2002 Acura RSX-S

[iDriveStick]

Got this after my 1999 Ford Escort Sedan bit the dust.

Now, 2002 Acura RSX-S, 2.0L, 200 BHP, 7900 Redline, Premium White Pearl.

Handling -5- Compared to my previous experience in my old escort, this bad boy is a dream. MacPherson struts in the front and double-wishbone suspension in the rear really help to tighten up the response. The turning radius is tight and precise which I like, as well as the sharp cornering.

Power -4- 2.0L, 200 BHP @ 7400rpm, 142 ft/lbs @ 6000 rpm, i-vtec variable valve timing and lift. I was pretty impressed when I first got this vehicle. The best part is at 5500 rpm the i-vtec kicks in, feeling curiously similar to turbo. I also have been very pleased with the short-throw shifter in the 6-speed Type-S. My only qualm would be the pseudo-lack of torque in the lower rpm's.

Comfort/Ride -4- Basically, it drives like a sports car, with the feel of luxury one. Since the supension is tight, road blemishes are felt to quite some extent. However, this is worth the precision and accuracy of the ride itself. I happen to highly enjoy this car's feel. The 16" alloy rims help to reduce road noise and smooth out the high-speed ride.

Fuel Economy -3.5- This is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, for a sport-compact, this 6-speed semi-sport car averages only 21 city/ 28 hwy. On top of that I happen to like to drive what some might consider fast, at least as far as acceleration is concerned. However, I have recently been taking measures to attempt to improve this habit and strive for more fuel-efficient driving habits. So hopefully, this will be an area that I as the driver will be able to improve.

Style -4.5- I have always liked the look of this car. I am going back and forth about whether or not to get the "wing spoiler" (not to be confused with the ridiculous ricer spoilers that many have come to hate). Also, I have been contemplating purchasing a set of black-housing crystaline projector headlights (European Style) since I think they look awesome, and since an annoying condensation has formed on the inside of my headlight housing. As far as the tri-coat Premium White Pearl, I strongly prefer this to simple plain white. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Practicality -3.5- I have a lot of stuff. Luckily the RSX has been reviewed as having great storage capacity for a vehicle this size, due to the folding back seats and the hatchback design. Downside: I have a lot of taller friends and they always complain about having to sit in the back seats, where their heads hit the inside of the rear windshield. For my owen purposes, it meets and exceeds all needs and functions.

Fun -4.5- I love driving this car, but after having driven a Porsche Boxster S, a fully-loaded Infiniti G35 Coupe, a Porsche Cayenne, and a Subaru Impreza RS, there is a lot to be desired. As for this car itself, though, it is definitely a fun car that gives me a lot of enjoyment and pleasure, and is the source of envy amongst many of my friends.

Feasibility of Sexual Encounters -3- I have had many compliments on this vehicle, many resulting in innuendo. However, the aforementioned back seat poses quite a problem. At least its very fast and can get us to someplace more comfortable in a jiffy.

Overall -4.5- As I said, I love this car and would recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, comfortable, semi-luxurious, semi-sport car. I have set the standards high, I will only go up from here in my journey of car-owning.

**Note** All ratings are on a scale of 1-5, just to make things clear =)

[ihartmacz]

Thank you so much for your review. I enjoyed reading it! Can you please post some pictures?

You might as well call that car the Acura RS-Sex. hah

[fa22raptorf22]

A few things to add since I too have owned this beauty.

1) Turning radius sucks. Majorly. Ever car I have ever driven has a tighter turning radius. This is fine though if you just drift those tight corners. Parking lots are a nightmare for the rsx though.

2) Car is built with the best materials on the interior. There is nothing to be desired except maybe a touch screen navi.
Car does have cheaper paint, so the front gets marred easy by chips and rocks

3) Engine is amazingly fuel efficient except for when you do your WOT runs

4) This FWD rocks in the snow. I have never gotten stuck in snow or ice. It even can plow its way into those unplowed parking spaces where even the jeeps will not park!

Overall this car is cheap for its value and I highly recommend it.

[iDriveStick]

yeah, the turning radius COULD be better now that you mention it.

Also, the front end DOES get beaten up rather easily.

The blind spots are a pain in the a$$, it really is a bear to drive in reverse.

I plan on getting a set of winter tires, because my first winter with the sport tires that I have on it proved to be troublesome.

I tend to average about 27-28 mpg in the summer. Sadly, only about 24 in winter, thanks to the air conditioner that automatically turns on with the defroster to "dehumidify" the interior.

And yes, I agree that it should be called the RS-Sex. Nice nickname

[Silverado]

Do you want to just borrow my 265's? We could get them mounted and everything. Your speedometer will be off a bit, but you'll have higher ground clearance.

[iDriveStick]

Do you want to just borrow my 265's? We could get them mounted and everything. Your speedometer will be off a bit, but you'll have higher ground clearance.

Cute.

[ihartmacz]

I think you should write a review about the Ford Escort you used to have. I had a ZX2 about two years ago.

[fa22raptorf22]

Hey TS.

Question of the day:

I dont know how hard youve driven your S yet...

But with my uber good tires, I have only been able to spin 1st, and chirp 2nd...even while flat foot shifting.

Have you been able to chirp 3rd at all? (Assuming you have the 6 speed....you should with an S)

[iDriveStick]

Have you been able to chirp 3rd at all? (Assuming you have the 6 speed....you should with an S)

Actually I haven't really tried to chirp 3rd. I would say I could spin 1st and chirp 2nd, but like I said, haven't gotten to 3rd.

What kind of tires do you have on?