No this is not a racing thread. I searched and found a few answers but Im still wanting more opinions.

After I paint my DC2 Im looking to selling it and getting another daily driver. Im looking into a '02-04 RSX-S, '02-03 WRX, or a '02-05 1.8T Golf. Im not only looking for modding the car, though I do plan on it, but there are other priorities as well. I live in Texas so there is not much snow around here. Insurance rates, mpg, reliability, interior and space, as well as speed/appearance potential all factor in. Id be satisfied with a 12-low 13 second 1/4 timeslip. I figure there might be biased opinions since this is an RSX forum, but please be open minded. I hear about the high insurance rate of the RSX-S, but I know gas will be more expensive for the WRX and GTi. I also hear the GTi isnt up to par on the reliability level as the WRX and RSX. The WRX does have a weak 5spd tranny, but also it seems many K series owners have grinding trannys. The car will NOT be autox or road raced. If I were to get the RSX-S Id probably do some exterior, suspension, and i/h/e/cams/kpro whereas the WRX would probably be stopped at a Stage 2 and the GTi would have bolt-ons and a chip.

Overall I just want a nice, quick, and reliable daily driver. I might take it to the strip every now and than, but thats about the most action it will get besides a spirited drive every so often. If you have another suggestion for a car than keep in mind that it can NOT be a 2 seater. Otherwise Id appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

 

I would go with a WRX wagon. You could get the times you are after the easiest with that as a base. Not to mention it is AWD. They are reliable as any other turbo car is expected to be. They look mean as hell and sound it too. With the wagon you will have plenty of room in the nice interior to spare.

 

I really wasnt considering the wagon at all actually. I dont need THAT much space lol Ive sat in my cousins WRX bugeye sedan and it was plenty. As easily as the WRX can hit a 12 second 1/4 time Id also like it to have some pull from a roll not just all launch. Its not like Id wanna launch with that weak tranny very much anyways.

 

to be honest looking at a reliability, performance and money wise the rsx-s would be a better of all three choices (this is my opinion).

RSX-S: 1)the type s is between (depending year) $11-20k for the car. 2) reliability is there and parts are abundant especially for fixing it 3) Insurance may be high but not that insane (depending age, area and driving record) because it's a sports luxary. 4) it has a sleeker look then all 3 you mentioned. 5) the K series loves modds and react really well to them.

VW: is really heavy and parts are expensive to maintain especially perfromance parts are insanely expensive just to make that bad boy fast. I don't know how much the 1.8t costs but i do know they aren't that quick. I don't know how much insurance would be for it either.

WRX: Since this is not the STI (i'm assuming since you didn't say that) i heard the trannies on these puppies are like glass. I don't know how much performance parts cost for the wrx and i don't know the abundance of the WRX parts neither. i don't know how much the car costs either. I've known people to get rid of the WRX because of things breaking on it and wanted more power but the car couldn't handle it.

these are kind of biased opinions to an extent and also from what i've been around and what people say or what i've heard. The reason i would choose the rsx-s is because parts are so abundant and interchangeable and it gives me a sense of feeling that i built the car, it didn't come from factory like that. ya feel me? It just really boils down to what you truly want tho.

 

well said brotha lol

 

yup heard stories about those wrx transmissions taking a poop

 

I totally agree that the RSX-S is what you are looking for. I was in the same proposition but I was looking for a slightly different line up of cars. I have seen first ahnd that upgrades to VW's do not yeild great results.

I happened upon my S by accident and it has been the best mistake I have ever made...

The WRX is cool but if it is not an STi then I would stay away.

Good luck!

 

never vw, id probably go wrx/sti rsx is good for daily fun

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by posHonda &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> If you have another suggestion for a car than keep in mind that it can NOT be a 2 seater. Thanks.</TD></TR></TABLE>95-99 Eclipse GSX or GST.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Tyte-S &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">95-99 Eclipse GSX or GST. </TD></TR></TABLE>
DSMs are HORRIBLY unreliable. The GST/GSX was fast when it stayed not broken, which was rare. For a turbo car, the WRX would be far superior.

 

Unreliable because most people did not properly maintain them. If you could find a GSX/GST unmolested in the 40ish mileage range, it would be a good buy for around 11-12k.

 

If you go with the wrx base, and you want more power out of it, install an STI transmissions. The base wrx transmission is weak and can't be pushed, one reason they break is people dumping the clutch at 6k. The Sti transmissions can hold the extra power you are looking for. My buddy sold his 04wrx for a type-s for that reason. I almost bought a wrx but changed my mined for my ep3.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Tyte-S &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Unreliable because most people did not properly maintain them. If you could find a GSX/GST unmolested in the 40ish mileage range, it would be a good buy for around 11-12k. </TD></TR></TABLE>

A 9+ year old car with 40K? No way. Even so, it would break just like all Mitsubishi products. I have seen a GST kill two brand new transmissions with average spirited driving (no harder than I drive my car which has no problems) to the point where they physically broke and seized. My friend had one and sure he beat SS Camaros with it, until it broke. The last time the transmission died, it did so in an intersection at a traffic light and he just got out and left it right there. Not to mention that all of the illegal Mexicans drive the RS models around with stripes and blue headlights would make me never get in one ever.

 

There is just something funny yet upseting about mexicans, I always see 10 of them cramed into a riced out civic or accord and none of them have insurance. I would know, I got hit by one last year.

 

Can't get no stinkin' issuranse. Aint got no license, no green card, and no right to be here holmes. I spend my money on Auto Zone accessories for my 1989 Accord and send the rest to my momma in a Juarez slum, all while I go home to a 400 sq. ft. apartement wit no less than 32 inhabitants.

 

The only thing Im worried about the RSX-S is the high insurance rate and theft which I believe will continue to increase and will soon be as bad as the entire '88-00 Civic/CRX and '90-01 Integra dilemma in terms of theft.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by johnclaunch &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Can't get no stinkin' issuranse. Aint got no license, no green card, and no right to be here holmes. I spend my money on Auto Zone accessories for my 1989 Accord and send the rest to my momma in a Juarez slum, all while I go home to a 400 sq. ft. apartement wit no less than 32 inhabitants.</TD></TR></TABLE>
your a retard and terribly ignorant i hope one of these so called Mexicans hits you on his way home from his hard working job and runs off with his car running while you just wait there with your air bags deployed wondering wtf just happened. please don't reproduce.

and to the op i think the rsx s is a good choice the styling is way better than the others choices you stated and as for reliability you just cant go wrong with a honda as for theft if your really worried about it then just get a nice alarm and you should be fine. im always scarred shitless man my daily driver is a CRX!!

 

2005 WRX

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by johnclaunch &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
DSMs are HORRIBLY unreliable. The GST/GSX was fast when it stayed not broken, which was rare.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Want to know why they got an unreliable reputation? Because people throw huge turbos on them, with a boost controller, and wonder why it blew up a few days afterwards. If they're done correctly, they are great cars.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Tyte-S &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Unreliable because most people did not properly maintain them.</TD></TR></TABLE>

*claps and gives a high five*

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by posHonda &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The only thing Im worried about the RSX-S is the high insurance rate and theft which I believe will continue to increase and will soon be as bad as the entire '88-00 Civic/CRX and '90-01 Integra dilemma in terms of theft.</TD></TR></TABLE>

*knocks on wood* How dare you say that...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Pat_S &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Want to know why they got an unreliable reputation? Because...</TD></TR></TABLE>
...most DSM enthusiasts have more junk transmissions in their garage than tires on their car.

A little exaggeration because my buddy (who is only running a 12) has 6 in his Mother's garage (4 blown).

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by WhiteOnRice &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
...most DSM enthusiasts have more junk transmissions in their garage than tires on their car.

A little exaggeration because my buddy (who is only running a 12) has 6 in his Mother's garage (4 blown).</TD></TR></TABLE> When you start making more power of course the tranny is going to go. Any of the cars on this list would have the same problem. I don't see how that's a valid point not to purchase it. My friend went through 3 tranny's and 2 engines in 6 months when building his Subaru. And I personally have 3 or 4 Honda tranny's in my garage. I think out of this group the GSX/GST Eclipse will be the easiest to get there for a reasonable amount of money.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Tyte-S &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> When you start making more power of course the tranny is going to go. Any of the cars on this list would have the same problem. I don't see how that's a valid point not to purchase it. My friend went through 3 tranny's and 2 engines in 6 months when building his Subaru. And I personally have 3 or 4 Honda tranny's in my garage. I think out of this group the GSX/GST Eclipse will be the easiest to get there for a reasonable amount of money.</TD></TR></TABLE>
This point is moot because DSM trannies go out so much more frequently than other comparable imports. DSM vehicles are notorious for this. As are automatic Dodge transmissions. I've never heard a DSM'er deny this.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dc5RickK20 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
your a retard and terribly ignorant i hope one of these so called Mexicans hits you on his way home from his hard working job and runs off with his car running while you just wait there with your air bags deployed wondering wtf just happened. please don't reproduce.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Must be a liberal multiculturalist.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Tyte-S &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">When you start making more power of course the tranny is going to go. Any of the cars on this list would have the same problem. I don't see how that's a valid point not to purchase it. My friend went through 3 tranny's and 2 engines in 6 months when building his Subaru. And I personally have 3 or 4 Honda tranny's in my garage. I think out of this group the GSX/GST Eclipse will be the easiest to get there for a reasonable amount of money.</TD></TR></TABLE>

You are correct again. 5-speed transmissions do fail often when making power.

Personally, I would get an automatic DSM. Their transmission's are solid, you just need to make sure it's in good shape before you make power out of your car. I think doing that would make them last long.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by WhiteOnRice &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
This point is moot because DSM trannies go out so much more frequently than other comparable imports. DSM vehicles are notorious for this. As are automatic Dodge transmissions. I've never heard a DSM'er deny this.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Like I said, if they're done correctly, they are great cars.

But any car that makes power is going to have same problem, like Tyte-S has stated.


Modified by Pat_S at 11:07 AM 1/21/2008

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Pat_S &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">But any car that makes power is going to have same problem, like Tyte-S has stated.</TD></TR></TABLE>
True but DSM's have that problem more often than other comparable imports. Maybe it's because it's because the diff/transmission is weak or maybe it's so easy to make more power. Either way, this is an all-too-common sight for DSM enthusiasts: