1998 Honda Integra Type R review from UK and Ireland

Central Locking stopped working and needed a new solenoid at 21000 Miles.

I have had my Integra Type R for two and a half years and still absolutely adore it.

For a Honda it really does have so much character and it feels like the limited edition that it is.

It's a car that demands to be driven hard - the more you put into it, the more you will get out of it.

It's the balance between the engine and the chassis that make it such a special car to drive and own.

I have taken the car on two track days so far, I try to do one a year, and a track is where you can fully appreciate how good these cars really are.

If you are reading this because you are genuinely considering buying one then as an owner I would strongly recommend it as long as you understand and appreciate the type of car that it is.

Service intervals are 6000 miles, so be prepared to get to know your local Honda dealer very well!.

I tend to use a second car when I can for two reasons, firstly to keep the mileage down, and secondly you do need to be in the right mood to get the most out of these cars.

There is no soundproofing, the ride is very hard, at exactly 70MPH (4000RPM in 5th!) the engine has a "drummy" resonance, which is very noisy, at 80MPH it quietens and is less intrusive - Mr Plod may not sympathise though!

Talking of MR Plod, the rear wing cuts right across your view from the rear view mirror, so trying to look out for approaching police cars on the motorway is unfortunately tricky.

From a NA 1.8 engine the performance really is amazing, once the engine revs hit 6000RPM, when most engines are screaming for a gear change the Integra seriously gets going!.

The VTEC Cam Lobes opens with a jolt from 6000RPM and pulls strongly through to the 8500RPM red line, the engine noise when the VTEC is open is truly addictive and when you’re in the mood for a fast cross country drive the VTEC performance and handling come together superbly.

The engine is also truly bullet proof, for example the VTEC will not open until the Oil is up to temperature.

Make no mistake however, this is no 3 series alternative, if you are looking for a quiet, comfortable and smooth drive look elsewhere.

I respect and admire Subaru’s, however there is something quite special about extracting 190BHP from the Integra's free revving normally aspirated engine with handling to match.

The Civic Type R is a great car and will no doubt steal away some potential second hand Integra purchase’s due to it’s amazing price, however general motoring press consensus seems to be that the Civic Type R is a Marketing exercise whereby the Integra Type R was perhaps more of an engineering exercise by Honda.

If ever I come across another Integra Type R (even if its not a white one!) there is always an exchange of flashed headlights and acknowledged nods!

On one occasion I got onto the M25 at Heathrow to drive to Nottingham (a good hour and a half journey), shortly afterwards another Type R (also in White) cruised past and we stayed in Convoy all the way up the M1 taking turns to blast past one another - great fun.

If you live and drive in London I'd probably advise you to look elsewhere – maybe the Civic Type R as it is, albeit slightly, less raw, but if you can use a runabout for the boring drives to work and the supermarket, or you are blessed with great local roads and have a passion for driving I strongly suggest you try one.

Downsides are minor; -

For example the rear wash wipe doesn't have an intermittent setting, it’s either on or off which can be a pain.

Shell Optimax helps at the lower end of the rev range.

White cars with white wheels are a nightmare to keep clean.

It is a very raw and noisy car, which is not conducive to civilised and audible mobile phone conversations!

Probably the biggest downside to the Integra Type R is also its biggest upside! - On one particular outing I had an indicated 148MPH on a stretch of safe deserted motorway - The upside was I didn't get caught and the downside is that whenever I'm faced with a deserted stretch of safe motorway the temptation to open up that VTEC can be overwhelming…track days tend to cure this!

I have looked at EVO 7’s, Exige’s, Caterham’s etc, but I just can’t bring myself to part from the Integra, I just know I would miss it too much.

Insurance can be steep at group 18, but other than the 6000 mile servicing, if you keep you mileage to a sensible level running costs are very good and you genuinely do not need to bother joining a breakdown recovery company with one of these cars!.

The Integra Type R is not for everyone, but there are not many cars around that offer so much sheer driving fun!. If you love driving fast country roads and the occasional track day and if you can find one that’s for sale give it a try.