Hi all,
I have a question for you type R owners. I have always wanted a type R since 1999 however I've been stuck with a GSR for the past 5 yrs. I like the GSR and have modded it to my liking, but I am growing tired of driving a modded car around. Not to mention I feel a little embarrased when I pull into the parking lot at work. Plus if I unmod the GSR I will lose the performance I have gained.
Well now I am able to afford an R, however the dilema is for me to go ahead and try to purchase the car I've wanted for so long, or wait a few more years and purchase something newer and with a warranty like an M3, 350z or STI.

I was trying to wait and see if the DC-5 type R would be better than the DC2 but it seems as though it is about the same. Plus I like the body style of the DC2 better.

So here are my questions.
Should I go ahead and purchase a DC2-R with moderatly high mileage or wait a few years and buy something newer and faster with lower mileage?

I plan to buy a Type R as close to stock and not mod it.
Is the handling on this car, stock really all its cracked up to be?
Is the handling comprable to that of a stock M3, 350z or STI?

Do you all always have other modded or unmodded cars try to race you when making your normal commutes? So is it somewhat annoying owning a Type R b/c everyone tries to race you?

Any advice, insight you guys have is appreciated!

 

Have you ever been on a road course with your gsr?
If not try it out before you make any decisions, and see if you can get a ride in an R at the same track, maybe the guy would be happy to take you out.??

I say try to get a ride in one or drive one if you can hook it up with a friend.
there is nothing like first hand experience.
also getting a ride in the other cars you mentioned would help too.

 

Going from a gsr to an itr is a night-and-day difference.

Yes, the handling of the R is all that it's cracked up to be.

I don't think the 350, M3, or STi will ever feel as nimble or agile as the ITR.

No one ever tries to race me, but I guess that will depend on where you live.

Why are you embarrassed to pull your gsr around the parking lot at your work? Are you a ricer with ricer mods?

 

why would you getting a ITR make it any less embarassing pulling into work?? GSR and ITR look relatively similar except a few exterior enhancements. anyway, i would not get the ITR unless you plan to track it or autox it. i personally don't think it's worth the risk for it to be a daily driver only.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nightrider &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">why would you getting a ITR make it any less embarassing pulling into work?? GSR and ITR look relatively similar except a few exterior enhancements. anyway, i would not get the ITR unless you plan to track it or autox it. i personally don't think it's worth the risk for it to be a daily driver only. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Actually, I think an ITR would be far more worth it if you could daily drive it without having to worry about it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by thk &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Actually, I think an ITR would be far more worth it if you could daily drive it without having to worry about it.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Very true, but that's not the case. It's almost not worth the risk.

 

Ahh yes the GS-R to ITR move. I've made that one myself. My GS-R only had the V-2 intake and Apexi N-1 catback. My R is bone stock. I drive mine everyday and wouldn't have it any other way. I think the R definitely out handles the GS-R but it really depends on what your after. If it's just because it's a Type-R don't do it. After all you have the same basic body style. You need to take into consideration the insurance, theift rates and payments. Just weigh out the pro's and cons and see what you like. Definitely drive one though you will notice a BIG difference.

 

Thanks for the replies guys!

No my GSR isn't riced out. I am not sure why I feel embarrased but maybe its because the exhaust is pretty loud(greddy pe) and just the overall appearance just doesn't look professional to me (Its lowered on some 15"koseis with WW RS lip and Type R wing, with greddy pe catback). The other mods are not visible unless you pop the hood haha
It just feels awkward getting out of a modded car in business attire.

But you're right I guess it would feel the same in the ITR.
Like I said I do not want to unmod the car because I'd lose performance.
The Type R looks cool stock and would be relatively quiet with better performance

I got an insurance quote and it would only be $200 more and that is with the GSR and Type R covered. I would use the GSR as the primary car and the Type R as the secondary car(yeah right )

There aren't many type R owners around me (Chapel Hill,NC). I drove one about 4 years ago, but I don't really remember much except for it sounded like it already had a i/h/e eventhough it was stock.

So anyone else have opinions on the handling of the R compared to the M3,350z or STI. Please tell me the handling/performance of the R is comprable to these cars?!

Anyone near Chapel Hill, NC want to take me for a ride in their type R? haha

 

Business attire?

What line of work are you in that you're that self-concious about your car? I will admit that if I went into real estate, the ITR would be a horrible means of transportation.

I'm in Raleigh. PM me if you're thinking of getting into autocross (thscc.com).

 

A stock ITR does not necessarily handle "better" than a modded GS-R.

[b]HOWEVER,[/p] the balance of the car is extremely good. So, even if a stock ITR might not have a higher g value than a modded GS-R's, but an ITR communicates 10x better than a GSR. It tells you when you're about to break lose. It tells you when to push & when you're at the limit.

In otherwise, an ITR handles telepathically to your command and it communicate back to you.

A GS-R doesn't have that direct feel.

And, yes, I've owned & driven both.

p.s. ITR has amazing brake system. One of the best out there in all automotive industry.

 

I went from a stock 00 si to the R and it was night and day. the handling stock truly is amazing. also the stock exhaust has a nice
low tone. If you can get a type R you will never regret it. of course get plenty of layers
of security and you will be fine. one last thing
a type r is a honda and a well taken care of car with higher milage can be as reliable as a new bmw,350z or sti. :-)

 

dont get me wrong...i love my integra to death.. i have a 2001 gsr with modifications. i too wanted a type r but stayed away because of the outrageous price and high compression. a 2001 type r with 30,000 goes for 23,000 grand around me. i picked up a 2001 gsr with 36,000 for 17. with that six grand, i will hand a type r's *** to him, all day long. if you really are debating between a 2001 type r and a 2005 m3...then get your screws tightened. your comparing hersheys to godiva....a 300hp..sport tuned luxury sports car...with warranty...anyday.

im never getting rid of my 2001 gsr tho....not ever

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Lonerider &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> It just feels awkward getting out of a modded car in business attire.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I do it everyday. I love the reaction I get. Being 27, I guess it doesn't bother because I still feel 18.

I've driven all three of the cars you mentioned(being in the car business gives my that luxury, I guess) and the only one I really enjoyed was the STi. I don't think ANY car really compares to ITR. It's kinda in a league of it's own as far as chassis rigidity and nimbleness. Find an ITR at a car lot and take it for a boot. I've loved the ITR since '97 and never drove one until I bought mine a year ago. Honestly, it was everything I had hoped it would be and surprises me everytime I take it out for a drive.

 

modifying cars....a hobby...a way of life for some like me....i cant wait till i can get out of my car in a suite and tie with a fully tricked car....saved money than buiying a stock 50,000 m3....and would smoke on when im done too

 

If you really been wanting it for so long, then go ahead and get it, you only live once.

 

Modified by ITR0952 at 4:10 PM 10/27/2004

 

Go for a new S2000. I see a lot suites driving them in Germany. Plus you would have the warranty. I miss the fun of a RWD car sometimes.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by thk &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Actually, I think an ITR would be far more worth it if you could daily drive it without having to worry about it.</TD></TR></TABLE>

i meant in the sense of theft.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Cod Sac &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Go for a new S2000. I see a lot suites driving them in Germany. Plus you would have the warranty. I miss the fun of a RWD car sometimes.</TD></TR></TABLE>

haha the s2000 is nice car, I never really thought about owning one of those. It's seems sort of feminine to me(no offense to anyone who owns one)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ITR 2K &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If you really been wanting it for so long, then go ahead and get it, you only live once.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thats a good point!

Utilitarian, my LOB is health care(biostatistician) but I think the reason I feel awkward is because everyone at my job is older than me. haha
Thats cool you're in Raleigh, perhaps I'll contact you about the autocrossing.

thanks again guys for your input, any more opinions, advice is welcomed!

 

I recenty bought a 2000 Type R about 2 months ago. so I know what you are going through. I wanted this call since I first heard about 5 years ago. I got it was 41k on it, no wrecks and only an intake as a mod. I am not going to do anything to it, expect maybe light tint on windows and red brake calipers. It sounds like you have a professional job, so you don't want to kept your highly mod car now. To anwser your questions. Yes the handling is very good and the car is a great car. If you are looking for something professional I would get the black type r and dont do any mods to it. If you want to make it have a lot of power and still not look rice out, than you might want to think about adding a jackson racing supercharger. I got my type r for $15,500. It is in perfect shape with no accnts or salvage title. The newer cars such as an STI or MR2 are nice. However the type r is a collectors car, I know i will never get rid of my car. The sti is very fast a little faster than the type r, but you are looking at around $28000-33000. that is a big difference compared to a nice Type R 2000 or 2001 for $16000-20000, than you can add the Jackson racing supercharger and leave everything else factory, and you would have a faster than stock STI or MR2. For the money I don't think anything else compares. Hope this info helps with your decision. Kept in mind make sure you buy one without a salvage or recont'd title or with a thieft recovery car. This will lower the value of the car, I would also not buy one that has more than 60k or any wrecks. take the car to your local acura dealer and have them check it out. Also to make my car look a little more clean the type r decals on the side of the car are taken off, just the one on the back is left. -Jeremy

 

What kind of price range are we speaking of, if I may ask ? What's to say you will not find a nicely kept 01 with the remainder of its factory warranty, and simply extend it this January if you would rather keep it stock? Hell, it's obviously not nearlly the fastest thing out there, but it's enough to were it can get the job done where she was meant to get it done.

I recently purchased about a week ago: 20k on the odo, stock & never modified, factory warranty and MINT (ok, a very small chip on the mirror) as they come for a bit under $20,000. I've might have still paid alot in some eyes, but from what I was able to gather recently, it was well justified.

In the end do what you feel like doing, drive the car, realize what it is, see if it meets your prior set hopes of the car, and make the necissary steps from there if everything develops to your liking.

Good luck.