Post Your Firsthand Thoughts on Dealer Demo Integra Type-S

[Rdrcr]

My favorite ‘sport’ seats for mixed spirited driving and regular commuting were Recaros from my GTI 337 and EVO 9 MR. The cushions could have had a bit more support but, overall very comfortable for me. I really like the 911 GT3 seats…very comfortable for track use and spirited driving but aren’t fun getting in and out of on a regular basis. My favorite ‘track’ seats are Bride Zetta III. I’ve had them in all of my track cars.

Mike

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[optronix]

What constitutes a “professional” review? A tripod and a YouTube channel? It’s all subjective my dude and my body is completely different than yours, and those professional reviews all have different body types. What I find lacking in bolstering might feel great to you.
I’m still buying my Type S but I standby the fact that I feel the seats are a weak point from a performance perspective. The Civic Type R seats are incredible so it’s frustrating the Type S went another direction.

For starters, they don't tend to say things like "non-existent".

My guy.

It's just data points. Yours is one. Seats are about the most subjective topic on the Internet. Impressions are actually useless.

 

[DFWDAWG]

Just got back from my test drive!! I'm extremely impressed with the driving dynamics in the short amount of time I had with the car. My 2018 CTR is running a Hondata Basemap and this ITS is noticeably quicker! I was shocked. The gear shifter feels tighter and more accurate vs my CTR, and the steering wheel is amazing! Sport + felt the same as my type r in the firmness ride department. The dealer told me that all of their initial cars will have a market adjustment...So I'm in no rush.

 

[meki22]

Just got back from my test drive!! I'm extremely impressed with the driving dynamics in the short amount of time I had with the car. My 2018 CTR is running a Hondata Basemap and this ITS is noticeably quicker! I was shocked. The gear shifter feels tighter and more accurate vs my CTR, and the steering wheel is amazing! Sport + felt the same as my type r in the firmness ride department. The dealer told me that all of their initial cars will have a market adjustment...So I'm in no rush.

 

[eculley]

For starters, they don't tend to say things like "non-existent".

My guy.

It's just data points. Yours is one. Seats are about the most subjective topic on the Internet. Impressions are actually useless.

You're right, the bolster isn't "non-existent." Every car has bolstering to some extent. These are just lacking severely when compared to it's sister car.

 

[zozi8816]

Just got back from my test drive!! I'm extremely impressed with the driving dynamics in the short amount of time I had with the car. My 2018 CTR is running a Hondata Basemap and this ITS is noticeably quicker! I was shocked. The gear shifter feels tighter and more accurate vs my CTR, and the steering wheel is amazing! Sport + felt the same as my type r in the firmness ride department. The dealer told me that all of their initial cars will have a market adjustment...So I'm in no rush.

exciting times. thanks for sharing your first impression

 

[TomK]

Just got back from my test drive!! I'm extremely impressed with the driving dynamics in the short amount of time I had with the car. My 2018 CTR is running a Hondata Basemap and this ITS is noticeably quicker! I was shocked. The gear shifter feels tighter and more accurate vs my CTR, and the steering wheel is amazing! Sport + felt the same as my type r in the firmness ride department. The dealer told me that all of their initial cars will have a market adjustment...So I'm in no rush.

How was the exhaust? Could you hear everything from inside? Road noise decent?

 

[DFWDAWG]

How was the exhaust? Could you hear everything from inside? Road noise decent?

Yeah, I didn't hear any "pops or bangs" and I tried to make it happen a couple of times. You can definitely hear the turbo and bypass valve though!! I only had a very short spin, and I didn't notice any road noise.

 

[zozi8816]

How was the exhaust? Could you hear everything from inside? Road noise decent?

ya this is one thing I will be paying attention to in reviews. Roadnoise. I am hoping its better than in the CTR.

 

[ZeroGSR]

So I think most people covered the overall feel of the car, only thing I would add is if you are ordering the TI Shift Knob online, you might want to see it first. It is NOT dark anodized as I had thought, it's much lighter in color which I wasn't a fan of. The Alcantra steering wheel is fantastic, but not getting one just due to maintaining it. As for the bolster fights, I now kind of understand why people are so split on it. To be honest, the bolsters really do feel minimal. But at the same time, the Alcantra does a great job of keeping you in place so you aren't going up against them. So I am split, getting back in my Audi (power, not buckets) I would say the bolstering is pretty much the same, except you slide on the leather to feel them, where as on the Alcantra you just stay in place. Granted, none of this was under heavy Gs where it matters.

As for fit and finish, it looked good to me, my only gripes were the rear fender flares look a little stuck on in places and not all the seams lined up 100%. Also, what's with how loose the leathertte is on the rear seats? You can even see in some of the online reviews, wrinkles towards the top of the seats. No one seems to mention it though, is that normal?

 

[optronix]

You're right, the bolster isn't "non-existent." Every car has bolstering to some extent. These are just lacking severely when compared to it's sister car.

I'm anxious about the seats too but your hyperbole set me off... probably a little more than it should have.

I get that they're not CTR seats, I don't think that really would have been the move here for this car... but at the same time I have 18-way adaptive sports seats in my 718 and I quite like them and would like to think that the ITS would at least come close to that. The bolsters are not gigantic in these seats either, but they are also adjustable and mine are also alcantara (i.e., "race-tex") so they do just fine under all but the most extreme driving conditions. The alcantara does make a significant difference, because I had these exact same seats in a 991.2 in leather and while they were still perfectly serviceable, I did noticeably "slide" more in the leather seats.

Pics for reference:

The thing is, there's immense volume of debate on Porsche forums about the seats. Some swear by the 14-ways, which have far less bolstering than what's shown here. Others swear the carbon buckets are the most comfortable seats they've ever sat in. Everyone will have their own opinion here, and that applies to "user" reviews as well as "professional" reviews- I'm just going to have to drive it to know if I like them or not. Getting caught up in random people's opinions on seats is a fool's errand- so yes, today I'm the fool.

So I think most people covered the overall feel of the car, only thing I would add is if you are ordering the TI Shift Knob online, you might want to see it first. It is NOT dark anodized as I had thought, it's much lighter in color which I wasn't a fan of. The Alcantra steering wheel is fantastic, but not getting one just due to maintaining it. As for the bolster fights, I now kind of understand why people are so split on it. To be honest, the bolsters really do feel minimal. But at the same time, the Alcantra does a great job of keeping you in place so you aren't going up against them. So I am split, getting back in my Audi (power, not buckets) I would say the bolstering is pretty much the same, except you slide on the leather to feel them, where as on the Alcantra you just stay in place. Granted, none of this was under heavy Gs where it matters.

As for fit and finish, it looked good to me, my only gripes were the rear fender flares look a little stuck on in places and not all the seams lined up 100%. Also, what's with how loose the leathertte is on the rear seats? You can even see in some of the online reviews, wrinkles towards the top of the seats. No one seems to mention it though, is that normal?

Don't let maintenance scare you away from alcantara. It's really not that bad as long as you don't completely neglect it- and even if you do, just pay a professional to restore it to like new. Monthly cleanings with a decent cleaner (Sonax works great for me but there are plenty others)- or just soap and water- will be more than adequate.

 

[eculley]

I'm anxious about the seats too but your hyperbole set me off... probably a little more than it should have.

I get that they're not CTR seats, I don't think that really would have been the move here for this car... but at the same time I have 18-way adaptive sports seats in my 718 and I quite like them and would like to think that the ITS would at least come close to that. The bolsters are not gigantic in these seats either, but they are also adjustable and mine are also alcantara (i.e., "race-tex") so they do just fine under all but the most extreme driving conditions. The alcantara does make a significant difference, because I had these exact same seats in a 991.2 in leather and while they were still perfectly serviceable, I did noticeably "slide" more in the leather seats.

Pics for reference:

The thing is, there's immense volume of debate on Porsche forums about the seats. Some swear by the 14-ways, which have far less bolstering than what's shown here. Others swear the carbon buckets are the most comfortable seats they've ever sat in. Everyone will have their own opinion here, and that applies to "user" reviews as well as "professional" reviews- I'm just going to have to drive it to know if I like them or not. Getting caught up in random people's opinions on seats is a fool's errand- so yes, today I'm the fool.



Don't let maintenance scare you away from alcantara. It's really not that bad as long as you don't completely neglect it- and even if you do, just pay a professional to restore it to like new. Monthly cleanings with a decent cleaner (Sonax works great for me but there are plenty others)- or just soap and water- will be more than adequate.

 

[meki22]

I'm anxious about the seats too but your hyperbole set me off... probably a little more than it should have.

I get that they're not CTR seats, I don't think that really would have been the move here for this car... but at the same time I have 18-way adaptive sports seats in my 718 and I quite like them and would like to think that the ITS would at least come close to that. The bolsters are not gigantic in these seats either, but they are also adjustable and mine are also alcantara (i.e., "race-tex") so they do just fine under all but the most extreme driving conditions. The alcantara does make a significant difference, because I had these exact same seats in a 991.2 in leather and while they were still perfectly serviceable, I did noticeably "slide" more in the leather seats.

Pics for reference:

The thing is, there's immense volume of debate on Porsche forums about the seats. Some swear by the 14-ways, which have far less bolstering than what's shown here. Others swear the carbon buckets are the most comfortable seats they've ever sat in. Everyone will have their own opinion here, and that applies to "user" reviews as well as "professional" reviews- I'm just going to have to drive it to know if I like them or not. Getting caught up in random people's opinions on seats is a fool's errand- so yes, today I'm the fool.



Don't let maintenance scare you away from alcantara. It's really not that bad as long as you don't completely neglect it- and even if you do, just pay a professional to restore it to like new. Monthly cleanings with a decent cleaner (Sonax works great for me but there are plenty others)- or just soap and water- will be more than adequate.

Just out of curiosity, what draws you to the ITS after having experienced Porsches? I feel like every sports car under $100K after that would feel very underwhelming for me

 

[optronix]

Just out of curiosity, what draws you to the ITS after having experienced Porsches? I feel like every sports car under $100K after that would feel very underwhelming for me

Not sure I could articulate it effectively, at least not concisely. I think the short answer is- two kids in college. And I probably have a mental disorder. Only partially joking.

I have at this point experienced a ton of awesome cars, and owned many of them for not as long as I should have (the red 911 in particular, I should never have let that one go...). Ultimately, there reaches a point of diminishing returns. If the cars were truly worth the money, then I wouldn't feel compelled to get a new one every 6 months.

Also I haven't completely made up my mind if I'll be keeping my 718 or trading it in. Leaning heavily towards trading it in... because I can wait a few years and maybe actually appreciate a "true sports car" when I've gone without one for a while.

I do have high expectations for the ITS, but I also am fully aware that it's literally less than half the MSRP of my 718... which is the "entry level" Porsche. I'm expecting the inputs (i.e., steering, shifter, road feel) to be at least 80% of my 718.. so at half the price, that's a hell of a bargain.

Also this:

I can't fit him in my 718.

 

[meki22]

Not sure I could articulate it effectively, at least not concisely. I think the short answer is- two kids in college. And I probably have a mental disorder. Only partially joking.

I have at this point experienced a ton of awesome cars, and owned many of them for not as long as I should have (the red 911 in particular, I should never have let that one go...). Ultimately, there reaches a point of diminishing returns. If the cars were truly worth the money, then I wouldn't feel compelled to get a new one every 6 months.

Also I haven't completely made up my mind if I'll be keeping my 718 or trading it in. Leaning heavily towards trading it in... because I can wait a few years and maybe actually appreciate a "true sports car" when I've gone without one for a while.

I do have high expectations for the ITS, but I also am fully aware that it's literally less than half the MSRP of my 718... which is the "entry level" Porsche. I'm expecting the inputs (i.e., steering, shifter, road feel) to be at least 80% of my 718.. so at half the price, that's a hell of a bargain.

Also this:

I can't fit him in my 718.

love the answer. I think you expressed your reasoning quite well. Love the dog too! We had a Belgian Malinois that suddenly passed a little over 6 months ago. He’s also the only reason I kept our Subaru Forester. Now I can’t seem to let it go because I feel that when the time is right we’ll add another Belgian to the family.

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