[paulkramer]

Well, if you can afford an '05 (not sure a used one will fit the budget you defined), Acura made significant improvements to body structure, brakes and steering. They changed the styling a little too which some (including me) find to be less distinctive than the '02 - '04 models. HP is up a little for '05 too, and I believe the seats were improved as well. Also a few more standard features, not sure what exactly.

Help me out if I'm wrong guys, but I'm pretty sure '05 is the first year that any significant changes were made.

Problems? You mean you haven't heard about the 2nd gear grind?! This is a notorious issue with the RSX, endemic to both the 6 and 5 speeds, though much more heard about (and addressed with technical service bulletin) relating to the 6. BTW, I just swapped out my Honda trans fluid for Pennzoil Synchromesh and the grind is gone. It's still a little louder shifting into 2nd than into other gears but not quite a grind and a huge improvement over the Honda fluid. Most of the notchiness is gone too.

In fairness, I have heard that the RSX tranny is superior to many other small FWD manual transmissions. So go ahead, find the newest one you can with the lowest mileage and best condition for the money you can afford. I paid $15K for a base 5 speed with leather, '02, 35K miles, minor front fender repair that wasn't quite up to Acura fit standards but hardly unbearable in the metropolitan Detroit area this past January. If the tranny grinds, you can always try the TSB at the dealer or you can spend $20 and swap out your fluid.