1996 Acura Integra GSR 1.8

Summary:

Rock solid reliable vehicle, and very fun to drive

Faults:

Power antenna stopped working at 150K miles.

General Comments:

This car is so much fun to drive and so quick even with 212K miles on it... I can't even imagine how fun it was when it was new!

I can't even think of one thing that I would change about the car if I could.

It is a very well-built, well engineered vehicle. I wish I could afford another just like it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th July, 2006

1996 Acura Integra GS-R

Summary:

Too bad Acura quit making the Integra, I don't like the styling of its replacement, the RSX/TSX

Faults:

In almost 10 years now, only one time has it been unreliable, last year the distributor rotor failed and left me stranded.

Had the clutch replaced at about 75K miles, the replacement is still in service now at over 180K. Interior is still in great shape at 180K. Had to have radiator replaced at about 105K. Maintenance costs at dealer can be quite high, but I have run it many miles between major services.

The only equipment which does not work perfectly at present is the alarm/key-less entry which failed a few months ago. I had to disconnect it because it would not let me turn the lights off.

General Comments:

The combination of sporty performance and great gas mileage has made this car one of the best I have ever owned.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th March, 2006

1996 Acura Integra LS 1.8

Summary:

This is the perfect car for a young couple

Faults:

Interior hardware not the best.

Cigarette lighter broke.

General Comments:

This car by far has been the most reliable, gas saving, sporty, fun car I have ever had the pleasure to drive.

The gas mileage is still 32 city and 38-40 on the highway.

For a little car it has the most amazing pick-up when needed.

The back seats are comfortable, but too small for anyone over 5'8" tall.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th November, 2005

30th Jun 2007, 03:53

40 mpg??? I didn't know integras were hybrids... I have a 96 integra where can I trade it in for a 40mpg one.

27th Nov 2011, 19:28

You drive those things properly and they'll go for a long time. I can get 40mpg on my 96 Integra, and it has an insufficient purge flow problem.

1996 Acura Integra LS 2dr coupe

Summary:

The best car I'll ever own

Faults:

The original owner had to replace the radiator because the plastic cracked.

The brake pads and back rotors had to be replaced at about 105,000 miles.

The antenna kept making weird noises. The original owner had it replaced, and I also had it replaced.

General Comments:

I loved how the car took turns.

I was rear-ended by a Blazer and my car was totaled. No one got seriously hurt even though I was stopped and the Blazer was going at least 40 mph. The insurance inspector said we were very lucky.

I'm definitely going to buy another Integra.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th June, 2005

1996 Acura Integra LS 5-speed Coupe 1.8L DOHC 4-cylinder

Summary:

The Acura Integra LS is a great coupe that offers Honda's great reliability with a sporty attitude

Faults:

The only thing wrong with the car is it's taste for running better when fed Premium octane fuel, rather than 87 octane. This is hardly a 'con', but keeping it filled with Premium makes it happier.

General Comments:

This car is fantastic. Compared to the GS-R (stock), it's not that powerful, but the true potential of even the non-VTEC engine can be unleashed with inexpensive modifications. It's a reliable car, and it's incredibly sporty while remaining economical.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th March, 2005

1996 Acura Integra LS 1.8L

Summary:

Great daily driver with a nice dose of performance

Faults:

Power antenna didn't work when I got it. It would go up, but not down. I just disconnected the power to the motor. It still picks up fine though.

The radiator was slowly leaking from around the top tank when I got it. The construction of the radiators is very cheap. Honda uses plastic tanks that are basically just glued and clipped onto the core. They will invariably leak. A replacement only cost me $140 and two hours of my time though.

The cam seal was leaking when I bought it, and I haven't bothered to replace it. It's a very slow leak. I can't figure out what possessed Honda to machine the heads with a big hole in them and then plug it up with a plastic cap.

Blower motor resistor pod burned up at 137,000 miles. I was left with only blower settings 3 & 4 on my climate control. I pulled it and fixed it myself.

Clutch master cylinder blew its seal at 140,000. The new one was $80, and it took me about 30 minutes to replace. Unfortunately it was leaking for some time before I lost my pedal, so the carpeting beneath the push rod is now soaked with hydraulic fluid.

General Comments:

All of the problems I listed are very common issues with this car and engine. Still I would say this car is very reliable. At the kind of mileage I have, that sort of stuff is inevitable with any car. Things are always going to wear out and break.

The engine is bulletproof. She'll pull to redline on a daily basis without a whimper. And even now at ~150,000 I hardly burn a drop of oil.

Power is kind of low from the non-vtec b-series engines, but she's got enough to get out of her own way. She'll wind up to 120+ MPH pretty easily. Just don't try to pass anyone beneath 3,500 RPM! If you want to get into the realm of real performance, I'd recommend the GSR or Type R trim of this car.

When I first got the car, it had a LOT of road noise which I just thought was due to the light construction, but it turns out it was my tires. I don't think Integras like Nittos. I put Yokohama AS430s on each corner, and now she's quiet as a mouse.

Handling is about as good as you can get with a FWD car. There's very little dive and understeer. You could probably almost fool yourself into believing it's RWD with the right suspension modifications. There is a lot of body roll though. But again this could easily be alleviated with the right modifications. There are actually a lot of RWD cars that this Integra will walk away from in the twisties. I have a friend with an '00 LS1 Z28, and he can't keep up with me as long as we're turning. But of course once the road straightens out, he hands me my butt on a platter. :-P.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th October, 2004