XJ.89.Limited

Hey, I'm looking to buy an Integra for the summer because my Cherokee just doesn't cut it for mpgs. Theres a big difference between my big 4.0 and the little 1.8 in the Integra. I'm thinkin of gettin between a '90 and a '95 Integra LS 5 speed. My budget is pretty low because I'm only in high school and going to college in the fall. I saw a '92 LS 5 speed on craigslist for $1700. It said high miles and needs bodywork. Bodywork is no problem for me because I already have experience in that, but how high is too high for mileage on Integras? I would like it to last me a few years till I'm out of college. I might possibly get the 1.7 VTEC GS-R if I can find one for cheap, but I think I might be better with the LS. It is also going to be beat on a little becuse I'm not very experienced with manual cars (only dirtbikes and 4 wheelers) but know how to work a manual, so I wont totally kill the clutch and tranny. Is there anything I should watch for when I buy one? Any helpful advice from Integra gurus? My budget it right around $2000 for one. Maybe a little higher if it is worth it. Any suggestions would help a lot. Thanks!

ullbsorry

If you want MPG's then get an Integra that has the 1.8L NON-vtec motor in it. It would be a b18a1 or b18b1 motor. Body styles changed at 1994. So 1990-93 and 1994-01 are the different model years. High miles on a Acura/Honda doesnt mean anything. I recently got rid of my 92 Integra sedan back in the fall and it had 280k miles BUT when I got rid of it I put a newer motor in it. The original motor had 278k when I yanked it out and it still ran like a champ just leaked and burned a little oil so I wanted to upgrade. If you take care of them then they will last. I bought my 92 Teg for $1k and only changed the oil once in 3 years lol but thats mainly b/c I was planning on replacing the motor so I was going to wait till the original motor gave out...which it never did. I just checked the oil and added when it needed some. Do a comp test before buying. That will help you see how well the motor has been taken care of.

Highest I ever got was a little over 400 miles to the 12 gal tank. As time went on it dropped down to about 340 miles because of the weat on the motor and things needed to be replaced/upgraded.

I wish I never got rid of the car :-(

XJ.89.Limited

Thanks alot man, I appreciate it. The one I'm lookin at has the b18a1 in it. I kinda want a 94 more because of the styling, but I haven't seen any in my price range. The 92 was my best bet so far. I wish I could get a 98 type-r but thats not possible. Whats the differences between the a1 and the b1 motors?

willsmysticcobra

150k on an integra is just broken in... just make sure the timing belt is changed.

XJ.89.Limited

I'll make sure all the belts are replaced. Thats a big thing with any car really. Are they hard to do or would I have to take it to a mechanic? I can do it on my cherokee, but im not too sure on a front wheel drive car. I've heard that engines have to be shifted over on some cars just to do the belts.

ullbsorry

a1 were put in the 90-93 Tegs. b1 were put in the 94+ Tegs along with the CRV's

Mr Talon

Pre91 is obd-o
92-95 is obd-1
You might want to know that

XJ.89.Limited

I should go with a 92 and up then so I can still chip it. Pre-obd cars can't be chipped. At least my 89 cherokee can't.

rastapimpjay

'89 Integra 5spd here been the 2nd owner since 2001.... these things CANNOT die, I've abused it, ran it with almost no oil, driven through blizzards & hurricanes, over driving embankments, been hit by an H2 Hummer, had part of a 100yr old 4ft diameter tree fall on it, made 1,000+mi trips, etc... they will NEVER die 140K+ and still getting 26mpg city, 30+ hwy.... I've had people stop me and ask if it was for sale because "Those things never die"

I keep a quart of oil with me at all times because my engine likes to burn oil plus it could use a set of new gaskets to stop the leaks

WATCH out for rust up here in the north east

Shy away from ones owned by teens (no offence) or ricer types and lots of city miles

XJ.89.Limited

Yeah, I heard they never die. Its like a civic, but more power. I'll definitely check for rust before I even buy one. Unfortunately, I might have to settle for a ricer-ish one if I want one cheap. But I'll make sure it's mostly stock. Over here in PA its hard to find one. People actually buy them for commuter cars, not projects. I only found a few within my price range. Only one was in decent shape and not too messed up. The cheap ones are from the few that mod them and realize they screwed up somewhere. The decent ones are from old people that drove them to work for good gas mileage. That's amazing that yours went through all that though. Keep runnin it as long as you can. Im sure it has plenty more life in it.

TMW2000

they really are awesome little cars. my friend and i re-did a 91. engine swap, body kit, racing seats, yada yada yada. it was pretty cool. he swapped the b16 motor for the b18 v-tech outta japan. made a big difference in power. lots of fun, but economical though too

XJ.89.Limited

Still lookin for a job so I can save up for one. Man I hate this economy.

brotu123

Body kit,"racing seats"blah. You might want to look for some Civics too.
Here is mine. It's a good backup to the XJ.

XJ.89.Limited

I would get a civic, but they take a lot of work to get power. An integra has a lot more horsepower from factory than a civic. Believe me, it was a hard choice, but I have to go with an integra. haha. I still wanna have some fun with good mileage. And I don't want a total weed whacker under the hood. The integra has a slightly deeper tone to it

XJ.89.Limited

Yours is nice as hell though, good job on it. What have you done so far?