Newcomer - 2025 Integra TypeS

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Car preferences are just that, and you will find many opinions on favorites, as well as some occasional rationalization for a recent purchase. But I'll offer a response for what it's worth. Before giving it up, I had about 12 years of regular track events, mostly at VIR. My first car was an E46 BMW, but I also owned a C6 ZO6, Porsche Cayman and Porsche GT3. The E46 was a very well balanced car after a TCK coilover suspension with camber plates. It was beginning to show the weight gain that has steadily become more prevalent. The Cayman S was probably the best all-around street car for occasional track days. Mine was the last of the flat-6 generation. It is a marvelously well-balanced car that is very communicative. Like the M3, its power is not breathtaking, but very adequate. The ZO6 needs nothing but high temp brake fluid and pads. Compared to the Porsche cars, its feel was a bit numb, but once acclimated to it, the track performance was great. Maintaining corner traction was always a challenge, but also part of the fun. Do it right and you feel like a champ, do it wrong and you're in the weeds fast. The power felt never-ending, and was addictive. Lastly, the GT3. Mine was a used 996 series. It's the best track car of the bunch, and I'm sure the most satisfying car I'll ever own. No electronic nannies, it's up to the driver to do it right. When you do, it's about the most fun you can legally have. The sound of that motor at 8,500 rpms is like nothing I've ever driven or hope to drive again. Lap times in it and the ZO6 were very comparable, but the driving experience can't be compared.
So, all that said, how does the ITS compare? Well, it really doesn't. It's the best FWD car that I have driven, and it can be fun. But it's not the kind of serious car as the GT3 or ZO6. It is a car in which one can learn some driving skills without much risk. It is extremely forgiving of handling errors, which makes it ideal for less experienced drivers to learn some basic track skills. One almost has to try to get it out of shape, and if necessary, usually a slight throttle lift and steering correction will catch it. It offers a lot of utility as a daily driver, and for the cost, it's a good value.

Thanks for the input. Sounds like you've had a lot of fun cars too. I would agree with you that the Integra isn't a really a track monster, especially compared to the other vehicles you've had. I've never been a fan of most Porsche's myself. I don't hate on them at all, but most just don't look that good to me. However, The 997 GT3RS is definitely something I'd go after if money was no option.

It's funny you mention the vette. I try very hard not to hate on them, because I respect the fact that they are a phenomenal car for what they are, and the price point. However, I don't want the same car that everyone else has, even if it's ultimately slower. I literally see at least 2-3 vette's every time I go out. And every time I see one, I'm thankful I didn't get one. I like stuff that you don't see every day, and I feel like the Integra, especially the TypeS, hits that mark.

Welcome. Miss my evo 8. Was talking about it with my 6 year old last night….. what a machine.
I do found myself with matching type S’s also, 25 MDX and a 24 ITs both white on red.

Nice! that's awesome. My girl and I both are still very happy with our purchases.

I do miss the evo. The evo IX is one of my favorite looking cars of all time. Done up a little and it's nearly second to none. However, I didn't want a racecar, and that's exactly what an evo is. Besides, I can go rip my girls evo X if I'm in the mood for it.

Great story and thank you for sharing. Might I ask how the type S Integra feels compared to the other cars you have owned?

I took one out for a test drive just because I was curious and have an expanding family and now need to fit a car seat behind me. Wasn’t expecting much, but the handling blew me away. Like looking back I almost feel like I must have imagined it because it makes no sense.

I’ve owned two Z51 C6 corvettes, a 370z Nismo, As well as a bunch of other sports cars including my current final gen Camaro with an upgraded suspension. It’s an alpha platform and should be one of the best handling cars out there, but this Integra was better than anything I’ve driven before. The immediate reaction to steering inputs, precise steering, flat and confident handling, on rails feel in corners. … not the fastest thing in the world, but in terms of feeling when driving it unbelievable. I wondered if I had lost my mind feeling this connected to the road in a four door car… based on a Honda Civic no less.

To be honest, I liked it A LOT more than I thought I would. Yes, there's some torque steer, but I got used to it again quickly. My only gripe is I don't feel like the tires should slip on acceleration as much as they do for the HP it makes. My MS3 was nearly full bolt on and tuned and it didn't slip as much. However, I've heard the stock tires are really bad for that, so I'm hoping to change them soon.

I love the cars I do have, and while I don't think the Integra will replace them (other than the 135i that I planned on getting rid of anyhow), its still a great addition to the stable. The one thing I will say that it has on the rest of them is, in stock form, it corners like a dream. I had forgotten what it feels like to drive a light weight vehicle. It feels like it has near zero body roll on the street. If I want to go fast and look good while doing it, I jump in the 550... Sheer smiles and fun? The Integra has that for me.

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