To build the A-Spec I own or save the money for an ITS?

[zclemm]

Hi,
First post here after stalking for a bit. I own a 6MT 2025 A-Spec in Apex blue and love it. It was my first new car purchase ever and manual as well. I learned how to drive it and have had a blast doing some bolt on modifications over my 6 months of owning it. I've always been a car guy since I could drive and don't mind doing work to make more power or have more fun with it. Honestly my favorite memories with this car have been working on it in the shop and seeing her on the lift. As I have pieced together different mods like an AWE exhaust, PRL HVI, and a Mishimoto catch can I have begun to spend a not so insignificant amount of money in the attempts to get small bits of power and most importantly hear my engine more. Other than that I've also done other things like a ceramic coat and tint. Just basic stuff. With all that out of the way my next step in this OEM+ build is the PRL intercooler kit as well as eventually a Ktuner with a Phearable tune to finally make some power as well as get rid of the terrible rev hang i've been experiencing. I just have one reservation before continuing to invest which is just if spending another 3-5 thousand dollars to finish out the build how I want is worth it over just stopping and waiting a while to be able to afford to trade it in for a type S.

TLDR: I love my Aspec but as I spend more money as I go I just think the grass may be greener with a type S. I also am super reluctant to lose my factory warranty with regard to doing a simple tune like a stage 1.5 from phearable.

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[slowcountry]

Since you have the MT I fear you may enjoy doing the same thing to the type s more. If I finish my next round of mods (turbo and suspension) i'll be at about the same cost as a type s for (still) less car.

That said, the fully modded Aspec is indeed super fun. If you're hungry for power and can upgrade to the ITS.. would say that's the move.

May part mine out some day if I get more comfortable with a MT, but happy for now.

 

[zclemm]

Since you have the MT I fear you may enjoy doing the same thing to the type s more. If I finish my next round of mods (turbo and suspension) i'll be at about the same cost as a type s for (still) less car.

That said, the fully modded Aspec is indeed super fun. If you're hungry for power and can upgrade to the ITS.. would say that's the move.

May part mine out some day if I get more comfortable with a MT, but happy for now.

I think a significant amount of the fun that came with the car has been modding it and making it mine. Honestly I think having the experience of doing a build on this platform for a little less than a stock type S may be what I'd prefer. I'm not out here trying to build a car I can take to the track, mostly just have fun and enjoy some spirited driving on occasion. Definitely been looking at your build thread plotting some ideas for my next step in my build.. The ITS is super sweet but I love my car too.

 

[ChromaPop]

I would guess as far as resale value goes if you care about that, the ITS will give you a much better return than all the money you spent on a modded A Spec.

 

[vovakovtun]

I would go for Type S. It’s already ahead of A spec in terms of performance. I actually try to keep mine stock as I think it’s already a good package. I did add some comfort features. Folding mirrors, rear vents. Homelink mirror. Performance I am not going to touch as I think it’s already good at that. Maybe an intake for some noises. Plus I don’t want to throw more money at it as I won’t get it back.
I would always go for a highest spec car, as others have mentioned it resells better. Plus any mods you add don’t add any value to the car. And I don’t feel like going back uninstalling them and try to sell them to someone.

 

[DK 24LC ITS]

I've found diminishing marginal returns with mods. Had a legacy 3.6R I built the hell out of. At the end I made it too rough and too loud, but I loved it otherwise. Finally parted ways with it for the Type S recently and I don't regret it at all.

Doing the sway bars on the subie added a huge difference in handling and was cheap. Coilovers were marginally better and expensive and being lowered was awesome till I hit things...

Axle back was fun and cheap. Fully custom exhaust and high flow cats added expense and issues.

You see the pattern ... A little goes a long way and then you go too far.

Type S is my vote, but I'm in my honeymoon phase and my first track day is next weekend so stay tuned...

 

[boosted180sx]

Get the Type S.
It is a much better car.

 

[optronix]

I don't want to sound like I don't like the base Integra. But from a performance perspective it is an absolute no-brainer.

The Type S benefits from all the same engineering that went into the Civic Type R, which as we all know was the fastest front wheel drive car around the Nurburgring ever*.

*literally as of yesterday, VW built a "special" GTI that isn't sold in the US that is now a couple tenths faster.

In any case, it's legit race bred engineering that went into the Type S. You're not gonna get that with bolt-on parts from PRL.

And the best part? You can still bolt on parts from PRL on the Type S if you so choose.

 

[Skinny]

+1 on the type S. I bought a 25' SI new and traded it in for an ITS after 6 months. Felt like it just makes more sense to blow money on upgrades for the type S over the SI. Pretty much same boat as you. I bet you will love driving the ITS so much more

 

[Baozzer]

I often calculate all the things i've done to my aspec and say yeah should have gotten a type S. But to be fair i prob would dump equal money into the type s as well making it even more pricey

 

[zclemm]

I appreciate all your replies! Looking at getting a certified pre-owned now. Just gotta make sure I can fully afford it. Will update eventually, hopefully with sweet pics of a 24' ITS.

 

[DK 24LC ITS]

Had my first track day today with the ITS....wow I was not ready for how good this thing would be completely stock. The previous owner even put all seasons on it and it still had no problem keeping up with most of the cars in the intermediate group.

I'm super happy bought this car! The back brakes are gone, but that's because I didn't want to turn off stability control on my first day. Ordered some CSG pads as soon as I got home. Fresh fluid and pads I'll go out again just like this....stock alignment, all season tires. What a freaking blast. Temps were perfect, no issue with braking, just used up the pads.

No regrets!

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