Best Value Motoring

The fact that Honda manages to produce 210bhp from a 2.0l naturally aspirated (NA) 4 cylinder engine with a red line of 8400rpm should tell you a thing or two about Honda. Not many car makers have broken the 100bhp/l barrier in a production NA engine, some that come to mind are the BMW M3 and the Ferrari F430. Honda continues to pursue the route of high revving, naturally aspirated 4 cylinder engines while competitors choose to fit a turbo to produce higher outputs. Honda considers the use of forced induction as too ‘easy’ and has stuck with NA engines in nearly its entire history of engine making. In this day and age of emissions, global warming and cost cutting measures, I wonder how long before Honda follows the lead of BWM in succumbing to forced induction.

There are many positive attributes to forced induction, but nothing makes your heart race like a high revving NA engine zinging its way through the rev range. Honda is widely considered to be the best manufacturer of 4 cylinder engines and the K20Z1 found in the Type S is one of their best. The VTEC gives the Integra a split personality, potter around in city and changing up early, passengers not in the know might think what the VTEC fuss is all about.

But when you get to the hills and start piling on the revs, the rush of power is intoxicating. You hear the snarl of the induction egging you on to pile on more revs as you snick the precise gear change up through its 6 speeds. All the while, your senses are heightened as Dr Jekyll turns into Mr Hyde. You feel plugged in, and connected to the road, not just merely going fast. After all, if acceleration is everything, a Mercedes S500 can get to 100kmh quicker than most sports cars.

On your way back from the hills, you will appreciate the well built interior, the leather bound seats are supportive and comfortable. The cockpit surrounds the driver to create a cosy environment while all instruments are within easy reach. The rear seats fold down to provide a surprisingly large cargo area. Being a Honda, you know everything will still be working in years to come. If you’re worried about the high revving reliability of the engine, Honda claims that of the millions of VTEC engines that have been manufacturer, there has not been a single failure reported up till this day. That is just an amazing feat of engineering.

With no successor to the DC5 Integra in sight, your only choice is to buy used. At around $25,000, you get a car with around 60,000kms on the odometer which will be well taken care of and in pristine condition. Hondas tend to hold their value very well and you shouldn’t lose much even when it comes time to trade it in. But I can’t see why you would want to trade the Type S for anything else.

Pros: 8400rpm redline, reliability and relative comfort

Cons: Tight in the rear

Via Carsales