2005 Honda Integra Reviews

Ewan Kennedy reviews the Honda Integra between 1993 and 2007 as a used buy.

The return of Honda to the sporty coupe field with the petrol-electric CR-Z has rekindled interest in the Japanese marque long known for its sporting successes.As a follow on from that buyers are starting to take an interest in other, sadly superseded, sports models from Honda. And in particular the Integra range.All Honda Integras are built to a high quality in the Japanese manner and the combination of sportiness and quality means they retain their value well. Resales may further increase due to the aforementioned revival in interest, no promises though...Honda Integra can be confusing as it changed its character on more than one occasion over the 15 years it was on sale in Australia from 1993. The positive side of that confusion is that many will find an Integra to suit their particular needs. Because you can get either an attractive cruiser, a full-on sports machine, or somewhere in between.Integra was almost a four-seater in its earlier periods, prior to 2001, and can be used as a nice family machine while the junior travellers are still small. This makes a good compromise for the person who wants a good looking coupe, but who is forced by financial circumstances in the direction of practicality.At the other end of the scale, the third-generation Honda Integra Type R, is a semi-race machine. While it had been on sale in Japan for a long time the Integra Type R didn’t reach Australia until August 2000, and even then only in limited numbers.It's a really hot little beast aimed at the serious driver. Those wanting a comfortable cruiser should look elsewhere as this Type R has no compromise suspension settings.Having introduced us to the delights of a genuine sports machine in that first Type R, Honda went and spoiled things with the fourth-generation, launched in August 2001. It is a softer car than its predecessor, though still reasonably easy to punt hard if you put your mind to it.It wasn’t until October 2004 that Honda Australia woke up to itself and brought in another ‘proper’ sports Integra, this time tagged as the Type S. Now you can understand why the word confusing appears above...Engines are 1.8 litres until the fourth-generation model of 2001, when the capacity climbed to 2.0 litres. However, Honda's ability to get big power from smallish engines is renowned and the hottest of them all, the limited edition Type R of 2000 managed a hefty 141 kW from its 1.8 litres.Transmission choices are five-speed manual in most models, with the high-performance Type R and Type S getting six-speed manuals.Four-speed automatic transmissions with a conventional change were offered until the 2001 fourth-generation Integra arrived with a five-speed auto using sequential manual overrides.Even the standard Honda Integras handle pretty well, with good turn-in and not too much understeer if pushed hard.The hot sports models are amazingly good for front-wheel drive cars, but can be harsh in their ride. There is a good number of Honda dealers Australian wide, with this Japanese company being reasonably well represented in country areas.Spare parts and servicing are usually well priced, with Honda having put some hard work into pulling prices down a few years back when it had a reputation for charging top dollar for spare bits.Insurance charges are about average for a sporting coupe, meaning fairly expensive but not outrageously so. Few companies seem to understand that there are some really hot variants amongst them.The Integra suffered from the general decline in popularity of sports coupes that began early in the 21st century. Though it hung on for longer than some of its competitors, production eventually ceased in 2007.WHAT TO LOOK FORBeware of the Honda Integra Type R that has been thrashed on race tracks, or traffic-light drag racing.Look for a body kit, extra instruments or a large exhaust tailpipe extension, these may be a sign of hard driving, though many dress up their cars with go-faster.Excessive brake-pad dust, usually at its worst on the insides of the front wheels and callipers, is another indication of hard driving.Check for repairs to crash damage by looking for paint that doesn’t match correctly from panel to panel. Ripples in the panels, easiest to spot while looking lengthways along them in good light, are another solid cue. If in doubt, call in an expert.Make sure that the engine starts properly and idles easily. These sports engines are complex items, particularly for their day, and can be expensive to repair. They really should be checked by a Honda dealer, or at least a specialist technician from a motoring association.Pay attention to the transmission during your road test and be sure it works smoothly and easily with a minimum of noise.Look over the interior for signs of damage. Though they usually age well they can suffer rough treatment. Listen for squeaks or rattles inside the car during the test drive, a rough road will magnify.CAR BUYING TIPCoupes aimed at cruising buyers may be thrashed, and hot coupes may be driven gently - there’s no logic in this market segment. So don’t jump to conclusions, get a full technical inspection before buying.

You can't help but notice my "blaze orange metallic" body – its official colour – as I cruise by.But the Honda Integra Type S is not just trendy.The Type S is a standout from the moment you slide into its low, sleek body. After all, isn't that what the S stands for – slinky, sizzling, sexy?Excuse me if I'm gushing, but that's the Integra down to its last lustrous nut and bolt. You're not left wanting – automatic climate control and power windows come standard, a CD/MP3 player, courtesy night lights, and front and side airbags for security.Then there are cool halogen lamps, a rear spoiler and a large, electronic sunroof which makes this feel more like a sporty convertible.Now if I was power hungry I would boast that it has six-speeds, but since I'm the one in control, I will merely ask: "Are you jealous yet?"Down to statistics. Its four-cylinder two-litre engine is not one to chew through the fuel and I am quite amazed at how far the S goes without the gauge moving. Maybe it is the aerodynamics. This is a three-door hatch and while it may give the illusion of a cramped two-seater, the two main doors are lengthy structures that house a roomy space for four, although the two at the back may need to be closely acquainted. But that's not always a bad thing.It is luxurious and very comfortable. It's all-black, leather-trimmed interior is swanky and well appointed. Instrumentation is racy, with a silver finish.At night, it's even better – the instruments fire up in blood red, which is very sexy.The S has plenty of power. In fact, I find it is begging for more as the engine purrs to go faster. But don't worry. There are ABS brakes to slow the 17in alloys down. Gear changes are silky and this Honda has a controlled feel – there's no sliding around or squealing of tyres.Forget the usual hard sports suspension (it has strut and double wishbone suspension) – this is better than I expected, softer but still secure on the road.The only thing I can fault is the visibility in the back corners.Like many sporty numbers, it is limited because of the car's shape. Luckily, it has big side mirrors.The S makes you feel special ... it spoils you.Honda Integra Type SPrice: $42,990 (man)ITS classy good looks.The stereo, with its colour display, keeps me entranced.Secret compartments to hide precious cargo.WHEN you're wearing high heels, releasing the clutch can become a health hazard – it's quite low inside.Releasing the handbrake is also awkward when sitting forward in the bucket seat.

New lamps, some chrome on the grille, maybe fresh fabrics in the cabin. The latest Honda Integra looks more or less the same. But looks can be deceiving, and that's definitely true of the 2005 model Integra coupe.Honda's engineers went back to the road to create the car they probably should have built in the first place, complete with a massive boost to body strength and an all-new sports model called the Type S.The 2005 update means the Integra Type R is dead, but that's not a bad thing if you prefer to have performance with a little bit of comfort."The Type R was too extreme for many customers," Integra project chief Kenya Tsutsui says.The fifth-generation Integra is his first sports car but he believes it is a good one, with massive changes from the model that introduced the current body shape."This car is the result of us trying to do more," Mr Tsutsui says. "For a so-called minor model change it is a major hardware change." It has meant big changes deep in the car, although the price has been held to $38,490 for the base model. There are two models now, the Luxury and the Type S, with the sports star coming in at $42,990 with a six-speed manual gearbox.It takes a bit to see the lowered body, wider wheels, new lamps and interior tweaks, but it's impossible to see the real improvements to the Integra.The front body structure has had a 22 per cent boost to its rigidity, with an 8 per cent improvement in the tail, and even the steering column is bigger and stronger. The suspension stroke has also been boosted. It's part of a package that is designed to make the car better over bumps, more enjoyable to drive, and far quieter and more relaxing than before. And it's an upgrade that goes across the Luxury and Type S models."One of our aims was to create the sophistication of the BMW M3. We wanted to do it at a more reasonable price," Mr Tsutsui says.But the heart of the 2005 Integra is still the high-revving engine in the S."First is the engine. I think it's the most important thing," he says. Power is up by 7kW to 154kW in an engine that revs to 9100rpm, and torque is also up a little to 194Nm.But Honda says there is no penalty at the pumps, provided you're happy to be putting premium unleaded in the tank, with a combined fuel figure of 9.4 litres/100km.Other changes for the Type S are thicker stabiliser bars than the Luxury Integra, together with 17in alloy wheels wrapped by 45-series tyres, and a small rear spoiler. It also gets a six-stack CD player with MP3 player.The Luxury comes with extra sound proofing, is still powered by a 118kW four-cylinder engine, and picks up the inevitable facelift work on the lamps, bumpers and even the exhaust tip. Equipment still includes automatic airconditioning, electric windows and mirrors, with anti-skid brakes, and front and side airbags.Only a kid could love the old Integra Type R. It was too loud, too harsh ... too much of a few things and way not enough of others.The new Type S gets around the shortcomings without compromising the enjoyment and should make a lot more people happy to have the sports Integra in the garage.The Luxury Integra doesn't look much different, even though it is more refined to drive and should do well enough against rivals, including the Toyota Celica and Hyundai Tiburon. It even has an automatic for people who are buying a coupe, not a sports car.So we devoted our driving to the Type S and found a car which is eager and enjoyable, but far less likely to give you a headache on a long trip. You can also keep your fillings in your teeth, instead of worrying about shaking them out in the Type R. The latest engine is still a screamer that's hooked to a six-speed manual gearbox, but it doesn't seem as raw despite the power-up work. That's partly down to extra soundproofing, but more to do with the body and suspension changes.The new coupe feels more elegant in everything from the steering weight to the suspension action, so Tsutsui's team have hit their targets. Even the seats are more cushy without losing the support of the race-style buckets in the R, and the sound system and airconditioning are just what you'd expect in a Honda. Some people will be crying when they hear the Type R is dead, but the S should win far more friends.