Hello.

First off, I've been reading a lot of this forum and of ClubRSX.com. My mother is looking at purchasing my used 98 Accord Coupe from me for $1,000 less than KBB value and I've got about $1,500 saved up and I was planning on taking out a loan for about $10,000.

Long story short, I'll have about $17,000-$18,000 to work with.

The ONLY two cars I'm looking at are used RSX Type-S and used Accord V6 6MT Coupes. I've found the following facts:

- Used RSX Type-S with under 50,000 miles (i.e. still under warranty, even for a little bit) can be found in my price range, if not $1,000-$2,000 cheaper.
- Used AV6 with all the options I want are hard to find used in my area, and are about $2,000-$5,000 out of my price range.

It looks like the Type-S is the car for me. I've ALWAYS loved it, and I prefer the 02-04 style over the 05+.

What should I look for in a used RSX Type-S? Did all the 02-04 cars need the 2nd gear replaced? What should be some warning signs?

 

why not put $15,000 or so down payment on a new type s ... keep about 3-4g's for modding and make like $100 payments for a couple years?

 

as far as problems go the most common are the gear syncros. you'll notice that (in some) second gear is slightly notchy, thrid gear likes to grind, and fifth to sixth is slightly notchy. If you buy one within the warranty period, all of these problems will be fixed/replaced without any charge to you.
Another problem that is common is the window regulator breaking, which is also fixed without charge to you.

as far as what to look for- i wouldnt suggest buying from a younger seller, or someone who is selling for someone else. just make sure that if you are going to buy from a private seller that you have a mechanic check it out. I know at acura dealerships (which honestly, i think would be the best thing) a pre-sale inspection runs about 60-70 dollars (better than a couple thousand to replace a lemon engine)

 

I had of course planned on taking it to my local Acura dealership for inspection. Plus a carfax.

I don't have $15,000 to put down. I have the selling price of my car + money I earn selling my Accord's engine mods + money I have already saved. That totals about $8,000. The loan is for $10,000 so that's about $18,000. I've seen used Type-S stock on Autotrader.com for about $15-16,000.

How would I know if the gearset was replaced (2nd) and what's with the grinding in 3rd and from 5th to 6th? That doesn't make me want to buy a used car.

 

Oh yeah. I can't drive stick. I mean I can, but for the first couple of weeks in my RSX I'd be "learning" how to drive a stick. I won't be racing or modding for at least the time it takes me to learn a stick good.

Is an RSX a good car to learn stick on?

 

ive taught a few people how to drive stick on my car but i had to stop cuz i made modifications that effected the clutch.

as far as how you would know.. you'll feel it when you shift. It'll be hard to put into gear. if you check with the dealership that the seller serviced the car at then they can tell you if this is already done.

 

I taught myself how to drive stick on my S. It won't be hard, I went out all night and had it down after that. As far as the gear synchro problem, just get one that is still under warranty and tell them that you want it fixed when you get it. There is a service bulletin out for it, and they will have no problems fixing it for free. I never had the problem with second gear, but my third gear was constantly grinding and they replaced that now I don't have any problems.

You'll like the type S man, especially if you are in to modding, they take quite nicely to that. I agree about the 05' styling wise, I thought that the head and taillights were the signature for the RSX and acura got rid of them. Good luck with getting one.

 

Yeah I plan to keep it stock until warranty runs out. I'll put on JDM look-a-like headlights and maybe some other generic style changes but when the warranty is up I'm looking at:

- Injen Cold Air Intake
- DC Sport Race Header (emissions is not a problem in my state)
- Some quality exhaust brand
- Hondata Intake Manifold Gasket
- Hondata Reflash or K-Pro

 

let me know when you buy your rsx-s, i have the a set of JDM lookalike headlights i want to seel or trade for black projectors. Let me know. I paid 235$ for 'em so i figure $175 shipped.

 

if you PM me a VIN of an acura you are looking at i can check the status of warranty repairs on the car for you... just an fyi