Car and Driver overall rating finally.... Perfect 10

[ChromaPop]

Not sure exactly when it happened, but Car and Driver finally separated their review of the ITS versus the standard Integra. Spoiler alert, she's a Perfect 10.

https://www.caranddriver.com/acura/integra-type-s

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[TemporarilyStairs]

Not sure exactly when it happened, but Car and Driver finally separated their review of the ITS versus the standard Integra. Spoiler alert, she's a Perfect 10.

https://www.caranddriver.com/acura/integra-type-s

I find it intriguing the Audi S3 is 2nd, and the RS3 is 6th. The RS3 seems like such a good car on paper.. I personally just never considered one because I specifically wanted a manual.

 

[Integra23]

I find it intriguing the Audi S3 is 2nd, and the RS3 is 6th. The RS3 seems like such a good car on paper.. I personally just never considered one because I specifically wanted a manual.

No manual, no hatch, and smaller. Though it would be a screamer.

 

[optronix]

I find it intriguing the Audi S3 is 2nd, and the RS3 is 6th. The RS3 seems like such a good car on paper.. I personally just never considered one because I specifically wanted a manual.

It is tough to reconcile that it slides all the way to 6th, but where I could understand it is if value is taken into consideration.

I used to be obsessed with hot Audis. Still absolutely love the way they look (although the ITS still looks better...), but there's something about the "clinical" way they drive that had me get bored with them no more than 6 months into ownership. I never tried an RS3, but that's exactly what happened with the S3, S4, and RS5 I had. The S3 lasted a lot longer because I augmented it with a 981 GTS... if it was my only car it would have been gone within 6 months as well. The S4 wasn't really fair because it was perfect for my use case- paired with a 991.2 911- I just got tired of paying for 2 expensive cars when I didn't really have a commute or drive that much at all. I do have to say though that the S4/911 combo was as good as it gets for a two-car scenario.

All this to say, they're great cars but they're just not as fun to drive as other enthusiast-oriented cars. I guess another way to put it is that they're not true sports cars. The Type S really is a true sports car with virtually no compromises.

 

[StingertimeNC]

I think price is a factor on the RS3 as well. There probably aren't a lot of 62k RS3's sitting around. Most are probably optioned heavily, even if they are available and going for 70k+.

I love the RS5 and even the S5. Originally I had planned to get an S5 and just tune it, but new those were stretching the budget. That's when I decided on the FL5, and subsequently the DE5.

 

[QUIKAG]

Don't forget historical reliability between Audi and Honda/Acura isn't really close at all. Definitely taking a risk owning an Audi, especially out of warranty. Nice cars though!

 

[ckone2030]

I think price is a factor on the RS3 as well. There probably aren't a lot of 62k RS3's sitting around. Most are probably optioned heavily, even if they are available and going for 70k+.

I love the RS5 and even the S5. Originally I had planned to get an S5 and just tune it, but new those were stretching the budget. That's when I decided on the FL5, and subsequently the DE5.

I agree somewhat on the price but the market does not. If you go to any Audi dealership, there is a long waiting list for the RS3. I went to an Audi dealership in Marietta GA in December of 2023 and the waiting list was up to 34 people. So I think the market has spoken.

 

[optronix]

I agree somewhat on the price but the market does not. If you go to any Audi dealership, there is a long waiting list for the RS3. I went to an Audi dealership in Marietta GA in December of 2023 and the waiting list was up to 34 people. So I think the market has spoken.

Agreed, the RS3 is sort of a love-it-or-hate-it proposition. For people who want one they'll pay an arm and a leg for it.

They also can easily achieve north of 1000 whp. They're awesome cars but without a manual option they're going to be scratched off many enthusiasts' wish lists.

 

[sayonara]

It is tough to reconcile that it slides all the way to 6th, but where I could understand it is if value is taken into consideration.

I used to be obsessed with hot Audis. Still absolutely love the way they look (although the ITS still looks better...), but there's something about the "clinical" way they drive that had me get bored with them no more than 6 months into ownership. I never tried an RS3, but that's exactly what happened with the S3, S4, and RS5 I had. The S3 lasted a lot longer because I augmented it with a 981 GTS... if it was my only car it would have been gone within 6 months as well. The S4 wasn't really fair because it was perfect for my use case- paired with a 991.2 911- I just got tired of paying for 2 expensive cars when I didn't really have a commute or drive that much at all. I do have to say though that the S4/911 combo was as good as it gets for a two-car scenario.

All this to say, they're great cars but they're just not as fun to drive as other enthusiast-oriented cars. I guess another way to put it is that they're not true sports cars. The Type S really is a true sports car with virtually no compromises.

My ITS and Alfa 4C LE is also a great combo/An ass kicking daily driver and a streetable track car.

 

[Azkyrie6]

I think price is a factor on the RS3 as well. There probably aren't a lot of 62k RS3's sitting around. Most are probably optioned heavily, even if they are available and going for 70k+.

I love the RS5 and even the S5. Originally I had planned to get an S5 and just tune it, but new those were stretching the budget. That's when I decided on the FL5, and subsequently the DE5.

Agreed, the RS3 is sort of a love-it-or-hate-it proposition. For people who want one they'll pay an arm and a leg for it.

They also can easily achieve north of 1000 whp. They're awesome cars but without a manual option they're going to be scratched off many enthusiasts' wish lists.

I looked at an RS3 briefly last year before I knew the ITS was coming. Mainly because I heard it's fun to drive, four doors and AWD. At the time brand new OTD price was $93k in colorado with a heavy dose of markups. I sat in it, not as spacious as the Integra. Was not allowed to drive it. I'm sure they're great cars but not 93k great. Finding a used RS3 still comes at a very steep price. These numbers are surely still overinflated

 

[StingertimeNC]

I looked at an RS3 briefly last year before I knew the ITS was coming. Mainly because I heard it's fun to drive, four doors and AWD. At the time brand new OTD price was $93k in colorado with a heavy dose of markups. I sat in it, not as spacious as the Integra. Was not allowed to drive it. I'm sure they're great cars but not 93k great. Finding a used RS3 still comes at a very steep price. These numbers are surely still overinflated

Wow!!

 

[ChromaPop]

My ITS and Alfa 4C LE is also a great combo/An ass kicking daily driver and a streetable track car.

So two streetable track cars.

 

[grahm]

The RS3 is pretty much the perfect daily if you can get on with the size — the engine really makes the car. But the inputs are more numb than the CTR/ITS. For the same price and as a daily, I'd take the RS3 over the CTR/ITS any day. But obviously it's 10K more than the ITS and 20K more than the CTR.

 

[Integra23]

The RS3 is pretty much the perfect daily if you can get on with the size — the engine really makes the car. But the inputs are more numb than the CTR/ITS. For the same price and as a daily, I'd take the RS3 over the CTR/ITS any day. But obviously it's 10K more than the ITS and 20K more than the CTR.

I just couldn't fit 5 in it. Maybe the next generation it will grow

 

[optronix]

But obviously it's 10K more than the ITS and 20K more than the CTR.

Math not your strong suit?

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