I'm hoping to get a new car soon and I'm a huge fan of the Integra. The thing is that the RSX has some qualities about it that may make it the better choice, but I still have a crush on the Integra. Here's what I've compared so far (note that I am a drummer and will be using the cargo room to haul drums around):

Integra
-simpler engine; easier to work on
-cheaper to buy
-great fuel mileage
-tons of aftermarket support
-awesome engine and good reputation for reliability
-good amount of cargo space
-4 seats for friends
-standard safety features (dual front airbags, ABS on LS trim and above, 4 wheel disc brakes)
-say what you want, but I like the looks of the car from every angle
-very easy to find on the market at a cheap price

RSX
-newer engine; less chance for problems
-most likely cheaper to own
-same fuel mileage as Integra
-newer suspension and tons of aftermarket support
-K series engine has a great reputation
-more interior space than Integra (including cargo and legroom)
-dual front airbags with passenger sensor, front ventilated and rear normal disc brakes, ABS on all trim levels
-aggressive styling
-easier to find stock (or at least with minimal modification)

And correct me if I'm wrong but the Integra will be cheaper to insure as well. Which car would be the better bet?

 

The rsx is just a new body style integra.

Plus it has a k series!

 

i was in the same boat, but i found a 95 gsr with fresh paint and 98 bumpers for 6k so i jumped on it. put maybe 2k in maintence work that i just wanted to change to make sure and it drives like a dream. its your choice really . i drove a 06 type s that was a friends and the k is really niice, but with a paid off integra you can always go k

 

I probably won't do much modifying to my car. Maybe an intake and exhaust system just to let it breath better and let the exhaust flow better, but that's probably it. I want a stock car and Integras are a little harder to find stock, especially in a manual tranny.

 

I had both a 01 GSR and a 2005 RSX. I miss my DC2 but I LOVE my DC5 and it is way more bad *** that my GSR ever was. And a **** ton faster lol. K>B

 

^ This is good input. XD

 

with the frequency that integra's are stolen and wrecked, insurance may not be significantly cheaper depending on your location & the year of the integra you look at. the rsx' are just as easy to work on as an integra. we bought a brand new rsx type s in nov 2001 and its been great to us, it has just shy of 200k miles now and we still like it, and it still drives great. i'd suggest the rsx. having something newer, faster, and less stolen are all great things.......

 

RSX is MUCH safer by todays standards because it has side impact air bags.

I'd go with an RSX personally.

 

I didn't know it had side impact bags. That's a good thing to know! And if the Integra isn't that much cheaper to insure than the RSX, then the RSX would be the one to go for.... And having a car that's less stolen is a great thing too. I have actually researched alarm systems and safety precautions for an Integra before I really considered an RSX since I was worried about it being stolen.

 

^ they are in the seats. Insurance on a type S is ridiculous. I just paid my car off and dropped it down to liability only. I inquired on a 335i and it was cheaper than the rsx.

 

Good thing I don't care if it's a Type S or not. As far as I'm concerned, both the base and Type S have VTEC so I'll get that great VTEC noise either way. And I bet the Base as more opportunities for tuning (if I ever get into doing that) just because it's a smaller output whereas the Type S is sort of already tuned and it's the same engine.

 

You won't get vtak sounds with a Base RSX, lulz.

 

But it has a VTEC engine. I even hear it when my dad opens the throttle enough on our 2009 CR-V.

 

the ivtec on the base rsx & the ep3 is not conventional vtec, it is gas conserving vtec.

aemciv - if you don't mind... what do you pay monthly for insurance, and whats your age?

we pay roughly 3200 a year for our 02 Type S, 99 Prelude, my Ducati Monster, and my Honda Ruckus all full coverage. We have clean driving records, and are past the threshold for lower premiums. The normal thresholds are above 21 for a female, and 25 for a male.

 

ah, I see... I don't know about monthly insurance because I'm still under my parents' insurance; I'm 19. I know, I know, insurance will be stupidly high because I'm an adolescent male. However, I have had a clean driving record since I got my license and I keep my grades up for good student discounts.

 

yeah i bought my 06 type S new i was paying 1100 every 6 months for full coverage on my rsx and liability on a 97 civic sedan now that its paid off and im 26 my insurance is half of what it was. i only pay 607 every 6 months with full coverage and liability on my 97 civic. i definably love the power the type s has for a daily driver with no major mods. it definitely keeps moving with traffic just gas mileage sucks when ur going over 60mph and rpms start creeping to 3.5-4k gotta love a 6 speed. i vote for the rsx if its in the budget.

 

I know insurance is going to be a pain in the butt. I probably won't get the Type S because I don't really have the money to pay for premium gas all the time. I'm pretty good about driving economically and engine revs and all that. I imagine with a 5 speed manual it'll be even easier because there's a whole extra gear (I have a 4 speed auto in my current car with overdrive).

 

TS did you even consider the suspension set ups on each?

 

I would imagine the Type S has a more race tuned suspension?

 

I like the Integra more. Parts are good quality and cheaper priced, it looks better slammed with wheels..oh and it transports my 5 piece Pearl w/hardware perfectly.

 

^ Good to know. The thing is that my set is a 6 piece and I have a lot of cymbals. And I have big toms, too (old school sizes). Also, I've been in the back seat of my friends Integra and I can't even sit up straight in it!

 

I would imagine that Snooki has an IQ above 300?


You obviously seem to know nothing about cars. Take a few weeks to learn about them then make a decision.

 

It's not that I don't know anything about cars, it's just that I don't know a lot about these two cars. I've driven an Integra, but not an RSX.

 

honestly even though rsx are newer i can see an integra still outlasting them... only cause of some different designs... first the suspension is better on dc2s double wish bone vs whats become the norm with todays cars on the rsx...

my biggest annoyance with the rsx is the fact hat its a cable shifter.. if that cable ever gets loose or anything goes wrong ull be grinding to death of the tranny.... also the other thing i really hate is the fact that im 5ft 5 and my head hits the side of the roof in the back seat.

for feel of the drive the dc2 is a lot more fun cause it feels more raw... rsx is fun but its so smooth that u dont feel the experience of driving as much...

I Love both cars very much and you cant really go wrong with either. the dc2 is going to take a lot of work but will cost less then the rsx so u can take out the same loan ud spend on an rsx and build a really nice dc2.. or just get a stock rsx and be stock


i have several dc2s and my friends have an rsx i borrow all the time.... both are fantastic cars and like i said u cant go wrong with either...one thing i do notice... a stock rsx gets way less attention from police then a stock dc2. so if u live in a town that the cops dont have much to do and harass people all the time defitnatly get an rsx...
if u drive with friends a lot rsx is not very comfortable in the rear in terms of head space.plus just like usdm integras they have that stupid plastic tray in the middle that really serves absoutely no purpose...

One of the big PROs of the rsx is the cup holders... they are actually good.... the DC2 cupholders seem like it was the last thing that came into the engineers minds cause pretty much only a can of soda will fit in there anything else will not fit or hit your stereo.


I dont know what your budget is... but if i were you... I would do something in the middle. so you get the best of both worlds..

An Integra with an RSX type S engine.. That way you get the power of a K series. with reliability of a newer engine(though B series arent really any less reliable.. they are just harder to find in good shape)

My vote is an integra with an rsx type s engine. I love the RSX looks slightly more then the integra at this point but I love the feel of driving an integra more then an rsx... I love the power of an rsx and the fact that it has 6 gears but i hate the lack of headspace even for short people in the back seats... Also overall i think the rsx cause of its design has slightly less trunk space. the integra when seats are folded down and everything its like a small truck... its not uncommon to hear of an integra moving a couch. RSX is same type of hatch design but the sides close in more then they do in the integra.




I VOTE:

DC2 Integra with RSX Type S engine swap

 

dc2 with k series will be more work...

finding a good dc2 with working cold a/c and cleaning/restoring the interior(replacing interior light bulbs and buttons that faded, fading leather) so it's brand new also will be alot of work
unless you get lucky and find a person who really loved their teggy of course =]

finding an rsx-s in the perfect condition wont be hard at all