Throw in 0.92g of stick on the skid pad (the Civic Si only managed 0.88g) and the Type R rises to the very top rank of performance cars. This is the best-handling front-drive car Inside Line has ever tested — it just happens to be 12 years old.
Acura now offers overcomplex, overweight SUV's as the mainstay of their line. Mojo? No mojo.
Too bad it's next to impossible to own a ITR, it will be stolen.
There's simply nothing in the current Acura lineup that comes close to being as mechanically engaging as the Integra Type R (or the late, great NSX, for that matter). All-wheel drive, silken V6 engines and computer controls are still poor substitutes for a perfectly tuned chassis, a spellbinding engine and a direct connection between driver and car. When the Integra Type R was new, it was the embodiment of everything we all hoped Acura would be.If Acura ever decides to go searching for its soul, it's downstairs in Gary Robinson's parking spot.
I've been saying this for years.....best handling FWD car EVER. 2nd (and very close 2nd) is the Cobalt SS...
Quote from: rrocket on February 23, 2010, 11:51:26 pmI've been saying this for years.....best handling FWD car EVER. 2nd (and very close 2nd) is the Cobalt SS...I would give the crown to the early 90's Civic SI's. Just about perfect in my opinion.
Okay, here's a shameless plug for the '99-'00 Civic SiR. It's the evolutionary peak of the Civic line, IMO, although I may be slightly biased. I've never driven the ITR, but do have a few hot laps in one as a passenger. A very special machine - no question.
From the article:The Acura of AcurasThere's simply nothing in the current Acura lineup that comes close to being as mechanically engaging as the Integra Type R (or the late, great NSX, for that matter). All-wheel drive, silken V6 engines and computer controls are still poor substitutes for a perfectly tuned chassis, a spellbinding engine and a direct connection between driver and car. When the Integra Type R was new, it was the embodiment of everything we all hoped Acura would be.
Quote from: SiRCivic on March 04, 2010, 11:11:23 pmOkay, here's a shameless plug for the '99-'00 Civic SiR. It's the evolutionary peak of the Civic line, IMO, although I may be slightly biased. I've never driven the ITR, but do have a few hot laps in one as a passenger. A very special machine - no question.Just how closely was the Integra related with the Civic? Was it the same car underneath?
Quote from: Mattesa on March 05, 2010, 12:14:22 amQuote from: SiRCivic on March 04, 2010, 11:11:23 pmOkay, here's a shameless plug for the '99-'00 Civic SiR. It's the evolutionary peak of the Civic line, IMO, although I may be slightly biased. I've never driven the ITR, but do have a few hot laps in one as a passenger. A very special machine - no question.Just how closely was the Integra related with the Civic? Was it the same car underneath?There were some major differences, but the cars did share the same platform. Off the top of my head, the main differences were the ITR's LSD, 5-bolt hubs, quicker-ratio steering rack, stiffer suspension, and of course the 1.8L engine.All of those parts could be bolted onto the Civic, though, if a guy really wanted to. For example, my Civic happened to come from the factory with a defective clutch, and when it finally imploded into a million pieces, an ITR clutch bolted right on.
Yeah, and Acura Honda even gave it a proper helical LSD.But, even without the LSD I never had an issue with wheelspin in the corners. Well, not in the dry anyway. I'm sure having sticky rubber helps, and of course the Civic is also down about 25 HP and 15 lb*ft of torque (with the basic mods I have).The quicker rack is a huge plus - the ratio on the Civic is ridiculously slow, and replacing it with an ITR rack is very expensive. The suspension on the ITR wasn't such a big deal, as that could be easily replicated (or bettered) on the Civic with just a few mods.
