I currently have a IS250 awd -- I bought it because I wanted a nice awd car to help me through my 90 mile round trip commute to work --

but a recent development I may be buying a house 2 miles from where I work... so for 6 months of the year I can moped, the other 6 I just need something cheap and whatever to get me to and from.

I'm also getting married in the near future so freeing up $300/mo. in gas and $310/mo. in payment would be great (not to mention another 2 hours of free-time)... so selling the IS and getting buying something cash would be nice.

After the sale/paying of the loan I would have about 10k in cash to buy something new...

My past two cars before the IS were a 2000 Civic and a 2000 Prelude - I love honda but was spoiled by the Lexus... so I figured an acura would be a nice happy medium.

Anyone with RSX experience and/or advice on the situation?


Any other advice on what car to buy that has the following for 6-8k (I would like to put 2k or more in the bank from the sale):
Nice looking
Little zip to it
Reliable (#1 for me - I would love to drive this car to 200k - both my other honda did it no problem)
30 or more MPG

 

I used to have a 2002 rsx type s ! love that car it has alot of potential n/a or f/i and kpro can do wonders if you find some one that can tune it right! the bad part about it transmission on it blows if you beat on it you will be eating syncros left and right!

 

I'm looking for an automatic - manual has no appeal to me at all... so hopefully that would avoid the issue.

 

3rd gear pop out on the RSX type-S (but you want an auto so that solves that issue)

make sure there is no condensation in the taillights (big problem with these cars)

check under the spare tire for water / mildew

get a 2005 or 06 trust me

torque steer is a ***** in the RSX type-s I had. (again you shouldn't care since you'll have the slower auto with less horsepower)

open the sunroof and drive over some potholes or a hell even a crack in the road and it will rattle. Just part of the car nothing can fix it.

Get the leather seats. I say that cause the cloth seats for whatever reason always stink. Literally they smell. Not sure why.

 

Great advice CCJ22 I just sold my 03 type-s I had the same issue with 3rd gear . They are fun to drive but i don't miss it.

 

G35 maybe?

 

I had rsx-s before lexus. Drove it 100k miles before i sold it. I had 0 problem. Car is really reliable and fun~ I had same problem with gear popping at 3rd gear and I grinded often =/

 

no offense to each its own but i wouldn't sacrifice a couple of thousands for the comfort and smoothness and awd of the is250 and considering which year of rsx you get unless is the type-s is not much difference i say stay with the car and just work it out. Also an is250 would take you to 250k easy its a toyota on the low so yeah.

 

I'm won't disagree with that, but right now going 100% debt free would be great before buying a house... and the fact I would be spending 14 mins a day in a car total compared to 120 mins mins the comfort and smoothness isn't as needed.


RWD is still a bit scary (G35) because of the winters here.... I won't have to go far, but RWD could get dicey

 

good choice to put financial flexibility before a few creature comforts.

how about something with awd? unless you're completely comfortable with FWD - especially during the winter months.

 

can't go wrong with a Honda/Acura

 

Both are wrong actually...FWD sucks!

 

I had a 206 RSX typeS and traded it in for the IS250. I loved that car. I still miss it. FWD does suck a bit. But other then that I loved it. Never broke down and quick. I drove it about 55 miles a day round trip to work and on the weekends and had no problems. I traded it in with 85,000 miles on it.

I must say though the lexus is a much more comfortable ride.


PS: At about 60,000 miles I had water in the tail lights. It looked like I had fish tanks for tail lights. the Acura dealer could not find a crack in them and it was out of warranty. They are about 355.00 a piece. But they said since I went in there all the time for the oil changes, they replaced them for free.

 

My friend's RSX-S runs good but problem with Transmission is known issued on RSX. His 2nd gear pop out (he has to rebuild it once at 57K). RPM drop down so quick and almost shut down the car after he put on light weight flywheel but not issue to you due to you wan an auto transmission.

 

First of all, you guys should stop mentioning gears popping out. It has no relevance to the car he is looking for (auto).

I say get the RSX even if you're sacrificing comfort. I applaud you for being smart about your financial future. Too many people nowadays are baller on a budget living paycheck to paycheck just so they can look good for someone else. With the money you save, who knows..maybe you'll end up back in a 2IS sooner than you think.

FWD does suck, but I highly doubt you'll be racing with it. For daily driving, the car is good enough.