By Megan Benoit
April 28, 2008 -
Most people drive the Acura Integra like they stole it. Mostly, it's because they have. Or, more accurately, someone else did. Model years ‘94 to ‘01 regularly grace the zenith of the annual top ten most stolen automobiles. Moral outrage aside, the Integra's tendency to disappear is entirely understandable. It's a cheap, fast, infinitely modifiable and reliable automobile that appeals to teenage boys, college students, financially-strapped pistonheads, rice rocketeers and thrifty professionals looking for a set of hot wheels (so to speak).
Research / Buy This Car
Subscribe to Newsletter
Back to Top
End of Comments
More Reviews
BlinkList
Digg
del.icio.us
Facebook
Furl
Google
Live
NewsVine
Reddit
StumbleUpon
Technorati
YahooMyWeb
POWERED
April 29th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
I had a 2nd generation Integra GSR, a 1993 with the 1.7L 160hp VTEC engine. It was the best car I have owned. it was well built, airy cabin, decent handling, reasonably roomy in the front (pity the fools in the back, but not my problem) and had that low cowl that made me feel like I was riding in a gokart. And that engine. It could rev forever. I sold it at 270,000km or approx 168000 miles for $5800 CDN. I did put in 2 clutches, 3 timing belts, and umpteen required oil changes, but its true what they say about Hondas - if you maintain them and treat them right, they will keep going and going and going. The guy who I sold it to still has it after 3 years, and I think he is over 300k.
We sold it because we had too many cars, and I could get more $ before it flipped to 300K, but no other Japanese car has the feel of an Acura or a Honda.
Great article!!!
April 29th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
“People who rag on fwds need to drive this car to see how good one can be. Oh and in the snow, forget it, it eats 4×4s for dinner unless you’re in over your knees. I drove this car to VT in blizzards numerous times doing 80mph in blinding snow, no worries. Passing overturned 4×4s on the left and right.”
So true. I have a Second Gen (1993) which is nearly identical mechanically to the Third Gen, and I can easily drive in snow up to the bumper. Drove I-64 and I-81 and back county southwest Virginia roads in a blizzard no problem.
I’ve carved up mountain roads, commuted, conquered fire roads, driven 400 mile road trips repeatedly, and it’s still going strong. Very forgiving and very fun. I recently purchased a 1990 Miata to supplement the Integra, and I can honestly say there are times I miss the handling of the Acura (particularly at high speeds when the Miata feels squirrelly). Incredibly practical too, you can move a lot of stuff in the hatch.
April 30th, 2008 at 2:59 am
This review actually inspired me to buy an integra (possibly). I’ve thought about them before, but that just sounds perfect: small, 2 door, zippy, nice looks and great gas mileage to boot. Wow. It hits all my sweet spots.
Anyone know what a third gen Integra with ~160 miles or less would cost these days?
April 30th, 2008 at 7:06 am
Adonis you have to look at CRAIGSLIST
They have tons of Acura Integra but they are still not cheap to buy even it’s a 97 model. they’re around $6,000 to $2,500 depending on mileage and looks. The high end once are low mileage around 68,000 miles.
I would buy the modified high performance Integra.
April 30th, 2008 at 11:43 am
As I said before, I loved my teg, but anybody shopping for an integra really should test drive a prelude as well. I think the prelude is the better car and at this point the price is about the same for similar condition/miles.
There are some downsides to the integra… first and foremost it is a thief magnet. I highly recommend an alarm with a pager and lojack. One of the reasons they are so often stolen is they’re very easy to steal. There is a design flaw that is the hood release cable runs just under the wheel well covering on the left front tire. You can rip the cover down with your hand and pop the hood, disconnect the battery and your alarm is off. It happened to my car, but fortunately the thief ran off without doing anything else. The smart owner will reroute this cable (it’s easy to run it through the engine bay instead) and perhaps have a backup battery somewhere else in the car.
Second, the leather is cheap as hell. Really feels like some sort of plastic. The seats are comfortable, and overall the interior is nice, but there is a feeling of cheapness.
Third, as someone mentioned, this car leaves you wanted something more in either direction. Either more luxurious or more pure sports car. It is a great balance of economical, sporty and somewhat passably nice, but at some point you will outgrow the car.
Fourth, the engine choices are either the ls engine which has more low end torque, but not quite as much hp, or the vtec (gsr) engine which has less low end torque, but takes off like a turbo boost when the vtec kicks in. The ls engine is well suited for a supercharger but the extra hp will screw up an auto transmission, so you will need a stick for that mod. The gsr engine is better suited for a turbo mod, if you’re into wasting your money like that.
The ls se (special edition) has the gsr suspension which is far better than the base suspension, but I don’t think that version came in stick, which you will want. The auto is terrible, avoid like the plague.
The gsr is far better than a civic, although it may be a tarted up civic, there is a huge difference. You can mod a civic to perform like the gsr, but why waste your money.
The great thing is you will be able to sell your integra for probably about as much as you paid for it if you don’t mess it up, but basically if you’re shopping for a used 90s honda, check out the prelude.
April 30th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
This is just a report on the integra, not a review, right? -it doesn’t seem like the writer actually drove one.
April 30th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
nick2ny:
I think she used to own one.
April 30th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Yep, several years ago I drove my brother’s ‘94 GS-R for a few days on a visit. Black with black interior. It was fun to drive, handled well, but it was pretty noisy and had a stiff ride - which would, over time, just really be rather uncomfortable. And yes, I was (and is) over 35 at the time…
My brother later sold it off to someone who later wrecked the car…too bad.
May 1st, 2008 at 10:54 am
BEAT: We sold it because we had too many cars, and I could get more $ before it flipped to 300K, but no other Japanese car has the feel of an Acura or a Honda.
Great article!!!
That used to be true, but no longer is…Honda’s do not have the same “feel” and dynamics they once did. This is especially prevelant in the Civic and Accord. Trying to appeal to the more average consumer, and promote safety and efficiency over anything else now.
Currently, Mazda has the best driving dynamics out of all the japanese manufactures. Of course, that comes with some roughness in ride comfort and less isolation from noise.
May 2nd, 2008 at 3:45 pm
You know, I can’t comment on the regular Civic. But I own a 2006 Civic SI….and I don’t think it’s lost any feel or dynamics. I believe it is the best performing small FWD car Honda has ever built (yes, I said ever).
The steering is 9/10ths of the way there, with some unusual feedback sometimes since the switch to electronic power steering. The drive-by-wire throttle definitely takes some feel away. But aside fom that, the whole experience straddles the line between raw and rewarding in a righteous way.
It’s “only” 200 HP, but then again, it accelerates like an ‘ol 1970 Porsche 911. Similar top speed even.
Joe
Pages: « 1 2 3 4 5 [6] 7 » Show All
You must be logged in to post a comment.