ITRCA

Hi All,

I feel strange asking this question, but I'm SURE I'm not the first who's gone through this.

I have a 98 type-R with 130k miles that I've owned since new. I haven't tracked it, and it's been kept "original" with OEM stuff along the way (in other words, I didn't feel the need to modify it). Absolutely the most fun car I've owned (and that includes my honda s2000). But I'm starting to think it's close to time to hand her off to another owneR, take my $$$, and move into something new.

But for the last few years I've looked, and of course there's nothing like the R. But for those who have done lots of looking I'd LOVE to know what might be good cars to try out.

First here's what I love most about my ITR:
- Small and light. 2 seats would be fine as far as I'm concerned.
- Extremely agile handling. It just "feels" right.
- I know exactly what's going on with the road under me.
- All around performance is great (even though it's not super-fast by today's standards)
- I can drive it year around (and in new-england snow with proper tires). The LSD is WONDERFUL for this as well as performance cornering.
- It's pretty bulletproof. All the racing goodies have made the DD even better and more reliable.
- Fun fun fun.


So can folks make suggestions? Mazda speed 3 (which I drove today and liked)? WRX? What else???
I've even thought seriously about the upcoming Honda CRZ but it's power seems down for what I'm used to.

Thanks everyone,

Steve

I have a 98 R i got in 99 and loved every time i drove heR....had your same thoughts a couplr of years agao and went searching....needless to say I still have heR lol i didnt like anything out there in the market unless I planned to spend crazy money..... i just ended up doing some mods to heR and enjoying her all over again......dont do it keep the RRRR i mean you have the last say....


Cars....STI, M3, Audi S4, jus a few

One of the few cars that meets your requirements (if you're serious about the 2 seats comment) is a Miata. They are dirt cheap, fabulously reliable, and can be given substantial power with little cash or effort. They already handle fantastically, but could be improved if desired. As a bonus, you can probably make a Miata embarrass anything else for less cost than any other option.

ksconekiller wrote:One of the few cars that meets your requirements (if you're serious about the 2 seats comment) is a Miata. They are dirt cheap, fabulously reliable, and can be given substantial power with little cash or effort. They already handle fantastically, but could be improved if desired. As a bonus, you can probably make a Miata embarrass anything else for less cost than any other option.

Hmm... I had an s2000 and one of the reasons I chose it over the miata was that the miata was just too small (even for me). I felt like the front windshield frame was cutting off my vision. That was a long time ago however. Maybe I should try it again.

But the other thing is I don't really want to buy a new car and then spend thousands modifying it to make it fun-to-drive. That's one thing I love about the Type-R - it is a great, fun package, right off the lot.

Not to ding the miata of course - that is a great car.

What other cars should I check out?

I checked out the VW gti and felt disconnected with the road (by comparison). I checked the Mazda Speed 3 and liked it, although the interior was pretty cheap and the throttle difficult to maintain evenly. I need to check a Civic SI again (last time I did I didn't like the way the throttle hung between shifts).

What about the WRX? Others?

Thanks,

Steve

Personally. I don't think I'd ever replace the ITR with any other vehicle. It's too unique in character and is great at that. You should be more thinking along the lines of adding something different to the stable.

None of those cars listed above will give you the same feel as an ITR. Even the Civic Si which I like, is going to be far more disconnected than an R. A WRX would be a fun winter beater...but I wouldn't call it my fun toy.

Try out a Lotus if you can swing that. A good used Elise can be had in the 20s. That will give you the go-cart feel and fun of the ITR while trying RWD
http://www.lotustalk.com/

I really like the new Mini Cooper S, especially the John Cooper Works version. It's as quick as the Type R, has a small rear seat, gets better mileage, brakes well and handles almost as good. I still prefer my Integra though... especially without the big car payment!

honestly, the ITR is the pinnacle for a factory FWD car. you can pickup an EF/EG civic and do an ITR engine swap with a set of moton clubsports to get a lighter, better handling FWD beast, but i'm guessing that's not your goal. after i sold my ITR, i really only saw RWD as the next logical step. i started with lust for an elise/exige/c6 z06, but ended up settling on a solstice gxp, if only because it was 1/2 the price of my other options. none are really practical, but all are absolute hoots. i was sad to see my ITR go, but i can't honestly say i miss it from a performance standpoint after running my gxp around town for a few months (and finally getting to run it at an event a few weeks ago).
in all honesty though, if i'd had the capacity, i would never have sold my ITR. but that damn money tree has yet to bloom

A BMW E30 M3 (88-91)

Very close comparison with ITR, and IMO that's the best balance M3 ever. Go test drive one and you will know what I'm talking about.

seeq wrote:A BMW E30 M3 (88-91)

Very close comparison with ITR, and IMO that's the best balance M3 ever. Go test drive one and you will know what I'm talking about.

Interesting. I might have to find one to try. The only problem there is, it doesn't have any "age" advantage over my itr. In fact my itr is much newer, so I'd expect less maintenance issues from what I already own. I guess that wouldn't be a deciding factor on its own, but it's something I'd need to consider.

Yesterday I decided to try a BMW 135. They didn't have a manual so I drove the auto. It was nice, but still felt too heavy to me (although it handled extremely well and was bloody fast). I don't think I'm interested in a $40k car right now however.

The FUNNIEST thing was that when I pulled up some dude pulled up behind me and stopped and stared at my car, and got out. I actually felt uncomfortable, until I realized he was REALLY just looking at the car. He ooohd and ahhhd, and we chatted for a min and then I went inside to talk to the salesperson. About 15 min later when we came out to testdrive the 135, he was there again, this time getting his phone out to take pics. He asked me if it was ok (I said it was as long as no pics of licence plate) - he was taking pics because he works for the shop with a bunch of honda-guys who didn't believe there was a "real" type-r there. Here I was parked in the middle of a pack of 45-80k cars, and the ITR was getting all the attention.

Thanks for the comments so far - keep those ideas coming!

Steve

First of all, you cannot replace an ITR ...seriously, you cant...I should know.

With that said...from gsrs to itrs & S2ks to evos...I'm happy to say I'm back with the ITR.

I totally hear where youre coming from. You're looking for a change, looking for something new, more tq possibly (even if you dont admit it.. jk ). But you know what they say..."You never really appreciate something til its gone"...

Im also in NE. Born & raised actually. So I can vouch for the winters...They can be long & nasty... & if youre not a fan of the snow...or arent a skiier/boarder & dont have any winter hobbies, it can get boring waiting for spring.

With that said Here's an idea. I assume your car is paid off & the itr is your dd...Is keeping it & adding another car an option?
You mentioned the WRX...I say why not?? If youre an active/outdoor/fisherman like myself...a WRX wagon? Winter comes, the snow falls & you can store the ITR. The rex will be the winter daily. And instead of dreading the snow, go have some awd fun! Then the warm weather comes along & youre dying to drive the R...love all over again.

PS: I'm out of the office in about 10 min & my wknd begins...after typing this post, now I really want to get out & drive it

Also, forgot to mention that the subarus are pretty "bulletproof" also.

I split my driving between my ITR and an 03 3.2 CL Type-S 6 speed.

The CL is a very different car than the ITR, but a very fun one just the same. It handles really well with an upgraded suspension and a big rear sway bar.

It might be an interesting option if you can find one.

I may be a bit biased, but an any STI from 04 through 07 is going to be a great daily driver, fun car, and can hold its value if you decide to sell it.

Any WRX from 02 through 05 will drop in value overnight, is no where near the performance of an STI out of the box, and just will not "wow" you like the ITR does.

That being said, I own an 02 WRX, and without a front limited slip the car plows

Just throwing out a couple of options:

04 through 07 STi (Preferably an 05, for 5x114.5 lugs, or 07, for the new "beefy" transmission)
95-99 BMW M3 (OBD1 in the 95 for extra horses, cheapest m3s, but need to find a well serviced car, these things are stupid cheap at the moment...)
Evo IX (because they beat the STI around the track )