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Crazy when an enthusiast FF vehicle is aiming for sub .56 at Tsukuba. Not to mention his N/A K-series is putting down something like 300whp. I remember when only the most elite tuners could achieve such low lap times. The following vid has many FD's in attendance (TFR's FD is really special imo) and all the hatches are seriously ripping. I think FF has more than proven itself to be just as capable of motorsporting as FR.
I actually know someone who owned/owns an Integra Type R. He owned a 2001 and eventually sold it to get a BMW 1M, but he said the Honda sting was getting to him and he just didn't like the BMW as much as he thought he would(and you guessed it, it partially has to do with that famous BMW reliability, or lack thereof; the first time he took it to the local Autocross event, the thing limped for a lap for no reason). He eventually sold it and got back into a 1999 ITR and he couldn't be happier.
I would say that the new Civic Type R is pretty great for what it is, but it's also pretty expensive which gives breathing room to competitors like Veloster N.
As for NSX... I really liked the old one and wanted one pretty badly. The new ones are a disappointment though. Sure the technology is impressive but it still gets its butt handed to R35 GT-R on the track and R35 has been out since forever. Even a C7 Z06 Corvette can run circles around it on a track. Touge also had an episode comparing the old one to new one and they pinned the new one pretty hard. They said it's too Americanized because of the weight but even that's a bit unfair for American cars. Sure there are some technologies on the cars to help with the performance like eLSD and magnetic shocks but they are nowhere nearly as intrusive as the NSX.
IMO it has the same issue as BMW i8(which is dead BTW): it gets pretty good gas mileage for what it is, but if you can afford a $200k+ car, gas mileage will be the least of your concerns. I think there is a review that said Honda is all about making more out of less and that's a pretty good assessment. CTR showed you don't need AWD to have a good hot hatch.
I had a 1992 Integra GS-R that I owned through 250K miles as the sole owner until I sold it to someone who was so excited to own it in MN (and I ended up getting his 1981 Honda CX-500 motorcycle later for free!). It was a fantastic car - only having issues with the ignition coils going bad in 1994, ABS module bad in 2007, and the usual wear/tear items like coolant hoses, belts, 1 alternator, 1 radiator, two rear calipers (rear/passenger), batteries, tires, and the like. That car's power was just right (slow car fast). Great handling, visibility, comfortable seats, and good ergonomics.
While not the biggest Honda fan here, (worked on Honda motorcycles, and owned a few, and saw clearly where they cut corners ), I do admire innovation, even when it does not prove to be successful.
The Honda NR500. Oval pistons, so that a 4 cylinder has the same valve area (and airflow) as an eight cylinder. 15000 rpm redline, very high for 77-79 years, designed to compete with two strokes that were dominant in that class. Some of this tech came to the street, like the v-four design, and gear driven DOHC.
Who would have thunk that oval pistons would achieve that kind of redline. Also - if 4 cylinder works why not six on a motorcycle - introducing the CBX! But wait there's more...if the CX500 was a hit - why not add a Turbo and make the stroke longer? CX650 Turbo!
I did ride a CBX at AMA CX Six Fitty CBX - is 6 cylinders in a row enough for you?
Vintage Motorcycle Days in Steams Corner, OH back in 2005. It was a hoot but way too top-heavy.
Those Honda bikes are something else! Bet that 6cyl is quite the cruise. I've mostly owned Suzuki GSXR's and Yamaha r6's in my time. Sold my last bike around '12-13, they're way too dangerous for me to tempt anymore. Back in the day when I first started riding I picked up a sling-shot 750 and my buddy got himself a Hurricane. Good times, we'd ride everywhere rain or shine (more shine here in CA) but motorbike tech has come lightyears since then.
I've had the privilege to drive all the USDM 'sporty' Hondas; S2k, ITR and NSX. Always appreciated their products but never jumped on the 'NSX is best' bandwagon. Totally agree the new CTR is a true contender for modern standards. For a time I used to wrench for an independent Honda/Acura shop and then an Acura dealership. Independent shop owner was a great mentor and friend. Long time dirt racer who ended up racing FF Honda's later in life with the NASA club. Won more than a few titles. Dude was as tough as nails and a master tech through and through. You are missed, RIP Nick.
Most of my friends in high school were into the illegal import drag racing scene here in the Bay Area early 2000's. It was literally like one of those cheesy fast&furious scenes from the movies. Cops would show up and people would scatter like bugs. My friend's dad owned a few successful Chinese restaurants in Hayward and would buy him literally any and everything he wanted. He was doing jdm conversions on brand new ITR's in '99, fully built blocks ported with cams, etc. IIRC he was running consistent 12's back then. He worked for Skunk2 in Hayward (I knew all those guys before they blew up) which the location later turned into DNR, etc. And I'd tag along with my near stock '90 GTU FC. Ha. So long ago. Time certainly does fly.
I've had two CX-500s - a 1978 and a 1981. The 1978 was my first bike. Slow bike fast mindset.
I had a friend in LA that owner two NSXs in the mid 2000 - one of which I've drove and driven. It is an excellent car - both driving and looks. Too bad the new NSX is expensive - makes the Corvette look like a bargain. The 90s NSX also shared practicality with the RX-7 FD
Hello Everyone, I have been an RX8 owner since 2004, had one of the first examples in Canada. Love it, still runs perfectly, I have lent it to my daughter to drive after her Mazda 3 blew a head gasket. She raves about the car and I may have difficulties getting it back.
What prompted me to write is the NSX comments. I am a big Honda fan, owning a Honda S2000 since 2000 absolutely no issues. I also purchased a NSX in 2017. Having owned various Porsches, driven a GTR extensively, they are all wonderful cars. The NSX is very special, mid engine, beautiful looking and an absolute pleasure to drive fast or at reasonable speeds. I don't track or drag race and a few tenths of a second are great for bragging rights but do not define a car. Read this post as this reviewer has explained it far more eloquently than I ever could.
I really miss my 1992 Integra GS-R (stock). All around great car with great tires on her: handling, power, visibility, comfort, looks (look at t
hat a@@).
I had originally wanted but couldn't afford both the CRX and Prelude back in the 80's. now I can afford to buy them but have no need for them or storage space.
WW- wow your GS-R was awesome! Super duper rare bird of a car too! Great pic, thanks for sharing. A lot of people slept on the earlier generations imo and I even had a buddy who owned a 1st gen way back when.
NZ- When I was young my mom had a whole bunch of jdm cars and come to think of it, she's probably the one who got me into them in the first place. I remember an early 80's 2-dr civic or accord hatchback, followed by '89 Prelude and then a '93 240sx SE coupe. Funny lady my mom is, ha. I recently helped her pick up a CPO '20 Cooper Hardtop. Other than missing a CD player, she loves it. My brother had a '91 CRX that he misses. Definitely wants to pick one up as a project car but tells me no room right now. I think the CRX is a really cool car too.
Here's some recent news. Pretty big accomplishment imo. Well done Honda.
02-17-2021, 12:06 PM
