I’ve now had my Integra type S for about 10 days and I wanted to enter some comments about it. They will not be particularly organized as I've taken notes as I've gone along.



Background, I've driven and owned many sports cars, but never a FWD sports car. I mainly stick to the Hondacura world for daily drivers. Regulars here know that I currently own a NA2 NSX, AP2 S2000, and manual CTS-V wagon. This ITS replaces my RLX Sport Hybrid.



I want to get the elephant in the room out of the way, and do a comparison no one is asking for. I mean, who would compare a RLX Sport Hybrid to an ITS? This idiot right here, that’s who. I imagine that some people would ask why someone would trade in a softish luxury car like the RLX for an Integra type S. The fact is, I really enjoyed my RLX, but was so sufficiently compelled by the potential experience offered by the Integra type S that I made the leap. Unfortunately, I simply have too many cars as it is, and as a result, one of them had to go.



The RLX and ITS are obviously COMPLETELY different cars for completely different purposes . I wanted a smaller, sporty car with decent back seats. You lose nearly all of the RLX’s luxury features (memory seats, Homelink, rear seat AC vents, rear shade, passenger front power seat, 360 degree cameras, Krell sound system, quiet cabin). You keep the head up display, dual zone climate control. You gain adaptive shocks, CarPlay/Android Auto, fully digital dash, touchscreen (I am a touchscreen person), and most importantly, a manual transmission. Essentially, the ITS is a big fancy Civic hatchback. And I’m OK with that. The main features I miss from my RLX are the 360 degree cameras (necessary in that car, it's really wide, and turning radius is abysmal) and Homelink; I now have to carry a garage door opener again.


I purchased this car primarily for the driving experience, and the car has not disappointed at all in that aspect. In particular, the shifter and the handling make this car a gem.



The shifter allows nice, short, shifts. The shifting action is extremely smooth. Using my S2000 as the standard by which all manual transmissions should be judged, the Integra type S does not match it. Nothing could, in honesty. It is, however, a bit better than the shifter in my NA2 NSX, as one would expect with over 30 years of advancement. There is minor slop/looseness in the shifter, but not enough to complain about. I previously also owned a 10G Honda Accord 2.0 Sport manual, and that shifter had major slop in comparison. The Accord shifter really needed the Acuity shifter bushing setup; I never did it on the Accord, but I really should have. Because I’m still in the break in period, I have only just started shifting above 4000 RPM occasionally.



The suspension performance and the LSD combined make this the best handling front wheel drive car I have ever personally experienced. I have not yet experienced a Civic Type R, but if it is true that the handling is close to the same, it is an amazing experience. this car is so light that it is tossable in the curves. With the wide tires, grip goes on for days. People say this car doesn't feel like a FWD car. Let me tell you, as someone who has driven Hondacura FWD cars for over 30 years, it does feel like a FWD car, though the suspension and LSD mask it better than previous efforts. In addition, the car does torque steer. However, the LSD earns its keep and under normal driving, you not notice it other than on severe, sudden acceleration. I definitely miss the extra help SH-AWD gives me in the turns. In the case of the RLX Sport Hybrid, however, we lose input from the rear wheels after 74 mph, so above that, it's a big, heavy, 4300 pound FWD car. In the curves, at those speeds, I'd rather have the ITS at under 3300 pounds.



There is noticeable turbo lag. However, on the street, in the mid-range, 2k-5k rpm, there's plenty of torque. You will never feel you lack power on the street. With the windows down, you can hear induction noise, and when you let off, you hear a little "kiss" as the blowoff valve works. Sounds kinda cute LOL.



On to the interior. I have had no fit and finish issues that would have originated from the factory, and no rattles. However, one of my illuminated door sills (dealer-installed) appears to have wiring that's visible next to the lights. I'll be taking it back to the dealer for repair. Yes, I could take it apart myself and fix it, but I'll use the warranty.



Touch points are not as soft as on the RLX...not a surprise given the different missions between the two cars.



I love, love, love the touch screen. I am a touch screen person. It's easy to reach and there's no delay in response. That's all I ask.



I like that the basic climate control functions are buttons, and I still have a real volume dial. Makes driving safer when you can feel for the knobs without taking eyes off the steering wheel.



I like the nice, simple digital dash. It's a little cheap-looking, but this is a Civic-based car, so I am not particularly bothered by it.



I do not like the chiclet steering controls. They are not smooth to operate. Those should be dials like on other Acuras. I hope Acura changes that for the MMC.



Seats are fine. I'm comfortable in them for long distances. My wife likes the passenger seat. I shake my head at the lack of memory seats. I mean...really? Are there no chipsets available to do that?



Steering wheel is hard and plasticky. However, the perforated sides feel good and since I keep my hands at 9 and 3, the width of the wheel at that point is fine for my hands.



It's interesting we get a warning about checking the rear seats on hot days, image below.



I think that's about all I can think of. I'll add as I consider more. No buyer's remorse here! Attached are a few pix of daily driver duty.



Check your seats for babies

Sam’s Club haul in the hatch

First fillup


Rear sensors work

You can overlay the rear sensors on the backup camera screen

The little car in the lane keep assist screen even lights up it’s tails when you press the brakes

Spotted on the highway my first full day of ownership

Full digital dash with seat belt warning that takes forever to go away

 

Enjoy in good health!

 

You can turn off the rear seat reminder if it’s not relevant to you.

When the alert showed up, did you happen to open the rear doors before setting off? That’s the condition that will trigger it when you turn off the car.

 

Beautiful summary! Enjoy and have fun.

 

Coworker bought the Aspec in Blue, What a nice looking car. Backseat is a little small for anyone over 6ft tall.

 

Yes! I found how to turn it the settings, thanks!

Because of the swooping roofline, headroom would probably be limited for someone much over six feet. My 5’11” son fits behind me (5’10”) with no complaints, though.