The January 2003 Car and Driver contains its annual ten best cars list. In its description of the winning Acura RSX, it says, "And for those who miss the banshee wail of the bad-boy Integra Type R, take heart - an R version of the RSX is just over the horizon."



[Modified by censored, 7:02 PM 12/12/2002]

 

"over the horizon" refers to Japan

 

Car & Driver

 

Ill believe it when i see one sitting on the show room floor.

 

haha...looks like they fooled us.

Anyway, it seems like Honda/Acura would like to squeeze the money out of us first with the RSX Factory Performance, a car that would cost nearly 30K USD.

 

yea...

 

Good. Hope it stays there.

 

Who knows, they might bring it. Afterall, there are half dozen factory hot-compacts coming out in the next year or so (or already out).

0. VW R32
1. WRX STi
2. Lancer Evo
3. Neon R/T
4. Mazdaspeed MP3
5. Focus SVT
6. Cooper S
7. Sentra SE-R
8. Civic Si.
9. etc.

I just want to see one, to see how it measures up to other compacts.

 

i'd like to see one also, but most likely we'll get the aussie-spec DC5

 

If you make the car...they will buy it.

Honda are you listening?

-kenji

 

I don't see what the fuss is about concerning the DC5R, except perhaps for the fact that we don't get them.

The only significant changes are the lack of a sunroof, some missing sound insulation and, in the case of the JDM versions, aluminium control arms (which we probably wouldn't get).

Unlike the DC2R, the DC5R has no structural improvements over the regular DC5 chassis, and it appears that the internal differences between the engines are limited to relatively mundane things like the intake manifold, ecu tuning and cams (oh and that .5 difference in CR).

It seems entirely feasible to build an RSX-S that would be every bit the equal of the RSX-R (I refuse to call it an Integra), so what exactly is the point?


[Modified by MK Ultra, 7:54 PM 12/12/2002]

 

 

I feel the same way mk does I feel inferior when I see a dc5-R it makes me feel small. i would'nt mind as long as they call it a rsx-R and its the same one the aussies get.

 

I can't wait to roll one...

 

I hope we don't get it.

 

I will always love my DC2.

 

dc2 owns dc5
and all 92-00 civics own those gay mini vans

 

does anyone know what's so exclusive to the JDM DC5R comparing to our TypeS. i know our DC2R's have lots of structural braces all over the places, and hand polish B18C5.... etc.
and one day i was bored and logged onto the RSX forum, only a few simple bolt-on's can boost the whp to well over 200.
what's the point for the DC5R? the brembo's and the recaro's maybe!!

 

yea i agree...didnt two DC2-R's whoop two DC5-R's in some best motoring video?
And the realtime DC2R keeps beating the pants off of their rsx-s. It doesnt have anything on our cars. What it really needs is 260 HP and then were talking

 

The K20 is a fine engine.

What it needs is double wishbone suspension and 200 fewer pounds.


[Modified by MK Ultra, 9:02 PM 12/12/2002]

 

or that

 

I sincerely hope that the DC5-R stays in Japan. For a multitude of reasons.

1. The DC2R was a different animal than the standard Integra, it was a cut above. That is what makes the Type R badge special. If they bring the DC5R here, that tarnishes the name of our cars becuase the differences that make the DC5R a Type R just aren't up to snuff with what separates our R's from regular Integs.

2. I like owning a Type R...I like being part of a special group, owning something that is limited and ellusive. Sadly with all the theft and accidents, the number of R's in the country diminishes on almost a daily basis. This means that for those of us lucky enough to retain our vehicles, they become more and more valueable (not necessarily in a monetary sense) every single day. I want my car to be special. I don't want it to be considered "special" just like a WRX is considered a "special" Impreza.

3. I don't want it to be brought here simply for Honda's sake. After reading the article about the "10 great rides under 20K" in SCC...I feel sorry for Honda. Three years ago, they were on the top of the pile, they were the king of the hill. The Type R and even the Si were considered the benchmark of compact import performance. Now even american versions of compact cars are much more potent than our bearing brethren. The new Si is a joke. I would hate for the DC5R to arrive to be considred a laughing stock among even domestic company. I want my R to be special, to be considred the king of the hill still. If the idea of what a Type R is changes in America, I am afraid that the title which our cars retain will be changed as well.

 

The new Si is not a joke. It is every bit the car the 99-00 Si was. And at least they gave us the Si in hatch form again. People need to put away their DC2/EG goggles and go actualyl drive an RSX or Si. They are nice cars.


Personally, I would never own a Neon or a Focus--two cars SCC said that "beat" the new Si. On raw performance numbers, sure. But SCC has a tendency to overlook quality of components and if the car will still be running in 10 years. Plus, with Sis going for $16 or less, you have all of that $$ to play with.

 

From the best motoring videos ive seen, the DC5R does outperform the DC2R. Though the improvements arent like night and day, i feel honda did a decent job with the new integra r. Bigger engine for more torque and smoother powerband, even better brakes, a bit more rigid body, improved shifter and more docile for around town. Only downside seems to be a bit more heavy. If they do infact bring it over to the states, id consider buying one... if the price is reasonable.

 

I must comment on this.

Nobody wanted to like the next generation Integra more than I. I actually drove down to the dealership when they came out, chequebook in pocket, intending to buy one. I test drove an RSX-S.

And drove right back home in the car I came in.

It was after I drove an RSX-S that I began to detest it. It is not a satisfactory replacement for the Integra. Honda has filtered all of the mechanical feedback and quick responses out of the new cars. Oh, sure, there are some things I do like about them, but everything I like is outweighed by all of the things about them I dislike, and that is based solely on driving the car. A few months after my first experience with the RSX a friend of mine bought a Type-S, and I had ample opportunity to see if my first impression was correct.

All I can say is that the more I drove it the less I liked it.