2002 Acura RSX

2002 Acura RSX

In a word, more refined.

Ahh, the Integra.... a cult icon and potentially the most important vehicle during the 1990s. Hundreds of thousands sold over the course of a decade, the Integra spawned a mind-blowing following among young, Southern Californians and eventually, the entire nation. And rightfully so, it was a fun, nice looking hatch that based its appeal in its simplicity.

Well, the Integra is dead.

This year, Honda’s upper-end brand known as Acura introduced an all new animal, the RSX. Its based on a brand new platform (one that is still closely related to the Civic) that has caused more than its fair share of controversy in the enthusiast community. Up front, the RSX features a new “Control-Link” MacPherson strut suspension. This new setup is largely seen as a less-capable, cheaper alternative to the former Integra’s setup. And while the suspension has lost a bit of Integra’s edge (the cost of an overall more refined vehicle), it is still a wonderful performer...albeit a smoother one. The RSX Type-S, the high performance version for those just crawling out from under a rock, comes with firmer dampers and springs, a rear “performance rod,” and a front tower bar.

The chassis itself is much stiffer and, to the delight of driving enthusiasts, it has allowed Honda to firm up the spring rates without any ride quality compromises. And this is where the RSX and Integra differ most. While the ‘teg was a bit on the harsh side, the new RSX is supple and more refined (there’s that word again). But don’t mistake the new baby Acura for a Town Car, the RSX is almost Germanic in its sure-footed nature. But true enthusiasts will probably say that the new car is lacking some of the Integra’s bite.

Then, they spool up the engine.....

Admittedly, Honda engines are not for everyone. They are a bit high-strung in nature, calling on you to rev them harder to squeeze the juice out. But when you do, they usually reward you with that great “VTEC wooosh” of acceleration and downright wonderful sounds. These cars are usually screamers. And the RSX Type-S pretty much follows that principle. Except, the new engine features “iVTEC” for “intelligent valve-control system.” This new design allows for greater torque down low for use in around-town driving. The 200hp (142ft-lbs of torque) 2.0 liter 4-banger in the Type-S propelled the car from 0-60mph in only 6.1 seconds during the latest Car And Driver test. The “base” version of the RSX pumps out 160hp and 141ft-lbs of torque.

The melodic sounds of these new engines are more muted from behind the wheel of the RSX when compared to the old Integra. While you can still hear the powerplant urging you on, it sounds as if the engine is in another room. Again, not entirely a bad thing, its just the product of the RSX’s refinement.

Inside, the car gives you a feeling of refinement (lets count how many times I say that word in this article) versus the old ‘teg. Silver-ish accents help to brighten up an overall well designed interior. And I must say, “Damn those seats look great!” Attention was paid in making the front buckets better scaled for larger American drivers. An unfortunate offshoot of this is a downright tiny center console. It doesn’t even offer a center armrest....a big red check-mark in my book. The RSX also features an automatic climate control system and a Bose stereo with a cool “Richbass” woofer encircled by the weenie-wheel (aka spare tire).

Whenever you read a critic’s review of a vehicles exterior design, one must remember that looks are subjective. So take what I’m about to say next for what its worth. The new RSX looks “cute.” When I look at this car, I don’t say to myself, “Damn, that car looks like it’ll kick some ass!” Rather, it usually goes something like, “Ahh, what a purdy little car. I bet my sister would like it.” Well, maybe not exactly like that, but you get the picture. I’m not saying its an ugly car, far from it. The RSX just doesn’t exactly get my heart racing by looks alone. And because I have to say it at least once a paragraph, the look is more refined versus the last Integra.

If you haven’t gotten the idea yet, let me spell it out for you. The new RSX is more REFINED than the old Integra. Its smoother, more comfortable, yet more powerful. Our young Integra has all grown up. But it developed into a kick-ass front-wheel drive sports coupe, or hatch (or whatever you want to call it) that is very easy to live with for daily life. It has lost a bit of edge that the Integra had during its teenage years, but the car still knows how to have fun when you want to. And, perhaps, that is the most important factor.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/img/rsx/1.jpg
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Article is Copyright (c) Mike Cervantes
Photos are Copyright (c) American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

Hey! There goes my maybe , future baby.

I saw one the other day in Toronto, qutie refined from the integra, it looks sort of round and square while the RSX in more flowing and has less round spots.

This artcle is gets the AF Mascot's Genuine Seal of Approval :smoker2:

Pretty good article...
mike, have you written any other articles? if so where can read them?

god these things are fun to drive...

I'm not a big honda fan but I can respect nice cars. I've driven a ITR and wasn't all that impressed. It took a little too long to get into the meaty part of the powerband. Too bad I never got a chance to drive it on the track.

Anyway, the RSX never really applealed to me, at first. After seeing it while I think I might take a test drive and check it out. Although I think it looks better in pictures.

Was sketchy at first... picked up the Type-s.. now I'm crazy about it... definetly fun to drive!!

I love it. I hope to own one some day. It's my favorite car that I actually might be able to afford. I don't even have my license yet, but hopefully I can convince some family member to take me in one at the nearest Acura dealership.

I love the lights, the shape, the power, and especially the interior. I love the whole car!!! I went to Acura.com and looked at ever page w/ the RSX and even built my own, downloaded wallpapers, etc. etc. Now I have an RSX desktop and an RSX brochure. Nice to stare at all day.

I love this thing!!!

I also searched through the internet and found the best pictures of the RSX anywhere -- period. I'll post them when I get the chance.

oh yeah, just like paganizonda.com, i'm also gonna create a web site on it.

me again :rolleyes:


I saw my first two two days ago. I want one more than ever. Much better in real life. All I saw was the rear. I guess that's the downside of minivans. Not that there is an 'upside.'

It seems to look better everytime i see it........ i guess i'm gettin used to it

Integra has finally grown up.

Overall nice car, although I haven't driven one myself, I'm still kinda hesitant because of the way it looks. Almost like a Civic/Celica combination. And for that price... people... you might want to check out the Mercedes C Couple... just 5 horsepower away from the Type-S and it definitely has some nice luxurious features. Go to their site and see for your self!

I'm still planning to keep my GSR and work it... maybe consider an RSX when the R badge comes over. :flash:

Mercedes C-class? it costs alot more, it has worse performance, it's not even in the same category, why would you even bring that up?

Dude! Check out Mercedes web site first before you say anything.... It's the C Coupe not the C series.... it's priced at around 24K.... it's Mercedes fight back against Compact Cars

http://www.mercedes.com/globpics/photos_cl203/a.gif

http://www.mercedes-benz.co.uk/pc/cou/c/gfx/hp3.jpg

http://www.mercedes-benz.co.uk/pc/cou/c/gfx/hp2.jpg

As you can see, it looks just like the new coupes that are out in the market... as far as luxury... it has way more that the Jap versions... and costs just as much!

The Mercedes US site is down right now so I linked to the uk site... i know this is 195HP.

ohh i thought you were comparin them to a C-class Mercedes.... you didn't spell coupe wrong so i just ignored the word and thought you meant C-class

Originally posted by gang$tarr
ohh i thought you were comparin them to a C-class Mercedes.... you didn't spell coupe wrong so i just ignored the word and thought you meant C-class


:silly2: it was a typo....

C Coupe is nice. But it is not fully loaded like RSX Type S. The fully loaded one runs to about 28K. 24K gets you cloth seats and nothing else. By the way it is 190hp and 200 lbs torque. 2.3L supercharged engine with improved low end and engine noise reduction.

do you guys have the specs on that benz c-coupe?

What do you want to know?

1/4 mile times and 0-60mph

I really like the mercedes because of its luxurious features... specially the supercharged engine... and high torque output... but if i were to race it, i'd just stick with the RSX...

BTW... go to mercedes.com to see more details as far as the features and ammenities included!

- 2.3L Kompressor Engine 2,295cc intercooled supercharged inline-4 kompressor engine
- 192hp and 200lb. - feet of torque @ 2,500 - 4,800 rpm
- 6 speed manual
- Double spoke - 16"
- Compression Ration 9.0:1
- ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Automatic Slip Control
- 0-60 mph in 7.2 seconds Manual / 7.5 seconds Auto
- EPA estimate on street - 22mpg Auto / 19mpg Manual
- Highway estimate 29 mpg Auto . 28 mpg Manual
- LOW EMISSION VEHICLE

Exterior Dimension

Wheelbase 106.9 in / 2,715 mm
Overall length 171.1in / 4,346 mm
Overall height 54.3in / 1,379 mm
Overall width 68.0 in / 1,728 mm
Front Track 58.8 in / 1,493 mm
Rear Track 57.6 in / 1,464 mm
Coefficient of drag 0.29

Curb weight 3,305 lb/1,500 kg manual,
3,340 lb/1,515 kg automatic

Interior Dimensions

Front Headroom 38.5 in / 980 mm
Rear Headroom 36.3 in / 922 mm
Front Legroom 42.0 in / 1,067mm
Rear Legroom 33.0 in / 838 mm
Front Shoulder room 52.8 in / 1,341 mm
Rear Shoulder room 51.7 in / 1,313 mm
Cabin capacity 84.9 cu ft/ 2,488 liters
Cargo capacity 15.8 cu ft/447 liters (rear seats in use)
24.7 cu ft/699 liters (rear seats folded)

Benz said plain C230 Sports Coupe should propel 0-60 in about 7.4 seconds. Becareful though the more option you add to that car the heavier it gets. It could well end up near 3500 lbs range fully loaded. 1/4 mile time should be mid 15's for the plain car.

that'd be cool, i'd consider buying that if there were aftermarket parts for it... but i bet it won't get that much attention from aftermarket part companies... since is more luxury, it's german and well it's a mercedes... you don't expect anybody to really mod a mercedes

Modding europeans car = a lot more money than modding japanese cars. You can buy some Brabus parts for that car. Also the in house turner AMG parts.

yeah i agree... i was lookin at the prices on the dinan web site for bmw mods and an exhaust system is like 2-3 times as much as one for like a prelude or some japanese car

Japanese luxury car is catching up though. Look at what Acura, Infiniti and Lexus have accomplished. The 3 put a big scare into the European car company.

Just picked up the RSX Type S. It is an amazing car. It will rip through first, second and third spinning the tires through each geer. ummmm so much for the break-in period. Good thing it isn't a motorcycle!

Hey Does anyone know if the RSX comes with the same cheesy michellin tires that came with the Integra? I hope they fixed it! Those tires are the worst... they don't deserve to be put on any car, specially a sports car at that...

It comes with the same crappy tire found on previous Integra GSR. Except it is in 16 inch form instead of 15 inch.

That probably explains the chirping in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gear. I really hate those tires. It's so prone to getting into an accident.... specially when it rains... it is so scary! That would be my first upgrade!


Power if useless if you can't get it to the ground....

Yes they car crappy tyres.

P.S. I saw you on the board I moderate.

Thanks for the info on the tires! I guess that would explain alot.

I will be picking up some new ones very soon which will probably include 17" rims as well. Any recommendations?

RL

Originally posted by F20C
Yes they car crappy tyres.

P.S. I saw you on the board I moderate.

Good luck on the new Rims and Tires... i'm sure it'll look badazz... send us some pics!

I will send some pics! Can you sugest some good tires? Good Year, Pirelli, Toyo, etc??

naw, get the Potenza S02's or dunlop SP8000's if you can find those.

btw, ricerocket, when you abbreviate japan, use jpn not jap. f-king asshole. I happen to be japanese.

sayin jap isn't racist? i never say it but when i read somebody say like "oh yeah, i'd prefer a jap car over a euro" it doesn't seem racist at all

Get the Mugen MF10 and SO3.

Thanks for the tire recommendations! I will check and see what I can find out there.

yah, well IT IS to some people, so why don't you mind some respect and start writing jpn instead?

Originally posted by kenchan
naw, get the Potenza S02's or dunlop SP8000's if you can find those.

btw, ricerocket, when you abbreviate japan, use jpn not jap. f-king asshole. I happen to be japanese.

Hey, sorry if you got offended... I didn't know that was offending in anyway... and please don't curse! it's not like i'm not asian.

I feel you my brotha!

peace!
:sun:

ricerocket- yah, it looks like we got some generation gap here. only about 3 years ago did I hear that being called 'oriental' was offensive... I was like wat?! but i started using 'asians' instead because it was apparently offensive to some.

there are many many japanese people out there that feel jap is an extremely offensive name...and being made fun by white and black folks out here in the US when I as little, that name calling is a very sensitive matter.

anyway, back to the RSX!!! :D

I am glad you two worked that out.

I agree, back to the RSX that started this whole thread.

RL

I've had the chance to drive a couple RSX Type S'. All I can say is... it will be my next car! I love this thing!

It is much more fun to drive than the old Integra GS-R. Much more refined and more rewarding.

The car effectively combines style, speed, class and comfort in a little two door sports coupe.

You should drive it!

I want mine black on black, Type S, Titanium interior accents. Thank you!

Originally posted by kenchan


...and being made fun by white and black folks out here in the US when I as little, that name calling is a very sensitive matter.





you were made fun of?!? that sucks... i've never seen anybody talk racist, except some of my black friends callin me white boy :D

dude that seriously sucks though, how old are you?

Does anyone notice the difference between the color of the rims in canada and in the states on the type-S? In all the US car mags the RSX has some very light colored wheels like silver. But i went to a Acura dealership in Canada (where i live) and it had charcoal colored rims on it, and i saw one on the road here with teh same thing.....Can anyone explain this?

maybe there's a rim option

Originally posted by moe182
Does anyone notice the difference between the color of the rims in canada and in the states on the type-S? In all the US car mags the RSX has some very light colored wheels like silver. But i went to a Acura dealership in Canada (where i live) and it had charcoal colored rims on it, and i saw one on the road here with teh same thing.....Can anyone explain this?

Canada has the gunmetal looking rims for Type S model. Premium model uses the same rims as US Type S. Which is the silver shiny one you see.

There is a rim option as well for US RSX. It's a 7 spoke silver wheel I believe.

Yea, those silver wheels are an $1400-1500 (Cdn) option......its a huge waste of money...

That is too much, sell the old ones and buy nice aftermarket ones.

The only bad thing about the RSX is that it isnt as visceral as the Integra, and I want my car to tell me exactly what its doing, not just being able to tell, but to feel it in the steering, hear the tires, feel through the seat what those tires are doing, not being in a cacoon.

i like my RSX..it is sooooooo stock rite now..but i'm droppin it sometime before the end of the year, and prolly get intake/exhaust soon too..but i'm not a racer..and goshhhhh i'm too old for da import scene.. :p :D

:D As tired as i am of most Honda/Acura cars this RSX made me say 'Wow an Acura!' which i haven't said in a while.. Unregretably I did sell my civic and bought a 2002 Lancer..yeah yeah i hear bitchin about it but i like it..i'm out of the import scene myself...or until the parts for the US Lancer comes out..heheheh:devil:

To bad the Lancer sucks, IMO, a Civic would be better. Buy a nice used Camaro!:)

Originally posted by Chris
To bad the Lancer sucks,

that's a little harsh... it doesn't suck, it's just a family car.... it's basically like a civic
maybe it sucks compared to the lancer evo... but they're not even in the same league

:rolleyes: I mean if you like civics which i did...in the past..but i don't like them anymore..i'm done with that ish.. i just thought i needed something different... and my lancer is a family car due to the fact i have a family.. i'm happy with it.. till the skyline comes out..hehehehhe:devil:

Did you get the OZ Rally Racing appearence package?

Whatevers..i'm still new to the Mitsu scene so i'm not trying to act like i know stuff...:D But hey you know how hard it is being a girl with guys trying to act like they know more then you? geez its annoying.. its not like i don't know some stuff..:cool: Oh and the only diff with the OZ rally edition and the ES is the OZ rally rims and there is a OZ rally stamp on the rugs and the back trunk...wooopty doo.....lol i still like my car :silly2:

I just meant its handling and straigt-line performance are rather sub-par, from an enthusiasts point of view. It is one of the quitest cars out there, a very big plus. And everything else works well. It is the perfect car for a great many people, and should help Mitsu tremoundously. I just think the previous gen civics were better driving than many of their rivals.

Actually, Mitsubishi has soem very good cars, people just don't know about them.

And the OZ edition looks kinda neat, to bad it has no new suspension tuning.