I’m not sure exactly when it happened, but the Acura Integra Type R has emerged as the symbol and bellwether for highly regarded contemporary enthusiast classics. In 2018, my friend Caleb blogged about a car that sold for $63,800 and had only 1,900 miles on it. Unfortunately, the Gran Turismo mainstay has more than kept up with inflation, even though that might have looked like a lot back then. Earlier today, a 2001 Phoenix Yellow example with just 4,800 miles on the odometer was sold for $204,204 on Bring a Trailer. For its model year, 1,173 cars were reportedly produced for the US market, including this one. The RealTime Collection Hall owns this completely original coupe, which features 25-year-old tires, a detail that may help justify its exorbitant auction price. It is as immaculate as you might imagine. If anyone knows how unique the Integra Type R can be, it’s the team of Peter Cunningham’s RealTime Racing, who memorably dominated North American touring car competition with these. The powerful 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine in this American Integra Type R produces 195 horsepower and 130 lb-ft of torque, and it is mated to a five-speed manual transmission. This car was originally purchased for $24,930, but its current value is $45,176. Surprisingly, the inflation adjustment translates to a new Civic Type R, which will cost at least $47,045 in 2025 dollars. And for the price that the third owner of this Integra has paid, you could buy four of those. Pretty much everything that could be said about this phenomenon of amber-encased working-class performance cars being traded for 911 Turbo figures has already been said. Some will complain about it. Some will remain neutral, raise their hands, and assert that the market determines worth. And since they already have one or three, those who are left in the comments area will rejoice. Those who have had the privilege of driving an Integra Type R would unanimously agree that its iconic reputation is well-deserved. With a curb weight of just 2,400 pounds, an 8,400 rpm redline, and a front-wheel-drive chassis that remains a benchmark, it truly stands out. But everyone has their line. I think it would have been less than $63,000 if you had asked me what mine was seven years ago. But after this, now? This is how a line is moved, and $63K seems like a fairly decent price. But only a Japanese one with excellent headlights would cost me that much.
