2004 Acura RSX Consumer Reviews

57K miles and still love it

Written by: Vince on 08/12/2007

Vehicle

2004 Acura RSX Type-S 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6M)

Review

This car does nothing great, but does everything well. It has enough power to be useable in daily driving, yet it feels like a different car when VTEC kicks in around 6K RPM. Stock it handles well enough, but go aftermarket for serious handling. The interior is good. Nothing in this car requires the owner's manual. Honda has perfected user-friendly interiors. When driven reasonably, I've averaged 34-36 MPG consistently. The chassis has developed some rattles, mainly when the temps are cold. Other than that, the chassis is solid. I had 2nd gear grinds earlier on, but it now only happens when extremely cold. Overall, I love this car and I think it's a great car for the young professional.

Favorite Features

VTEC. Aftermarket support. Drivetrain. Suspension.

Suggested Improvements

Finicky transmission. Long trip comfort (stiff, bouncy and loud). Styling a bit boring. Bluetooth and nav capability.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Fun but needs something

Written by: GD on 04/26/2007

Vehicle

2004 Acura RSX Type-S 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6M)

Review

Forgetting the fact that this car is no longer being made (poor Integra) It is a fun car day to day. The only thing is that for the money you can get a LOT more bang for your buck. If you are a die hard Honda fan you will forget the fact that the car has no torque and gets tiring to drive when revving to 8100 to stay in vtec after every shift. I bought the car on a whim but wish I would have looked at a WRX. Good reliable car but really overpriced and underpowered. Honda needs to step it up with a boosted car or they will be left behind. Also dont plan on carrying anyone in the car, the extra weight and lack of torque kills any hope of accelerating.

Favorite Features

Interior design, GREAT handling, reliability, 28 MPG all the time.

Suggested Improvements

NO TORQUE, boring exterior, leather seats don't hold on, loud on the highway.

2 out 5 people found this review helpful

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After 2 years, still lovin' it

Written by: Vince on 12/15/2006

Vehicle

2004 Acura RSX Type-S 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6M)

Review

Overall, I love this car. It blends performance along w/ luxury in a very valuable package. Yes, the gearbox is a little finicky at times, but you just have to row thru the gears prior to driving, especially when cold. Yes, my car has many rattles. Ask any owner of a sport compact w/ a very stiff suspension. It's just the nature of the beast. Used to drive this thing 160 miles everyday for work. Road noise gets tiresome and stiff suspension causes backaches, but gets very good MPG. Compared to other cars, may not have the most luxury or features. Honda owner for life.

Favorite Features

Overall performance, interior design, hatchback versatility, exterior looks w/ help of JDM body kit.

Suggested Improvements

NAV & MP3 hook-up ability. Better rear suspension setup (fixed by '05 & '06 models). Little better engine performance (fixed by '05 & '06). More aggressive exterior (fixed by '05 & '06 models). Limited Slip Diff. HID headlamps.

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Still Happy

Written by: TP on 09/27/2006

Vehicle

2004 Acura RSX Type-S 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6M)

Review

I've had a 2004 Type-S for 33,000 miles. I'm completeley happy with it and am only sad that 2006 is the end of the line for the great Integra-RSX. I owned an Integra previously and bought the RSX-Type-S because I like the engineering and the car gets exceptional mileage. It's a little noisy but so what? You have the CD player on anyway, and the Bose sound system is quite good. Better than the Integra's Alpine. This is a gearhead's car, and it's a blast to drive. Too bad it's easy to get tickets! It looks good, especialy in Milano Red, and is nicely put together and exceptionally reliable. Nice job Acura!

Favorite Features

Engine, steering, sound system, interior, shrouded headlights and taillights, performance, gas mileage.

Suggested Improvements

More sound deadening.

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RSX Fan

Written by: Greg on 08/08/2006

Vehicle

2004 Acura RSX 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I leased my RSX in 2003 as the first Acura I have owned. Knowing their reputation for quality I have been totally pleased with the car. It is so versatile with the hatchback, I have hauled bagged Mulch, Ceramic Tile and just about anything else I needed to carry. It is comfortable on long trips and get great mileage. Apple Tree Acura has been Awesome for service trips too! My only complaint is they are not replacing the RSX with a new version. I am now facing going to a TSX or a Honda brand when my lease is up. Other than that, I love my RSX!

Favorite Features

The Hatchback versatilty.

Suggested Improvements

Don't drop the RSX, replace it with a new one.

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Few Problems

Written by: Lisa on 07/19/2006

Vehicle

2004 Acura RSX 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I have had this car a year tomorrow and have had nothing but problems and Acura cannot figure out what is going on with the car. When taking off from a stop it sometimes does not go and act as though it is going to stall out. The car also races RPMs for no reason. I have had the radio replaced in the car 4 times since I have had it as well. I loved my 92 Integra and decided to upgrade but after this 04 purchase I may have to stick with the 92 or change the make of what I purchase. If Acura could fix the problem instead of throwing their hands up, I may consider buying another Acura in the future. Until then I will stick with the 92.

Favorite Features

Love the appearance as well as the speed when the car is not acting up.

Suggested Improvements

Acura fix the problems of the car when it is under warranty. Have XM Radio integrated in the car.

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Best car for the money

Written by: Mikey on 06/02/2006

Vehicle

2004 Acura RSX 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I love my Acura RSX !!! I have owned it for about 2 years now and have driven 45k miles with no problems whatsoever. It has good pick up at higher RPM's but lacks torque. The leather interior is much nicer than the standard cloth. With the automatic climate control and the leather seats and my new navigation system (going to be installed this week) this car feels like a luxury vehicle and I only paid 20k for it. Stock stereo system isn't the greatest but car is definitely efficient and fun to drive.

Favorite Features

Fuel economy, auto-climate control, leather interior, DOHC VTEC engine, Have gotten as much as 38 MPG with 89 octane, extremely fuel efficient for a car in this market, decent amount of room for a compact hatchback.

Suggested Improvements

Needs more torque, can't feel the power the VTEC unless you hit high RPM's. Other than that WONDERFUL CAR!!! I will never buy anything but Acura again.

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2004 RSX

Written by: jjthomas182 on 04/19/2006

Vehicle

2004 Acura RSX Type-S 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6M)

Review

I've had my 2004 RSX for 2 years now and I love it! I have had several other sports cars in the past, the last being a mustang. This car is fast, but still managers to be practical, compfortable, reliable, and fuel efficient. It also has the more prestige name of acura with many luxury features, but was suprisingly affordable. definately best in class

Favorite Features

the high end materials inside. Love the compfortable leather seats and titanium trim/gauges. Love the style, and the attention people pay to you in this car

Suggested Improvements

umm, maybe make it even more powerful. my only concern is that it might affect fuel economy, but its fine the way it is

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Worthy investment

Written by: Jay on 08/25/2005

Vehicle

2004 Acura RSX 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Great performance and reliability. No complaints so far. Far exceeds expectations.

Favorite Features

Power when you need ( goes till 120 easy). Else drive for mileage (best between 65 and 75 MPH)

Suggested Improvements

Would be great if the same power / pick-up could be achieved at slightly lower RPM's.

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Instant Classic!!

Written by: RSXorcist on 08/24/2005

Vehicle

2004 Acura RSX Type-S 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6M)

Review

I've had the car for a little over a year and I still find excuses to run errands just so I can drive it. I love this car. While I did grind 2nd gear occassionally, I figured it was more user error than anything. The seats are great, steering wheel firm, transmission precise and handling amazing. I wasn't a big fan of hatchback designs but this grew on me. You have to drive it to appreciate it. I've taken it on the canyon twisties along with a buddies S2000 and it kept up quite well (probably would've kept up even better if the stock tires didn't stink).

Favorite Features

Seats, climate controls, transmission, top-end acceleration, handling... too many more to name.

Suggested Improvements

The biggest flaw are the tires. Michelin needs to take these back to the drawing board. No grip and they wear quick. I'll accidentally chirp my tires at some stops because of the lack of grip. Others include slight exhaust rattle, no heated seats, a lot of shifting (expected), gas mileage

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