who has test driven the RSX TYPE S?

[Vroom_Vroom]

what are your inputs?(the good the bad) some people say its torquey or something can you guys explain..and im just comparing reviews ive read many of em..thanks!

[Spec GTS]

my cousin has one and i get to dirve it every chance i get, it's a nice and fun car. it's quick, does have a lil more torque than the celi. it moves somewhat quicker than my celi when i aply the gas down low, but wheres the i-vtec?!?! it's there but there isn't kick "kick" like we have when we hit lift. top end on the gts feels a lil bit quicker IMO, but the rsx is a fast car, jus not as fun as the celica IMO. the seats r real nice, but other than that i'll take the celicas interior over it, it handles quite nicely as well, but that car needs to be lowered immediately! as u feel way off the ground when u sit in it. but overall it's a sweet car and i'd be happy with it, but i 'll still take the celica over it

[Oo DaRk StAr oO]

Awesome car. It's got a nice feel and I love the sound of the engine. I would get a WRX over it any day but if you want a sporty look with a luxury feel... thats an awesome car.

[GeeTeeEss]

One thing I love about the type s far better than the Celica is the shifter. So smooth... I couldn't get over how nicely the car changed gears.

[DeadOn]

Very smooth & even power but doesn't kick like the Celi in lift. Also I think the interior plastic is cheaper looking than the Celi

[Kit99bar]

the shifter is smooth?

I've driven the s2000 and I didn't notice it's shifter being smooth

[Da Kine Guy]

Also, don't forget, the thing just looks horrible. There are two now in the parking lot where I work. I sometimes try to park right next to them if I can, really pisses em off cause when people walk by outside some of them are pointing at my Celica, looking inside, just generally admiring it, and they pay absolutely no attention whatsoever to the RSX. I saw one of the guys walk outside once and he saw these high school kids all over my car and not even looking at his. Lets just say he didn't go back inside very happy. Boy am I glad I don't work with those guys :)

Edit: One time somebody actually was admiring one of the RSX's, they were these two guys, one drove a blue Civic SI (car sucks, but that color is sweeeeet) and the other an old CRX. So it impresses other Honda import guys it seems, but the Celica impresses EVERYbody.

[Kry]

Test Drove Acura RXS Type S

I drive it pretty conservatively, testing it up to about 5k and no more, not hitting the crossover point at all, and it was just okie dokie, a little better pull than my Celica but not much. I found a nice straightaway and NAILED it, running thru 1-2 gears to redline. Crossover seems to be about 5800 rpm, not sure exactly, had trouble keeping my eyes on the road. The RSX's second cam profile is just as aggressive as the GT-S, ripping down the road with gobs of power. However, there seems to be more usable power before 5800 rpm, so that it's a bit more linear, it's just go go go.

Off the line response is better, but not that much. And the shifter is great -- longer throws than the Celica, but very very smooth, and the gates are wide enough so that you know where you're slamming the gears. After getting in my Celica I found my shifter to be very stiff in comparison. Also, the shifter is taller, not quite as sporty as the Celica. No reverse beep either. Which is better? I'd have to give the nods to the RSX -- shifting is quicker, and almost intuitive. Easier to slam from 3rd to 2nd entering an aggressive corner. Clutch takeup on the RSX is also lighter, and a smidgen more responsive than the Celica's.

The salesguy and I took turns because he really wanted to get his hands on it too, so he took us up to Tantalus Drive, a mountain run filled with inclines and tight 180 degree turns. Man I was shocked at how this guy was tearing this car apart, I'm never going to buy a car off the lot now I tell you. So at the top he handed off and told me to drive back down... ok guy, if it's all right for YOU to tear this mother apart, hold on to your panties. I drove the living crap outta that car, late braking entering the turns, and powering out early to kick the tail out a little. Sorry guys, but the RSX does outhandle the GT-S, there's no doubt in my mind. Much less bodyroll, and EXTREMELY neutral handling, you always know what the car is going to do, and it responds instantaneously to your commands for direction. The steering wheel is of a smaller diameter than the Celica, and thicker rimmed. Also, steering is noticeably tighter, there's not much give either way, you turn the wheel a smidgen and the car changes direction. I ripped the RSX thru some crazy turns, and it just held on and powered thru. Very confidence inspiring.

The brakes were good, but I have to give the nod to the GT-S here, my Celica responds quicker to input from the brake pedal, and stops stronger.

The interior of the car was also impressive. The pictures in the magazines don't do it justice. Leather seats were of very high quality, with great stitches and feel. The dash and also the panels that looks cheap in photos felt expensive to the touch, and didn't have that playskool look to them. The biggest difference in the two was the sunroof and headliner in the RSX, lightyears ahead in quality in comparison. I can see where all the added weight came from, I don't really see any effort to trim down on luxury here.

One thing very noticeable about the car was that it was very quiet. Good sound dampening here. And the structure is VERY stiff, no rattles or give of any kind, just feels very solid. It's extremely hard to believe that this is a completely new design, it feels like a car that's been refined and revised for years. The engine is very smooth too, the Celica powerplant is a little rougher around the edges, and feels more brutish.

Who wins on what points?

Engine: RSX - a bit more refined with what seems to be a bit more response down low. GT-S is more of the brawny boxer ready to scream and kick a little ass.

Interior: RSX - much better quality here.

Suspension: RSX - but not by much, it's tighter handling, with a degree more response.

Looks: Celica - by a HUGE margin here. The RSX looks like a Civic that woke up one day with an attitude problem.

Value: Celica - without a doubt. The MSRP for the Type S was roughly $23.5, but the dealer added on $4k in markup and wouldn't budge. This is before taxes too. I took a quick look at the service prices too -- 7.5k mile service is $120 compared to $29 for my Celica.

My final opinion is this, the RSX is the better car, but I just don't like the looks of it. It just doesn't look the part that it dishes out. On the upside the interior is of higher quality, and the 6 disk in dash changer rules, but the Celica layout is better, only suffering in quality. Oh yeah, the stock Celica sound system is better than the RSX's Bose. Would I choose the RSX over the Celica? Maybe if it wasn't so expensive, I definitely aren't going to pay that much for a car that doesn't impress when you look at it. It's very ho-hum from the outside.

The RSX may seem to be the winner here, but I'm still very happy with my car, and more than confident that I'll be giving a few of these a taste of my tailights. But watch out, they'll be dishing out their share of punishment too. Don't forget that I'm running I/E, with lowered suspension and rims while making these comparisons to an otherwise stock car.

All in all props to Honda for a job well done.

[GReddy Celica]

I have to agree with certain things in the last post by Kry but I also have to disagree with others. My friend who had a GT-S had to sell it and bought an RSX-S, so I get to drive it quite often. First things first, the RSX-S is a very nice car. Compared to the Celica GT-S, it is a more refined and less sporty car. Here are my opinions, and don't think that they are biased because I was also thinking about trading in my GT-S and getting the Type S but after driving my friends, hearing his opinions, and creating my own I came up with the following:

Interior: Yes, the RSX-S has a nicer, more luxury car-like interior, not as sporty as the celica. Although many people complain about the excess of plastic in the celicas interior, I personally dont care what its made out of, I care strictly about looks. Here I would give it to the celica.

Engine: The RSX-S has a slightly quieter, smoother engine, it is a bit more responsive as well, but not by a lot. I think they are both very similar engines and a it is definetly a drivers race between the two. However due to the its engine quietness and smoothness, I give it to the RSX-S.

Suspension / Handling: Here is where I strongly disagree with you, the GT-S by far out performs the Type-S in this category, no doubt in my mind. The GT-S is more responsive and handles corners a lot better, the RSX-S feels too high and to me the handling felt very similar to that of a Jetta, I have to agree with most other people on this, the Celica handles like a champ.

Looks: again, I agree, the celica looks by far better than the RSX. I sometimes confuse the RSX with a Neon(rear) or a Civic(front), it is surely not a head turner or a ***** magent, here the Celica takes it, no doubt.

Value: I dont know I bought my celica used and I think my friend paid 24-25k for his, cant say.

Overall Opinion: One is more of a luxury car, the other is more of a sportier car. Its a tossup, whatever floats ur boat. IMHO, the RSX-S only beats the GT-S with the engine, quieter, smoother and a bit more responsive, If you want a tuner, get the RSX, you know the aftermarket never fails with the oversaturated Honda/Acura market, with the Celica you will have limited aftermarket support. All in all, no car is better than the other, both are great and very comparable cars. Props to bothe Honda and Toyota.

[scapamouche]

One advantage of the smooth power in the RSX: when autoxing, the sudden jump in the Celi at cam shift is very abrupt and unsettling. The car can get all out of shape if you're not careful. The smooth, linear Honda method is better here.

I'll still take my GT-S over am RSX, though. The only car out there I'd consider switching to is a WRX (or STi when they come out :D )

[WillyK]

Originally posted by Kry
Suspension: RSX - but not by much, it's tighter handling, with a degree more response.

Maybe the suspension on your Celica is all screwed up, even some RSX owners agree that the Celica can outhandle an RSX easily.

[Kry]

Originally posted by WillyK


Maybe the suspension on your Celica is all screwed up, even some RSX owners agree that the Celica can outhandle an RSX easily.

Originally posted by Kry
chill guys, read the subject of my thread, i didn't wrote the review someone did. i just had it on file.

[GReddy Celica]

My bad Kry, I know what you meant Im sorry I didnt specify.

[mac340]

I read a head to head comparison in one of the car magazines and even though the RSX was a shade quicker in a straight line the Celica turned better lap times at Willow Springs cause it handled better. They did think think the RSX was more refined though but who wants refined? not me:)

[yakkosmurf]

The RSX-S is a nice car. The shifter and clutch are much better than the Celica. The handling just isn't up to par. Also, the car was not as quick in a straightline as I'd hoped. It's on par with the 2000-01 GTS in a drag race, but the handling of the RSX-S isn't nearly as good. The RSX-S does have a nicer ride and is more comfy than the GTS, but it doesn't perform as well. I was hoping for a lot from the RSX, but I was not impressed. I'd get a GTS instead...I can't believe I just said that.

[pensfan83]

Originally posted by yakkosmurf
I'd get a GTS instead

http://www.plauder-smilies.de/eek5.gifhttp://www.plauder-smilies.de/eek6.gifhttp://www.plauder-smilies.de/eek7.gifhttp://www.plauder-smilies.de/eek2.gif

:D

[The Wok]

STOP THE BOARD YAKKO JUST FAVORED THE GT-S OVER THE RSX-S!

:D :rofl:

[XracerGTS]

well i didnt drive it but my dad did (Im not old enough 13) but as he had his car washed (TL-S) we took an RSX-S for a spin
i cant make any comparisons between the rsx and celica because i haven't been in a celica (sadly) but the car is nice
vary smooth shifting nice handling but the tires are too damn small... that would be the first modification. on a road that we found we did a 0-100 and first dupmed the clutch ar 3k and got SEVER wheel hop then a no rev and still got wheel hop
but besides the tires and it not loking as good as the celica the rsx-s is not a bad car at all

[yakkosmurf]

Originally posted by The Wok
STOP THE BOARD YAKKO JUST FAVORED THE GT-S OVER THE RSX-S!

:D :rofl:
I drove both cars, and from a performance aspect, that was my opinion. I do think the RSX-S would make a good daily driver. I got addicted to that silky smooth shifter. Both cars are ugly though, and neither will ever grace my garage. :D

[New_Name]

ahh....i drove the Type S.....its nice as far as performance.....really smoothe.....couldnt really tell where the different gears or lift kicked in cuz it was so smoothe.....but the tach is was too far too watch....it was like at 2-3 o'clock....maybe because im used to seeing redline at 1 o'clock and Lift @ about 10-11 o'clock....that is so much sweeter than watching the tach spin around....

plus the interior was no where near as sporty as the Celi....the only thing i liked about the interior features was that all the lights light up amber at....unlike the celi where it has two offsetting colors....othere than that, i like our car way better.....plus we have auto nnight lights...i love that....oh, and auto moonroof.....dont get me wrong because the Type S performs exceptionally well....

[t2000gts]

Originally posted by yakkosmurf
The RSX-S is a nice car. The shifter and clutch are much better than the Celica. The handling just isn't up to par. Also, the car was not as quick in a straightline as I'd hoped. It's on par with the 2000-01 GTS in a drag race, but the handling of the RSX-S isn't nearly as good. The RSX-S does have a nicer ride and is more comfy than the GTS, but it doesn't perform as well. I was hoping for a lot from the RSX, but I was not impressed. I'd get a GTS instead...I can't believe I just said that.

i know you don't care for the RSX that much but still...the RSX is still the Integra over in japan. I'M SAVING THAT QUOTE. :thumbup:

[TypeSzH]

Originally posted by XracerGTS
but the tires are too damn small... that would be the first modification. on a road that we found we did a 0-100 and first dupmed the clutch ar 3k and got SEVER wheel hop then a no rev and still got wheel hop
but besides the tires and it not loking as good as the celica the rsx-s is not a bad car at all


The Michelin ALL seasons on the S suck crap. At 3k severe tire spin? I doubt it unless it was raining. I think 3k will not giv much tire spin. I launch at 4k-4.5k and the tire spin is not SEVERE.

The Rear suspension on the RSX-S is the same as the Civic. A compact suspension saves room but it does nothing for handling. The tail of the RSX is hard to predict atleast for a newb like me. But i've heard some people like how the back slides in a turn. Beats me?

The GTS does look sleeker and more sporty. Too bad the Celica has no aftermarket support. They got something against Toyota maybe

[NSX_GTR_LM]

I actually like the clutch on the celica alot better. I just liek the feel of it. I dont like how many hondas engage high, but thats just my opinion.

[spwolf]

it seems like a decent car, but I wouldnt touch it with a 10 foot stick, it looks soooo damn ugly... it is if they wanted to make it look bad/cheap...

look at Celica... it has been out for a while and still doesnt look old, even though every smart ass 4 yrs ago predicted it will age badly

[yakkosmurf]

Originally posted by t2000gts


i know you don't care for the RSX that much but still...the RSX is still the Integra over in japan. I'M SAVING THAT QUOTE. :thumbup:
Whatever. I'm a much bigger fan of Toyota than of Honda. The new Celica was a disappointment to me. As was the new MR2 Spyder. The only two Hondas I'll ever own are the ITR and NSX.

[Brett]

You are hard to please Yakko. I could never see you in a truck or a luxury car.

[afghan]

Okay boys and girls.

I drove a Tein equipped RSX with 16 Volks w/Azenis after our autocross 2weeks ago. We swapped cars for a while and headed toward a industrial park.

The RSX has a silky smooth motor that just keeps on reving(seems like it doesn't end). He has a shift kit already and it shifts real nice. The suspension is very composed, it doesn't get upset with bumps in corners.
Interior is real nice. The car is more sophisticated for sure.

The RSX is much heavier in feel and weight. It still is very fast with better torque. It does not have good road feel. It feels real big compared to the celica.

He already changed the pads out and they sucked big time compared to my car and I have drums on the back.

The RSX seemed to understeer bad due to probably the suspension should be adjusted or set up better. I would have thought the Teins would make the suspension pretty stiff but this was not the case.

All in all, It is a very sweet sophisticated sports car with a awesome smooth motor! I would buy one.

I would Not trade it for a Celica GT or GTS. The celica fits like a glove, has better road feel, handles alot better (remember I didn't even drive a stock RSX typeS). The celica is more fun to drive too and (my opinion) looks better.

Oh, by the way, I can drive. My 2 cents.

[yakkosmurf]

Originally posted by Brett
You are hard to please Yakko. I could never see you in a truck or a luxury car.
I could never live with owning one. My wife owns a 95 Mercury Mystique. It's not that bad to drive. It has the 2.5L V6 engine and a 5-speed transmission. The car will move when you need it to. Then the corners come, and I'm reminded that it's not my car. By the same token, my wife loves sliding my car around corners when she can. I like trying to keep up with her in the Mystique when she's having fun in the MR2 or Type R.

(You should see the looks a 6' blonde gets in a Type R.) :chuckles: