Whereas it would not have as memorable a reputation because the previous Integra, right now’s Good Worth or No Cube RSX is simply as neat a automobile. Let’s discover out if this clear coupe is value its asking worth in soiled cash.
Is it alright for a automobile to mislead you? After they have been first provided on the market, twenty-plus years in the past, Dodge’s Neon SRT-4 was claimed to get 215 horsepower out of its 2.4-liter turbocharged 4. When some distrusting house owners examined that declare by placing the automobiles on dynos, it was found that the engine really made a heck of much more than that quantity. Because it appeared fully inventory save for a cone filter consumption, the 2003 Dodge Neon SRT-4 that got here our approach yesterday is perhaps sufficiently old that common put on and tear has taken a toll on that overage of energy. Nonetheless, there gave the impression to be loads of life left in it, and at $8,700, lots of you felt it an inexpensive alternative to get in on that liveliness. A strong 60% ‘Good Worth’ win was the end result.
What’s in a reputation?
At present, let’s examine and distinction. This 2004 Acura RSX is of an identical age, measurement, and worth as yesterday’s Neon. Differentiating the 2 are the variety of doorways, the Dodge’s hairier-chested persona, and the Acura’s rather more inviting cabin and general construct high quality. Which automobile would you relatively have?
Acura launched the RSX for the 2002 mannequin 12 months as each a continuation of, and a substitute for, the Integra. The identify change was prompted by guardian Honda’s concern that particular person mannequin names—Legend, Integra, and so on.—have been commanding extra headspace from customers within the market than the general model, Acura. In what, in hindsight, was a really dumb transfer, the corporate threw out all of the mannequin names, changing them with an alphabet soup of three-letter identifiers. The Integra nameplate just lately returned to Acura’s U.S. lineup, hooked up to a reasonably good little four-door sedan based mostly on the Honda Civic. The remainder of the mannequin vary, nevertheless, is made up of the bigger TLX and a sequence of crossovers, all named “something-DX” with no seeming rhyme or motive.
Not my kind?
This RSX is extra akin to the unique Integra in intent than the present automobile, though its mannequin lineup dropped the four-door mannequin of the sooner sequence. This one can be, it needs to be famous, not the warmer Sort-S mannequin, missing that automobile’s 200-horsepower engine and six-speed guide. As a substitute, this RSX is a base automobile, making do with a 2.0-liter K20A3 4 with Honda’s clever variable valve timing (iVTEC) serving to the DOHC engine make a nonetheless respectable 160 horsepower and 142 pound-feet of torque. Right here, that is mated to a five-speed guide driving the entrance wheels in conventional Honda vogue.
This can be a first-generation RSX, that means earlier than the 2005 refresh, and as such it’s the better-looking automobile. In one other questionable transfer, Acura dulled down the RSX’s styling with that refresh, eradicating the cutouts within the entrance and rear bumpers the place the headlights and hind lights nestle, respectively. Regardless of this automobile’s considerably institutional Taffeta White (sure, that is the colour’s identify) over Titanium colour combo, these parts give the automobile some character. That was misplaced within the later editions.
No accidents, no points
In line with the advert, the bodywork underneath that equipment white coat is in wonderful form and enjoys a historical past absolutely freed from accidents. The five-spoke alloys additionally look like in wonderful situation and put on newish-looking Michelin meats. Plus, the inexperienced valve stem caps imply these tires are nitrogen-rich!
The cabin seems to be in simply pretty much as good a form, reflecting the automobile’s pretty modest 122,000 miles. There’s some put on evident on the motive force’s seat squab, however, on the plus facet, all the seats are upholstered within the optional-when-new perforated leather-based. Every thing else seems normal and inventory, save for the stereo head unit, which is a single-DIN Sony. That is an sufficiently old automobile to be principally analog, so there’s not even a small display within the sprint, and the HVAC is all guide. The automobile does have energy home windows and locks, so driving it will not really feel fully like Fred Flintstone’s your neighbor. A clear title and a latest smog take a look at passing grade are extra attributes.
Precisely priced?
As we mentioned on the outset, this RSX and yesterday’s Neon prowl the identical seas so far as intent and present worth. Each are compact automobiles with a sporting nature. To be honest, there are some substantial variations between them within the preliminary construct high quality and current situation, nevertheless. At $8,900, the Acura is a pair of Benjamins greater than the Dodge, however the nicer inside and certain extra refined Honda character would possibly very properly be value the additional price.
What do you assume? Is that this seemingly very well-kept RSX value that $8,900 asking because it’s offered in its advert? Or, is that an excessive amount of to ask for this Integra wannabe?
You determine!
Los Angeles, California, Craigslist, or go right here if the advert disappears.
H/T to Fauxshizzle for the hookup!
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