Acura RSX vs. Subaru Impreza WRX

[pcmodem]

Guys,
Am looking at purchasing a car in 2002. Want a car that can deal with the snow, so when I drive up to Tahoe to ski I won't slide off a cliff.

Preferences aside (I know there are legions of Acura Integra/RSX and Subaru Impreza WRX fanatics), would the Front Wheel Drive (FWD) and ABS equipped Acura RSX be able to handle the snow on the way up to the Sierras? Obviously, the Subaru Impreza WRX can handle the mud, snow, and rain. Let's assume that I don't want to use snow tires or tire chains on the Acura or the Subaru.

Thanks,
PCM

 

[Farbio]

can the acura handle it? yes, most likely

will it handle it well? no, probably not

if you want to not worry as much about the snow, look at the subi or perhaps a vw quattro or audi quattro

 

[dcdomain]

Both great cars, I'd have a tough time deciding with the snow or without the snow. The RSX is two door, and probably a little more for insurance because of that. The Impreza has a turbo, I heard that increases insurance? Not sure. Anyway, you give up the AWD system and two doors for a 'better' name and more luxurious interior. Tough to decide. Functionaly thinking, I'd choose the Impreza, but the RSX is a little more refined and looks better to me.

 

[gregshin]

get the WRX....my friend took his dad's lincoln navigator up for the ski trip and it got stick...low and behold we saw a lil WRX carve up that mountain no problem....while we were stuck after that my friend has more respect for japanese imports. And the TURBO will love the mountain air!!! the air is thiner up there and you can feel that turbo just kick in =)

 

[KamakaziRcr]

Agreed to what dcdomain said. But since you said you want to take this out in the snow to go ski'ing, then I say you should go WRX all the way. FWD RSX is decent in snow, but its the AWD you really want for foul weather. It keeps all wheels under controll and minimize slipping. Get the WRX wagon. It's about $500 cheaper and much more practical to carry your skis and other stuff. Wagons are making a comeback!

On the other hand, for practical reasons, I would go for an RSX Type-S. Longer warranty. Much better interior. Historically more reliable name brand. And much higher resale value down the road.

 

[MiniGolfIsFun]

Go for the WRX. But then again, you'd HAVE to test drive it to really appreciate how great of a car it is!

I went for a test drive last weekend and boy was that FUN! Really fast and awesome car! Just hope they let you launch the car.

 

[SyahM]

An easy one ... WRX. Better equipped to handle the snow thus more fun to drive plus added safety.
Lucky you can afford one .. i'm jealous

 

[pcmodem]

Guys,
Thanks for the input.

Has anyone here actually tried, or know anyone that has tried, to drive an Acura Integra/RSX in the snow? Just came back from Tahoe and noticed a billion SUVs and Subarus, but only one Honda Civic, one Mitsuibishi Eclipse, and zero Acuras (not even an MDX).

Will be trading in my '94 Miata for this new car... I like the Acura RSX a lot and it's also less expensive than the Subaru WRX, but if the Acura can't handle the snow I'll go WRX. The idea is that I can look at the weather report on Friday and if it looks snowy, I can drive up to Tahoe on early Saturday morning to go snowboarding (or in my case, snowcrashing). Am tired of renting SUVs just to go to Tahoe.

Thanks,
PCM

 

[RichieZ]

You should wait for the Lancer Evolution VII, haha

 

[toant103]

WrX

 

[Alienwho]

I've driven both in the snow. The RSX handles just like any other FWD car, nothing special. The WRX though is definantly much funner to drive in the snow. If I could choose right now i'd get a WRX because I drive in the snow and go skiing and stuff and the WRX has more of that rugged edge to it. If I was a constant freeway driver i'd get the RSX-S

 

[OS]

-

 

[Kenji4861]

This should be easy. You should pick Subaru Impreza WRX any day.

For one reason, the Acura RSX, it's an integra, but they fvcked up, it's ugly.
Subaru Impreza WRX is hot and has Subaru has very good reputation in Japan.

 

[N8Magic]

Subaru WRX.

I test drove both of these cars back when I was shopping more expensive cars (I smartened up after totalling car payment, insurance and gas and seeing how much it was) and the WRX was definitely the more inspiring car. It had wayyyyyy more pickup than the RSX, and could actually be driven aggressively in the snow. (not recommended, but hey I had to try) If you plan on taking this thing up into the Sierra's I would definitely take the WRX over the RSX.

 

[OS]

-

 

[CocaCola5]

The rsx looks better no doubt(wrx needs to be buffed up/moded), but the wrx is the better car.

 

[LiLRiceBoi]

I dont like front wheel drive cars. I vote for the WRX

 

[Dark4ng3l]

Well driving any kind of car in the snow with ordinary summer tires is pretty suicidal, maybe not exacly suicidal with the WRX though. But without traction nothing can keep you drom sliding off a cliff, any car with ordinary tires on a snowy cliff= suicidal madness IMO

*lives in canada and knows alot about snow and even 4 season tires suck, nothing but good winter tires for me*

 

[b0mbrman]

Aye...another vote for the Impreza...and the horsepower on that thing

 

[RagingWind]

WRX, i have a friend who owns one... and let me tell you.. that car is fun for going up to tahoe.... especially when the turbo kicks in.. hehe

 

[SinNisTeR]

hehehehehehe

WRX BABY!!!!!! that car ownz j00 aLL

i want one sooooo bad!

 

[MustangSVT]

how about azteK? isnt that like all terrain vehicle?

lol.. im kidding of course

 

[Pothead]

pcmodem,

you know even b4 you posted, all the guys here were going with the WRX. The guys here are all about performance.

Snow is definitely a concern. If the RSX ran as well as the IT Type R, I would go with the RSX. Only thing going is it's appearence compared to the WRX.

I did like the WRX b/c of AWD esp. for the snow. It also depends on your preference.

Insurance wise, the turbo won't change anything. My car are supercharged and it didn't affect my insurance.

 

[kitkit201]

i remember in SCC. Sports Compact Car a couple of issues back they had an article on this comparison..., .. WRX won though in the end.. and it was the wagon version ! =) wagons are tight!

WAGONS ARE SUPPOSE TO GO THAT FAST...

 

[AzNmAnJLH]

I like the interior of the rsx but the exterior just isn't that great unless you rice it up with a body kit or something even side skirts and front and rare spoiler wouldn't accent it a lot as for the wrx i would get that instead... because it is a wrx... seriously though it has a new exterior and would be more whatyou want... the rsx is a luxury street racer car... but if i were you i would get the audi or an suv instead much better than both of these for those conditions