New owner perspective on the ITS vs your car history

[i64X]

Here is my history list. A * indicates that I still have it.

Total (94)

Cars (62)

1988 Mazda 323
1982 Cadillac Eldorado
1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse RS 5MT
1997 Suzuki X-90 5MT
1991 Hyundai Excel
1997 Pontiac Sunfire GT
1991 Pontiac Bonneville
1997 Honda Civic EX Coupe 5MT
1992 Honda Civic CX Hatchback 5MT
1992 Honda Civic DX Hatchback 5MT
1993 Honda Civic VX Hatchback 5MT (blue, b18b swapped)
1984 Honda CRX HF 4MT
1994 Honda Civic EX Coupe 5MT
1989 Ford EXP 5MT
1990 Honda Accord LX 5MT
1989 Civic Standard 4MT
1994 Buick Park Avenue Ultra
1994 Chevrolet S10 Pickup
1991 Honda CRX Si 5MT
1994 Acura Integra GS-R 5MT
1993 Honda Civic DX Sedan 5MT (Green, manual swapped)
1996 VW Jetta GL 5MT
1993 Honda Civic DX Sedan 5MT (James, red)
1998 Honda CR-V (red, Luke)
1996 Honda Odyssey EX
1999 Honda Civic EX Coupe 5MT
1994 BMW 325is 5MT
2005 Scion tC 5MT
2002 Acura RSX Type-S 6MT
1996 Honda Civic DX Hatchback 5MT (Red, manual swapped)
2007 Acura TSX 6MT
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X 5MT
2006 Acura RL
1990 Mazda MX-5 5MT
2000 Jeep Cherokee Sport
2000 Honda CRV EX 4WD 5MT
2010 Mazda 3s 6MT
2012 Acura TL SH-AWD 6MT
2008 Mazda 5
2009 Honda CRV EX
2014 Mazda MX-5 Club 6MT
2016 Mazda MX-5 GT 6MT
2016 Mazda CX-5 GT
2016 Honda Odyssey EX-L
2016 Mazda CX-9 GT
2018 VW GTI DSG
2016 Dodge Challenger Scat Pack 6MT
2004 Jeep Wrangler Sport 5MT
2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon
2017 Mazda 6 GT
2020 RAM 1500 Laramie Longhorn
2019 Mazda CX-5 GT
2009 Acura MDX
2020 Mazda MX-5 RF Club 6MT
2021 Subaru WRX STI 6MT
2016 Dodge Challenger Hellcat 6MT
2018 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium
2022 Mazda MX-5 RF GT 6MT *
2020 Porsche Macan S
2022 Mazda CX-9 *
2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
2024 Acura Integra Type S *

Bikes, etc. (32)

1975 Honda CB750 SS
2007 Suzuki Burgman 400
2002 Yamaha Raptor 660R
2007 Yamaha FJR1300
2006 Honda Ruckus
2011 BMW F650 GS
2009 Yamaha FZ1N
2009 Yamaha WR250R
2009 Kawasaki KLX250
2006 BMW K1200S
2014 Honda Grom
1969 Honda CD175 *
2015 Ducati Monster 1200 S
2016 Yamaha R3
2019 Ducati 959 Race Livery
2015 Ducati Diavel Carbon
2018 Multistrada 1260S Touring
2013 Yamaha Raptor 90
2012 Yamaha Raptor 700R
2018 Yamaha Grizzly 700
2019 Yamaha Raptor 700SE
2019 Seadoo RXP-X 300
2004 Honda CRF50
2002 Yamaha PW50
2019 Canam Outlander Max XT 850
2020 Honda SuperCub 125
2020 Yamaha XMAX 300
2022 Ducati Diavel 1260S Black and Steel *
2022 Honda CB1000R Black Edition
2022 Honda Trail 125
2022 Ducati Streetfighter V4S*
2023 Husqvarna Vitpilen 401*

 

[NoelPR]

1999 Hyundai Tiburon
2006 Civic SI FG2
2009 Lancer Ralliart
2009 Honda Civic SI FA5
2015 Lancer Ralliart
2021 Honda Ridgeline RTL-E
2024 Acura Integra Type S

Here is my sad story

I thought I would be more excited, but I miss the Ridgeline (my wife didn't complain about it).
She constantly complains about the price, ride height, and her lack of interest in learning to drive a manual transmission. While I love the looks and have always wanted a super sport compact, my personal ownership experience has been full of stress to the point that I don't enjoy it.

Just in case: My wife is a keeper, with lots of great attributes, but sport compacts aren't her thing.

 

[88integra]

Bottom line, the BRZ was a puppy dog that just made me smile every time I drove it. The Type S is a fully grown Bulldog. Powerful, agile, and tons of space over the BRZ. It is a better car in every way, but the BRZ was more fun on the daily because it was more playful.

I am right there with you. Original owner of a 2013 BRZ and I agree that is the most fun car I have owned. (I am 58). I want own more manual and it maye the ITS but not until 2025 or 2026. How long can I hold out and still get one?

 

[egxflash]

1999 Hyundai Tiburon
2006 Civic SI FG2
2009 Lancer Ralliart
2009 Honda Civic SI FA5
2015 Lancer Ralliart
2021 Honda Ridgeline RTL-E
2024 Acura Integra Type S

Here is my sad story

I thought I would be more excited, but I miss the Ridgeline (my wife didn't complain about it).
She constantly complains about the price, ride height, and her lack of interest in learning to drive a manual transmission. While I love the looks and have always wanted a super sport compact, my personal ownership experience has been full of stress to the point that I don't enjoy it.

Just in case: My wife is a keeper, with lots of great attributes, but sport compacts aren't her thing.

Do you not have a lot of opportunity to drive the car on your own? Is this your sole car?

Going from a truck to a low sport compact is definitely an adjustment! My other car is a slightly lifted Silverado and it's such a boat compared to this car. It's not a bad driving experience - just different.

That being said, I do sometimes wish the comfort mode was more....comfortable. I think I was expecting too much from an Acura badge. But I'm a lot more conscious of it when driving my family (including a 3 month old baby) in the Teg. The road noise/insulation also leaves a lot to be desired for a "luxury" brand.

 

[ABPDE5]

Do you not have a lot of opportunity to drive the car on your own? Is this your sole car?

Going from a truck to a low sport compact is definitely an adjustment! My other car is a slightly lifted Silverado and it's such a boat compared to this car. It's not a bad driving experience - just different.

That being said, I do sometimes wish the comfort mode was more....comfortable. I think I was expecting too much from an Acura badge. But I'm a lot more conscious of it when driving my family (including a 3 month old baby) in the Teg. The road noise/insulation also leaves a lot to be desired for a "luxury" brand.

To be fair, I don't think the car is marketed as a luxury vehicle... just a fun one with luxury amenities.

I'm not interested in any of Acura's other offerings, but I did look at them when I picked up my ITS, and they are miles more luxurious than the Integra is.

 

[egxflash]

To be fair, I don't think the car is marketed as a luxury vehicle... just a fun one with luxury amenities.

I'm not interested in any of Acura's other offerings, but I did look at them when I picked up my ITS, and they are miles more luxurious than the Integra is.

Oh, 100% and I definitely knew that walking in. But I'm just listing some gripes I guess.

 

[ABPDE5]

Oh, 100% and I definitely knew that walking in. But I'm just listing some gripes I guess.

Totally fair!

I have a pretty high tolerance / affinity for stiff damping, so I rarely drive in comfort (unless I have passengers in the back), but even I would prefer more sound insulation for sure.

 

[SaltShakerer]

Most recent two cars before this were 2016 VW GTI- Great car, loved the manual trans, My son has it now and modded the hell out of it. Maybe a bit faster than the Type S. Then Kia Stinger GT2, RWD. Great car, still miss it. So much power and RWD! Had it tuned up to about 475 WHP and over 500 lb ft. Spent probably 15k in mods, then started tracking it. After seeing what the FK8 could do on the track, and always wanting a CTR, and missing the manual transmission, I got on a waiting list for the FL5. After about 6 months of waiting, the type s came out. Figured I would be just as happy with that, so got on two more waiting lists. ITS came in about a month before the FL5. Obviously passed on the CTR, although was tempted to buy it (at MSRP) then resell it, but just figured it wasn't worth the hassle. Type S is better looking and has better suspension tuning and the exhaust is more fun. Hate that I didn't get the seats in the CTR, as well as the big rear wing, but otherwise love my car.

The other thing is I felt this might be the last run for ICE, with manual transmission. Plan to keep this one for a while.

I also did a similar transition! I used to daily a Stinger GT2 RWD before getting the Type S. I do miss all the cameras and cooled seats. Mine was also ECU and TCU tuned and it was definitely a blast. Enough power to spank most pesky V8’s that would challenge you.

 

[NoelPR]

Do you not have a lot of opportunity to drive the car on your own? Is this your sole car?

Going from a truck to a low sport compact is definitely an adjustment! My other car is a slightly lifted Silverado and it's such a boat compared to this car. It's not a bad driving experience - just different.

That being said, I do sometimes wish the comfort mode was more....comfortable. I think I was expecting too much from an Acura badge. But I'm a lot more conscious of it when driving my family (including a 3 month old baby) in the Teg. The road noise/insulation also leaves a lot to be desired for a "luxury" brand.

I love the car but Im getting bashed at home very often.
To the point that personal frustration takes over any enjoyment.

 

[egxflash]

Totally fair!

I have a pretty high tolerance / affinity for stiff damping, so I rarely drive in comfort (unless I have passengers in the back), but even I would prefer more sound insulation for sure.

Same here. Comfort mode when I'm driving the family, otherwise I'm in Sport+

 

[StingertimeNC]

Here is my history list. A * indicates that I still have it.

Total (94)

Cars (62)

1988 Mazda 323
1982 Cadillac Eldorado
1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse RS 5MT
1997 Suzuki X-90 5MT
1991 Hyundai Excel
1997 Pontiac Sunfire GT
1991 Pontiac Bonneville
1997 Honda Civic EX Coupe 5MT
1992 Honda Civic CX Hatchback 5MT
1992 Honda Civic DX Hatchback 5MT
1993 Honda Civic VX Hatchback 5MT (blue, b18b swapped)
1984 Honda CRX HF 4MT
1994 Honda Civic EX Coupe 5MT
1989 Ford EXP 5MT
1990 Honda Accord LX 5MT
1989 Civic Standard 4MT
1994 Buick Park Avenue Ultra
1994 Chevrolet S10 Pickup
1991 Honda CRX Si 5MT
1994 Acura Integra GS-R 5MT
1993 Honda Civic DX Sedan 5MT (Green, manual swapped)
1996 VW Jetta GL 5MT
1993 Honda Civic DX Sedan 5MT (James, red)
1998 Honda CR-V (red, Luke)
1996 Honda Odyssey EX
1999 Honda Civic EX Coupe 5MT
1994 BMW 325is 5MT
2005 Scion tC 5MT
2002 Acura RSX Type-S 6MT
1996 Honda Civic DX Hatchback 5MT (Red, manual swapped)
2007 Acura TSX 6MT
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X 5MT
2006 Acura RL
1990 Mazda MX-5 5MT
2000 Jeep Cherokee Sport
2000 Honda CRV EX 4WD 5MT
2010 Mazda 3s 6MT
2012 Acura TL SH-AWD 6MT
2008 Mazda 5
2009 Honda CRV EX
2014 Mazda MX-5 Club 6MT
2016 Mazda MX-5 GT 6MT
2016 Mazda CX-5 GT
2016 Honda Odyssey EX-L
2016 Mazda CX-9 GT
2018 VW GTI DSG
2016 Dodge Challenger Scat Pack 6MT
2004 Jeep Wrangler Sport 5MT
2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon
2017 Mazda 6 GT
2020 RAM 1500 Laramie Longhorn
2019 Mazda CX-5 GT
2009 Acura MDX
2020 Mazda MX-5 RF Club 6MT
2021 Subaru WRX STI 6MT
2016 Dodge Challenger Hellcat 6MT
2018 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium
2022 Mazda MX-5 RF GT 6MT *
2020 Porsche Macan S
2022 Mazda CX-9 *
2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
2024 Acura Integra Type S *

Bikes, etc. (32)

1975 Honda CB750 SS
2007 Suzuki Burgman 400
2002 Yamaha Raptor 660R
2007 Yamaha FJR1300
2006 Honda Ruckus
2011 BMW F650 GS
2009 Yamaha FZ1N
2009 Yamaha WR250R
2009 Kawasaki KLX250
2006 BMW K1200S
2014 Honda Grom
1969 Honda CD175 *
2015 Ducati Monster 1200 S
2016 Yamaha R3
2019 Ducati 959 Race Livery
2015 Ducati Diavel Carbon
2018 Multistrada 1260S Touring
2013 Yamaha Raptor 90
2012 Yamaha Raptor 700R
2018 Yamaha Grizzly 700
2019 Yamaha Raptor 700SE
2019 Seadoo RXP-X 300
2004 Honda CRF50
2002 Yamaha PW50
2019 Canam Outlander Max XT 850
2020 Honda SuperCub 125
2020 Yamaha XMAX 300
2022 Ducati Diavel 1260S Black and Steel *
2022 Honda CB1000R Black Edition
2022 Honda Trail 125
2022 Ducati Streetfighter V4S*
2023 Husqvarna Vitpilen 401*

Holy crap! that's a huge list.

I also did a similar transition! I used to daily a Stinger GT2 RWD before getting the Type S. I do miss all the cameras and cooled seats. Mine was also ECU and TCU tuned and it was definitely a blast. Enough power to spank most pesky V8’s that would challenge you.

Nice. Stinger was a great car. Wish I could have them both. I'm not balling like that though. LOL

 

[moneypal]

2004 Lexus Es330
2007 Lexus Es350
2019 HONDA ACCORD SPORT 2.0t 6mt
2024 ITS

In high school got my moms 200k mile, 8 year old Es330, my dads friend wrecked it, dad felt bad and upgraded me to a 3 year newer and only 30k mile es350 for like 15k. My mom unfortunerly rear ended this car and I got rid of it.

During grad school bought my self the Accord sport 2.0t with a manual. I loved this car as it was my first manual "fun" car. It was plenty quick (although my Lexuses weren't that slow with the v6s). This was the car I learned how to tinker with.

My Integra type S is my true first enthusiast car id say and I love every second of it. However as someone above did mention I have learned the perils of driving a car that you like too much as you sole car. I got lucky enough to borrow my sisters Lexus NX for the winter so I was able to keep the miles and the salt of my car. I drive almost 2k miles a month so not driving my type S from October-march saved me a lot of miles. I bought the car I dont know why im so concerned with putting so many miles on it.

I'm conflicted because I know the ITS is a "daily" car but apart of me can't really fathom driving it next winter when I dont have any second car options. If the time comes I may sell for something more practical. Or buy my dads 17 Lexus GX off of him when he upgrades this year.

Also as people above mentioned the ITS isn't really the best commute car, I drive 300 miles a week on a major highway and with my spoiled past of Lexus vehicles, things like the ITS' Roadnoise, harsh suspension even in comfort, low profile tires, concern me. The ITS seems great if you live like 20 mins from work and dont take a lot of long road trips though.

It's an interesting dichotomy for me I love the car and want to keep it, but like it more as a second car. But if I had a more practical car secondary car I think id want something RWD as my sports car.

 

[SilverRocket]

2004 Lexus Es330
2007 Lexus Es350
2019 HONDA ACCORD SPORT 2.0t 6mt
2024 ITS

In high school got my moms 200k mile, 8 year old Es330, my dads friend wrecked it, dad felt bad and upgraded me to a 3 year newer and only 30k mile es350 for like 15k. My mom unfortunerly rear ended this car and I got rid of it.

During grad school bought my self the Accord sport 2.0t with a manual. I loved this car as it was my first manual "fun" car. It was plenty quick (although my Lexuses weren't that slow with the v6s). This was the car I learned how to tinker with.

My Integra type S is my true first enthusiast car id say and I love every second of it. However as someone above did mention I have learned the perils of driving a car that you like too much as you sole car. I got lucky enough to borrow my sisters Lexus NX for the winter so I was able to keep the miles and the salt of my car. I drive almost 2k miles a month so not driving my type S from October-march saved me a lot of miles. I bought the car I dont know why im so concerned with putting so many miles on it.

I'm conflicted because I know the ITS is a "daily" car but apart of me can't really fathom driving it next winter when I dont have any second car options. If the time comes I may sell for something more practical. Or buy my dads 17 Lexus GX off of him when he upgrades this year.

Also as people above mentioned the ITS isn't really the best commute car, I drive 300 miles a week on a major highway and with my spoiled past of Lexus vehicles, things like the ITS' Roadnoise, harsh suspension even in comfort, low profile tires, concern me. The ITS seems great if you live like 20 mins from work and dont take a lot of long road trips though.

It's an interesting dichotomy for me I love the car and want to keep it, but like it more as a second car. But if I had a more practical car secondary car I think id want something RWD as my sports car.

There's an ongoing discussion about this in the winter thread and I'm with you, I want to park it for winter to save it from rusting out.

If I didn't keep my Civic, I was looking at buying a $5k-$8k CRV, driving it for the winter, shining it up in the spring and seeing if I could sell it for a small profit. Rinse and repeat each winter.

 

[dreamless]

1994 Dodge Caravan AT (family car)
1984 Honda Prelude (learned manual here)
1984 Toyota Tercel 4WD wagon (dad owned, I drove often)
1965 Dodge Dart GT (slant six) (project, but I was too irresponsible)
1989 Nissan 240sx
1976 Datsun 280z
2015 Ford Fiesta ST
2019 (ND2) Mazda MX-5 RF GT (30k miles, daily driven until ITS)
2024 ITS

I've always held that I cannot own a vehicle unless it comes in manual. I have always needed something engaging to keep my focus on the road, so my entire vehicle history basically reflects that. As for the Integra, it is a breath of fresh air for daily driving. The Miata has been and always will be a vehicle I will love and appreciate for its simplicity and fun factor. I didn't even intend to own one until I laid eyes on the ND RF. However, for daily living and comfort, the ITS has it beat. The boost in power is a plus, and its styling is superb.

Always been a secret Integra fan, even if from afar. Seeing the unveiling of the yellow Integra was a bit of a let down, but damn did my tune change when the Type S was announced. Once again, I never intended to own one. I was seeking either a trade-in of the ND2 for a manual Supra, but driving one daily seemed more impractical and ridiculous. The Integra Type S is a car that just makes sense for me.

 

[Kendal0]

An update to my ITS journey...

Just completed an 1800-mile journey from central Illinois to upstate New York and back over the last 6 days. Here's what I've learned as compared to both my old 2017 BRZ and the 2014 A4 Premium that my wife dailies.

I was less fatigued after the 15-hour driving days than in either car. That was surprising as the BRZ was the best long distance car I've owned as far as driving comfort goes. But I think the increased noise in the BRZ caused more fatigue on long drives. I'm not as comfortable as the BRZ yet, but I've found what I think is the optimal seat position. Now to mark it with some tape or something. The A4 has never been comfortable for me, my hip joints hurt after about 2 hours driving.

Much better freeway cruiser than either car. I like the adaptive cruise control mostly. The occasional 'instabrakes' when cars change lanes too close or a hill pops up out of nowhere are annoying, but not enough to turn it off. I found that I needed to pay attention to the heads-up because going up or down hills, of which there were many on this route, I wouldn't notice it slow down to match someone I'd normally pass. I don't use the lane keeping unless I'm mucking about in carplay for tunes, but worked well there. Finally, my wife thought I was having a seizure due to the steering wheel shake for departure warnings.

Seats were great for me, after I found the correct bottom cushion angle to take the pressure off my butt. My wife does not appreciate the passenger seat. She felt it was both too hard and too short under her thighs. I'll see about fixing both of those with some strategic Amazon purchases.

The car's reported MPG was consistently several MPG too high. It reported 30-31 MPG while tank fill-ups report 28 MPG. Highway range was 300 to 320 miles which is still better than my bladder.

First time at night in total darkness. Found a good setting for the interior lights and dashboard was about 50% or one click under 50% brightness. Any brighter and you loose night vision and darker makes it hard to grock looking at the map quickly. Fun fact, the two light separators in the header above the rear view mirror are actually interior lights. They worked surprisingly well once out of streetlight areas. A nice touch I hadn't noticed before.

Finally, holy crap this car is far more capable than either the BRZ or the Audi! This route has a section of hills with twisty corners I've driven hundreds of times and I was going 15 mph more than in the BRZ. The BRZ is a great handling car with easy and understandable limits. At 55 mph on these roads it was starting to provide warnings like lighter steering wheel feedback to say, not much more buddy. In the ITS I was doing 70 mph and didn't know it. The ITS just carved up those corners like they were straights. My poor little Frenchie in the back was sliding all over the place in his bed. He was not impressed at all.

Still learning about the car with just under 2,900 miles on it. Very impressed.