... and it's quite a car. When I first saw it in NY at the Auto Show, I didn't like it (strawberry
red). This car was the blue color, much nicer. To be honest the car needs the spoiler (which I
usually hate) in order to add something to the back because it really is a plain looking car.
The seats are fabulous as is the general layout of everything. Being from New Jersey, I am
upset that this car, along with a slew of other Hondas (and even different makes for that
matter) are being designed without body moulding. It's almost as if body shops have begun
lobbying the manufacturers or something! Door dings will abound on the RSX.

Driving impressions were positive. I was examining the car based on its potential in STS,
utilizing my nationally competitive car as a benchmark. If my car is a 10, this car is a 5 or 6
from the factory. As with almost all Honda's from the factory, the car is under-tired and
since it wears an Acura badge along with the Type-S moniker, this isn't a racercar from the
factory, nor is it an Integra. This car is more mature and behaves as such. No more raw,
visceral feel in the new RSX. The car goes faster than you think, although it is quite vague..
the result of a lot of road isolation coupled with very little driver feedback as it is off the
showroom floor.

Tires and shocks will be a necessary first step before the car is even considered for Stock
class autocrossing.

My racecar is a 1993 Civic Coupe DX, in its current state of tune she makes maybe 115 HP. As
such, I can't find any fault with the new 2.0 iVTEC / 6 speed gearbox. Simply superb, easily a
high 14 second car right out of the box! Second gear is very usable from as low as 20 all the
way to its fuel cutoff at 8300. On the downside, the car is heavy; at almost 2800 lbs. it
weighs in close to 600 lbs. more than my Civic. I felt it immediately as I tried to do some
imaginary slaloms in a parking lot. It performed better in steady-state turns, but you don't do
anything steady-state in an autocross for very long! But its weight puts it right in the realm
of the Subaru 2.5 RS. Couple that to the prodigious 35 HP advantage the Acura has over the
Subaru (except at the start where the 4wd system will out-do anything, because remember
all RSX's have open differentials) and theType-S should prove to be a viable option as an STS
class autocrosser.

Retail should be just under $24,000 for the Type-S, which should not (if at all) see any kind of
markup because this will be a regularly produced car. The car is an Acura, so it comes only
one way... loaded. A purist like me would omit half the bells and whistles (like power
steering), but that's me. Overall, the RSX is a good start for Honda to replace the Integra.

Personally, I would save up another 5 grand, buy an S2000, run in A stock and keep the Civic
for STS (not to mention it was my first new car when I bought it 8.5 years ago... I'm attached
to it. What can I say!)


Anthony "Mario" Crea

 

Thanks for the feedback Anthony.
I am on my way to pickup my new GSR so I hope I can get a chance to test drive the RSX while I am there IF they have it.
Your thoughts sound exactly what Acura had in mind and exactly what I had in mind also. I also agree with what you said about the S2000.
Save up $5G's, which in all honesty shouldnt really be too hard seeing that everyone here has money for mods, sc's, turbo's and what-not and just get the S2K. Ok, maybe not everyone can save $5G's..this is America, where banks are legally theives....
Anyways, I think for the average consumer, the Type-S model will be a good car and dont let the car enthusiasts say otherwise. Look at all the people who bought TL Type-S...
Besides, RSX Type-S is NO Type-R..... I wish the car weren't so BLAND, it doesnt really look like a sports car, but hey, Acura wanted it to GROW UP so it did...overall I think it will be a sucess for Acura.....

Indy

 

Finally, a post from someone that has actually driven the car. Thanks for the info.

 

Well I just got the GSR and YES the RSX were in and I was able to physically check it out. I didnt get to test drive it because the only available one was being driven by the dealers at the time. Plus I wanted to fill out the papers and get outta there and take my new baby home.
It kinda reminds me of the hatchback BMW. You notice it more as a hatchback than the earlier Integra's.
The engine is definitely quiet even with the dealers beating on it.
(Hope the sorry sap who buys it doesnt have any problems with it)
Anyways, from just checking it out without driving it, its...ook.
My new GSR was actually parked right next to it and your kinda glad they didnt keep the name Integra because they really are different cars now....


Indy

 

Isn't msrp on an s2k like 33k? That makes it 9 grand more than the rsx...

 

The local Acura dealer just received about 10 of the RSX's in yesterday. They look really nice, but, I think that they need to be lowered and have a body kit added to it. The engine bay is sooooo small though. I don't know how you'll be able to throw a turbo onto these new cars.