This car is pretty nice and cool for the price. It has a lot of features and fun to drive. Tight Steering feel, and sporty look. The quality is very good at the price. Acura always make aluminum alloy engine blocks. Engines are small, efficient and reliable. They should remake the stupid speedometer. Maybe a digital one like the 2006 Civic or like the Accord and TLs. The speedometer is pretty stupid, not sporty at all.Hard to see and dont know exactly how many MPH you are going, the numbers should be wider with 160 at the very right and all the way down.This car would be much better with Xenon high density discharge headlights like the S2000 or TL and TSX. And a dual exhaust systems.
A very sharp looking car. Looks great in white. Very quick, handles well, great seats...at least up front. A lot of nice features on a fairly inexpensive car (sun roof, auto climate control, power windows and door locks, cruise, premium stereo with 6 disk changer. Just an all around nice car.
News
Acura is dropping RSX because it wants to move further upscale from parent Honda and compete more directly with Audi, BMW, Infiniti, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz. Theres also the slight embarrassment of the base RSX selling for about the same money as a more powerful Honda Civic Si coupe. Sources quote Acura dealers as saying the RSX will be replaced by a coupe version of the TSX premium compact sedan. That would make sense, as a redesigned TSX is said to be on for 2007 or 08.
New for 2006
The 2006 Acura RSX continues essentially unchanged for 2006 with the exception of adding Global Silver Metallic as a new exterior color. Horsepower ratings have been adjusted for 2006 with the adoption of the new SAE rating standards with the RSX rated at 155 horsepower and the RSX Type-S rated at 201 horsepower.
Interior Design and Special Features
Drivers wanting to relax after strafing twisty roads should enjoy the RSXs driver-oriented cockpit, contemporary materials, easy-to-use automatic climate controls and large metallic-faced gauges. Front-seat occupants will be comfortable, but adults sitting in back will find headroom is lacking. The Acura RSX has 17.8 cubic feet of luggage space.
Safety
The Acura RSX comes with standard four-wheel antilock disc brakes and side airbags for front occupants. In government crash tests, the RSX received five out of five stars for driver and front-passenger protection in frontal impacts. In side-impact tests, it received four stars for front-occupant protection.
Powertrains and Performance
Both the RSX and RSX Type-S feature 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engines. Like most Acura engines, they are smooth and high-revving. The base RSX puts out 155 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 139 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. For the Type-S, Acura tunes the engine to bring horsepower up to 201 (at 7,800 rpm) and 140 lb-ft of torque (at a lofty 7,000 rpm). Coupes like the Mustang and Tiburon GT provide considerably more low-end torque and, as such, are more tractable for city driving than the RSX, but both will have you paying more at the fuel pump. The base RSX comes equipped with either a five-speed manual or an optional five-speed automatic transmission. The automatic features Acuras Sequential SportShift, a special mode that allows the driver to select individual gears quickly by moving the transmission lever into a special gate. The Type-S has an exclusive six-speed manual.
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options
The Acura RSX two-door sport hatchback comes in two trim levels: base and Type-S. Both are well-equipped. With the base RSX, you get standard features such as 16-inch alloy wheels; automatic climate control; power windows, locks and mirrors; cruise control; a power moonroof; a leather-wrapped steering wheel; and a CD player. These items, plus 17-inch wheels, stronger brakes, firmer suspension tuning, a rear spoiler and an in-dash six-disc CD changer come on the Type-S. Leather seats are also standard on the Type-S, and you can upgrade the base cars cloth with leather if you so desire.
Driving Impressions
Neither engine offers an abundance of torque, and the Type-S motor, in particular, needs to be revved quite high in order to achieve maximum acceleration. The six-speed shifter, however, is quite exemplary in its feel and quickness. On curvy roads, the Type-S feels secure and buttoned down, though the base Acura car is still pretty sporty. The Acuras ride quality is a little on the stiff side compared to softer coupes like the Hyundai Tiburon and Scion tC, but those looking to add a dose of sport to their daily commute will not be disappointed. Bear in mind, though, that Hondas new Civic Si coupe can deliver comparable performance for a few thousand dollars less than the Acura RSX Type-S.
Favorite Features
Acceleration (yes, even the 4 cyl!) ease of access for controls/stereo; gas mileage, handling, sunroof, climate control system.
Overall Review
You must love driving/shifting. This is not a car to go somewhere, to relax, nor to go fast. Theres a car thats easy to drive, or go faster, or has more room. This is a car just to drive. Maybe you can listen to music sometimes. But thats it. All said, if you love driving/controlling a car, this is the ultimate car under 25K!!!!
MSRP Price Range $20,325 - $23,845
Invoice Price Range $18,549 - $21,754