[Bandit009]

I test drove an Acura ITS tonight. Miss driving a stick and the reviews on the ITS are all so good. The transmission and road feel are amazing. The dealer really let me go for a good ride. The paint quality and interior details clearly below the 240i. But, the burbles, steering input shifter, and brakes were glorious. My God!

Dealer has a few on the lot and said they will give me a good deal. Thinking hard about this.

[AudiDad]

Sorry to ask but what is an “ ITS “ as I couldn’t find it online.

[hxrly]

You might want to specify it's an Integra Type-S, not many people know what ITS means outside of their own forums/groups.

BTW, I wouldn't hesitate, it's a great car. In my case I need to compromise with an auto transmission and I'm done with FWD for a while.

[MPR]

If you need to have a manual then go for it. I personally love the ZF auto after driving nothing but manuals for ~25 years. I would have a hard time giving up the B58 and paying over $50K for a Honda/Acura. The M240 overall is just awesome for a daily. If the integra had more power and available for $40K then maybe it would be a different story.

[Bandit009]

Originally Posted by hxrly

You might want to specify it's an Integra Type-S, not many people know what ITS means outside of their own forums/groups.

BTW, I wouldn't hesitate, it's a great car. In my case I need to compromise with an auto transmission and I'm done with FWD for a while.

Originally Posted by MPR

If you need to have a manual then go for it. I personally love the ZF auto after driving nothing but manuals for ~25 years. I would have a hard time giving up the B58 and paying over $50K for a Honda/Acura. The M240 overall is just awesome for a daily. If the integra had more power and available for $40K then maybe it would be a different story.

Very much agree with you about the price. I would really have to get a deal. With that said, the Integra Type S (ITS) is the best manual I have driven. FANTASTIC. Steering input and on center feel much more natural to me than the M240i and that’s important for me. The M240i steering is so numb. I have never grown use to it. The brakes on the ITS are amazing. Slightly better braking results for the ITS in C&D’s review and better skid pad result of 1.02 for the ITS. The M240i trounces the ITS off the line. However, in real world driving I don’t think you notice the difference enough. The ITS feels fast and also feels much lighter. Hence, it just feels more connected and natural. I would look at an M2 for a manual, but weight and numb steering will still be there.

Anyway, the M240i and the ZF are great. I don’t think I would be looking if the M240i weighed less and had more connected steerring feel.

Thanks for input! Love this forum!

[hxrly]

In Florida it makes sense to own a Type-S since you don't get freezing temperatures and FWD works year-round. It's basically a grown up Honda Type-R, without much of an added weight penalty. It's going to hold its value better than the BMW and among enthusiasts it's just as unique and sought after.

Again, I wouldn't hesitate. I'll be moving to an area that freezes in winter and was ready to buy a Golf R, but they were near impossible to find without ridiculous markups. The M240i was an easy alternative and it's grown up in me a lot.

[Bandit009]

Originally Posted by hxrly

In Florida it makes sense to own a Type-S since you don't get freezing temperatures and FWD works year-round. It's basically a grown up Honda Type-R, without much of an added weight penalty. It's going to hold its value better than the BMW and among enthusiasts it's just as unique and sought after.

Again, I wouldn't hesitate. I'll be moving to an area that freezes in winter and was ready to buy a Golf R, but they were near impossible to find without ridiculous markups. The M240i was an easy alternative and it's grown up in me a lot.

I looked at the Supra but it’s too small for me. Hard to find a manual and a modern car that still offers road feel. I would have to move up to a porsche and I don’t really want to spend the extra money for that experience.

The M240i is much better optioned and better interior by far. But, dang the Type S is so engaging. Smiles for days!

[Red_sir]

I got to drive my friend's FL5 Type R yesterday. It's a very nice and special car. I assume the ITS is too. You can't go wrong either way OP, both cars are amazing but different. Personally I don't think I will trade in my 22' M240i for one because I would have to put a fair bit of money on top. If money wasn't an issue I prob would go for it. The ITS will hold it's value very well so if it doesn't work out getting rid of it will be no problem.

[Ricochet48]

I fully appreciate the ITS experience as I've been driving a RSX-S for nearly 20 years now (just 52k original miles actually). It's very analogue and 'engaging'.

Overall the ITS is not a solid value to me. When it was first released, I posted a survey on the facebook group to guess the price. Literally nobody guessed it would have such a premium over the CTR. For comparison, it's much cheaper in Canada even (the US gets ripped off).

Acura is trying to cash in on a very niche group that NEEDS a 6MT as well as lots of space in the rear and even more hatch space. If that's you, go for it, but most would prefer the M240i(x) for nearly the same price.

Modern autos like the ZF8 are fine to me now (unlike when I bought the RSX-S in 2005). Additionally, the rear seats in the BMW are bigger than my DC5, so the extra space in the ITS is of little value to me. AWD is important to me as it snows here in Chicago as well.

Overall I feel the biggest issue the ITS has is that it's very clearly a Civic+. When the RSX was out, the EP3 and Civic Si had much worse interiors, now the ITS is 95% the same as a $30K base Civic on the inside (with a worse screen than the Accord even). The base Integra looks pretty terrible to me and although the ITS is much more aggressive, I would hate explaining to everyone that it's not their grandma's base Integra auto.

The M240i has the perfect balance of utility (more than the Supra, less than the ITS / M340i), decent luxury, performance, and solid pricing (still not sure how it's $8K less than the M340i that just has 2 more doors).

[Bandit009]

Originally Posted by Red_sir

I got to drive my friend's FL5 Type R yesterday. It's a very nice and special car. I assume the ITS is too. You can't go wrong either way OP, both cars are amazing but different. Personally I don't think I will trade in my 22' M240i for one because I would have to put a fair bit of money on top. If money wasn't an issue I prob would go for it. The ITS will hold it's value very well so if it doesn't work out getting rid of it will be no problem.

Agreed on the trade in challenges. I won’t do this deal unless the dealer really steps up. They’re texting me like crazy to come in and that they will stretch to make a month end deal happen.

I basically don’t want to come out of pocket at all. LOL. I only have 8k miles on my 2023 M240i.

But, I keep thinking about that test drive. So much fun!

[Coconut]

You can also consider getting a 2nd pure manual fun car like a Miata which arguably has better manual driving characteristics than an Integra Type S.

[Bandit009]

Originally Posted by Coconut

You can also consider getting a 2nd pure manual fun car like a Miata which arguably has better manual driving characteristics than an Integra Type S.

Sadly no room for a second car, otherwise I would’ve kept the e46 ZHP I auctiioned on BaT. 😩

The Acura ITS was ranked a 10 out of 10 by C&D and the reviewer on Smokingtire couldn’t think of another thing he could tell to Acura to improve the car. It’s a very fun car to drive. Viseral.

I will continue to think about it. No pressure on my end. I already have a great car in the M240i. 😎

[Littlecoupe]

I don't recall your tolerance for rattles and noises (I think you had a few comments about the M240i). I suspect the ITS may be worse in that regard. Just do a search about "Integra Type S Rattle," there are a TON of threads in various places, and supposedly Acura techs reporting many complaints.

I love a great driving car too, but personally that alone would have me write off the possibility of owning one.

To be fair, I think most modern cars have gotten both better at being quiet and worse for making noises obvious. Back when cars were really soft, fewer things rattled because the suspension and huge tire sidewalls would soak up bumps. The build quality was likely worse overall. Now, most modern (sporty) cars are quite stiff, and the noise isolation makes rattles much more obvious. So buying a car based on what doesn't rattle may be a losing battle.

[Bandit009]

Originally Posted by Littlecoupe

I don't recall your tolerance for rattles and noises (I think you had a few comments about the M240i). I suspect the ITS may be worse in that regard. Just do a search about "Integra Type S Rattle," there are a TON of threads in various places, and supposedly Acura techs reporting many complaints.

I love a great driving car too, but personally that alone would have me write off the possibility of owning one.

To be fair, I think most modern cars have gotten both better at being quiet and worse for making noises obvious. Back when cars were really soft, fewer things rattled because the suspension and huge tire sidewalls would soak up bumps. The build quality was likely worse overall. Now, most modern (sporty) cars are quite stiff, and the noise isolation makes rattles much more obvious. So buying a car based on what doesn't rattle may be a losing battle.

Good point on the rattles. I have been reading up on reddit and Acura forums. Def seems to be an issue. I have some things with M240i. Can’t drive in Sport dampening because of “ball rolling in a box” sound drives me nuts and I have a “creak” in the dash. Grow use to that.

I will continue to research.

[Bandit009]

Took a pass on the Acura. Did another test drive. First, fit and finish and features much below what I have currently. Same for the sound system. Also, the torque steer is noticable. Great for a FWD, but I don’t want to feel torque steer. The manual transmission is amazing, but serious rev hang. At the end of the day, can’t give up what I have already. Better fit & finish, more features and the B58 & ZF are fierce. Just didn’t make sense.

[Littlecoupe]

Originally Posted by Bandit009

Took a pass on the Acura. Did another test drive. First, fit and finish and features much below what I have currently. Same for the sound system. Also, the torque steer is noticable. Great for a FWD, but I don’t want to feel torque steer. The manual transmission is amazing, but serious rev hang. At the end of the day, can’t give up what I have already. Better fit & finish, more features and the B58 & ZF are fierce. Just didn’t make sense.

Did the Acura you drove have the ELS audio? I heard really good things about it on the TLX and RDX, but not so much the Integra. I've been wanting to hear it, just to know. I'm guessing they cheaped out on the audio in the Integra. The fact you say it's worse than ours (I assume you have HK), that's saying something because I don't consider our HK system that great. Just decent.

[koopa]

Originally Posted by Bandit009

Took a pass on the Acura. Did another test drive. First, fit and finish and features much below what I have currently. Same for the sound system. Also, the torque steer is noticable. Great for a FWD, but I don’t want to feel torque steer. The manual transmission is amazing, but serious rev hang. At the end of the day, can’t give up what I have already. Better fit & finish, more features and the B58 & ZF are fierce. Just didn’t make sense.

Not surprised to read this. It's really tough to go to FWD after driving RWD based platforms. My first car was RWD and that doomed basically every FWD vehicle I've ever tried.

[Blue Spruce]

Originally Posted by Bandit009

The manual transmission is amazing, but serious rev hang.

It's an issue with modern cars where it might have a good manual transmission but it's ruined by either excessive rev hang, poor throttle mapping, poor clutch feel (helper spring rate too high), skip shift, etc. I'd rather have the ZF8 than deal with a shitty clutch pedal.

[Bandit009]

Originally Posted by Littlecoupe

Did the Acura you drove have the ELS audio? I heard really good things about it on the TLX and RDX, but not so much the Integra. I've been wanting to hear it, just to know. I'm guessing they cheaped out on the audio in the Integra. The fact you say it's worse than ours (I assume you have HK), that's saying something because I don't consider our HK system that great. Just decent.

It had the ELS. The bass was obnoxious even on the lowest level. The hatchback vibrated on the lowest level of bass. I think the ELS as mentioned in the online reviews is getting too much praise. IMO it was much worse than the sound system in my BMW. I have the upgraded HK that was an option.

[Bandit009]

Well, I ended up getting a Civic Type R. $1.5k over invoice. Like it so much better than the Acura. Doors “thunk” nicely when closing which was not the case with Acura. Interior more purposeful. Love the honeycomb across the entire dash. Radio is fine especially paired to my phone and Amazon HD. Steering feel, weight, brakes, shift linkage all amazing. Front seats amazing as well. Not for everyone… I get that. AGot it in Championship White. They threw in floor mats and Type R logo’d cargo mat.

Road noise is much more apparent than in the M240i. Not a surprise. The engine noises are awesome. The damping is stiff. Fine for me so far in Comfort. If need be I can replace the damping module with the Acura one. $213 on sale now. 10 min. install.

Overall, to me the Type R is a more special package than the Acura and when I sat in it I knew yea this is it.

Lastly, back seat usability is better in the Type R as the roof doesn’t slope down like the Acura.

Appreciate everyone in this forum! Great members and very knowledgeable!

Best of luck with your M240s/230s! I really enjoyed mine, but I greatly missed a manual so here I am!

[Red_sir]

Nice, enjoy! Very cool car. Hope you got a decent deal on the trade in.

[oldbmwtech]

Originally Posted by Bandit009

Well, I ended up getting a Civic Type R. $1.5k over invoice. Like it so much better than the Acura. Doors “thunk” nicely when closing which was not the case with Acura. Interior more purposeful. Love the honeycomb across the entire dash. Radio is fine especially paired to my phone and Amazon HD. Steering feel, weight, brakes, shift linkage all amazing. Front seats amazing as well. Not for everyone… I get that. AGot it in Championship White. They threw in floor mats and Type R logo’d cargo mat.

Road noise is much more apparent than in the M240i. Not a surprise. The engine noises are awesome. The damping is stiff. Fine for me so far in Comfort. If need be I can replace the damping module with the Acura one. $213 on sale now. 10 min. install.

Overall, to me the Type R is a more special package than the Acura and when I sat in it I knew yea this is it.

Lastly, back seat usability is better in the Type R as the roof doesn’t slope down like the Acura.

Appreciate everyone in this forum! Great members and very knowledgeable!

Best of luck with your M240s/230s! I really enjoyed mine, but I greatly missed a manual so here I am!

Finely pricing these Type R correctly. Was going to buy one but the dealers here wanted 10k+ over sticker. Contracts on your new car like the Championship White. Might be my next car in a year or two.