Reassure Me Buying an ITS

[CK716]

Have been looking at getting a new car for well over a year now. Decided back in the fall that the ITS was what I wanted. Have a dealer fairly close to me selling at MSRP and in a spec that I like. I have a bill of sale but for some reason getting the initial wave of buyers remorse before I even sign the papers.

Is there another car out there I should be taking a longer look at? Is there something you really don't like about your ITS? Is there a reason why there seems to be a larger number of ITS's sitting on lots the last couple of months?

Hit me with the rationale one way or the other. To clarify, financially, this car was on the mid/low end of my budget.

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[Tw1stedlog1k]

That depends, what are you looking for in a car?

 

[acurax]

Have been looking at getting a new car for well over a year now. Decided back in the fall that the ITS was what I wanted. Have a dealer fairly close to me selling at MSRP and in a spec that I like. I have a bill of sale but for some reason getting the initial wave of buyers remorse before I even sign the papers.

Is there another car out there I should be taking a longer look at? Is there something you really don't like about your ITS? Is there a reason why there seems to be a larger number of ITS's sitting on lots the last couple of months?

Hit me with the rationale one way or the other. To clarify, financially, this car was on the mid/low end of my budget.

I think a lot of the ITS' you see sitting are in and around major metropolitan areas where there are high volume dealers which often add ADMs, required packages, or the like, though some of that may have subsided as of late. They may also be known for poor customer service in the sales department and/or service department. In either case, it's likely some potential buyers were turned off by that and decided to buy elsewhere or something else entirely. These seem to trickle into lower volume dealerships, like mine, which may still have long waiting lists. Though, the lower volume dealer may have a buyer lined up for a vehicle at a higher volume dealer, they likely won't accept a trade from a lower volume dealer and, possibly rightfully so, may expect these buyers will eventually come to them directly.

 

[SilverRocket]

Have been looking at getting a new car for well over a year now. Decided back in the fall that the ITS was what I wanted. Have a dealer fairly close to me selling at MSRP and in a spec that I like. I have a bill of sale but for some reason getting the initial wave of buyers remorse before I even sign the papers.

Is there another car out there I should be taking a longer look at? Is there something you really don't like about your ITS? Is there a reason why there seems to be a larger number of ITS's sitting on lots the last couple of months?

Hit me with the rationale one way or the other. To clarify, financially, this car was on the mid/low end of my budget.

That depends, what are you looking for in a car?

Exactly!

Here's my take on it. If you are a someone who flips a car every other year, I'd skip it. It's not a good short term value. The value shines when you pay off the car in 4-5 years and then drive it another 5 years, likely only needing to do basically oil changes.

In terms of performance if you want a straight line car, look elsewhere. This is not a 0-60 car, it's a capable car that is a blast to drive and it shines in the twisties. Also, it's a driver's car with a bit of luxury, not a luxury car that's capable.

As for the sitting on dealer's lots, winter is typically a slow period for performance cars but I think the bulk of it is the shitheads played stupid games and are now coming into their prizes. Given the car is already $7k more expensive than the CTR, they increased the base price by $1k and then you basically have most of them with ADM or at the very least forced options. When they realize that nobody is willing to deal with that bullshit, I think they might start moving volume again.

 

[CK716]

That depends, what are you looking for in a car?

Car needs to be new. Manual. 4 doors. Sports-ish related. I previously had an order for a CT4V BW, but nearly 70k for a car I had to baby in the winter months (NE living) didn't seem logical as it'd have to be my daily driver.

 

[CK716]

Exactly!

Here's my take on it. If you are a someone who flips a car every other year, I'd skip it. It's not a good short term value. The value shines when you pay off the car in 4-5 years and then drive it another 5 years, likely only needing to do basically oil changes.

In terms of performance if you want a straight line car, look elsewhere. This is not a 0-60 car, it's a capable car that is a blast to drive and it shines in the twisties. Also, it's a driver's car with a bit of luxury, not a luxury car that's capable.

As for the sitting on dealer's lots, winter is typically a slow period for performance cars but I think the bulk of it is the shitheads played stupid games and are now coming into their prizes. Given the car is already $7k more expensive than the CTR, they increased the base price by $1k and then you basically have most of them with ADM or at the very least forced options. When they realize that nobody is willing to deal with that bullshit, I think they might start moving volume again.

This is the car I'm planning on having for at least 10 years (barring any major mechanical issues). Also, in a MK 7.5 GTI now, so 0-60 isn't remotely my top priority. I want something light that I can throw around corners and hammer on/off ramps.

 

[norsairius]

The ITS is probably the most responsive driver's car I've personally ever driven. It gets a lot of deserved praise from journalists and reviewers on YouTube too.

That said, there have been some issues documented that some have experienced:

• Sudden set of warnings lights may appear (rev matching, emissions, driver assist, and something else, I forget) accompanied by the car going into limp mode. Root cause not yet known. Acura was supposed to have a fix ready in February, but that time has come and gone with no fix released. It's still not clear when the fix will be ready. Interim fix is to have the dealer reset the codes and be on your way, but this issue has occurred multiple time for some. Civic Type R owners are seeing this too.
• Various creaks and rattles - Some don't have these at all, some do. Mine has a creaking noise coming from the door trim on the driver's side and a buzzing that I get when coasting with the engine around 2k RPM.
• Freezing trunk release button - If water somehow gets in the trunk release button for the hatch and freezes, the button may not move and you won't be able to open the trunk. This happened to me as well. Others who have reported this indicated that getting the trunk release mechanism replaced fixed this. I'm guessing part of that includes replacing a seal somewhere or something.
• Leaky coolant expansion tanks - This has apparently been an issue for multiple generations of the Type R and it hasn't been fixed with the latest one or for the ITS. So far no one has reported this issue leaving them stranded, thankfully.

The sudden warning lights + limp mode and the coolant expansion tank issues are probably the most worrisome, but the former should hopefully get a formal fix soon.

The ITS otherwise seems solid so far. Not really any higher mileage examples out there yet though (at least that I'm aware of), but as long as other issues don't come up, I expect the ITS would be a great car to pick up and keep long term.

 

[Tw1stedlog1k]

Based off of your requirements, the playing field is quite limited. Off the top of my head, I can only think of a few performance oriented cars with 4 doors and a stick:

M3
The Blackwings
Golf R
GR Corolla
Civic Type R/Si
Elantra N
WRX

My opinion is that you've already experienced the Blackwing and the M3 will likely have a similar ownership experience given it's RWD only. I doubt you want more Golf experience, the Corolla and WRX lack polish, the Elantra is a bit too down market (in my opinion). The Honda products are your best bet in terms of overall ownership experience balance. It just depends on where on the sliding scale you want to be; performance or luxury, then you dial it in from there.

You've made a good choice (not that you had many options to begin with) and IMHO the ITS wins by default. It doesn't hurt that it's a great car to begin with.

 

[Krazydan19]

if you like front wheel drive, ripping turns and shifting gears get it. It’s a Honda, with some sweet styling with about all the tech you need. Love mine, Always in sport plus mode. I didn’t get mine as a daily, mainly a toy for nice days and going to soccer practice for the kids. But go drive other cars. Should be a buys market out there if your willing to travel. Or get the its and start slamming gears

 

[PizzaGuy]

Other than sometimes not having traction when putting the power down, I think the car is great, from a driving joy perspective. I too considered the CT4V BW, but it was more expensive and I don’t have a lot of faith in Cadillac reliability (not based on any numbers. Just feeling). I think if I had more money to burn I’d probably have liked to get the Cadillac. But I also love the ITS so I don’t exactly have buyers remorse.

I do wish though that the car was a little more premium inside. My wife’s Mazda CX-50 Turbo is much nicer inside with more features at $40k. But I’d trade premium interior for fun any day.

But of all the cars I’ve owned, the ITS is the one I like the best overall. I’ve owned: G35, Fit, WRX, FR-S, STI, ND2 Miata, and now the ITS. And at least compared to those, the ITS feels the best as a complete package (comfort, practicality, fun, speed, looks). But one day, I want to own a badass American RWD car with tons of power. Just once in my life.

 

[optronix]

If you didn't need 4 doors I'd say take a long hard look at an M2 Competition but even still, I'd take the ITS all things being equal. M2 Comp is fun to drive in an entirely different way; personally I prefer precise control over sliding around but I can appreciate those with that preference.

Personally the Cadillacs do absolutely nothing for me.

Other than that, it's a nearly perfect car. I'm probably biased because I feel fiercely defensive over this car, but most of the time I don't have to be because it's been winning journalist accolades basically since it came to market. This car is nearly spiritually connected to me because it broke a horrible habit I've had for years of being a serial car-hopper. For me my only regret is that it wasn't available 5 years ago.

As for the "excess inventory", have you been paying attention to the market as a whole? There are cars piling up everywhere. Even the "special" Civic Type R is impacted by this. I've been following the CTR market since last March and there's literally HUNDREDS more cars sitting on lots right now than there was at this time last year. It's just a sign of the times, I would not think twice about it, other than not allowing a dealer to try to pull any shenanigans with market adjustment, poor trade value, "mandatory" add-ons, etc.

 

[mopar_man]

This car is a blast to drive and being from western New York, I expect it will be fine in winter once I get a set of proper snow tires and wheels. I think part of why you see some inventory buildup is anywhere that has a winter - well, it comes with PS4S tires and below 40 they aren’t great, below 32 forget about it, snow - lmfao yeah right. So it’s only natural they sit a bit this time of year.

 

[pomegranate]

It's piling because this vehicle isn't a value-oriented car. Well, it is if this is exactly what you're looking for, and it looks like you are by your criteria. Personally, I have time to wait so I'm waiting for prices to dip in a few years. As for buyers remorse, you won't find that answer here, but from the few posts about it I've seen it usually has to do with being too similar to the Civic than you'd really like. I can understand the realization that you just spent 52k closer to 60k out-the-door and a 23k Civic owner telling you that you basically have the same car lol

 

[ABPDE5]

It's piling because this vehicle isn't a value-oriented car. Well, it is if this is exactly what you're looking for, and it looks like you are by your criteria. Personally, I have time to wait so I'm waiting for prices to dip in a few years. As for buyers remorse, you won't find that answer here, but from the few posts about it I've seen it usually has to do with being too similar to the Civic than you'd really like. I can understand the realization that you just spent 52k closer to 60k out-the-door and a 23k Civic owner telling you that you basically have the same car lol

*a 45k Civic owner (50k out the door).

The engine, transmission, front suspension geometry, front / rear suspension components, shifter, steering column, brakes, etc. are all vastly different than the non-Type-R Civics / Integras. The only thing this car shares w. non-Type-R Civics / Integras is the chassis and some interior pieces, and in the case of the latter, exterior pieces, as well.

Edit: I suppose a "23k Civic owner" might not realize that, but I think you might be surprised at the number of people who don't even realize Acura is just rebadged Honda to begin with, lol.

Personally, the fact that this car is "just a Civic" / doesn't come with badge-prestige is actually part of its allure. I don't want all the assumptions that come with driving a more esteemed "luxury marque".

 

[Blek le Roc]

I agree that at least part of the winter sales slow down is due to the summer tires. I got my ITS in late November, and now have over 6k miles on it - it's my daily driver. My solution to the tire thing was to have the dealership swap in a set of winter wheels+tires I got from Tire Rack. I have yet to drive it on the OEM set, but even with the Vredestein tires the handling is very, very good. Having twice the HP as the Impreza it replaced doesn't hurt either.

I can't wait for the warmer weather, and have zero regrets about spending the $ on this car.

Good Luck

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