Well, so much for the challenger; how's the champ doing? With sales of about 25,000 last year, it has 10,000 units on the Celica, though it also has an age advantage. To maintain freshness, the Acura RSX enters 2005 with a few changes to the styling, wheels, and engine, but it's mostly the same story as it was three years ago.
The story began as a complete overhaul of Acura's gray-haired Integra. The two 1.8-liter engines got replaced by 2.0 blocks, gaining 20 and 30 horsepower. The higher one still gets its advantage from Honda's VTEC valve timing. Actually, VTEC is found on both models now, but the base model only uses it on the intake side, while the Type S has it working on both the intake and exhaust end. The results? 160 horsepower against 210, partly thanks to a higher compression ratio, and a redline of 6,800 RPM against 8,100. The Type S also gets a higher final-drive ratio, a sixth gear, and needs to gulp premium fuel. Like the Celica, the RSX's suspension is made of struts in front and double wishbones in back; the Type S's 21mm rear stabilizer bar is slightly thicker (2mm) than the base model's. Tires were upsized this year to 205/55-16 (base) and 215/45-17 (Type S). Unlike the Celica, there is no brake stratification: all RSXs get discs with an antilock system.
At $24,140, the RSX Type S also enjoys standard leather, a titanium gearshift knob, a Bose stereo with CD changer and subwoofer, spoiler, and a funkier-looking exhaust. Gone are the days of $15,000 Integras; the price of the cheapest RSX is $20,745. Add $1,075 for leather and $900 for an automatic. This being Acura, no other options exist since they're already part of the deal.
That automatic is a five-speed with Honda's Sequential Sportshift feature for stick stimulation. But simulations have no place in the cockpit of true sporting machines, so Acura restricts the lazy from accessing its more potent engine by offering Type S with manual only. As in many Hondas, the engine is the RSX's strong suit. 105 horsepower per liter is nothing to sneeze at (the world record, also set by Honda, stands at 120), and even before this year's 10-horse boost, the RSX's 200 horses were enough to launch it to 60 in 6.1 seconds while delivering a reasonable 26 MPG on premium.
All RSXs should handle about the same, and compared to the car it replaced, some see this as a flaw. One common criticism of both the RSX and its platform basis, the Civic, is that the downgrade from double-wishbone suspensions to struts has dulled handling. The RSX's steering is still fast, and especially with its new 17-inch wheels, it can still grip the road, but in terms of excitement through feel, the RSX's handling trails the Celica's. The RSX is also another victim of a failed diet plan. 2,840 pounds for the Type S isn't terrible, but one of the charms of these cars is lithe response, which Acura seems to be gradually abandoning with each passing year. It used to be that the Integra beat the Celica in both speed and handling talent. Now it seems you must choose one or the other.
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