2006 Acura RSX

Review

Im going to tell you a secret, but you cant tell anyone. I decided to cave into peer pressure and see a movie called The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. Ok, I know what youre thinking. Why would I allow myself to sink so low? What can I say? I like cars. But aside from the ridiculous car chases, poor acting and terrible plotline I couldnt help but picture myself behind the wheel of one of those totally tweaked import tuners - well I guess its not really an import if its a Japanese car in Japan, but you know what I mean.  Racing through the streets of Tokyo and yelling "woo hoo" at the top of my lungs, because otherwise I wouldnt be heard over the rumble and growl of my ridiculously powered vehicle with its ridiculously loud exhaust. I felt giddy.

On that thought, I didnt have to be in a movie, or in Tokyo, or have a ridiculously powered vehicle with a ridiculously loud exhaust system to enjoy the "woo hoo" experience. In fact, I had one in my own neighborhood with the 2006 Acura RSX Type S. And in my case, the "woo hoo" was more like "TYPE S, HECK YES" for yet another round. After having a great experience with the Type S last year, I couldnt wait to take it to the limit one more time.

While there arent too many new upgrades since the 2005 model year, the 2006 Type S now sports the option of Alabaster Silver Metallic exterior paint instead of Satin Silver Metallic, has the same blander taillights as the 05 - Acura should have stayed with the original lenses - and now a new horsepower rating of 201 and torque rating of 140 lb-ft. The cars horsepower and torque havent actually changed, but the new numbers - down from 210-hp and 143 lb-ft of torque - now reflect revised calculation methods and the resulting new standards from the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). What hasnt changed is my enthusiasm for this car.

So, why is the RSX Type S "HECK YES" worthy? Where should I start? From the moment the soft leather-clad front bucket seats encompassed my body to the time when my fingers gripped the 3-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel, tingles ran through my body. Not only does the RSX look sharp from the outside, it feels even better on the inside and puts its driver right at home. The cabin is laid out in an organized and easily recognizable manner, without too many buttons to fiddle around with or to distract the driver from the sport-oriented atmosphere. And thats just the inside. Its whats under the hood that takes the cake.

The new ratings, of course, make no difference to the real power available in Acuras 2.0L, 16-valve, DOHC, I-4, and i-VTEC still does what it VTEC has always done best, enhance power and torque through a wider rev range. Ooh, and yes it loves to rev. There are few feelings that can match reaching peak horsepower at 7,000 to 7,800 rpm - its quite the adrenalin rush. I also love the engines diversity. Whether I merely plodded along from point A to B or, more often than not, made a B-line for point A, it responded with zippy performance while engaged in the latter and decent fuel economy during the former. The Type S has an estimated consumption rating of 23 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.

The Type S engine is strapped to a responsive chassis comprised of a toe control-link independent strut setup with coil springs up front and gas-pressurized shocks with progressive valve technology in the rear, creating a firm overall feel without being drastically harsh. Whether its taking a hard turn or flowing into a long sweeping bend, the S chassis makes for one capable and, thank goodness, one comfortable ride.

It wasnt only in the tight turns or at highway speeds that I appreciated the stability and flexibility of the sport-tuned setup, it was also driving around town like I do on an everyday basis. Whether I was heading to work and back, taking a trip to the mall or picking up a friend, the RSX is a very agreeable car to drive. And with its close ratio 6-speed manual transmission, the power was fast at my fingertips. The suspension shouldnt get all of the road-holding credit, mind you, because the S was equipped with a hot set of P215/45R17 all-season tires and 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels with 4-wheel disc brakes and ABS, further adding to the already excellent Type S package.

The overall driving experience made me want to, as Celine Dion so adequately put it, drive all night! It really was a car that I wanted to parade around in with my friends, have it valet parked, go to the beach in, then go home, wash it, and do it all over again. Its just that versatile.

But with the "woo hoo" must come the "boo hoo." In my experience, I have not yet come across a sports coupe with great visibility. Actually, I think its an oxymoron. Nevertheless, the C-pillars and tall rear end inhibit visibility and make it a little tough to reverse and/or parallel park. Furthermore, loading gear into the back seating area was, at times, bothersome, because when my hands were filled with grocery bags and I didnt want milk, eggs or cookie dough ice cream rolling around in the trunk, due to the fact that I continually had to put the Type S amazing handling and cornering abilities to the test, it was necessary to fiddle around with the seat leaver and squeeze the bags in due to the lack of room behind the drivers seat. But then again, if I wanted convenience Id opt for a TSX instead.

Furthermore, I would have liked to hear a stronger bass tone come out of the stereo system. What I love about the tuner cars is how hard you can rock out in them. There are few better feelings than taking a tight turn at speed or driving along a straight-away, blasting my favorite songs, especially the ones with a lot of booming bass. The RSXs Acura/Bose sound system, with AM/FM stereo/cassette and in-dash 6-disc CD changer features a Richbass subwoofer and an additional six speakers, but its not capable of waking the neighbors. The sound quality is definitely good and clear, yet when the volume was cranked I just felt it needed a little more depth.

I would also, and maybe Im pushing my luck here, like to see the RSX come out with another top-grade engine, perhaps a V6, just to help it keep up with some of its competition like the Mitsubishi Eclipse or Ford Mustang. I know probably wont happen anytime soon, as it would be impossible to fit Acuras 3.5-liter unit in the engine bay, but my fingers are nevertheless crossed. A six would allow for better city driving; all that low-down torque makes for less shifting and a more relaxed drive. Then again, theres no way youd get a 3.5 to shoot up to 8,000 rpm between shifts, it would be heavier in the front end so wouldnt corner as well, and would suck back a lot more fuel, so much of the RSXs fun factor would be lost. I suppose the zippy four-banger will have to stay.

So, I have to admit to already anticipating my next encounter with the Acura RSX Type S. Truly, everyone should experience it, not just those on the West Coast, Tokyo or in the movies. This two-door thrill-evoking machine can get your motors revving in more than one way. Say it with me one more time, just for kicks, "TYPE S, HECK YES!" I feel so much better.