Is there any better FWD car than the Integra Type R

[Aonarch]

[Thrasher]

MK1 Scirocco and the Scirocco 16v.

[The Kilted Yaksman]

[Jedidub]

Winner winner chicken dinner.

[emkaytree]

GTI with trailer full of lead bricks wins.

[compy222]

Cobalt SS Turbo

came to post this...

[mavric_ac]

OP is a hondafag

wow

[cougar]

Dubbers are so funny. The only thing about any old FWD VW that's "better" than an ITR is that it's better at not being as desirable to crooks as ITR's are.

[Waarp]

When EVO wrote this article, the ITR won:

Thanx I just snagged the last copy off ebay.

Here's an excerpt..


1982-84 VW Golf GTI mk1
1988-91 Peugeot 205 GTI
1989-95 Lotus Elan
1992-96 VW Corrado VR6
1993-96 Renault Clio Williams
1994-96 Peugeot 106 Rallye
1995-2005 Fiat Barchetta
1996-2000 Honda Integra Type-R
1997-2002 Ford Puma
1998-99 Peugeot 306 Rallye
2002-03 Ford Focus RS
2004-present VW Golf GTI mk5
2005 Renault Clio Trophy
2007-present Mini Cooper S Works GP
2007-present Renault Clio 197

Remarks on the Integra Type R from the initial round, before determining 6 finalists:

"There has never been a more focused, less compromised front-drive coupe than the Integra. From the moment you drop into its low-slung, huggy seat, clock the 8000rpm redline and give the titanium-topped gearlevel an exploratory waggle, you know that this could be a very special car. It doesn't disappoint.

'Unbelievable,' blurts Bovingdon. 'Superb engine, gearbox and brakes, and a simply awesome chassis.' Oh yes. Immediately obvious is the quality of the steering: its smoothness, its meatiness, its keenness. This Honda exudes quality and precision, and the limited slip diff subtly enhanves the traction of its relatively slim tyres. 'The more revs you pile on, the more neutral it seems to get,' adds Bovingdon. Meaden is more succinct: 'It's fantastic.'"

The 6 finalists are chosen:

2004-present VW Golf GTI mk5
2007-present Mini Cooper S Works GP
1988-91 Peugeot 205 GTI
1993-96 Renault Clio Williams
2005 Renault Clio Trophy
1996-2000 Honda Integra Type-R

"It's been a long time since I've driven an Integra, but it's like seeing an old friend. You sit low, arms and legs outstretched, rather than hunched over the wheel. Everything feels comfortable and perfectly placed, from the tactile titanium gearknob to the fat-rimmed steering wheel and alloy pedals. Longer, lower, and altogether more rakish than the boxy hatchbacks, when you drop into the coupe's classic Recaro you know you're in a different breed of car.

The VTEC motor sounds tinny on start-up, a brittle zing with no apparent guts and a less than sharp throttle response at low revs. The gearshift is delicious: short and precise, even in this 60,000-mile example.

The steering has surprising weight, despite power assistance, but there's a slight numbness to the feel for the first degree either side of dead centre. However, it's soon infused with super-detailed and ever-changing feel as you apply more lock, a constant flow of granular, textural feedback flowing through the rim.

Drive the Integra slowly and it feels a bit flaccid. You could almost wonder what all the fuss is about, but once that firecracker engine ignites, the humble Honda is transformed into a humdinger. It thrives on high revs, that classic VTEC kick hitting home at 6000rpm, from which point the fizzing four-cylinder emits a magical howl as the tacho needle homes in on and then passes 8000. It's like driving a real exotic: the super-high-revving engine, rifle-bolt gearshift, rigid bodyshell and incredibly controlled suspension melding to deliver an sensationally effective performance.

It's a frantic recipe, but there's so much more to the Integra than the binary character we've become used to in subsequent hot Hondas. You need to work the car hard, but it rewards you with a rich flow of organic feedback, tackling this unforgiving road with rare subtlety and composure, while at the same time keeping you involved every inch of the way.

Grip levels are miraculous on such modest rubber, and the limited-slip differential generates tremendous traction. There's no torque-steer to speak of, but then it's hardly rippling with lb ft, which probably explains it. Nevertheless, the combination of taut but supple suspension, a terrifically effective diff, abundant grip and no torque-steer leaves you with one of the purest and least corrupted front-drive helms ever.

As much as becomes abundantly clear as we tackle the corner for the final time. Still accelerating hard in fourth gear, at around 80mph, the Integra doesn't need any cajoling, coercing, or convincing. It simply turns in, biting hard into the tarmac, with a level of adjustability and fluidity that takes your breath away. It ignores the surface change, dances across the camber, and as momentum and lateral force begin to push the Bridgestones beyond even their prodigious adhesive limits, the Type-R enters a completely different realm.

You feel the nose hint at runing wide, but as you apply a little more lock the diff really begins to work, and in so doing brings the tail increasingly into play, to the point where the car actually adopts a mild, natural oversteer stance. Three wheels working hard, one barely in contact with the road, the Integra scythes through at unabated speed, no wasted effort, no scrappy corrections, just searing pace and total involvement.

It's a car as sweet and all-consuming as any I've experienced at any price, and as pure and focused in its own way as any Porsche RS. Forget the accolade of greatest front-wheel-drive car. The Integra Type-R ranks as one of the truly great drivers' cars of any kind."

The 6 finalists listed above are in finishing order. The Integra Type R is the greatest FWD car ever made!

[nickthaskater]

When EVO wrote this article, the ITR won:

But that was before the Megane R26.R.


American offerings over the last decade haven't been anything to sneeze at.
The Cobalt SS Turbo was very good, a world beater, in spite of its rear beam.
It beat EVERYONE in ALL CLASSES at Time Attack. Sure, it was factory prepped, but that's saying something.
The Dodge Neon SRT-4 Extreme Lightweight was also a bonkers factory creation, which mechanically was all off-the-shelf Mopar bits.

In terms of cars you could walk into a dealership, be it in the US or over seas, and buy...I would think the Megane R26.R might be at the top of the pile...though Renault's OWN offerings right now may trump it.

The Cobalt may be fast as hell for what it is, but as a complete package, I'd take the ITR any day of the week (assuming we're speaking JDM DC2).

[above8k]

2nd best after ITR.

[Krazee]

The Cobalt may be fast as hell for what it is, but as a complete package, I'd take the ITR any day of the week (assuming we're speaking JDM DC2).

Oh, I don't doubt it. I'd probably make the same choice. I was merely pointing out legitimate American FWD competitors in this inevitable argument.

[slide13]

VW is for bitches

[Aonarch]

VW is for bitches

[Aonarch]

This thread is why I like Honda's, but hate the owners.

[Charlie84]

As much as becomes abundantly clear as we tackle the corner for the final time. Still accelerating hard in fourth gear, at around 80mph, the Integra doesn't need any cajoling, coercing, or convincing. It simply turns in, biting hard into the tarmac, with a level of adjustability and fluidity that takes your breath away. It ignores the surface change, dances across the camber, and as momentum and lateral force begin to push the Bridgestones beyond even their prodigious adhesive limits, the Type-R enters a completely different realm.

You feel the nose hint at running wide, but as you apply a little more lock the diff really begins to work, and in so doing brings the tail increasingly into play, to the point where the car actually adopts a mild, natural oversteer stance. Three wheels working hard, one barely in contact with the road, the Integra scythes through at unabated speed, no wasted effort, no scrappy corrections, just searing pace and total involvement.

That is freaking poetry to me. I'm dying to drive one of these.

Also, how the heck did a Mk5 GTI end up as one of their finalists? I mean, it's a good care for sure, but does an open-diff'd, electric-steering, e-throttle car with mushy brakes really belong in that class?

[slide13]

Also, how the heck did a Mk5 GTI end up as one of their finalists? I mean, it's a good care for sure, but does an open-diff'd, electric-steering, e-throttle car with mushy brakes really belong in that class?

i know! this is pathetic.
the MK5 is basically, VW going to the washroom, picks the the biggest turd they could find and attached 4 wheel. how could that turd end up on that list

[koko12]

At the time there was no fwd car that could handle like the ITR, but it's been a while since the last ITR was produce. Currently I think the best FWD car is the Megane RS 265 from a performance standpoint, but there are a lot of really good FWD cars right now and many people who like each one for different reason. In other words it's almost impossible to say which is best from a subjective point of view.

[hipster.]

Came in to second Mk1 Neon ACR.

[Aw614]

This thread is why I like Honda's, but hate the owners.

[NoXenons]

I have read that the Megane R26.R is epic. Roll cage, polycarbonate windows, titanium exhaust, Michelin PS2's, and enough stickers to out-rice the original ricer itself.

[ericb49]

[arismkv]

town and country

[eazysophresh]

I test drove a ITR at the dealership and fell in love with it. I also rode in my friends ITR swapped hatch and same results. I personally think it's the best FWD. This is just MY opinion. There are a lot of options for the motor and it's way more reliable than any of the cars you guys suggested. I'll bet anyone that ITR will outlast any one of those cars and will still have the same power. Honda FTW

[BattleRabbit]

This is the only thing that I could thing of as being a contender.

The GTI is NOT better in "every single way". Any car with sound deadening is not "better", even if it's faster.

I think the Megane is probably the best front driver ever, as of today.

That said, I think the top 5 best front drivers(ignoring reliability) has to include the ITR, the 90s Lotus Elan, the Corrado, and the Megane. Those seem to be the most universally accepted "best FWD driver's cars."

*note, I only listed four intentionally for "wildcard entry" status.

[MidnightSpecial]

Another vote for the R26.R with the new Megane RS 265 just behind it.

[xtravbx]

I test drove a ITR at the dealership and fell in love with it. I also rode in my friends ITR swapped hatch and same results. I personally think it's the best FWD. This is just MY opinion. There are a lot of options for the motor and it's way more reliable than any of the cars you guys suggested. I'll bet anyone that ITR will outlast any one of those cars and will still have the same power. Honda FTW

Don't put ITR swapped anything in the same sentence as a real ITR.

Ever.

[Mailbox]

OP is a hondafag

hahaha i'v never even owned a Honda in my life.

[DedRok]

Honda Prelude?

[C4 A6]

lol where's c4 ?

Out partying.

The ITR, while dated, can still hang with FWD performance cars of today. And just give it a little bit of go-fast mods and it'll be more than capable of beating them. It's not the fastest, but it's essentially a FWD Miata; slow, but will be preferred by >50% of people shopping in the same price segment due to the fun factor.

It may not be king of FWD today, but it's indisputable that it is one of the best factory FWD cars ever made (due to it's minimal compromise nature).

[venom600]

My vote...

[zeewhiz]

Honda Prelude?

Came to post this.

[WakusPakus]

nissan sentra...they chirp third.

[curvedinfinity]

The Renaults

[Ross1013]

Honda Prelude?

Gets trounced in every performance category by the ITR, revs lower, and weighs 300lb more.