[nefilim314]

Hey guys, looking for some honest assessments from enthusiasts.

My situation: I specced our a "dream car" last year - Porsche Taycan GTS. It was supposed to be delivered in June, but then got delayed twice to August, then it arrived and was put on a stop-sale due to missing components. It's still sitting on the dealer lot waiting for parts with no idea of when those parts will arrive.

Meanwhile, my wife is pregnant with twins and we're expecting them in the next few weeks. I've got a ton of pressure now to get a car. I put a deposit on a blue/orchid A Spec 6MT at MSRP. I can go pick it up tomorrow.

From a practicality standpoint, it fits all my needs: car seats fit, good trunk, good fuel economy.

My question is: how enjoyable is it really? I'm coming from an ND1 MX5 and I was pretty happy with it except how lousy the road noise was and useless stereo. Would you guys say the Integra is just as fun as the MX5? Do you ever find yourselves wanting a little more? How does it compare against a GTI?

I'm not expecting Porsche levels of excitement, but I want something to keep me happy until I can wait for another custom order to be built if I have to drop this one.

 

[Rainbrounicorn]

The GTI and MX5 were both possibilties for me. I drove a GTI, which was really fun. It was faster, for sure. But I have really enjoyed the Integra’s engine snarl (I switch to Sport mode automatically now), super sharp handling, and steering now I’ve gotten used to how heavy the steering is.
My bro in law bought a new GTI and I drove it, and I don’t regret my choice. Slow car fast, and I think the stick is more satisfying to use (though its placement to the right of center is a little odd to me).
I hope this helps, and congratulations on the incoming twins! 🥳

 

[TheRas900]

I have a Macan S and, ironically, a blue/orchid Integra 6MT. I love our Macan, it sounds like a sports car on start up, the PDK is amazing for an automatic, and the quality of all components mechanical and interior are superb. The Integra is more fun to drive by a mile.
Take it on a substantial test drive and see how you feel. While not Miata level, the Integra is a fairly fun but loud car.
If you want something bigger or more premium, I bet you could swap to the Taycan fairly inexpensively once ready. Used Integras are going for the same price as new.
Good luck with whatever you decide. Can't go wrong with either approach.

 

[nefilim314]

Thanks for the replies. I'm talking myself in circles, I think. I cancelled my deposit yesterday since I had gotten bored with my MK6 GTI's level of performance, but now I'm cycling back to the idea that I will be able to light it up all the time with an LSD and still get 30+ MPG like I did in the MX5. I really loved beating the absolute shit out of my Miata because I had it paid off and didn't care about the cost of repairs.

Unfortunately the car is a 3 hour drive from me so taking it for a test drive requires a ton of investment. I drove a CVT locally and liked it enough, though, but my local dealer is a price-gouging bullshitter so I won't be doing business with them.

 

[benzaccord]

Thanks for the replies. I'm talking myself in circles, I think. I cancelled my deposit yesterday since I had gotten bored with my MK6 GTI's level of performance, but now I'm cycling back to the idea that I will be able to light it up all the time with an LSD and still get 30+ MPG like I did in the MX5. I really loved beating the absolute shit out of my Miata because I had it paid off and didn't care about the cost of repairs.

Unfortunately the car is a 3 hour drive from me so taking it for a test drive requires a ton of investment. I drove a CVT locally and liked it enough, though, but my local dealer is a price-gouging bullshitter so I won't be doing business with them.

I can't vouch much for the other qualities of the Integra. I did test drive a Manual back in late May and I can attest, that the transmission is a good one. I ordered a blue/orchid Integra, back when the ordering opened up. I didn't buy it when the dealer mentioned the markup (that brought the OTD price to 44K) that he promised back in March would be a 3 digit number if at all. As dealers near me start to drop the price below MSRP, I am again intrigued. I, myself ordered a 2022 330e xDrive back in Early June with a target delivery of early August. Then early August, became late August, and late August became early September, and Early September became late September, and that meant that my 90 day 3.5% financing lock would expire, (I was presented with a 6% rate), and they refused to discount it even though customers were already taking delivery of 2023's, so I walked.

 

[benzaccord]

I can't vouch much for the other qualities of the Integra. I did test drive a Manual back in late May and I can attest, that the transmission is a good one. I ordered a blue/orchid Integra, back when the ordering opened up. I didn't buy it when the dealer mentioned the markup (that brought the OTD price to 44K) that he promised back in March would be a 3 digit number if at all. As dealers near me start to drop the price below MSRP, I am again intrigued. I, myself ordered a 2022 330e xDrive back in Early June with a target delivery of early August. Then early August, became late August, and late August became early September, and Early September became late September, and that meant that my 90 day 3.5% financing lock would expire, (I was presented with a 6% rate), and they refused to discount it even though customers were already taking delivery of 2023's, so I walked.

I put another BMW 330e order in. I was waiting for the details of the upcoming Integra Type S, and that's what pushed me over the line. The Type S ended up being too expensive, and a bit too aggressive looking for my tastes. I was hoping more for just an engine upgrade over the current Integra. I have 2 weeks to figure out whether or not to trade in the Accord or pass it on to my kids. I hang around here, because lots of cars have come and gone in my list of favorite vehicles. The Integra has steadily been in my top 2 since I test drove one back in May. Ideally, I'd have the budget for 2 new cars and get the Integra for the kids and share it with them.

 

[Leehro]

The Type S ended up being too expensive, and a bit too aggressive looking for my tastes.

I mean, I think I understand what you mean. But it seems odd to say it’s too expensive and aggressive given there’s no price or pictures without camo yet.

 

[benzaccord]

I mean, I think I understand what you mean. But it seems odd to say it’s too expensive and aggressive given there’s no price or pictures without camo yet.

The exhaust tips are an indication that it will be more like the Civic R. Also the test drives seem to be on the race track, another indicator. By “Too Expensive” I meant for an Integra. I don’t believe it will be priced in the 50k range, however I know it will be over 40k. If they offered the current A-Spec/Tech exactly as it is with the 2.0 T from even the TLX with a 6 speed and an LSD or even the 10 speed auto, I’d spend 40k easily. I don’t want a firmer suspension, I don’t want anything bigger than 18 inch wheels, I do want subtle dual exhausts that don’t announce (with noise) “I’m here”. I think I am probably a minority and if Acura made a car to these specs, there wouldn’t be many buyers. But in case they offered even some of these attributes I would’ve considered it. I would’ve even considered a TLX type S if it was available without the A-Spec package.

 

[johnv]

I don’t want a firmer suspension, I don’t want anything bigger than 18 inch wheels, I do want subtle dual exhausts that don’t announce (with noise) “I’m here”. I think I am probably a minority and if Acura made a car to these specs,

Yep, this right here. I did go with the Integra and 3000 miles in I'm loving it, as a new poster mentioned, for it's swiss army knife character. But I'm not a representative of a large buying community.

 

[JRMCR]

About 3 weeks in with our PRP/Orchid 6MT, and we are finding the car is exactly what we'd hoped it would be -- a modern day update of our 2G Integras (both LS models) with appropriate updates and performance increases. Ours was delivered in perfect condition -- all panels/paint/interior parts are flawless; paint quality is especially good. The car is fun to drive, comfortable with many great features, and ELS sounds amazing. With only 350 miles on it, we're already showing a running average over 33 mpg in a mix of highway, suburban and some city driving. It handles very well and rides nicely. There seems to be a big difference in both MPG and ride firmness between comfort and sport modes. We have routinely cycled among the drive modes depending on where we are and how we feel on a given day. Overall, we are very pleased with our choice, especially considering that we paid within a few hundred bucks of what our 91 LS coupe cost us in today's dollars. Good job Acura. Can't wait to see what you do with the Type S.