Thanks for sharing that. I was actually just logging on to see if any pics had been released yet, so good timing. The car gets officially released this weekend so hopefully we get a lot more pictures and details.

First thoughts- it fixes all the issues I had with the Civic Type R like the big spoiler, bright red seats, carpet, mats, and the huge thigh side bolsters that make getting in and out a real pain for my bad back.

Surprises- How good it looks in white. I am excited to hear more of the exhaust that everyone keeps raving about since about the only complaint about the Civic Type R is the silent exhaust. I am still a little doubtful they can make an inline 4 cylinder sound remotely soulful, but maybe. I am really glad the seats have suede inserts since they are so much cooler in the summer and warmer in winter than the all leather I thought they would use since it is supposed to be a "luxury car" to some extent. The suede steering wheel from the Type R is a nice bonus and surprise for the same reason as the seats. So is the heads up display. I am also psyched by how wide those fender flares are. I believe 265's are the widest tires on a stock FWD car right now (shared with the Civic Type R) and it honestly looks like you could easily fit 285's or 295's in there if I want to get serious about track work.

Decision time- I know a lot of people outside of Lego will not agree with me, but I honestly like the old school hot hatch styling of a red GTI 40th anniversary better. It will probably be $20k cheaper than a Type S with my employee discount and 99% as fun to drive 99% of the time. That makes it really tough for me to justify the expense. If I'm honest, the Leaf is probably just as fun around town and 95% of corners for a lot less than both and I never have to pay for gas or oil. It is also way better for my bum left leg with massive S1 nerve pain all the way down my leg and into my heel which makes shifting a stick shift much less than ideal at the moment.

I see your point, but fortunately it still looks like a coupe and some of us still need a back seat for little ones. I like the look of the same sized exhaust tips better than the Type R's two smaller outer pipes and I am sure I will like the sound a LOT better than the Type R too. It is not nearly as boy racer as the Type R with its big spoiler and bright red interior. I honestly think it looks a bit too much of a sleeper to me for the high level of performance it should bring. It's almost like they could have gone with even wider tires or wheels with a more aggressive offset to fill those massive fender flares a bit more.

 

What I meant by the 4 seater comment is I wish it was a 5 seater as this should be a practical car. The middle seat isn't often used but there are times where you end up taking 4 passengers.

 

If that VW can deliver the things you want in a sporty DD with rewarding excess, without aging into just another hot hatch economy car with some pep, then I totally support your VW plans. Then again, if you only own it for a few years, that's probably not an issue. And if it happens maybe that aging problem isn't the car, it's you.

 

I like it. Really like it. To echo @4DRZ I think they did a great job improving on the somewhat over styled CTR and adding some luxury features, like the ELS sound system, heated seats, etc. I actually kind of like the red interior on the CTR, it was the red carpet and half assed black rear seats that they couldn't bother to color match that were too much for me.

The elephant in the room though -- it's expected to be almost $50,000

If you're looking for a track toy, the Type-S or CTR would probably be "better". For a fun around town daily driver, I'd pocket the savings and go GTI.

 

If you live where temps can get below freezing, the first time you own a car with heated seats is the last time you consider it a luxury item rather than a necessity.

Heated steering wheel too, for that matter. It's absence in the G37 screams fail.

Hi, Lego!

 

Wonder if there will be a nice aftermarket or retro bumper that could remedy that horrific design lol

 

Hi Rochester

Doesn't even need to get cold lol. I have back problems and use heated seats almost year round. More on long trips in the summer, but still, I don't think I'd want a car without them.

I've also gotten spoiled by auto high beams and auto windshield wipers, features that were available on other 'luxuxy' cars of the same vintage but oddly absent on the G.

 

Auto hi beams **** me off for some reason, I have them on my company car and hate it

 

Well I totally missed the mark on that one. That's what I get for commenting in the morning when I am still tired. I read your comment as 4 door not 4 seater missing a seat in back. Whoops.

I agree that it looks like the reasons to get the Type S over the Type R (Civic) are the appearance and sounds (exhaust and stereo). I think the Bose in the Civic would still be pretty good, but Motortrend seems to think the stereo in the Acura is the best thing since electricity.

I agree with you on the price issue too, but maybe for a different reason. Bang for the buck, the GTI 40th seems like a $20,000 better option. Don't get me wrong, I understand I am clearly giving up features and track performance. The thing I struggle with is how much I actually want those things. Especially with the new APR tune for the GTI- the performance gap disappears (as far as acceleration is concerned).

The heated steering wheel is amazing. Did anyone see anywhere if that is on the Integra Type S? I didn't see it listed, but I did notice the alcantara wheel is optional and that is the next best thing. Although it is a bit harder to keep clean.

Heated seats are definitely nice, but not necessary for me with cloth seats. We get plenty cold here in WI in the winter, but we also bundle up so cloth seats are never too bad. Leather, that's another story. Those are crazy cold in the winter here.

Haha! I have been saying that since the current gen M3/M4 was released. Both super ugly in the front, but they look decent everywhere else. So strange.

Most cars allow you to turn that feature off, but not all. Why do you prefer flicking the switch on and off for your high beams?

 

Good point, $20k more needs to be a LOT better lol. One might argue a more complaint ride is “better” if you aren’t going to track the car.

And you probably know this, but the stock clutch isn’t going to hold stage 1, so you’ll need to plan/budget replacement. And there are other, arguably better tuning options than APR.

 

Right now a compliant ride is huge and I am not even sure if I can drive stick at the moment with the severe nerve pain I have in my left leg and heel due to a torn disc in my back. I tried out all of the drive modes on the last GTI we had because I drove an S and the standard suspension sucks on a lot of roads we have around here. But the adaptive GTI suspension in comfort mode is great and it can even go softer if I need it. The Civic Type R has been criticized for having a bouncy ride on some roads and I was worried about such low profile tires (30 series!?!) so hopefully the "recalibrated" suspension on the Integra Type S fixes that.

I have even given some thought to the DSG on a 40th anniversary GTI, but knowing my luck by the time the car arrives my leg would be better and I would be so pissed that I did not get a stick shift.

I don't drop the clutch and drag race my cars so I would be ok, especially since I would probably do the 87 octane tune 1st just to save $$ on gas. I just like APR because I have a tuner for them right in town. But yeah, there's always a better option somewhere...

 

Whew, you're brave to put 87 in a turbo vehicle.

 

15 years ago that was true. Now 95% of the turbo vehicles at my store are formulated for regular gas and have dual knock sensors.

 

Most Turbo cars I've seen are tuned for 87.

 

But why? The cost difference per tank is only a couple bucks.

seems silly to drop $1k on a tune but nickel and dime on octane. Maybe you should just stick with the leaf if the incremental cost of 93 octane is a budget consideration