The Acura Integra Type-R is arguably one of the most collectible import models to come out of the late 1990s. As cars and trucks from this era continue to appreciate, there is no denying that sport compacts are at the head of the class when it comes to offering long-term investment potential and a highly engaging driving experience. The Integra Type-R was revolutionary not only for its rev-happy engine and silky-smooth gearbox, but also for its incredible out-of-the-box handling for a front-wheel-drive car. The Integra Type-R featured here is a low-mileage example and also happens to be a right-hand-drive Japanese market car. Find it here on eBay with a Buy-It-Now of $69,500.
Truth be told, as much as that price may offend you, it’s actually cheap for a stock, low-mileage Type-R. A traditional left-hand-drive U.S. model would command even more money, in my opinion, so the seller was smart to snag one from overseas considering how few will likely ever come up for sale stateside in this sort of condition. The only downside to this car is that many drivers have a reluctance to sitting on the other side of the cabin, which may limit his potential buyer pool. More than that, if a potential suitor is considering this Integra as an investment as much as a toy, they will likely wonder if the RHD configuration will hurt them down the line.
The seller provides plenty of evidence that this Type-R is one of the few that is accident-free, with original paint depth consistent across every panel. The Type-R was not treated particularly well when it debuted, with many of them crashed or stolen before reaching a double-digit birthday. As the seller mentions, he’s selling this Acura because he’s too paranoid to use it, and likely not just because of the potential of a parking lot ding or a distracted driver; thieves still target them even this many years after the model’s introduction and end of production. The drivetrain is still a desirable specimen for swapping into lesser Honda and Acura products, and the Recaro interior is worth a mint.
The best part about Acura’s marquee sports cars like this and the NSX is that they are still Hondas underneath, which means maintenance is ridiculously cheap for the performance that comes standard. Many pundits at the time considered the Type R Integra to be the best front-driver on the planet, an opinion that is still quite relevant today. The seller’s asking price may seem optimistic, but these cars have a worldwide following and I wouldn’t be surprised to see it go back to Japan to sit in a static collection for the next 30 years. Hopefully, it will remain stateside, as the JDM variant of the Integra is a rare find in any form but especially in low-mileage Type-R guise.
I feel like this would sell kind of like the MK4 Supra is right now. Technically in the world, the USDM-type LHD models are rarer, but the RHD models go for more money, at least in the US.
If it’s someone in the US, he probably realized he is at risk of having the car seized by the DOT. No conforming cars built before 1997 are prohibited from being imported into the US with few exceptions. Collectors who buy these never register them or try to have the titles put into their names, at least not until after the 25 year limit has passed.
Ouch….cool car….but ouch$. I wish I had kept my Sundance gold 2001 CLS type with Navi…it held its own pretty well in terms of performance.
If this is a JDM model, it’s a Honda — not an Acura. Considering how many Integra owners back in the day converted their cars to the Japanese front end and headlights (or wanted to), I don’t think the value of this car will be hurt.