I've got a prelude right now, and I want to buy an RSX. I know that the newer ones '05 (or '06) and up have a hotter new engine as well as headlight/taillight revisions.

But what's the big difference between older and newer RSX models? Am I really getting that much more (besides aesthetics) by buying a new '06 vs. buying a slightly used '03 or '04?

 

Go here: http://www.oaklandacura.com/su...5.htm

 

I had the same dillema.. I went with the 06 for a few reasons..

1.) peace of mind and warranty// when you buy used, you dont know what the other person was doing to it.

2.) Looks... IMO the 05-06 looks better

3.) MOTOR- k20z1 is awsome

4.) For a nice clean 02-05, the price is still kinda high. If your financing, it doesnt cost too much more to get an 06 brand new.

 

The newer ones have different headlight taillight look - I like the old ones better

The newer ones have much revised and improved suspension - they got rid of the bump steer which was pretty bad in the originals.

The newer ones are about 1/2 inch lower

I think the newer ones have bigger wheels.

New is the way to go for the me. The newer cars really handle a lot better and look better because of the lowering.

 

I like the styling of the 05+ except for that hideous rear bumper. What is the deal with the black strip through the back? Makes it look like a Kia.

Buy a newer one because as previously stated the older models hold their value so much thats its just not worth it. Spend a few thousand more and get a brand new car.

The only way I wouldn't buy an 05 is if you plan on boosting any time soon. The cams in the 05's have too much overlap and don't hold boost as well as the older models. But even that is fixed with a set of IPS KT1's.

 

my bro has an 04 rsx-s and its looking great. so far hes raced 3 05' rsx-s's and hes beat all 3 by a car. i like the old ones compared to the knew ones cuse i just dont like the new look to me but thats me. so i saw the old ones are better. but like i said thats just me.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 5poonhatch &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">my bro has an 04 rsx-s and its looking great. so far hes raced 3 05' rsx-s's and hes beat all 3 by a car. i like the old ones compared to the knew ones cuse i just dont like the new look to me but thats me. so i saw the old ones are better. but like i said thats just me.</TD></TR></TABLE>
??
I've had runs against modded 02-04's .. my 06 is stock, we were running neck and neck for the most part.

 

check the first link in my sig!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 00R101 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The newer ones have different headlight taillight look - I like the old ones better

The newer ones have much revised and improved suspension - they got rid of the bump steer which was pretty bad in the originals.

The newer ones are about 1/2 inch lower

I think the newer ones have bigger wheels.

New is the way to go for the me. The newer cars really handle a lot better and look better because of the lowering.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well...

The 05-06 is lower by like 10mm. The tires on the 02-04 is a 225/45/17 and the tires on the 05-06 is 215/45/17. Roughly, there's your lowering.

The strut/spring is slightly redesigned, but all pick-ups/attachments, etc. are exactly the same through all years, hence is why you can interchange everything.

The 05-06 is heavier by 80 lbs than the 02-04's. Some of that is in the larger wheels (~20lbs overall), but most is sound deadening, extra safety features, etc.

The 02-04 also has a more open ECU. A plus in my book.

So, if you are modding your car, the 05-06 really has zero improvements besides the shorter final drive.

 

you have to remember the 05 has a better and a bit hotter cam...same lift just a increased duration....

 

The only input that I have is to avoid buying an 02. We have one and it's been back to Acura so many freakin times for dumb stuff that it's not even funny. 03+ had some basic revisions that fixed stuff like a tranny issue, etc.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Todd00 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Well...

The 05-06 is lower by like 10mm. The tires on the 02-04 is a 225/45/17 and the tires on the 05-06 is 215/45/17. Roughly, there's your lowering.

The strut/spring is slightly redesigned, but all pick-ups/attachments, etc. are exactly the same through all years, hence is why you can interchange everything.

The 05-06 is heavier by 80 lbs than the 02-04's. Some of that is in the larger wheels (~20lbs overall), but most is sound deadening, extra safety features, etc.

The 02-04 also has a more open ECU. A plus in my book.

So, if you are modding your car, the 05-06 really has zero improvements besides the shorter final drive.</TD></TR></TABLE>

thank you very much, todd00, and thanks to everyone else who posted. These are by far the best and most informative answers to my query.

I think I'll be looking into a used one simply because any differences between the two could be made up w/ mild mods, the money of which I will have from buying a used car vs. buying new.

Plus, the dealers here try to rape you on a new car all the time. Not that the RSX isn't a car in high demand, but it's not like it's an exceptionally rare car that couldn't be discounted a bit. The local dealers I went to tried telling me that the RSX Type-S is so rare, that they don't discount them at all.

I'm a salesman who sells exotic motorcycles, some of which there are so rare that there are less than 20 imported into the US. And even I understand that there's a little wiggle-room on a price...

 

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

thank you very much, todd00, and thanks to everyone else who posted. These are by far the best and most informative answers to my query.

I think I'll be looking into a used one simply because any differences between the two could be made up w/ mild mods, the money of which I will have from buying a used car vs. buying new.

Plus, the dealers here try to rape you on a new car all the time. Not that the RSX isn't a car in high demand, but it's not like it's an exceptionally rare car that couldn't be discounted a bit. The local dealers I went to tried telling me that the RSX Type-S is so rare, that they don't discount them at all.

I'm a salesman who sells exotic motorcycles, some of which there are so rare that there are less than 20 imported into the US. And even I understand that there's a little wiggle-room on a price...</TD></TR></TABLE>

Dont listen to that bs... They told me the same thing. They were asking $25k.... How much did I get it for? $22,800... You just have to know how to negotiate... Try another dealer... But ur right... The difference can be made up with mods.. I just happen to like the look of the 05-06. Plus I wanted a new car. But good luck either way, you'll be happy no matter what.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by NCNBPDC5 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">check the first link in my sig!</TD></TR></TABLE>
That's a lot of mods Now I see what you're saying lol

 

screw the RSX... go buy a new 2006 Civic SI... that thing gives you more bang for your buck...and the *** is oh so sexy ....

make sure you get one fully loaded with navi and such... don't buy a rsx... the civic si was/is proven to have better suspension and mechanical design than the rsx...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by stayfore &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">screw the RSX... go buy a new 2006 Civic SI... that thing gives you more bang for your buck...and the *** is oh so sexy ....

make sure you get one fully loaded with navi and such... don't buy a rsx... the civic si was/is proven to have better suspension and mechanical design than the rsx...</TD></TR></TABLE>

Dont you think if he wanted an Si he would have said that? I dont understand why the FG people think that everyone wants the new Si... Dont you think if we wanted one we would have bought one? I could have bought an SI, but the *** is ugly and everyone and there mom will have one by next year....

 

i dont like the new si it weights more its slower and has less power than the 06 and its a civic yeah the civic handles better stock but if you buy a car like the rsx and the si your most likely going to mod the suspension anyway so the only real advantage of the si is its cheaper and waaaaaaayyyyyyy more ugly

 

I don't want to turn this into a debate like all the other threads turn to when the SI is brought up in comparison to the RSX but... I have to agree.

I mean... dude never mentioned the SI at all.

Ok... I will say this. I almost bought the SI. Almost as in... was literally on my way to the dealer when I decided to turn around and see what the Acura dealers could do for me. I am so glad I did.

Reason one for wanting the SI... THE HYPE. I had been waiting for this car to arrive on the market for quite some time.

Reason one for not getting it... This is the first year this car has been released. Who wants to pay for a car that (dont mean to doubt Honda's engineering but you know) still may have bugs that need some ironing out? Not me.

I walked into the dealer and drove out with and RSX for the SAME PRICE that I was about to rock an SI. All together much better car in my opinion. Only reason I didn't opt for it from the get go was the price. Dealers are marking up the SI so much it's just INSANE!

Well none the less... back to topic. The look all in all is much much nicer on the 05-06 RSX and that k20z1 motor... woo weeee! I am very happy with my purchase and like dude said above... regardless... you will be happy with an older one or new.