Given the rash of theorizing in the 2006 Civic Si thread about what may become of the RSX now that the Si is around, I have created this thread for discussing what you think Acura should do in the coupe segment.

I think the RSX is a pretty nice car, especially in Type-S form. I also think it's somewhat lacking in what may be referred to as mechanical soul, and I think the current Civic Si hatch has that mechanical soul but is lacking the performance bits of the RSX Type-S. My ideal car out of all of these options would be the Civic Type-R which combines the soul of the current Si hatch body style with the performance bits of the RSX-S. The new Si covers the performance bases just as well as the RSX-S does, and it has a bit more sort of youthful flair to it (although not as much as I think the CTR does). Regardless, I think it makes the RSX lineup a bit redundant.

Acura has for years played second fiddle to Lexus and to a lesser extent Infiniti (if not in sales numbers then in prestige) for a number of reasons. One of the biggest reasons in my mind is the Integra/RSX. Whereas the other Japanese luxury marques all have their entry level car as a sedan with plenty of luxury appointments and an at least quasi-premium price, the Acura brand has been accessible to all but the lowest rungs of the automotive price spectrum. With the TSX selling really well, I think it's time for Acura to shed its lowest priced model.

In its place, I think Acura should sell a 2-door coupe with either the the TL's 3.2 liter V6 or the RL's 3.5 liter, and most importantly, rear wheel drive. Not freaking all wheel drive. No understeer here, thankyouverymuch. We're not talking a huge slice of the market here, mainly just something to compete with the likes of the BMW 330Ci and Infiniti G35 Coupe. Besides, the car show crowd has shown it is perfectly willing to embrace more expensive cars like the Nissan 350Z and Infiniti G35, so a car in that segment would do much to enhance Acura's street cred in the higher price brackets as something more than just a sensible choice for the up-and-coming yuppie or the middle-aged former yuppie that no longer feels inclined to deal with the problems associated with owning a premium European marque.

Now here's the wrinkle to give it a business case. The car could be sold in world markets as the Legend Coupe. Give it RL/Legend headlights and unique bodywork everywhere else, and sell it everywhere to recoup some of the development costs. Even in countries where Acura is not a brand, a Legend Coupe would help give more class to the Honda brand. This would be especially helpful in Europe where by and large Japanese brands don't have too much success.

So...feel free to discuss whatever it is you have to discuss about the RSX's fate and what if anything you think Acura should do with a coupe in the future.

 

Well, technically, Acura could just take the current NSX, give up on the hand assembly, give it some luxo stuff, bring the price tag down to 45-50k and there's your M3 killer. I'm sure sales numbers will soon justify the price drop.

On the other hand, that wouldn't exactly be a RSX successor, maybe they could sell it at CL, or just give it a whole new name all together.

If they are to make anything of the RSX however, I think shortened TSX base in a coupe form makes the most sense. It's got what you call "mechanical soul", well built, unlike the rsx, however it is kinda expensive. Maybe if they abandon the Navi, lose wood trim and whatnot, and bring it down to 22,000 it would make a great replacement for RSX.

In any case, whatever they make of it, must bring the driving excitements integras had, doesnt matter whether its AWD, RWD, or FWD.


P.S. I heard some rumors a while back about a coupe ford of S2000, now that would be sweet.

 

While I agree with your overall reasoning and do think the RSX will be discontinued (at least in it's current form), I have to say I'll be very disappointed to see it go. As a previous Integra owner and a current RSX owner, I'm obviously a little biased. I love the lux/price/performance ratio. There's really not another car that comprises those same attributes.

I was thinking the RSX replacement might end up being something a little more like a 2-door TSX, probably with AWD at least as an up-market trim level.

Edit -- dammit, Ochdx beat me to the 2-door TSX comment.

 

I doubt it would have AWD, TSX platford is already expensive as it is, RSX successor can't afford to sell for more than 23K.

How about prelude platform?

 

the prelude was based on the accord, and the tsx IS an accord. they most likely use different platforms based on the size requirements of the car, not cost. and when did the accord platform become expensive? the accord platform is the basis for so many honda automobiles right now (accord, tsx, odyssey, TL, MDX, pilot...). using it for one more car isn't going to make the cost skyrocket - in fact it'll prolly make it cheaper.

 

The Prelude did share engines and stuff with the Accord but it was not the same platform. Honda's not going to bring back a platform they haven't sold in four years to make a new Acura. The point also would not be to make another $23k Acura, but to have a 2-door Acura that costs more than the TSX.

Honda has the somewhat unique capability among big car companies to build niche models in small batches at one factory. The NSX, S2000 and Insight all come from the same place. That's why those cars have engines which are somewhat out of synch with the rest of Honda's lineup as far as what's shared with other cars.

So perhaps this new rwd car could be built at the same place.

 

maybe move the next rsx to the tsx price range. have it be on a shorten tsx platform. have it be a very preludeish car with its own body style instead of just a 2 door tsx. 240hp, 2.2 ivtec ,6 speed, all the standard features of the tsx, navi option. with those features it can be more luxurious while still being sporty aiming at a more mature target than the SI would. of course the tsx would get a power boost to 240 as well

as for the CL sure it can make a come back priced at the 40-45kish. pretty much the RL in a coupe form with a sportier body styling. interior features of something between the TL and RL to keep the price a bit lower

 

i say that they take the Si concept and make that the next integra/rsx

then i say use the currect RSX as a base to mold into a new CRX type hatch for the civic Si

 

I don't see them replacing the RSX directly.

 

Whoever said the RSX replacement is a shortened TSX is probably closer to the truth than the poster thinks.

Imagine a two-door coupé version of the TSX (akin to the coupé version of the current Accord), but powered by the same rumored engine used on the 7th-generation Honda Civic Type-R hatchback sold in Europe and Japan. With 240 bhp (SAE) on a shortened TSX body, it will essentially be a revival of the old CL coupé but much more fun to drive.