2001 Prelude SE vs 2002 RSX Type-S

[plucky duck]

Both were similary priced back in 2003 when I bought the Prelude, in the $23000 range. I was dead set on the Prelude and didn't bother test driving the RSX. Didn't like the bubbly styling of the RSX.

Now I wish the Prelude had that 6th gear and think maybe I should've at least gave the RSX another look back then. But then again I didn't know much about cars back then (and still don't now) and didn't know the benefits of that extra gearing.

In what ways are these two vehicles similar and different? In terms of speed and handling? Is the Type-S that much faster and better (not just different) of a car that you think would be worthy to trade up to?

Isn't the RSX a replacement for the Integra, which in turn, replaced the Prelude?

[ar_ken]

The Prelude and the Integra was sold side by side (well not really, one's Honda and one's Acura) for quite a few years. The Integra was never intended to "replace" the Prelude. The Integra had a replacement, the Prelude doesn't (some people will argue that the new Civic Si does)

[mau108]

The prelude wasn't replaced and never will ;) But I believe the Accord coupe (what a crappy decision on hondas part).

RSX is a nice car, but its smaller then the prelude (the preludes quite small interior wise). But I heard its a great handling car.

I say give it a run and see if you like the RSX. I sat in one and it felt cheaper then honda (not the type s, it was the base)

[D.NGUYEN]

Prelude =D...Mau and I can vouch for it. So therefore keep it. The RSX is a fun car, however I don't like it for the same reason as you...the bubly look. The 6th gear will get you a higher top speed and will reduce gas consumption a bit (especially on the highway). The RSX is probably a little quicker because of the weight but personally I still like the prelude and it's styling. I believe the trunk also has more space.

[B0000rt]

RSX doesn't come with ATTS ;)

[mau108]

RSX doesn't come with ATTS ;)


I dont think the RSX needs it, its much lighter then the 5th gen lude. I re-read my above post and it made no sense (too lazy to edit it but read this one lol)

I test drove an RSX, its a nice car, but

a. it felt much smaller inside
b. felt much cheaper inside

But I did only test drive the Base not Type S. (if you get the Type S, that midnight blue color is HAWT!)

The RSX comes with a k20, which has proven to be a bullet proof engine (not literally you girls!) and it only uses Regular fuel (prelude needs premium).

And that **** I said about accord and prelude, I ment to say the Accord took over the customers the prelude would have had backed with more interior space and more boot, but IMHO the Accord coupe has been and continues to be one ugly car. Honda got the Preludes styling just right but I guess the demand wasn't there or honda wanted change (introduced the s2000).

[ES_Revenge]

RSX doesn't come with ATTS ;)
I thought only the Prelude Type-SH came with ATTS? (The OP says they have the SE.)

Plus ATTS isn't that great anyhow. It just adds weight and complexity with minimal handling benefits.

[diabolical7]

RSX is overpriced, and overrated
good grief and good ridence that its gone!

[PrinceMS]

If you have Prelude, no point of getting RSX - you will never be truly satisfied (even with the 6th gear) ... which is in a v.v.bad position! I can see why ppl have mistaken it for reverse gear (especially when driving enthusiastically)...

You might want to look at new Civic Si (or wait for it to come down in price a bit). There isn't much out there right now in that market. Golf GTi is the only thing i can think of.

[importpsycho]

If you have Prelude, no point of getting RSX - you will never be truly satisfied (even with the 6th gear) ... which is in a v.v.bad position! I can see why ppl have mistaken it for reverse gear (especially when driving enthusiastically)...


there is no way you can go into reverse by mistake
first, it wont let you, second, reverse is far right, you would have to push right very hard to get into reverse.
5th to 6th is just stright down from 5th, how can you mistakenly get into reverse?

but I've seen someone go into 5th to 4th at redline and blown their engine
gears are very close to each other and can down shift to wrong gear if not careful

anyway I've owned RSX-S before
back in 03, I was going to buy prelude
coming from 140hp(?) integra LS I thought prelude, 200+hp more torque, would be much faster but I hardly could feel the difference
I was some what disappointed and went test drive RSX-S, I was shocked how much more power it had compare to prelude.
I ended up with 2002 RSX-S

RSX-S > prelude, no contest

prelude is only about 100lb more but it feels much heavier

First I didnt' like the fatty look of RSX, compare to slim and low body styling of prelude, but after a while I grew on me and it looks good
still I have to agree with some of you

prelude > RSX in looks

interior quality... I think they are pretty much the same
but prelude still has that old 80~90's feel
RSX gauge looks much better
only complain I have is the plastic they used for the dash and panels...

If you are looking for a new car
go test drive one
all these talk is usless, just go drive one and you'll know what to do

[jetway1212]

If you have Prelude, no point of getting RSX - you will never be truly satisfied (even with the 6th gear) ... which is in a v.v.bad position! I can see why ppl have mistaken it for reverse gear (especially when driving enthusiastically)...

You might want to look at new Civic Si (or wait for it to come down in price a bit). There isn't much out there right now in that market. Golf GTi is the only thing i can think of.

The new Si is technicall the same as the RSX-S.

The 6 spd reverse lock will never let you go to reserve while driving. So dont bother post if you dont know jack about it.

The RSX-S will rape the prelude both in straight line and corners.
2600lbs 210hp vs 3000lbs 200hp
Not to mention the gearing in RSX-S is much better. Suspension is stiffer, etc.

Prelude is essentially an accord coupe. The interior is plain and non-sporty. Its just like my accord's interior.

Pick one

[Ryus]

The RSX comes with a k20, which has proven to be a bullet proof engine (not literally you girls!) and it only uses Regular fuel (prelude needs premium).



Since the OP was talking about the RSX Type S, it too uses Premium gas.

The non-typeS RSX uses regular.

[Narci]

The RSX-S does not use drive by wire. The Civic SI does. The difference? There might be slight hesitation when shifting between gears and gassing it.

Anyways, from what I've heard from friends is that the prelude is fairly thirsty on gas.

[PrinceMS]

there is no way you can go into reverse by mistake
first, it wont let you, second, reverse is far right, you would have to push right very hard to get into reverse.
5th to 6th is just stright down from 5th, how can you mistakenly get into reverse?

but I've seen someone go into 5th to 4th at redline and blown their engine
gears are very close to each other and can down shift to wrong gear if not careful

anyway I've owned RSX-S before
back in 03, I was going to buy prelude
coming from 140hp(?) integra LS I thought prelude, 200+hp more torque, would be much faster but I hardly could feel the difference
I was some what disappointed and went test drive RSX-S, I was shocked how much more power it had compare to prelude.
I ended up with 2002 RSX-S

RSX-S > prelude, no contest

prelude is only about 100lb more but it feels much heavier

First I didnt' like the fatty look of RSX, compare to slim and low body styling of prelude, but after a while I grew on me and it looks good
still I have to agree with some of you

prelude > RSX in looks

interior quality... I think they are pretty much the same
but prelude still has that old 80~90's feel
RSX gauge looks much better
only complain I have is the plastic they used for the dash and panels...

If you are looking for a new car
go test drive one
all these talk is usless, just go drive one and you'll know what to do

I owned the 5th gen Prelude for 1.5-2 years. I was looking to buy RSX-s after Prelude and i test drove one. The cockpit was extremely noisy compared to Prelude. My main reason to not to buy RSX.

As for 6th gear, i didn't try putting it in reverse during test drive when I was in 5th gear. But I have seen pictures where someone did and flywheel actually broke out of transmission and I think one of the piston craked the engine or somefin as well. Google it, its was a unique scenerio :)
Might as well look up where RSX engine had a snake in it and the guy started the car unknowingly...

Yes it does take en extra nudge to put it in reverse gear, and it is not suppose to let you reverse it when the car is moving forward - but i think it would have been best if they would have designed it like certain european reverse gears.

[PrinceMS]

Abother talking out of their asses,

Prelude is essentially an accord coupe.


reported. Please respect others, to be respected.

[jetway1212]

I owned the 5th gen Prelude for 1.5-2 years. I was looking to buy RSX-s after Prelude and i test drove one. The cockpit was extremely noisy compared to Prelude. My main reason to not to buy RSX.

As for 6th gear, i didn't try putting it in reverse during test drive when I was in 5th gear. But I have seen pictures where someone did and flywheel actually broke out of transmission and I think one of the piston craked the engine or somefin as well. Google it, its was a unique scenerio :)
Might as well look up where RSX engine had a snake in it and the guy started the car unknowingly...

Yes it does take en extra nudge to put it in reverse gear, and it is not suppose to let you reverse it when the car is moving forward - but i think it would have been best if they would have designed it like certain european reverse gears.

Dude, stop misleading, you see a vid so you claim its actually so?

If you use a base ECU in a TypeS then you wont have reverse lock. Or he does a swap hence different ECU.

Reverse lock is a mechanism that WONT LET YOU PASS THE GATE to the R gear. If you look closely the 5th and 6th is in one gate the R gear is the last gate. You cant pass that gate if you're moving so no,.... your vid is either bs or its an ECU swap.

Now i wonder if you take a test drive in an used typeS :rolleyes:, lol its most likely so. Also if you compare comfort, then yes prelude will fit you. You shouldnt look into any sport cars or any of the kind then.

[jetway1212]

The RSX-S does not use drive by wire. The Civic SI does. The difference? There might be slight hesitation when shifting between gears and gassing it.

Anyways, from what I've heard from friends is that the prelude is fairly thirsty on gas.


Thats true. Shifting in the new Si is very weird, you will notice the delay or hanging of rev range.

Not to mention, drive by wire is hard to ECU tuning. Lots of ppl swaping to TypeS manifold to run programmable ECU.

[Narci]

Thats true. Shifting in the new Si is very weird, you will notice the delay or hanging of rev range.

Not to mention, drive by wire is hard to ECU tuning. Lots of ppl swaping to TypeS manifold to run programmable ECU.


Yup..people do swap the heads but the problem is that you lose VSA, Guages etc. Basically anything that uses the DWB throttle. Changing the head means people are reverting back to a cable throttle. Will also need a piggyback management system for it.

Hondata has been able to do ECU programming on the 2004-2006 TSX's with good results. Even a supercharger system on the 2004 TSX. The stupid part is that no ECU reprogramming for the 2005 Automatic TSX's because Honda embeds and uses the VIN number in the ECU.

[evolution921]

Thats true. Shifting in the new Si is very weird, you will notice the delay or hanging of rev range.

There's actually a fix for this problem by reflashing the ECU.

[Narci]

There's actually a fix for this problem by reflashing the ECU.

Not neccessarily true. On the TSX (DBW), reflashing it (Hondata) will still have a slight hesitation.

I'm not sure about the SI though.

[plucky duck]

Another non-performance difference is that the Prelude comes with a trunk (however small it is) compared to the RSXs hatchback hood in the rear.

The Prelude is sleek looking, but it is indeed very heavy of a car. Our family Intrigue V6 is big and bloated but it actually feels very nimble and quick. When steering hard, you can feel the weight of the car come into play as it doesn't want to turn where you want to go. Never tried the SH version of the Prelude, so I wouldn't know if it makes that much of a difference in hard cornering.

As for gas, it does eat up a lot of gas, a result of a larger displacement I4 engine and it's revv happy nature :lol:

The leather in the RSX feels inferior to that of the Prelude. The interior is noisier as well. The dash and gauge of the RSX looks cheap.

Always wondered about the placement of the 6th gear and reverse gear in the RSX. Makes sense that it would lock up the gate to the reverse gear when the car is in motion. But going from 5th to 4th in redline by accident does seem scary. I've only done it once where I went from 5th to 2nd gear in the Prelude, lucky for me I realised soon enough and no damage was done.

The rear seat of the RSX does seem bigger and the RSX has a higher inside roof line, thus feels roomier. I have to give it that.

The only other vehicle on the road that looks like the 5th gen Prelude is that one Lexus vehicle, don't recall the model name. The Ford Fusion seems to have stolen the front head lights from the Prelude.

[Anessa]

Now that's a lotta grocery room..
http://www.canadiandriver.com/testdrives/images/05rsx_13.jpg

[mau108]

Now that's a lotta grocery room..
http://www.canadiandriver.com/testdrives/images/05rsx_13.jpg


meh beat that in my lude,

stand fan, 3 transformers (moderate size an dheavy as hell), 1.8cu microwave, 2 full boxes of about 20 bags of liqour(for each bag) and choclate, kettle... oh and how can I forget, in the middle of all this my 15" subwoofer.

Man I should have taken a pic :(

prelude kicks the RSX ass in almost everyway except handling, but there are many mods to help with this.

CF hood, cf trunk, tie and strut bars, tien ss suspensions etc ...

[D.NGUYEN]

Mau, get that pic of Krishan's (I think it was his) moving the futon in the lude lol.

[jetway1212]

meh beat that in my lude,

stand fan, 3 transformers (moderate size an dheavy as hell), 1.8cu microwave, 2 full boxes of about 20 bags of liqour(for each bag) and choclate, kettle... oh and how can I forget, in the middle of all this my 15" subwoofer.

Man I should have taken a pic :(

prelude kicks the RSX ass in almost everyway except handling, but there are many mods to help with this.

CF hood, cf trunk, tie and strut bars, tien ss suspensions etc ...


WTF? have you been smoking cracks? LOL talk is cheap anyone can look for the timeslips of both cars in stock form. You know the prelude runs mid 15s and the typeS runs mid to high 14s right? Ofcourse you can beat a RSX-S on street, if the driver cant drive for ****. In corners, the typeS will leave you in dust.

Your point of view is full of bias. See Narci post very respectable comments about both cars.

[jetway1212]

Always wondered about the placement of the 6th gear and reverse gear in the RSX. Makes sense that it would lock up the gate to the reverse gear when the car is in motion. But going from 5th to 4th in redline by accident does seem scary. I've only done it once where I went from 5th to 2nd gear in the Prelude, lucky for me I realised soon enough and no damage was done.


So what are you saying my friend? Having 6th gear is a disadvantage? Every 6 spd cars will have that 5th to 4th problem. You shouldnt consider 6spd then.

Now the reason why its a better idea to have the R gate on the most right is to lock the gate while moving, if we have the gate to the most left next to 1st gear like most European cars, you might put it in R by mistake and "take off" from the parking spot. I've seen it with my own eyes, the chick smashed to the car at the back.

[importpsycho]

I can't belieave I'm hearing someone say RSX dash and gauge looks cheaper than prelude

somebody post gauge from prelude

this

http://www.cars.com/features/mvp/acura/rsx/images/type-s_ip.jpg

looks cheaper than

http://www.frontiernet.net/~prelude/IMG_0019.JPG

this?

[jetway1212]

You see because they're prelude owners, their comments are full of bias.

You cant help it. The interior of prelude looks so plain, if they have sit in an accord coupe they would see they're essentially the same

[mau108]

who said gauge? All you gotta do is paint the bezel on the preludes gauge and it will look "2006ish :P)

im talking about door panels and dash, they feel soo rubbery ...

your telling me this

http://media.automotive.com/evox/stilllib/acura/rsx/2005/3ha/59.jpg looks better then the sleek and nice looking design of the preludes interior?

http://www.pages.drexel.edu/~jrc26/Prelude%20Interior.jpg Yes the steering wheel is like a bus wheel, (put an s2000s wheel on and see how it looks, this is what I have in my ride now)

[masterballer]

who said gauge? All you gotta do is paint the bezel on the preludes gauge and it will look "2006ish :P)

im talking about door panels and dash, they feel soo rubbery ...

your telling me this

http://media.automotive.com/evox/stilllib/acura/rsx/2005/3ha/59.jpg looks better then the sleek and nice looking design of the preludes interior?

http://www.pages.drexel.edu/~jrc26/Prelude%20Interior.jpg Yes the steering wheel is like a bus wheel, (put an s2000s wheel on and see how it looks, this is what I have in my ride now)

why give a side angel of the ludes int.? the RSX has a better int imo ... its easy to see, ur talking about adding new wheel, new dash, well ofcourse u can do the same to the RSX and get a better looking int. no? ;)

[jetway1212]

lol at prelude guy trying to convince his interior looks better :lol:

Let me show you my Accord EX V6 interior, it puts your prelude's in shame... wait **** it looks exactly the same lol

[ar_ken]

So what are you saying my friend? Having 6th gear is a disadvantage? Every 6 spd cars will have that 5th to 4th problem. You shouldnt consider 6spd then.

Now the reason why its a better idea to have the R gate on the most right is to lock the gate while moving, if we have the gate to the most left next to 1st gear like most European cars, you might put it in R by mistake and "take off" from the parking spot. I've seen it with my own eyes, the chick smashed to the car at the back.


Wow that chick must be stupid.. mind I ask what car was she driving? From what I remember, most European cars do have a locking mechanism on their reverse gear (ie. "push downs" on VW/Audi's, "pull up the ring" in Saab's, etc)

[jetway1212]

Wow that chick must be stupid.. mind I ask what car was she driving? From what I remember, most European cars do have a locking mechanism on their reverse gear (ie. "push downs" on VW/Audi's, "pull up the ring" in Saab's, etc)


Its a VW. I think its mid 90s jetta. I drove a 98 BMW328is before, it does not have locking mechanism as you said. You just have to push abit harder thro the gate. I gotta admit when i was mad i just punch that stick so its very possible to go to R gate

[importpsycho]

who said gauge? All you gotta do is paint the bezel on the preludes gauge and it will look "2006ish :P)

im talking about door panels and dash, they feel soo rubbery ...

your telling me this

http://media.automotive.com/evox/stilllib/acura/rsx/2005/3ha/59.jpg looks better then the sleek and nice looking design of the preludes interior?

http://www.pages.drexel.edu/~jrc26/Prelude%20Interior.jpg Yes the steering wheel is like a bus wheel, (put an s2000s wheel on and see how it looks, this is what I have in my ride now)


YES, it does look better than prelude
There is nothing speical aboutprelude's interior design, it's same as any integra, civic, accord in 90's and early 2000's... boring....
this argument is pointless, you have your opinions, I have mine

[jetway1212]

YES, it does look better than prelude
There is nothing speical aboutprelude's interior design, it's same as any integra, civic, accord in 90's and early 2000's... boring....
this argument is pointless, you have your opinions, I have mine


Gee man why would you go and smash the kid's feeling. The Prelude is his super car man....

Damn i feel much better about my accord now. Woohoo, my interior looks much better than yours.

[plucky duck]

Every car has a certain amount of plastic in it, all I'm saying is when I sat in my friend's RSX right away it screams plastic. Not just the guage, look at everything else. With the Prelude it's more subtle.

I noticed little things like this when I was car shopping, prior to being a Prelude owner. There's no point defending something just cause you own it.

From the pictures though the RSX does seem to have more usable storage space in the rear, ala a computer box, which the Prelude can't do.

Sure the interior does look plain, like any other Hondas out there back in the days, but it also doesn't have that futuristic look to it where it'll soon look dated. Must say though, the white pearl RSX with it's small rear-lip spoiler does look sharp!

[afici0nad0]

revisiting an old topic. our household is currently grappling with this decision now.

2001 prelude se or 2002+ rsx-s.

i think it'll be a toss up for us, with the decision coming down to price/km's/availability/condition.

car will be a daily driver, so other than suspension upgrades, no extensive modding.

car will not be a stoplight assassin. so 0-60 times are not showstopper decisions for us.

checking out autotrader for the ontario region, i think we may have a better chance finding a right fit with an rsx-s than a prelude. we can't seem to find a prelude that meets our requirements...yet.

[KevC]

Definitely the 'teg for me.

K20a2 has crazy potential, i/rH/e and kPro gets you 220hp. The H22 is aged, dated, and too underpowered for the 'lude.

I've driven both. The 'lude has much more interior space but I did not feel cramped in the RSX.

I also much prefer the RSX's interior.

[afici0nad0]

^

i hear you.

i've driven both too, and enjoyed both cars.

k20 does have huge aftermarket support, but, as far as modding goes, it would be very moderate, if that.

i really liked the low seating position in the prelude. i really liked the seats and steering wheel on the rsx-s.

i won't be the primary driver, but, i'll have plenty of access to it.

search continues...

[bmw_xperience]

man... y don't you try something that is different from a honda

the prelude and rsx-s feels a lot like a typical honda... rsx-s feels a lot quicker and lighter.

I suggest you look at other cars. the 6th gear in the rsx-s is required cuz 1st and 2nd gears have such a close ratio.. I have to shift out of first immediate after I gas (@ about 20 km/h) it can go up to 40-60 km/h but that is at redline.

like another poster said.. it is very very loud.

the rsx-s handles okay.. a lot quicker around the corners than the lude cuz of the shorter wheelbase.
with new rubber and it will handle better.. I have the dunlop SP9000 on mine and it works great

get it lowered on some reputable coilovers and u can make right turns at 80 in the summer with no problem. (make sure u get some good seats tho)

so the 6th gear is there for cruising speeds... 1-3 gears have close gear ratios.. made for acceration rather than cruise

[kleptodathief]

i'd pick the rsxs over the lude anyday! ludes front end suxors! course a 6th gen accord coupe looks better then both of those cars! just it dusn't come in manny tranny stock :mad:

[ES_Revenge]

Back from the dead!!! :eek: