1990 Acura Integra GS from North America

Summary:

All around winner--thank you Acura

Faults:

Routine maintenance items only (brakes, new clutch, tires, etc.) all at appropriate intervals.

My only complaints: first, the car seemed to need a tuneup every 15,000 miles or so. However, once a knowledgeable/honest mechanic pointed that the fuel injector in number one cylinder was clogging, it was an easy (and cheap) problem to fix after that.

Second, the parking brake cable needed to be re-tightened frequently.

General Comments:

An absolute gem-- good power, great handling, terrific (~33mpg highway) mileage. Durable as all heck-- When I finally sold it (didn't want to, had to) it had 160,000 miles on it and wasn't appreciably different from the day I bought it.

Only complaints: the brakes were a little weak

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th September, 2003

1990 Acura Integra LS two door hatchback 1.8 from North America

Summary:

Most and longest bang for your buck!

Faults:

First, I would like to state that virtually all the problems I've experienced with my car are due to the owner.

My driver's side CV joint went out at 65,000 miles.

The passenger side CV joint went out at 95,000 miles.

The second replacement of the driver's side CV joint came at 120,000 miles.

The CV joint problems were accelerated due to cutting off four coils from the suspension springs. I "lowered" the car in 1994 at 50,000 miles and the vehicle's suspension is currently the same as in 1994.

I've had some major oil leaks. They occurred at around 145,000 miles and were fixed at 150,000 miles. The head gasket and oil pan were replaced. I believe much of these problems were due to poor maintenance and wild driving in an exceptionally low car.

I replaced all the belts at 145,000 miles, they were all original belts.

The master cylinder cracked at about 120,000 miles, but I never fixed it. I have been dealing with a "soft" brake ever since. I will eventually fix it.

The original engine starter had to be replaced at 145,000 miles. I should have kept the stock starter and just have it rebuilt. I've had problems with the replacement OEM starters. I again replaced the starter at 192,000 miles. The starter doesn't want to crack up after I drive excessively in hot weather. I was told the manifold exhaust heats up the adjacent starter causing it to temporarily overheat. This problem doesn't occur in the stock starters though.

The cruise control system went out at 170,000 miles.

The rear hatch window brake light cracked and eventually broke off. I replaced it for $35.

The rear window "water shooter/washer" stopped working at 75,000 miles.

General Comments:

This car is still pretty quick, but I've loss some of the response in the handling.

I recently had a MAACO paint job ($400) and my car looks pretty clean. I painted the car metallic black, the same color of the origianal paint job. The car still gets looks and my friends have complimented me on the Acura.

The interior is one of the best aspects of this car.

1. The placement of the dash is low enough to provide thorough vision throughout the front and the rear blind spots are limited.

2. The seats are sporty yet comfortable.

3. The gauges on the dash all still work and are very easy to access and locate.

4. The interior light and map lights are very bright and functional.

5. Interior space is fairly good if your like myself, under six foot tall.

Many of the parts of the car are still original.

1. The clutch is worn a bit, but still catches each gear very well.

2. The engine.

3. The transmission.

4. All rotors, front and rear.

-Basically everything under the hood is original.

I've maintained my car very poorly over ten years and 160,000 miles. I only took care of my car in the beginning of ownership and just recently about 10,000 miles ago.

A honda repair specialist said that my acura was one of the worst maintained cars he had ever seen. He repaired all the various oil leaks around my engine.

I've averaged one oil change every 6,000 miles.

I've changed the transmission oil only once in the lifetime of the car at 50,000 miles.

The radiator had been flushed only once at 70,000 miles.

The fuel filter has been changed once at 120,000 miles.

I've changed the all the brake pads twice during the life of this car.

The 1990 Acura Integra has lasted for over 190,000 miles with minimal maintenance and care. It has accompanied many friends, girlfriends, and family to a variety of cities in many states.

I haven't had to pay a car payment in nine years and I've paid $30 a month for insurance not to mention the low cost of car registration.

I'm never going to part ways with my Acura. She just has to wait for her new sister, the RSX, to come home.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st July, 2003

16th Sep 2004, 21:26

You can drive the RSX to work and grocery stores, but this Integra you have must be sooped. 1990 Acura came out with their best, the NSX. This is the same year that your car was built. When you look at the two cars, especially their interiors, you will see that they are almost clones. Honda spent a decade developing the 89 thousand dollar NSX, and when they built the Integra in the same year, they didn't want to waste a good thing so they put what they have learned in both models in 1990, duh.

11th May 2006, 22:51

Man dude, this car has been through hell. I'm about to get one myself, but I'm going to take care of it a lot better than what you talked about it. but thanks for making me make my decision on this being a good car.