My carfuffle...

[VTEC_Inside]

Time for a car situation update...

No surprise my Accord is getting long in the tooth. You really wouldn't know it to drive it as it will still "blaze" along at 150kph without much fuss. Alas, the gas tank leaks if I fill it more than half way and its got at least one worn out ball joint up front now. That and the rust isn't looking any better with time. It really wouldn't cost much in parts to fix it, but I just don't have the ambition to do so anymore.

I was supposed to have been inheriting my brothers '03 5spd Legacy Wagon, but my dad ended up selling his '05 Highlander and keeping the Subaru for himself.

I had been eyeballing 2006+ (wanted the newer engine with timing chain even if it is boring) 5spd base model Civics as a daily driver when I came across a 2006 Acura CSX Touring model. Was looking at CSXs because they all have auto climate control versus the manual in the Civics.

[For US readers CSX = Acura Civic with 2L K series 160 or 200hp(Type S), and other upgrades]

It was a 5spd with 71,000kms on it, and they were asking $14,999. I went and test drove it about a month and a half ago and told the salesman to keep me updated on it or others like it.

Being a 5spd it continued to sit there, lol... Sales dude texts me 3 weeks ago now to let me know that they had dropped it to $13,999 but that I could have it for $12,999. Now it was more interesting since I never planned on offering over $13,000 anyway.

Anyways I picked it up 2 weeks ago for $14,860ish after taxes and shit.

Notable mention:
- I don't care what it does for emissions, the DBW rev hang is gay
- Steering wheel audio controls are kinda fun
- Same family? Sure. Same engine? Not by a long shot. The K20 in my RSX-S walks ALL over this 160hp version period. Its comical how much more powerful the RSX-S feels compared to this, gearing contributes sure, but 1,5,6 = 1,4,5, so there are a couple even gears

I may have more to add later on, but its just a nice, not entirely boring to drive, daily driver sedan.

I'm not sure yet, but I may decide to broom my RSX-S and get a proper toy now like an S2000 :)

[2o6]

Sounds nice, post pics!

[VTEC_Inside]

Was just about to :)

Only have a couple from the dealer lot right now. I should have snapped some the day I brought it home, they cleaned up really well.

[Jon?]

So this is a rebadged Civic?  I'm guessing it has leather and all the goodies?

[2o6]

So this is a rebadged Civic?  I'm guessing it has leather and all the goodies?

It's the JDM Civic with some extra goodies.

[Jon?]

It's the JDM Civic with some extra goodies.

Ah so.  The headlights look different.  Any shots of the interior?  I'm curious since I owned an '06 Civic Coupe, but got rid of it when I couldn't take the head restraints jabbing the back of my head anymore.

[dazzleman]

Nice, James.  Good luck with it. 

[Payman]

We've gotten this car up here for some time. It looks much better than the Civic, but it can hit $30K+ with options.

[AutobahnSHO]

Veddy nice.

yes, I like the steering wheel buttons, too. I really really want auto climate, my SHO had it and it's WONDERFUL.

[VTEC_Inside]

So this is a rebadged Civic?  I'm guessing it has leather and all the goodies?

This "Touring" model was the base CSX in 2006. It was the only model without leather which is the way I wanted it. That also meant no sunroof, but I really didn't want leather so.

The big interior feature that it has that is unavailable on any Civic is the auto climate control. It also has steering wheel mounted audio controls, as well as some little trim bits to spice it up over the Civic.

The current CSX is available as a Type S with the Civic Si powertrain, but adds leather, navi/bluetooth, and VSA. (I think they finally put VSA on the Si here this year)

As for the exterior, its pretty much a JDM Civic. I was surprised to discover that they actually use different fenders. I figured it was just the lights and bumper.

The powertrain in all CSXs (minus the Type S) is the 155hp K20Z3. Its not a rocket, but its not a slouch either. The torque curve is pretty similar to the 200hp engine, but with less gears it can feel a lot weaker at times.

[VTEC_Inside]

Ah so.  The headlights look different.  Any shots of the interior?  I'm curious since I owned an '06 Civic Coupe, but got rid of it when I couldn't take the head restraints jabbing the back of my head anymore.

I plan on taking a couple of the interior at night. Some may recall that my gf drives an '08 Civic Sedan and the difference at night is pretty dramatic primarily because of color.

The instrument cluster and radio are identical sans the "Acura" instead of "Honda" badge over the radio. The auto climate fits in place of the position buttons and crap on the Civic.

At night the Civic lights the radio buttons and stuff in white, the CSX has them in blue. Its quite a difference.

[VTEC_Inside]

Veddy nice.

yes, I like the steering wheel buttons, too. I really really want auto climate, my SHO had it and it's WONDERFUL.

I went to push the button that wasn't there on the RSX today with my left thumb... d'oh. Then I floored it and felt better :)

Auto climate, I can't live without it. Actually I set it once and haven't touched it since, which is exactly why I like it :)

[cawimmer430]

Congrats. 

[Raza]

I guess I'm late to the party, but why didn't you get a Civic Si instead?

Anyway, congratulations!

[VTEC_Inside]

I guess I'm late to the party, but why didn't you get a Civic Si instead?

Anyway, congratulations!

I wanted to get something a little more appliance like for day to day shit and winter.

I have the RSX-S as my fun car.

[BimmerM3]

I guess I'm late to the party, but why didn't you get a Civic Si instead?

Because it would have made his RSX pointless.

[Northlands]

Nice choice. If I weren't looking for a larger sedan for myself, CSX's would be on the radar. It's what Civics should look like. The extra juice helps too. 

[2o6]

I guess I'm late to the party, but why didn't you get a Civic Si instead?

Anyway, congratulations!

Look at the CSX next to it, which is almost 18K (CAD). 12K is a steal.

[cawimmer430]

I found this signature in a Toyota Celica forum. 




Some guy there thinks his Yaris interior is better than a Bentley's! 

[cawimmer430]

BUMP!

I wanna see VTEC's response to that Celica owners Honda comment. 

[sportyaccordy]

Congrats... why no Type-S though?

[VTEC_Inside]

BUMP!

I wanna see VTEC's response to that Celica owners Honda comment. 

If pussy needs Honda's then bring the pussy, I got three of them, lol...

[VTEC_Inside]

Congrats... why no Type-S though?

I'm not getting rid of the RSX-S. I'm not getting rid of the Accord just yet either (sentimental bs), but it is coming off the road.

My goal with the CSX was to get a daily driver that I didn't care too much about, but was still somewhat entertaining to drive.

I will be putting the Si rear sway bar on it as soon as the parts show up, and I may upgrade the front brakes to the 11.8" from the Si/Type S as well. It still has enough power to get me in trouble so some small handling/braking improvements should do nicely.

[VTEC_Inside]

New pics...

[Cookie Monster]

The interior looks so weird!

And it's crazy how the Civic is bigger than the Accord. and the Accord is so good looking too.

[Rupert]

I like that they are almost the same color.

[cawimmer430]

I was a bit confused after seeing the second bunch of photos you posted. I was about to ask if "you added Acura badges unto a Honda Civic", because this car looked like the Honda Civic we get in Europe. Then I did some googling and found out that Acura makes a car called the CSX. The things you learn everyday.    

[Rupert]

Yeah, as he said, it's a gussied up Civic that we in the U.S. don't get.

[cawimmer430]

Yeah, as he said, it's a gussied up Civic that we in the U.S. don't get.

I'll be honest. I didn't fully read through the write-up, just looked at the photos and saw a HONDA CIVIC. I didn't even pat attention to the badges.

Then, when James posted the second bunch of photos, I noticed the Acura badges and was like "WTF...". 

[Tave]

Because it would have been pointless. He already has anmade his RSX pointless.