Future of the RSX
#1
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Future of the RSX
Toyota has officially announced that the Celica, which is the RSX's most direct competition, will no longer be imported to the states (I think this model year is the last). It seems like those sport coupes are being cancelled across brands. Gone are the MX6, Prelude, 240SX, etc. The drivers who used to buy those vehicles seem to be opting for sport sedans (like the TSX) or mini-SUVs (RAV4) etc. So, what is the future of the RSX? Any chance will see Acura cancel it and emphasize the TSX as the entry level vehicle?
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In one of the posted article links 'round here ("what honda (acura) should do" - I believe), some Acura or Honda guy said that they're going to de-emphasize the RSX and sell less. That would be a good decision, IMO. A cool car, but it takes from the luxury appearance of the overall brand. Boot it to Honda if it's to stick around.
On the other hand... would the loss of the Celica lead those buyer to the RSX?? Hmm.. this is springing an idea for a poll in my head... :thinking:
On the other hand... would the loss of the Celica lead those buyer to the RSX?? Hmm.. this is springing an idea for a poll in my head... :thinking:
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Re: Future of the RSX
Originally posted by darth62
Toyota has officially announced that the Celica, which is the RSX's most direct competition, will no longer be imported to the states (I think this model year is the last). It seems like those sport coupes are being cancelled across brands. Gone are the MX6, Prelude, 240SX, etc. The drivers who used to buy those vehicles seem to be opting for sport sedans (like the TSX) or mini-SUVs (RAV4) etc. So, what is the future of the RSX? Any chance will see Acura cancel it and emphasize the TSX as the entry level vehicle?
Toyota has officially announced that the Celica, which is the RSX's most direct competition, will no longer be imported to the states (I think this model year is the last). It seems like those sport coupes are being cancelled across brands. Gone are the MX6, Prelude, 240SX, etc. The drivers who used to buy those vehicles seem to be opting for sport sedans (like the TSX) or mini-SUVs (RAV4) etc. So, what is the future of the RSX? Any chance will see Acura cancel it and emphasize the TSX as the entry level vehicle?
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#4
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I get every major car mag, and probably read it in one over the weekend. I'm not sure, but I believe the specific mag was Motor Trend's COY issue.
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I think the RSX would do much better as a Honda and help Acura define itself better. It would be the Civic SI (or Type-R) and be much better than the current offering.
#7
I've said this for several years now (since the Integra name was dropped). Acura could be more upscale by dropping the RSX/Integra and make it a Honda. The Integra is what killed the Prelude IMO.
Its called the Honda Integra outside of North America, so just call it that here
Its called the Honda Integra outside of North America, so just call it that here
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#9
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Originally posted by gavinn58
hmmm..opting for sports sedans or mini suvs?? I can see sports sedans, but mini suvs are a far cry from sport coupes.
hmmm..opting for sports sedans or mini suvs?? I can see sports sedans, but mini suvs are a far cry from sport coupes.
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#10
I think the RSX should stick around, even thru another model cycle. And next time, put out a four door version again (can slot below TSX). A four door version of the present RSX would've looked quite nice (love the lights and grille area) and even though it's Civic based and small and all, I would have considered it. Especially if it was nicely appointed inside (I can't stand the current RSX interior, especially the dash). As the TL and probably TSX continue to move relentlessly upmarket, the Acura brand will need a semi-affordable entry level vehicle.
#11
I think the TSX fills the semi-affordable entry level slot in the Acura lineup nicely. I'd rather see the CL return than the RSX.
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Originally posted by phile
I think the TSX fills the semi-affordable entry level slot in the Acura lineup nicely. I'd rather see the CL return than the RSX.
I think the TSX fills the semi-affordable entry level slot in the Acura lineup nicely. I'd rather see the CL return than the RSX.
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#13
Originally posted by jcg878
Agreed. Too bad the CL is gone
Agreed. Too bad the CL is gone
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Originally posted by tsx-mdxman
The first CL was butt ugly, the second was rather plain. Honda didn't sell too many of either. I doubt there are enough buyers out there pining for a two door Acura sedan for Honda to deliver one any time soon.
The first CL was butt ugly, the second was rather plain. Honda didn't sell too many of either. I doubt there are enough buyers out there pining for a two door Acura sedan for Honda to deliver one any time soon.
#15
Originally posted by jcg878
I wouldn't get one, but I like the idea of having a luxo coupe in the line-up more than a lower-level one made to compete with other non-lux brands.
I wouldn't get one, but I like the idea of having a luxo coupe in the line-up more than a lower-level one made to compete with other non-lux brands.
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I've been wondering that... whether integra/tsx purchases led to true brand loyalty, hence the poll. I understand both perspectives... but I think if they want to move their image up they have to boot the RSX. Honestly for all our talk about Acura moving its brand image up, I wonder if that is really the direction to go for them. I hope so and I think so, but it is a better business model to move up with the big boys or stay in the 'tweener position they are in now and just improve their marketing??
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#17
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This thread is really interesting...
I can't see a reason why Toyota is killing the Celica name in the US/NA market. Toyota is coming out with a high end sports car in the light of the success of the Z car (Gawd, bring back the 240SX for cryin out loud), and would need a 'hook' sports car to it's high end 'bait'. I can't imagine the sales of the Celica dying so badly that it needs to be eliminated. I don't know, I don't have the source, so I'm just speculating.
As I am typing this, my father on the phone reminds me that buyers of the previous Celica would be moving up to sedans, but what about the up and coming youth in desire of similar cars? Are you telling me a high school kid would ask for a TSX instead of a Celica or a RSX? (and if their parents buy them a 3 series or some yuppie car, then they just don't know sports compact fun) The SUV, maybe, but there are still kids that demand sports-compact goodness. My brother started driving my father's 4 runner, but when he had my integra for a summer, he fell in love with coupes. The youth definitely won't fade the sports compacts away, not this soon anyway.
The RSX as a Honda would be alright, if they wait till the next model change and badge it as a Prelude. How beautiful was the Prelude name as well as the car?
Junkster, who never cared for this generation Celica.
I can't see a reason why Toyota is killing the Celica name in the US/NA market. Toyota is coming out with a high end sports car in the light of the success of the Z car (Gawd, bring back the 240SX for cryin out loud), and would need a 'hook' sports car to it's high end 'bait'. I can't imagine the sales of the Celica dying so badly that it needs to be eliminated. I don't know, I don't have the source, so I'm just speculating.
As I am typing this, my father on the phone reminds me that buyers of the previous Celica would be moving up to sedans, but what about the up and coming youth in desire of similar cars? Are you telling me a high school kid would ask for a TSX instead of a Celica or a RSX? (and if their parents buy them a 3 series or some yuppie car, then they just don't know sports compact fun) The SUV, maybe, but there are still kids that demand sports-compact goodness. My brother started driving my father's 4 runner, but when he had my integra for a summer, he fell in love with coupes. The youth definitely won't fade the sports compacts away, not this soon anyway.
The RSX as a Honda would be alright, if they wait till the next model change and badge it as a Prelude. How beautiful was the Prelude name as well as the car?
Junkster, who never cared for this generation Celica.
#18
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Originally posted by Junkster
Junkster, who never cared for this generation Celica.
Junkster, who never cared for this generation Celica.
lol i love it when u type in third person point of view
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#19
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Actually, Junkster, I suspect that many of the kids who would once buy a Celica or Prelude now buy a CRV or RAV4. Some of those buyers also shoot for the Civic or Corolla.
I've wonder about this myself because so many Sporty coupes have been killed off over the years (MX6, Prelude, 240sx, that weird slanty Subaru, Camaro, Firebird, Probe). The market just doesn't seem to be there.
But, that's just what Darth thinks.
Darth, who sometimes worries about people who talk about themselves in the third person.
I've wonder about this myself because so many Sporty coupes have been killed off over the years (MX6, Prelude, 240sx, that weird slanty Subaru, Camaro, Firebird, Probe). The market just doesn't seem to be there.
But, that's just what Darth thinks.
Darth, who sometimes worries about people who talk about themselves in the third person.
#20
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Originally posted by darth62
Actually, Junkster, I suspect that many of the kids who would once buy a Celica or Prelude now buy a CRV or RAV4. Some of those buyers also shoot for the Civic or Corolla.
I've wonder about this myself because so many Sporty coupes have been killed off over the years (MX6, Prelude, 240sx, that weird slanty Subaru, Camaro, Firebird, Probe). The market just doesn't seem to be there.
But, that's just what Darth thinks.
Darth, who sometimes worries about people who talk about themselves in the third person.
Actually, Junkster, I suspect that many of the kids who would once buy a Celica or Prelude now buy a CRV or RAV4. Some of those buyers also shoot for the Civic or Corolla.
I've wonder about this myself because so many Sporty coupes have been killed off over the years (MX6, Prelude, 240sx, that weird slanty Subaru, Camaro, Firebird, Probe). The market just doesn't seem to be there.
But, that's just what Darth thinks.
Darth, who sometimes worries about people who talk about themselves in the third person.
I agree that the mini utes have taken over the youth market, and how sad is that? Have people really forgotten how usefull a hatchback coupe is?(GM has, by eliminating the hatch on the 9-3) I moved three kegs for my fraternity in my integra once (back seats down, two length, one width). I delivered the school paper at Univ of Denver for four years with an Integra. I'm really at a loss of words.
The small glimmer of light for sports compacts is the strong sales of the MINI. Hopefully, people come to their senses and stop handing youngin's those SUVs which have high center of gravity, horrid emergency driving character, and less then stellar gas milage, and hand them fast, darty, quick-cornering, cop... dodging,... speed-ticket... magnet... well, sensible sport compacts, yeah that's it,... sensible.
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#21
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The RSX is a great car. It's fast, reliable, looks good, inexpensive...it's everything the Civic Si should have been. Sure, the RSX is the best in its class...but it's class consists of Nissans and Toyotas not Infinitis and Lexuses. Why is a car from a "luxury" brand competing solely with cars from non-luxury companies? If they move the RSX over as a Civic Si, it would be the most rockingest Civic Si ever. I think they should reserve the "Acura" name for upscale cars to compete with other upscale cars. Reserve the RSX name for a TSX coupe...something to compete with the BMW 325ci...not the Toyota Celica. That is an RSX that I would want to buy. My
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#22
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By the way guys, I found the source for my report that the Celica was being cancelled. It is, indeed, Motor Trend. Motor Trend is reporting that the Celica is being cancelled and that a replacement of sorts will be a sport compact in the Scion lineup called Caldina.
Junkster - as a college student I lusted after Preludes and 240SXs. The Prelude was always too expensive for me though, so I wound up in a couple of Accord Coupes (which I loved to death).
Darth, who enjoys every word Junkster writes.
Junkster - as a college student I lusted after Preludes and 240SXs. The Prelude was always too expensive for me though, so I wound up in a couple of Accord Coupes (which I loved to death).
Darth, who enjoys every word Junkster writes.
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#23
that's too bad... the celica was my favourite sporty coupe..it actually had some sport in it, good handling, brakes, and nice feedback from the steering wheel and was light unlike all the other overweight sporty coupe pretenders out there... i guess this once again shows North Americans value comfort over sport which is a shame.. now the sporty coupe class only has the somewhat sporty RSX left... which isn't nearly as fun as a celica was... but the celica lives in the new elise from lotus i guess... same engine and tranny and a chasis that will outdue most competitors....
i personally think the sporty coupe class is dying.. i mean when a neon gets 250whp and Corollas with 170hp, and mazda3's with 160.. there isnt much room left for sporty coupes... i'm thinking the RSX is going to be axed and maybe make return later in the honda lineup if it comes back at all.
but a calidina is certainly nice...260hp AWD
i personally think the sporty coupe class is dying.. i mean when a neon gets 250whp and Corollas with 170hp, and mazda3's with 160.. there isnt much room left for sporty coupes... i'm thinking the RSX is going to be axed and maybe make return later in the honda lineup if it comes back at all.
but a calidina is certainly nice...260hp AWD
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I think it would be better if they just renamed the Acura RSX the Integra and the RL the Legend again and also call the TL Inspire or Saber or something. I don't like the lame alpha-numerical naming system they have on Acuras....dunno why they are trying to be like Mercedes?
1.7EL, RSX, TSX, MDX, TL, RL, etc.
1.7EL, RSX, TSX, MDX, TL, RL, etc.
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#27
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Originally posted by gilboman
that's too bad... the celica was my favourite sporty coupe..it actually had some sport in it, good handling, brakes, and nice feedback from the steering wheel and was light unlike all the other overweight sporty coupe pretenders out there... i guess this once again shows North Americans value comfort over sport which is a shame.. now the sporty coupe class only has the somewhat sporty RSX left... which isn't nearly as fun as a celica was... but the celica lives in the new elise from lotus i guess... same engine and tranny and a chasis that will outdue most competitors....
i personally think the sporty coupe class is dying.. i mean when a neon gets 250whp and Corollas with 170hp, and mazda3's with 160.. there isnt much room left for sporty coupes... i'm thinking the RSX is going to be axed and maybe make return later in the honda lineup if it comes back at all.
but a calidina is certainly nice...260hp AWD
that's too bad... the celica was my favourite sporty coupe..it actually had some sport in it, good handling, brakes, and nice feedback from the steering wheel and was light unlike all the other overweight sporty coupe pretenders out there... i guess this once again shows North Americans value comfort over sport which is a shame.. now the sporty coupe class only has the somewhat sporty RSX left... which isn't nearly as fun as a celica was... but the celica lives in the new elise from lotus i guess... same engine and tranny and a chasis that will outdue most competitors....
i personally think the sporty coupe class is dying.. i mean when a neon gets 250whp and Corollas with 170hp, and mazda3's with 160.. there isnt much room left for sporty coupes... i'm thinking the RSX is going to be axed and maybe make return later in the honda lineup if it comes back at all.
but a calidina is certainly nice...260hp AWD
Darth said the Calidina was a Scion...but 260hp and AWD doesn't sound like a Scion to me.
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#28
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Originally posted by iNteGraz92
why are you guys saying move the rsx to honda and call it a civic? it isn't a civic, it's an integra
why are you guys saying move the rsx to honda and call it a civic? it isn't a civic, it's an integra
1) The RSX is based on the Civic platform to begin with.
2) The current Civic Si is an embarassment, but the RSX as a Civic Si would 0wnz
3) The RSX is too cheap to be a luxury car and it's bringing down the image of a luxury brand.
I personally think Honda should be the Economy/Sporty division and Acura should be the Luxury/Sporty division. With this definition, the RSX fits better in the Honda division whereas nothing less than the TSX's level of luxury (re: TSX coupe) would fit under Acura.
My
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#29
the caldina looks like the next matrix...not a replacement for celica? check this out
http://www.honda-acura.net/showthread/t-82959.html
yeah, a 260HP AWD would be nice...but i like the wrx/sti better than a matrix looking pocket rocket
http://www.honda-acura.net/showthread/t-82959.html
yeah, a 260HP AWD would be nice...but i like the wrx/sti better than a matrix looking pocket rocket
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#30
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Originally posted by dabuda2004
the caldina looks like the next matrix...not a replacement for celica? check this out
http://www.honda-acura.net/showthread/t-82959.html
yeah, a 260HP AWD would be nice...but i like the wrx/sti better than a matrix looking pocket rocket
the caldina looks like the next matrix...not a replacement for celica? check this out
http://www.honda-acura.net/showthread/t-82959.html
yeah, a 260HP AWD would be nice...but i like the wrx/sti better than a matrix looking pocket rocket
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#32
This has been discussed at length at clubrsx.com. I agree that the RSX does not belong in the Acura lineup (neither does the EL in Canada) but the image helps sell the RSX. IMHO, the Prelude design should have been under the Acura RSX/Integra name and the RSX/Integra should have been under the Honda Prelude name. The Prelude was too expensive for a Honda and the Integra was not refined/powerful/expensive enough for Acura.
But there would be serious problems if Honda tried to change the RSX design to Honda now....
Let Honda bring in the young buyers. Acura should try to upscale their image and compete with Lexus and Infiniti. The RSX has definitely hooked me!
But there would be serious problems if Honda tried to change the RSX design to Honda now....
Let Honda bring in the young buyers. Acura should try to upscale their image and compete with Lexus and Infiniti. The RSX has definitely hooked me!
#33
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Originally posted by AcuraFan
If you think the RSX is only "somewhat" sporty...then you haven't driven it right. This car rocks for sportiness. The Celica is a nice sporty car too, I just haven't liked it since it was beaten with an ugly stick.
Darth said the Calidina was a Scion...but 260hp and AWD doesn't sound like a Scion to me.
If you think the RSX is only "somewhat" sporty...then you haven't driven it right. This car rocks for sportiness. The Celica is a nice sporty car too, I just haven't liked it since it was beaten with an ugly stick.
Darth said the Calidina was a Scion...but 260hp and AWD doesn't sound like a Scion to me.
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#34
Originally posted by iNteGraz92
why are you guys saying move the rsx to honda and call it a civic? it isn't a civic, it's an integra
why are you guys saying move the rsx to honda and call it a civic? it isn't a civic, it's an integra
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Well, I'm probably the only one on here that's suggesting the RSX become a Civic Si...but I think it makes sense. It's a performance hatch based off the Civic platform and a much better car than the current Civic Si that basically competes far better in the market the Si started. What if they didn't call it the Civic Si? What if they just called it the Si? Would that be better? Hmm...I'm kinda liking that...introducing the Honda Si performance hatch. w00t!
Then we can free up the Acura lineup for a more desirable lux coupe (not hatch). Even though I like the RSX a lot, I wouldn't buy one (too much of a "boy racer" image for me) but I would buy a TSX coupe or new CL...and I'm waiting, with baited breath, for such a coupe.
Then we can free up the Acura lineup for a more desirable lux coupe (not hatch). Even though I like the RSX a lot, I wouldn't buy one (too much of a "boy racer" image for me) but I would buy a TSX coupe or new CL...and I'm waiting, with baited breath, for such a coupe.
#36
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Originally posted by darth62
..I suspect that many of the kids who would once buy a Celica or Prelude now buy a CRV or RAV4..
..I suspect that many of the kids who would once buy a Celica or Prelude now buy a CRV or RAV4..
Nowadays with traffic so congested, it doesn't make any difference how sporty the car is. A coupe just makes you think sporty. Exception: a drive at Mt Rainier NP (paved road of course) in my friend's Toyota supra.
I agree RSX will work well as Civic Si. the current Si is ugly. And make Honda S2000 Acura. Prelude - let it rest.
#37
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Originally posted by CraZydudE
lol i love it when u type in third person point of view
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lol i love it when u type in third person point of view
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#39
Originally posted by AcuraFan
If you think the RSX is only "somewhat" sporty...then you haven't driven it right. This car rocks for sportiness. The Celica is a nice sporty car too, I just haven't liked it since it was beaten with an ugly stick.
Darth said the Calidina was a Scion...but 260hp and AWD doesn't sound like a Scion to me.
If you think the RSX is only "somewhat" sporty...then you haven't driven it right. This car rocks for sportiness. The Celica is a nice sporty car too, I just haven't liked it since it was beaten with an ugly stick.
Darth said the Calidina was a Scion...but 260hp and AWD doesn't sound like a Scion to me.
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#40
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Well, I haven't driven the Celica so I can't vouch for that one. But my sister just bought a car a couple weeks ago so I had the opportunity to test drive a couple of the other ones. All I know is the Eclipse GT and Tiburon GT were much more comfortable and sedated than the RSX. The RSX Type S was racey and light compared to the other two but also felt less comfy and isolated. My sister like the Eclipse the best out of the three because the RSX was too sporty, and not comfy enough.
Because it was the two of us, the sales guy didn't want to cram in the back so I got to really open up the RSX on some windy roads and I can tell you, it felt damn sporty to me.
Because it was the two of us, the sales guy didn't want to cram in the back so I got to really open up the RSX on some windy roads and I can tell you, it felt damn sporty to me.