Q:
When is the car to be released?
The
scheduled release date is July 1st. This
is not "cast in stone" and may change, though it looks pretty
good for now.
Q:
How much will it cost?
The price
range Acura has released is $20K to $25K.
I'd read this to mean the 5-speed, cloth, base model is the one at
$20K, and the RSX-S (only one version) will be the one at $25K.
Acura's current practice for an automatic is around $900 more than
a 5-speed. Leather seems to
add 1000-1500 to the price for cloth.
Using this as a yardstick, my personal
guesses are as follows:
Cloth
5-speed = 20,000
Cloth
Auto = 20,800
Leather
5-speed = 21,500
Leather
Auto = 22,300
RSX
Type-S = 24,500 - 25,000
Q:
What kind of wheels will it have?
I know it will be a 5
lug, though I'm not sure of the bolt pattern.
With the 11.8" front brakes, I'd imagine the rotors will be
the same ones as the TL/CL which are also 11.8, though I'm not sure of
this pattern either.
Q:
How many will they make? Do I need to get in line now?
We are now accepting
fully refundable $500 deposits, but with an estimated production run of
30,000 per year, I'd guess there will be a lack of cars to go around.
Remember when the G4 Integra debuted, they made 60,000, and they
were hard to get then! Yes,
I'd place my name on a list now if you want one of the first available.
Q:
Is everything Standard?
Yes, all models will
be standard with Power Windows, Door Locks, (probably) Keyless Entry,
Immobilizer Anti-theft System, 4-Wheel Disc Brakes w/ ABS, Front and Side
Airbags, Moonroof and CD. Add
in our 4 year/50,000 mile warranty w/free roadside assistance, our service
loaners and shuttles, and you'll see we offer much more that just the car.
It's designed to be a complete ownership package.
Q:
What about Wheels and Spoilers?
I’m 100% sure there
will be an optional rear spoiler! Although
I haven’t seen it yet, we offer a spoiler for every car we make (except
the RL and NSX) and there is no way they would leave that for the
aftermarket. As for wheels,
it is likely they will offer an option wheel, though if you want to move
to 17s and 18s, you’ll have to go to the aftermarket.
Traditionally, Acura has only offered wheels in the same sizes so
that they could be swapped out without the customer having to buy new
tires.
Q:
I'd like to know what kind of gasoline will feed those motors (regular or
super)?
It is unknown at this time,
but I’d guess the RSX will take regular, and the Type-S will take
premium. An interesting side
note: My ’88
Supercharged MR-2 took super, in fact there was a dash mounted switch
we were instructed to push if we were forced to put “regular” because
Super was unavailable! The ’93
MR-2 Turbo was Super only, as were the three GS-Rs ('94,
'97, and '99) and my S2000.
For the last 14 years all our cars required Super, until you asked
this question, I never knew there was another type of gas <G>!
There should be a knock sensor to retard the timing so if you put
regular in the Type-S it should work, just don’t expect all 200 horses
to “show up for duty”
Q:
I was wondering what the status is on the 2002 Type R. Will there be one,
and if there is one how do I go about pre-purchasing it. I hear the hp
will be about 230-240?
Honda has announced two
versions of the RSX (still called Integra) in Japan, the regular 160 hp
model and the Type-R. The
Type-R looks like it has 220 HP in JAPAN spec.
My feeling is this is mostly the same car as our Type-S, with the
HP differences due to the state of tune.
For example my S2000 is rated for 240 hp here and 250 in Japan
(better gas and a higher compression ratio = 10 more HP)
There will be no Type-R for
2002 for the US. There is no
way to know the HP or Torque ratings for an engine and car that do not
exist in US trim. Sorry.
Q:
So are you a car salesman at an Acura Dealership or you sell them through
the web?
Yes, I work for Pflueger
Acura and my only new contact with clients is via the Web or from
referrals from my previous clients. I
do not stand our in front of the store waiting for people to drive up.
If you come into the store without an appointment with me, you will
be forced to work with whomever helps you first.
As a Manager I do not interfere once you've started with one of the
salesmen, and I can assure you, their price will be higher and you'll
spend more time waiting while he "checks with his manager."
I am the only person
in our company who assists my clients from the Introduction (we're doing
this right now <G>), to the demonstration drive, to handling your
pricing (don't need to see the manager), to filling out your financial
paperwork, and finally the delivery of your car.
I don't want to sound selfish, but please allow me to help you from
beginning to end, and don't just "drop in" <G>
I'll keep everyone posted on new developments and make sure
everyone gets invited to the premier party we are going to have when the
car arrives. I am proud of my record of customer service and you can see
some of the letters I've received on my testimonials
page
I guess
you could say, I'm at a point in my career that I only work with people
who "want to work with me" <G> and I hope you feel that
way.
