General Comments:
My review. I one day got sick of my 1994 Dodge Ram pick up W/T (No 4WD, 5 speed, No A/C), and saw an add that intrigued me. I was always a fan of the sport compact market (although its gotten alittle crazy at this point), and I test drove a 1993 300zx TT, and a 2003 WRX. I fell in love with both cars, but could not afford either. I noticed a 2000 Acura Integra GS-R coupe in the paper, and what the heck, I had the day off, so I drove 30 miles to see this car (I already test drove some cars to have some fun). Well, I hopped in, made it to the first light and stalled. I wasnt aquanted to the short throw shift in the teg coming from a full size truck. I liked the car a lot, it had small room (for 3 people), it was quick, not fast. I actually moved when I shifted into 5th gear, which the Ram could not do. I took the car out a second time by myself with no salesman. I tested the car to the best of my ability. Getting up and fast was no problem, breaking was really good, the shifter was so quick and I felt like I had complete control of the car. I returned to the dealer and purchased the 00 Acura Integra. I received a good deal on the car, but I should have been more reserved being that I am paying 66 months on the car. Insurance is a problem. I am 26 with a clean driving record and yet I am paying $1,900 a year. In two years I have experienced minor problems. Here is my list of problems:
1. This car does not like cold weather or being not garaged. I had some bad days where she didn't want to start in the cold weather (she always did after a couple of minutes though)
2. Winter driving is not the best. If you are a good driver you can easily handle the snow. I bought the car with Pirelli P6000's and they are good on dry, but awful on ice. I now have Nitto 555 Z rated tires on them and I will not use those tires on smow. Basically I've only driven this car on summer tires during winter, so I can't pass too much judgement on winter driving.
I have no other problems besides my driver side window getting stuck which is a minor problem associated with this car.
Heres the goods:
1. Acceleration is awesome. If you want to slam it you can. In 2nd gear you can max out at about 40-50 mph. I've gotten the car to almost 120mph in 4th gear.
2. Its easy to find performance parts. Want to add an easy 20 hp to the GSR, not a problem. You can add any "good" intake and exhaust anystme and likely add 15-20 hp to the teg for less than $1,000.
3. Gas mileage is good, but I don't think I've ever gotten the quoted 30 mpg. Its just too fun to let it fly to 8,100 rpm which starts to suck gas.
4. Get ready for lots of people to come up to you and ask questions. Buy some rims and an exhaust and eveyone will start to give you high fives. Everyone loves the teg.
In conclusion: If you want a car to do everything in (I moved most of my stuff in my teg with the back seats down, hatch up), buy a teg. Its such a fun and reliable car to drive. I would not recommed this car to families of more than one child. You can't beat a 1.8 L, 4 cylinder engine that puts out 170hp. Nothing like driving normal taking a turn down a country path, slamming the gas till you hit 95, downshifting to 3rd, taking a turn at 35mph, driffting, slamming it into 2nd and gunning it. Its so much fun. Its the ultimate "non-family" car.
BTW, You are a crazy man if you can redline 5th gear.
17th Apr 2005, 18:08
I'd have to agree with every thing that this guy says. The teg is an awesome car. I have a 00 GS-R with a lot done to the engine. For the price and the bang of the car its hard to beat. The car handles like a dream in the summer time. But when that V-TEC kicks in at 6k rpm (2800 in my car, when I'm racing) it sends you into another world. And that V-TEC will turn heads over your exhaust or turbos bov. Any ways great car.