Ok, I have a 97 civic but am looking at buying a car sometime next spring. I've narrowed it down to about 3 choices:

RSX Type S
Mercedes C230 Kompressor Sport Coupe
MINI Cooper S (yeah, yeah...I already know your answer)

maybe...
Altima (kinda ugly)
Civic Si (ditto)

I want to stay with Honda but I'm just not sure if I want to settle with the RSX. It's got everything I want (except HIDs..thank god for the aftermarket) but I wanted to hear straight from the horses mouth what you guys think of them.

As I haven't really researched the Merc, I can't say much. What have you guys heard about them?

I test drove the MINI and it's a fun car to drive but there have been a shitload of problems with them. One lady had her tie rod disconnect and her supercharger belt snap within a couple of months after buying it. This is just one out the many examples I've found.

Anyway, let me know what you guys think of my choices. I know I should get the RSX but the other two options are keeping me from making a practical decision. Convice me!!

P.S. What are the actual 0-60 and 1/4 mile times for the Type S? I've seen like 4 different results from 4 different magazines.

 

Hmm, I'd go with the RSX S, nice car all around. What about TYPE R? UM...as for 1/4 times, uh.........."F1nal Zeros" hit 15 flat stock....

 

ummm..if you can afford to buy a mercedes c230 ....but you want to stick with honda...why dont you get a s2000 , or if you need a back seat...a CL type S (six speed)

 

id get the mercedes or a 99-00 Si Coupe again

 

I would stick with the RSX s or a used typeR.

 

i think a fair to average driver in a type S can pull a 15.0 flat 1/4 mile

 

I ran a 14.8 stock, a few other people I know did the same but I know others that have run high 15's too. if you can drive good you can break into the 14's.

I would NEVER get a Mini!!!!!! I'm sorry but out of all your choices It is by FAR the ugliest. I have seen a few driving around and thought they looked worst than the VW bug.

I dont know too much about the Merc, but i know it wont have as much of an aftermarket support as the RSX.

 

the merc has more supposrt than a RSx, but it aint cheap, btu give the c230 a good boost controler, and ECU chip , and then it will really come alive..

 

I went on Merc's website and built the coupe and it came to about $26k. A little more than an RSX with about the same options. I still like the MINI, but not the crowd that drives them. I've been to a few MINI forums on the net and half of these owners are either 50+ WASPs (no offense) that hate "souped up" imports (and the people that drive them) or folks that just bought them because they were "cute". I posted a topic about modifying the MINI and everybody just came down on me like,"Why would you want to mess with such a masterpiece?" Kinda self-righteous people...but who isn't nowadays?

 

I think the Mini-S is kick ***, especially for autox... unfortunately I never expected that it'd be a car for WASPs and self-righteous people... I heard neuspeed was already on the way for making mods for the mini...

as for the CL-S six-speed...that thing is fast!! Motor Trend tested it with a 15.0 1/4 for a boat like that. Some people have broke into the low 14's with minor mods. The CL-S is a good contender in my opinion....

I'd rather just get a S14 and stick a SR20DET in it...but they're hard to find...
Mercedes is not worth it... just get a WRX for that money... mercedes is asking for $25K base for it... not worth it IMO

 

i've seen 14.8 in a Cl type s ~six speed~

 

Car & Driver had a sub 6.0 0-60 run with the CL-S manual.

 

What about a 350Z? That car would definitely be getting my attention if I were looking for a new car right around now.

 

i went to look a the z , it is an awsome car, but it has a 10,000 dollar mark up on it

 

Don't get the Merc, unless your willing to spend more than 30K to get all the "options" you need to make it somewhat decent. THe base price is low, but when you look at the equipment your getting, its pretty much bare bones (cloth seats on a Merc?). Looks are subjective, but I think it looks funky

I would get the RSX, or a Mini; but test drive both first.

 

Well, you can read people's opinions and magazine reviews, but ultimately, it's going to come down to you and that test drive.

IMO, the 350Z is the car to get. I own an RSX, but honestly, now that the 350Z is out, I couldn't get the RSX-S knowing that for $3k more, I could have gotten the base 350Z. Let's compare the two:

350Z > RSX-S
287hp > 200hp
6spd = 6spd
rwd > fwd

The 350Z is also better for performance-minded drivers than the Merc (although the Merc does have that bling-bling appeal).

Simply put, the Z is what most people been looking for: Japanese reliability, build quality, handling, and looks, combined with good ol American torque and hp. Throw in rwd and an optional LSD, and you've got a runaway winner.

 

i highly doubt u can get it for 3k more than the rsx, out the door.

 

yup when i was at the dealer someone had baught it for 50 out the door, but this wasnt the lowest modle, it was the one in between

 

if the new Z doesnt sell well ...they can bkame the damn dealer markup...

 

the merc c230 doesnt have the luxury of other mercedes has. so if it doesnt have the luxury, it should have the performance, but i'm not sure about that coz i never drove one. i think you're paying just for the name. get something else.

 

What do you plan to do with this car? Daily Driver? Daily Driver + Track? Daily Driver + Drag? etc etc. That would help in determining what car to get. I say stick with the altima (V6 is nice). From those choices you are not really considering this car as a track or drag car. The altima will suit the daily driver need far better than any other car there and its fast torque and quite fun.
my $.02.

 

This is just my opinion...

Getting a Benz C-class coupe is like having knock-off Louis Vuitton products.

As for the RSX, I really tried to stick with Hondas. I've owned 4 Hondas since I was 16 and I didn't want to stray. I love Hondas. But Honda had nothing to offer for the 2002-2003 model year that was in my price range. I test drove the RSX Type-S, I even borrowed my cousin's RSX-S for a week while he was away. I'm sorry, I was not impressed. I'm not too fond of the exterior, nor am I fond of the PONTIAC interior. The only thing I really liked about the RSX that my WRX lacks, is the smoothness of the transmission. In Japan, I got to drive a DC5 Type R, that was more impressive, but I don't have enough time to wait for the Type-R to come state-side. As for the Mini Cooper, I like that car, but it's a little androgynous.

Get a WRX!

 

The new Accord V6 does low 6's at a lower price than the CL-S

 

WRX is the best choice here (even though its not given)

 

Dont buy an RSX better ways to spend your money. WRX STi or the Lancer Evo comes out soon. couple grand more than a rsx but **** well worth the $$$