What the heck are you doing to us, Acura?

Okay there's a lot of hate over the new "RSX." It's really been tough to swallow for some of us Honda fans, those who remember the Integra and the RSX for what they were. Sporting three-door hatchbacks with exciting powertrains, attractive silhouettes, the dream and hope of a Type R version. These cars were icons for Acura/ Honda.

And you are just using the name to try to sell a car. This new version of Integra that came out... at least it's some form of an actual Integra, based on a Civic with a little plus features. Even if we try to forgive there is no extra performance, no extra cache to come with the Integra name. Just different styling and more luxury features.

But this? The RSX here is nothing like the old RSX. Maybe in some skewed alternative way of thinking, the old RSX represented an entry-level performance car. The specs are there on this new EV: Dual motor all-wheel drive, double wish suspension... but this couldn't be further from what an RSX actually was.

Acura, these names mean something to your enthusiast base. It felt like you were flexing the name when you came out with the Integra, but now you're straight up exploiting the name RSX!

Not a cool move. This car is something new. Something totally new. Name it something new!

Listen, guys, we need to stop letting our passions and emotions dictate how we deal with others. Being on an even keel and understanding that, the vast majority of the time, the person on the other end of the line has thoughts, external and internal pressures, and similar struggles as you. It makes all the difference when we can be more understanding with each other and work toward the common goal of making your car awesome!

When did the Honda Golden Era end? What Honda or Acura should be made again?

Heeltoe attended Hondafest NW in 2025, and hit the show with a mic and a camera to interview some folks on fun Honda-related topics!

Here's what we asked these gripping questions:

• Do you have a project at home? On jackstands?
• How many cars have you owned and what is your favorite?
• Can you leave a car stock?
• Is boost better, or NA best?
• What's the best Honda OEM color?
• Type R or Type S?
• What Honda or Acura would you bring back?
• When did Honda's Golden Era end?

AND MORE!

The TLX is DEAD. Slow sales because SUV, or because not trying hard enough? Marcus shares some thoughts on the matter. He also expands on the concept of parts support and why it can be sparse for cars that seem like they need it the most. Plus, some pitfalls of homegrown parts producers.

Time to replace your suspension bushings? Considering polyurethane? There is stuff you should know that you need to consider before you do! Poly isn't the bees' knees in every car in every bushing location. In many cases, rubber or sphericals are BETTER.

Remember podcast CC28 about spring settling being a myth?

Check out some comments...seems like a couple of people disagree! But who is right? I get to the bottom of it in this Podcast.

Our simple male minds always seem to dump into a "bigger is better" mentality. For many things this sort of thinking make sense. But for exhaust diameter, the logic breaks down.

A bigger exhaust CAN flow more air than a smaller one. But how much your engine CAN flow is a different amount of air. The goal of the exhaust is to flow the air the engine is capable of processing in the most efficient way it can. After tuning, improving airflow on the inlet, raising boost, and other upgrades the need for a larger exhaust is clear. The engine can support more airflow, so the exhaust needs to support it as well.

But there needs to be a realistic view of what the engine is capable of doing before the size of the exhaust can really be determined. The point is, the exhaust size is a tunable factor just like spring rates, the ride height and the damper firmness. More isn't always better!

When installing lowering springs, coilovers, or any other product that lowers the car, the conventional wisdom is that you should wait and drive the car around for a while for the car to completely "settle." In reality, the springs won't, or should not, change height over time. The car will need to be rolled to neutralize the tire position before the height of the car can me measured, but this has nothing to do with the springs! It happens every single time the car is lifted off the ground.

When you buy almost any product these days you expect there to be some form of a warranty or guarantee to back up your purchase in case it fails. The thing is, with aftermarket auto parts, making good on these niche parts warranties is harder than you want it to be. First of all, any kind of warranty has to exist. And when it does, there are an array of exclusions that probably preclude a part's eligibility for coverage.

If you buy quality parts, though, you'll find that reliable warranty coverage does exist in the performance aftermarket parts industry. That doesn't mean warranty claims are a complete lock. If you are going to claim a parts warranty, be prepared to give up some information. Sometimes a lot of information, to help validate the issue.

This podcast is about being patient through the process of engaging with manufacturers for warranty support and what to expect. Expect to be annoyed, but have faith and stick with it. The better brands always make good by supporting their products.

It's been a longstanding belief here at Heeltoe that car parts and engine parts are mutually exclusive. The simple fact that so many engine swaps exist makes this true. So even though parts manufacturers like to label an item for a car, because that is the industry standard, Heeltoe does not.

A customer selecting a car on the Heeltoe platform is also choosing an engine. This gives us the power to serve the customer-specific car and engine parts that match their build and reduces the need to do funky filtering to get to the part they need, even if they have an engine swap.

Something only Heeltoe does, because we are in the business of making your shopping experience as specialized and personal as your car is to you.