I made a post just like this almost 2 years ago, I completely forgot about it. Now I find myself looking for a car, I log into honda-tech a long forgotten website that I signed up for 7 years ago to check the Marketplace. I want to buy a CRX, or an RSX.. it's tough to decide between newer and the older, but just as good car. It's tough to find a nice RSX-S with less than 100k miles, but it's waay harder to find a CRX without needing restoration(but more money to play with)

Currently I'm looking at quite a few CRX maybe as project cars but I really need a daily driver.

I'm also looking at this: http://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/2797210105.html - the guy wants $13k obo for it. I think if I could get it for 11 or 11.5 it would be worth it and I say that only because he says he is the second owner, it has a second gear grind, and it has had i/h/e, then stock when he bought it, then he put intake on it only.


Anyway to get to the point, what is your overall opinion on cost of maintinence, repairs, and overall reliability of the car? Is 02-04 really much different than 05-06?

What should I expect with a budget of 12k? What are common problems and/or unique problems with these cars I should look for?

 

not to be mean or anything but your 2 questions can be answered with a quick search or a look in the FAQ...

02-04 K20A2
05-06 K20Z1 a little more powerful...

Minor body changes in the lights front and back... take a look around you'll probably stumble on some good info!

 

I'm not trying to offend anyone of course but I'm not a fan of the 02-04 body style. Personal preference. Don't like the dimple headlights and tails. Don't like the front grill and how the fogs look like they were a last minute oh crap decision to add.

Their are lots of subtle little differences that as stated have been talked about MANY of times and there is plenty of information about. I've seen some 05's at your 12k price tag.

 

Similar situation for me too! I love the 05-06 type-s. Like you said hard to find one with low miles AND a clean title. but be patient and don't settle...just my .02

 

I wanted more personal responses from actual owners with more specific questions and maybe create an open discussion to see if most owners or previous owners were/are satisfied with their ride. Also to see any common problems or like I said specific things to look for whis this car, preferably all in one thread. Of course I know the differences of the models on paper, but what about after 5 or 10 years of owning one? A personal experience or opinion is worth a million times more than reading a spec sheet.

 

After reading around a bit, I realized honda-tech is a shell of what it used to be, there is a huge database of information but it is nearly in-active at least in this forum.. maybe I posted in the wrong place.

 

Here are a couple of things to think about, and yes, i own an rsx, since new in 2002......

The RSX in general is a GREAT car! I have owned mine for 10 years, only to replace a burnt out light bulb I worked for Acua for a long time, the only regular part we ever sold for repair was the driver side lock actuator.

The Type S is the best model with 200hp stock. It's only problem (for some) was a 2nd gear grind. The type S uses premium fuel only, and stock for stock, is about a car length faster than a base model 0-60

The base and premium models were the same car, but made 1ft lb less tq than the S, and 40hp less (only at hhigh rpms) Car runs on regular unleaded.

Deciding which model to buy will depend if you palnning to mod the car or no. If you just want to jump in and drive, get an S
If you plan to mod, i would say, save some bucks, buy a premium with leather, and drop in a cheap K24, it will move! and pobably for the same price as to what an S would have cost, but you will have more bang for your buck. There are so many deals out, now that the cars are older and many upgrade parts can be had dirt cheap!

 

this is also more of a technical forum for help... not for personal opinions and chat as much. You want RSX chat and blabber ClubRSX is the spot for the for sure... but good luck and your thread will surely be lock down quickly for starting a chat like that.


I've never owned a car for 5 years so I can't help you there. I have owned mine for 3 years now and have changed every part on the damn thing. I can tell you I absolutely love my Type-S and I've never regretted a thing about it. No matter how much headache or pain when I see my ride I smile, when I start my engine and drive I smile.

 

Ive got a 03 Type S and Ive had it since I bought it new. I daily drive it and Ive got about 120xxx miles now. Only problems Ive had is the window motors going out on both doors twice, and the lock actuators have gone out once. Engine wise the only problem was a dirty idle air control valve. But hey after that many miles, I kinda expect it. No other problems though. Its a great car and it has a lot of potential in it.

 

02-04 Type S is a little bit cheaper to modify than the 05-06. Example: KPRO is about $400 more for 05/06. I like the exterior of the 05/06 but the seats in the 02/04 are stiffer and fit an average size person like a glove! There are small differences here and there but generally the 05/06 costs more. I bought an 03 type S bone stock with 58k miles last April. So finding one with low miles isn't too hard.