Update: 2024 Integra Type S Media First Look Walkarounds Released! Driving Reviews Coming June 19

[Bzal1122]

Agreed. I forgot to mention the Topher as I do like his takes. I'm hoping that the ITS is essentially the FL5 that everyone loves to daily thanks to a more compliant ride.

Everyday driver will also give an accurate review. Like the poster above , I too lean heavily on them and Savagegeese. I don’t think Everyday will get invited to this review though. Don’t think they were there at the Honda events and they didn’t get the M2 invite either.

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[optronix]

This is actually one of the “problems” auto journalism is facing. The fact that they are wined and dined for each press event. This is why Doug Demuro never attends said events.

Of course it makes total sense but as a consumer I still prefer an honest review. They can always criticize in a constructive and respectful way. I think Savagegeese does this quite well.

I don't think it's an issue, and it's certainly not limited to the auto industry. If you produce a consumer product, you have to play nice with the people who have a platform to review your product. There are psychological ways to present said product in a favorable manner, but in reality it's little more than professional courtesy.

The whole "we won't invite them back" angle isn't quite accurate either. It's more like, "we can't afford to invite literally everyone" so yes, I'm sure manufacturers can be selective around who gets invited to these events. But there's no tinfoil-hat nefariousness behind it. If you trash a manufacturer it may so happen that you may not get an invite to the next event... but I can't reconcile the "punishment" angle...

Anyway, Throttle House made it a point to lean hard on the "unbiased" concept in their review of the G87 M2. I was actually at first pretty irritated and thought they were overly critical to the point of being contrarian... but now that reviews have been out for a while it seems they were actually pretty fair. Most journalists who drove the car presented a few themes, even if their overall impression was positive. TH's overall impression was very lukewarm, but we're talking subjective nuances... the whole point of reviews to me is watch them all in aggregate and extract a few consistent themes that may or may not align to what your individual preferences and tolerances are. For example, the G87 M2 is super fast in a straight line and the chassis has been engineered around the weight to give it super precise handling... but the manual shifter is an afterthought and it has lost some of the "misbehaving" character of the previous generation. Most reviewers noted similar attributes.

In any case, it's a great example of journalists taking their job seriously, and if your product has flaws they will come to light no matter how much you "wine and dine" someone.

Just watch this and tell me how the "wining and dining" influenced their assessment:

 

[onepointsix]

 

[meki22]

I don't think it's an issue, and it's certainly not limited to the auto industry. If you produce a consumer product, you have to play nice with the people who have a platform to review your product. There are psychological ways to present said product in a favorable manner, but in reality it's little more than professional courtesy.

The whole "we won't invite them back" angle isn't quite accurate either. It's more like, "we can't afford to invite literally everyone" so yes, I'm sure manufacturers can be selective around who gets invited to these events. But there's no tinfoil-hat nefariousness behind it. If you trash a manufacturer it may so happen that you may not get an invite to the next event... but I can't reconcile the "punishment" angle...

Anyway, Throttle House made it a point to lean hard on the "unbiased" concept in their review of the G87 M2. I was actually at first pretty irritated and thought they were overly critical to the point of being contrarian... but now that reviews have been out for a while it seems they were actually pretty fair. Most journalists who drove the car presented a few themes, even if their overall impression was positive. TH's overall impression was very lukewarm, but we're talking subjective nuances... the whole point of reviews to me is watch them all in aggregate and extract a few consistent themes that may or may not align to what your individual preferences and tolerances are. For example, the G87 M2 is super fast in a straight line and the chassis has been engineered around the weight to give it super precise handling... but the manual shifter is an afterthought and it has lost some of the "misbehaving" character of the previous generation. Most reviewers noted similar attributes.

In any case, it's a great example of journalists taking their job seriously, and if your product has flaws they will come to light no matter how much you "wine and dine" someone.

Just watch this and tell me how the "wining and dining" influenced their assessment:

yup, totally understand you. That’s why I put quotes around ”problems” as I didn’t know how to word it. Doesn’t mean all reviews are going to be skewed towards positive but there is that strong influence which is a strategic move for car companies. There is a really interesting article about VinFast heavily relying on this tactic that failed quite miserably. That’s why written articles will always have disclaimers but are worded in a nicer way such as: “BMW was so desperate for me to try out their new M2 that they fed me a fancy steak dinner” kind of thing (not exact words btw) which again, I totally get.

As consumers it is our responsibility to extract as much info from multiple sources as much as possible to make an informed decision so it’s not necessarily the journalists fault. But I can’t help but notice that many review events have gotten a lot more extravagant over the years.

 

[meki22]

Saw this on Facebook

 

[Integra23]

Saw this on Facebook

They won't share any driving impressions until 2 Mondays from now.

 

[mopar_man]

Really like the white / red combo.

 

[Azkyrie6]

looks good, all of us here on this forum I would guess are into the looks of the car and performance. Many others won’t understand the price point and lack of luxury features.

I’ve owned a 2000 Integra LS, 2004 mdx and a 2006 TL (220k miles) which are all still running strong today. The new ITS would be my fourth Acura if any are available this year. I have a family so a four door is nice, hopefully Acura will produce many but if I have to wait over a year I may be forced to get another family car

 

[Azkyrie6]

They won't share any driving impressions until 2 Mondays from now.

I’d have to guess driving impressions will be just as good if not better than CTR and those have had many good reviews. No fake engine sound, possibly smoother ride? Overall a fun performance driving experience and not luxury comfort. It should be a niche for all of us who used to own an older Integra or never experienced an ITR and are older now with families

 

[Azkyrie6]

yup, totally understand you. That’s why I put quotes around ”problems” as I didn’t know how to word it. Doesn’t mean all reviews are going to be skewed towards positive but there is that strong influence which is a strategic move for car companies. There is a really interesting article about VinFast heavily relying on this tactic that failed quite miserably. That’s why written articles will always have disclaimers but are worded in a nicer way such as: “BMW was so desperate for me to try out their new M2 that they fed me a fancy steak dinner” kind of thing (not exact words btw) which again, I totally get.

As consumers it is our responsibility to extract as much info from multiple sources as much as possible to make an informed decision so it’s not necessarily the journalists fault. But I can’t help but notice that many review events have gotten a lot more extravagant over the years.

Speaking as a Vietnamese person, I once looked into the vinfast cars. They’re manufactured in china and the quality assurance isn’t quite there yet. Plus vinfast is facing all the common problems with EV vehicles because battery tech isn’t quite there yet. The long term replacement of very expensive batteries is a concern and one can never be sure parts/batteries will be available when the time comes.
Acura and ITS is based off the CTR, tried and true engineering. Acura/Honda has been around so long we know the customer support is there

 

[RUNN1N]

Per TFL, their full review will be up "one week from Monday", so look for the embargo to be lifted on 6/19.

 

[ronlp]

Per TFL, their full review will be up "one week from Monday", so look for the embargo to be lifted on 6/19.

That is accurate. I have a buddy who is there and he confirmed it. That date is also supposed to coincide with the initial cars arriving at dealers, which makes sense.

 

[ronlp]

Nop. North America loves white

For some inexplicable reason lol. Idk, maybe it's because I live in AZ where half the cars are white and most of the rest are some other form of grayscale, but I just don't get it.

 

[TeggyTypeS]

Makes sense, my dealer told me yesterday their demo is 10 days out. So that gives them a few days to get the accessories installed before the 19th.

 

[meki22]

That is accurate. I have a buddy who is there and he confirmed it. That date is also supposed to coincide with the initial cars arriving at dealers, which makes sense.

did your buddy drop any hints?>wink< >wink<

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