1998 Honda Integra Type-R (JDM Import) from UK and Ireland - Comments

Torque makes a car feel a lot faster than its actually going, if you want to tow a caravan get a car with high torque, if you want pace get an integra.

I'm sorry but I think the Integra is over rated.

Torque is not about towing caravans, torque is about acceleration, it gets a car to its maximum output (bhp) quicker than a car without a lot. Integra's do perform well yes, but look at them, there is nothing to them, the engine should only take half the credit. Whats that saying? " bhp sells cars, torque wins races" I'm not saying tegs don't win some races, but not as much as people go on about. I have raced and beat Integra's, admittedly I have a scooby WRX PPP, but I can't picture an ibiza with 235 bhp or a focus ST with 240 bhp losing some how.

In a straight line the Integra is about as quick as a standard WRX Scooby; nothing in it right up to about 145mph... I should know, I've had 2 Integra Type R's and driven 2 of my friends on a regular basis, and have achieved this time and time again.

However as soon as the road gets twisty in the dry, I can EASILY pull away from said Scooby's due to much better handling; here's where the excellent handling and low weight of the car really makes it shine. And I know now there's gonna be about 500 Scooby owners saying no way no way, it's not true, but I've actually done it dozens of times in the 4 years of Honda ownership.

I will admit Scoobys have one of the nicest sounding engines around, and can produce fairly good power once the boost is raised a bit, but as for handling they suck. Oh, and I've had a 320bhp turbo Integra as well as naturally aspirated one. The turbo running a t3/t4 turbo at 5.6psi... then all Scooby's and Skylines and Evo's ate my dust on the straights too.

Remember, the Integra came out in 1996, and if you compare it to other cars that were released around the same time, the Integra was special. Even with todays hot hatches, it could keep up and still beat the majority of them. With a 0-60 time of 6.2, it's still bloody quick.

Never underestimate an integra type r, I did in my golf gti 200bhp, I raced my mate in his integra and on the straight he pulled away by about 4 car lenght, and on the twisties I couldnt keep up at all, for a 1.8 na the car is a master piece.

HMMM, I'm not convinced an Integra could out handle a Scooby, it's the only car to rival an EVO, and the Teg certainly won't out handle an EVO. Plus there is footage on youtube of a Scooby overtaking an Integra on a corner (a classic STI I think) you might have seen it. Some Scoobies do handle better than others though, for example, no way would a Teg out handle something like a P1, which matches blow for blow an EVO 6 for handling and acceleration. The Teg is known as the best handling FWD car though.

Anyone claiming the car is overrated has almost certainly never driven one. These cars are brilliant, and despite the car starting to look old it is definitely a modern classic. The straight line speed isn't really much to shout about despite being very quick but in the handling department you will not find much to rival it. The back end is easy to control and the grip is endless. Trust me this was one of the last real drivers cars. A non frills all out road racer, everything is poised and focused for the point of handling and performance. Not a good thing in some respects-the car feels harsh around towns and every bump is felt but it is all for the overall goal of being a driving enthusiasts car.

I'm pretty sure pistonheads website just did a tribute article to it, well worth a read for any people doubting it. I admit there is very little criticism for the car and maybe it is put up on a pedestal, but in my opinion it deserves to be up there.

Whats JDM? Japanese domestic model?

JDM = Japanese Domestic Market.

As for the above re Impreza P1, I've just seen a P1 outhandled by a DC2 Teg on the Nurburgring Nordschleife, similar standard drivers, P1 a fair but faster on the straights, but not as quick through the corners. But most impressive is the old Mini Clubman with a VTEC in - looks like it is actually flying when it passes.

In all honesty, if the P1 is out handled by the Integra it means the P1 could have been pushed a bit harder.

Wow guys, all of you are experts in the comment and well I just bought an Integra 1.8. .nothing to it.. no v-tec or type r... and well I wonder if I will be able to beat my friend with his Celica 03. We both are new drivers and I don't doubt that I'm a better driver but I don't know... what do you guys say?

Its not the car that matters its the driver. I own a standard dc2, and have out driven standard scoobies a number of times, but I have also been beaten by them as well.

Hi, I'm the one who did the original write up.

I still have my Integra, have had for 15 months, and it never fails to put a smile on my face.

Its interesting how often the comments on this site seem to come down to "X is faster than Y", followed by "no it isn't" kind of arguments...

My 2p worth though. With 197 bhp and 1090 kg, the Integra certainly is quite a nippy car. I've had a mate drive it who used to have a 220 bhp Ibiza FR, and he says he felt there is really very little in it for pace, with the Integra he felt doing much better than he thought particularly at higher speeds, possibly due to its "slinky" shape.

However, ultimately, I will agree, its not a rocket ship. I've been a passenger in a near 400 bhp TVR, and naturally, that was a fair bit faster, but I still didn't feel particularly short changed when coming back to the teg. In actual fact, I think the teg on full chat often feels fast because it is so raw, so low to the ground, and has a hard edged, frantic engine note.

I readily admit that it won't beat top Scoobys and Evos, but I don't think of the teg in that vein. I think of it almost more as a FWD Lotus Exige, as in it's a small coupe with a high revving NA engine. That said, I did have a play with WRX once and trust me when I say, if anything, at higher speeds I was inching away.

I also think some people here confuse handling with grip. Sure a 4WD car will have lots of traction and grip, but handling is all about how a car feels, and that is where the teg really shines. It feels like a big go-kart. Its extremely forgiving and has, when you learn how to drive it properly, seemingly almost physics defying ability on the twisties, considering it's a FWD car!

As for turbos feeling better, I totally disagree. Sure you get all that thrust and torque, but I always found with turbos, because of the low down nature of them, you often exploit the performance more often, and you get used to it and it ceases to be special after a while. With the teg, day to day you don't always go to VTEC, but when you do its much more of a treat than a turbo that's forever making itself felt. Straight line speed gets boring after a while, for most average people driving average cars, but a great soundtrack, crisp throttle response and stratospheric revving ability never do.

In the end, I too wondered whether the teg was worthy of the accolades it has received. 15-months later, its still here, and I have no plans to sell, possibly not EVER. I can honesty say if I fancy a change, I may well just save up the money and buy another car, and keep the teg. I don't think I could bear to let it go.

It's a wonderful car. Its quick, it sounds visceral, hard-edged and utterly intoxicating. It handles wonderfully. It looks great, attracts positive attention, and on top of it all, regularly achieves 30 MPG even around town, and has bullet proof reliability. What's not to like?

Totally agree with that last comment (24th June) whole-heartedly.