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

[NISSANSPDR]

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

[DinanM3_S2]

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.

[NISSANSPDR]

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.

[iPoddity]

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

[TatII]

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.

[NISSANSPDR]

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

[del]

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.

[FlippiN.af]

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.

[NISSANSPDR]

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

[NISSANSPDR]

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

[NISSANSPDR]

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.

[NISSANSPDR]

The '05 and above Spec V

But I think I like the '04 look better

[iPoddity]

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

[DinanM3_S2]

Originally Posted by NISSANSPDR

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.

[FlippiN.af]

Originally Posted by NISSANSPDR

But I think I like the '04 look better

Gots to agree wit dat! lol.

In all seriousness, the 04 does look better.