The 2003 RSX represented the second year in production for Acura's entry-level coupe. Available in standard trim or as the sportier Type-S, the replacement for the Integra continued to impress its drivers with its sporty ride, tight suspension, and relatively low price.
The engine for the standard coupe is a 2.0-liter I4 rated at 160 horsepower, while the Type S upped the compression ratio from 9.8:1 to 11.0:1, gaining 40 extra horsepower (up to 200 horses). Mileage for the automatic transmission is rated at 24/33; the base 5-speed manual gets 27/33; the Type S gets 24/31 mpg.
Drivers love driving this car. They laud its quick acceleration and tight handling. However, there have been complaints about rattling and noise, especially at higher speeds. Some have also complained about uncomfortable seats, especially when driving longer distances.
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It was not a manual transmission. I only drive 5-speed manual transmission vehicles. Its the only way to go. It makes such a different experience when driving a five-speed six-speed manual transmission vehicle. You have to experience it to know, what a joy and a different feeling and exhilaration when driving a manual transmission vehicle.!!!!Feb 25, 2024
by Anonymous
May 23, 2013
I love this car and would recommend it to any one who wants to have fun and go fast. It is good on gas and is very easily modified to be a great racing car or show car. It is very versatile and doesn't have to be a street car, it can be a good commuter car. May 23, 2013
by Anonymous
Jun 29, 2012
Not much to it. A very good quality car with good mpgs, very low mileage. Good handling, acceleration and braking. Fair maintenance and repair costs. Cruise control for long trips and fuel economy. Comfortable bucket seats for driver and passenger. Remote control for radio for easy radio manipulation.Jun 29, 2012
User rating:
by Elizabeth F
Feb 25, 2024
It was not a manual transmission. I only drive 5-speed manual transmission vehicles. Its the only way to go. It makes such a different experience when driving a five-speed six-speed manual transmission vehicle. You have to experience it to know, what a joy and a different feeling and exhilaration when driving a manual transmission vehicle.!!!!Feb 25, 2024
by Anonymous
May 23, 2013
I love this car and would recommend it to any one who wants to have fun and go fast. It is good on gas and is very easily modified to be a great racing car or show car. It is very versatile and doesn't have to be a street car, it can be a good commuter car. May 23, 2013
by Anonymous
Jun 29, 2012
Not much to it. A very good quality car with good mpgs, very low mileage. Good handling, acceleration and braking. Fair maintenance and repair costs. Cruise control for long trips and fuel economy. Comfortable bucket seats for driver and passenger. Remote control for radio for easy radio manipulation.Jun 29, 2012
by Anonymous
Jun 20, 2012
There is a reason Tuners choose this one for Turbos.
This car is well balanced, good mannered, and fun to drive.
It has quick ratio steering, a perfect suspension, and with the correct tires is a rewarding experience, on the Parkway or Exit Ramps...... Jun 20, 2012
by Max N
Feb 08, 2012
Performance- Really strong because of the conversion k20a2 head and k24a4
bottom end. Appearance of the car is nice silver with black rims and type r wing.
The Rsx type s is a fun car to drive because it has the torque from the k24a4
bottom.Feb 08, 2012
by Mackenzie N
Dec 08, 2010
Always loved the integras. Purchased the DC5 to learn more about how to work on the cars and do it myself. the k20 seemed like a good place to start. Maintenance was pretty low cost compared to other cars. Had the car stolen once and finally ended up selling it to get a 4 dr. If i had the option and garage i would purchase again! Dec 08, 2010
by Erfan Y
Nov 05, 2009
Amazing car, loved it, accelerated fast, looks fast and had the power to prove it. i had OZ rims and AEM v2 intake, sounded great. very fun car to drive, i recommend buying it and it is very good on gasNov 05, 2009
by Joshua C
Oct 28, 2009
Great overall car right out of the box. Great for anyone
looking to get into better than average performance. The
Type-S is able to reach 140 mph in its stock form. This car
stock is better than pre K20 Civic SIs.
The Good:
-Close the sunroof and feel the car get slicker as it loses resistance climbing ever higher towards its top speed.
-The Stock 6 disk CD changer and cassette by BOSE complete with 8" Sub that mounts in the hub of the spare tire.
-Leather interior, 6 speed manual, steering that tightens as you go faster, and wipers that do the same.
-No more timing belt - K series uses a chain that doesnt have to be replaced for the life of the engine.
The Less than Good:
-The cable shift is a little finicky - just by itself - Honda did better with the cable shift 5 speeds.
-2nd gear in the tranny tends to grind if your not careful how you shift. (2nd gear kits are available aftermarket.)
-Spark Plugs are expensive - the correct ones last forever but will run you over $15/each.
-CV Drive Shafts are impossible to find Aftermarket - be ready to get OE parts from Acura/Honda dealers. (hopefully this changes before long)Oct 28, 2009
by Onkar S
Oct 12, 2009
This car is amazing!!! I wouldnt give it up for the world. Handling on this car is wonderful and I have an I-Vtech engine with 2.0L DOHC engie its pretty solid... It was a solid investment and now i enjoy driving it.Oct 12, 2009
by Brad B
Oct 12, 2009
You should know why I love this car. It's got the V-tec in it of course. Good giddy up and good gas mileage. You, can also pump out a f-ton of ponies without having to worry about rebuilding the motor.Oct 12, 2009
by Luke W
Aug 19, 2009
Great turning radius, good accel, quality interior,
decent gas milage for the style, alittle cramped
minimal back seat room. plenty of cargo room. Very
well priced. a lot of fun to drive. Sturdy suspension,
good visibility. Very much worth it.Aug 19, 2009
by James K
Aug 16, 2009
acceleration for a 4cylinder is good, braking is decent, and handling is above average. build quality is better than german or american cars, though the doors sounds like an empty can when you close it. cost owndership is low. avg mpg is 27 and no reparis required so far at 100k other than regular maintenance. it is fun to drive!Aug 16, 2009
by Colin C
Jul 15, 2009
this was my first car. i loved it. pleased with the performance. great on gas. modded a little and was very fun to drive. only reason for selling was to get a type s. i loved this car just wished it was an sJul 15, 2009
by Michael M
Mar 12, 2009
everything is great
braking stock sucks, but with axxis pads and resurfaced rotors it breaks super fast
performance is ok stock, but with turbo on 16psi putting down about 360hp its awesome
looks great after you drop it on springs and put on bigger feels
cost to own is only maintenance when you mod it, stock it should be just oil changes Mar 12, 2009
by Tom L
Sep 09, 2008
its not a bad car other than the motor mounts have a reputation of going on them all the time, cuz the mounts are cheap. Its a fun car but hope a headlight never goes cuz you have to remove the whole bumper just to change them unless you want your hand cut up real bad...Sep 09, 2008
by Brandon S
Aug 22, 2008
high rpm motor is alot of fun with an 8250 rev limit. fun on backroads and in the corners. gas mileage is a very respectable 28 over the lifetime of ownership. stiff suspention does make long drives tiresome in the end. wouldn't trade it for anything else in its class.Aug 22, 2008
by Alex D
Aug 06, 2008
car has good pick up , bad torgue steer and hop. interior and exterior are put together exelently!!....nother bad thing turning radius...usually need to reverse to make a u turn. interior is god and quiet, engine sounds like lous sewing machine withour an aftermarket intake. overall a++ what i'd expect from acura!!Aug 06, 2008
by Kevin H
Jul 01, 2008
Great engine, great steering feel, great seating position and ergonomics. Amazingly fun to drive. Sad they discontinued it.Jul 01, 2008
by Lance L
Jun 12, 2008
Luv my little car, luv the fact that it's got trunk space and it can fly, when i push itJun 12, 2008
by Anonymous
Apr 06, 2008
A very nice car that is fun to driver around corners. It has probably one of the quickest
shifters of any car with a great clutch. Engine is great for its small size but lacking a bit in
the torque department so don't try to race it unless you've upgraded or are racing other rice
burners.Apr 06, 2008
by Jonathan H
Mar 22, 2008
I love this car. I wish I had another so that it wouldn't get worn out from all the daily driving.Mar 22, 2008
by Ryan K
Feb 26, 2008
Overall I love the car, wish it had a bit more torque, but alas, I love having over 200hp on hand and still get 34mpg on the highway. If I had to change anything it would be to revamp the suspension and bring back the double wishbone!Feb 26, 2008
by Matt P
Feb 26, 2008
Front-wheel drive and plenty practical while very sporty. While it is not a mid-engine supercar, it is really fun to drive fast. The car is also really kind to every-day activities like parking, sitting in traffic, buying stuff, putting stuff into your car, and even taking friends places. It's not luxury sedan, but has room for a couple of average sized people in the back.
The regular RSX is quick and the RSX Type-S is fast. However, the regular old RSX tends to feel faster around town since it's engine is geared for more torque- so you get more ooomph from the engine right away. That means no waiting for the power to build with the rpms. However, IF you get the Type-S, it rewards you with intensely high revs and great handling. The Type-S also has a really fun and friendly gearbox and clutch that just beg to play.
Both are great, but I would opt for the Type-S.Feb 26, 2008
by Anonymous
Oct 26, 2006
I leased the RSX-S for three years and absolutely loved the car.
Externally it's beautiful: very sleek with clean lines. The deep
metallic blue color was especially striking, and always stood out in a crowd.
Inside the car had great leather seats and a modern silver with red backlight instrument cluster. I wish the US models came with heated seats, but it appears that only the Canadian models had that feature. I also didn't like the bucket seats - it was impossible to reach into the back seat to grab something. But I think the bucket seats add to the sportiness of the car.
The engine was really exciting, and I'm not one to normally get excited about engines. It revs up really high, especially when you have the stick-shift model that I had, and it was a lot of fun to drive.
I think the RSX is a great quality car. It's a relatively affordable car that you can feel cool driving up to any club or restaurant's Valet service.Oct 26, 2006
My RSX type S starts making a horrible loud thumping noise after about 15 minutes of going 60 miles an hour or more. If I stop driving and let it cool down it seems to stop? Thank you, Kathy
Okay, I have an 03 RSX type S. Only modification is an intake an easy exhaust. When I originally bought the car , the car had power. I had an oil leak and blew the engine. I got an engine from a JDM dealership and now my car sounds like a diesel and has no power. The transmission locked up and I just got it rebuilt. I’m looking to make the car have more power and I don’t know where to begin. Again the car is stock. Any ideas that won’t entirely break the bank?
Car was running perfectly fine untI'll I came a cross a fuel pump leak I managed to replace the leaky upper half of the fuel pump unit.... car hasn't started since. ... please help thank you
My son's 2003 RSX's engine blew; he had a new one put in by mechanic and then transmission blew with 48 hrs. Should mechanic have seen that coming or is there no way to predict?