Do we miss the Acura Integra Type R? Duh. Does a bear shit in the woods? Are the Kennedys gun shy? Does Carmen Electra look good in a thong?
The Type R was on our last four Eight Great Ride lists. Even when it wasn't around, the Integra GS-R took its place, which is a real testament to the competence of the DC2 chassis.
With this history, it was only natural for us to approach the Integra's replacement, the RSX, with uncertainty. After all, the Integra's wishbone front suspension was replaced with struts and our beloved Type R was history, again, replaced this time by the Type-S.
Still, the RSX Type-S, with its 200-hp i-VTEC 2.0-liter engine, six-speed transmission and dynamite interior, quickly won us over.
Fact is, for the $23,650 sticker price of this silver test car, which was void of any options, you get one hell of a ride. You get a car with standard leather interior and an in-dash, six-disc CD changer that squirts from 0-60 mph in 6.9 seconds and runs the quarter mile in 15 seconds flat at 94.5 mph. Impressive numbers; better, in fact, than all the other 2002 Eight Great Rides, besides the almighty Subaru.
The Type-S, despite its much-criticized front strut suspension, also turned a quick 68 mph through our 700-ft. slalom. For comparison, last year's Type R pulled .89g around the skidpad. Drive the Type-S at its limits and the competency of its chassis becomes obvious. Its steering is quick and direct, its turn-in immediate and its structure tight. This car stays with you. It pushes when you want it to, and it rotates if you ask nicely.
Even its brakes, which have standard ABS, are up to the task. Stops from 60 mph are accomplished in a short 133 feet, and the large four wheel discs are very tough to overheat. During Eight Great testing, we hit our favorite mountain road in the Type-S and the Nissan Sentra SE-R. When we reached the bottom of the mountain, the SE-R's brakes were cooked. The Acura's, on the other hand, were ready for more.
Sure, we miss the Integra Type R, but we've grown to love its replacement. Maybe next year there will be an RSX Type R for us to evaluate. We hope anyway.