Post Your Firsthand Thoughts on Dealer Demo Integra Type-S

[Lflouie]

I drove the ITS yesterday at Grubbs Acura. The Car was great but when I looked in the back seat I noticed the the plastic fender flares had about a 2mm gap when you looked down at the door sill. Looked kinda crap and it was the only thing that I disliked about the car. So anyone else see this or is it just this one.

They offered to sell at MSRP plus $11600 of assesories Copper wheels Nappa Wheel etc. Car was gonna be a daily and I really don't want a Nappa Wheel.

Usually since the wheel was a dealer option, the old wheel is in the trunk....so you could negotiate to swap it back.

The $11600 is eye watering....does that include ttl?

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[optronix]

At this point I don't care about paying for accessories as long as I'm not just handing over money for the privilege of buying a car. But $11k elevates it into a higher category, for sure. And really the only accessories I would actively want would probably total up to less than $5k total- I like the copper wheels but as bad as Porsche is with options, they only charge a few hundred bucks for a different color wheel. Plus I'll probably end up getting aftermarket wheels anyway. Something like the Volk CE28N.

Also 2mm doesn't sound like a lot. I don't share the anxiety about the "tacked on" rear fenders. I understand that it just didn't make sense from a product perspective to design a stamped rear fender when, as someone explained, it goes all the way up to the a-pillar. Plus, it sort of reminds me of some of the old JDM cars I lusted after in the 90s, like the EVO VI.

 

[Bzal1122]

Finally got an opportunity to drive the car.

As most people are doing on here, I'll provide some context. I've had a lot of cars, most of these for at least a year. Let me just start from the beginning:

68 Chevelle, 400 sb TH350
90 240SX
95 Talon Tsi/AWD
92 Mustang GT
03 Mazda 5, 6 speed
92 240SX with SR20DET swap
97 E36 M3 coupe, 5 speed
07 335i coupe, 6 speed
15 STI
15 M4 DCT
15 Boxster GTS, 6 speed
18 S3
17 911 Carrera S, 7 speed
18 S4
21 RS5 Sportback
19 718 Boxster GTS 2.5T
23 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 (current)
23 Macan GTS (current)

I'll try not to revisit everything already said and stick to high notes on things that are important to me personally.

The exterior. First off, I was already sold on the design of the car since Raitti's first video at Long Beach. That said, the car still impressed me in person. It looks fantastic. The only possible gripe I could have is I somewhat agree with folks on Facebook complaining about the wheels not being flush with the fenders. They are just a bit sunk in, but only relative to some of the higher end cars I've had, like the RS5 and Porsches. About on par with the S3/S4. Not a legit complaint at this price point, and very easily remedied via the aftermarket. And to be clear, it still looks great and nothing to obsess over unless you're just one of those "stance guys". I may even just leave it completely alone because of the driving dynamics which I'll get into in a bit.

The seats. This has been a big deal for me, and actually gave me a bit of anxiety with all the complaints raised since the car was announced. I was one who would have been thrilled if they at least made the CTR seats an option. I'm here to tell you there's nothing to be concerned about. I was just hoping for them being tolerable, they're actually pretty great. Comfortable, grippy, and plenty of bolstering. For reference, I am 5'11", 185 lbs, pretty proudly lean at ~11% body fat and semi-broad shoulders. If the 18-way adaptive sports seats in my 718 GTS are a 10, the seats in the ITS are an 8.5. Absolutely no worries there.

The drive. I'll give a disclaimer that I did not push this car hard at all. I barely got it up to speed in the ~20 minutes or so I was driving, it was very nearly rush hour in a well-populated area in central Maryland.

But as Matt Farah put it in his review, with some cars you can kind of get a sense of the driving dynamics in the first couple hundred feet. I'll echo his sentiment.

I don't really know how else to put this. After driving almost exclusively Porsches, S or RS Audis, and M cars for the past 8 years I feel comfortable saying this and assuring you it's not hyperbole. If someone told me Porsche designed a hot hatch, I'd believe it based on the driving dynamics of this car.

Steering, shifter feel, suspension tuning, and even power delivery are all S tier. I really can't see how it could be done any better. As a driver's car that has 4 doors, especially at this price point- this thing really is unmatched. The only thing I feel like could come close as a sedan would be an F80 M3, but the ITS has it beat soundly on shifter feel, suspension tuning, and steering. (disclaimer- I haven't driven an M340i). The S55 power delivery is arguably better because it's just MORE, but I would definitely argue that on the street, the K20 in the ITS is freaking goldilocks. The S55 is a great example and possibly the line in the sand for me where cars just got too damn fast. Unless you're really into stoplight racing or buying this exclusively to take to the drag strip, you really just don't need more power, and you'll never use it (legally) on the street. For me, I've outgrown being obnoxious and driving like a maniac on the street so I appreciate this car even more. If you're obsessed with 0-60 and 1/4 mile times, let me just tell you this car isn't for you.

And the beauty of the K20 is in the midrange... it sort of reminded me of the S3 in that sense. I always loved the S3 and considered it one of my absolute favorite cars to drive around town in because the 2.0T in that car just had the perfect amount of punch without requiring you to rev the shit out of it. This K20 is like that... but it also reminded me of all the things I loved about my SR20-powered 240. JUST enough turbo lag to know you're driving a turbo car, in the best way possible. I don't even think it's fair to call it lag- it just reminds you of all the fun turbo cars provide. That part of the power delivery I sort of wasn't quite expecting. It just took me back to that sense of nostalgia of knowing that as soon as I go near the throttle, that push from the turbo is going to be right behind it. It was EXACTLY what I was hoping for from this car... and admittedly I never quite got that sense from Porsche's turbo flat 4 that tried its hardest to feel like a naturally aspirated engine.

So that's a key takeaway I don't see other reviewers really mentioning. Savagegeese touches on it a bit by saying the car is focused towards Honda/Acura fanboys... but he also says the car doesn't intend to call back to nostalgia. I kind of disagree. For me, this car definitely tugs on the nostalgia threads in so many awesome ways. It's kind of a culmination of everything I wanted from Honda in the 90s/00s, when everybody was falling over themselves to boost their B16s/B18s. This car takes that concept and runs with it in the best way possible.

I definitely can see the ITS being the perfect "Goldilocks" choice for lots of people, especially with the CTR ADM situation. I'm here because the experience made an impression and I'm still very much interested.

Agreed that the F87 appears to be casting a shadow over the G87. That shouldn't be the case, though - the G87 is a comprehensive upgrade over the old car in almost every objectively measurable way other than weight.

You forgot looks. The F87 is the car you look back at when you get out …. The G87 is ………. Prob one of the ugliest cars I have ever seen and that’s saying a lot since the new M3 is also hideous, and I do like to support US workers and the new BMW’s are made in Mexico and not even Germany

 

[MacKharoni]

Just as clarification of above, I think he said Rev hang is still there but less than on A Spec. He was talking about turbo lag when he said it still had it and "every turbo car" does. But IMO he wasn't driving it in a way that I think was a good indicator.

He did love the LSD and front suspension, point and shoot.

To not get turbo lag. Just down shift to higher rpm 4k+. It will be instant

 

[AJTX11]

Usually since the wheel was a dealer option, the old wheel is in the trunk....so you could negotiate to swap it back.

The $11600 is eye watering....does that include ttl?

No that was just the options price Total was 68K with my trade. The trade value was good though so realistically 66K. Still a lot of money.

Thanks for the reply about the gap. The dealership kept us hanging around for ages trying to get numbers. Pissed my Wife off so bad we drove to BMW and got an M2 with stupid amounts of Carbon (20k customer order declined it ) stupid money but when the wife says " Buy it I never want to go back to to Acura" what do you do

 

[optronix]

No that was just the options price Total was 68K with my trade. The trade value was good though so realistically 66K. Still a lot of money.

Thanks for the reply about the gap. The dealership kept us hanging around for ages trying to get numbers. Pissed my Wife off so bad we drove to BMW and got an M2 with stupid amounts of Carbon (20k customer order declined it ) stupid money but when the wife says " Buy it I never want to go back to to Acura" what do you do

I don't understand why some dealers think it's ok to let customers wait for excruciatingly long periods. I/my wife are the same. Nothing induces rage in me more than watching seconds of my life tick away waiting for someone who sucks at their job. Getting mad just thinking about it.

The G87 M2 seems to be rising up to be the ITS' primary challenger based on recent posts. I totally understand- it was at the absolute top of my list too until I came to my senses and realized there's no way it would work for me as I have an 80 lb dog I need to get in an out of the car frequently. I need rear doors, so the M2 is out. But if I didn't, it wouldn't take much to tip me over to the G87 either... but I'd want it with the carbon pack too which brings it to $75k. At that price point I'd be back to considering used Porsches again...

1st world problems.

 

[Lflouie]

Fully understand the infuriating business model at some dealers forcing customers to spend 2 hrs+ for what should be a 30 min transaction.

I've come to the point where I don't let them take me as a prisoner, by doing the steps sequentially over time. 1) inspect new car and test drive, work out any arrangements for options, if interested place deposit. 2) next step (day) bring in trade for evaluation and offer (initial). 3) negotiate either over the phone or face to face the next day ... there is minimal new price discussion but trade-in value and financing are a different story. 4) schedule a day to sign the paperwork and transfer vehicles when the paperwork is ready for signature. This only works if the dealer is local.....time is on your side as the buyer, as long as dealer has accepted your deposit.

My BMW purchase experiences have been great. It tends to be the non-luxury brand "commodity" car dealers that have the painful buyer practices

 

[B-RapidK20]

Fully understand the infuriating business model at some dealers forcing customers to spend 2 hrs+ for what should be a 30 min transaction.

I've come to the point where I don't let them take me as a prisoner, by doing the steps sequentially over time. 1) inspect new car and test drive, work out any arrangements for options, if interested place deposit. 2) next step (day) bring in trade for evaluation and offer (initial). 3) negotiate either over the phone or face to face the next day ... there is minimal new price discussion but trade-in value and financing are a different story. 4) schedule a day to sign the paperwork and transfer vehicles when the paperwork is ready for signature. This only works if the dealer is local.....time is on your side as the buyer, as long as dealer has accepted your deposit.

My BMW purchase experiences have been great. It tends to be the non-luxury brand "commodity" car dealers that have the painful buyer practices

What I do now is go in to the dealership a few hours before closing and they sure speed things up and get you and the car out quick. But yeah I've experienced the 5+ hour car purchases in my younger days.

 

[Integra23]

What I do now is go in to the dealership a few hours before closing and they sure speed things up and get you and the car out quick. But yeah I've experienced the 5+ hour car purchases in my younger days.

My Aspec I did everything over the phone. Once I went to the dealership I just had to sign the paperwork.

 

[B-RapidK20]

My Aspec I did everything over the phone. Once I went to the dealership I just had to sign the paperwork.

I just ordered an Aspec yesterday since the search for the Type S is not going well. Costco has a $3k off msrp plus discounts on accessories.

 

[Integra23]

I just ordered an Aspec yesterday since the search for the Type S is not going well. Costco has a $3k off msrp plus discounts on accessories.

Nice. I love Costco and have my insurance through them.
What accessory discount did they give?

 

[ttcbj]

I test drove an ITS in St Louis on June 23. I was shocked that they had these "demo' cars available and only learned about it through this forum. It is really great that they have the cars available for test drives. The salesperson said the "demos" would be available for 90 days or a certain number of miles, after which they would probably no longer be available.

My impressions were:

* Overall, it is a very special car. Feels very solid, connected and rigid.
* The manual transmission is amazing! Incredibly mechanical and notchy. I have a 2022 Boxster GTS 4.0 manual, and that one feels rubbery and imprecise in comparison.
* I am 6'4" tall and fit in it in a helmet. I need to keep the seat a bit farther back (not leaned back, but positioned back) a little farther than I otherwise might, but it is workable. With the farther back seat position, I had a fingers width space between the helmet and the roof.
* The car sounds good, but not notably special. I wouldn't say that was a selling point for me.
* I thought the interior was very nice. I don't care that much about luxury interiors.
* Many have reported the CTR is too harsh. This car is not too harsh. You could totally enjoy daily driving it.
* The dealer was essentially asking for MSRP, $500 refundable deposit, possible delivery in the fall, though unclear.

I am looking at this as a fun daily driver with the option of doing some beginner HPDE, but a car that can still accomodate kids when necessary. It is extremely attractive from that perspective.

My one question is cooling at a midwestern summer HPDE. The prior gen CTR struggled with that. I think this gen has much better cooling, but its not yet known whether it will hold up for a 20 minute track session.

 

[Integra23]

I test drove an ITS in St Louis on June 23. I was shocked that they had these "demo' cars available and only learned about it through this forum. It is really great that they have the cars available for test drives. The salesperson said the "demos" would be available for 90 days or a certain number of miles, after which they would probably no longer be available.

My impressions were:

* Overall, it is a very special car. Feels very solid, connected and rigid.
* The manual transmission is amazing! Incredibly mechanical and notchy. I have a 2022 Boxster GTS 4.0 manual, and that one feels rubbery and imprecise in comparison.
* I am 6'4" tall and fit in it in a helmet. I need to keep the seat a bit farther back (not leaned back, but positioned back) a little farther than I otherwise might, but it is workable. With the farther back seat position, I had a fingers width space between the helmet and the roof.
* The car sounds good, but not notably special. I wouldn't say that was a selling point for me.
* I thought the interior was very nice. I don't care that much about luxury interiors.
* Many have reported the CTR is too harsh. This car is not too harsh. You could totally enjoy daily driving it.
* The dealer was essentially asking for MSRP, $500 refundable deposit, possible delivery in the fall, though unclear.

I am looking at this as a fun daily driver with the option of doing some beginner HPDE, but a car that can still accomodate kids when necessary. It is extremely attractive from that perspective.

My one question is cooling at a midwestern summer HPDE. The prior gen CTR struggled with that. I think this gen has much better cooling, but its not yet known whether it will hold up for a 20 minute track session.

Main issue for the FL5 when tracked seems to be oil temp. Since the ITS doesn't get the same performance monitoring screens on the head unit I would recommend and external solution.

 

[ttcbj]

Main issue for the FL5 when tracked seems to be oil temp. Since the ITS doesn't get the same performance monitoring screens on the head unit I would recommend and external solution.

I did not know that, thanks!

 

[evanescent03]

Sat in a white/red car yesterday. Like $5k in accessories. Didn’t Drive it.

exterior looks excellent. aggressive but clean. Wide and has presence.

seats were flat as expected. They didn’t feel very bolstered at all but I also hopped out of my M3CS with super deep carbon buckets moments before. The seats are fine and probably work well for daily driving. They just do not feel special.

alcantara steering wheel is nice. Much thinner with less padding than M3.
Rest of the interior felt/looked pretty close to my Si I had recently. Exception is the shifter. The titanium shifter is a little small/dainty feeling but shifting action is much more firm in feel compared to the Si. Short throw feel right. Again I didn’t drive it but still pushed it through the gears to get a feel.

I’d rock one for sure, but would need black interior and nix the accessories (diminishes overall value imo)

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