Acura RSX S-Type vs Mitsubishi Eclipse GT

[Wavex]

:rockon: Hell yeah.

I drove several Integras (earlier RSXs). I even had a Type R for a few years. Then I bought a Subie for the AWD since I moved to Utah and drove a lot in the snow. Man was that a .
Turbo = Fun. And talk about easy upgrades in power. Light exhaust and tuning mods can yield up to +70 hp and +70 Tq. :ban:
Then you can start looking at bolt-on turbo mods that can put down +300hp/tq to the wheels (low 12's in the 1/4) for under $1K!
And quality? They run forever.

Don't take my word for it. Go test one. Have fun!

Err... now I have to look at WRXs too lol

This one is nice... LINK

I think I'm going to have to make a final decision on the car and go from there... right now the RSX is still on top of my list, but how does one choose!

 

[The Toecutter]

Ford Mustang Coupes 2005 - Used Car Review - NADAguides.com Official Site 300hp 320lbs tourqe. p.s. it would go well with the Buell.

 

[dako81]

I still didn't catch what you'd be using this car for.

Commuting?
Modding?
Racing?
Shows?
All of the above?

 

[abacall]

I think I'm going to have to make a final decision on the car and go from there... right now the RSX is still on top of my list, but how does one choose!

Man, a STi is a killer car. I would just be careful with them, most owners beat on them, much like Evos. Still, they are so damn reliable they are practically indestructable.
Things the STi has over the WRX:
-6 Speed
-DCCD variable center diff
-Limited slips on front/rear
-Much nicer interior
-Tons of suspension upgrades including springs/shocks/Aluminum arms/stiffer pillowball bushings/different subframes/ braces
-Brembo 4/2 pots front/rear with proper brake booster/master cylinders and larger rotors
-Larger turbo and intercooler
-Built block with sodium filled valves, forged pistons, rods, and reinforced heads/cylinder walls
-Better ECU with more adjustable parameters
-TONS of aftermarket support


With the STi, you can get basic exhaust mods and engine management and put down +300 hp/320 Tq. All with AWD and limited slips. It's an amazing performance bargain that still drives like a normal car. It's quite fun!
One downside: just try to resist modding it.

 

[xj750_Pete]

I can't seem to find a Mazda Speed3 for less than $15k... I did find a few RX8s though... like this one for example: LINK

I like the all black look... do they compare to the RSX Type-S in terms of performance? What about reliability?

In terms of acceleration, I think the RX-8 is faster than the RSX. I remember the RX-8 posting 14.5 in the 1/4 mile and the RSX Type-S in the low 15s, maybe high 14s. Being rear wheel drive, I would think the RX-8 would handle a lot better than the RSX. Pedal position is great for heel-toe down shifting, but so is the RSX. I really like the seats in the RX-8. It just seems to fit me like a glove and was comfortable. Rear seat room is pretty decent. A full size adult can fit back there comfortably (I am 5'8'' and fit back there just fine). Some people complain about the way the doors open. The only problems with RX-8s are poor gas mileage (expect around 22-24 MPG at best), and there was a spark plug fouling problem in the earlier generation RX-8s.

 

[andreigbs]

For reliability and long engine life, go with Acura/Honda.

If you like your car smoking a year later after buying it, get ANY Mitsu.

Plus, I think the aftermarket goodies are much more available for Acuras, they are better built, get pretty decent fuel economy and don't break down much. Remember, it's about power to weight.

 

[Wavex]

I guess a major question here would be:

What are you going to use the car for?

Commuting mainly, but also canyons and maybe even on the track to check it out

 

[Wavex]

Don't underestimate that car, it will nip at the heels of a 350Z on a race track. The new 260 hp Ecotec and the new chassis mods make this car a contender. To bad GM did not fix the interior...

This is the one right? LINK

Man so many choices... you guys aren't making it easy

 

[Wavex]

I still didn't catch what you'd be using this car for.

Commuting?
Modding?
Racing?
Shows?
All of the above?

Commuting and twisties every once in a while.

Very little modding, no racing, no shows.... I just want a fun car.

 

[Wavex]

Man, a STi is a killer car. I would just be careful with them, most owners beat on them, much like Evos. Still, they are so damn reliable they are practically indestructable.
Things the STi has over the WRX:
-6 Speed
-DCCD variable center diff
-Limited slips on front/rear
-Much nicer interior
-Tons of suspension upgrades including springs/shocks/Aluminum arms/stiffer pillowball bushings/different subframes/ braces
-Brembo 4/2 pots front/rear with proper brake booster/master cylinders and larger rotors
-Larger turbo and intercooler
-Built block with sodium filled valves, forged pistons, rods, and reinforced heads/cylinder walls
-Better ECU with more adjustable parameters
-TONS of aftermarket support


With the STi, you can get basic exhaust mods and engine management and put down +300 hp/320 Tq. All with AWD and limited slips. It's an amazing performance bargain that still drives like a normal car. It's quite fun!
One downside: just try to resist modding it.

So what you're saying is that I should get an STi and mod it myself because it's cheaper than the WRX? Sorry I am a bit confused, could you plz explain?

 

[abacall]

What I'm saying is that the STi comes with some amazing extras that you don't usually get on the WRX. Modding a WRX to the level of the STi would run about $10-15K, on top of the car.
I guess what I'm saying is that I think the STi would keep you very happy in "stock" form. It should be able to do low 13's stock, and with light exhaust mods gets into the 12's. It has so much potential and SOOO much fun to drive.
Handles like its on rails, but not a rough ride, the AWD is amazing in crappy weather, and has the interior room of a sedan.

Honestly, just go drive one. You will understand why Subaru's motto is "love." It's miles ahead of any of the cars you're considering.

 

[dako81]

Commuting and twisties every once in a while.

Very little modding, no racing, no shows.... I just want a fun car.

I vote Acura.

 

[Wavex]

What I'm saying is that the STi comes with some amazing extras that you don't usually get on the WRX. Modding a WRX to the level of the STi would run about $10-15K, on top of the car.
I guess what I'm saying is that I think the STi would keep you very happy in "stock" form. It should be able to do low 13's stock, and with light exhaust mods gets into the 12's. It has so much potential and SOOO much fun to drive.
Handles like its on rails, but not a rough ride, the AWD is amazing in crappy weather, and has the interior room of a sedan.

Honestly, just go drive one. You will understand why Subaru's motto is "love." It's miles ahead of any of the cars you're considering.

OK thank you, so the STi is a step up from the WRX, I did not know that.

Here is one: LINK


While I love the Impreza and Revo and all these "Rally" cars, they are just out of my budget for one that has reasonable miles on them... that's why I was looking at coupe hatchback style cars... they may not be as fast or have all the goodies (AWD etc...) as the bigger sedan, but they are also cheaper and just as much fun! To tell you the truth, I don't care about the 1/4 mile times etc... I just want it to be fun going down a canyon road

Thanks though!

 

[Wavex]

So to recap where I am right now:

- Eclipse: to heavy, not as reliable.
- Impreza: too big/expensive
- 350Z: 2 seater only, I need 4 seats.
- RX8: too flashy for me

So right now I am left with the following:
- Cobalt SS
- Speed3
- RSX Type-S

and out of the 3, I really prefer how the RSX looks, and after test driving it last wkd, I know it's got plenty of power for my fun, so I think I am going to focus on the RSX and find the best deal I can find!

Thanks all again for all the help.

 

[Wavex]

$11,745 OTD for an '04 with 57k miles on it.

This one would be my first choice right now though (waiting for confirmation that it's still for sale):

It's a private seller who wants $12.8k for it. It's an '05 with 25.5k miles on it:

There are other great deals, but they all seem to be in the San Diego area, so I may have to go down there for a day....

 

[The Toecutter]

$11,745 OTD for an '04 with 57k miles on it.

This one would be my first choice right now though (waiting for confirmation that it's still for sale):

It's a private seller who wants $12.8k for it. It's an '05 with 25.5k miles on it:

There are other great deals, but they all seem to be in the San Diego area, so I may have to go down there for a day....

I like the white one!!!!:rockon::rockon:

 

[abacall]

So to recap where I am right now:

- Eclipse: to heavy, not as reliable.
- Impreza: too big/expensive
- 350Z: 2 seater only, I need 4 seats.
- RX8: too flashy for me

Cool, I would say to focus on the RSX or the MS3. They both have great reliability, build quality, and nice use of interior ergos.

What's up with the white ones lip?

One thing you need to be aware of with the RSX, they are ricer magnets. So be aware of who you are buying from and how they treated it.

 

[Wavex]

I like the white one!!!!:rockon::rockon:

Yeah not bad... I prefer black, but these rims on the white one are niiiice!

Cool, I would say to focus on the RSX or the MS3. They both have great reliability, build quality, and nice use of interior ergos.

What's up with the white ones lip?

One thing you need to be aware of with the RSX, they are ricer magnets. So be aware of who you are buying from and how they treated it.

Thanks man... the front spoiler of that white RSX looks like it has some damage indeed... will have to check it carefully...

I've been told to be careful buying these types of cars used... There is definitely a good chance that they were abused, so I am hoping to find a old grandma with one for sale... wish me luck :rof:


Got another OTD quote of $13,600 for this 2004 with $70k miles on it (however, it sounds a bit high compared to other deals out there for newer model with less miles):

 

[GConn]

I would definitely go for a turbo car. You may miss the beautiful sound of a V6 but it's got more performance to give without adding too much weight. Different kind of turbo engines out there though. For example the Subaru kicks in after (I think) 3.5k rpm. Too much fun The EvoX is much more linear throughout the revs.

P.S. If you are going to use it at the canyons and track, avoid FWD as well. Less capabilities and less fun IMHO