Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46
Hey - original poster here again. As far as the SRS (Secondary Restraint System) goes, Acura designed a new occupant sensor which was replaced in my car under warranty. There is a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) out on it. There was a girl at the dealership with an RSX at my dealership for the same reason.
One more thing went bad on my RSX. The struts that hold the hatch up don't do crap now. Car is still under warranty (I paid extra to extend my warranty), so I'm getting it fixed "free".
I've got a 2002 base RSX and have had a # of the same issues as previous posts including:
1)Headlights go out way more often than seems reasonable
2)Entire SRS module got replaced (not the recall mentioned above)
In addition to these (and other minor) things, I've also had to have the entire A/C system replaced (search for Honda A/C Black Death) which fortunately was done under warranty, as it was an extremely expensive repair.
Overall, great car to drive, but have certainly had more problems than I expected buying an Acura. For the most part, the dealer has been very accommodating in fixing these issues, but in the end it is still a hassle for me.
Just wanted to confirm that there is no grille, and this week a rock did break a radiator tube dumping coolant everywhere. I'm waiting for a $180 JVR replacement radiator, as the dealer quoted me $760 to replace. Of course, I have 44,000 miles on it, and this is the first time it happened. Overall, I love the car, will hate to see it go eventually. The roads here in Detroit are terrible, and the potholes/construction has really taken it's toll on the car.
02 with just over 90K on it. I had traction problems through 5 sets of tires. Now RE960's seem to match the car well. Handling stock was terrible. (I run a progress rear bar now) Acura really missed the setup in 02. Fixed in 05. Can't get o'l blue HP shocks on the 02 due to all the minor bugs Honda fixed. So, I may do full Progress struts. I do wish I could afford a Quaff dif, as it is way too much power for FWD (one wheel drive). Audi proved this years ago.
If anyone knows how to convert to the 06 front suspension, let me know off line. tvrgeek@yagoo.com Put on Power-Slot and Hawk HPS pads. No dust and a little better feel in the damp. This is street use, not autocross, so no need for bigger anything. It took about a week until cold stop came back to stock feel. Maybe steel lines would add some feel. Of course, boosters always make it mushy.
My biggest complaint is you can't see anything out the rear. Sure wish I could buy a new 88 Prelude Si.
BTW, It has a timing CHAIN, not belt.
Hey guys, I'm looking to buy an type s rsx, but the price range I'm looking in, the cars all have 80k + miles on them...thoughts?
Hey, I just bought a 02 rsx base model with no mods. my gearbox is extremely "clunky", and hard to pull through... any thoughts? Also I was wondering if anybody else's car when started up revs at about 2300rpm when colder... then after driving goes way down to uner 1000rpm? And if it is normal to have a whining noise in 1st gear at about 3000rpms? any suggestions would be grealty appreciated!
To the last guy...
Yes, that's perfectly normal to rev high on cold days.
Also, for anyone who can't figure out the gas cap, there's a plastic ball on the cap that fits into a plastic U-socket on the hatch, which allows the cap to hang freely and out of the way.
I love my 2003 Rsx premium (Canadian model with leather seats but non type-s).
I have had the headlight problem before too but now its OK. The problem is the socket where the bulb goes; it's loose. It looks tight but its not. Remove the copper part from the plastic. Use a pliers to make it tight. problem solved. I have my bulb for 2 years and no problem ever since, the ball and the you socket on the gas cap if you don't know that I don't know where you came from.
Well the original poster was a few years ago but peeps are still posting so I'll add mine.
I've had the Canadian 02 RSX Base which is a less equipped and lighter version exclusive to Canada. I've had it since new and I love it! The only problem was the auto-belt tensioner was squealing so I had it replaced, but it never actually failed. Other than that, there has been no problems. It has 86k (kilometers) and not a single bulb has blown. This site is the only place I've heard of this bulb problem.
Over time I added a Comptech Icebox (cold air intake) and front and rear strut bars for a little more chassis stiffening, plus an 06 Type-S catback exhaust and the S rims/tires, which all added a little more power and handling; but even stock out of the box, this is a wonderfully fun car to drive and extremely reliable. Nothing has ever failed and it starts every time even in the coldest weather here in Ontario.
For the problem some RSX's have with the tranny grind going from 1st to 2nd, I highly recommend changing your tranny fluid to GM Syncromesh; it will definitely help out and may fix it completely. It made mine a lot better.
Bottom line: some people may have a few problem and that's normal for just about any car, but I do think anybody considering the RSX will likely be very happy with it. If your looking for gobs of power then you might consider something else but the power is very adequate and is very good once you get to know the sweet range in the rpm's, plus the K series engines are truly a gem of engineering and are very highly regarded.
After 6 years of owning the RSX, I still don't see anything out there that I'd prefer to have in it's price range or even thousands more. In fact, the only car out there I'd prefer to have is 3 times the price - a Porsche Cayman or Boxster; and they wouldn't be as reliable. MORTIS.
Original poster back yet again! I just passed 100,000 miles. The only new problem I have is a light bulb that burned out on the heating/ventilation/AC control. That's it!
Well, the car does squeal when it's cold from the auto tensioner or serpentine belt.
I want to say using the OEM bulbs on the cars headlights solved for me the problems of bulbs burning out frequently.
My RSX has been amazingly reliable. I add more fluids - oil, brake, power steering, and antifreeze - to my Ford V8, which I only drive once a month, than I do to my RSX which I drive almost every day!
My mileage has remained around 28 mpg.
Overall, I am very happy with my RSX. I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone.
I have an 04 automatic. I love it, but this bulb thing has taken me to my limit... nice not to be alone on that one. 4 bulbs in 1 year (both sides).
In the last 6 months my SRS light is on all the time. I went to dealer and they told me the diagnostic shows a "power drain". I asked the service tech if that meant that it was a constant pull on the battery, he said it wasn't. I asked him why the light didn't turn off after the "temp power drain". He said it had to be reset with the diagnostic tool only. I have had it reset 3 times. (I did notice that it seems to come on if you have the headlights on when you start the car. Maybe that is just a coincidence.) I don't care to change out the whole system (as he recommended) so I let the red SRS light glow, and hey the console lights are all red anyway so..... what the heck.
Good luck and... it is a sweet car.
I have a 2004 Acura RSX base with a 5 speed manual transmission, the clutch is light, and the gear shifts are for the most part very smooth. It's no BMW, but it is a lot less notchy than previous Hondas I have driven.
The interior is neat and clean, the driving position is comfortable, as are the seats in the front. I have never sat in the back though.
The engine sips on gas as long as you don't rev it hard, which is kind hard to do with the 5-speed. It has no problem passing people on the highway, but I did crave more power, so I looked into after market parts, and all I have to say is that it's like a LEGO engine. I made some additions and I'm sort of addicted.
The ride is firm but smooth, and on rough surfaces it feels like you're riding on a roller skate. But for me it, it shines on a twisting roads; yes it will under-steer if pushed too hard, like every front wheel drive car, but until that point it feels connected to the road, it gave me a lot of confidence to throw it into the corners.
The cargo storage is good too, especially when you put the seats down. But for a small car it surprised me for how much stuff I could fit in it. All and all, I'm very happy with the car.
I own a 2002 base model RSX and I have had the headlight problem since I purchased the car. Every oil change I am replacing the headlights.
I have also had the SRS light problem. The first time it came on was when it was still under warranty, I paid for the scan, and was told they couldn't find anything wrong, and deactivated the light. Since then the light has been back. I have replaced the air bag sensors and the light is back on again. I now have to take it to the dealer where I'm afraid the next step is to replace the whole computer.
Honestly, I don't think that I would ever buy another RSX again.
I have a turbo RSX-S and it's fast, it's only on about 6.5psi and gets 254 whp, which is like 300hp at the crank.
I had the SRS problem and Acura fixed it; it's a 7 year extended warranty.
I love mine. It handles well, it does have aftermarket suspension and 19 inch chrome rims with Hankook tires. It looks sick I think, and people say the quality is good
I have to to replace my clutch now, and I have 90000km, which isn't bad, but it was a stock clutch. I have an Exedy and an LSD to install. I recommend the RSX．
As an owner of a 2002 RSX Type-S, I would like to add my $.02.
I bought the car new, has 120,000 miles with no significant modifications.
Problems: none
Repairs: replaced one set of headlight bulbs, that's it!
Joys: driving, shifting, comfort.
Without a doubt, the best car I have ever owned.
Response to some complaints:
Low power; Take advantage of that great gearbox and reach for the RPM's. This is what the car was built for.
Poor snow traction: Tires! buy a second set of stock wheels on e-bay (I got mine for $150 delivered x4) and use summer and winter tires. Big difference over all-season rubber.
Comfort: I am 6' 250lbs. I find this car extremely comfortable. BTW 120,000 miles and no stitches lost in the leather.
In closing: I rate the Acura RSX Type-S 10 out of 10!