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BUDGET SPEED
1994-2001
Acura Integra
We love using our
Budget Speed section to highlight the
odd, forgotten, and otherwise overlooked
bargains of the performance-car world.
But hey, what discussion of quick, affordable
stuff would be complete without talking
about the ubiquitous Acura Integra?
Practically anyone the least bit interested
in sport compacts has at least thought
about one of these upscale Hondas.
And with good
reason. It's an awesome starting point
whatever kind of kicks you're looking
for -- road racing, autocross, drag
racing, street performance, or just
plain looking cool with your buddies.
Among these fine
little machines, the1994-2001 third
generation, offers the most performance
potential. They're also easy to find,
at prices that have dropped low enough
to be affordable for anyone with a few
extra coins rolling around in their
ashtray.
Quick take
WHAT'S
COOL
Potent high-revving VTEC engines, typical
Acura refinement, aftermarket support
beaten only by that of dirt-common iron
like Camaro and Mustang.
WHAT'S
NOT SO COOL
Early (most affordable) examples tend
to have a lot of miles on 'em, many
of which were probably clicked off with
the driver's right foot planted flat
to the floor.
BEST BET
Type R coupe
SLEEPER
BARGAIN
Sedans, especially the hotter
GS-R model.
The basics
The third-generation Integra was introduced
for 1994, as a replacement for the 1990-93
version. As before, the car was offered
in two-door hatchback and four-door
sedan. Compared to the second-generation
cars, the third-gen Integra was similar
in size, with the sedan riding on a
wheelbase approximately two-inches longer
than the coupe.
The third-gen Integ
made its debut in three models -- base
RS, more posh LS, and hotter GS-R. RS
and LS Integras had a 142-hp 1.8-liter
four, carried over essentially unchanged
from the previous Integra. GS-Rs had
a new, more potent 1.8-liter that made
170 hp with the help of Honda's famed
VTEC system.
In the years that
followed, Acura shuffled Integra models
with the fickleness of a three-year-old,
with new models introduced, dropped,
then even brought back again.
YEAR-TO-YEAR CHANGES
1995
New LS Special Edition introduced --
basically the 145-hp base RS engine
combined with the cooler GS-R styling.
Also included were leather upholstery,
bigger tires, and a thicker stabilizer
bar.
1996
Not much goin' on this year -- new standard
alloys for GS-Rs, new wheel covers for
other models.
1997
Lots of model juggling. Biggest of the
changes was the midyear introduction
of the Type R. It was similar in most
respects to the GS-R, but with a hot
new 195-hp VTEC engine. Elsewhere in
the lineup, the RS sedan was dropped,
and the previous Special Edition model
got "GS" badges. Also, GS
and GS-R models got new alloy wheels.
1998
Minor trim changes were it for this
year.
1999
More model shuffling -- Type R and RS
coupes were dropped. But LS models got
some cool changes, including 15- instead
of 14-inch alloy wheels, along with
leather steering wheel and shift knob.
GS-Rs got standard leather upholstery.
2000
Type R returned to the lineup, with
the same 195-hp engine as before.
2001
Integra stayed basically the same as
the year before, awaiting the new RSX,
which would replace it for 2002.
PRICES
Average-condition
Integras newer than 1999 are still bringing
more than ten grand, and really clean
2000-01 Type Rs often fetch $20-thou
or more.
But don't let those
prices scare you. Third-gen Integras
were offered in so many models and for
enough years that there's one available
for pretty much any budget. Seasoned
1994-96 Integras can be found for as
low as a couple grand. At the same time,
there are plenty of in-between cars
in the four- to seven-thou range, most
with plenty of life left in them.
And, as we mentioned
before, don't overlook the sedans --
they offer most of the same style and
performance, at prices that are typically
a bit lower.
the
bottom line
Showing up in
an Integra won't make you the most unique
dude on the street scene, but who cares?
There's good reason why sport-compact
fans have glommed onto these feisty
machines like candy. They're a sweet
little package, offering good performance
and more refinement than most buzzy
subcompacts, at prices that won't have
you living on Ramen Noodles.
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