Newcomer - 2025 Integra TypeS

[TacoShop]

Hello everyone,

tl;dr version: I bought a new Integra TypeS and I'm happy to be here! I hope this is in the right spot.

I wanted to make a post to introduce myself, as seems to be the standard on car forums. I recently picked up a 2025 Integra TypeS, and I am really enjoying the car so far. I'll share my story of how I came to purchase it.

I've been a car guy since my early teens. My mom had a 2001 740i, black on black with chrome wheels. That is the car that really made me fall in love with cars. Fast forward, I went to a vocational high school and took automotive repair, went to my local community college and got an associates of applied science with a major in automotive, and worked on cars for a living for about 8.5 years. I spent approximately 2.5 years at a BMW dealership, and then a month short of six years at a Ferrari/Maserati dealer. I left the automotive industry because I realized I would never own the cars I wanted by staying in that industry. I do sometimes miss it, but I love what I do now, the pay is better, and my body appreciates me more.

I've almost always had cars that were cool (to me) and was never really just an 'a' to 'b' kind of guy. On my 18th birthday, my parents helped my buy a brand new 2007 Scion tC with a manual transmission. From there (trying to keep it short) I had a 2006 evo IX MR, then traded both in for a 2007 Mazdaspeed 3 so I could consolidate and buy a house. After I left the automotive industry, I purchased a 2009 BMW 335D, and was hooked. I sold the 335D, but now have a 2009 135i (will be for sale soon - Integra is replacing it), 2014 BMW 550i, and a 2017 328d X-Drive. In a couple of years, I'm planning on also adding a new M5 wagon to the stable.

So, why the Integra? I've always been a fan of the older Honda's and Acura's, just never owned one. I've always loved JDM styling and grew up watching Fast and Furious. I really love the way the FK8 looks, and I alllllmost bought one, but I'm not willing to pay over MSRP for a car, and at the time, I couldn't find a dealer that didn't have a markup. Fast forward a few years, got an even better paying job, moved, started a family, etc. etc. and realized I hadn't truly been into cars like I was before, even though I had cool cars. To be honest, it felt like I had lost a core part of myself, and I missed it.

I did some soul searching to try and figure out what I wanted. The FK8 was on the table, but it had been a while since I had bought a car brand new, so I wanted to prioritize that if I found something I liked. I hear the FL5 is a great car, but the looks are just so boring to me, especially when compared to the FK8 (don't kill me!). I crossed shopped a ton of stuff, even outside of the Integra competitors (and ultimately even some used); M3, M2, Elantra N, another Evo IX, Veloster N, Focus RS, and Golf, to name a few. I really wanted another BMW, and even considered picking up an M4 GTS while they're still "cheap" in the states... but ultimately decided a manual was what I needed. I may still pick up an M4 GTS as an investment in a year or two, but the M5 wagon is the priority.

After admitting to myself (reluctantly) that I just don't enjoy the way BMW manuals feel (icry!), I restarted my search and put everything back on the table. I had previously kind of written off the Integra, mainly because I was indecisive and nothing was really getting me excited. However, around the time we decided to not pull the trigger on spending $100k for a new X5 50e for my girl (she also didn't love it), I decided to get more serious for me as well. She already had an Evo X, but wanted a better daily that actually had a good sound system.

We went to a Mazda dealer in town to look at their SUV offerings, and decided to go to Acura since it was owned by the same company and was next door. Once I saw the Integra in person, my jaw nearly hit the floor. This car is GORGEOUS in person. Personally, it strikes an almost unreal balance of elegance, luxury and aggressiveness. Something I had not expected from Acura. Admittedly, I've been sleeping on them for years. They have some great looking cars now. Ironically, while we were there, my girl saw an MDX TypeS on the showroom floor, and ended up falling in love with it. I took the Integra for a test drive, and while it wasn't perfect, I liked it WAY more than I was expecting. However, I still wasn't convinced. We went home that night to sleep on it, and by the next day, my girl was convinced she wanted the MDX TypeS, pending test drive. I was still on the fence with the Integra, but my girl flat out told me, "I want you to get it".

We went back to the dealer to move forward with the MDX TypeS; Test drive, paperwork, yada yada. After the MDX test drive we were sitting with the salesman, and the sales manager came out to say hi again as we'd spoke with him the previous evening. He then asked about the Integra and asked me if I wanted to see numbers. I agreed, and figured they wouldn't be able to hit the number I had in my head, so I thought I was safe. However, he dropped the numbers in front of me, and he hit exactly what I had in mind. By that night, we were driving home in two new Acura's, both Majestic Black Pearl with Black interior, and TypeS trims. His and hers, a dream come true! Now, between us, we've got the 135i, 328d, 550i, EvoX, Integra, MDX, and a couple other less cool vehicles not worth noting here.

I plan on modding fairly heavily, but I don't want full racecar. I also plan on writing a personal review soon, mainly because I couldn't really find anyone that had gone from a BMW to an Acura/Integra that had feedback.

Looking forward to learning the platform and intermingling with y'all! Thanks for reading.

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[bouncer07]

It'd say Evo IX and the 2009 135i E82 were the cool cars out of the other 4 cars. I would also would say is that most of those cars were very troublesome and very tech worthy to own compared to the De5. Welcome to owning the FWD KING!

 

[Nivek2slick]

I would add the speed 3 was too that's a torque steer monster I had one myself but holy moly terrible on gas ...welcome to the De5 platform ...I highly recommend you join the Facebook group as well little more active imo. What's going to be your first couple of mods you think

 

[SilverRocket]

There are a few others here that made the switch from M-cars.

Personally, I've had the privilege of babysitting an E86 Z4M and while it was fun, I loved the convertible and the low end grunt was very nice, the gearbox/clutch was dogshit. I totally get what you mean. You must be enjoying the ITS 6-speed.

My conclusion is this, in an era where everyone is chasing 0-60 supremacy, and 300hp is considered paltry in a performance car, the lightness and relative rawness of the ITS (for a 2025 vehicle) is surprising to a lot of people because it goes beyond what you can read on the spec sheet.

Enjoy the car and welcome to the forum.

 

[StingertimeNC]

Had a speed 3 also. Loved that car but it was crazy torque steer for sure. Didn't even have it tuned. What a fun car though.

 

[TacoShop]

It'd say Evo IX and the 2009 135i E82 were the cool cars out of the other 4 cars. I would also would say is that most of those cars were very troublesome and very tech worthy to own compared to the De5. Welcome to owning the FWD KING!

Tbh, the 328d is probably the coolest looking one out of them all. The 5 series is still my favorite. I used to love the 1 series, but it just doesn't make me excited anymore (even with bigger turbo's and over 500 ft lbs of torque at the wheels). Also, none of them have been very troublesome at all, knock on wood. Thanks for the welcome!

I would add the speed 3 was too that's a torque steer monster I had one myself but holy moly terrible on gas ...welcome to the De5 platform ...I highly recommend you join the Facebook group as well little more active imo. What's going to be your first couple of mods you think

That's interesting tbh... I had mine tuned with full bolt on, short of exhaust work and bigger turbo. I could get ~27 mpg on the highway if I wasn't hard on it. I loved that car though. I wish I never sold it.

I would, but I don't really do social media anymore. It was always a major distraction/time suck, and wasn't adding any value. I'm considering starting an Instagram for the Integra, though.

I've already done tint all the way around and a full nose/mirror clear bra. Removed all the TypeS badges, and installed the window visors last weekend. I still have the black Amark for front and rear to go on, as well as the puddle lights, illuminated sill trim, rear cargo net, and a few other OEMs to go on it. I also bought a set of rally armor mud flaps for it. Once those are all done, I'll probably go with an intake for more noise, and a tune once I actually get some mileage on the car. It will be down for the next ~6 weeks due to a registration issue, so I'm going to take the tails, rear reflectors, and third brake light off to me smoked. I would do wheels and tires, but the wheels I want are on intergalactic back order, so I don't know if I want to order them or not yet. Also lowering springs. The list goes on... Lol.

There are a few others here that made the switch from M-cars.

Personally, I've had the privilege of babysitting an E86 Z4M and while it was fun, I loved the convertible and the low end grunt was very nice, the gearbox/clutch was dogshit. I totally get what you mean. You must be enjoying the ITS 6-speed.

My conclusion is this, in an era where everyone is chasing 0-60 supremacy, and 300hp is considered paltry in a performance car, the lightness and relative rawness of the ITS (for a 2025 vehicle) is surprising to a lot of people because it goes beyond what you can read on the spec sheet.

Enjoy the car and welcome to the forum.

Man, I loved the Z4M when it came out. That engine in that tiny car was a ton of fun. You get it though, BMW just has spongy feeling shifters and I hate it . I definitely am.

You are correct. The first time I cornered in this thing, it put a big ass smile on my face. It could be because I've gotten so used to driving the heavy BMW's around, but when it corners you can FEEL how light the car is in comparison. It's wild.

Thanks!

Had a speed 3 also. Loved that car but it was crazy torque steer for sure. Didn't even have it tuned. What a fun car though.

I agree. That's still one of my favorite cars I've ever owned. I also flogged it enough that I would just drive it around without traction control and the torque steer somehow added to the fun. I'd buy one again if I found a clean one with low miles. What year was yours?

 

[crepr12]

Congrats...My wife has a Black MDX Type S also...But drives the Hybrid Limited Taco more often...go figure..love Black but its a major pain chasing dirt...Enjoy the New rides

 

[StingertimeNC]

I agree. That's still one of my favorite cars I've ever owned. I also flogged it enough that I would just drive it around without traction control and the torque steer somehow added to the fun. I'd buy one again if I found a clean one with low miles. What year was yours?
[/QUOTE]


2010 in black. Murdered it out of course. LOL

 

[TacoShop]

Congrats...My wife has a Black MDX Type S also...But drives the Hybrid Limited Taco more often...go figure..love Black but its a major pain chasing dirt...Enjoy the New rides

Nice. Its funny how that works out. My girl just wanted something a little more luxurious to drive as her daily, so the MDX fits that bill quite nicely. Its actually kind of ironic because the MDX is an interesting comparison to the Integra when it comes to options/luxury. The MDX pretty much has everything, and while the Integra is a super fun car to drive, the MDX actually sorta feels like a better value for the money. Thats if you take "boy racer" out of the equation. I also feel the Integra is a strange middle ground, though.

2010 in black. Murdered it out of course. LOL

Nice! I had a 2009 Metropolitan grey mica. It was also blacked out, virtually as much as you can with a non black car. Dark tint, rx8 wheels powder coated black, and smoked tails. The speed was a hell of s car for the money.

 

[MERAKIAUTOWORKS]

Welcome!

-Josh

 

[Two Step Performance]

Congrats on the new ride! The Type S is a lot of fun!

 

[elh0102]

I plan on modding fairly heavily, but I don't want full racecar. I also plan on writing a personal review soon, mainly because I couldn't really find anyone that had gone from a BMW to an Acura/Integra that had feedback.

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.

 

[Krazydan19]

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.

 

[tlr3715]

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.

 

[StingertimeNC]

That sounds about right! Great driver's car!!

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