Or should i say, really that much worse than an ITR.
I am currently in the market for a new car (can't stand my WRX). I really want an R, but they are so hard to find and get stolen so often, and with me in college, it's just not a really safe option.
I really enjoy autoxing, but didn't want to modify the WRX to make it competitive.

So i guess my question is, how good or bad is the RSX-s in autox. I know its being moved to GS this year. Is that the best class to run it in, or should i do a few mods (ie suspension, sways, and LSD), and run it in a different class.

A lot of people have been heard saying that the RSX-s is a significantly worse car than the ITR. I can't imagine that........especially if you did the above mods.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by chris1866 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">A lot of people have been heard saying that the RSX-s is a significantly worse car than the ITR. I can't imagine that........</TD></TR></TABLE>

Stock for stock, it really is. Its got more torque but its got more weight, and the ITR has a much better suspension, diff, and they use a smaller/lighter wheel/tire setup.

 

RSX-S SUCKS in GS. It really blows big time. We run my sister in law's 03 in GS every once in a while and its pretty darn pathetic compared to the Coopers. I would seriously recommend against it, if you want a good autox car then get a ITR which does really well in DS or a Cooper S which also does really well in GS. Both cars are national winning cars in their respective classes.

Also modding it would put it in STS and it'll get eaten alive by the 89 Civic Si HBs that rule that class. Basically the RSX-S is a very nice street car that can make a very nice road race car, but is a horrible autox car.

 

Until the Mini Cooper gets booted out of GS, I wouldn't campaign a RSX-S at anything other than the local level.

Struts + pegleg diff = lots of noise, no go.

Now if you want to pay the premium for a real diff and play in STX.......

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by maxQ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Until the Mini Cooper gets booted out of GS, I wouldn't campaign a RSX-S at anything other than the local level.

Struts + pegleg diff = lots of noise, no go.

Now if you want to pay the premium for a real diff and play in STX....... </TD></TR></TABLE>

STX = WRXs... again a horrible match up. An older CRX with good tires and suspension mods might beat a Cooper in GS.

 

If you want a good GS car and don't want a Cooper S get a Celica GT (not GTS). You can probably find one used for pretty cheap. Also the '05 RSX-S is a lot better car stock than previous years. It is still no match for a Cooper S but its an awfully nice car.

If I wanted a new competitive small car I would get a base Cooper for HS. There is no indication that its going to be bumped; it rules HS now and will for the next several years. But the RSX-S is a fine car. I would get one if I wanted a great daily driver and a nice car to autox.

The ITR keeps getting tougher competition in DS and this is probably the last year it has a chance to win Nationals.

regards,
alan

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 94accordsedan &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">STX = WRXs... again a horrible match up. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Not so fast, sparky.

It's easily 200-300 lbs lighter, has the same crappy suspension, can fit the same tires, and has within 20-30 hp of the WRX....

Custom-making a diff would be the big expense...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by maxQ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Custom-making a diff would be the big expense... </TD></TR></TABLE>

OPM - not that expensive.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">OPM - not that expensive.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Good to know.

 

as for the diff, i would just use the one that came stock in the DC5 R's in Japan.

I am not looking for a autox-only car, i need it to be a daily driver/ weekend racer. (both autox events and some HPDEs). I just want something that will be fun, reliable, and decently competitive.
I'm not going to be running the car at nationals, i'm only 19 years old and haven't nearly acquired the skill to do so.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by chris1866 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">as for the diff, i would just use the one that came stock in the DC5 R's in Japan. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Does the diff come in the same tranny case as the non-Rs? 'Cause if you have to use a different tranny case... illegal.

 

OK, so what happens in G-stock if the Minis get moved to D-stock?

I think the Celica GT is a really nice car, too.

The 06 Civic Si (coming in September sometime) will be like an RSX-S with a Limited Slip Diff.

--Edit: the LSD is still a rumor.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by maxQ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Does the diff come in the same tranny case as the non-Rs? </TD></TR></TABLE>

Nope

 

Personally, I'd suggest a Cooper or Cooper S. They're both fun cars to drive, hold their resale value, and are suprisingly practical IMO.

I'm using a Cooper S as my current daily driver and have also been very pleased with it for local autoX. If you decide to go the S route, I'd suggest trying to skip on most of the options and then use the $$ saved for a decent set of R tires and a spare set of wheels. The stock runflats are complete CRAP for autoX.

Christian

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by chris1866 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Or should i say, really that much worse than an ITR.
I am currently in the market for a new car (can't stand my WRX). I really want an R, but they are so hard to find and get stolen so often, and with me in college, it's just not a really safe option.
I really enjoy autoxing, but didn't want to modify the WRX to make it competitive.

So i guess my question is, how good or bad is the RSX-s in autox. I know its being moved to GS this year. Is that the best class to run it in, or should i do a few mods (ie suspension, sways, and LSD), and run it in a different class.

A lot of people have been heard saying that the RSX-s is a significantly worse car than the ITR. I can't imagine that........especially if you did the above mods.</TD></TR></TABLE>

there's one that runs in my local club in sts...lots of wheelspin and smoke...even in the straights

however, i must say that that car seems to haul *** when it gets a good straight line run...but there's still lots of wheel spin

&lt;---thinks car will only be competitive in a class that allows lsd...is this car in dsp with the itr?

edit: i forgot to add that it's the 05 model and imo one of the nicer looking cars you can buy if that matters any

 

Are you insane? The WRX's are putting down over 240 at the wheels in STX form with massive midrange torque (over 240). That's about 80 more hp than a stock WRX at the wheels. No way an RSX in ST form can make that kinda power.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by maxQ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Not so fast, sparky.

It's easily 200-300 lbs lighter, has the same crappy suspension, can fit the same tires, and has within 20-30 hp of the WRX....

Custom-making a diff would be the big expense...

</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

yeah, power isn't all the matters though. Personally, i think my old GS integra GSR sedan handled better in stock form than this POS AWD pig.
Correct my if i'm wrong, but with some suspension upgrades, won't the RSX be more nimble than the WRX?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by typer_801 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Are you insane? The WRX's are putting down over 240 at the wheels in STX form with massive midrange torque (over 240). That's about 80 more hp than a stock WRX at the wheels. No way an RSX in ST form can make that kinda power.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah, the whole 3-cat thing is a big scam by Subaru to make it STX dominant.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by typer_801 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Are you insane? The WRX's are putting down over 240 at the wheels in STX form with massive midrange torque (over 240). That's about 80 more hp than a stock WRX at the wheels. No way an RSX in ST form can make that kinda power.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Uhhh... IIRC, a K20 in STX trim would be putting down ~210 whp...

 

why not consider a honda that still has double wishbone. If you dont want an R for reasons above, I geuss a GS-R would fall under the same reasons. modify an EG hatch, it would pretty much be an integra, but lighter, and a different body.
You can get used S2k's for like 17K all day long as well.

 

You make a valid point. But i don't want another GSR, i already had one.
Like i mentioned before, i do need something practical for everyday driving (which the S2k is NOT for a college student). And i think i want something nicer than an EG hatch........like i said, it's not an autox-only car.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It's easily 200-300 lbs lighter, has the same crappy suspension, can fit the same tires, and has within 20-30 hp of the WRX....

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Tom Hoppe's WRX puts out dangerously close to 300 at the crank. RSX doesn't stand a chance. I'd like to see, however, someone with one of those whoop-*** STS Civics drop a diff in one and go WRX hunting....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MaddMatt &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Tom Hoppe's WRX puts out dangerously close to 300 at the crank. RSX doesn't stand a chance. I'd like to see, however, someone with one of those whoop-*** STS Civics drop a diff in one and go WRX hunting....</TD></TR></TABLE>

And I'm telling you, go sniff around the K20 guys, and they'll tell you it can make 250hp at the crank. Get the RSX down to 2600 and it ain't that far off in power-to-weight while running the SAME tire as the WRX.

 

and you forgot the most important thing...........with the Acura you will still have a car in one piece....and dare i say......a warranty!?

Maybe if Subaru was half-way reliable, i could have spent money on mods instead of fixing the damn thing all the time.

 

Well, at least you'll still have a transmission in one piece if you do an RSX....

I also like a Cooper S in STX.

Edit: I think a Celica GT-S could be a playa as well....