Who made the jump from A-Spec 6MT to Type-S?

[optronix]

Great feedback everyone, very much appreciated!

I’ve never been more conflicted about a car purchase. I’ve 100% “made up my mind” one way and then the other multiple times… my current thought (as of 11/18 2:18pm EST) is A-Spec Tech 6MT.

Also consider the Civic Si. If you can get one at MSRP, it's quite possibly the best bargain enthusiast car on sale today.

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[Truemyth]

I want to play the devil's advocate and say why listen to your logical brain. You can always get a fun to drive m/t car from the used market. But what other time will there be another car like the ITS available for your fresh and new. Manual fun to drive "affordable-ish" car party could go on for a while or could be over tomorrow, look at the golf R. The look between A-Spec and ITS can't really be compared either and it's not like you can slap aftermarket parts to make it look the same.

But don't make the same mistake i made though as those were my justification to pony up the difference. I'm 100% sure I would have been plenty happy with the A-Spec. But just in case that little devil on your other shoulder is still hanging around... LOL

I do apologize if this make you question yourself again, i shared your pain.

 

[Fred 930]

I would also suggest you watch for a used CPO 2024 VW GTI with manual, and test drive it, too. VW foolishly dropped the 6MT in 2025, so only automatics are now available as new.
The Autobahn is their top optioned model, followed by the "SE" in the middle. All use the same 241 HP 2.0L turbo engine, which I suspect will be a noticeable improvement over the A-Spec 1.5L 200 HP. But both are fine cars, so it may come down to other features. I find the VW hatch especially convenient - folding down the rear seats results in a "mini-SUV" of usable space.
And both the A-Spec and GTI are considerably less expensive than the Type S.

 

[ScottE]

I want to play the devil's advocate and say why listen to your logical brain. You can always get a fun to drive m/t car from the used market. But what other time will there be another car like the ITS available for your fresh and new. Manual fun to drive "affordable-ish" car party could go on for a while or could be over tomorrow, look at the golf R. The look between A-Spec and ITS can't really be compared either and it's not like you can slap aftermarket parts to make it look the same.

But don't make the same mistake i made though as those were my justification to pony up the difference. I'm 100% sure I would have been plenty happy with the A-Spec. But just in case that little devil on your other shoulder is still hanging around... LOL

I do apologize if this make you question yourself again, i shared your pain.

So… did you chuckle and have a sheepish smirk as you pressed the “post reply” button! (Pulls pin and throws grenade…)

Ok, so you’ve hit the nail squarely on the head… your arguments are the EXACT things that little devil on my left shoulder keeps whispering into my ear!

The A-Spec is sensible, very nice, sporty ish, fun to drive, and great gas mileage. However, it is not something I can get out of and look back as I walk away thinking it’s very special. I really like the looks of the Type-S, and I would walk away from it thinking, man that thing looks bad ass.

One of my “fears” is missing out on something great. All of the videos I’ve seen people praise how well the Type-S drives. I know I would really enjoy it.

So, same day but later in the evening, I’ve flip-flopped (yet again) and convinced myself yet again that I NEED a Type-S!

let’s see what tomorrow brings… LOL

 

[ScottE]

I would also suggest you watch for a used CPO 2024 VW GTI with manual, and test drive it, too. VW foolishly dropped the 6MT in 2025, so only automatics are now available as new.
The Autobahn is their top optioned model, followed by the "SE" in the middle. All use the same 241 HP 2.0L turbo engine, which I suspect will be a noticeable improvement over the A-Spec 1.5L 200 HP. But both are fine cars, so it may come down to other features. I find the VW hatch especially convenient - folding down the rear seats results in a "mini-SUV" of usable space.
And both the A-Spec and GTI are considerably less expensive than the Type S.

Thank you for the recommendation, I’ll check it out.

 

[ScottE]

Also consider the Civic Si. If you can get one at MSRP, it's quite possibly the best bargain enthusiast car on sale today.

I considered the Civic Si, but it is missing some options I’d really like to have.

 

[Truemyth]

So… did you chuckle and have a sheepish smirk as you pressed the “post reply” button! (Pulls pin and throws grenade…)

Ok, so you’ve hit the nail squarely on the head… your arguments are the EXACT things that little devil on my left shoulder keeps whispering into my ear!

The A-Spec is sensible, very nice, sporty ish, fun to drive, and great gas mileage. However, it is not something I can get out of and look back as I walk away thinking it’s very special. I really like the looks of the Type-S, and I would walk away from it thinking, man that thing looks bad ass.

One of my “fears” is missing out on something great. All of the videos I’ve seen people praise how well the Type-S drives. I know I would really enjoy it.

So, same day but later in the evening, I’ve flip-flopped (yet again) and convinced myself yet again that I NEED a Type-S!

let’s see what tomorrow brings… LOL

I have to be honest, i did exactly as you described with the chuckle and smirk as i lobbed that grenade .

As a shady car salesman would tell you, you've worked hard all your life and you've earned the right to treat yourself to something nice.

I got an apex blue with the white interior, i don't live near a track, I take it on my 30 min commute> Is it a waste of a car, probably (Optronix would probably agree too). But and i can't tell you the satisfaction i get just simply knowing that i've treated myself and i confirm every time i get out and look back at that ITS and it's handsome face and body curves. Especially so when i get to go out for those fun drives now and then.

Obviously i assuming you're only considering things you can afford.

Best of luck to you sir!

 

[1tointegra]

I had both - no regrets 120 more HP and better brakes make me forget about everything else

2023 A-Spec Tech
2024 Type S

 

[slowcountry]

Also consider, if you save on the ASpec and decide it's not quite enough power.... you can start modding!!

 

[optronix]

Also consider, if you save on the ASpec and decide it's not quite enough power.... you can start modding!!

I would absolutely avoid this route. Nothing against folks with the A-spec who've started modding- maybe you had an A spec before the Type S came into being and didn't feel like upgrading, sure I get it- but to start with the goal of modding in mind, I think the A-spec is a terrible move because you can't spend the difference in cost between an A spec and a Type S and have equivalent performance gains. I'll die on that hill.

An A spec only makes sense if it's used in a sensible fashion. It's a great car for that- if you spend 7 out of 10 days (or more) sitting in bumper to bumper traffic, or a boring highway commute, and don't intend to engage in autocross or track days of any kind, then the A spec should be your primary target.

If you want performance, buy a Type S. Buy once, cry once.

And yes- if you're the type that just wants something special and get "the fizz" by just looking at it sitting in your driveway, then that is another indicator that the Type S is the right choice. Assuming of course you're not putting yourself in a financial bind with it. But the money will be well spent, is my point.

And also yes, since somebody called me out on it- I have a habit of voicing my opinion on this forum that people are "wasting" the potential of the car if they don't track it, or put shitty tires on it, etc. etc. Who gives a shit what I think anyway? Isn't the core essence of a car forum to voice strong, usually unsupported-by-evidence opinions anyway? Usually if I say anything like that it's in context of being annoyed by something else anyway- I'm not actually trying to "gatekeep" in any way, I just think some things (and people) are dumb. And they don't necessarily need to correlate with the topic we're discussing. TL;DR, I'm not mad at people who enjoy this car, for any reason.

Doesn't stop people from putting me on their ignore list (usually making sure they tell everyone first... ).

I miss our chats guys, I really do.

 

[4Dparadox]

I went with the A Spec because I wanted the extra amenities such as memory seats, sun roof, passenger convenience power seats, better back seat. Better gas mileage. Just has more tech convenience features.

 

[DE4Willyyyy]

I would absolutely avoid this route. Nothing against folks with the A-spec who've started modding- maybe you had an A spec before the Type S came into being and didn't feel like upgrading, sure I get it- but to start with the goal of modding in mind, I think the A-spec is a terrible move because you can't spend the difference in cost between an A spec and a Type S and have equivalent performance gains. I'll die on that hill.

An A spec only makes sense if it's used in a sensible fashion. It's a great car for that- if you spend 7 out of 10 days (or more) sitting in bumper to bumper traffic, or a boring highway commute, and don't intend to engage in autocross or track days of any kind, then the A spec should be your primary target.

If you want performance, buy a Type S. Buy once, cry once.

And yes- if you're the type that just wants something special and get "the fizz" by just looking at it sitting in your driveway, then that is another indicator that the Type S is the right choice. Assuming of course you're not putting yourself in a financial bind with it. But the money will be well spent, is my point.

And also yes, since somebody called me out on it- I have a habit of voicing my opinion on this forum that people are "wasting" the potential of the car if they don't track it, or put shitty tires on it, etc. etc. Who gives a shit what I think anyway? Isn't the core essence of a car forum to voice strong, usually unsupported-by-evidence opinions anyway? Usually if I say anything like that it's in context of being annoyed by something else anyway- I'm not actually trying to "gatekeep" in any way, I just think some things (and people) are dumb. And they don't necessarily need to correlate with the topic we're discussing. TL;DR, I'm not mad at people who enjoy this car, for any reason.

Doesn't stop people from putting me on their ignore list (usually making sure they tell everyone first... ).

I miss our chats guys, I really do.

I dunno, I feel like the A-Spec is a very solid platform for modding. sure, there isn't a lot of headroom to make power as the Type S, but if you're looking for a solid driver's car where handling and driver mechanics are in your top priorities, while being a solid daily, the A-Spec is a very, very solid option for someone who wants to work on their car.

I tend to remind people that Honda/Acura has been working and refining on the Si chassis for well over 20 years. it's not a sloppy chassis whatsoever. is it as good as a Type S/Type R? of course not. but I'd rather put a couple grand or so into suspension work and maybe an intake and/or a downpipe/catback, and a rear motor mount, and make it a canyon beast, rather than put down an extra 15 - 20k for a car that I won't be able to wring out day to day without getting some speeding tickets. hell, even an autocross beast if you decide to get some better rotors, pads, and brake fluid.

its a very modifiable platform, and has a quite a bit of aftermarket options due to sharing the same platform as the 11th gen Si.

but then again, I'm young, and therefore have a young mind. maybe im just enjoying what I have while I still have it - my mindset might be totally unreasonable and different from a lot of people on here lol

 

[optronix]

I dunno, I feel like the A-Spec is a very solid platform for modding. sure, there isn't a lot of headroom to make power as the Type S, but if you're looking for a solid driver's car where handling and driver mechanics are in your top priorities, while being a solid daily, the A-Spec is a very, very solid option for someone who wants to work on their car.

I tend to remind people that Honda/Acura has been working and refining on the Si chassis for well over 20 years. it's not a sloppy chassis whatsoever. is it as good as a Type S/Type R? of course not. but I'd rather put a couple grand or so into suspension work and maybe an intake and/or a downpipe/catback, and a rear motor mount, and make it a canyon beast, rather than put down an extra 15 - 20k for a car that I won't be able to wring out day to day without getting some speeding tickets. hell, even an autocross beast if you decide to get some better rotors, pads, and brake fluid.

its a very modifiable platform, and has a quite a bit of aftermarket options due to sharing the same platform as the 11th gen Si.

but then again, I'm young, and therefore have a young mind. maybe im just enjoying what I have while I still have it - my mindset might be totally unreasonable and different from a lot of people on here lol

Look, you're not wrong to like your car and the mods you've done to it. Again, I'm just a dude on the internet and end of the day, none of us are professionals so technically all of this discussion is subjective.

My point is that there are certain features of the Type S that honestly can't be brought to parity via the aftermarket. I could go into more details but I think you get the picture. For the $15k delta, you're starting at a place with the Type S you can never get to with the A spec no matter how much money you throw at it. I don't necessarily mean that no amount of money can make an A spec faster than a Type S- that's not what I'm talking about here. And yes in the right hands I'm sure an A spec could even embarrass me at an autocross- there's a guy in a 2019 Si that took FTD at one of the events I went to last year. So it's a perfectly capable car too...

Aside from that, I think I recall @Zygrene reviewed a modded A spec and he really liked it for canyon driving. So don't let some old dude on the Internet convince you not to like your car, or you did it wrong. It's a great car I've never denied that, it's just that things are always relative to the conversation, and I'm just a bigger fan of the Type S.

 

[ScottE]

Great discussions!!! I should have joined this forum a long time ago!

So, I’m not one for modding my cars or working on them except for detailing. Also, I like the peace of mind having the warranty despite I probably won’t need it with a Honda/Acura.

After a couple of days now I am still leaning towards the Type-S. Now considering color choices.

 

[ScottE]

I had both - no regrets 120 more HP and better brakes make me forget about everything else

2023 A-Spec Tech
2024 Type S

I appreciate your perspective. I hadn’t considered the difference with the brakes; thank you for pointing that out.

Also, your Type-S looks awesome too!

Scott

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