Need your opinions - Buying my first Integra

Hey guys,

I have been looking to buy an Integra for the past few weeks, checking on carsales, gumtree, ebay, etc religiously. My budget is about $8k.

I won't be going to track the car, neither do I want to mod it. Just want it stock or unless there are some recommended upgrades.

I know NOTHING about cars, so before I plunge in, I want your opinions and just some advice.

Should I get a GSI or a VTI-R (cannot afford a Type R)? Is the Vtec worth it?

What is the difference between a 96 and a 98 VTI-R? What is all this talk about pre-facelift? And an extra airbag?

How reliable are these cars (since most I've seen have like over +200,000kms on them)?

I know someone selling a 98' VTI-R with about 130,000kms on it for ~$8, should I take it?

if serviced well they are really reliable!

get the vtir should be able to find something decent for 8k these days.

98spec looks better use the search function for this in detail, lots of threads.

and that car sounds cheap - just check logbooks for service history check over the car for any mechanical problems/accident damages

Unfortunately the guy does not have logbooks.

Go for the VTi-R especilly if you don't intend to mod it. The extra power the vtec develops up top makes it worth it. They will both drive reasonable similar in normal conditions, its just the addition of the aggressive cam lobes, which are actuated when vtec is engadged to increase torque in the upper rev range. My old girl has had a 96 vtir civic (b16a) for the last 10 years and it has over 300,000kms on it and it is still running strong. Its been very reliable, only things thats required replacement has been one of the chiped ignition keys and rear suspension arm, pivot bushings.
Not sure on the 96-98 update, but with most Hondas a car thats been well maintained with a couple more kays would be (my pick) preferable over a scrapy example with less kms.
8k is on the higher side for a vtir, but if its a good example its probably a fair price.

my 20c anyway..

Hey LostyJai,

can I ask why the Integra? What is making you buy it?

If you want a very-cheap daily, that will last longer, why not a later model corolla? Not saying DC2 is a bad pick or anything, but If I were you and wanted a spacier daily, I would go Corolla.

Oh we have a 2004 Corolla Conquest (hatch) at home, and it's ok... but not really that fun to drive.

Heard the Integra was a fun car from a few mates, and vtec! =P

If you're not gonna be driving at high speeds and modding heavily (encouraging illegal activities), i don't see any difference in buying a dc2 or dc4. I drive a dc4 and it's fast enough to overtake/change lanes safely. I think <1998 is series 1 and >1998 is series 2. The only difference is ABS brakes and a driver side airbag. When i was shopping, i set the mileage to <150000 and ended up getting one that's done 100000km. Fuel won't be a problem, fairly comfortable daily.

About that dc2 you mentioned, i'd be careful if it has no logbooks. Odometer may have been wound back etc

AFAIK post-94 Integra GSis had a standard driver's airbag, and post 97-98 (not entirely sure) had ABS brakes instead of a sunroof.

I think the VTi-Rs had all of those features from the beginning (airbag/ABS/Sunroof), and AFAIK facelift models had dual airbags.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LostyJai

Hey guys,

I have been looking to buy an Integra for the past few weeks, checking on carsales, gumtree, ebay, etc religiously. My budget is about $8k.

I won't be going to track the car, neither do I want to mod it. Just want it stock or unless there are some recommended upgrades.

I know NOTHING about cars, so before I plunge in, I want your opinions and just some advice.

Should I get a GSI or a VTI-R (cannot afford a Type R)? Is the Vtec worth it?

What is the difference between a 96 and a 98 VTI-R? What is all this talk about pre-facelift? And an extra airbag?

How reliable are these cars (since most I've seen have like over +200,000kms on them)?

I know someone selling a 98' VTI-R with about 130,000kms on it for ~$8, should I take it?

---

Get Vti-r, not worth getting Gsi. You want the VTEC fun lol or might as well get a hyundai excel lol =p

What is the difference between a 96 and a 98 VTI-R? What is all this talk about pre-facelift? And an extra airbag?
Off the top of my head, the differences between 96 and 98 are:
-98 is face lift rear bumper and front, meaning the front head lights and front bumper is different. the 98 rear bumper looks way better then 96.(google it)
-98 has passenger side air bags as 96 does not
-98 comes with Blade styled rims as 96 comes with phat fives. (not 100% on this)

How reliable are these cars (since most I've seen have like over +200,000kms on them)?

There pretty reliable as long as the owner has looked after it, my previous vti-r with 220,000+km was burning abit of oil so watch out for that, to test and see if the engine is burning oil i would rev the engine in neutral with cluth out of course and hold the rev at 5.5k rpm for at least 5-10 seconds and see if theres any blue smoke coming out of the exhaust. If you see blue smoke = burning oil = engine on it way out.

Hope this helps

Hey Jai, here is my 20 cents input on your question! I am an owner of a 94 vti-r and I spent almost $2k plus on fixing my car. I thought the car was in a good condition at first glance but it started to give me problems after driving it for a while like overheating, leaks and steering issues. I realize that previous owner did not really take good care of the car and he only enjoyed thrashing it. I am not going to pass any judgement here but i cannot emphasize the importance of history (log books) of the car. You should also send the car for a safety check ($35) once you have decided to purchase the car. This is to make sure that you are making your purchase worthwhile and to prevent any further loss or hidden damages which will burn a bigger hole in your pocket.

All the best with the search and I hope my advice helped in making your decision.

I learnt a very expensive lesson, dirty piece of sh!t who used to be my mate sold me a repairable write off car. It had no log books but he said it was good. I believed him cause Ive known him for 5 years. Be very careful mate. Insist on a logbook, revs check and safety check or no sale.

Don't buy a car without service history. The service history ensures that the kms are genuine, and that the car won't just shit itself. I know that a lot of guys on here will have bought cars without books, but in my experience buying cars, trust nobody. Get one with service history, or don't bother. And it has to be a decent service history, too. Some people claim a full service history, but have only been getting the oil changed at Ultratune or by a "mechanic friend". Alarm bells. And if it doesn't have RWC included, forget about it.

As for the VTEC argument, I think you're better off getting a good example of a GSi if you can find one than ruling them out in in favour of a higher-km VTi. Unless you're the kind of driver who likes to rev their cars high, you won't get the benefit out of it. It's for people who like to accelerate hard at high revs, but when it comes to the low-end, both cars behave the same. VTEC cars will have been driven harder than GSi models, basically, while commanding a higher price. You're more likely to find an unmodified, well-serviced, well cared for GSi, which will be a reliable, enjoyable and cool-looking car, and will cost less than a VTi-R.

I found a 1999 Silver GSi at a dealership with full Honda dealer service history, one previous owner, and only 115,000kms for $6k. VTEC would be a nice bonus, but I'd rather have the money that it would have cost to get a Vti-R in similar mechanical condition.

Thanks ALOT for all your responses guys, they've been really helpful!

I think it would be really hard to find an Integra with a log book or service history as I don't think many people keep them.

What is a decent price for a VTI-R? Around $7,000-$7,500?


What are your opinions of these ones? Price is quite high though.

[ GSI ]
http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...aspx?R=9296779
http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...aspx?R=9569028
http://cars.ebay.com.au/1999-Honda-I...mZ390259195422
http://cars.ebay.com.au/1999-Honda-I...mZ160511742727

[ VTI-R ]
http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...aspx?R=9754385
http://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars/...aspx?R=9719490
http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...aspx?R=9133982
http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...aspx?R=8942496
http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...aspx?R=9414483

im looking for a black 2002 and up TYPE R where can i buy one ive looked everywhere for it can someone help me!!!!!!!!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ellie123

im looking for a black 2002 and up TYPE R where can i buy one ive looked everywhere for it can someone help me!!!!!!!!

---

Patience is a virtue

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LostyJai

Thanks ALOT for all your responses guys, they've been really helpful!

I think it would be really hard to find an Integra with a log book or service history as I don't think many people keep them.

What is a decent price for a VTI-R? Around $7,000-$7,500?



What are your opinions of these ones? Price is quite high though.

[ GSI ]
http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...aspx?R=9296779
http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...aspx?R=9569028
http://cars.ebay.com.au/1999-Honda-I...mZ390259195422
http://cars.ebay.com.au/1999-Honda-I...mZ160511742727

[ VTI-R ]
http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...aspx?R=9754385
http://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars/...aspx?R=9719490
http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...aspx?R=9133982
http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...aspx?R=8942496
http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...aspx?R=9414483

---

Stay away from GSi, get a Vti-R. Like u said, 7-7.5K for a clean VTi-R with lower kilometres

You can find one with logbooks and receipts, they aren't that rare.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by EVLGTR

Patience is a virtue

---

umm yee but ive been looking and there arent many black ones seen other colours

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LostyJai

Thanks ALOT for all your responses guys, they've been really helpful!

I think it would be really hard to find an Integra with a log book or service history as I don't think many people keep them.

What is a decent price for a VTI-R? Around $7,000-$7,500?


What are your opinions of these ones? Price is quite high though.

[ GSI ]
http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...aspx?R=9296779
http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...aspx?R=9569028
http://cars.ebay.com.au/1999-Honda-I...mZ390259195422
http://cars.ebay.com.au/1999-Honda-I...mZ160511742727

[ VTI-R ]
http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...aspx?R=9754385
http://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars/...aspx?R=9719490
http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...aspx?R=9133982
http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...aspx?R=8942496
http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...aspx?R=9414483

---

Nah mate, that's a cop out. Proper car owners who take care of their vehicles will always have a decent service history. If the car has been serviced properly, there will always be a history. If there isn't a history, the car hasn't been properly serviced, it's as simple as that. Worse still, you've got nothing to ensure that the kilometres are genuine. You run a very strong risk of picking one up with crap in the engine and high kilometres.

Be patient, and find one with service history. Ring around the Honda dealers in your state, and tell them to ring you when they get a decent example traded in. There are a lot on CarSales that seem okay, but then when you actually check them out, you realise how much the owner is hiding. Expect the worst from anyone who is trying to sell a car privately, as more often than not they'll be dishonest, at least to some extent.

Of those cars:

VTI-R
1: Says "always service", not "service history". Expect them to say "Oh, I had my friend who is a mechanic service it."
2: No RWC, so forget it. Why the respray? Has it been in an accident? Kms are also a bit high. No service history.
3: No service history, and it's been lowered. Depends on what kind of job they did, but the handling and ride will be worse off with a shit job. Plus the exhaust and air filter, which make it far from stock.
4: Yeah, they last well when they're looked after, but 188,000kms with no mention of a service history? That's a lot of poor treatment. Plus the mods suggest it may have been thrashed, and is now being sold because it's costing money.
5: It's GREEN. Yuck. But also, "a few scratches and dings due to its age" is not a decent excuse on a car that is only 12 years old. They act as if all cars get beaten up in a decade. They don't. If people drive properly, it doesn't happen. That's why there are so many cars from 1998 that are still in perfect condition, because those people treat their cars well. It mentions the service, but whether or not they have a history for it is another story. Again, they've modded it, and aren't providing a roadworthy. Don't touch a car without a RWC. Finally "Price has been dropped" translates to "Nobody is stupid enough to buy this... yet." Plus, it's GREEN.

As for the GSis...

1: This is what you want to see. Full service history, RWC, one owner. No encumbrance or RWO status. The only problem is, the price is a little bit high for those kms.
2: Log books, but no RWC? I don't like the way this ad reads, and I wouldn't even look at it.
3: I have no experience with buying a car off eBay, but at least it's from a dealer, so there's some form of warranty. Unfortunately, most 'warranties' from small dealerships aren't worth the paper they're written on. RWC, of course, but no service history. Still, the price is right, but unless you can check the car out in person, you'd be crazy to buy it.
4: Says nothing at all about the car, just a generic comment. You'd go down and have a look, see what kind of history it has, if any. Again, the price is more reasonable, and at least from a dealership you have some form of guarantee.

Overall, you've got VTI-Rs and GSis there, some at similar prices. You're better off spending 8k on a GSi in good condition than 8k on a clapped-out VTI-R with higher kms. I'd spend more on a GSi with service history than I would on a VTI-R without it. Don't cut corners, or you'll end up with a piece of shit that's more trouble than it's worth. If it's too daunting, just get a Civic or a Corolla. Or an Accord. You're more likely to find one of those in good condition with history for a good price. If you really want a Teg, though, you're going to have to hold out for the right one, and not be tempted by a potentially dodgy one. There are just too many out there, unfortunately. Good luck.

Wow dude thanks alot for the huge review of all the cars, you've been really helpful. I will definitely wait out till I can find one with log book and service history. Thanks again dude, much appreciated!

First ones (VTiR) worth a look though. I'd ask but looks like its been garaged.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by shake

First ones (VTiR) worth a look though. I'd ask but looks like its been garaged.

---

Unfortunately he has no log book or service history.

log book helps, but they can be fudged, so it's good if they have actual reciepts of work done.

As a general rule, a well maintained high K car can be in better nick than one with low Ks and badly maintained. A car with say 90,000 on the clock and no service history could have been driven for 40,000 ks without a service, or, more seriously, had an instrument cluster swap and could in reality have 200,000+ done on the engine.

And of course, don't buy a car with more than 240,000kms on the clock. If you do, get your wallet ready for potential repairs.

Ok so I had another look through carsales, ebay and gumtree for VTI-R... finally found one with complete log book and full service history:

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...aspx?R=8549078

Seems like it's pretty well maintained, any opinions before I go have a look?

No worries, mate.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LostyJai

Ok so I had another look through carsales, ebay and gumtree for VTI-R... finally found one with complete log book and full service history:

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...aspx?R=8549078

Seems like it's pretty well maintained, any opinions before I go have a look?

---

Definitely have a look. The kms are low, and he's supplying a RWC. He's also claiming a full Honda dealer service history, which means that you can ask them about the car if you like. He's also put tasteful wheels and a (relatively) tasteful plate on it, and it looks like it's in good nick. Basically, check this one out, because it looks to be a decent example. He's made some modifications to it, which may not be the best thing, but it's that service history and genuine kms that you really need to be looking for, so check it out. Good luck! Just don't fall in love with it, ask all the right questions, and see how it goes.

If the lowering springs weren't installed correctly then your 120,000km old bushings are probably destroyed. No mention of aftermarket shocks... the originals are probably dying from the lowering.

P-plater... Need I go on?

The engine is the last thing you need to worry about in a Honda.

Pretty sure that last one you posted is/was owned by someone on this site. Only thing I don't like about it is the color.
I think you should definately go for the vti-r. Not that the GSi is a bad car, its great, but the lack of v-tec will still be enough to turn you into a Honda fanboy but wish you had the v-tec. Speaking from experience. :(

OK... so when I go check the Integra, what should I be looking for?

My friend usually Integras have leaks, blown suspensions and the boot doesn't stay open?

Any recommended mechanics I can take it to for a thorough checkup so I know I'm not buying a dud...

I went to check out an Integra today in person. It drives fine, didn't appear to be any leaks and the engine looked surprisingly new?

We opened the bonnet and on side it looked like the screws have been tampered/changed, and it looked liked something along the edge was taken out (not sure what).

So I ran a REVS check and it turned out to be a repairable write-off... do you guys reckon I should pursue to get it checked by a mechanic or don't even bother?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LostyJai

I
So I ran a REVS check and it turned out to be a repairable write-off... do you guys reckon I should pursue to get it checked by a mechanic or don't even bother?

---

Repairable write off could be good if it was repaired well, but there is always a stigma attached to such cars. It'll be more difficult to sell later. Make sure you buy it for less than book value.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mikecivic78

Repairable write off could be good if it was repaired well, but there is always a stigma attached to such cars. It'll be more difficult to sell later. Make sure you buy it for less than book value.

---

Well it's a 98 (says "97 DC2" on make date?), 160,000kms... going for about $6.5k-$7k

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LostyJai

I went to check out an Integra today in person. It drives fine, didn't appear to be any leaks and the engine looked surprisingly new?

We opened the bonnet and on side it looked like the screws have been tampered/changed, and it looked liked something along the edge was taken out (not sure what).

So I ran a REVS check and it turned out to be a repairable write-off... do you guys reckon I should pursue to get it checked by a mechanic or don't even bother?

---

Insurance takes a hit, as does resale. You'll probably lose any savings you might make here on those two factors, in the long run. Plus, that's a lot of damage that's happened to the car. If it wasn't repaired well, it could cause issues, and you can't really be sure that it was.

I had a similar situation with a really clean-looking S13 Silvia. Looked great, black, SR20DE automatic. Turned out to be a RWO. The guy had let slip that his uncle was a wrecker, and it became clear that this guy was taking wrecks, fixing them up, and flogging them off. Months later, the car was still sitting on Carsales, and he kept dropping the price, desperate to sell it. Nobody wanted the thing. After that, I ran the rego through Vicroads for every car I was considering, before I went to look at it.

Basically, they're a no-go in my opinion, but some may disagree.

Good point Indie.

I would say stay away. There are many other fish in the sea. Why buy a blemished one?

Thanks for te advice guys, I will continue looking.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mikecivic78

Good point Indie.

I would say stay away. There are many other fish in the sea. Why buy a blemished one?

---

Heh, I know hardly anything about most aspects of these cars, but I reckon I've learnt more than I would've liked to about the used car market, haha.

This is very true. No need to buy one with any kind of history, unless it's a service history!

Hand tight, mate. Don't rush into a purchase unless it's a good enough car for you. The right thing will show up.