Tell me what you know about the Acura RSX Type S.

"Trunk Impaired 318" (matteocscaptura)
02/17/2015 at 16:33 • Filed to: None

So in my saga of trying to find a potential new DD I came across !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! somewhat promising 2002 Acura RSX Type S. Im going to look at it tomorrow but I have no real idea of anything in particular to look out for with the RSX. Also, while Ive heard its great to drive I have also heard that unless you're on it, its like driving a Civic, not a bad thing but not exactly what im looking for either. Im sure some of you know something about the RSX and I would be very grateful to have your knowledge bestowed upon me!

DISCUSSION (24)

Takuro Spirit > Trunk Impaired 318
02/17/2015 at 16:36

Guy I know tracked the SHIT out of his, never broke a damn thing, and it was quick in the twisties. Like. Kept up with Porsches and Vettes quick.

Trunk Impaired 318 > Takuro Spirit
02/17/2015 at 16:38

Those are all very good things

Takuro Spirit > Trunk Impaired 318
02/17/2015 at 16:40

Yeah, he had nothing bad to say about the car, ever. Bought it for cheap to be a dedicated track car after he had an off in his Evo and didn't want to wreck it. Tracked it for a couple years and besides fluids, brakes, and tires, it didn't need a thing. If I can find some of the videos I'll link them.

Edit: AHA!

https://www.youtube.com/user/Talon167/…

SlickMcRick > Trunk Impaired 318
02/17/2015 at 16:47

I believe Hondata has a reflash that makes the engine way more responsive and even lowers the point of entering VTEC. Definitely helps some acceleration woes.

https://www.hondata.com/reflash_rsx.ht…

BeaterGT > Trunk Impaired 318
02/17/2015 at 16:47

I know it's slower than a 1994 Z28 and that its seats are a popular choice for swaps. Sorry I'm not much help...

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > Trunk Impaired 318
02/17/2015 at 16:50

Just sold my '02 RSX-S after 8 years and 110k miles of ownership. What do you want to know?

Biggest issues that aren't immediately obvious that come to mind are motor mounts (front) and front control arm bushings.

Rock Bottom > Trunk Impaired 318
02/17/2015 at 16:56

I've known lots of people with them, and they've all been great cars. Reliable and fun, right out of the box. I personally owned a 2008 Civic SI for 6 years (kissing cousin of the RSX) and loved that car to death. I bounced it off the rev limiter every day I owned it, crashed it twice, and drove it coast-to-coast a couple times. Oh, and lots of autocrossing and even a little time at the drag strip. That car never batted an eye. If THAT'S any indication of how well the RSX may stand up, then I say grab one and Jalop the wheels off of it!

Textured Soy Protein > Trunk Impaired 318
02/17/2015 at 16:56

I have a soft spot for these since I had an Integra GSR. The motor has a surprising amount of headroom for a normally-aspirated 2.0 liter I4 that's already putting out 200 hp. It's not going to have the same kind of torque as a turbo motor putting out similar hp numbers, but it's totally fine to rev the piss out of it. Great shifter, and great-for-fwd handling. For all the people who love GTIs, I've always felt Integras (which the RSX still is, at least in Japan) were way more fun.

Trunk Impaired 318 > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
02/17/2015 at 16:58

Just anything in particular too look out for in the RSX specifically

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > Trunk Impaired 318
02/17/2015 at 17:20

Torn motor mounts — engine will feel like it's bouncing around the engine bay when accelerating or decelerating

Control arm bushings - car wobbles left and right and won't stay straight (lol)

Sunroof - may have rust forming on the sunroof panel under the rubber seal

Any other issues should be pretty obvious from the start .. there's not really much to go wrong.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Trunk Impaired 318
02/17/2015 at 17:29

My sister has an '06 RSX Type-S. She's had it (technically Dad's had it since his name is on the title) since new, and it now has over 160K on the clock. It's required literally nothing since then but regular maintenance (oil, filters, tires, etc.) Sadly, it's still on the original struts/shocks and a few other things are starting to show their age. My sister isn't too crazy, so I don't think she gets on it hard, but I used to when I drove it. Although lately if I get a spin in it, I take it easy on the old girl, seeing as how it's on original shocks and all. I'll give a few observations about the car:

The K20 loves to rev. Coupled with a close ratio 6 speed, it is an absolutely blast to drive hard. The downside is that you turn something like 3,000rpm in 6th gear just to do 65~70mph. This kind of leads to my next thing - its a loud car. As in there's very little sound proofing, so you get a ton of road and wind noise. That coupled with high rpm's make it a very fatuging car to do long stretches of highway driving.

You said it's going to be a DD, so if you're concerned about fuel economy, I'd skip it. My sister's commute is like 80% highway, 10% in town, and 10% on a back country road and she's getting an average of about 26mpg. It's also premium fuel only.

Handling is good for a FWD car. I find it to be a little twitchy at the limits, especially if you're pushing hard on back roads that are bumpy/uneven. I imagine tracking or AutoXing on flat, prepared surfaces, it would be a joy.

Aside from the nosie issue, I love the interior overall, I think it's great. Nice layout, easy to use, etc. The only downside is the stereo is one of those custom deals, not a standard DIN, so if you're a stereo guy you'll be cutting up some dash. If not, it's a pretty good factory stereo. The brakes are very good, and the steering is nice and has pretty good feedback. I'm personally not crazy about the clutch and shifter - I think the shifter feels too notchy and the clutch takeup is not what I'm used to. But these things are also somewhat subjective, neither is awful or unlivable, just not what I'm used to. The interior has held up amazingly well over time, especially considering my sister doesn't really take very good care of it. Also, my parents drive it quite a bit, even to this day, and they are both large adults, and the seats have continued to hold up well.

At 160k miles, it is starting to show it's age. As I've said this car has gotten nothing but normal maintenance, and is still on it's original shocks/struts. Driving around, the exhaust makes random rattles, I think one of the mounts is broken on it, or something inside the muffler broke off and if rolling around. Also, the power steering has been starting to go, it leaks a bit, is kind of heavy, and makes some awful noises when you turn full lock. Dad put some Lucas Power Steering Stabilizer in it and it's gotten much better, though it probably really needs to have the rack replaced. But those are the only 2 major issues with the car overall. I'd say given that kind of history, it's a pretty solid car.

zaguy2 > Trunk Impaired 318
02/17/2015 at 17:36

I don't know about the S-Type, but the RSX generally has been a wonderful car. I bought a '05 with 50,000 miles on it in '08. Now in 2015 it has 110,000 miles and it runs just like it did seven year ago.

Fitting 4 people in it isn't something I do daily, but it can be done when needed. Driving it is blast (the non S-type has semi-stick which makes gives the driver some control when I want it) MPG is solid, although nothing out of this world when compared to some of the newer cars out there. As far as space for the driver, I'm 6.3" and I fit without issue.

My car lacks any fancy audio support, but it's more then enough for my needs. Overall I've loved the car and I have no plans to replace it anytime soon.

SpiroAgnew > Trunk Impaired 318
02/17/2015 at 17:45

I absolutely love mine I've DD it for 3 years. Bought mine in Texas and had it brought up to Minnesota. I have only don't rims and wheels. But only maintenance I've had to do is fluids, a seized caliper and I have to do an o2 sensor this weekend. Its been a great car

Nonster > Trunk Impaired 318
02/17/2015 at 17:49

I've always had a soft spot for the RSX type S since I first read about it in a Road & Track magazine in middle school. I think it was around the time The Fast and the Furious came out and like any pubescent boy with an interest in cars I had my heart set on getting a cool sporty car and I really wanted the RSX type S.

But after a few years I got annoyed with the whole slow and loud ricer thing and fell back on my love for Jeeps

Kailand09 > Trunk Impaired 318
02/17/2015 at 17:49

Very fun to drive and loves revs.

My buddy has one and I love the shit out of it. The seats are super comfy. Interior is pretty simple (but nice simple).

If you want to add seat heaters it isn't so bad, but trying to get hog rings back where you took them out is nearly impossible, so use zip ties instead.

Street Surgeon > Trunk Impaired 318
02/17/2015 at 17:50

Great cars though I'd still prefer the previous model Integra GS-R or Type R etc. The K series motor is one of if not the best NA 4 banger around, there are lots of 300+ hp naturally aspirated builds and they're nuts reliable.

Trunk Impaired 318 > Snuze: Needs another Swede
02/17/2015 at 17:53

I highly doubt the noise is worse than what Im dealing with now with my MR2, cruising speed is 3700 RPM and the drivers side window doesnt seal properly but thank you for such a detailed reply! People like you are why I love Oppo!

Next > Trunk Impaired 318
02/17/2015 at 19:32

Your lucky, my MR2 wont get past 3500 RPM for some reason.

JKER > Trunk Impaired 318
02/18/2015 at 07:42

I have one currently, I think the most common problems are engine/transmission mounts and axles. Just make sure to get an inspection done on it before deciding whether to buy it. That mileage isn't high for a honda so don't let it scare you off, it's a pretty good price too I would say. Just look at all the normal wear items that might need to be replaced.

ITA Hondaboy > Trunk Impaired 318
02/18/2015 at 19:16

I'm very surprised it hasn't been mentioned yet, but 2nd and 3rd gear on Type-S is a known weak spot. The gearbox in general feels "crunchy" when going into either. My 2nd is good, my 3rd requires a little love. Not sure about the quote fuel econ, I have on summer gas gotten 34ish MPG all highway. My normal, especially on winter gas, is around 29 MPG. Then again on the street I don't push my vehicles too hard and brake as little as possible. Not great, but it's a sporty revy little car, you pay to play.

Trunk Impaired 318 > ITA Hondaboy
02/18/2015 at 20:10

I just got back from looking at it, I had heard about the trouble with 2nd and 3rd and the owner said that this one did have trouble with 3rd, I didnt experience any when I drove it but he said it was intermittent.

ITA Hondaboy > Trunk Impaired 318
02/19/2015 at 19:26

So what did you think of the car, interested or keep looking?

Trunk Impaired 318 > ITA Hondaboy
02/19/2015 at 19:30

I enjoyed it more than I thought I would, it's no MR2 but for a front wheel drive car I can't say I've ever driven anything near as good, definitely interested

ITA Hondaboy > Trunk Impaired 318
02/19/2015 at 19:51

Cool, I sat in mine the first time and said, "I must have this car." Five years later, I can't say I regret it.