2000 Honda Integra Type R review from UK and Ireland

Small stone chips on the nose and bonnet. Driver seat showing signs of wear.

What a car...

Whilst at uni me and my friends use to race these things - on the playstation of course. One of them had a brother who use to take us out in his civic type R, now a couple of years later I've been lucky enough to get my hands on the real thing..

The first thing every one notices about the car is the noise, and general lack of creature comforts. If your expecting a nice comfortable 2 door coupe this is not the car for you (try a hyundai coupe or toyota celica). Infact if you've never heard of or seen an integra type-R before you should not even bother enquiring about the car. This car is about one thing, and one thing only...driving, or more accuratly driving fast.. very very fast :-)

When driving in town I rarely let the rev counter go above 3000rpm, which means I have to make 4 gear changes just to stay at 30mph. The reason I do is because of the noise. Even at 3000rpm in 2nd gear the slightest depression on the accelerator will send the VTEC engine screaming and every motorist around you stare in disapproval. Add to this fact a massive rear wing cuts right across your main rear view, and an suspension set up that will pick up every crack in the tarmac and you get a rather non-city friendly car.

But the minute I manage to get out of the city and hit the country roads I rarely let the rev counter drop below 5000rpm. This car was made by Honda to go racing, and it shows. When the engine hits the VTEC zone (around 6000rpm) all hell breaks loss. If you want to keep control of the car you better have both hands on the wheel because the rate this thing covers ground your be catching up what evers in front pretty quickly. But becareful though I absoutly love the noise of the VTEC engine spining away at 8000RPM, but am sure every police car (marked or unmarked) within a 5 mile radius will also be very keen hear that VTEC engine... whilst they are pulling you over :-O.

If you can accept the integra for what it is - road car made ready to race, and accept its shortcomings, its the best car money can buy. I commute 250miles every weekend. My previous car was a ford mondeo which did the trip with no problem, but that was the problem... all it did was transport me from A to B, a bus or train can do that too. Now every weekend becomes an adventure :-)

My only worry now is how am going to be able to replace this car. Iam only 24 and at this moment in time I cannot think of another car I would like to own or drive!!!