Who made the jump from A-Spec 6MT to Type-S?

[boosted180sx]

i did not make the jump to a type s but i currently own a 6MT aspec and owned a fk8 for 5 years.
if the choice was between an aspec or a type s, i would go for the type s if you want a fun car. the Aspec is decently fun daily driver with great fuel economy but as a second car ... meh. the type s is a tier above.

I would absolutely avoid this route. Nothing against folks with the A-spec who've started modding- maybe you had an A spec before the Type S came into being and didn't feel like upgrading, sure I get it- but to start with the goal of modding in mind, I think the A-spec is a terrible move because you can't spend the difference in cost between an A spec and a Type S and have equivalent performance gains. I'll die on that hill.

i 100% agree. a-spec is not worth doing any performance mods. I would also absolutely avoid this route.

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[slowcountry]

i 100% agree. a-spec is not worth doing any performance mods. I would also absolutely avoid this route.

My use-case for a modded ASpec - daily driver (7 mile commute, traffic), savings ($17.5k), and I wanted an automatic transmission.

Had a life event, started nerding out on parts, made a spreadsheet, spent about 10k. I had full bolt ons at about 4500 miles, tuned at 6,150 (1 year). I loved the base aspec as an upgrade to a 2011 Fiesta, but the FBO CVT is something else. I'd note that the paddle shifting is incredibly fun in the S Drive mode. I wouldn't expect everyone to appreciate the Aspec in the same way, but if you want to mod, to me the Aspec is totally viable.

My mindset isn't "make this compare to the type s," it's "take the de4 as far as I can." I like surprising people with this car, it's sneaky. If any here were in the area, I'd invite you to test drive!

 

[optronix]

Sometimes I say things and think I'm making sense... and when I look back I wonder wtf I was thinking.

I think my perspective was skewed because of past conversations I've had with the WRX vs STI. There seemed to be a groundswell of people who truly believed that the car to buy was the WRX, and you just "make it better" than the STI... and while I've seen some genuinely well built WRXs, I still think there are certain advantages of the STI that I just wouldn't pass on, and would be basically senseless to try to duplicate in a WRX; the transmission/LSD being a great example.

The ITS is even more "bespoke" vs the A spec, so I think that's where my mind was at when I made those comments.

I truly don't mean to dissuade anyone from modding their A specs... I just wanted to make it clear that if your intent is to mod the car before you even buy one, then it's probably worth making the investment in the Type S.

Those of you out there with modded A specs, disregard my previous comments.

Unless you're that one guy that said the Type S was "parts bin engineering". You can still keep me on your ignore list buddy.

 

[ScottE]

Great input from both of you.

Since they didn’t have a 6MT last week I test drove an A-Spec Tech CVT, and I must say it greatly exceeded any expectations. My typical response (based on driving a car with one many years ago) to anything CVT is . This newer generation Honda CVT is something else; “normal people” (thinking of my Wife for example) would have absolutely no idea it was a CVT (or possibly even know what a CVT is… but that’s an entirely different topic LOL). I just couldn’t believe how it mimicked an automatic, and a fast shifting one too! I played around with the paddles and found those useful as well. It’s a great platform if you don’t want to row the gears yourself.

Slowcountry, I bet your car is really fun to drive and most likely surprises people! Well done, that’s great it has worked out well for you.

Optronix, I enjoy reading your comments. Thank you.

Well, I’ve now gone about 4 days without changing my mind about what I should buy; Apex Blue ITS…

 

[optronix]

I like to read my own posts, and hear my own voice.

Cool that you didn't change your mind, driving a Type S may just put a bow on this decision-making process.

Also worth mentioning, the new Apex Blue on the '26 cars is "Double Apex Blue", and is significantly different. It's a much lighter blue. Not a bad thing, but the OG APB is one of the better blues on any car IMHO...

 

[Tw1stedlog1k]

Just wanted to chime in on the blues. I have no meaningful input otherwise. Looking forward to your modding posts!

 

[ScottE]

Oh no, they changed the color?!? Ah man, that’s a bummer… I think. I guess I’ll hold judgement until I see it in person.

My other two color choices are… Red, or Black w/red interior.

my #1 choice is blue with RED interior, but they don’t make it. WHY?!? Acura offers that combo on MDX and TLX, so it doesn’t make sense to me why that combo is not offered for Integra.

I hope I like DAB… :-/

 

[whtciv2k]

Just wanted to chime in on the blues. I have no meaningful input otherwise. Looking forward to your modding posts!

Great to see them side by side like this. I had been curious. My opinion is still that Abp > dabp

 

[Tw1stedlog1k]

My opinion is that I love DAB but I strongly prefer AB.

 

[ScottE]

From the photos I agree, but I’m hoping I like DAB well enough when I see it in person glistening in the sunshine!

 

[Truemyth]

@ScottE I selfishly want you to decide on a ITS and I honestly hope you'll get to love whatever color you end up with. I have an APB but when i see other colored (not shades) ITS on the forum, i always go, wow, that doesn't look bad at all. It's probably easier to get your choice of color in the US but here in Canada, we're mostly, take what you can get unless you're willing to wait around (forever). Check out Canada ordering (or something like that) thread and feel sorry for us LOL.

@optronix I apologize if my earlier mention of you caused your response post, that's not my intention at all, in fact, it's more to draw attention to the thoughtful posts you've made throughout this forum and community. I honestly enjoy your original opinions and retrospects. Unlike other opinion machine guns on the internet, I feel that you back yours up with facts or is supplimented by experiences which is always appreciated and insightful to help shape my own decisions on the topic. Which is why i come to forums in the first place, to help me make up my OWN mind but not change someone else's (especially when they didn't ask for it). What the internet seems to miss out on is that we should be ADULTS reading opinions and should know that all facts can be opinions but not all opinions are facts. Opinions should be dissected to get a better understanding for the recipient IMO but not to be argued over. Even though sometimes, it's funny as hell to see ppl do that but i digress

 

[optronix]

@ScottE I selfishly want you to decide on a ITS and I honestly hope you'll get to love whatever color you end up with. I have an APB but when i see other colored (not shades) ITS on the forum, i always go, wow, that doesn't look bad at all. It's probably easier to get your choice of color in the US but here in Canada, we're mostly, take what you can get unless you're willing to wait around (forever). Check out Canada ordering (or something like that) thread and feel sorry for us LOL.

@optronix I apologize if my earlier mention of you caused your response post, that's not my intention at all, in fact, it's more to draw attention to the thoughtful posts you've made throughout this forum and community. I honestly enjoy your original opinions and retrospects. Unlike other opinion machine guns on the internet, I feel that you back yours up with facts or is supplimented by experiences which is always appreciated and insightful to help shape my own decisions on the topic. Which is why i come to forums in the first place, to help me make up my OWN mind but not change someone else's (especially when they didn't ask for it). What the internet seems to miss out on is that we should be ADULTS reading opinions and should know that all facts can be opinions but not all opinions are facts. Opinions should be dissected to get a better understanding for the recipient IMO but not to be argued over. Even though sometimes, it's funny as hell to see ppl do that but i digress

No worries at all, I agree 100%. I just try to self-report my own habits, I have a tendency to be more... for lack of a better word aggressive than necessary in the way I communicate online, and some people don't take to it well. Those that have high emotional intelligence and communication skills can get through it... others can't and they block me lol.

It's not like I'm exclusively like that online, but I occasionally fall victim to the trap of "it's just the internet" and say/type things I normally wouldn't IRL. I also "grew up" on forums where that's basically the culture is to trash people, all the time. I've grown up (for the most part) but I default to that mindset from time to time.

 

[JohnV]

ScottE, great job getting opinions on both versions. That's what forums are for, getting opinions. I'll add mine to the mix.
I have the A-Stech 6MT. I got one of the first that was made in June 22. I have been happy, and have no interest in the ITS, although I know it would be a sizable performance upgrade.
My background is that I never had a fun enthusiast car until I started shopping for one in 2013. I am certainly a "slow car fast" type of guy. When I looked at a Porsche, I looked at a Boxster non-S. After 4 years I ended up with a BMW 128i M-Sport 6MT. A great car, but I got rid of it after owning 5 years and putting 15Kmiles on it. I just didn't drive it enough and didn't want to keep a garage queen. I sold it after my Integra came in. The Integra is a drop in performance from the BMW. But the hatchback and 4-door versatility are what I really wanted in my fun car. I get between 37-40 mpg, which I like. I've unloaded a few cars since then and now it is my daily driver, and it is fantastic. Some days it's a rush hour slog and some days it is fun. I've gotten one speeding ticket in the car, and it would be easy to get more because how easily it cruises at 90 mph. I love this car more than the day I got it.
Here's the downside. On a couple of occasions I wished it was faster. Two hours is about my limit in the seats, so I don't take it on long road trips, even though there's plenty of room for everything I would bring. Because it sits low, it doesn't offer the visibility you get in a SUV. I never got the BMW to the track and no desire to take a Honda to one either.
-Good luck with your buy, IMO you can't go wrong either way!

 

[whtciv2k]

My opinion is that I love DAB but I strongly prefer AB.

this is where I’m at. DABP is gorgeous, but side by side, I still prefer OG ABP.

 

[ScottE]

ScottE, great job getting opinions on both versions. That's what forums are for, getting opinions. I'll add mine to the mix.
I have the A-Stech 6MT. I got one of the first that was made in June 22. I have been happy, and have no interest in the ITS, although I know it would be a sizable performance upgrade.
My background is that I never had a fun enthusiast car until I started shopping for one in 2013. I am certainly a "slow car fast" type of guy. When I looked at a Porsche, I looked at a Boxster non-S. After 4 years I ended up with a BMW 128i M-Sport 6MT. A great car, but I got rid of it after owning 5 years and putting 15Kmiles on it. I just didn't drive it enough and didn't want to keep a garage queen. I sold it after my Integra came in. The Integra is a drop in performance from the BMW. But the hatchback and 4-door versatility are what I really wanted in my fun car. I get between 37-40 mpg, which I like. I've unloaded a few cars since then and now it is my daily driver, and it is fantastic. Some days it's a rush hour slog and some days it is fun. I've gotten one speeding ticket in the car, and it would be easy to get more because how easily it cruises at 90 mph. I love this car more than the day I got it.
Here's the downside. On a couple of occasions I wished it was faster. Two hours is about my limit in the seats, so I don't take it on long road trips, even though there's plenty of room for everything I would bring. Because it sits low, it doesn't offer the visibility you get in a SUV. I never got the BMW to the track and no desire to take a Honda to one either.
-Good luck with your buy, IMO you can't go wrong either way!

Great info, thank you for the reply! I know the A-Spec Tech 6MT would serve me well for the fun daily driver; it checks nearly every box.

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