- coupe 64,864
- Hayward, CA
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- autoshopper.com
2005 acura rsx review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. Many minor changes add up to major improvement. introductionthe acura rsx receives many upgrades for 2005, and while no one change is particularly significant, together they add up to a car that is considerably improved over last year's model. the previous-generation integra helped establish the current trend of import tuners. Introduced in 2002, the rsx took the integra's place as acura's front-wheel-drive sport coupe. The rsx has lost some of its edge competing against the high-performance subaru wrx, mitsubishi lancer evolution, and dodge srt-4. All can be had for roughly the same money, and offer significant performance advantages. what the rsx has to offer is the luxury, refinement and prestige of an acura. build quality and fit and finish are excellent. The rsx looks aggressive, and mild styling revisions for 2005 enhance its crisp, clean lines. Its cabin is nicely trimmed. It's oriented around the driver, with excellent seats and convenient storage. The standard rsx is fun to drive, particularly when equipped with the manual transmission. The type-s is a lot more fun, with a sweet-sounding engine that revs to 8100 rpm. It comes with 16-inch wheels and tires, cloth upholstery, a five-speed manual or optional five-speed automatic. Leather is optional 1,075). the rsx type-s 23,570) raises the bar to 210 horsepower (up from 200 last year) and 143 pound-feet of torque from its version of the same 2. 0-liter engine. Type-s comes with leather, a six-speed manual with no automatic option, and 17-inch wheels and tires. both rsx models have only a handful of options to clutter the buying process. Power door locks, automatic climate control, an anti-theft system with remote entry, tilt steering wheel and a glass moonroof are standard across the board. It also comes standard with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heat-rejecting window glass and premium audio systems: a six-speaker in-dash cd player on the rsx and a seven-speaker acura/bose 6cd in-dash changer on the type-s. an additional performance package is available for both models. New to the package for 2005 are upgraded brakes, with slotted rotors and better pads. walkaroundthe acura rsx presents a classic wedgy fastback shape, with a short nose, wheels pushed out to the corners, and a smooth profile that sweeps elegantly from the nose to the high tail. As befitting its sport-coupe market, it's more aggressive than many other acuras, even given the company's aggressive new styling direction. the changes made for 2005 continue the theme of subtle but effective. The front bumper is updated with a larger, more aggressive radiator opening under the bumper and a more dramatic five-sided acura grille. Additionally, the headlights now feature blackout trim around the reflectors, a common aftermarket upgrade. The revised taillights have an embossed look to them, and the rear bumper has been modified for a racy look. Standard on the type-s is a new spoiler on the rear decklid, although we still like the unadorned look of the standard rsx better. Acura is also careful to use as few breaks between body panels as possible to give the car a carved-from-a-solid-piece look. under the sexy skin is a chassis that is reinforced for 2005, making it 15 percent stiffer in the front and 21 percent stiffer in the rear. Insulation material has been added in the doors and roof to reduce road noise, and the side mirror gaps have been sealed shut to reduce wind noise. It's not really luxurious, but textures and surfaces are all very nice for a car in the low 20-thousand range, and switchgear is all exemplary, as befitting an acura. Similarly, the audio controls are logically placed for intuitive operation. The 9000-rpm tachometer and 160-mph speedometer dominate the cluster, with fuel and temperature gauges flanking them. As with most cars of this size and class, the rear seat is something of a joke, reserved only for small humans or medium-size dogs. There are bins in the doors, a sizeable lighted glovebox, and a clever tray/cupholder combination forward of the shifter. Acceleration is brisk in the rsx, darn quick in the type-s. All the controls work well, with solid brakes, accurate and sharp steering, and predictable handling. suspension settings on both of the rsx models were revised significantly for 2005 for better handling. Camber and caster were revised for better roadholding and more predictable steering. The new suspension settings also lower the center of gravity by 7 mm, which helps reduce body roll. Ride comfort is improved (although it's still stiff) through the use of revised bushings and damper seals. Anti-roll bars on both models were widened and thickened, from 23mm to 25. 4mm with a wall thickness of 3. 0mm up from 2. 8mm in previous models. The type-s bars go from 23mm to 26. 5mm, and the wall thickness is revised from 2. 8mm to 3. 5mm. The type s also gets a stiffer strut tower brace, further helping the steering response. And, as previously mentioned, the steering rack itself was revised with a shorter ratio for better response, resulting in quick response that doesn't feel darty. In the rear, the spring height was reduced on the type-s, further lowering the center of gravity. The rear anti-roll bar diameter was also increased from 19mm to 21mm. the revised suspension settings add up to a car that feels sharper and more finely honed than its predecessor. While it is more compliant, the ride is still stiff. However the benefits in handling are immediately noticeable. Overcook a corner and the car understeers, but a gentle easing of the throttle or a moderate tap of the brakes will tuck in the nose and help rotate the rear end. The rsx is one of those cars that rewards skilled drivers, and feeds a lot of rope to the unskilled ones before they hang themselves. the shifter is a joy, placed perfectly next to the wheel. The standard abs helps slow the car quickly and without fade. Both models use honda's i-vtec technology, which combines a cam-phasing valve timing (vtc for variable timing control) with vtec, which actually changes the valve lift. However, it works differently and for different goals in the two models. The rsx's system is tuned more for emissions and fuel efficiency, while the type-s is designed for power. The base engine develops 160 horsepower at 6500 rpm and 141 pound-feet of torque at 4000 rpm, same as last year. Thanks to improved intake, exhaust and cams, the type-s gains 10 horsepower, for 210 at 7800 rpm and 143 pound-feet of torque at 7000 rpm. Both engines meet strict lev-ii emissions requirements, and while premium fuel is required for the type-s, it's only a suggestion for the rsx. to get the most from the base engine, it's best to stick with the standard five-speed manual, a slick-shifting unit with ratios that maximize power from the engine. The automatic features acura's sequential sportshift, a mode that allows for manual shifting of the gears. Left in drive, grade logic control keeps gear hunting to a minimum on l. Power Locks✔ Tachometer✔ Climate Control✔ Cruise Control✔ CD Player✔ Sunroof/Moonroof
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