Post Your Firsthand Thoughts on Dealer Demo Integra Type-S

[ZeroGSR]

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.

Sponsored

 

[RUNN1N]

He did mention suspension saying it was bouncy and switched it to comfort mode whichthere was a slightly softer feel but maintained that same firm bouncy feeling.

I guess I missed that part! I'm eager to see people make some direct comparisons (if they're allowed) to the Type-R, because a handful of the people who went to Cali have their own Type-R's, and I'd bet most/all of them have at least reviewed one at this point. The guy from last night hasn't driven one (that we know of, at least).

 

[RUNN1N]

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.

Yep! Totally agree there--something I did notice that stood out, he said "it doesn't seem like the turbo kicks in any earlier than in the A-Spec + Tech" or something along those lines, but the press docs already said the turbo of the Type-S spools at ~2,300 RPM vs 1,800 RPM in the A-Spec + Tech. I think this is because the turbo is larger, but I'll admit that I'm no scientist or mechanic.

 

[ZeroGSR]

Yep! Totally agree there--something I did notice that stood out, he said "it doesn't seem like the turbo kicks in any earlier than in the A-Spec + Tech" or something along those lines, but the press docs already said the turbo of the Type-S spools at ~2,300 RPM vs 1,800 RPM in the A-Spec + Tech. I think this is because the turbo is larger, but I'll admit that I'm no scientist or mechanic.

That is correct and also you have 25% increased displacement so you don't NEED the turbo to kick in as early as on the 1.5 IMO. But more importantly, why you driving around under 2300 rpms in this car anyway Most of the "lag" I could see in the video was just because he wasn't in the proper gear. Which will matter to those commuting and not wanting to downshift, so it's a legit point in that respect. Like an "accelerate to 80mph in final gear" test. Also, it is a demo and he didn't want to beat on it, he wasn't taking it to redline, which makes sense on a new engine.

It was interesting to see this from an A Spec owner's perspective, I really want a CTR perspective though. Also, you could tell he was trying to justify his own purchase through the beginning of the video till he opened it up on that on ramp and realized what magic it brings.

 

[RUNN1N]

But more importantly, why you driving around under 2300 rpms in this car anyway

So you actually touched on one of my (very few, but largest) reservations about buying this thing... I drive my current Integra ~14 miles on surface streets between 3-4 days/week for school drop-off, and in that round-trip, I drive through 3 school zones (aka 6 since I drive through each twice). I've had my car for a couple days beyond 1 year, I have just under 2,500 miles, and my average speed is a breathtaking 21mph.

There are older dads around here who know this ^^ is a season, and not necessarily reflective of the years to come and DEFINITELY not my ideal operating speed... but if this thing is actually going to be unpleasant to drive in this ^^ way for a couple more years, then I'm going to have some issues.

 

[ZeroGSR]

So you actually touched on one of my (very few, but largest) reservations about buying this thing... I drive my current Integra ~14 miles on surface streets between 3-4 days/week for school drop-off, and in that round-trip, I drive through 3 school zones (aka 6 since I drive through each twice). I've had my car for a couple days beyond 1 year, I have just under 2,500 miles, and my average speed is a breathtaking 21mph.

There are older dads around here who know this ^^ is a season, and not necessarily reflective of the years to come and DEFINITELY not my ideal operating speed... but if this thing is actually going to be unpleasant to drive in this ^^ way for a couple more years, then I'm going to have some issues.

Just remember, the 2.0 might hit peak torque higher but it's 192 versus 310. Based on CTR torque curves, you likely will still see more torque out of the 2.0 at 1800rpms regardless of whether it is peak. Plus, if you want to have fun you could just keep it in 1st, I am sure your schools will LOVE that .

 

[RUNN1N]

Just remember, the 2.0 might hit peak torque higher but it's 192 versus 310. Based on CTR torque curves, you likely will still see more torque out of the 2.0 at 1800rpms regardless of whether it is peak. Plus, if you want to have fun you could just keep it in 1st, I am sure your schools will LOVE that .

I strongly suspect I can make it juuuuust fine on turbo-less 2.0T torque for my day-to-day in this season, and probably still get fairly good gas mileage too--nobody loves loud, high RPM (low speed) driving quite like my toddler... which is both very fun, and slightly terrifying!

 

[eculley]

Just got back from my local dealer and was able to ride passenger for a gas run as the car was just taken off of the transport truck. Some thoughts.. and as a precursor, some of this will be comparing my time in the regular integra and my own mk8 gti.

For starters, it looks great in person. Way more sportier than the regular Integra.. but we already knew this.

seats are shallow.. I’m tall and there is a massive gap between the back of my knee and the edge of the seat. TLX seats feel more substantial. Passenger seat has no vertical control.. only manual tilt and slide (forward and back) passenger felt really high up. Fortunately the driver seat does have all the good adjustments.

shifter feels really really good. My mk8 shifter isn’t great so I love that this one seems significantly better. I only messed around with it while the sales rep was pumping gas.

interior is almost identical to regular integra. Red inside is great and the perforated inserts in the seats are suede and felt good. Seats lack bolstering and should accommodate a larger body type but will be limiting with extreme cornering.

sales rep immediately started ripping gears with only 6 miles on the car. And then proceeded to tell me they can sell the demo after 90days.. good luck to whoever buys it. Car felt fast. Definitely has rev hang as banging gears seemed to upset the transmission. Fairly firm ride in sport mode.. nothing too extreme. Stayed flat in corners. Exhaust in sport mode sounded great.Very mature tone.

Didn’t sense much wheel hop or issues with traction. Although traction control was never disabled.

obviously will have a better sense when I driveit myself.

after sitting in it and feeling the power compared to my gti, I’m not sure how I feel about the price tag. For 15 or 16k more,it didn’t really seem to be much quicker (it is but not a lot more).. and it’s stripped down as everyone knows.

also man the wheels do sink into the wells quite a bit. Gonna need some spacers.

 

[optronix]

I sat in a TLX Type S and a regular integra a couple weeks ago, and thought the seats were about the same. I have to assume with the "added bolstering" it should be at least on par with the TLX. I don't actually think there will be a problem with "extreme cornering", at least not from a street or mild track day perspective. I think it's been pretty clear that if you'll be heading to the track often with the intent on setting the fastest lap times, this is the wrong car.

I also don't see how the shifter would be any different from the Type R. It's the same running gear. Unless they're talking about the actual shift knob- I can't reconcile how it would be any different.

All that said now that we're coming down to the wire with driving impressions right around the corner, I feel like this thing has a lot of expectations to live up to. Especially considering the price. I do have intentions of taking this thing to the track occasionally and probably weekly drives through backroads. It has to deliver on the same driving dynamics as the Type R, maybe without the excruciating bounciness of +R mode.

If it can't do that, I'll be back on the hunt for a Type R immediately.

 

[DFWDAWG]

I will be test driving a demo ITS tomorrow morning!! I will report back.

 

[eculley]

I sat in a TLX Type S and a regular integra a couple weeks ago, and thought the seats were about the same. I have to assume with the "added bolstering" it should be at least on par with the TLX. I don't actually think there will be a problem with "extreme cornering", at least not from a street or mild track day perspective. I think it's been pretty clear that if you'll be heading to the track often with the intent on setting the fastest lap times, this is the wrong car.

I also don't see how the shifter would be any different from the Type R. It's the same running gear. Unless they're talking about the actual shift knob- I can't reconcile how it would be any different.

All that said now that we're coming down to the wire with driving impressions right around the corner, I feel like this thing has a lot of expectations to live up to. Especially considering the price. I do have intentions of taking this thing to the track occasionally and probably weekly drives through backroads. It has to deliver on the same driving dynamics as the Type R, maybe without the excruciating bounciness of +R mode.

If it can't do that, I'll be back on the hunt for a Type R immediately.

The shifter is likely the same. When I say mk8, I mean my Mark 8 GTI, not he CTR. Also, regarding the seats, we got into a TLX and drove to the back lot where the Type S was being unloaded, so I got an immediate feel for the seat difference. The Type S seat was smaller (shorter in seat length).. theres no question in my mind. The bolstering also was almost non-existent. Dont know if its the same seat or not but it felt different. Not to say the TLX has good bolster, because it doesnt.. but the cushioning and size, it felt more substantial.

 

[SolarTrans]

will be driving the ITS on monday morning

both local dealers are strictly adhering to the June 19 embargo date for test drives—one is not even showing the car beforehand lol

i've driven both the FL5 type R and standard integra A-spec (albeit an automatic) briefly; happy to report back here afterwards

#1 concern is the seats, FL5 seats are excellent but A-spec seats are nothing special

 

[eculley]

will be driving the ITS on monday morning

both local dealers are strictly adhering to the June 19 embargo date for test drives—one is not even showing the car beforehand lol

i've driven both the FL5 type R and standard integra A-spec (albeit an automatic) briefly; happy to report back here afterwards

#1 concern is the seats, FL5 seats are excellent but A-spec seats are nothing special

You’re getting a very similar seat in the TypeS when compared to the standard integra. The FL5 seats are incredible but these are more GT seats than performance seats

 

[TypeSJ]

Wasn’t able to drive it but I sat in it for awhile! Seems comfortable, the sears can definitely use a little more bolstering, and the clutch is SUPER SUPER light, probably the same as the A-Spec. The car does look great and the exhaust would definitely need to be swapped out, but it does sound good for what it is. Sounds much like the FL5 or any CTR in that matter. Would I pay over MSRP for one? Slightly. Overall all, I can’t wait for mine, but the price is high for what you get.

 

[optronix]

The shifter is likely the same. When I say mk8, I mean my Mark 8 GTI, not he CTR. Also, regarding the seats, we got into a TLX and drove to the back lot where the Type S was being unloaded, so I got an immediate feel for the seat difference. The Type S seat was smaller (shorter in seat length).. theres no question in my mind. The bolstering also was almost non-existent. Dont know if its the same seat or not but it felt different. Not to say the TLX has good bolster, because it doesnt.. but the cushioning and size, it felt more substantial.

See, this is why I need the gauntlet of "professional" reviews to drop on the 19th. The hyperbole just negates whatever "impressions" you're trying to give.

"Almost non-existent"? I've sat in the seats. I didn't have an issue with the bolstering. Is it really that much more apparent when going on a "gas run"?

I feel like this is just the beginning of these "user reviews".

It's irritating- but partially because if you're right, I won't be buying this car. Seats are important.

Sponsored