Acura RSX Type S vs. The Now and Future

[3000ways]

Is Honda falling behind in Sport Compact performance race? The new Civic Si is a nice looking car, but is it quick enough to compete? The RSX Type S and the Integra Type R before it, have always been on the leader board for this market niche, but now the RSX Type S is really falling behind it's competitors as far as performance and in some case style. With cars like the 205HP Cobalt SS, the 263HP Eclipse GT, the 200HP Audi A3, and future cars like the 274HP Mazdaspeed 3 and the 300HP Dodge Caliber SRT-4 will the RSX Type S be able to compete? I think it's time for RSX Type R.

[BlackGT2000]

Unless Honda starts going FI they won't compete for straight line performance. Cars these days carry too much weight for a NA motor with 120pounds of torque to move very quickly. I do commend Honda for keeping it NA because I think it keeps the focus on other aspects of the car than just the power. FWD Compact cars are already fighting an uphill battle for speed as it is and you really can only throw so much power at it. I think I would rather the Civic than the SRT-4 just because its nicer and more practical. If I want power I get something bigger with a bigger motor and RWD.

[blakscorpion21]

Originally Posted by 3000ways

Is Honda falling behind in Sport Compact performance race? The new Civic Si is a nice looking car, but is it quick enough to compete? The RSX Type S and the Integra Type R before it, have always been on the leader board for this market niche, but now the RSX Type S is really falling behind it's competitors as far as performance and in some case style. With cars like the 205HP Cobalt SS, the 263HP Eclipse GT, the 200HP Audi A3, and future cars like the 274HP Mazdaspeed 3 and the 300HP Dodge Caliber SRT-4 will the RSX Type S be able to compete? I think it's time for RSX Type R.

the rsx is just as fast as the cobalt and si, the eclipse is an overweight pig so that makes it no faster and worse handling, the mazda will no dought be ugly so no one will buy them anyways and the dodge is a joke. it will prolly be so heavy it will need all 300 to keep up with the rsx not to mention handling like shit. did i mention it is ugly as sin?

[DinanM3_S2]

It is time for a major overhaul on the RSX, but I think you are missing the point of it. It isn't really supposed to be a balls out straight line performance car. While it isn't quite as fast as the Cobalt SS or the SRT4 it is a far better all around car. For a few grand extra, you get so much more then straight line performance. The interior alone is worth it to me, but the smoother engine, great transmission, awesome responsiveness, and superior handling make it a much better car then the SS and SRT4.

Think of the RSX-S like you would the M3/S4/C55 against the Corvette. The Corvette will beat all of those cars in terms of straight line performance, that is a given. What the M3/S4/C55 lack in sheer power, they make up everywhere else. American companies seem more and more concerned with developing engines over every other part of their cars. Horsepower, Torque, and 1/4 mile times arn't the only things that matter. The SS and SRT4 are the Corvettes of the sport compact segment, while the RSX is the M3, not quite as fast, but it does everything else 100% better. The VW GTI also falls into the same category as the RSX in this regard.

I wouldn't go to forced induction if I were Honda. It just doesn't seem to be their thing. I think that alot of people (myself included) really like the high compression/high revving engines that you get with cars like the RSX. They arn't great for tuning, but I think they are really alot more fun then cars with massive turbos or superchargers. I applaud Honda, BMW, and Ferrari for really pushing to develop lots of power from N/A engines without increasing displacement by huge amounts like Chevy and Dodge have been doing.

Finally, I think Dodge has really gone mad with power with the new SRT4 that is coming out. 300hp is too much for a FWD car. That thing is going to torque steer like none other.

[drunken monkey]

.....and anyway, it's not like honda doesn't have a "little" 3.2 litre V6 that they could squeeze into a integra/rsx/civic it they ever feel the need for it but then that would be adding weight to the car, the very antithesis of "Type-R".

[NISSANSPDR]

Originally Posted by blakscorpion21

the dodge is a joke. it will prolly be so heavy it will need all 300 to keep up with the rsx not to mention handling like shit. did i mention it is ugly as sin?

It maybe ugly as sin but w/300hp it is doing 0-60 in 5.9 seconds...probably cuz it is a bit hefty but stops well from 60 in 115 ft. So it can go and stop.

[del]

i don't think they fell behind at all. i just think other companies have caught up in the sport compact, aftermarket-wise at least. and a turbo'ed honda from the factory isn't as far-fetched as you think anymore. the upcoming acura rd-x suv will be equipped with a turbo 4 cyilnder. you might see more applications in the subsequent years.

there's a lot of slower cars out there i'd choose over the faster cars in their respective categories. the rsx-s is due for a facelift and could use an increase in power. but for what it is, it has the others beat in more ways than one.

[mason_RsX]

Honda's very slow to change from their master strategies...quick to create and adapt to new technology...but Honda had a company goal of No Turbo or S/C and no V8 all for fuel economy reasons...thats why VTec was created (among other reasons)

That being said were already have topic discussions on whether the RSX will last past 07 now that the Si is available

I think for all out performance the RSX Type S isn't the car your looking for compared to other (SS, WRX, SRT-4) but all around quality and sophistication its top of the class

[VAD0R]

But Honda has made a FI car from the factory or somewhat before that had good performance as well as great fuel economy, the Honda City Turbo I and II. Then again less required safety features which made it weigh a little under 2 tons is what made the 110hp 3 cylinder turbocharged hothatch go fast and handle great. But then there was the more powerful and later 130hp Daihatsu Charade GTTi.

Other good examples of FI engine based cars that perform decently or even great but have goodfuel economy as well are the Daihatsu YRV Turbo, Smart ForFour Brabus and even the Mazdaspeed6. In which the same or possibly detuned version of the MSP6's engine will be in the smaller Mazdaspeed3 which will surely yield a better fuel economy for what power it has.

[SuperHighOutput]

Handling is great except that I would never use it. I'm not taking my daily driver to the track and risking me wrecking it, forget about it. I would much rather have a car that can pass anything on the highway, and slow in time to keep me out of trouble.

On a side note some of you are seriously underestimating the handling of the Cobalt SS.

[BlackGT2000]

I don't really think that any of these cars mentioned have any real handling advantages, especially in daily driving as SHO said. If you want cheap speed than the RSX-S isn't the right choice but it is classier and posesses respectable performance in its class.

[drdisque]

Honda has appeared to have abandoned the "tuner" market. I mean, what do you think they're doing with all their "earth friendly" commercials, certainly not appealing to kids who want to go fast. They've realized that their old cars which they don't make any money on are better performance platforms than their new cars so why should they even try to compete. They've put all their performance oriented people onto Acura luxury cars like the TL and RL.

Also, Honda is going to be going turbo in north america next year with a turbocharged crossover vehicle intended to slot between the CRV and Pilot.

[drdisque]

Honda has appeared to have abandoned the "tuner" market. I mean, what do you think they're doing with all their "earth friendly" commercials, certainly not appealing to kids who want to go fast. They've realized that their old cars which they don't make any money on are better performance platforms than their new cars so why should they even try to compete. They've put all their performance oriented people onto Acura luxury cars like the TL and RL.

Also, Honda is going to be going turbo in north america next year with a turbocharged crossover vehicle intended to slot between the CRV and Pilot.

[drdisque]

Honda has appeared to have abandoned the "tuner" market. I mean, what do you think they're doing with all their "earth friendly" commercials, certainly not appealing to kids who want to go fast. They've realized that their old cars which they don't make any money on are better performance platforms than their new cars so why should they even try to compete. They've put all their performance oriented people onto Acura luxury cars like the TL and RL.

Also, Honda is going to be going turbo in north america next year with a turbocharged crossover vehicle intended to slot between the CRV and Pilot.

[BlackGT2000]

You can say that again.....and again......and again haha.