Opinions on Integras and RSXs?

The real kicker is when you see someone selling a GSR on Facebook but it has a B20 swap...

I would also look at the civics of the same era.  Many of them have been swapped, the suspension is the same, and I think the lightest of the family would have been the 2 door Hatch.  Either get the CX or the HX.  I had a 1996 GSR, but the same engine in the hatch would have been a better platform.

Between the wife and I we've had 3 Integras (94 LS, 95 GSR, 99 GSR) over the course of nearly two decades.  I just sold the 99 last year so for the first time in a long time, I am Integra-less.  While my 11 WRX is better in every objective way, there is something I miss about driving those cars.  While LifeIsStout is right about the Civic hatch + GSR motor from a performance perspective (I had a 93 Si as well), I found it was hard to find swapped ones for sale I trusted.  I was using them as daily drivers so GSRs were an easy button. 

That said, we found the magic sauce for the non-vtec LS: 99-01 Civic Si transmission.  The shorter gearing totally woke that car up and had us wondering why they didn't ship them that way from the factory.  The the RS/LS/GS (non-vtec) models all came with the tallest gearing.  GSRs had shorter gearing and Type-Rs had the shortest, plus LSD and dual-cone synchros.  The transmission from that Si had the same gearing as the Type-R, but no LSD or dual-cone synchros and was a LOT cheaper.  It may not have been quite as fast at 10/10ths as the GSR, but it was about as much fun.

On the RSX, I think they're a fine choice if you just want a fun daily and don't want to modify the suspension beyond dampers and very mild springs.  If it's more than that, then everything said so far applies.

LifeIsStout said:

I would also look at the civics of the same era.  Many of them have been swapped, the suspension is the same, and I think the lightest of the family would have been the 2 door Hatch.  Either get the CX or the HX.  I had a 1996 GSR, but the same engine in the hatch would have been a better platform.

Get the VX if you can find one

I had a 2nd gen Integra sedan back in high school. That particular car was kind of a turd, but that's more of an indictment of the PO and my own lack of diagnostic abilities at the time than anything. It was a joy when it was working right, lively engine, good handling, typically great Honda shifting.

Had (I think) the first iteration of the B series motor, the B18A1, which was good for like 130. Mine was down a bunch of compression and still felt plenty peppy. The third gens got a bump to 140 hp for the non-VTEC B18B1. 2nd gen GSR was good for like 160 I think and IIRC was the first car aside from the NSX Honda offered Stateside with VTEC. 3rd gen GSR made like 170.

Don't have much experience with the RSX, but I've driven my friend's 8th gen SI a bit. It's fun, I love the K20 in it, and would probably be a better pick for a DD, just not as lively as the older cars. 

If space and money were no object, I'd love to find a clean 3rd gen GSR to hang onto and drive occasionally. Since so many of them got ruined by the F&F generation I'd imagine they might be worth something one day.

ross2004 said:

The real kicker is when you see someone selling a GSR on Facebook but it has a B20 swap...

And those sellers try placing a premium on a "DC2" vin over a DC4 vin when for the most part the cars are the same...

I would also look at the civics of the same era.  Many of them have been swapped, the suspension is the same, and I think the lightest of the family would have been the 2 door Hatch.  Either get the CX or the HX.  I had a 1996 GSR, but the same engine in the hatch would have been a better platform.

Hatches are a better platform and faster with less weight, but I still prefer the coupe body. To me its like the rabbit vs scirocco argument, I've always preferred the sportier looking coupe and have more of the creature comforts the integra has over the hatch. But it sucks when Im making the same power and they are wizzing past me at the track lol.  

I had 2001 Integra LS on a lease cheap, was a great car, never tracked it, sucked in the snow lolz. I had a ratted out 1998 Integra was riced out wasn't able to bring it back and sold it. 1993 Integra GS-r with the rare B17 highly moded made 200Hp, was a fun car but had 233,xxx miles.

I would suggest get one that hasn't been cannibalized and riced out really doesn't matter what gen.

I've got a lead on a challenge priced 98ish GS-R if anyone's interested.  Some assembly required but it comes with konis and ground controls.  225k miles or something like that but the interior is really nice if that's your bag.  In the DC area.

Furious_E said:

I had a 2nd gen Integra sedan back in high school. That particular car was kind of a turd, but that's more of an indictment of the PO and my own lack of diagnostic abilities at the time than anything. It was a joy when it was working right, lively engine, good handling, typically great Honda shifting.

Had (I think) the first iteration of the B series motor, the B18A1, which was good for like 130. Mine was down a bunch of compression and still felt plenty peppy. The third gens got a bump to 140 hp for the non-VTEC B18B1. 2nd gen GSR was good for like 160 I think and IIRC was the first car aside from the NSX Honda offered Stateside with VTEC. 3rd gen GSR made like 170.

Don't have much experience with the RSX, but I've driven my friend's 8th gen SI a bit. It's fun, I love the K20 in it, and would probably be a better pick for a DD, just not as lively as the older cars. 

If space and money were no object, I'd love to find a clean 3rd gen GSR to hang onto and drive occasionally. Since so many of them got ruined by the F&F generation I'd imagine they might be worth something one day.

 

They already are.   Look at the prices stockish GSR Integras bring on bringatrailer.  

Dc2>dc5 by a lot in my opinion.