Integra receiving interior and exterior updates for M/Y 2026 (Summer 2025).

[s219]

I still love driving the car but it's very clearly compromised and the sheen has worn off.

I could say the same thing, but the "sheen" is part of my problem. I was working on one of my other cars in the garage today and kept glancing over at the ITS and shaking my head. They managed to get about 5 different flavors of orange peel on my car, and the worst (hood and roof) is so coarse it has 1/2" waves and smaller orange peel inside the big pattern. I find myself wondering how Honda could apply paint/clearcoat so badly in the modern era. My 05 S2000 was one stall over and the paint quality is so much better.

Shifter, steering, and handling are outstanding on my ITS and I like the interior/exterior styling a lot. But if I dig deeper it just falls apart. I am starting to think the CTR may have been a better choice for me, as it's a little sportier and doesn't make pretenses about quality/luxury I'd expect from an Acura. I know CTR quality isn't perfect either, but the ones I looked at had much better fit and finish. And of course the seats are not pretending...

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[s219]

I wish I was rich, LOL. then I could throw unlimited money at the car. (Or buy a Porsche)

My father in law had a 2016 Cayman GTS and that was an outstanding car. Unfortunately the new ones are now out of reach and get up past my "a good value" tolerance. I will say that the best sports cars I have owned have been fairly modest, like the S2000, last gen M2 Comp, ND Miata. Heck, the ND Miata was perhaps the best overall, and you can still get those new for $30-40K. It's just not a very practical car, more like a toy. But the value is great considering what an amazing sports car experience it provides. Build quality is outstanding too -- at a level the ITS should have achieved.

 

[StingertimeNC]

The "budget choice relative to it's true competition" is a good statement. But even the fact the statement makes sense, does point to how good the ITS really does drive. It's really a pleasure to hustle it around. The Kia Stinger I had before, was the same thing, the budget M3. It really punched above its weight in a lot of areas, but just not quite as good as those cars that cost 25k more. Can't really fault it though, for 50k, something's got to give.

I will also add, guys that truly live and breath cars, are more likely to lose interest quickly or nit-pik things to death as we want perfect!

Every time I go to the track, I lust after the next level car. C7 & C8 vettes, Caymans, BMW M2's and 3's, and obviously 911's.

Also, now that I'm in my 50's, I'm starting to learn the anticipation and the chase to get the next best thing, is really almost better than having it. I finally get the thing I just have to have, and within months, I'm like, ok, what's next.

This car is pretty close. If I could get the seat thing sorted, I think I'd be pretty happy for a while. I know what this car is capable of at the track with just brakes and fluid. I've got tons of room to grow there. Also, the ITS is a genuinely great looking car. Something I feel good about driving. I get looks and questions every time I drive it.

Also, I haven't had any issues with build quality at all. I'm sure if I looked really hard I could find some stuff, but it's largely rattle free, paint looks good, fit and finish is good, etc. etc.

Just give me the type S seats!! Plug and play please, for a reasonable price. It would have been so easy to drop the CTR seats in the car!

 

[optronix]

I will also add, guys that truly live and breath cars, are more likely to lose interest quickly or nit-pik things to death as we want perfect!

Preach, brother. I feel like that's exactly what's going on with me right now. I've made it this far, which is pretty admirable all things considered based on past experience (a B9.5 RS5 only made it 6 months... and they were the winter months). But the little things that were easy to ignore for a while while the rose tinting was still in full effect are just becoming so blatantly obvious now.

That said, I just drove it a few minutes ago to grab Chipotle. It is absolutely a joy to drive, and very few cars on sale today can offer the same level of fun in all circumstances that this car is capable of providing. It's only fair to concede that point, despite all its perceived shortcomings.

Every time I go to the track, I lust after the next level car. C7 & C8 vettes, Caymans, BMW M2's and 3's, and obviously 911's.

I've had at least half of the cars you just rattled off, at least in some form (i.e., instead of an M2 I had an M4). The "chase" cost me over $60k in net cash over a ~4 year period, and guess what? At no point was my overall enjoyment of life any higher than it is now with my ITS.

Except for this one. This is the one that got away. I should have stopped with this one, and got an ITS for a daily (yes it was completely paid off...)

 

[StingertimeNC]

Love the 718's!!! If I could swing it it would either be that or a c8. Not a convertible guy but damn that looks good.

So crazy that you went through all those cars that fast. It's a sickness. LOL

I truly believe that even if I had a 911 GT3 RS, (current dream car) I would start looking at other stuff. I've always been that way.

What is wrong with us?

I hope you can get the ITS out on the track again soon. It will help drive the point home that what you've got is really a good thing. What would be really cool is if you somehow made it down to VIR.

I saw one of Zygrene's videos last week and he was driving a c8 out at Laguna Seca. Given, it wasn't his car, but the fact that he was slower in the C8, than he is in his ITS is pretty telling. He's pretty experienced at that track. He said he wasn't pushing it, etc. etc., but still. ITS/CTR is great in the corners.

 

[creaturemachine]

Memory seats, which are pointless if you're the only one driving the thing, won't fix the fact that they're fucking crippling on long drives.

 

[optronix]

Love the 718's!!! If I could swing it it would either be that or a c8. Not a convertible guy but damn that looks good.

So crazy that you went through all those cars that fast. It's a sickness. LOL

I truly believe that even if I had a 911 GT3 RS, (current dream car) I would start looking at other stuff. I've always been that way.

What is wrong with us?

I hope you can get the ITS out on the track again soon. It will help drive the point home that what you've got is really a good thing. What would be really cool is if you somehow made it down to VIR.

I saw one of Zygrene's videos last week and he was driving a c8 out at Laguna Seca. Given, it wasn't his car, but the fact that he was slower in the C8, than he is in his ITS is pretty telling. He's pretty experienced at that track. He said he wasn't pushing it, etc. etc., but still. ITS/CTR is great in the corners.

^That one is actually a 981, the generation before the 718 nameplate was reintroduced. As good as the 718s I've had were, this is the one I keep thinking about and have the most regrets associated with. Ironically I didn't think I was a convertible guy either until I learned that the Boxster functionally and dynamically is exactly the same as the Cayman; it makes zero compromises for being a convertible. Still, some tracks freak out about convertibles so it is compromised in a sense that way... but omfg what a car. The engine was way down on power compared to the 4.0 in the new cars and even the turbo in the "less new" 718s, but dear god the sound...



Actually Zygrene did one fairly recently, he agrees with me:

Anyway. Moving on from this car is where it all started going downhill for me- because I never should have moved on from it. It was fucking perfect.

Just in case you were wondering, the car that did get me to move on from the wonderful 981 was no slouch... but it wasn't necessary.

In my mind I needed to experience owning a 911, and I could afford it at the time- and it was great. But it's just an example of cognitive dissonance taking over and making you do something you regret, thinking it will be changing your life for the better... and once you realize it isn't then it opens up opportunities to continue making serially dumb decisions trying to correct the original mistake.

Don't do what I did.

And yes I need to get back to driving my ITS, I don't deny that one bit. The ITS did break the cycle of buying ever-increasingly more expensive cars in pursuit of finding the "perfect" one... but I haven't even gone on a "fun drive" on the street since August. That is definitely another reason the annoyances are settling in deeper than they normally would- I'm not enjoying the car properly the way I should be, and that's circumstantial but also I just need to get tf out there and drive my car.

As you can tell I could definitely use the therapy session lol.

 

[StingertimeNC]

^^^^ Didn't even realize that was the previous gen! That's another cool think about Porsche, the relatively slow evolution of their looks.

We all need therapy sometimes.

 

[Nerd-Vol]

^That one is actually a 981, the generation before the 718 nameplate was reintroduced. As good as the 718s I've had were, this is the one I keep thinking about and have the most regrets associated with. Ironically I didn't think I was a convertible guy either until I learned that the Boxster functionally and dynamically is exactly the same as the Cayman; it makes zero compromises for being a convertible. Still, some tracks freak out about convertibles so it is compromised in a sense that way... but omfg what a car. The engine was way down on power compared to the 4.0 in the new cars and even the turbo in the "less new" 718s, but dear god the sound...



Actually Zygrene did one fairly recently, he agrees with me:

Anyway. Moving on from this car is where it all started going downhill for me- because I never should have moved on from it. It was fucking perfect.

Just in case you were wondering, the car that did get me to move on from the wonderful 981 was no slouch... but it wasn't necessary.

In my mind I needed to experience owning a 911, and I could afford it at the time- and it was great. But it's just an example of cognitive dissonance taking over and making you do something you regret, thinking it will be changing your life for the better... and once you realize it isn't then it opens up opportunities to continue making serially dumb decisions trying to correct the original mistake.

Don't do what I did.

And yes I need to get back to driving my ITS, I don't deny that one bit. The ITS did break the cycle of buying ever-increasingly more expensive cars in pursuit of finding the "perfect" one... but I haven't even gone on a "fun drive" on the street since August. That is definitely another reason the annoyances are settling in deeper than they normally would- I'm not enjoying the car properly the way I should be, and that's circumstantial but also I just need to get tf out there and drive my car.

As you can tell I could definitely use the therapy session lol.

For someone who has no interest in going to the track, would you recommend the integra?
It seems a lot of your frustration is the way the seats feel at the track. I’ve got an S2000 as a weekend car, so I feel like the CTR is a bit overkill. I really want an enjoyable sports sedan with a manual, good reliability, heated seats and feels more special than my MK8 GTI.

I like the CTR, but the only thing that that I like about it more than the ITS is the price and the nameplate. Beyond that the ITS really fits what I want.

 

[StingertimeNC]

I would recommend the car to anyone. It's no audi/bmw, but it is a great car. So fun to drive and great looking. It's not like every car has issues with rattles and such.

Test drive one, you will be impressed with how it feels.

 

[Victorofhavoc]

For someone who has no interest in going to the track, would you recommend the integra?
It seems a lot of your frustration is the way the seats feel at the track. I’ve got an S2000 as a weekend car, so I feel like the CTR is a bit overkill. I really want an enjoyable sports sedan with a manual, good reliability, heated seats and feels more special than my MK8 GTI.

I like the CTR, but the only thing that that I like about it more than the ITS is the price and the nameplate. Beyond that the ITS really fits what I want.

If you have no interest in driving it super hard, I would take a look at the a spec. Driving around an a spec, it has a lot better response down low and feels quicker coming out of quick street turns in second gear.

Other than that, the gti and golf r are much more daily livable cars and much higher quality overall. If you're willing to go down the dual clutch rabbit hole, there are many more options that are better daily drivers, with obviously the one "downfall" being they use a system of two manual transmissions slapped together that happen to control clutches with computers.

If you're looking for a car that feels aftermarket from the factory, is very stiff, and can hold its own on a track or autox course without overheating and going into limp mode, then the its is for you. It's a very, very aggressive street car.

 

[Victorofhavoc]

Love the 718's!!! If I could swing it it would either be that or a c8. Not a convertible guy but damn that looks good.

So crazy that you went through all those cars that fast. It's a sickness. LOL

I truly believe that even if I had a 911 GT3 RS, (current dream car) I would start looking at other stuff. I've always been that way.

What is wrong with us?

I hope you can get the ITS out on the track again soon. It will help drive the point home that what you've got is really a good thing. What would be really cool is if you somehow made it down to VIR.

I saw one of Zygrene's videos last week and he was driving a c8 out at Laguna Seca. Given, it wasn't his car, but the fact that he was slower in the C8, than he is in his ITS is pretty telling. He's pretty experienced at that track. He said he wasn't pushing it, etc. etc., but still. ITS/CTR is great in the corners.

I've driven several c8s now. Several student cars and one that belonged to a friend.

Having driven several c7 z06 and grand sports, I was surprisingly disappointed in the c8. It's downright boring. The only reason it's "fast" is because of the ridiculous amount of castor from factory. At full lock, the outside wheel picks up the edge of the tire by a solid 1.5", maybe even more. However, that does nothing for the dull steering, dull and feedbackless brakes, nor the strained chassis dynamics. Go into a hairpin corner with lots of brake on induced oversteer and the moment you switch to power, it begins to understeer. They didn't go stiff enough on the springs for the rear and the rebound dampening in front feels off. Maybe the z06 is better, but I haven't driven the c8 version yet.

 

[optronix]

For someone who has no interest in going to the track, would you recommend the integra?
It seems a lot of your frustration is the way the seats feel at the track. I’ve got an S2000 as a weekend car, so I feel like the CTR is a bit overkill. I really want an enjoyable sports sedan with a manual, good reliability, heated seats and feels more special than my MK8 GTI.

I like the CTR, but the only thing that that I like about it more than the ITS is the price and the nameplate. Beyond that the ITS really fits what I want.

Yeah absolutely. Again, my "issues" from the car come from a place most people should never be forced to relate to. For a variety of reasons, mostly just an excess of perceived (and temporary...) personal wealth, boredom, and bad judgement - never a good combination in any circumstance! - I've gone through cars like rock stars go through groupies. There are legitimate gripes with the car, but they're only truly relevant if you consider the car's much higher-priced competition like the RS3, CT4V Blackwing, M3, etc. It is a special car and honestly the seats are not going to be a problem for street driving, and I find them actually very comfortable for all "street settings"- up to and including long drives and heavy traffic.

I would say you could probably do better all things considered if you didn't require a manual, but really it stands alone in that regard, other than the aforementioned FL5. If a manual wasn't a deal-breaker, honestly- I think an S3 would be my pick for around the same price, and if you wanted to jump up a few bucks an M340i. I can't really recommend the S4 or RS5 as they're not sports cars at all, and really insulate the driver feedback enough to put them in another class altogether (but still great cars, don't get me wrong...).

If you have no interest in driving it super hard, I would take a look at the a spec. Driving around an a spec, it has a lot better response down low and feels quicker coming out of quick street turns in second gear.

Other than that, the gti and golf r are much more daily livable cars and much higher quality overall. If you're willing to go down the dual clutch rabbit hole, there are many more options that are better daily drivers, with obviously the one "downfall" being they use a system of two manual transmissions slapped together that happen to control clutches with computers.

If you're looking for a car that feels aftermarket from the factory, is very stiff, and can hold its own on a track or autox course without overheating and going into limp mode, then the its is for you. It's a very, very aggressive street car.

I don't disagree with anything here- other than pointing out that I've had far worse cars for the street that weren't as fun to drive. I think it was this thread I mentioned an STI and F82 M4 that had terrible ride quality, but the ITS is much better to drive than either of those cars. The M4 was FAST though, no denying that- and very capable and easy to drive fast on track (aside from the brakes, they work fine but don't last long from the factory...).

 

[Nerd-Vol]

If you have no interest in driving it super hard, I would take a look at the a spec. Driving around an a spec, it has a lot better response down low and feels quicker coming out of quick street turns in second gear.

Other than that, the gti and golf r are much more daily livable cars and much higher quality overall. If you're willing to go down the dual clutch rabbit hole, there are many more options that are better daily drivers, with obviously the one "downfall" being they use a system of two manual transmissions slapped together that happen to control clutches with computers.

If you're looking for a car that feels aftermarket from the factory, is very stiff, and can hold its own on a track or autox course without overheating and going into limp mode, then the its is for you. It's a very, very aggressive street car.

I don’t track, but I lean into my stuff. I’m about an hour away from HWY-129/Deals Gap/the dragon so I would get good value from the performance. I love my GTI, but I don’t like the unreliability and how small the back seats and hatch area are.

I will say in terms of equipment and fit and finish, the GTi punches above its price. I sat in an integra a-spec a few weeks ago, it felt nice but not on the same level as my wife’s RDX, nor my GTI.

Most people I see who have regrets on the ITS were hoping to buy a CTR but didn’t want to pay the ADM. I’m one of the few who loves just about everything the ITS does.

 

[Victorofhavoc]

I don’t track, but I lean into my stuff. I’m about an hour away from HWY-129/Deals Gap/the dragon so I would get good value from the performance. I love my GTI, but I don’t like the unreliability and how small the back seats and hatch area are.

I will say in terms of equipment and fit and finish, the GTi punches above its price. I sat in an integra a-spec a few weeks ago, it felt nice but not on the same level as my wife’s RDX, nor my GTI.

Most people I see who have regrets on the ITS were hoping to buy a CTR but didn’t want to pay the ADM. I’m one of the few who loves just about everything the ITS does.

See the its was the only Honda option to me. Ctr is too boy racer and just downright ugly to me. The omission of heated seats in the Midwest is also a no go.

I've seen 5 or 6 ctr show up for sale in my area a few months back, and they're typically selling for 2-3k under msrp. Its is similar if adding accessories, but base sells for about msrp.

If you're doing more than 60% of what this car is capable of on the street, you're in the zone of scaring people around you. It pulls more G at 60-70% than most average cars are capable of. For street use, other cars have lower limits and would provide more fun before being dangerous. Namely, much sportier cars like the ft86 twins and miata.

Not trying to steer you away from it, I'm just being realistic. If you want 4 doors, a manual, "low cost", a very aggressive street alignment, and you think the ctr is ugly, then this is the car for you. There is nothing else that delivers this kind of package today... Except for the elantra N, which doesn't count for the same reason the ctr doesn't.

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