Post Your Firsthand Thoughts on Dealer Demo Integra Type-S

[evanescent03]

Two local dealerships decided not to give test drives … lame.

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[seca400]

For anyone who didn't see the POV driving impressions video that was posted yesterday but since made private, here are my notes:

• Interior: He liked the shift knob and suede boot, as well as the perforated wheel, and noted the rest of the interior is largely unchanged.
• Shifter: He said the shifter feels exactly the same--not sure if any of us were expecting it to be any different, but seems this guy might've been.
• Steering: He claims the steering feels sharper in the Type-S.
• Power: He said the engine feels much more powerful--he owns an A-Spec + Tech, and I think we all knew the power difference would feel pretty obvious.
• Rev-Hang: He didn't drive it long before he pointed out there's still rev-hang and insists all turbo vehicles have it--he didn't go into detail, but also didn't seem to be pushing the car in a way that it exhibited any rev-hang (at least at that moment).
• Rev-Matching: He said the rev-matching is even better in the Type-S--I assumed they'd be the same, but might be wrong.
• LSD: He said something about feeling the LSD working, and seemed pleased.
• Digital Display: He pointed out there's a gear indicator in the tach screen, which is absent in the A-Spec + Tech.
• Sales: He was clear he doesn't like the pricing and wishes there was a sunroof, rear vents, and ventilated seats, but seemed to say it was a good vehicle and that people will still pay over MSRP for it. He said he won't be buying one.

Unfortunately, there was no mention of the seating or suspension feel. He didn't seem to be bouncing around like crazy in Sport+ mode (see any video of someone taking everyday roads in +R mode), but he didn't drive it long/far and said he wasn't going to push the car too hard.

I got the first Type S from Acura of Hamilton (Ontario), so i've been driving for about 2 weeks (lost a day for tints and another for ceramic coat).

My like/dislikes so far:

Interior: Shift knob is a great shape, but i don't think metal is a good choice for cold/hot climates at all. The steering wheel is very nice feeling, like my 2018 Si but thicker, and its heated. No Spare Tire in the Hatch, just a compressor that sounds like its full of slime that may or may not fail me when needed most. I'm a fan of spares. Heated but not cooled seats - this has become standard in other brands at a much lower price point. Storage space in the hatch is incredible, especially with rear seats down.

Steering: Comfort mode is comfortable, Sport is sharper than comfortable, Sport+ is on rails it feels tight and it responds instantly.

Power: I drove my Si after not touching it for a few days and was looking for engine lights. You don't have to drive the heck out of the Type S to get it going, the Si moves, but you gotta make it scream first.

Rev-Hang: I only notice this if you accelerate hard, shift at a high rpm, and take your time.

LSD: As good as the Si, corners well while accelerating.

Screens: As always, way out dated OS (Android 8), huge improvement from the Si (Android 4), Android Auto works much, much better than the 10th gen Civic (which has now become deplorable). If anyone has a valid reason why Alexa is built in to an A-Spec but not a Type-S, I'd love to know.

Sales: In Ontario cars sell at pre published MSRP (or less) by law. They tried to sell me every accessory and protection, which is their right, but I feel Acura dropped the ball and over priced the carbon package (I'd take the spoiler but not the mirror caps, personally) and the $800 rubber mats are pretty absurd. Weathertech will have some out soon for (i'm hoping) much much less money. I was told I'd be getting information in a couple days to set up the subscription for AcuraLink data/tracking, but the AcuraLink in this car is identical to the useless unless you need your vin# in a hurry HondaLink in the Si, except the app connects more reliably.

Addional to your list:

Transmission: Feels like my Si with a clutch upgrade. Shift from redline 1-2 is noisy, going to dealer about this.

Brakes: I've never had a car with Brembo's but wow. They stop the car much, much faster than my Si with new pads & rotors. If you wash the car and leave in the garage for a day, they are very noisy until you've stopped several times.

Wheels: Nice wheels, tires are excellent at putting the power down and stopping on dry pavement. Was in moderate rain last Saturday night and they definatley hydroplane (limp feeling from steering wheel when going through a large but not deep puddle at 100km/h). Three point/very tight turns can get noisy, like something is rubbing. This will also be mentioned to the dealer.

 

[seca400]

Two local dealerships decided not to give test drives … lame.

No test drives in Canada I assume, dealer told me they're getting 4 total this year, they wouldn't even start mine so the guy putting a deposit on the 4th one could hear it. He waited for my delivery appointment to check it out as I left.

 

[optronix]

I got the first Type S from Acura of Hamilton (Ontario), so i've been driving for about 2 weeks (lost a day for tints and another for ceramic coat).

My like/dislikes so far:

Interior: Shift knob is a great shape, but i don't think metal is a good choice for cold/hot climates at all. The steering wheel is very nice feeling, like my 2018 Si but thicker, and its heated. No Spare Tire in the Hatch, just a compressor that sounds like its full of slime that may or may not fail me when needed most. I'm a fan of spares. Heated but not cooled seats - this has become standard in other brands at a much lower price point. Storage space in the hatch is incredible, especially with rear seats down.

Steering: Comfort mode is comfortable, Sport is sharper than comfortable, Sport+ is on rails it feels tight and it responds instantly.

Power: I drove my Si after not touching it for a few days and was looking for engine lights. You don't have to drive the heck out of the Type S to get it going, the Si moves, but you gotta make it scream first.

Rev-Hang: I only notice this if you accelerate hard, shift at a high rpm, and take your time.

LSD: As good as the Si, corners well while accelerating.

Screens: As always, way out dated OS (Android 8), huge improvement from the Si (Android 4), Android Auto works much, much better than the 10th gen Civic (which has now become deplorable). If anyone has a valid reason why Alexa is built in to an A-Spec but not a Type-S, I'd love to know.

Sales: In Ontario cars sell at pre published MSRP (or less) by law. They tried to sell me every accessory and protection, which is their right, but I feel Acura dropped the ball and over priced the carbon package (I'd take the spoiler but not the mirror caps, personally) and the $800 rubber mats are pretty absurd. Weathertech will have some out soon for (i'm hoping) much much less money. I was told I'd be getting information in a couple days to set up the subscription for AcuraLink data/tracking, but the AcuraLink in this car is identical to the useless unless you need your vin# in a hurry HondaLink in the Si, except the app connects more reliably.

Addional to your list:

Transmission: Feels like my Si with a clutch upgrade. Shift from redline 1-2 is noisy, going to dealer about this.

Brakes: I've never had a car with Brembo's but wow. They stop the car much, much faster than my Si with new pads & rotors. If you wash the car and leave in the garage for a day, they are very noisy until you've stopped several times.

Wheels: Nice wheels, tires are excellent at putting the power down and stopping on dry pavement. Was in moderate rain last Saturday night and they definatley hydroplane (limp feeling from steering wheel when going through a large but not deep puddle at 100km/h). Three point/very tight turns can get noisy, like something is rubbing. This will also be mentioned to the dealer.

Don't sweat the 1-2 gear shift, that's more or less normal... but you really shouldn't be redline shifting with less than at least 1000 miles or so; manual transmissions do need to be broken in. A new shifter/syncros will feel differently fresh from the factory than it will after a few thousand miles. It's just generally not good practice to beat the crap out of a car until some of the moving parts have had time to bed/wear in but to each their own... your car your money.

 

[B-RapidK20]

I finally got to test drive the Integra Type S at my local dealer in Oakland. They had a weird set up that they made you drive 2 other cars( Integra A spec manual and a TLX Type S) before you could drive the Integra Type S. Fit and finish was good and didn’t see any strange panel gaps or figment issues. The car felt solid even at its weight and I didn’t hear any rattles or creaks during the drive. Acceleration was impressive and feels faster then it probably is. Brakes surprised me the most as it had a nice progressive feel with a lot of bite. Headroom was a huge plus since I’m a taller guy and with the deleted moonroof I am probably in the minority of being happy. The gear shifter and transmission is legendary and makes my Porsche feel long in the throw with more slop. Overall I would love to buy this car but not willing to pay a mark up. The GM here was so nice and even offered me to test drive his very own NSX and he has two of them. Overall great experience at this dealer and when I secure my allocation (out of state) of course. I will definitely be taking it to this dealership for service. I really wished I could have bought from this dealership and keep my tax dollars in my own city. But yeah this is the price we pay in California.

 

[optronix]

But yeah this is the price we pay in California.

Indeed it is, but you get 65-75 degree temps in the Bay Area year-round and some of the best driving roads and tracks in the country/world.

Also rolling blackouts, droughts (followed by mudslides), earthquakes, and wildfires.

I love my trips to California but every time I think about moving there it only takes about 15 seconds before I realize- nvm.

But haven't ruled it out per se...

 

[B-RapidK20]

Indeed it is, but you get 65-75 degree temps in the Bay Area year-round and some of the best driving roads and tracks in the country/world.

Also rolling blackouts, droughts (followed by mudslides), earthquakes, and wildfires.

I love my trips to California but every time I think about moving there it only takes about 15 seconds before I realize- nvm.

But haven't ruled it out per se...

Yes, we have our shares of problems but that’s only because it’s the best place to live in terms of climate and for having the highest paying jobs. We have the burden of hosting our own and welcome people from out of the state. The negative things on the news is usually in the bigger cities and that’s all people think of California. If you actually live here you know it’s very safe and a lovely place outside of the big cities. Napa valley is a 40 minute drive with wonderful roads, Lake Tahoe is a 3.5 hour drive also beautiful roads. Disneyland and LA is also a 5-6 drive. We have the Pacific coast highway that has some epic views nice beaches and amazing roads to carve.

 

[pweizman]

15 min test drive yesterday in a white demo with all the accessories installed. Glaring fitment issue above left headlight, which I assume is more from the dealer taking the front off to put on the illuminated emblem but it was egregious. Fitment everywhere else was fine. The front molded fenders looked very nice. The rear fenders looked like tacked on poo poo. Sorry, but they do. From a distance it's fine but up close... no. I suppose there is an engineering/design/construction answer as to why this is but I hated it.

The overall look is so close to being something amazing but the way they addressed the rear fenders was like fumbling the ball at the 2 yard line.

Personally, I was hoping this car was going to be more Type R in different clothes. I wanted the experience, the whole package, to be able to justify the asking price. To feel nearly as special and greater than the sum of its parts. Hell we've all been waiting almost a year with bated breath because of what could have been with this car. Unfortunately, to me it just felt like a jazzed up A-spec Teg with a little tighter handling and a little more power. That's it. Flame me if you want but I was left wanting more. Sport+ mode might as well have been comfort mode. Rev hang is still there. Exhaust is nicely done however.

I hate to be another dude in the long line of dudes criticizing the price but after driving one - that's all I can think about. I would be willing to look past every single one of those criticisms if this car was affordable for the segment of folks its targeting. The demo I drove, grossly misaligned panel and all, was going for 65k. SIXTY FIVE !!!!!! Unbelievably overpriced for what it is. Everyone has already seen a thousand comments stating what features it is missing compared to its peers and once I was in the car, it was painfully obvious. The car was not greater than the sum of its parts.

I came away with the impression that it is a nice car that checks a-lot of daily driver boxes for people who want a sporty manual drive with a little more space than coupes offer. I might even still go after one for myself. But, no one should pay a single cent over MSRP, not one fvcking cent. It just wasn't special to me and if I am going to overpay for something, I kinda need that feeling.

Interesting. Very negative take.

I pick up my Demo very soon. I can't wait.

I guess my question is what other new car is available that matches the ITS in terms of performance, manual transmission, features, reliability, and looks for less money? Even marked up with accessories that is a short list.

Maybe the VW Golf R? Audi S3 is close, but I would choose the Acura everyday of the week for reliability and cost of ownership.

Buying a car and modifying it doesn't count IMO. That wouldn't be covered under warranty. Unless it is a factory backed ECU tune like VW does on some models.

I would love to hear some thoughts...

Patrick

 

[Negitoro7]

Interesting. Very negative take.

I pick up my Demo very soon. I can't wait.

I guess my question is what other new car is available that matches the ITS in terms of performance, manual transmission, features, reliability, and looks for less money? Even marked up with accessories that is a short list.

Maybe the VW Golf R? Audi S3 is close, but I would choose the Acura everyday of the week for reliability and cost of ownership.

Buying a car and modifying it doesn't count IMO. That wouldn't be covered under warranty. Unless it is a factory backed ECU tune like VW does on some models.

I would love to hear some thoughts...

Patrick

Practical and high performance hatchback with a *great* manual gearbox? It’s only the Integra Type S and Civic Type R.

 

[HvnterTheHvngry]

Interesting. Very negative take.

I pick up my Demo very soon. I can't wait.

I guess my question is what other new car is available that matches the ITS in terms of performance, manual transmission, features, reliability, and looks for less money? Even marked up with accessories that is a short list.

Maybe the VW Golf R? Audi S3 is close, but I would choose the Acura everyday of the week for reliability and cost of ownership.

Buying a car and modifying it doesn't count IMO. That wouldn't be covered under warranty. Unless it is a factory backed ECU tune like VW does on some models.

I would love to hear some thoughts...

Patrick

I am waiting on my local dealership to have their demo ready to test drive it again. The jury is still out for me.

I think the price and mark-ups are what bother me the most. That and the rear fender flares. I know it's silly but man I can't help but look at them every time I see the car and cringe. Everything else about the car is beautiful.

The drive is exactly what I expected for a hot hatch from Honda/Acura in 2023. There isn't anything inherently wrong with it and it's a car one could have a lot of safe fun in. The negativity came down to seeing a 65k price tag for what should be a 45k experience.

 

[Clark_Kent]

I am waiting on my local dealership to have their demo ready to test drive it again. The jury is still out for me.

I think the price and mark-ups are what bother me the most. That and the rear fender flares. I know it's silly but man I can't help but look at them every time I see the car and cringe. Everything else about the car is beautiful.

The drive is exactly what I expected for a hot hatch from Honda/Acura in 2023. There isn't anything inherently wrong with it and it's a car one could have a lot of safe fun in. The negativity came down to seeing a 65k price tag for what should be a 45k experience.

Thanks for sharing your honest impressions in a crowded room of ITS fandom. There's nothing silly about it. That's a lot to grapple with being on the fence. I feel like once you're in this spot it's tough to move forward. The price point and the rear fender flares won't change. Seems the only path forward is accepting those items. Thoughts?

 

[pweizman]

I am waiting on my local dealership to have their demo ready to test drive it again. The jury is still out for me.

I think the price and mark-ups are what bother me the most. That and the rear fender flares. I know it's silly but man I can't help but look at them every time I see the car and cringe. Everything else about the car is beautiful.

The drive is exactly what I expected for a hot hatch from Honda/Acura in 2023. There isn't anything inherently wrong with it and it's a car one could have a lot of safe fun in. The negativity came down to seeing a 65k price tag for what should be a 45k experience.

Yeah man I get it.

I'm not slamming the opinion... I guess for me, there aren't a lot of better choices.

M2 is not really that close in price. Most are $75K out the door.

RS3 same deal.

Both are quite a bit more car...but also quite a bit more $$$.

ITS is not a perfect car. It would be much more acceptable at $52K than $62K for sure.

Patrick

 

[HvnterTheHvngry]

Yeah man I get it.

I'm not slamming the opinion... I guess for me, there are a lot of better choices.

M2 is not really that close in price. Most are $75K out the door.

RS3 same deal.

Both are quite a bit more car...but also quite a bit more $$$.

ITS is not a perfect car. It would be much more acceptable at $52K than $62K for sure.

Patrick

At the same time a lot of the cars the Type S is compared to for the price are really 10-15k more than the MSRP of the ITS once you add the options that most would get. Either that or go used at which point is it a fair comparison..

 

[HvnterTheHvngry]

Thanks for sharing your honest impressions in a crowded room of ITS fandom. There's nothing silly about it. That's a lot to grapple with being on the fence. I feel like once you're in this spot it's tough to move forward. The price point and the rear fender flares won't change. Seems the only path forward is accepting those items. Thoughts?

Right now my plan is to skip the ITS and spend the rest of the year saving up for a CT4V Blackwing

 

[Integra23]

Right now my plan is to skip the ITS and spend the rest of the year saving up for a CT4V Blackwing

I just wish the CT4 had larger rear seats. Also I think top trim is 80k

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