Acura RSX Review
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| Overall: |
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| Performance: |
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| Quality: |
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| Comments |
Favorite feature: |
Transmission shifts really smoothly. Heard a lot of complaints about 2nd gear, but found no problem myself. I tend to believe that most people just aren't that slick with a manual tranny. |
Least favorite feature: |
Radio is nothing to jump up and down about, through CD player is more than adequate. |
Advice to buyer: |
Was thinking of buying a new Hyundai Tiburon GT, a new RSX (base model) or finding a used Honda Civic EX or Accura Integra. Glad I drove the RSX Type S the day I went to test a base RSX. Made my mind up then and there. Definitely worth the extra bucks. |
Detailed review: |
I've owned three Vettes ('60, 66 and 94) several old British roadsters, and a couple of GM muscle cars. And with the exception of my '66 Vette roadster my new 2006 Acura RSX Type S is just about the most fun I've ever had behind the wheel.
I'm sure I'd love the latest generation Vette or a BMW M3, for that matter. But since those cars are way out of my price range, I think this car is a great value at around $23K. Overall quality of the RSX is nothing short of excellent, especially the interior. While handling is already great, I've looked around and found fairly inexpensive bolt-on aftermarket suspension parts that'll make it even better. For a four-banger I wasn't expecting a lot of low-end torque, then again just about anyone has got to be impressed with the way this engine kicks in at high rpm. It's a real hoot! And as for torque, I drove a Tiburon GT (6-cyl.) and, to be honest, the Type S was clearly a better performance ride--even out of the hole--hands down.
What I like best about my Type S is that it's more like your basic sports car, without all the luxury items. Lightweight performance and handling plus quality where it counts, but without the frills. I wanted a sports car with enough room to cram a kid in the back seat occasionally and that's exactly what I got, plus a decent CD player, a sun roof and leather. Really, I'm not sure there is anything else even in the RSX Type S's class, at least not for less than $30K.
I probably should gripe about head room (I'm 6'1') because it is a little cramped. And the AM radio reception is nothing to write home about. But these are minor issues compared with the driving fun. Probably a bigger issue with me is overall exterior design. I will admit that I'd love this drive train, suspension, interior/dash and overall build quality in something more like a Tiburon or a BMW. Then again, ever since I bought the Type S looks are a lot less important to me. (Actually, the design is starting to grow on me.)
If you want a true sports car that just happens to have a back seat you owe it to yourself to test drive a RSX Type S. I just couldn't deal with the dash, but the new Civic Si, with essentially the same drivetrain as the Type S, is probably well worth looking into as well.
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Also considered: |
2007 Honda Civic
2007 Hyundai Tiburon
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Vehicle purchased: |
2006 Acura RSX
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| About This Reviewer... |
Location: |
Bartlett, Illinois |
Other vehicles owned: |
2004 Nissan Quest
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Review submitted: |
June 18, 2007 |
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