Buying an Acura RSX soon !
 

Hey Acurazine! I'm Adonis and I just joined this forum due to a lot of people recommending me to :D!

I'm 16 years old and my parents are getting me a new car for my birthday/christmas present. They told me my budget was $7-9grand and should last me until college (3-4 years) since this is probably the only car that they will ever buy me.

I was looking into the RSX/Type - S and had a few questions with it
-Is there any known problems with the car?
-Whats a good mileage on the car for the price?
-What not to buy/what to buy (Salvage title/modded/what not)
-Insurance rates on it considering I am a teen
-Is it bad to buy a semi-modded car from the dealer

This will be my first car and have been considering an RSX for quite awhile now.
I plan on maintaining this car very well.
My daily commute is usually going to school and the gym.

Thank you guys so much for helping! Really do appreciate it.
P.S Not spoiled, (Asian Household) + Good Grades = Award

Congrats! The RSX is a really nice car, and should treat you well.

I don't have any real experience with RSXs (sorry!) but all I can say is go with the Type-S. The 2.0 liter K series motor in that car is really what makes it special. You won't be disappointed, even if it's a little extra money.

Don't go with a junked one. It may look tempting, but as your first car, you'll just end up with a huge disappointment and big repair bills. Maybe you could get lucky, but I wouldn't take the chance.

As far as mods go, they usually decrease reliability, but it's a really hard call to say whether or not you should buy a modded one from a dealer. If it were me, I'd buy a stock one and mod it myself (you'll get what you want and have it done properly). But, if you were to have an independent mechanic take a look at the car, you might just be okay.

Good luck on your search for a car, keep the forum updated as to what you end up with!

I agree with Panamera...stick with stock. The Type S would be the way to go if you can as the base is a great car, but if you want more performance, you'll always with you got the Type S...that's what I'm dealing with now :-P

I have a base 2002 RSX and I've had it for 8 years...Love it just as much as when I got it. Definitely reliable if you take good care of her.
If you do want to start modding, make sure you do it right and don't cheap out...cheap parts make for a shitty mod. Avoid fart cans, if you do exhaust, do it right. Definitely do your homework on what you want to mod and how...if you don't have the cash, wait and save up. If you sacrifice quality, you will notice with your car shitting on you.
Don't forget to change all fluids, not just oil. Brake-Transmission-coolant-power steering...I do all those every three years religiously...a lot of people forget to.

Have fun and enjoy!

Type-S all the way!

Type-S!!!!!

No doubt Type-S, it isn't all about the base in this situation haha

^:snicker:

Okay, I hope this straitens some things out. A previous post mentions the K20 motor in the RSX. The K20 motor is only in the 2002-2003 models. Post 2003-2006 models came with the K24 the difference of 2.0 liter and 2.4 liter.

Now the K20 motor is the the base model Acura RSX from 2002-2003, only comes with 5 speed automatic or 5 speed manuel.

The K20A2 motor is in the premium model Acura RSX Type-S from 2002-2003 only comes with 6 speed manuel.
Simple rule of thumb, no RSX Type-S ever produced came with 5 speed or automatic option. Every 2002-2006 RSX Type-S only came eqipt with a 6 speed manuel transmission. Don't ever be fooled by eBay purchased badges.

2002-2004 Base - K20A3 engine (Auto or 5 Speed Manual)

2002-2004 Type-S - K20A2 engine (6 Speed Manual Only)

2005-2005 Type-S - K20Z1 engine (6 Speed Manual Only)

2002-2006 Type - R K20A engine (6 Speed Manual Only) Japan Only

No RSX came with a K24, you need to swap it in for it to have one. That should clear up everything I believe.

K24 was never in any RSX, TSX yes and in Civic SI's.

Really nice post. You squared everything up nicely. Thanks for the correction and information.

your very welcome

As far as known problems with the Type S, there is only one prominent one that I'm aware of.

Third gear popout/grind. It can be very problematic, especially if you're inexperienced driving a manual.

Best way to solve this problem is to frequently change the manual transmission fluid. It's a very easy DIY, and there are a number of places on the internet where you can learn how. All you need is a ratchet and socket, as well as a funnel with a long tube.

The key is selecting the right MTF. Some RSXers swear by the Acura MTF, while others prefer AMSOIL Synchromesh. Pennzoil Synchromesh also works, and I have had all three in my 05 Type S. You may find your own preference among the options, but the key is just to keep it clean.

Recommended interval for changing is every 120K for normal driving, 60K for severe driving (most driving is severe according to the manual's definition of severe). But you'll be hard pressed to find a RSX Type S enthusiast who goes anywhere near that long between MTF changes. Some change it with each oil change, but that's a little extreme.

I've owned a lot of Hondas and Acuras, and my favorite by far is my 05 RSX Type S. I highly recommend.

current rsx(base) owner: just don't get a salvaged as it will lead to problems and looking for a stock one so it hasn't been AS beaten up. only problem as stated above is the third gear pop out on the type s which varies from car to car

Also you can change out the synchro. That's what I needed to do when I got mine back in 05