Ford Mustang or Acura RSX? - Page 4

XRL · 06-04-09, 05:55

Here's a few other things to throw out there:

Mercury Marauder - OK, I know what you're thinking... Why would I want a (very) glorified cop car? Well, first of all, they're freaking cool. Secondly, they're quick and fun to drive for being so big. Thirdly, it'll hold its value well, in fact if you find the right deal you might not even lose money when you get rid of it. And fourthly, they're HUGE inside, tons of space for people, belongings, etc. The trunk is even larger, and could likely hold a small apartment, or 5-6 dead hookers (your choice). Plus who doesn't like 300hp and much much more available with modding?

Grand Prix GXP - Sorta like a worse version of the Marauder, 300hp and another 4speed auto, but this time going to the front wheels so no powerslides happening here. Not as big, but better on the gas. Once you learn to ignore the cheap parts of the interior(they're easy to spot, they're made from ABS plastic and stick out, it's pretty nice too. The leather/suede seats are fantastic. The LS4 in it is pretty much bulletproof (upgrading the same engine design for 30 years has a way of getting all the bugs out).

Lincoln LS (V8)- RWD, plenty of space, luxurious interior, but not a whole lot of performance. It'll entertain you, but it's not a drag race king. Which is a shame because it's a very fluid car outside of that.

The RSX is really tiny inside... You couldn't fit much in the way of anything in it. The base models are also absurdly slow. They feel quick because they rev to million rpm to get anywhere, and once they hit VTEC they get way louder, but they're actually very slow. My friend had one with a buncha bolt ons, and riding in it you'd swear it was fast as hell. Then one day I raced him in my old Explorer. Boy was I surprised when I pulled several cars on him immediately, continually (up to about 80, then he would get back closer), and repeatedly.

Ever thought about a Contour SVT? Way better car than either of those two, and MUCH cheaper. My best advice would be to go around and test drive as many cars as you can. You might come to see that the RSX offers no attributes to offset its small size, high price, and low performance. Classic Honda car (or Toyota).

Citius · 06-04-09, 07:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deibidosan

Integra Type R, and it handles really well, is great on gas, and is going to hold its value. You might check into one. I love mine!

Hard to find in the states. We have the Acura Integra Type R, but it's hard to find one in good shape and people generally know what they want for them.

XRL, thanks for the suggestions. I'll have to look into those. I'm staying away from Pontiac though. I had one and it was the worst p.o.s. I have ever drove.

Setec Astronomy · 06-04-09, 07:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Citius

I'm staying away from Pontiac though. I had one and it was the worst p.o.s. I have ever drove.

Ha ha...kind of a broad generalization, don't you think? Most Pontiacs (up until recent years, when half of them came from Australia) are not much different from their corporate cousins. Of course, if you had a used F-car those are usually beat to crap. In the 80's when you went to the local Pontiac dealer, in the service area every car up on the lift was a T/A...

Lumadar · 06-04-09, 02:27

I hope the RSX-S gets better MPG than the normal RSX. My girlfriend lives in a suburb of San Diego and does a TON of highway driving (easily 80%+) and she gets 24 MPG consistently. I even tried replacing the stock air filter with a nice GREEN racing filter, not much difference.

FWIW, she hates her car, it's a rattle box. The interior has nice materials, but poor fit...at least once you get some miles on it. I am very particular about NOT having rattles or buzzing in my cars, and I almost have a melt down in her car. You couldn't even begin to find and fix them because it's everywhere- IN the entire dash, the headliner, door panels, center console, rear hatch... it never ends.

Needless to say, she can't wait to get out of that car... (Oh, it rides like a buckboard too)

Perferd · 06-04-09, 02:32

For $13k and you being young and me being a stang guy here is my list...used older Roush/Saleen/Bullitt/Cobra/Steeda/Nicely built Fox Body

XRL · 06-04-09, 03:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lumadar

I even tried replacing the stock air filter with a nice GREEN racing filter, not much difference.

There's your problem. You have to get the red filters, they're faster.

japjoe7 · 06-05-09, 12:10

RSX Type-S owner chiming in. Honestly, my car has given me 0 problems with 73k on the dial right now(bought it new with 4 miles on it). Only things I would complain about are the little things you get with every car. Historically foreign car are more reliable than American brand cars, just a fact or why would people say it constantly and a small part of the reason why GM is taking a **** right now. I get about 27 mpg mostly city. I've also owned a Mustang and had problems with it which were more maintenance related but also having the same mileage as my RSX. I resent Setec Astronomy "boy-racer"remark by the way. If your looking for reliability and fun to drive than RSX is the way to go. If you want ...well...I don't know what a Mustang will give you, than go with that. Anyone want to give some benefits to owning a Mustang?

rjstaaf · 06-05-09, 12:37

I would skip the V6 Mustang, for 13K you should be able to find a nice clean GT.

I have had my 2001 Mustang GT for 7 years now. She currently has 125K on the odometer and I have had ZERO problems with it.

I have NEVER had to take it to the dealer or any other shop for anything other than alignments and tires. I handle the rest...

Len_A · 06-05-09, 01:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by japjoe7

RSX Type-S owner chiming in. Honestly, my car has given me 0 problems with 73k on the dial right now(bought it new with 4 miles on it). Only things I would complain about are the little things you get with every car. Historically foreign car are more reliable than American brand cars, just a fact or why would people say it constantly and a small part of the reason why GM is taking a **** right now. I get about 27 mpg mostly city. I've also owned a Mustang and had problems with it which were more maintenance related but also having the same mileage as my RSX. I resent Setec Astronomy "boy-racer"remark by the way. If your looking for reliability and fun to drive than RSX is the way to go. If you want ...well...I don't know what a Mustang will give you, than go with that. Anyone want to give some benefits to owning a Mustang?

Repairs are generally less expensive in a Mustang. Insurance is reasonable on the Mustang V-6. Citius said he was looking at a 2005-2007 Ford Mustang V6, among other cars - Consumers Reports rates the Mustang a "Good Bet", with reliability of the 2005-2007 Ford Mustang V6 as average to better than average.

Citius · 06-05-09, 05:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by japjoe7

Honestly, my car has given me 0 problems with 73k on the dial right now(bought it new with 4 miles on it).

Yeah, my buddy has one with 90,000 miles on it and he said the same thing. He told me that I should get an 04 or newer because that's when they fixed the transmission problem (grinding at 2nd gear or something).

I noticed that I could get a nice 2004 Mustang GT for $13k instead of the V6. I can't say that I'm a huge fan of the fox body, but the V8 sounds a hell of a lot better than the V6 haha.

Hmmm... decisions, decisions....

HappyWax · 06-05-09, 06:24

My cousin has an 04 accord (coupe v6 ex 6sp) and has had the same issue -several times- Loves the car- My understanding is that the entire system was a new back in 02/03. I'm sure they worked out the kinks for the newer models but the fact that his (model year) 04 has had the same reoccurring issue (to me) indicates a design flaw (and not just in the first year of production)

Personally, I think its the one time Honda R&D dropped the ball.

Having said that I wonder if its overblown/overstated because its Honda -if Chevy had this issue it would be -no big whoop- just another notch mark for their bow tie of shame.

XRL · 06-05-09, 06:31

Fox Bodies were like late 80s. Mustang guys will look at you funny if you call an '04 a foxbody.

Honda drops the ball pretty often, but people just shrug it off. The 3.2 TL and CL had issues with transmissions. The MDX had them for a while too. Eventually they got the bugs worked out though('04 or so). People just seem to have a more forgiving attitude towards foreign cars.