Acura: looking at a new 2005 RSX Type S

On Wed, 22 Jun 2005 12:44:11 -0700, "Fred" <Bal> wrote:
 

I thought the Subie was more $$$ and the interior looks cheap. I *love* my
'05 RSX-S because of how well it handles. The Subie will sound like a lawn
mower sooner or later (sooner!) and the Acura will always sound sweet IMHO.

--
Russ Panneton com
Nederland, CO "Too bad ignorance isn't painful"

"Sparky" <com> wrote in message
news:.. 

You are correct. However, local Subaru dealer give me a better deal than the
Acura dealer so the price is about the same, give or take a few hundred $$.
For that matter the local Mazda dealer has better deal for the RX-8.


I *love* my 

How you like the Bose system? Any kick from the sub above the spare tire?

The Subie will sound like a lawn 

Either one would be ok - Acura would be more reliable and holds a better
resale value. For the sweetest sound I prefer a Ferrari but its way out of
my price range.

 

On Wed, 22 Jun 2005 12:44:11 -0700, "Fred" <Bal> wrote:
 
Subaru has a great ad campaign, but the Acura will smoke it in all
other areas, especially longevity. The Subaru may be good for a month
or so, but I have had Acuras for years and the only thing that
compares is maybe a Toyota (or Lexus) for reliability and long
lifespan. You will, of course, get somewhat biased opinions in this
group, but one thing you will find is that we all LOVE our Acura
products (even the ones we have problems with). Also Acura stands
behind their products. I faxes Acura USA about an issue I was having
and got a response within 48 hours. You might try faxing Subaru
Customer Service and see how long it takes for a response just to be
fair.
Posted by the Rubber Dino.

"dino" <net> wrote in message
news:com... 

I had two GSRs but not problem free. Both needed batteries within 24 months,
both had transmission problems (both 5 speed, manual), one had a cracked
wheel, one with slow window operation on both sides and a few minor items.

One transmission would not go into first gear, fixed under warranty. Other
transmission makes a funny noise - know defect - refused to fix under
warranty because dealer said it does not impair performance! One of the
wheels cracked but the same dealer said its only chipped paint, had to go to
another dealer who confirmed it's cracked and replace under warranty on the
spot. The one with the bad windows, the bad dealer had it over 10 hours and
all he did was spray lube on the tracks (total fix time about 10 seconds!)
but didn't fix anything and refuse to do more under warranty. Before I could
take to the good dealer for window repair, the GSR was stolen.

I have a few concerns with the Type S. One: For warranty work, the bad
dealer is in town while the good one is out of town. Need to take a day off
and rent a car. Two: High thief rate. My insurance only paid about 75% for
the stolen GSR based on the street value not including the any after market
components which amounted to thousands of dollars. I understand this 75%
compensation is and typical. Three: The Bose system - not sure I could live
with this and upgrading it may be a pain and expense.

On Thu, 23 Jun 2005 17:19:50 -0700, "Fred" <Bal> wrote:
 
Some additional spin-

I just got a base 2002 rsx, after really wanting a type s, and
spending some serious time reconsidering.

The bose system isn't that great, and is slightly harder to upgrade
than the bottom end system, which truly sucks (the base model system,
that is). The hardest part is the dash panel, but you can get the base
model panel easily enough and put in a normal head unit. I don't have
much experience with the spare tire sub, but have read that it sucks.
The rest of the speakers in both versions are about the same, and are
actually the best part of the system.

Several factors about the base model - it uses regular gas, gets
better mileage, and uses cheaper tires. And you may have noted that it
costs less. I test drove the type s, and the extra power isn't
noticeable during 98% of the driving one does in normal life. The
better suspension in the type s is noticeable, and I miss it though.
For most normal drivers the base model is a better choice.

On Thu, 23 Jun 2005 01:03:35 -0700, "Fred" <Bal> wrote:
 

I wouldn't say it sucks but it isn't great, either. I'd say just adequate and
likely a royal pain to upgrade. The sub works okay, again just adequate and
certainly not great.
 

No argument there!

I think the RSX Type S' greatest asset is its handling. My work commute
includes 15 miles of twisty canyon road and the baby Acura is such a willing
dance partner!

Cheers,

Russ
--
Russ Panneton com
Nederland, CO "Too bad ignorance isn't painful"

"Burnt@ut" <ok?> wrote in message
news:com... 

Bose always did funny things starting with their series 901 home speakers
way back in the dark ages of 1968. As for the tire sub I couldn't see how it
could push any kind of air. The GSR that was stolen had a dual 10" sub with
a 10 cd/mp3 changer driven by a clean amp - clean and sweet.
 

First set of tires I bought, keeping the same make and model as factory,
were way too expensive. Now I buy Korean tires from Tire Rack - way cheaper
and much better handling than the stock tires.

And you may have noted that it 

I agree with you, the torque is the same but the base RSX comes in at half
the rpm.

I just noticed this morning you could get the 2005 WRX for perhaps below
$20K, about the same price as the base RSX. It comes in the form of a Saab
9-2X AERO made in Japan of all things! It has the same platform and drive
train as the WRX but with $6,000 rebate and employee price.

On Thu, 23 Jun 2005 22:12:45 -0500, "Burnt@ut" <ok?> wrote:
 


Tires are garbage on the Type S anyways. But most new cars have
crappy tires. Most Type S owners swap out tires as soon as they get
the Type S home! I went with Kumho Supra 712's which have a great
deal of grip.

Both the WRX and the Type S have transmission problems. I'm not sure
if it is fixed with the 2005/2006, but the Type S has grinding in 2nd
gear and sometime the third gear will not go in all the way (feels
like it isn't in but it is) From what I hard heard, the 2005's do
indeed have transmission problems.

The factory stereo is okay. I'm swapping mine out for an aftermarket
system. But I've lived with factory for 20000 miles. You can get a
Base faceplate or you can get a dash kit made by Metra, Schosche or
AI.

The Type S is significantly faster than the Base. I ran a 14.7 with
just a Comptech intake and upgraded tires. With the same mods in the
base, you'll be probably 15.8.

As for theft, the Type S is a difficult car to steal. Sure it can be
done. But either the person has a flatbed or has an extra ECU sitting
around.