Is it as cool as I think it is?

[lumper]

Thanks!

I think you answered this but were you at all put off by it not having rear seat vents, sunroof, etc? I was a little irritated by people pointing that stuff out, given its (reported) excellent driving experience—as if not having those cabin things were enough to deter people from getting it. But I like to drive, man, I can’t see myself really caring about that stuff. Sounds like you’re the same?

Personally, not put off at all.

I look at it like this, Acura had to make some choices, sure keeping the memory seat functions, and rear vents would have been nice, But, the car's biggest issue is the price, and everything cost money so anything more they put on the car, the more expensive and I think the goal was sub 50k, they just missed the mark with that and it is a hard pill to swallow, but at the end of the day I then look to other things they did like the front suspension or the underside of the car, the level of detail and quality and engineering is simply amazing.
I would like it if they had offered as an option, some of those things for folks who want them, like a sunroof or memory seats, rear vents, etc.. but meh, I don't sit in the back, never had a sunroof before or used one etc.. so it really isn't a deal breaker for me.

Compared to other cars in this class or price range when it comes down to it, living with the car and driving it, I don't see anything else I would consider equal or better for the money.
I like the Caddy ct4 or 5 Blackwing, I like the Lexus IS500 F sport, etc.. but those stretch way past 52k$ and only the caddy offers a manual shift and I Really do not want to go back to an automatic.
I also like the Civic very much, especially what they did to the interiors, this was the plan, until IO learned about the Type R, then I decided the Type R isn't for me as I will; never track the car, and then they announced the Type S, this was last April, since then, I have been saving to get one.
It is literally 2X as much money as I planned to spend, But, you only live once, and money comes and goes, if having this car will make me happy every time I drive it, then to me, it is worth the extra money even though it is a LOT of extra money.?
The smart thing to do for me anyway is to buy the Civic and wait a few years to pick up a 3-year-old Type S, after it has depreciated some, But I was never that smart.

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[Tw1stedlog1k]

Wading (more like leaping) over the discourse but wanted to chime in anyway (because I'm starved for ITS content).

The missing features don't bother me all that much and the features that ARE included are pretty neat. For some background, I intended to have the ITS replace my aging, 20 year old, Honda accord V6 6MT as an all weather car while the M2 took a back seat during the winter and inclement weather days. The Accord and Integra are pretty similar, all-in. FWD, Honda manual (though the Integra's is much better), curb weight within 66 lbs of each other, similar dimensions, same lack of features (though the Integra is better equipped, overall). The exception was that my Honda had a sunroof but I might have used it all of 6 times in my 10 years of ownership so it didn't bother me that the Type S had no sunroof.

To replace the Accord, at the time, I was looking for something that was fun and engaging to "take the edge off" while the M2 was garaged. Fortunately I was able to test drive the ITS last fall and instantly loved it. Initial impressions were that driving dynamics were much sharper than the Honda (as expected) and close enough to the M2 that I briefly considered trading in the BMW for the Acura. After a more extended drive, the differences between the Acura and BMW started to show and ultimately reinforced my decision to keep both cars. Day to day driving, the differences are not noticeable but when you push it a little is when the dynamics change a bit. Truthfully, I wouldn't be approaching those limits on a daily drive anyway.

So the Honda was sold back in November to make room for the incoming Acura. A little bit of a tearful good-bye but now there's space for my two cars and the wife's RDX as well as some cash on hand towards the ITS. We've had an MSRP increase this year for the Type S so that pill is still a little bitter to swallow but, y'know Acura's kind of got us by the balls/ovaries in this segment so it's not a huge issue in the grand scheme of things.

To answer your question, the Integra is cool as shit. Hope you can get yourself an allocation and enjoy one of these cars in good health.

 

[ffffffff]

Hey I appreciate the story. I'm actually in a '21 Accord right now and it just feels like a big ol' boat. My year and trim has about 10 inches and over 200 lbs on the ITS. Probably shouldn't have bought it in the first place. It's pretty remarkable that the ITS has a lot of people preferring it over cars like the M2.

 

[bdisco]

yeah it’s cool!

It‘s a manual transmission sport sedan with a usable rear seat. Yes rear climate control would be nice. Memory seats would also be great for the rare times my wife would drive my car. Oddly she hasn’t driven the ITS yet, maybe all my years of picking on her driving has finally paid off!?!

 

[optronix]

A lot of the early buyers did so in a time when you could still sell a car for near what you paid — so they might not have been planning to keep it long term. That time has ended, but I imagine some people didn’t realize they were committing to a $55K car and now want out.

I also think people get caught up in the review hype which often prioritizes driving dynamics over all else. There are so many cars at $55K that are more comfortable, more quiet, more luxurious, more fuel efficient, faster off the line, more special engine, less rattles, AWD, etc… I think some buyers realize that ultimately they want a car with different strengths.

This is the beauty of forums. I could not disagree more with about 98% of the stuff this guy says on here. As a result, I make lifelong friends.

The Integra Type S has cornered the market for people who prioritize driving dynamics. The thing is, it also does other things quite well. Subjective things like "comfort", "luxury", "special engines", "AWD" style, etc. are entirely up to an individual. Things like "quiet", "faster off the line" (to some degree "luxury") are objective but also more or less appealing based off individual preferences.

The reason this grahm fellow has appeared to declare generational warfare on me specifically is he can't seem to reconcile that someone would actively select an Integra Type S over the snot green RS3 he has in his profile pic, despite costing much much less. He still apparently thinks it's overpriced, not well-built, and "not special enough"- yet oddly is a frequent poster on the Integra Type S forums. Weird.

I honestly don't know what cars he has in mind that could even come remotely close to an ITS at $55k. There's nothing but appliances with flashy badges or half-assed attempts like the Golf R or S3 at $55k, definitely nothing I'd remotely consider at that price point. Despite the OP's first impression being cringe as all hell, I think I can extract similar priorities.

OP, you landed on the right car, now we just need to work on your communications skills.

 

[ffffffff]

This is the beauty of forums. I could not disagree more with about 98% of the stuff this guy says on here. As a result, I make lifelong friends.

The Integra Type S has cornered the market for people who prioritize driving dynamics. The thing is, it also does other things quite well. Subjective things like "comfort", "luxury", "special engines", "AWD" style, etc. are entirely up to an individual. Things like "quiet", "faster off the line" (to some degree "luxury") are objective but also more or less appealing based off individual preferences.

The reason this grahm fellow has appeared to declare generational warfare on me specifically is he can't seem to reconcile that someone would actively select an Integra Type S over the snot green RS3 he has in his profile pic, despite costing much much less. He still apparently thinks it's overpriced, not well-built, and "not special enough"- yet oddly is a frequent poster on the Integra Type S forums. Weird.

I honestly don't know what cars he has in mind that could even come remotely close to an ITS at $55k. There's nothing but appliances with flashy badges or half-assed attempts like the Golf R or S3 at $55k, definitely nothing I'd remotely consider at that price point. Despite the OP's first impression being cringe as all hell, I think I can extract similar priorities.

OP, you landed on the right car, now we just need to work on your communications skills.

Thanks chief

 

[optronix]

Thanks chief

God damn, do you live on here?

Cool, more members for the fan club.

 

[ffffffff]

God damn, do you live on here?

Cool, more members for the fan club.

Yeah do you have any TED talks or anything

 

[nix6speed]

I've only used the ignore feature on one member. Highly recommend to others.

 

[optronix]

I've only used the ignore feature on one member. Highly recommend to others.

Jesus Christ. Tell me where the mean guy on the Internet touched you.

Really? We're already to that already? And you can't even list this "one member" by name?

 

[Integra23]

Hey I appreciate the story. I'm actually in a '21 Accord right now and it just feels like a big ol' boat. My year and trim has about 10 inches and over 200 lbs on the ITS. Probably shouldn't have bought it in the first place. It's pretty remarkable that the ITS has a lot of people preferring it over cars like the M2.

It's a fun and functional vehicle.

Jesus Christ. Tell me where the mean guy on the Internet touched you.

Really? We're already to that already? And you can't even list this "one member" by name?

I guess your getting added to his list.

 

[StingertimeNC]

I've only used the ignore feature on one member. Highly recommend to others.

Is it me? I hope not! LOL.

 

[ffffffff]

Is it me? I hope not! LOL.

I like these forums!

I’ll be looking to join the fam in the fall!

 

[pomegranate]

This... and, I'll add: if you don't want one, don't buy one! Even easier.

I've never understood having vitriol for other people because they enjoy their car (or whatever possession).

Buy what you want; be happy with and for yourself; let other people do the same. I can't imagine wasting energy or effort being miserable because someone else isn't.

It's insane how much hate there is in the car community. So many children who base their entire personalities on knowing how to drive manual, not to enjoy them, but bash anyone with anything else. Somehow it makes them more "masculine." The type to get off to changing their own oil.

Yeah I feel like the markup on the ITS may be coming down.
Any idea why I'm seeing a lot of used ITSes? Why are people bringing these things back so quickly?

I'm kind of like you. I'm waiting for used ITS's to hit the market. It'll probably be a few years out for me at least. If Honda drops a hybrid Integra to replace the CVT models, I'll 100% get that though.

 

[CK716]

It's pretty,pretty good!

Such a fun drive.

My buddy just got a Audi S3, and it's got a sweet interior, although loaded with a bunch of piano black, the screens and gauges are unbelievable. Seats are nice too. outside of that, the ITS is way better to drive, and has a more than acceptable interior, and it's way cooler looking on the outside.

It's a Civic Type R, only better!

The S3 was also in my consideration

Ok last thing, did you consider buying the Golf R instead? I think it’s down to those two. Maybe it’s comparing apples to slightly different apples.

also I’ve never owned a VW and it sounds like a gigantic pain in the ass.

Golf R was what else I considered, as I currently have a 7.5 GTI and I just couldn’t do the new infotainment and haptic wheel controls. AWD in the northeast would’ve been nice, but the Golf R Reddit is full of people complaining about infotainment issues and delays, which isn’t great when all climate controls are through the screen. Some guy was talking about not being able to turn his heat on in the car this winter because of a software issue and VW didn’t have a fix yet.

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