All opinions... :P I had to bring attention to this post, though. Something isn't right.
Either you he doesn't have the Type-S or he can't drive worth shit. 0-60 times for each were... 6.7 for the RSX and 7.7 for the Intrigue. 1/4 mile times were... 15.1 for the RSX and 15.8 for the Intrigue. Again, either he doesn't have a Type-S (which was the only one to come with a 6-spd) or he completely sucks at driving. So, which is it?
Now... Either he doesn't have a Type-S or he can't drive or his RSX was fucked up by the previous owner. It should out handle the Intrique by quite a bit if it is indeed a Type-S (which doesn't seem likely at the moment). It is a great handling car...
As for the rough ride, well, it isn't a luxury car. It's a sport compact. It's not going to have a softer ride than your Intrigue. And I think that's a very good thing.
And the road noise, again, it's a sport compact, not a luxury car. It's going to have more road noise. That and I feel being able to hear what's going on beneath you is a good thing... especially in a car meant to be sporty. But besides... if hate road noise, you don't want to ride in my GA.
About the hood... you can't blame that on the car. Something had to happen to it. Either owner abuse or some kind of accident.
Finally the stereo... If it's a Type-S, I'm pretty sure it should have a Bose stereo system. Although it may not have come until a few years into production. I don't know...
Because, it really is a good car. I wouldn't say it's the best Honda has to offer, though...