There are cars you used to see everywhere; then, one day, it dawns on you that the vehicle must be practically extinct. Honda Civics and Accords are obviously a dime a dozen, but in the 1980s and the early days of its sister brand Acura, you’d see a fair number of Integras running around, but that’s all changed. The first-generation (and even the second-generation) Integra is an endangered species these days, and while this car listed here on eBay has some rough edges, it’s not past the point of saving. It’s also dirt cheap since it’s offered for $1,500 or best offer, and has the preferred 5-speed manual.

Now, like most Acura vehicles, this is a massaged Honda product. The materials on the inside will feel familiar to anyone who has owned a Civic or Accord from the same era, but the Integra did feel different “enough” to convince car shoppers they were getting a more refined experience as a result of spending more on the Acura. The fit and finish were certainly high quality but it was the driving dynamics that made the Integra such a revelation. The car shown here rides on OEM-correct alloy wheels, and is the preferred 3-door body style, but the bodywork does have some rust issues to address.

In the states, the CRX Si sat as the top banana in the Honda lineup for sporty models. The Integra didn’t want to threaten this ranking but did want to combine a willing chassis and engine with some features not offered on the Honda hatchback. The Integra gained four wheel disc brakes and most notably a DOHC and fuel-injected four-cylinder engine good for about 113 horsepower. It may not seem like a lot, but it was good enough to propel the Acura to 60 in under 10 seconds. The gearbox was obviously classic Honda, which meant it rowed through the cogs with precision and ease. Some personalization has happened under the hood of this Integra, but fortunately, it’s easily reversed.

The interior is in good shape overall, with nicely bolstered factory bucket seats and an original Acura steering wheel. The seller has also added some auxiliary gauges underneath the HVAC controls. While it does run, the seller notes that the Integra will need a new clutch before too long, and that there’s an existing oil leak that should be addressed. Despite some rust issues, the seller has already secured a good hood and doors from a salvage yard in Arizona, and replacing those panels will address some of the more obvious rust concerns (no word on how it looks underneath.) The asking price seems reasonable for a runner, so long as you don’t mind eventually having to repaint it.