Why did you choose a Type S?

[ElpacoSV]

Just saw a video of savagegeese on cars and make me think...why do we all choose the type S over anything else In three market?

Let's start...for me it was a long dream of owning a Type R...an Integra Type R. Yes, I'm old enough to have seen the DC5 sold new and damn I wanted one new! 20+ years later I reach my goal.

What about you guys?

Ref:

Sponsored

 

[Tw1stedlog1k]

Manual, 4 doors, quick (enough), and a handsome car! Just an all around great package for my everyday use!

 

[optronix]

I tried keeping a 718 GTS 4.0 as a daily, but I needed 4 doors to get my 100 lb dog in. I also finally realized that a manual is a necessity for me, and it needed to have the ability to be enjoyable and "survive" on a track- I wasn't so much concerned with lap times. I'd heard about how great the FL5 was especially at the price point compared to a Porsche sports car and figured where there's smoke there's fire, but couldn't find one for MSRP. Yes I'd be paying less than half what I paid for the 718, but I couldn't reconcile forking over 10-15k just for the privilege of doing business with a given dealer. Around the same time the DE5 was announced. I joined this forum and I STALKED all available information on the DE5 from the journalist preview of the test mule to when demos started hitting dealer floors until my local dealer came through with the first non-demo car that hit their inventory.

What's had me keep the car this long and only very briefly consider moving on from it is how it looks and drives. It has exceeded all of my lofty expectations, and as I sit here now planning on buying an Emira soon, there are no plans to move off this car.

That's the first car I can realistically say that for after at least a year of ownership in probably 10+ years, maybe ever.

 

[StingertimeNC]

Yeah, this car kind of chose me. Was waiting for a Type R for about 6 months or so, then they released the ITS. Never driven either and was willing to buy the type R based on reviews alone. Dealers in NC were all getting a Demo ITS, so they encouraged me to come up and test drive it. I drove up to Raleigh for the day, saw an ITS in person and was impressed. It's really a good looking car in person. (I get constant compliments because it's pretty rare to see one.)

Test drove it and of course it felt great. Put down a 1k deposit and basically told myself whichever car comes in first is likely going to be the one.

3 months later, got a call from the Acura dealer, car was coming in if I wanted it. At that point I'd been waiting for a type R for maybe 9 months so I was just ready to do something. I don't regret it one bit. I would have been happy with either one.

Also, my first new car was a 1991 Civic hatch. I also owned a 2004 DC5. This car was like turning the clock back to the hot hatch I really wanted, but couldn't afford back in the 80's/90's.

 

[SilverRocket]

I'll try not to be "How I met your mother" lengthy but it's an interesting evolution for me.

Was from a very young age brought into the Honda family when my mom bought a Civic in 2000. It took us to Chicago and other road trips and while that thing was painfully slow, the thing could be summarized as a fishbowl go-kart. Tossable and driver visibility was unbelievable.

I inherited it and drove it from year 10-13 and after 13 years it still needed nothing but regular maintenance.

In 2013 my girlfriend had a fender bender with it, nothing serious and I drove the car with a crumpled hood for a few months. Holding my breath every time I passed a cop, I ultimately splurged once my work contract turned into a permanent position. I was deadset on a Scion FRS, drove it, loved it but being the first model year I had doubts and what killed it was seeing condensation on the inside of the tail light of the demo I drove. At this point I wasn't thinking Honda and went to the VW dealership to see a Golf. After not being thrilled I decided to walk next door to see if Honda had anything , riding on the reliability of what I had just experience. Ended up test driving an Si and despite not having the grandiose VTEC crossover of previous years, I can tell you the exact spot on the highway onramp I hit VTEC with the windows down and I was sold. A car I could enjoy and that eventually have a family to transport. Bought it, drove it, loved it.

Fast forward the FK8 was announced and now being borderline Honda fanboi, I was interested but the boyracer look ultimately kept my wallet safe.

A few years later the TLX Type-S concept came out and I loved it. I was considering putting a deposit down but again, seeing the final version, I was a bit disappointed and I also didn't want a boat of a car. This however put Acura on my radar, before hand I was firmly in the camp, why would anyone pay for an ILX when they could just get a Civic Si.

The FL5 was a strong maybe and getting an oil change at the dealership I enquired only to be told in 2022 there is already a 2-3 year waiting list.

Finally when they unveiled the ITS I was smitten. It was closer in to the concept and was based on the CTR platform, I knew I had to have it. I got lucky and found an allocation in Silver which was the only color I really wanted and now I'm enjoying driving it, doing everything I can to hopefully still be driving it in 2045.

 

[Nivek2slick]

For me my first stick shift car was an rsx and I absolutely loved it . Was all over the forums. Had to get rid of it because nobody wanted to work on it with all the custom stuff I've had done . Hated that I got rid of it . Every car I had after just never compared . Fast fwd they announce the De5 and I didn't even care the color . Told the dealer long as not white interior or black exteriors I'll take it . They surprised me had a bow waiting and loved the car ever since . Added bonus my daughter who is a toddler loves it as well and calls it dadda vroom vroom pshh

 

[FW14B]

In 90's, owned a DC2 (not in US) for 3 years but sold due to a oversea move. 4 or so years ago, bought an WRX because I wanted to get a car with MT before they are gone and it was easy to get one. There was no way to get FK8 either waiting for months or paying mark up, which did not make sense to me. WRX was a fun car to drive and enjoyed it for a few years but started to feel that the interior was a kind of cheap and I had a little concern about long term maintenance. At the time, DE5 released and become readily available. I contacted nearby dealers and one offer with MSRP with free splash guard, cabin/cargo trays and wheel locks. They waived the doc fee and matched a trade-in value of the WRX with Carmax. I signed and drove the PWP ITS next day.

 

[vovakovtun]

I spent about 1–2 years in the market while daily driving a Mk7 GTI — my first manual car. I was initially looking forward to the Mk8 GTI or Golf R, but the interior design and interface were a letdown for me. For my next car, I wanted something that was genuinely fun and engaging to drive. I considered giving up the manual, but I realized that the engagement it offers is a big part of what makes driving enjoyable for me.





With two kids, practicality was also important — but I didn’t want an SUV or anything too large. We already have an SUV in the family for longer trips and hauling duties. I was really into the new Civic Type R when it was announced — finally a cleaner design compared to the Gen 10 — but when Acura introduced their version, I was sold. The Integra Type S offered the same performance foundation with a more refined, mature look. Plus, the Acura badge passed the “wife test” since it comes off a bit more grown-up than the boy-racer image of the CTR.

 

[1derboy]

Great question!

I turned 49 last year and the bmw was getting harder and harder to get in and out of after long drives but was just so fun to drive. I figure the time has come to sell the bmw BUT only if I could find a fun car replacement.

Narrowed it down to a few cars but since I've had 4 RDX's in the last 16 years I figured I'd get the best deal from Acura so I put down my deposit for the ITS. Plus when my wife and I started dating she had an Integra and we used to drive all over town. Gas was cheap and it was our thing to drive around with good tunes on while exploring the town.

Manual and 4 doors was the selling point for me but it does help that it just looks so wickedly awesome!

 

[Spart]

Sort of a default choice. I wanted a back seat for the pup as well as something that could be used in the winter (but not necessarily as a primary vehicle) and was looking at the WRX, CTR/ITS, Golf R, CT4-V.

Subaru dealers are kind of a pain to deal with. The spec I wanted was going to end up being a tS (for the dampers) and any dealer that has one of those puts it on the showroom floor and won't let you drive it to see what the difference is in ride quality vs the standard WRX. The standard WRX ride is actually a bit harsh.

Honda dealers are the same way with all CTRs. They're on the showroom floor and you can't drive them.

Golf R with a manual was canceled for 2025, so VW is out.

I showed up at the Acura dealer and they had three ITS sitting outside on the lot and put me in one immediately. Sold, never even looked at the CT4-V.

 

[egxflash]

Sort of a default choice. I wanted a back seat for the pup as well as something that could be used in the winter (but not necessarily as a primary vehicle) and was looking at the WRX, CTR/ITS, Golf R, CT4-V.

Subaru dealers are kind of a pain to deal with. The spec I wanted was going to end up being a tS (for the dampers) and any dealer that has one of those puts it on the showroom floor and won't let you drive it to see what the difference is in ride quality vs the standard WRX. The standard WRX ride is actually a bit harsh.

Honda dealers are the same way with all CTRs. They're on the showroom floor and you can't drive them.

Golf R with a manual was canceled for 2025, so VW is out.

I showed up at the Acura dealer and they had three ITS sitting outside on the lot and put me in one immediately. Sold, never even looked at the CT4-V.

the new WRX's are so damn ugly too.

 

[Spart]

the new WRX's are so damn ugly too.

I was already looking at options online to get painted arches. The ITS is a much better looking car.

People won't want to hear this take, but the WRX is a better manual experience than the ITS out of the box. Feels more analog. I think Honda is doing too much goofy stuff with the clutch - delay valve, damper, helper spring. Plus, the powerband of the WRX with it's larger displacement and weaker turbo are closer to the characteristics of a naturally aspirated car. And there's almost no rev hang! The VB WRX is actually a joy to drive. And then the infotainment crashes ten minutes into your test drive (not a joke, actually happened to me) and you remember why Subaru might not be such a good idea.

 

[egxflash]

I was already looking at options online to get painted arches. The ITS is a much better looking car.

People won't want to hear this take, but the WRX is a better manual experience than the ITS out of the box. Feels more analog. I think Honda is doing too much goofy stuff with the clutch - delay valve, damper, helper spring. Plus, the powerband of the WRX with it's larger displacement and weaker turbo are closer to the characteristics of a naturally aspirated car. And there's almost no rev hang! The VB WRX is actually a joy to drive. And then the infotainment crashes ten minutes into your test drive (not a joke, actually happened to me) and you remember why Subaru might not be such a good idea.

The VA STi was such a good looking car to me and was actually one of the cars I considered before I picked up the DE5. At the end of the day, I wanted a new, reliable car vs chancing a used STi.

I'm sure it's a joy to drive but I didn't consider it because I couldn't get over how ugly it was to me.

Also, I feel you on the infotainment issues - my wife drives an Ascent and we have issues connecting to that carplay from time to time.

 

[PizzaGuy]

With the dawn of the EV era, I wanted one last fun car that I believed I could enjoy for a long time. It had to be practical enough for family use and have a manual and within my budget. That didn’t leave a ton of options.

But an important factor was that I wanted the car to be great. Not just good, but great. Special in its own way and something I could appreciate even ten years from now. I read so much praise for this car (and the Type R), and despite my being skeptical of FWD, it worked out, and I do really love the car.

 

[Spart]

I'm sure it's a joy to drive but I didn't consider it because I couldn't get over how ugly it was to me.

Also, I feel you on the infotainment issues - my wife drives an Ascent and we have issues connecting to that carplay from time to time.

Aeroflow Dynamics sells paint-matched flares for the VB that aren't insanely expensive, and it doesn't look quite as horrifying with them: https://www.aeroflowdynamics.com/products/2022-subaru-wrx-paint-matched-fender-flares

Unfortunately there does not seem to be a quick fix of the WRX infotainment.

The Honda infotainment system seems pretty solid. It feels dated, but in a good way. It's like they started with Ford's Sync 3 from ten years ago and just kept iterating and improving it, and speeding up the hardware.

Sponsored