Sure the SRT-4 hauls major *** and would blow both of these out the water in a second, but at the end of the day, it's just a ****ty neon with big rims, big wing and a turbo. I would not buy that car simply for its lack of refinement. I'm not saying that the RSX or the RA are Bentley's...but I think everyone would agree that they're more refined than the SRT-4.

Now when the Lancer and Neon combine platforms in a few years? Then we'll talk.

 

if ya cant get the evo....go for the type s.....its clean...fast...and the i-vtec sounds like a monster...

 

You and your sister should band together and demand a G35, it's better than the ralliart and RSX Type-S, just learn to share!

 

duh a G35 has the same engine as a skyline. ooh i want 1 soo bad lol

 

G35 does not have the same engine as a skyline. Skyline have inline 6 and g35 has v6

 

go for a ralliart!

 

id go rsx-s just because all the things iv seen that can be done, i tell your right now that i have a lancer es and yes theres a veriety of after market and 10 times less for the ralli art and 1000 times more for the rsx and thats my reason, the other reason is i love little things like the gauge cluster and how it has the a/c buttons on top of the turn things i just think thats hot, and i love hatch backs, i used to have a tiburon but now im rambaling haha

 

Get the Ralliart you won't regret it. Maybe less parts for it now but wait just a little bit more and your gonna have you share of parts, maybe not as much as the RSX but it gonna be there. And they are selling like pancakes here in Toronto. The dealership here is already selling 05's since they ran out of 04's. Maybe a different story there. At least you want have the same car as everyone else.

 

I'm the guy to ask. My sister has a 2002 RSX premium (not s) and I have a 2004 Lancer RA.
I have driven my car, obviously a lot. I drove my sister's for a week.
Suprisingly, I found both cars handle similarily. Also, despite how it LOOKS, the Lancer is the same height as the RSX. It is the more upright rear glass that makes it look taller. It is also just as wide (well, one inch narrower).
The RSX VS RA is a close race in terms of performance. The RA is 100 lbs heavier, but that won't make a sniff of difference. The ride in the RSX is quite bouncy/stiff/loud. The RA feels nicer on the road, but can still handle very well. Both come with 16 inch wheels and performance all season tires (although both cars understeer badly since all seasons never have much grip).
Now, the type S VS our lancer isn't a race at all. The cars are not in the same category. The type S sucks off the line (less torque than the Lancer, it is still a Honda). But that 200 horsepower REALLY pulls once you are in the higher revs. Also take into account the fact that the type S needs premium fuel, the Lancer and RSX base/premium just need regular fuel.
True, the interior in the RSX is VERY classy. The seats are amazing, I love the gauges. The 2005 RSXs LOOK sportier too. They have sportier tail lights (the reverse light is a small circle, as opposed to a large triangle on the corner). The headlights/front end is sportier. In fact, I think the only reason the 2002-2004 RSXs look sportier than the Lancer Ralliart is the coupe VS sedan. If the Lancer was a bubble shaped coupe instead of a sedan, it would look similar to the RSX.
I am very happy with my Lancer. Just as fast as the base/premium RSX. Interior isn't as flashy (gotta love the red on white gauges though). Seats don't offer quite the same level of bolstering.
Here is some small things though.
1. The lancer has an armrest, the second I sat in the RSX I missed that armrest.
2. The ebrake is a lot nicer in the lancer, the plastic one in the RSX just didn't feel the same
One plus for the RSX (IMO). The steering wheel is smaller (in diameter) and thicker and the steering is REALLY stiff/tight. The ralliart is already stiff, but the RSX is the next notch up. I like REALLY stiff steering, but it is no big deal. So long as the steering wheel lock to lock is under 3 turns, it's all good. The pedal placement in the lancer is better, the brakes are more responsive (could be because my car has 2000 kilometers and my sister's has 47,000)
Another plus for the lancer, the sound system (with sun and sound) is AMAZING. It is incredible compared to the RSX's. Note; my sister's car does NOT have the bose mini sub in the spare tire. The bass might have been better if she had that.
Here is one thing I wish both cars had, a plastic strip on the floor mats. After only 2000 kilometers, there's already a flat spot in the mat from where my foot pivots. Our trailblazer has a plastic piece on the mat where your foot goes.
This has become longer than I wanted it to.
So in conclusion.
Both cars handle very similar, the RSX is really stiff and loud, the ralliart is slightely softer and a lot quieter all around (at highway, around town etc).
The type s is faster. The type s has a nicer interior. The type s has stronger bolstered seats. The lancer has a much better sound system (I mean BY FAR).
Depends what you want, the RSX will, no doubt, get more looks. Are you going to use the extra 38 horsepower? If you want something that will perform well all around, fun to drive, uses regular gas then get the lancer. If you want looks, a harsh ride and an amazing interior, get the RSX. I like how the lancer's engine sounds better too. The RSX's 2 litre is really buzzy and tinny sounding. The 2.4L mivec is deep just off idle and turns into a deep growl as you get to the higher revs. The 2.4L never sounds stressed/worked. In fact, the 2.4L is the most V6 sounding 4 cylinder I have come across.

 

Wow captain150, thanks for the amazing input, you just helped me realize again how "fun" the ralliart is to drive from opinions... Ralliart and the type-S is sure different since the Type-s has both performance and style, but the Ralliart does come in account when fun-driving comes in and affordability is inputted and yeah one of the true reasons I also want a Ralliart is because I wanna be part of evom, hehe.

Well if you guys have any more input, you're welcomed

 

wow capn, u really know ur stuff. lol im glad i chose my lancer. so ur supposed to use reg gas for it? cause i use premium. and anyway after i add all the modification that r possible for this car i will use premium

 

"all the modification that r possible" wow dude with all the custom parts out there you just spoke for bout half a million bucks worth of parts... good thing your a newbie... hit some of the performance sections on this forum they will help you learn about tuning and which mods are the right ones.

 

I notice the details guys Another thing, the visibility out of the lancer is 100 times better than the RSX. Partly because of the short doors, partly because of being a 4 door, partly because of having a more upright rear glass.
Regular gas is fine in the Lancer. Contrary to what most people know/believe. The MAIN reason for using premium is if you have a high compression ratio. The RSX type S has an 11:1 compression ratio. That is high and requires premium. Generally all turbocharged and supercharged engines need premium (the forced induction FORCES more air and fuel into the cylinders, putting more squeeze on the mixture).
See, gasoline has a tendency to ignite by itself if you compress it too much for its octane. Regular fuel can generally be used up to about 10:1 compression ratios. After that the fuel starts igniting before the spark plugs ignite it (called detonation).
Regular is fine in our ralliarts since we have a 9.5:1 compression ratio (at least it's fine until you do something that raises the compression ratio, some sort of forced induction for example.) I'm guessing Mitsu left it below 10:1 to accomodate forced induction mods. Forced induction on a type s would be almost useless since it already has a high compression ratio.
BTW, the dealership where I live was fresh out of ralliarts after they sold me mine. Eclipses as far as the eye could see though. Weren't getting any more 04s. In fact, I wanted a 5 speed so badly the manager was calling other Canadian dealerships to try to find one that would trade the auto here for the 5 speed there. It didn't happen, I still love my car. Shifting is not that big of deal.
How do Eclipses sell? It could just be that the dealership had a lot. I like how Mitsu is still a small company. Have seen under a dozen Ralliarts so far. Have seen about 200 RSXs Of course, RSXs have been out for 2-3 years already.

 

Yall need to take a ride in mikes RA, that **** pulls maaaaaaaaaaddd hard, chirping the tire in 2nd gear put a smile on my face

mitsumichael RA > RSX-s

 

where can i check this guys ride?