Common sense vs emotions

[Souk24nior]

Hi everyone, I've had my '24 a-spec 6speed for 24 months exactly today. Got into a fender bender on the 1st of Oct, lady ran into my rear bumper, her insurance is covering everything, getting it back in Nov 7th. Been driving in a cvt Hyundai kona rental, its so boring. Anyways, i got my integra appraised before the accident happened and i found out i have 6k equity (probably 5k after the wreck). i didn't think anything of it until the wreck. But now i found out i can get into a '25 type s for slightly cheaper than what I'm paying now, but my insurance and gas will go up evening out monthly payments. Or just get a new '26 a-spec 6speed with a significantly lower payment plan. I'm just very cheap and want to make sure i get the best bang for the buck and i know the '26 a-spec will still be just as good for everyday driving.

My question is for the people that upgraded from an a-spec to the type-s, do you all miss what the a-spec offered compared to what the type-s loses:

-auto start-stop
-sunroof
-memory seats
-gas milage
-seating for 5
-fog lights
-higher insurance
-rear usb-c ports (lol)


All of these are a non-issue but sometimes the small things make a big difference when you lose them. i love the sunroof but ill give that up for 100 more horses and a widebody. I really did like the auto-stop function, we sit at red lights a lot longer than we think we do. My problem is daily use, i drive a lot as a sales rep, I'm going to change the tires out to all season for daily use and save the stock tires for track days.

Just researching peoples experiences before i pull the trigger. Its financial common sense vs pure emotions right now and my emotions are winning.

Thanks everyone.

Sponsored

 

[bruejam]

I went from ASpec to Type S so I'll take a shot at your list:

-auto start-stop

I hate this feature on any car and will gladly accept a poverty button (blank switch cover) in exchange​

-sunroof

Nice to have but not a necessity for me at all. This is a great car to drive with the windows down and that's good enough for me.​

-memory seats

Pisses me off that Acura deleted them from the TypeS when they already have it on the lower trims, but since I'm the only one who drives the car it's not really a big deal​

-gas milage

This one actually surprised me. The ASpec absolutely SIPS gas. I could get nearly 40mpg on road trips. Longer trips in the TypeS are in the mid 20s. However, my daily commute is about 10 miles round trip, so for daily use I don't really care. I'll gladly give up gas mileage for the way this car drives.​

-seating for 5

Never an issue either way. My kids are older and I rarely use the back seat at all. I never used the middle seat in the ASpec.​

-fog lights

Cosmetic... don't care.​

-higher insurance

Obviously your experience may differ, but my insurance went up $7/month over the ASpec.​

-rear usb-c ports (lol)

lol indeed​

​

I truly enjoyed the ASpec and it perfectly filled the need for me at the time. My daughter was just starting to drive and needed a car, and at the time used car prices were so insane that it actually made just as much sense for me to pass my TLX to her and get the Integra. That being said, the TypeS is the best all-around car I've ever owned. I have not regretted a single thing about making the upgrade.

 

[Souk24nior]

I went from ASpec to Type S so I'll take a shot at your list:

-auto start-stop

I hate this feature on any car and will gladly accept a poverty button (blank switch cover) in exchange​

-sunroof

Nice to have but not a necessity for me at all. This is a great car to drive with the windows down and that's good enough for me.​

-memory seats

Pisses me off that Acura deleted them from the TypeS when they already have it on the lower trims, but since I'm the only one who drives the car it's not really a big deal​

-gas milage

This one actually surprised me. The ASpec absolutely SIPS gas. I could get nearly 40mpg on road trips. Longer trips in the TypeS are in the mid 20s. However, my daily commute is about 10 miles round trip, so for daily use I don't really care. I'll gladly give up gas mileage for the way this car drives.​

-seating for 5

Never an issue either way. My kids are older and I rarely use the back seat at all. I never used the middle seat in the ASpec.​

-fog lights

Cosmetic... don't care.​

-higher insurance

Obviously your experience may differ, but my insurance went up $7/month over the ASpec.​

-rear usb-c ports (lol)

lol indeed​

​

I truly enjoyed the ASpec and it perfectly filled the need for me at the time. My daughter was just starting to drive and needed a car, and at the time used car prices were so insane that it actually made just as much sense for me to pass my TLX to her and get the Integra. That being said, the TypeS is the best all-around car I've ever owned. I have not regretted a single thing about making the upgrade.

Thanks for the feedback. im 80/20 split leaning towards the type-s, and youre right, i was cross shopping the mustang gt ($55k) then i realized i need a 4 door for those moments that require more seats even though im the only driver, and those moments i need more space to carry stuff i the hatch, that hatchback comes in clutch.

 

[bruejam]

Thanks for the feedback. im 80/20 split leaning towards the type-s, and youre right, i was cross shopping the mustang gt ($55k) then i realized i need a 4 door for those moments that require more seats even though im the only driver, and those moments i need more space to carry stuff i the hatch, that hatchback comes in clutch.

The hatch alone gives me the practicality I need. I fold my back seats down and throw my mountain bike in there 2-3 times a month. Sure, my wife has an MDX and I've got a big heavy hitch mount rack, but that's a whole operation to go ride locally for an hour or two. There just aren't that many cars that check all the boxes for me.

And not to discount your Mustang option because they are certainly solid cars, but those things are a dime a dozen. I've had my Type S for almost 2 years and it still turns heads and gets comments. And I still look forward to the next opportunity to drive it.

 

[Souk24nior]

The hatch alone gives me the practicality I need. I fold my back seats down and throw my mountain bike in there 2-3 times a month. Sure, my wife has an MDX and I've got a big heavy hitch mount rack, but that's a whole operation to go ride locally for an hour or two. There just aren't that many cars that check all the boxes for me.

And not to discount your Mustang option because they are certainly solid cars, but those things are a dime a dozen. I've had my Type S for almost 2 years and it still turns heads and gets comments. And I still look forward to the next opportunity to drive it.

i know, its the v8 stick shift i wanted, cheaper than a caddy or BMW. but not too many 4 door sticks available..... thanks for the info. another question, i see you're in Ohio, did you change out the summer tires for winter, if not, how is the drive on cold, wet, icey roads?

 

[optronix]

i know, its the v8 stick shift i wanted, cheaper than a caddy or BMW. but not too many 4 door sticks available..... thanks for the info. another question, i see you're in Ohio, did you change out the summer tires for winter, if not, how is the drive on cold, wet, icey roads?

First of all, no one should be driving on cold/wet or icy roads with the tires that came on this car. All seasons at a minimum, winters if you plan on driving in actual snow.

As for A spec vs Type S, I don't think they're commonly cross-shopped. VERY different experiences. I see you invoked track use, in which case I'd advocate strongly for the Type S... but the Type S makes less sense if you're not actively looking for opportunities to DRIVE the car. If you're stuck at stop lights or spend most of your time driving back and forth to sales calls WITHOUT the "weekend warrior" vibe of hitting autocross or track events multiple times a year (or month...), then the road noise and creature comfort compromises may be too much for you.

I think you owe it to yourself to check out the mustang. They're great cars. Yes, they're ubiquitous. You throw a rock on the freeway you'll hit 3 of them. But from a price/performance perspective they're tough to beat. Assuming you don't need the extra doors. I'd also say that the ITS is a more "driver's car" than the Mustang.

 

[wagood]

Or just get a new '26 a-spec 6speed with a significantly lower payment plan

Uh am I missing something here? You said fender-bender so I’m assuming your car was not totalled. And you say you have 6k equity so assuming not a lease.

There were no meaningful updates to the integra made during the 26 refresh imo. And maybe your monthly payments will be lower (longer loan term? The price of the car has only increased), but no way you’ll be paying less money overall. You’re 2 years into your current loan, while if you buy a new 26 it all resets and you’re paying a lot more money for basically the same exact car.

Keep the 24 or go type-s. In no world should you trade in the 24 for a 26 a-spec.

 

[STi from DSM]

I had a medium accident on my RS5 (Not from me) and there were MANY dealerships that were not willing to offer anywhere near what it was worth due to the accident. The car ran fine and had no issues.
Here is where I am not understanding. What do you mean you had the car appraised? Did you do a KBB.com appraisal or something like that? If you have positive equity in the car and can get a good deal on a 25 or 24 Type S and keep your payment close to the same wouldn't that be a "Get me into this car now" type situation?

Seeing that the car will take almost a month to fix. What exactly was the damage on your car? A lot of dealerships won't touch anything on trade in that has had anything more than a minor accident.

 

[Souk24nior]

Uh am I missing something here? You said fender-bender so I’m assuming your car was not totalled. And you say you have 6k equity so assuming not a lease.

There were no meaningful updates to the integra made during the 26 refresh imo. And maybe your monthly payments will be lower (longer loan term? The price of the car has only increased), but no way you’ll be paying less money overall. You’re 2 years into your current loan, while if you buy a new 26 it all resets and you’re paying a lot more money for basically the same exact car.

Keep the 24 or go type-s. In no world should you trade in the 24 for a 26 a-spec.

My first experience with a cvt was a 2017 Nissan altima in beautiful blue paint. I didn't know it was a cvt. My dad had a buddy at the Nissan dealer, so the entire family drove Nissan. Lol It had good power, but it was dead slow. Drove it through my senior year of college, got a job a year later, traded that slug in for the Integra 6 speed. I was upside down and a lease was the cheapest way to get me in. $730 a month. My Integra with 35k miles was appraised by kbb for $23.5k. I only owed $17500. Now I can afford the type s, I'm really considering it, but financial common sense says, "bro?" i can save 300 a month on car payments (car+insurance+gas) with a '26 6speed aspec and still enjoy driving a Honda. 300 x 12 = 3600 a year. (What can I do with 3600 extra a year) Lol

I'm leaning hard into the type s! I already looked up a new set of tires, continental contact performance all season. I live in Texas so I don't need snow rims or snow tires. Save the summer tires for texas motor speedway.

 

[Souk24nior]

I had a medium accident on my RS5 (Not from me) and there were MANY dealerships that were not willing to offer anywhere near what it was worth due to the accident. The car ran fine and had no issues.
Here is where I am not understanding. What do you mean you had the car appraised? Did you do a KBB.com appraisal or something like that? If you have positive equity in the car and can get a good deal on a 25 or 24 Type S and keep your payment close to the same wouldn't that be a "Get me into this car now" type situation?

Seeing that the car will take almost a month to fix. What exactly was the damage on your car? A lot of dealerships won't touch anything on trade in that has had anything more than a minor accident.

Just passenger side rear bumper and quarter panel, 4k to fix. It's getting fixed by caliber collision, supposedly national brand with a good reputation. Kbb said $23.5k with 35k mile. I think it's the 6 speed that matters to the dealership. I could be wrong. Thanks man.

 

[Souk24nior]

First of all, no one should be driving on cold/wet or icy roads with the tires that came on this car. All seasons at a minimum, winters if you plan on driving in actual snow.

As for A spec vs Type S, I don't think they're commonly cross-shopped. VERY different experiences. I see you invoked track use, in which case I'd advocate strongly for the Type S... but the Type S makes less sense if you're not actively looking for opportunities to DRIVE the car. If you're stuck at stop lights or spend most of your time driving back and forth to sales calls WITHOUT the "weekend warrior" vibe of hitting autocross or track events multiple times a year (or month...), then the road noise and creature comfort compromises may be too much for you.

I think you owe it to yourself to check out the mustang. They're great cars. Yes, they're ubiquitous. You throw a rock on the freeway you'll hit 3 of them. But from a price/performance perspective they're tough to beat. Assuming you don't need the extra doors. I'd also say that the ITS is a more "driver's car" than the Mustang.

I've seen mustang drivers on slicks in the rain. Wild boys.

 

[Evolving_e63]

My first experience with a cvt was a 2017 Nissan altima in beautiful blue paint. I didn't know it was a cvt. My dad had a buddy at the Nissan dealer, so the entire family drove Nissan. Lol It had good power, but it was dead slow. Drove it through my senior year of college, got a job a year later, traded that slug in for the Integra 6 speed. I was upside down and a lease was the cheapest way to get me in. $730 a month. My Integra with 35k miles was appraised by kbb for $23.5k. I only owed $17500. Now I can afford the type s, I'm really considering it, but financial common sense says, "bro?" i can save 300 a month on car payments (car+insurance+gas) with a '26 6speed aspec and still enjoy driving a Honda. 300 x 12 = 3600 a year. (What can I do with 3600 extra a year) Lol

I'm leaning hard into the type s! I already looked up a new set of tires, continental contact performance all season. I live in Texas so I don't need snow rims or snow tires. Save the summer tires for texas motor speedway.

Seems like your just getting in over your head instead of just keeping your 2024

 

[bruejam]

i know, its the v8 stick shift i wanted, cheaper than a caddy or BMW. but not too many 4 door sticks available..... thanks for the info. another question, i see you're in Ohio, did you change out the summer tires for winter, if not, how is the drive on cold, wet, icey roads?

Yeah, I've got the Continental all seasons on a set of aftermarket wheels. No way I'd drive this car without them once the temperature drops. The summer tires are surprisingly good in the wet, but running in the cold is a no-go.

 

[Cliffpc]

Just researching peoples experiences before i pull the trigger. Its financial common sense vs pure emotions right now and my emotions are winning.

Have you taken the Type S for a test drive? That sold me on this getting car. It is my daily driver. However I don't drive it in winter I have my 2008 Civic Si for that.

If I spent alot of time in stop and go traffic and/or was on a budget, I would have gone with the new Civic Hybrid. I took one out earlier this year and was pleasantly impressed.

 

[Souk24nior]

Have you taken the Type S for a test drive? That sold me on this getting car. It is my daily driver. However I don't drive it in winter I have my 2008 Civic Si for that.

If I spent alot of time in stop and go traffic and/or was on a budget, I would have gone with the new Civic Hybrid. I took one out earlier this year and was pleasantly impressed.

Most my driving is highway. I'm getting 34 mpg on my aspec now. I rode a long in a type s once, I plan to test drive it once I get my aspec back. the closest Acura dealer has 5 new 2025 type s sitting on their lots and I'm sure they'll discount the shit out of them to get them off their lot. Lucky, the dealer is in the suburbs and people here are too busy buying rdx and mdx. Thanks.

Sponsored