In for the replies. Anytime someone has stopped me and asked about my integra I say "I wanted a turbocharged manual hatchback that wasn't german and the Civic was unavailable when I needed it."
You seem to be oversimplifying. There seems to be those of us in this thread that run by numbers opposed to empirical data.Some reviews of the Integra briefly touch on comparing the Civic hatchback, noting that it’s the more versatile car for packing large, heavy cargo. But traditional and YouTube auto journalists generally agree that while the Touring trim of the civic is a great car, its dollar value is very poor- if you’re about to spend over 30k on a Civic, just buy the Accord. Granted, the hatchback Civics have an x-factor in its better cargo versatility, but compared to the Accord’s overall value and the Integra’s drivetrain & performance features, that one advantage is negligible and only appeals to a narrow, niche market
OP wanted to know why YouTube auto reviewers don’t compare these two specific cars, not necessarily our own observations and experiences between them:You seem to be oversimplifying. There seems to be those of us in this thread that run by numbers opposed to empirical data.
And YouTube reviewers literally observe and experience these vehicles to our benefit, so their data is as empirical as it getsWhy hasn't any YouTube reviewer been able to do this?
They certainly all compared it to the Si, which they all complained about in one way or another, especially on markups and a catalog of missing features. The Si and integra have the same engine. That's about it. The Civic ST hatch is the same body style, a bunch of luxury features and the same engine with other subtle and niche differences. Those niche differences are what make them very cross-shoppable.So they naturally wouldn’t compare the Integra to a Civic trim they already don’t recommend- it’s not that they can’t compare the 2 cars, they don’t really want to
I technically made an empirical inference based on the already-established opinion YouTube reviewers have towards the Touring Hatchback 😁
I actually haven’t mentioned markups yet- I ignored Honda entirely when car shopping because of markups vs Acura generally selling at MSRP. So by that alone, that REALLY blows the Touring’s value out the window. Again, the Sport Touring is not a bad car, it’s just priced way above its segment and realistically can’t compete with other cars in its price range. If I was an Acura salesman and you told me you were cross shopping the Civic Sport Touring, I’d make a very strong case for the base Integra & I’d probably make a sale. And if you were firmly against CVT and wanted 6-speed, I’d tell you it’s near impossible to get a manual Sport Touring at MSRP, but the 6MT Integra has everything the ST has but a better engine (plus adjustable dampers plus LSD plus a better sound system) and it’s at MSRP. Again, I’m making a sale for sure.They certainly all compared it to the Si, which they all complained about in one way or another, especially on markups and a catalog of missing features.
The engines are tuned differently: that 20-horsepower difference is the main factor that steers many people towards the Integra. Sorry, but if it was really cross shoppable, there’d be less Integra ownersThe Civic ST hatch is the same body style, a bunch of luxury features and the same engine with other subtle and niche differences. Those niche differences are what make them very cross-shoppable.
Is it really 20HP? That's a paper comparison and the engines and powertrains are identical. The reason we don't know for sure is, well, they haven't been compared! Honda and Acura underreport anyway. Again, same body style, same engine, mostly the same luxury features. The Si and Integra manual are worlds apart in comparison -- different body style, different seating, different amenities, and yet are compared by every reviewer. They literally only have the power train in common on paper. The majority of those interested in a civic si but end up with an integra is probably because the Si costs the same or is unavailable and/or lacks so many features.I actually haven’t mentioned markups yet- I ignored Honda entirely when car shopping because of markups vs Acura generally selling at MSRP. So by that alone, that REALLY blows the Touring’s value out the window. Again, the Sport Touring is not a bad car, it’s just priced way above its segment and realistically can’t compete with other cars in its price range. If I was an Acura salesman and you told me you were cross shopping the Civic Sport Touring, I’d make a very strong case for the base Integra & I’d probably make a sale. And if you were firmly against CVT and wanted 6-speed, I’d tell you it’s near impossible to get a manual Sport Touring at MSRP, but the 6MT Integra has everything the ST has but a better engine (plus adjustable dampers plus LSD plus a better sound system) and it’s at MSRP. Again, I’m making a sale for sure.
The engines are tuned differently: that 20-horsepower difference is the main factor that steers many people towards the Integra. Sorry, but if it was really cross shoppable, there’d be less Integra owners
One of the reasons nobody compares it to the CST is because even though the 6MT technically exists, it's unobtanium. On cars.com, there are 388 CSTs currently listed for sale in the entier country. 8 of them are 6MTs, and the remaining 380 are CVTs.
Now, if we're talking about the CVT Integras, then I agree the CST is a much closer match, but then again most car people reading car magazines and watching car channels on YT are not going to be considering the CVT at all.
I’m happy with the Integra, and I am enjoying the extra features and the hatchback, for sure. Having said that, I probably would have gone with a Civic Si if I could have saved 6 to 7 grand… but unfortunately that wasn’t possible with markups in my area. $35K was ultimately a hard sell when for a few grand more you could get an Integra, which is what I did.I would have rather had the civic ST manual and saved 6-7 grand, although I do love my Integra.
This here. I was looking for sporty, and as Houndrunner said the Civic ST Hatch doesn't have the equipment to really compete with the SI/Teggy. I would have gotten an SI but they weren't available and/or had huge markups. So I went Teggy.I’m happy with the Integra, and I am enjoying the extra features and the hatchback, for sure. Having said that, I probably would have gone with a Civic Si if I could have saved 6 to 7 grand… but unfortunately that wasn’t possible with markups in my area. $35K was ultimately a hard sell when for a few grand more you could get an Integra, which is what I did.
Don’t get me wrong, I did want the hatch and the extra features, but I certainly would have seriously considered forgoing all of that if I could have scored an Si at MSRP and saved close to $9K. The ST hatch seems pretty sweet until you realize it’s pricier than the Si, and the manual is unobtanium.
Practicality may be your main reason for purchasing an Integra, it was not mine. I suppose the point is we are enjoying our Integras for what we bought them for!Let's be honest here 220HP and better suspension is not exactly sporty. Its better than an econobox and steers a bit better, but its no mustang gt, bmw m, porsche or even a wrx. Practicality is the main reason to purchase these vehicles.