New to me 1995 Acura Interga - 52,000 miles

[needsducktape]

So I decided to sell the Subaru Forester (Currently in my signature)
and I was really hoping to find an old car that could use a little fixin' (enough to be cheap, but nothing with its foot in the grave)

High on the wish list: Older BMWs E30, E36, foxbody mustangs my only criteria was that it had to be a manual transmission.

It was few frustrating days on CL - Mostly because every single car has been ruined with a body & wing kit, poor upkeep or DREAMERS thinking their 1994 Civic with 230,000 miles was still worth $4500 (that is not even an exaggeration)


Then a 1995 Interga popped up.
Oddly, this was my very first car I purchased with my own money after college way back in the day.
The best part was that it was with the same owner since 1997 and the listing said it had 52,000 miles ( I was VERY skeptical But the couple was in their 60s)

The car has rough body as this is the snowy north east but the interior and engine are consistent with a low mileage car. The interior is near perfect, carpet looks new, no fading etc. AC works too (bonus) and completely stock form.

Driving impressions.
After seeing the rough body I was reluctant to part ways with $3000 but when I drove it, I was sold:
Honestly the BEST manual transmission I've ever driven- Very tight short throws offering a nice rewarding "click" into gears. The only other car that has come close to this car was a 1995 M3 I owned a few years back.

I was hoping for rear wheel drive but the Integra handled so tightly, I won't miss it much. Engine was peppy (unlike civics of the same era) but not a power house, seemed to like revs. Nimble I think is the best way to describe it and the suspension was tight.

The only draw back is that there is no cruise control. I drive to NY once a month so this will be a sizable draw back.

This car took me back to my youth, so I am very happy to drive it and give it new life.

I would be happy pass along some pics to anyone that wants to post a few since I am a dummy at embedding photos...

Edit: After some haggling, I paid $2600

 

[SteveSRT8]

Seems nice, I live in FL so the body issues are not familiar to me.

But at that mileage the car can run a LONG time for ya!

 

[SLCraig]

Awesome.
The older Hondas do have amazing manual transmissions... A lot of Japanese cars from that era do..
I love the 6 speed in my SI, it just feels amazing. It alone is enough to sell someone on the car, and that is what swayed me into buying it!

Congrats to you, the Integra is a great, fun, reliable little car. Should be a good ownership experience all over again

 

[gofast182]

Congrats! Those are great cars on many levels, they are smooth, peppy, handle brilliantly, and you could fit a lot in the hatch.. My wife (then fiance) had a '97 which was such a good car. But then she got a "real" job after college and saw me with a newer car so she wanted one, too. We still miss that car and there are times we've regretted getting rid of it.

 

[eagle23]

Sounds like a sweet car!!

Suggestion re the cruise control--check for aftermarket units. Maybe even some new old-stock Acura parts to put in yours? With a NY trip monthly it might be helpful.

I suggest this in no small part because you will may become tired of the car before wearing it out

 

[JHZR2]

Nice and a good deal, we sold our rusty 94 with 186k for $3000 back in 08!

The MT is great, but HATED the clutch action and feel.

Fun little car. We ran M1 and then when PP came out, used that. Didnt use a drop during 7500 mile OCIs.

Raditors are poor, we got an all metal one which is better - the plastic they use is low quality... As are some of the other suspension, seal (and other rubber) and exhaust parts. But all fairly easy to fix.

Oil filter is in a stupid spot, but can be changed every other time if you choose.

It was a fun and nice little car. I have a set of snow tires if youre interested. Yours if you arrange getting them from me!

 

[bigt61]

Those were sweet cars back in the day. The Acura RSX was also very nice. Everything Acura makes now has zero curb appeal IMO. They lost their way a few years back and have yet to get on track. Even Hyundai and Kia have more style than Acura now.

 

[Tegger]

Originally Posted By: needsducktape
Honestly the BEST manual transmission I've ever driven- Very tight short throws offering a nice rewarding "click" into gears.

You have got to be comparing that shifter to some other FWD cars. Compared to a decent RWD shifter, the Integra's is rubbery and vague, just like the Civic that it's based on. But you do get used to it. I've had my Integra since new.

Your primary problems are going to be rust and brakes, especially the rear brakes.

 

[dparm]

This makes me miss my old GS-R! Loved that car.

 

[eljefino]

Don't hondas have rod transmission linkages, kinda rare on FWDs?

That's also from the double wishbone front end era.

You picked a nice one. Hope it doesn't rot too quick.

 

[Tegger]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
Don't hondas have rod transmission linkages, kinda rare on FWDs?

Yes, it's a rod setup. There is a rod that does the actual shifting plus a rod that acts as a "steady" strut. Still rubbery and vague, but not nearly as bad as, say, a 1991 Cavalier.

 

[garlicbreadman]

nice pick up for $2600. i have an integra too and i agree that there are very few cars out there with a better gear box. Ive driven a lot of cars and the only one i enjoyed more was a s2000.

Gathering from your post, you dont seem like one to mod cars but these cars have so much handling potential. Add a 22mm rear sway bar and you will be impressed...

I removed cruise control on mine

I still have the entire cruise control unit if you are interested. (just make sure it is compatible with your year)

 

[needsducktape]

Originally Posted By: Tegger
Originally Posted By: needsducktape
Honestly the BEST manual transmission I've ever driven- Very tight short throws offering a nice rewarding "click" into gears.

You have got to be comparing that shifter to some other FWD cars. Compared to a decent RWD shifter, the Integra's is rubbery and vague, just like the Civic that it's based on. But you do get used to it. I've had my Integra since new.

Your primary problems are going to be rust and brakes, especially the rear brakes.


I have owned 2 BMW M3s -a 1995 and a 1997 (The 95 being a more desirable car) I've also owned an E46 (2001) 325ci and while all 3 had a good solid clutch- The clutch on this Integra is much more crisp and tight going into gear. ZERO wobble and a decently short throw compared to most stock cars. I drove a 1999 civic earlier this week (103K) and it was COMPLETELY different. Loose wobbly, couldn't tell what gear I was in because it swished around if i wasn't grabbing it.

OF course RWD is a better set up, but I am speaking in terms of the effortless tight throw and click into gear (not driving/handling dynamics). It feels better than my original 4 door Integra which was a 1994 (Same generation)

 

[dparm]

The Honda B-series manual trannies are God-tier. Even my S2000's was not as good.

 

[cchase]

Originally Posted By: needsducktape

I have owned 2 BMW M3s -a 1995 and a 1997 (The 95 being a more desirable car) I've also owned an E46 (2001) 325ci and while all 3 had a good solid clutch- The clutch on this Integra is much more crisp and tight going into gear.)


Many of the more recent BMW's have mushy clutch pedals because they have a lock valve that essentially limits how quickly fluid can move. I think it's there to prevent people from popping the clutch but it also lends a mushy feel to the clutch pedal.

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: cchase
Originally Posted By: needsducktape

I have owned 2 BMW M3s -a 1995 and a 1997 (The 95 being a more desirable car) I've also owned an E46 (2001) 325ci and while all 3 had a good solid clutch- The clutch on this Integra is much more crisp and tight going into gear.)


Many of the more recent BMW's have mushy clutch pedals because they have a lock valve that essentially limits how quickly fluid can move. I think it's there to prevent people from popping the clutch but it also lends a mushy feel to the clutch pedal.



CDV (clutch delay valves) are not unique to BMW. The S2000 had it, and tons of guys removed it.

 

[needsducktape]

Originally Posted By: bigt61
Those were sweet cars back in the day. The Acura RSX was also very nice. Everything Acura makes now has zero curb appeal IMO. They lost their way a few years back and have yet to get on track. Even Hyundai and Kia have more style than Acura now.


I always thought the RSX was a little to pricey for what it was- It had some design cues from the Integra but did not capture my eye. I was hoping they would stick with a more squared off look