Bone Stock Hot Hatch: 2000 Acura Integra GS-R

If you’re of a certain age, you can remember a time when Honda and Acura produced winner after winner. Well-built, high-strung, and equipped with the shifter of the gods, the Acura Integra and Honda Civic of the 90s were the peak products for both brands, in my opinion. The rest of the lineup was solid as well, but the Integra GS-R and Civic Si were the ones young enthusiasts like me yearned for. This 2000 Acura Inteagra GS-R listed here on craigslist is one of the few stock examples left and the seller is asking $15,000.

Thanks to Barn Finds reader Curvette for the tip. The trick with these cars is finding one that hasn’t been over-modified. Most every Honda and Acura hot hatch from the era has been treated to a buffet of upgrades the factory never intended, so tracking one down like this that offers both the preferred high-revving powertrain and no modifications is a legitimate needle in the haystack. The added bonus with the Acura products, however, is that the interiors were pretty nice as well, typically equipped with leather and heated seats. And don’t forget one of the best shifters ever put in a production automobile.

The 1.8L inline-four is a small engine, yes – but incredibly mighty. The VTEC-equipped ripper pushed out an amazing 170 b.h.p. from this humble mill at a lofty 7,600 RPM. While plenty of enthusiasts get excited by the later S2000 roadster’s 9,000 RPM tachometer, the GS-R represents a far more affordable way to experience the unique sensation of wondering if you’ll grenade your engine on each redline shift. It’s rather incredible to me to pop the hood and see a bone-stock engine underneath, with not even a cold air intake present to disturb the factory appearance.

And, the best part is – it’s a Honda. That means service is laughably affordable and parts are cheap. The seller has done the big jobs of the timing belt and water pump, so you’re practically guaranteed to run this car for a few hundred bucks annually (and fuel, of course) for the next few years. The listing also notes that the seller doesn’t drive it much and his children don’t want the car (big mistake, kiddos), so he’s putting it up for sale. It’s a strong price but a fair one, and I suspect he’ll get pretty close to the asking number.