TLW

Family is over for Christmas and my little cousin wants me to help him find a car .

He wants a 2002 Acura RSX , are there any major problems with these cars ..

TIA CL ...Merry Christmas to Car Chat members

mmarshall

Very little mechanically or electronically. The most important thing is to keep the engine oil changed. It is a reliable engine, but, like the Toyota 3.0L V6, not forgiving of extended oil changes. Like some other Honda / Acura products, brake jobs have to be done just right, too....with the rotors re-surfaced and washed just so....there is a company-approved procedure for this but I don't remember the details.

TLW

As always, you are the man M&M

STIG

I had 2002 Acura RSX for 4 years, and I sold it 3 weeks ago.

I had my engine replaced at 30000 miles because of the faulty valves. Other than that, it's a pretty good car.

mmarshall

Did you use decent-quality gasoline with a good detergent additive? I'm not saying you did this, but some people pinch pennies at the gas pumps by putting in EL Cheapo low-priced brands with no additives in them that do nothing but f * * k up the valves, injectors, pistons, and intake system with gum and carbon deposits. If this gets bad enough.....even at 30,000 miles as in your case, it can damage valve stems and other precise critical parts. Now, again, I'm not saying you DID this...only that if you use garbage gasoline it is a possibility.

STIG

i only use SHELL with V-Power. I think it's 91.

Inabj2

I never put anything else but chevron with techron.. no exceptions except in emergencies where I might risk running out of fuel to reach a chevron and risk damage to my new fuel pump in addition to being stranded. And only then I only put enough to get to the chevron (with room to spare off course.) and fill it up from there. 91 octane chevron.

mmarshall

Chevron with Techroline is one of the best, if not THE best, gasolines today for keeping engines clean...Shell with V-Power only slightly less so. Both are well above average. Mobil and Amoco used to be the 2 best but since they have been bought out by Exxon and BP you don't always know what you are getting now with either brand.

ShadyJC

iTrader: (2)

Bro-in-law has a RSX Type S, it is a decent car that he uses as a daily driver. It is reliable but loud, loves to rev high.

CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

My borher in law had a leased 02 RSX-S with about 45K on it when he turned it in after lease and bought an 05 TSX. the car never gave him any problems at all. I drove it a few times and it definately is a fun car.

mmarshall

Unless you want to drive like a snail, it HAS to rev high....Honda / Acura VTEC fours have very little torque, especially at low RPM.

Och

iTrader: (3)

The RSX isn't bad, its much more civilized than the Integra it replaced, but at the same time it's a lot less sporty.

The most important thing with buying an used Honda/Acura is to make sure there's no aftermarket crap installed on the car - it's virtually impossible to find these cars in stock form.

CallmeDoc

The RSX is a VERY fun car to drive. The steering is razor sharp and it handles amazingly well. The only drawback is that the suspension is tunned very aggressivly, and hence, has a very rough (albeit....sporty) ride.

They hold their value pretty well. I would get the 05 + RSX's for the sportier recaro seats and suttle exterior upgrades.