RSX, Cooper S, Spec V, GTI Mark V COMPARO

Okay I am interested in a few cars and wanted to know your opinions.

Acura RSX Type S
PRO: Good all around car, nice interior, reliable
CON: Sort of common, attracts theft?

Mini Cooper S (JCP)
PRO: Fast, light, nimble
CON: Heard of some reliability issues, most expensive of group, looks cute?

Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V
PRO: LSD, torque, space for 4, handles pretty good
CON: Not as much HP as others, cheap in price = cheap all around?

VW Golf GTI Mark V (2 door)
PRO: Looks good, more rigidity than previous model
CON: Dont know about turbo engines, VW quality/reliability issues linger?

Give me some input on each model and your pro's and con's

Good comparison, I really like three of these cars so this will be close for me.

(tied) 1st: Acura RSX-S

I love the RSX-S. I've said this before, its the M3 of cheaper cars. Great manual transmission, great interior, good handling, high revving engine (style I really like), reliability, and generally good looks make this car one of the most attractive vehicles you can buy under $30,000. The problems with it are few. There is very little torque. 140lb-ft is nothing, even the Mini beats it here. The other problem I have is tunability. While I love the low displacement/high revving/high compression engines, they suck to modify. It is probably the most complete car in this group, but those two flaws keep it stuck in a tie for me.

(tied) 1st: VW GTI 2.0t.

The GTI has always been an interesting car. The MkV doesn't have alot in common with its earlier predecessors, but it still has alot of that same charm. It starts out alot cheaper then the RSX-S and with the luxury package, its almost as nice. It also comes with a few things that the RSX doesn't. Xenon headlights are stock on the GTI, while only the Mini has them as a $1,000 option. The optional DSG transmission is possibly the best transmission available on a road car, and once launch control becomes available next year, it makes the car capable of 0-60 in just over 6 seconds. The 2.0t is the best engine in this group in terms of power by far. It just about ties the RSX-S in horsepower, and beats everything in terms of torque (207lb-ft). Possibly the best thing about the GTI is how tunable it is. The VW tuning companies have had a field day with the 2.0t, so for about $500, you could chip the engine and be looking at around 250hp and 260ish lb-ft. The only problems with the GTI is that it doesn't handle as well as the European version because they had to raise the ride height, its too heavy, and if its like the MkIV, it won't be nearly as reliable as the Acura. O, and I love the commercials, pure genious.

3rd: Mini Cooper S

I wanted to have this tie with the GTI and the RSX, but there was just too much keeping it down. This is yet another car that I really really like, but I think you pay too much for what you get. I does handle great and it does look really good. Its funky and stands out more then the GTI and the RSX. The S/C 1.6l is powerful enough to have some fun without getting yourself into too much trouble. I think the interior is too wierd, and a little too Dr. Seuss for my likings. I prefer the refined look of the GTI and RSX. When you start optioning the Mini S out, you end up with a car that costs more then the GTI or the RSX-S. If there were more standard or cost-free options, I might be more inclined to like the car more, but as is, it is too expensive for what you get.

Last: Nissan Sentra Spec-V

Starting out, this is a horrendously boring looking car when sitting next to the Mini, RSX, or GTI. Even fully optioned out, the Sentra costs less then the base prices of the others, but there is a reason for this. The interior is ugly and cheap, kinda like the exterior. It weighs as much as the RSX, but it doesn't have the power. Get it if you want a 4-door, but its pretty close in quality to the significantly quicker Dodge SRT4. This is the only car out of these four I really don't like.

Yea I find that the Acura RSX-S and the VW Golf GTI Mk V are the front runners for a future car for myself in maybe 1-2 years.

I love the RSX-S balance and how it does everything well and in some cases superb. The new headlights on the RSX are very nice as a friend has the base model which he bought at the end of last year (05). The interior is quite nice also which makes it a very pleasant car all around. The only things I am worried about are having to deal the Acura dealership and will this be a magnet for theft? I know alot of people want this motor in their Civic or CRX. The lack of torque is also a downer but what can you do.

The GTI Mark V is still a mystery mainly to me...great motor though but I am worried about it's reliability. The 6 spd is nice and it looks amazing in white and black. (Dont know which I like better). It will have better interior room than the RSX-S and I like the plaid throw back cloth...I dont need leather. I hope things just dont break on it like I had a friends Jetta window motor break after one month. ONE MONTH!?! Come on. I am slowly being drawn to the German side...I also liked the special edition Jetta GLI w/the BBS wheels. I thought that was a smart looking car. But, I am not turbo savvy so I am just worried about getting a turbo car.

i'd put the GTI in first...its balls fast for a tiny hatch back..looks good...the wheel and the shifter have beautiful feel too and are right where you need them to be. and i dig the plaid seat material!

the RSX would have to be second even though im not a Honda fan. its reliable, bullet proof as far as reliablity, and rather nice. honestly, i think its slow though it handles like a dream, and there starting to be dime a dozen..especially with chicks

the SE-R Spec V would be tied for second. i believe its faster then the RSX, and has more low end grunt. they both come in 6 speeds, there both highly supported by the aftermarket, but a Spec V in NISMO tune is pretty uncommon, if you can find and afford one id say GRAB IT! the 4 doors on the dam thing make it pretty practical too

only down side with the Mini is the price and the size. if you have any friends who are 6 foot dont expect to be fitting them in the back. its not too fast but it handles like a go cart so i hear. and the dash is awesomely over styled with the dash mounted speedo and the toggle switches

get the GTI or the Sentra is what i say

the GTi is horrible to me. why does hell does a small hatchback weight 3200 lbs? that is totally unacceptable. it doesn't even have AWD, i fear for how heavy the R32 is gonna weight when it comes out in the states.

If that's what it weighes that is REALLY bad. 3200 lbs in a 2 door hatch is pathetic. That makes it by far the heaviest and w/0-60 only at 7.1 seconds...eh. That's sad for 200hp, but now I know why.

The RSX-S is looking better and better

between the golf and the rsx-s for me. i'd take the golf but for the price, the rsx-s makes more sense. at this level, it's just a well-oiled machine really and you can't go wrong. not a really big fan of the cooper though i have nothing legitimately against it, same with the spec v. but i'd rank them as rsx-s, golf, cooper then the spec v.

The only two I would consider are the RSX-S & the GTI. Where I live there are alot of RSX around me, I loved it when there was barely any but now its ok. From what I hear, the RSX is a good handling car, nice interior but dosen't have much of an aftermarket.
The GTI I have not seen anyone driving yet, so I would more than likely lean towards this. The only problem for me w/ this car is the weight, its just too much. I like the amount of power it has and its looks. The aftermarket is much better for this car and if you want to have lots of power from mods, then this is your car.

http://www.vwvortex.com/gallery/albums/Volkswagen/Golf%20-%20GTI%20-%20Rabbit/Golf%20V/GTI%20-%20EU/079.jpg

http://www.vwvortex.com/gallery/albums/Volkswagen/Golf%20-%20GTI%20-%20Rabbit/Golf%20V/GTI%20-%20EU/076.jpg

GTI Mk V...looks great in white and in black IMHO

https://webdisk.ucalgary.ca/~suncj/public_html/IMG_0188.JPG

http://www.oaklandacura.com/images/2005line/5RS_PF4C1.jpg

RSX-S...I really like it in white personally

http://www.car.ee/galleryPic.php/24343.jpg

http://www.car.ee/galleryPic.php/24344.jpg

Mini Cooper JCP...the wing and the decals are a bit much for me, but the wheels are nice...never thought I'd like 4 spokes.

http://www.rsportscars.com/foto/09/sentraser03_01.jpg

The '05 and above Spec V

But I think I like the '04 look better

http://nismonx2000.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/sentraseryellow.jpg

i just have a natural aversion to the RSX =/
the GTI though....wow...beautiful...gimme...right now

If that's what it weighes that is REALLY bad. 3200 lbs in a 2 door hatch is pathetic. That makes it by far the heaviest and w/0-60 only at 7.1 seconds...eh. That's sad for 200hp, but now I know why.

The RSX-S is looking better and better

7.1 is a severe under-estimation of its 0-60 times. C&D got 6.0 flat using DSG and launch control in a European spec model. It is too heavy though, I really wish they would offer a stripped out version that weighs at most 2,900lbs or so.

But I think I like the '04 look better

http://nismonx2000.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/sentraseryellow.jpg
Gots to agree wit dat! lol.

In all seriousness, the 04 does look better.

not a big fan of any of them but they are all pretty good except the sentra. so for me
1. rsx- pretty quick, looks decent, very refined
2. golf- quick, looks ok for a hatch, 3200 is a little fat though.
3. cooper- overpriced, girly, but an excellent performer
4. sentra- ugly, not very fast, nothing sporty about it.

GTI Mk V...looks great in black IMHO

http://www.auto.cz/base/2005-13/titul_vw_golf_gti_4249110813210.jpg

Reason being...the grill that is always black blends in w/the black body color which helps the overall flow of the car. The red accent around the grill is a nice touch on the black car.

1.GTI
2.RSX
3.Mini
4.Spec V.

I love the looks of GTI...and its commercials are brilliant. Someone already mentioned that VW and German tuners already have chips on set that boost HP in excess of 25%. Now you can add CAI,exhaust and you got yourself a very very fast car.

RSX is a reliable, great looking coupe. But it is way too common.

Mini is great looking but...its bloody small.

And Nissan sentra does not have a great reliability record (souce is carsurvey.org).

I like the sentra, Golfs are small, Minis are small, RSX is small.

I like the sentra, Golfs are small, Minis are small, RSX is small.

What do you mean small? The GTI and the RSX are both wider, and have more storage. The GTI has almost as much front headroom, more rear head room, more front and rear shoulder room, and more rear leg room. The RSX has more room in the front in every dimension. The exterior of the Sentra is a bit longer, but its interior isn't bigger at all. All of these stats are according to Nissan's own website. Run a comparison of the three cars and you will see for yourself.

Your love of Nissan has failed you.

Rsx is a honda, GTI is a nazi car, Mini Coopers are sweet.

lol i want a Nissan Sentra SE-R when im 16 =)

Rsx is a honda, GTI is a nazi car, Mini Coopers are sweet.

lol i want a Nissan Sentra SE-R when im 16 =)

If the GTI is a Nazi car, then wouldn't the Sentra be a WWII Imperial Japanese car?

And whats wrong with the RSX being a Honda? I want actual reasons, not "Hondas are dumb"

back to the point
I'm looking at a RSX and a GTI also,
Yea, the rsx is a Honda, which is a good thing. this means you can beat the s**t out of it and it wont break, and the car will last you 300+k. if you are in to moding it, the k20 responds well to boltons, and being a Honda parts are cheap/readily available.

the GTi has gotten great review from lots of sources, and has made car of the year by a few shows in europe. it's a vw so im assuming it has the same reliability as any vw/audi, (hopefully a bit better than my 93 corrado). the real seller in it is they are already making mad power with the 2.0T, stage I kits(chip) are reporting 253hp 303tq at the crank!

if you want to talk #'s they run close top the same 1/4 and 0-60,
i would go test drive them both(all) and pick what ever suits you.

back to the point
I'm looking at a RSX and a GTI also,
Yea, the rsx is a Honda, which is a good thing. this means you can beat the s**t out of it and it wont break, and the car will last you 300+k. if you are in to moding it, the k20 responds well to boltons, and being a Honda parts are cheap/readily available.

the GTi has gotten great review from lots of sources, and has made car of the year by a few shows in europe. it's a vw so im assuming it has the same reliability as any vw/audi, (hopefully a bit better than my 93 corrado). the real seller in it is they are already making mad power with the 2.0T, stage I kits(chip) are reporting 253hp 303tq at the crank!

if you want to talk #'s they run close top the same 1/4 and 0-60,
i would go test drive them both(all) and pick what ever suits you.


actually the k20 is pretty unresponsive(as is any high compression small engine)while they are pretty reliable, i wouldnt compare them to the hondas of the 90s. now that is reliability.

I'm not a huge fan of European cars, so it'd probably be between the RSX and the Sentra for me. However, the RSX-S has poor low-end torque and poor engine tunability (don't try to argue with me on this one, a naturally-aspirated engine with a compression ratio of higher than 10:1 is NOT very tunable), so that's out. And the Spec V, I've heard, has some torque steer issues, a somewhat weak motor (i.e. it breaks easily under hard usage), a sloppy shifter, next to no backseat room, and iffy overall reliability; all-in-all, a good car for its day, but lacking the refinement to compete with the other three in this comparison. The Cooper S is just a little too goofy-looking for my tastes, and on top of that, I agree with others in this thread who've said that you pay too much for what you get.

Which brings me to the GTI Mark V. Aside from possible reliability issues carrying over from the previous generation GTI, I can't think of one thing wrong with this car. Volkswagen's 2.0-liter turbo-four is a truly phenomenal engine, achieving 100-hp per liter and still maintaing solid fuel economy and a strong, strong low-end. It looks great, the shifter is ultra-precise, the steering wheel and seats are perfect for fast driving, and the suspension is finely tuned. I suppose the only knock on this car is that for just a few thousand more, you could get a more prestigious Audi A4. But hey, I'm 19, I'd rather have a Volkswagen than an Audi anyways.

Is it just me or does it seem like the Sentra not belong in this group? I mean the 3 cars before looked like your naming 2-door sport coupes and hatches...and not 4-door sport sedans.


Anyways, here are some quick points

RSX-S
Pro- Best looking car in the whole bunch
Con- Lack of torque

MKV GTi
Pro- Forced Induction
Con- The only thing this car has going for it is the DSG transmission

CooperS
Pro- Superior handling
Con- Size

Reason I threw the Spec V in their is b/c it is in the same category of sport compact car...and these were cars I was considering. It seems like the RSX and GTi lead out

can't stand the new GTi,

also i just looked at the most recent comparo, i made a mistake about the GTi weighting 3200 lbs. its actually 3300lbs!!! why is it so damn fat? its ugly too.

the GTi mark IV looks like a roller skate, and the mark V looks like a nike sneaker. don't like VW's crappy wrap sheet of lousy reliablity. so pretty much to me the car is junk. has nothing going for it. a 200hp engine is not a big deal by todays standards either so its not very fast. 253 crank hp is nothing also esp if your boosted and modded. SRT-4's and cobalt SS's makes that stock ( dont look at manufacturer's rating but look at actual hp measured at the wheels )

so out of htis group, i would pick the RSX type S becasue its the best looking one, has the best top end, handles the sharpest.

then i would pick the SE-R becasue its dirt cheap has a LSD and it won't break like a VW since theres nothing to break.

then the mini since they're neat little cars,

then a far distant 4th is that over weight 3300lb pig.

can't stand the new GTi,

also i just looked at the most recent comparo, i made a mistake about the GTi weighting 3200 lbs. its actually 3300lbs!!! why is it so damn fat? its ugly too.

the GTi mark IV looks like a roller skate, and the mark V looks like a nike sneaker. don't like VW's crappy wrap sheet of lousy reliablity. so pretty much to me the car is junk. has nothing going for it. a 200hp engine is not a big deal by todays standards either so its not very fast. 253 crank hp is nothing also esp if your boosted and modded. SRT-4's and cobalt SS's makes that stock ( dont look at manufacturer's rating but look at actual hp measured at the wheels )

so out of htis group, i would pick the RSX type S becasue its the best looking one, has the best top end, handles the sharpest.

then i would pick the SE-R becasue its dirt cheap has a LSD and it won't break like a VW since theres nothing to break.

then the mini since they're neat little cars,

then a far distant 4th is that over weight 3300lb pig.

First of all, according to C&D it weighs 3,220lbs, I'm guessing the weight difference is due to different options. Second of all, I think you are completely missing the point of the GTI. No, it isn't as fast as a SRT4 or a Cobalt SS, but those are miserable cars to drive. The interiors of those cars are absolute garbage and its alot easier to make a car go faster then it is to make it easier to live with. The VW manual transmission is pretty good, and the DSG is a force to behold. It comes with more stock features then the RSX-S, and it has more available options such as navigation and DSG. The GTI and the RSX-S are probably the most luxurious hatches sold in the US, but the GTI has the potential to be alot faster then the RSX-S, plus the GTI has a usable back seat, which the RSX doesn't. Most important over all, (at least to me) the GTI is supposed to be a really fun car to drive. There is a refinement to the GTI that you won't find anywhere other then the RSX.

So if you want a luxury hatch but want to modify it too, the GTI is the best option.

I saw two GTI mark V at the dealer yesterday. They are gorgeous when you look at them closely. Cars look extremely muscular and it seems as if they are wide body. Red brake calipers add to the sporty feel too. Interior is just fantastic.

ooo...toughy.

i am also partial with both of these (GTI & RSX). my best friend owns an 06 RSX Type S and has already started modding it but like others have already stated. it doesnt take well to mods though the K20 is still a very impressive motor. together, we are now trying to piece together a solid turbocharger set-up to save on money from most aftermarket kits available. handling is superb for a FWD car. probably one of the best FWD cars i have driven, ever but that isnt saying all that much beings i dont go around test driving FWD cars on a regular basis. this car is fun and a perfect mix of all-around performance and daily driveability.

the GTI, i find very unattractive though the VW has a sense of refinement. solid proven drivetrain adds to the pros. i can see this car being very fun to drive and even more enjoyable once you start to modifying. i see this car becoming very addictive.

so...my thoughts are. if you are partial between both, think to yourself. will you get bored with 200hp and a lacking torque engine and find yourself wanting to modify? if you think you might want to modify the car, go with the VW. very easy, beneficial, and effective to modify the stock FI motor. if you have no intentions of ever spending any money modifying this car, i would go with the Type S.

Okay, I thought about this...the RSX-S and GTi are both competent cars. I like the looks on both. I cant abide the 3200 curb weight though. I am in an overweight car right now and dont want a pudgy hatchback. Sure it has more options than the RSX-S, but I dont even want those options...DSG, umm never. I like to row my own. Navigation, umm, anyone say mapquest.com? I mean, do your homework b4 you leave the house and you'll never need a 1000-2000 navigation system. Waste of money.

I wouldnt mind having the RSX-S and knowing that modifying it wont get me that much faster. I would probably do some rims, some suspension, maybe the normal bolt ons and that's it. I am not shooting for 300hp. I would just want to make it a fun daily driver.

The GTi I feel hasnt proven itself in reliability or quality control issues yet and I have to see more to be sure they arent falling apart like other VW's in the past. I am also wary about turbo motors. I know Autoweek was praising this past week about the A3 2.0T they got. But, I would never spend 30k on a overpriced rebadged VW...sure it has nicer interior but the VW Golf doesnt have a bad interior to begin w/

My last piece of advice is to drive both. You cannot tell exactly how good a car is until you test drive them both. Numbers and statistics cannot tell you everything. Look at the BMW 3-series for example- its not as powerful as the Infiniti G35, and its more expensive too, but you see alot more 3-series BMWs out there then G35s because the BMW does so much more then the G35 that you cannot quantify in numbers. Good luck with your purchase, if you do choose the RSX-S, then you've probably made a great decision, but don't discount the GTI until you've driven it.

Look at the BMW 3-series for example- its not as powerful as the Infiniti G35, and its more expensive too, but you see alot more 3-series BMWs out there then G35s because the BMW does so much more then the G35 that you cannot quantify in numbers.

its amazing how much women have control of what a man buys for his ride. BMW is a name, people buy it without knowing all the facts. i am not saying that it isnt a better, more solid car. i am not saying this is how it is with everyone. but i feel that buying your Audi, Mercedes, or BMW gives the owner a sense of that he has made it and the fact that every man knows women love to be seen in a BMW. :)

its amazing how much women have control of what a man buys for his ride. BMW is a name, people buy it without knowing all the facts. i am not saying that it isnt a better, more solid car. i am not saying this is how it is with everyone. but i feel that buying your Audi, Mercedes, or BMW gives the owner a sense of that he has made it and the fact that every man knows women love to be seen in a BMW.

Well, there's definitely a stigma attached to European luxury brands - like you said, it gives the owner a sense that he has "made it" in the world, that by being able to drive a luxurious European car, he is a few notches above the rest of us crude, unrefined, average joes.

Which is, of course, complete horse shit, and a clever marketing tool used by BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi to convince people to buy their overpriced cars, instead of equally good (if not better) Japanese alternatives. The sad thing is, the Japanese themselves buy into it probably more than any other country in the world. Oh well, just goes to show that you can't trust anyone.

I have a similar dilemma... I'm going on the market for a MkIV 1.8T or an RSX-S. Both are 2003 models or thereabouts... any thoughts on that?

can't stand the new GTi,

also i just looked at the most recent comparo, i made a mistake about the GTi weighting 3200 lbs. its actually 3300lbs!!! why is it so damn fat? its ugly too.

the GTi mark IV looks like a roller skate, and the mark V looks like a nike sneaker. don't like VW's crappy wrap sheet of lousy reliablity. so pretty much to me the car is junk. has nothing going for it. a 200hp engine is not a big deal by todays standards either so its not very fast. 253 crank hp is nothing also esp if your boosted and modded. SRT-4's and cobalt SS's makes that stock ( dont look at manufacturer's rating but look at actual hp measured at the wheels )

so out of htis group, i would pick the RSX type S becasue its the best looking one, has the best top end, handles the sharpest.

then i would pick the SE-R becasue its dirt cheap has a LSD and it won't break like a VW since theres nothing to break.

then the mini since they're neat little cars,

then a far distant 4th is that over weight 3300lb pig.


I'm sorry, but I'm going to call everything you've said bollocks. Perhaps you should drive a GTi :) The car really does not feel it's weight at all, it handles with precision that Nissan (and even Honda) could only dream of and the engine is probably one of the most responsive small boosted engines I have driven, it certainly feels more sure-footed than even a 975 Kg Renaultsport Clio and that's saying something, because I really do love Clio's. I've seen GTi's happily disposing of 350Z's and Crossfires at exhibition days, it's even run GTA Alfa's very closely.

I'll leave looks out, because they are personal opinion, but I will disagree with you respectfully, I think that most Japanese/American Sport compacts look like clown cars after all (With a few exceptions) :)

You can have all the comfort, refinement and quality missing from the others (Except I suppose the Cooper, but even that has shady refinement especially on run-flats).


Of course I am basing that on my experience with a Grey-Import DC5 Integra Type R (Much rawer car than the Type S, I suppose the Type S would be much more refined), because if the RSX has the refinement of the Golf, then it's pretty much a dead heat, with the Golf winning for its' superior tunability.

I suppose you guys in the States get your GTi's from the shonky Mexican plant as well, so my quality/reliability argument is null (My experience with VW's is restricted to those built in Germany or South Africa, both very good plants, so I have a good perception of thier quality)

The Cooper S is nice but I probably wouldn't buy one, I don't really like the retro fad.

Yes, our VWs are built in Mexico, which really does not bode well for their reliability. That said, they don't usually have too many issues, mostly just electrical (not uncommon for any German car).

I have a friend who owns an Acura TSX and an Audi A3. The TSX has a Neuspeed fully built suspension and exhaust (his car was used to develop their prototype, he's a friend of the founder of Neuspeed). The Audi has the Neuspeed chip (again, Neuspeed's prototype) and 18 in. rims.

I've ridden in (and driven) his TSX - the handling is amazing. Flat and solid no matter how hard you push it or how hard you crank the wheel. Never out of balance and the FWD understeer is non-existant. Power is about what you'd expect from a Honda/Acura DOHC/iVTEC - no torque but pulls pretty nicely in the upper RPM's.

When Neuspeed did the chip on the A3 they dynoed at 250whp and over 300tq. I haven't driven it yet but my friend says the A3 will run rings around the TSX in both handling and acceleration (and he loves that Acura). He also owns a '04 Porsche Carrera - he says the Audi is pretty close to the Carrera in acceleration. He likes driving the A3 more than the Porsche (the Porsche is a better performer, but the Audi is more of a better ride for city driving).

I am a loyal Honda owner - I love my Prelude but after talking to him and seeing both of his cars I know my next new car will be either the Audi A3 or the VW GTI (instead of S2000 like I had planned).

Trust me you will get tired of low torque - it sucks having to downshift two gears just to get to your powerband which is 2-3k RPM over everyone else's.