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Hatchbacks Acura RSX Acura RSX vs. Scion tC
102 messages, Last post on Oct 06, 2007 at 5:20 PM
You are in the Acura RSX Forum. Your Host is pf_flyer
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side airbags are standard on the RSX. The RSX does five points better on average in fuel economy, which will save you about $250 a year ($2.50/gallon, 15K miles per year), not quite offsetting the insurance increase you mentioned above. Those low profile 17" tires are going to cost you a good $100 more per set to replace every three years, maybe $150 (RSX's 205/55/16 is a VERY conventional size and has been for four or five years, so tire prices in that size are coming way down), There goes another $40 or $50 per year, and you can see we are almost offsetting those insurance costs. Obviously, YMMV, and I am just making the point that when you start to analyze numbers that small in a new car purchase, "behind the scenes" factors begin to play a bigger role too. To my mind, what one cannot overlook between these two cars is the $3500 price gulf. As I said in my post a few pages back, that additional $3500 is easily worth it for me in terms of better performance (handling specifically), better interior, and one or two more amenities like the ACC. But those things are going to hold a different value for everyone. And one of the criticisms above is all too true - the RSX has a lot of intruding road noise at highway speeds.
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Replying to: nippononly (May 08, 2005 2:55 pm) Anyway, your points are noteworthy. Unless you're at a race track the performance difference you claim is not a issue in stop and go traffic. Its nice to see a vehicle division that causes others to change. Don't you? 
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actually, it is my understanding that the RSX gets such high insurance rates because the previous generation Integras had such an abysmal record of being stolen or vandalized all the time. And of course it doesn't help that it is a two-door sport coupe. goose, it is my turn to agree with the points you make, except one: "Unless you're at a race track the performance difference you claim is not a issue in stop and go traffic" The thing is, I wasn't referring to timed runs, I was referring to handling that is so much better that it makes the car more fun to drive even in everyday trafficky situations. The one thing I do very little of, however, is stop and go on the highway, where the car's better handling would obviously make no difference at all. But it turns corners on the street more quickly and with less body roll, and is more responsive in quick lane changing, and 100 other little differences like that. Now as for Acura causing other manufacturers to change, I am not sure they have, but if so I applaud it! 
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Replying to: nippononly (May 08, 2005 10:00 pm) When comparing cars in the class of the tC, RSX, et al, I don't think you'll find that significant diffrence evident. (even considering the 'little' things) What diffrences you'll find when really pushing these cars is paid for by a less compliant ride the other 98% of the time your driving. I think you really have to go beyond this class of "sporty" cars to get into a real "sport" car tuned suspension that would impress a true enthusiast (and at a much higher cost). I hear and read a lot about the great handling of the RSX, Mazda3 and MINI when compared to the tC but even if one is to concede an advantage, there certainly isn't enough difference to justify the thousands of dollars more in cost. I appreciate the insight to analyze cost of insurance, replacement tires, etc., but much of that can be minimized by choice and one could go on forever comparing the cost of every component of these cars. I think it is rightly stated that even with all trhings considered, it is tough to overcome and justify a price difference of over 3 grand among this class of cars. If I were willing to pay 22k or more in this class of vehicle based on handling, I would rather move up in class to a used, real, sports car. |
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06 tC gets knob on the unit and steering wheel stereo controls which RSX lacks. Despite having shorter wheelbase RSX has HUGE turning radius rivaling some full size SUVs like Navigator. RSX stock Michelins make the car downright scary to drive in rain. In contrast, tC Yokos are very predictable in foul weather. RSX gets stolen far less than Integra, even thieves realize the current Civic isn't worth modding.
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happened to be at the Acura dealer the other day with my kids. Decided the RSX can not serve as a "family" car. Just not enough leg room in the back seat, plus it is a pain to get in and out (the seat doesn't seem to have a lever at the top that lets it tilt and slide, nor does it have a memory). Very inconvenient to get the seat out of the way, than you have to readjust the whole thing. Seemed to have less headroom too. Overall, my kids confirmed that while the tC is OK for them, the RSX wouldn't be. But, if I never (or rarely) planned to use the back seat, I did like the front seats of the RSX better. haven't drvine one in a long time, so can't comment about that aspect. |
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Replying to: irnmdn (Jun 27, 2005 3:39 am) Thank goodness - there is such a thing as clutter - important to avoid in a small car. "RSX stock Michelins make the car downright scary to drive in rain" Extremely overstated - have you actually done this? Not scary at all. Do I love the HX MXM4s? No. "RSX gets stolen far less than Integra, even thieves realize the current Civic isn't worth modding." Actually, it is because the RSX is the first Integra to have a standard perimeter alarm system and an immobilizer chip in the key. The stock stereo in the tC is a messy sea of little buttons, and a volume knob (long overdue) will not change that. Nor will it change the large swath of cheapish aluminum-painted plastic that glares at you from the center stack, or the silly little door over the stereo that sticks out of the dash two inches whenever you actually want to use the stereo (which for me would be.....all the time!). Maybe I am just getting old - the interior of the tC is very obviously designed to appeal to younger tastes.
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Replying to: nippononly (Jun 27, 2005 9:27 pm) 06 tc gets steering wheel audio controls, buttons on the head unit are non-issue. Letters B-o-s-e on RSX head unit will not change the bland sound of the stereo. Nor will it change the large swath of cheapish aluminum-painted plastic that glares at you from the center stack Agree about painted aluminum, but prefer the symmetrical design of tC's center stack over the odd layout of RSX One thing I give to RSX is the slick shifter, nobody does manuals better than Honda.in this price range. However, grab them while you can. 06 is the last year for RSX. Honda is soon to become a Truck and Minivan company. |
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I am the original owner of a 1995 Integra. I loved it except for the door dings and recent hail damage. After the hail damage I looked around the parking lot and noticed that a S2000 and my Integra had more hail damage. So I started questioning Honda's great mpg, Could it be thin sheet metal? So I widened my search for a new car and included the tC with the RSX. The acura interior plastics are superb. I like that soft dashboard feel. The RSX bucket seat fit like a glove and the fabric soft. The RSX radio controls are great for the driver but not for the passenger. Reminded me of a jet fighter. TheAcura sales department was high presure and tried to sell me a TSX so I tried it first. I enjoyed the beautiful interior and great ride until I hit a small pothole and the wheels gave a soda can sound. I was very annoyed by that sound and postponed my road testdrive of the RSX. I am 30+ married and my wife has an A4 so I thought the tC might be too youthful for me. But the price and my recent discontent with Acura compelled me to try a tC. I test drove it twice. The first was white tC with a big spoiler. I thought this is a quiet coupe. The interior was decent but could be jazzed up with blue lights. The seats were also good. Exterior ties with RSX For the second tC test drive. I brought my wife and the salesrep. The salesrep told me to floor it and try the suspension and hard braking. It felt heavy compared to my old integra and the TSX but it also had less tire and pothole noises. It also felt solid A4-ish. She also loved the available interior accessories. So if you are planning to race get the RSX or TSX but if you want solid quiet coupe with accessory selection and no hassle get the tC. I put a deposit down for a tC coming in 2 weeks If I ever need more power or better handles I can even get the suspension and supercharger from the dealer. Love the tC.
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The tC handles so much better with the TRD Lowering Springs and the Shocks/Struts combo. I put the TRD Cat-Back Exhaust on and I love that deep rumble, and I am glad it doesn't sound like those cans I hear on Civics all the time. I am still debating about the Supercharger, as it would put the tC right there with the RSX in power (about 200 hp depending on tuning). I looked at the RSX, Civic, and the Mazda3. I was not impressed with Mazda's lack of safety on Side-Impact Crashes (I think I saw 3 stars as the best?). That and the salesperson thought he had me in the bag from the moment I said hello. The Civic felt like there was nothing to it, which made me think that it might be susceptible to dings. That and the salesperson dragged me up to a used lot (told me that it was the new lot) when I specifically said a new car, on foot (or rather, on crutches since I was recovering from surgery) and left me there with my girlfriend. Said he'd be back in 5 minutes since he had to go help another customer. I left the lot 10 minutes later and was accosted by another salesperson on the way out who tried to convince me to buy an Element when I said that I was looking for a new Civic. When I mentioned the problem of being left in a Used Car Lot, he smiled. I mean, talk about lack of any common sense. I'm on frickin' crutches! The Acura handled nicely, but it just seemed small. The salesperson acted like I couldn't afford it and I was wasting his time. For some reason, Honda and Acura feel that they don't have to work to get you to purchase the vehicles. It seems so weird that in sales, the salesperson makes you feel bad for helping him make money. When I went to the Scion Dealer, I got a salesman named Terry. He knew everything about the car and he knew everything about the other cars I was comparing with. He made the whole thing about me, which is surprising considering the low margin on these cars. At any rate, he gave me a good deal when the car took 2 months to show up, he threw in the TRD Shocks and Struts package for free. I've had problems, but I can't really say that I have seen fewer problems on any of the other new cars. The salesman moved on to Nissan and still calls me to see how my car is doing and that if there are any problems that he will get them taken care of. Maybe it was just the salesman, but it was nice to actually have a person take an interest in you before and after you buy your car. I just did not get that feeling from Honda or Acura. |
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