protege
3: Ford Focus SVT
4: Upcoming Dodge SRT-4
5: Hyundai Tiburon V6 6-Speed

I am looking to replace my 92 AWD DSM, and I don't really want to take a step down in performance. I'm guessing a lot of you RSX owners test drove the competition first, so I am looking for your input. Any disappointments in the RSX? Any mechanical quirks I should know about? Is it hard to work on? Is there going to be diddly squat for a CARB legal aftermarket? Anything you can tell me would be helpful!!! Thanks.


[Modified by RevenantAE, 11:22 PM 9/27/2002]

gandhisan

What do you plan to do with the car? Daily driver? Track events? Street Racing? Drag? AutoX?

Archidictus

The base model RSX will get its *** handed to it by every car on that list.

As far as the S-Type is concerned, it'll take the GT-S, the Mazdaspeed, the Focus and the Tiburon. Mod for mod, it will kick the *** of these cars even more. Intake and exhaust on the S-Type and you run 14.5 with a good 60'.

News flash to all people who talk down to neons...the SRT4 will kick the asses of almost any honda, modded or not, and just about every stock, non-sportscar being produced today. 0-60 in under 6, stock. Great handling, stock. Nice amenities, stock. You'll be able to take one in a Type-S with I/H/E if the other guy sucks at driving.

If you have the cash, the S-Type RSX is one of the nicest, most comfortable, most easily tunable NEW cars on the market ever. Sure the engine is set up funny and it takes 4 hours to install an AEM CAI, but it's all worth it. Get the S-Type and you will not be disapointed

Revtoredline

Acura RSX type S will spank all the cars on your list in performance, no question. RSX base is a good car too and rides better than its stats. My two cents.

D.Lansing

Im questioning your reasoning as to why you said the Type-S will "take" the mazdaspeed protege'. The straightline speed between the two is fairly close and could probably go either way. However, the handling (at least in stock form anyways) of the protege' is in another league. I don't remember exact numbers but I think SCC recorded 72.5mph in the slalom, making it the fastest "stock" car through the slalom that they had ever tested.

oldB18EF

170hp to 200hp...then again unless you got equal drivers a shitty driver can ruin any car- its all about what you're lookin to put up with..as a daily driver a Type S you can't go wrong

Dc5-Power

I heard the Celica GTS and the Type-S are dead even. And i don't think you can run a 14.5 with just intake and exhaust. People have a hard time breaking 15's with their stock Type-S. Most people usually hit mid 15's. I've seen a couple good drivers run a 14.9 with a stock Type-S, but nowhere close to 14.5.

TsunamiZC

wait for the MazdaSpeed Protege comes out...and test drive it..

since your a current b00sted-DSM owner ...take a look at the WRX ...if thats too pricey ....then *swallows my pride* i'd never thought i'd say this ...but look into a VW Jetta 1.8t .....in stock form its not rocket...but you i'm sure you know how well turboed cars respond to mods ...a 300 dollar chip will take a jetta from 150 hp ....to 177whp ...and 220 lb/ft of torque ....

thats what i call a gain...add an exhaust...then more boost ...viala ....200 + whp ....

2002desertsilver-rsx

i run 15.521 w/ my base RSX

Civicboy

mazdaspeed Protege would be very cool so have since not very many of them will be made. About the Neon, I don't care how fast it is, it is still ugly as hell, also I have never seen a Neon that is as dependable as a Honda. I would go test drive all you options and then make a choice from there. Good luck.

tec-9-7

AAAAAAAA! Wrong answer. I seriously doubt it will stay w/ a Mazdaspeed Protege mod for mod - I'm hearing independent testers are getting high 14s stock from the Protege.

Paul

TsunamiZC

i can beleive that....b00st owns j00

vtec.dc2

wrx

RevenantAE

I have considered the WRX, and it isn't the money that is holding me off, it is the size. Here is a list of the cars I have owned and drive, to give you an idea how used to being close to the ground I am....
1980 Corolla Sport Coupe
1986 Mazda RX7
1983 Pontiac Firebird
1985 Pontiac Fiero
1991 Celica GT
1992 Eagle Talon

I hate cars that are too tall (Nissans Altima has been written off for this reason). I want performance on par with my DSM, which it looks like the Type-S has. The only problem with the Type-S is that it is not boosted. Mod for mod, no NA car will hang with a boosted car that is in the same class. Jackson has yet to even announce an RS-X supercharger...and although both HK$ and Greedy have announced they will be working on Turbo kits, no one has said they are going to be Carb legal (since I live in Cali, and don't know any crooked garages, that's a big issue). Protege sounds nice, as does the SRT-4, but the other side of the coin is that Honda/Acura's have LEGENDARY reliability, and I like that too. I don't care how fast a car is if I have to tow it home (like my old pontiacs).

tec-9-7

Go with the Protege then.

Paul

RevenantAE

Would it have anywhere near the same reliability as the RSX? Also from what I have seen of the RSX, it has VERY nice build quality, and a very nicely done interior. How is the Mazda?

tec-9-7

Well, personally, I've had pretty good luck w/ Mazdas. Spent some time in an older 323 and currently have a Protege ES - It's a pretty nice car - appears to have good build quality. Haven't had it long enough to have any trouble from it. Personally I hate the RSX-S interior - controls look like a cheap 80s boom-box to me... A good number of people seem to have trouble w/ the shifter on the 6-spd too - lots of full throttle down-shifts leading to *BOOM* - Remember the Protege should also sticker for a couple of thousand less than the RSX... You may not like driving a sedan tho... Your other cars seem to all be 2-doors.

Paul

Mr.Integra

i have 3 friends with rsx type s...

2 of them don't know how to unleash the true potential of their rsx.

actually, i haven't seen any yet release the true potential of the car (except possilbe the third friend)

TsunamiZC

well if you hate cars that are to tall ..take another look at the RSX...its a Jeep ....ride height is enormously retarded....

360

It sounds like you want reliability and factory-turbo'd. The only car on that list that would seem to fit the bill is the Mazdaspeed Protege.

Factory intercooled and turbo'd, decent interior, and good reliability (probably). Not as fast as a g2 eclipse turbo, but you get great handling. I think the trade-off is a fair one, especially considering it should be easy to up the boost. The biggest downside is that it's a sedan, but if that's not a problem for you, that's the car I would pick.

The Hyundai Tib isn't much fun to drive honestly. It feels very heavy and the engine doesn't like to rev.

The RSX-S has a great interior/exterior and overall balance IMO, but it carries a heavy pricetag and it isn't factory turbo'd.

The Focus is well, a Focus. That means the interior has a crappy design IMO and it doesn't look all that great from the outside.

The Celica GT-S is light and tossable, which are probably its best attributes. Unfortunately, the interior feels very cheap and it's cramped on the inside (especially if you're of average or above average height). It also has a high pricetag.

Lastly, the Neon SRT-4. Well, unless they change the interior, it will have that cheap-looking neon interior. It'll be a great car though in terms of speed and upgradeablity (look for Mopar to fully support it). Unfortunately, the Neon exterior is not that great, and reliability is still not yet known.

Revtoredline

Of course I'm going to be a little partial to the RSX but, I wonder how many of you RSX naysayers have actually test driven the RSX type S? I have test driven every car on the list and only the Celica GTS comes close when you consider handling, power, luxury amenities, styling, and comfort. I can't even fit into half of those cars right and I'm only 6'1'. Plus check out Car and Driver's first drive of RSX-S. 0-60 in 6.1 and 1/4 mile in 14.8. That's simply fantastic but you have to actually drive one to beleive it. Celica GTS comes with almost no standard options.....you pay an arm and a leg for basic upgrades and have to haggle over pricing...no thanks!

tec-9-7

You've test driven the Mazdaspeed Protege?

Paul

oldB18EF

Yea I didnt think they were out yet. That and arent they limited ed.?

TsunamiZC

i have test driven the RSX-S ...did not like it...hated the way it looks...sits to high...seats are designed for americans with huge lard asses ....handling was decent ....would be better if it had nicer tires ....tire price is to high at most dealers...its a luxury car now ....not my style

oldB18EF

Nothing springs wont fix.
I weigh 140, standing 6'1" I think my *** is pretty small and fits quite nicely in the seat
whats wrong with that? Thats why I have an EG to anniliate others with. You drive a Type R, who cares about the RSX

Tuning wise the Type S IMO looks good and gets appropriate gains after being modified- when you tune who leaves it stock anyways?