What we liked:
>> Loud and potent exhaust note
>> responsive throttle and engine
>> tenacious grip
- a true sports coupe
What we didn't:
>> sporty ride and loud exhaust can become annoying on longer trips
Score: 8.9/10
It has no right to be quicker point to point than a front engined, rear drive coupe like the 200SX, but it is. It has no right to take you along your favourite twisty bit with all the aggression and attack of Arnie on a steroid binge, but it does. It has no right to be thrown into tight curves faster and faster and still be able to get the power down through the front wheels, but it does.
There's no obvious reason why the Honda Integra Type R should be better than the WRX or the 200SX on paper, but in the flesh - it is.
When you slide into those bucket seats behind the chunky, small diameter sports wheel and turn the key, you're surrounded by promises.
The potential of the Type R is advertised everywhere, from the massive rear wing which blocks your rear view, to the aluminium gearknob and drilled alloy pedals you slide your feet onto. It's not until you hit the road that the promises are fulfilled - with interest.
CarPoint had the chance to spend a week with the Integra Type R in Sydney recently, the third time we've sampled its delights. The first time was way back in October of 1999, when we tested one of the first Type Rs off the boat from Japan. Writing for Wheels magazine at the time, we said:
"If you like driving, the Integra Type R is the most fun you can have for under $40K.
"Race bred suspension and brakes match the V-tec (engine) heaven to create one of the best handling front drive cars around. But it's too focused for a daily driver, even though we've tried to convince ourselves otherwise."
And we're sorry to say that we still find the Type R just too focused to make it as a daily driver. To be fair we gave it every chance, barely letting it sit long enough in the driveway to cool down between trips. We even did the shopping with it, and discovered one of the most cavernous boots we've ever seen in a small car.
The Type R we drove this time came with bright yellow sports seats to match the yellow exterior - an update for model year 2001. So if the car's appearance wasn't screaming sporty before, it sure is now. By the way, the red version of the Type R gets black seats while the white and black versions get red front seats. Make sense? 'Course it does.
Anyway, perhaps your tolerance levels are higher than mine, perhaps the Integra Type R would suit you as a daily driver. If so, then you're purchasing arguably the quickest, most capable sportscar in Australia under $50,000. Again we failed to convince ourselves that we could live with the Type R day to day. But it's testament to how truly brilliant the Integra Type R is, that we again tried to convince ourselves otherwise.