as you all prolly know, im lookin to get an RSX, but my friend got a GTI today and i thought it was pretty sick--a good backup option if i cant get my rsx. few questions tho:

1.) ive heard volkswagens are really reliable, anyone disagree?
2.) what kinda gas mileage these suckers get
3.) whats the diff between the models (GTI VR6, GTI 1.8T, GTI GLX, etc), horsepowers?
4.) Could i get one for $14k with: less then 65k miles, black leather interior, manual tranny?

any opinions of which would be better between RSX(hopefully s type) and GTI? please dont base decisions based on the fact that you favor either of the two brands or german or japanese cars, be honest.

thanks

EDIT: will be looking at a silver 1.8T this weekend, priced at 15.5k at a dealer. doesnt have leather but is still very nice. any more advice guys?

1.8T has 180hp, anyone know an estimate on the VR6?

Let's see...

1) VWs are pretty good, but they do have their trouble spots. The quality of the 4th generation cars has slipped quite a bit 'tho.

2) My 2.0 Jetta actually got pretty bad gas mileage, low 20s in town. On the highway it was around 30. I think a 1.8T would get comparable mileage, and a VR6 would do a bit worse. Honestly, if you want to find out then find an old road test. Or go to VWVortex.com.

3) GTI GLX - 3rd gen trim level from '94-98? That generation had a 172hp single-cam V6. The earlier GTIs had 150hp, but jumped to 180hp in 2000-2001. I don't believe this was due to any fundamental change, but just differences in engine/boost settings. A chip can get a 1.8T up to 195hp, but it might shorten turbo life. The more recent SOHC VR6s had 190-ish hp I think?, and in 2001 or 2002 the DOHC VR6 came out which had just over 200 hp. The VR6s aren't much more powerful or much faster than 1.8T cars, but they have more torque.

At a certain point a 6-speed manual transmission became optional as well.

Now, should you get one?

They're very nice cars, and the 1.8Ts in particular have a lot of tuning potential. But, pretty much every driving review of the cars criticizes their handling. Also, none of the GTI variants - except the R32 - are really that fast, running maybe mid-15s. On the other hand they have posh, comfty interiors, nice wheels and feel a lot more like a luxury car than a Celica GT-S or a Prelude.

I wouldn't buy one, since quicker, better-handling and more reliable cars are available for less $$$.

thx for the info, although the RSX handling isnt supposed to be AMAZING compared to things like the WRX, other cars in its class, etc., i think its better then the GTI. will stick wit tryin to get the RSX if i can

and if u think 20/30 is bad gas mileage, i drain 1/4 of a tank in a CAMRY in two days flat. the thing sucks down gas in a 133hp 4 cylinder...camry = the suck! :shakehead

vw's suck, an rsx would be a much better choice..Esp if you're planning on modding

You see, the '93 Jetta was also ballsless (I had the 2.0 x-flow with an automatic). Very slow. It was comfty and in pretty nice shape and I enjoyed it, but it sucks when your car is both slow and fairly inefficient. I lost by two cars to my friend's automatic 4-cylinder Mustang.

There's lots of cars out there in the range. A Celica GT-S would be cool, and so would a Tiburon V6. SE-Rs are cheap, although there's cars I'd sooner own... hell, I'd like a Sentra SE too, they're high-15s cars with decent handling. Infiniti G20s are actually sorta quick and they handle super-well. WRXs don't cost much more than RSX-Ss, and they are quicker. A used Ion Redline might be within range, and although they sorta suck they are quick.

I hate modern VWs. Pre-90s VWs are good, but the late model VWs, especially the VR6 models, suck. I have a Golf Cup GTI (purely for the track, doesnt even't have a VIN) so I'm not biased. VW parts are expensive as shit and they're relatively hard cars to service.

RSX's are pretty lame too. Get a MINI.

Minis are awesome, but they are of poor quality and the resale is really strong...

They have some niggles, but nothing major...The GTI will have so much stuff go wrong. I would never buy an Acura.

...for fear of it being reliable, quick and good-handling? :p.

There were guys in this month's Road and Track Survey who had gone for like six unscheduled maintenance stops with their Minis during the first two years. Shit's like a Ford Tempo.

The RSX is pretty good, but I'll never buy one... (ironic since I'm driving a fcuking honda minvan). Better get one of those used WRXes. GTi mkIV are painfully slow. On top gear it was beaten in a drag race by a Skoda octavia diesel and a Rover 25 auto!!!

id rather NOT be like every teenage kid in america and have the RSX as opposed to WRX. wrxs are too pricy (at least 2k more) and cost an assload to insure.

The interior for the RSX embarasses that of the WRX...and even the Golf. While the handling might be outdone by the AWD WRX and not quite as sharp as the Celica GT-S, it is probably more balanced than either...and will last longer.

My official cars list:

1.)RSX-S
2.)GTI 1.8T
3.)RSX
4.)2.5 RS

shopping tommorow--cant effing wait! been waiting so long to get my car. me and my dad are hitting up acura dealerships, a VW, a honda, maybe an audi (all to look for the used acuras/VWs, dont worry i'd never buy an audi :gay: )

dude...seriously vw should be last you'll regret it..audi would deff be better than vw caquse atleat its' and audi, but even if it's not a type s a regular rsx would be better than a gti...so wouldn't a 2.5 rs...but for the price of a type s you could get a wrx so why would you get a 2.5 rs? serisoulsly

dude...seriously vw should be last you'll regret it..audi would deff be better than vw caquse atleat its' and audi, but even if it's not a type s a regular rsx would be better than a gti...so wouldn't a 2.5 rs...but for the price of a type s you could get a wrx so why would you get a 2.5 rs? serisoulsly

im looking at a fixed budget of 15,000 here. no way to get a WRX without like 90-100k miles on it, and my parents wont allow that...btw the 15k is all in so if that seems like enough for a rex its not, that includes tax, registration, etc.

i dont like audis, they fall apart.

going for the RSX-S and if that insurance is too high (form the looks of things it shouldnt be) then ill get the RSX base model, but a nicer one (leather, etc)...i wish the old base model rsxs (non leather, no options) were a little nicer like the new ones. the new ones have seats like the WRX where there cloth but its still nice and prety much a racing seat. the old ones interior are ugly unless they are the nice leather...going shoppin in a few hours, ill let ya guys know how i do.

vw's suck, an rsx would be a much better choice..Esp if you're planning on modding
I agree go with an neon srt-4 much nicer car than the VW's

Dude....the RSX-S should be the only vehicle on your mind out of all of those choices. The regular RSX isn't nearly as nice, the VW...well...I won't go there. And the 2.5RS is a wanna be WRX and on top of that it is a Subaru. LOL.....did I mention it is a Subaru? :)

Dude....the RSX-S should be the only vehicle on your mind out of all of those choices. The regular RSX isn't nearly as nice, the VW...well...I won't go there. And the 2.5RS is a wanna be WRX and on top of that it is a Subaru. LOL.....did I mention it is a Subaru? :)

heh yea the list was the result of people telling me not to be so picky...well screw that, its just cuz they dont want me to have a nicer car then them. will wait till i can find a type-S, then burn them all! gunna go look at pvt sellers on sunday if i can find any. and i got a 5 day weekend to check out other places by myself, just sunday is the only day my pops can go

I dunno, the world's just full of choices. I've just never been so enamored with a car that I'm willing to pay, like 20% more for it over cars that are 95% as good.

At the very least, knowing what 2.5s and GTIs go for will give you a bargaining chip when you go to negotiate for the RSX.

RSX-S for sale near me (http://cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=21&paId=176748436&pageNumber=0&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=ascending&sortfield=MMT+ascending%2CPRICE+descending&certifiedOnly=false&recnum=20&leadExists=true&criteria=K-%7CE-%7CM-_1_%7CD-_5787_%7CN-N%7CR-30%7CI-1%7CP-MMT+ascending%2CPRICE+descending%7CQ-ascending%7CZ-19341&aff=national)

yo guys, check that out. first of all, its exactly what im looking for as far as mileage (a little lower even) but i doubt the price will drop to 14g's for me to buy it. my negotiating basis will include 1) the shaved emblems (how much/where could i get new ones? looks ugly shaved)...2) getting those ugly ass vent things on the rear bumper removed...wtf are those/could i take em off myself?? basically my negotiation is guna be based on de-ricing the thing, as well as whatever other minor things are a problem (50k clutch will prolly need to be replaced.

What's the KBB on RSX-Xs? I can't imagine the dealer paid more than $12-13k for it from the auction, especially with the mild ricing.

EDIT: Probably closer to $10k. But check the blue book on it.

What's the KBB on RSX-Xs? I can't imagine the dealer paid more than $12-13k for it from the auction, especially with the mild ricing.

EDIT: Probably closer to $10k. But check the blue book on it.

actually the blue books have been higher then theyre charging for them in alot of cases. but eyah ur right, im sure they payed 10-11k for that thing at auction. think they'd let it go for 14? i mean its as easy as this: u give me this car for 14k (or less even if it needs a new clutch, etc), or i dont buy it. most dealers wont pass up the sale, specially not small ones. and even if they do, then i find one somewhere else, no big deal, i win either way

Well, it's give and take.. and kinda strategic. You can't walk up, say that, and expect to go home with the car. Keep in mind that they're very good at what they do, and there's probably cars on their lot that would go for less than the price reduction you're asking for...

You have to waste their time :D

Well, it's give and take.. and kinda strategic. You can't walk up, say that, and expect to go home with the car. Keep in mind that they're very good at what they do, and there's probably cars on their lot that would go for less than the price reduction you're asking for...

You have to waste their time :D

what means you "waster their time"...wasnt planning on walkin up and saying that, but thats the bottomline really. if i cant get em below that, i walk. 16k IS too much for that car, thats prolly wat the KBB is from a dealer...but i dont know if theyll drop 2 g's.

There was an awesome article in Grassroots Motorsports about this very topic about a year ago or so ago? The dude came home with a slightly rough 50,000-mile Boxster S for $30,900.

If you make them commit time and effort to you, they'll really want something to show for it. You also have to present a viable alternative to them, as in "The Toyota Dealership next door has a really sweet Celica GT-S for $12k." Ask them to prepare paperwork, have someone interrupt you (or repeatedly call your cell) as you negotiate... there's an art to this.

There's probably quite a few smaller dealers who have unadvertised RSX-Ss on their lots as well - it shouldn't be hard to find one in Philly.

There was an awesome article in Grassroots Motorsports about this very topic about a year ago or so ago? The dude came home with a slightly rough 50,000-mile Boxster S for $30,900.

If you make them commit time and effort to you, they'll really want something to show for it. You also have to present a viable alternative to them, as in "The Toyota Dealership next door has a really sweet Celica GT-S for $12k." Ask them to prepare paperwork, have someone interrupt you (or repeatedly call your cell) as you negotiate... there's an art to this.

There's probably quite a few smaller dealers who have unadvertised RSX-Ss on their lots as well - it shouldn't be hard to find one in Philly.

im about an hr from philly, but put it as my location cuz nobody knows what chester county is lol. unadvertised would be better, but hard to find. also i want to get it checked out with a mechanic, philly would be too far for that i think.

talked to my dad about it--he pretty much told me no. thinks its too pricy, doesnt think theyll drop the price enough. i semi-agree but not really sure.

EDIT: KBB was 18,000 flat. thats assuming "excellent" condition which i wouldnt quite agree with on this car. pics are bad qulaity but the leather looks a little cracked and the mild rice detracts from the condition IMO.

im going to look at one with 48k tommorow. asking 15,9. with the advice from everyone here im confident i can come to an agreement with the people. and if not...then ill get my car another day. The interesteing part should be getting it home if we buy it...lets hope driving stick is really like riding a bike, because my dad hasnt done it in 15 years :D

few of hte points of negotiation im going to make:
1.) emblems are shaved
2.) CAI, weird ricer vents and stuff, plastic engine cover removed--going to say that it appears to have been lightly modded and raced/driven hard
3.) the weird ricer vents on the bumper will have to come off, ill have to put work into that
4.) car is at 50k--likely to need a new clutch

any last words before i go shoppin tommorow?

If your looking at VW's you should also look at maybe an audi A4 (basically a passat)
You can get either the 150Hp 1.8t or the 190Hp 30Valve V6, both have manual transmissions and leather interiors They also have all wheel drive, whats better than launching an all wheel drive turbo at the drag strip?

As for mods, the 1.8T has TONS a chip will boost the Hp to over 195, and a K04 turbo will bolt right on adding another 25hp, there are plenty of other mods for them and you can always bolt on a bigger turbo.

The 30valve V6 has a supercharger that'll put it up to about 260 HP but the thing costs over 3 grand + install and then you have nowhere to go

As for handling-- Its german have i said enough? The A4 rivals the handling of BMW 3 series

Reliability, My A4 has 126k Miles on it and feels new

For a daily driver my best pick would be the A4 1.8t Quattro
Drive it nice and easy around town, staying out of boost, great milage on the highway

Or with just a few upgrades get a nice damn sleeper when you go down to the strip

0-60 on the 1.8t is 8 seconds exactly, quarter mile is in the low 15's, nice leather, 4 doors, all wheel drive, how can you go wrong?... Get the AUDI! No easier car to mod than a turbo :)

If your looking at VW's you should also look at maybe an audi A4 (basically a passat)
You can get either the 150Hp 1.8t or the 190Hp 30Valve V6, both have manual transmissions and leather interiors They also have all wheel drive, whats better than launching an all wheel drive turbo at the drag strip?

As for mods, the 1.8T has TONS a chip will boost the Hp to over 195, and a K04 turbo will bolt right on adding another 25hp, there are plenty of other mods for them and you can always bolt on a bigger turbo.

The 30valve V6 has a supercharger that'll put it up to about 260 HP but the thing costs over 3 grand + install and then you have nowhere to go

As for handling-- Its german have i said enough? The A4 rivals the handling of BMW 3 series

Reliability, My A4 has 126k Miles on it and feels new

For a daily driver my best pick would be the A4 1.8t Quattro
Drive it nice and easy around town, staying out of boost, great milage on the highway

Or with just a few upgrades get a nice damn sleeper when you go down to the strip

0-60 on the 1.8t is 8 seconds exactly, quarter mile is in the low 15's, nice leather, 4 doors, all wheel drive, how can you go wrong?... Get the AUDI! No easier car to mod than a turbo :)


thx, but i already bought my car. i wanted something smaller, not a 4 door, and im definetely happy with what i got.