Learn me Integra GS-R

If it hasn't sold by then, I'm looking at a '94 GS-R coupe tomorrow for challenge money. It has 200k miles, "rust on the quarter panel and it needs a new linkage but other than that it's good". I pressed for more info, he said "the shifter is just a little loose"

Other worrying things: The one picture shows that it has one of those quick-release fastener things. It looks like it was lowered, but not slammed. Who knows what the quality was. There is some rust, that means there is more. It can't be "just" a loose linkage. If that was it, he'd fix it himself and sell it for more than challenge money. 

But, still, it is a GS-R for challenge money. I don't really know anything about these, other than they're the Integra you want to have that isn't the R. So... What should I look for or be concerned about here?

Rust is the main concern. Take a magnet to check for body filler if there's quick release body bits. The shift linkage may be shifter bushings, a pain to replace, but cheap. At 200k, it'll need shifter bushings if they haven't yet been replaced. 

Also, if the Cubs are home, it may not be around tomorrow.

captdownshift (Forum Supporter) said:

Also, if the Cubs are home, it may not be around tomorrow.

Thats funny.

Shaun said:

captdownshift (Forum Supporter) said:

Also, if the Cubs are home, it may not be around tomorrow.

Thats funny.

That is awesome. I'm gonna tell my brother to offer up his TSX. 

I gotta figure that the floor for these, even in rough condition, is about $1,500. Right? 

In reply to mtn :

Yeah, between the limited slip, close gear ratios and B18, they part out for decent money. Honestly at challenge money, making sure it's not stolen is definitely important as well.

Also, I've invited Andrew Chafin to the challenge, so if the Cubs get to the world series and he can't make it, I'm the reason that happened. 

As someone who has bought two cars for less money combined than I paid to stand for the entirety of Game 3 in 2016, I really, really hope he won't be there and that is the reason.

Also make sure it's a real GS-R, and not a GS or LS with GS-R badging and wheels.....

And you are positive it's a GSR? That is the basement for them. Mine has 210K on it and runs like a top but it's been taken great care of. Really it's all about care at that age. This one sounds kinda dogged. 

*nearly* All the suspension bits interchange with the type R stuff. The CRV is a big parts scrounger score. A lot of stuff on the crv was beefy

No, I'm not sure. Only differences that couldn't be faked would be the vtech, right? 

yeah. It's really the motor and transmission that are the big differences. I mean there are a bunch of smaller ones

captdownshift (Forum Supporter) said:

In reply to mtn :

Yeah, between the limited slip, close gear ratios and B18, they part out for decent money. Honestly at challenge money, making sure it's not stolen is definitely important as well.

the GSR did not have a LSD, only the Type R did.

bmw88rider said:

And you are positive it's a GSR? That is the basement for them. Mine has 210K on it and runs like a top but it's been taken great care of. Really it's all about care at that age. This one sounds kinda dogged. 

Mine, which is yours, which is mine soon - is a rare specimen. It doesn't compare to the ones OP is talking about.... 

I see lots of GSR's for sale that actually have a B20 or B18b1 in them, usually because the B18c1 (VTEC) was stolen years ago. Hard to miss that VTEC on the valve cover, though (which isn't totally foolproof, could be an LS/VTEC). 

If it's legit, do it. I still pine for the previous gen GS-R. The big long headlights. 

I'm sure at this point it's impossible to find a '92-93 GS-R in good condition. 

Well, looks like our schedules are not going to match up on this one. If anyone is interested, here is the link: https://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/cto/d/elgin-94-acura-integra/7305878967.html.

I'm not sure that there are enough puffs left in this particular cigar, but it certainly would have been worth a 30 minute drive for me to look at the valve cover and vin number (and spoiler to see the taillight). The seller has actually been pretty responsive for a craigslist seller, but isn't volunteering any information which doesn't exactly bode well.

z31maniac said:

If it's legit, do it. I still pine for the previous gen GS-R. The big long headlights. 

I'm sure at this point it's impossible to find a '92-93 GS-R in good condition. 

I don't think this one is good condition. OKish condition, at best.

In reply to mtn :

I still think the TSX from your brother is probably the best deal, even if your brother is holding out for the high dollar.  Paying too much for something you know can be cheaper than paying too little for something with heavy unknown.  

In reply to mtn :

He drives in reverse at aggressive pace.

John Welsh said:

In reply to mtn :

I still think the TSX from your brother is probably the best deal, even if your brother is holding out for the high dollar.  Paying too much for something you know can be cheaper than paying too little for something with heavy unknown.  

This is where I'm at, and actually texted my brother about 10 minutes before you posted this that I'll be buying it on Thursday. 

I imagine, that like myself, you needed to do your own market study. 

I too hold a firm belief of what $3k should buy. Or, even what $3k has factually bought.  It's very sobering and a real change of thinking.  

I see it as you thinking, "I can buy better than that for $x.". Then, only to find out when looking that,"I can't." 

I mean, the GSR does have the best honda engine you'll find in that price range, short of a TSX. 

Also secretly hoping that you drive the TSX for a few years and then sell it to me for a challenge build. 

John Welsh said:

I imagine, that like myself, you needed to do your own market study. 

I too hold a firm belief of what $3k should buy. Or, even what $3k has factually bought.  It's very sobering and a real change of thinking.  

I see it as you thinking, "I can buy better than that for $x.". Then, only to find out when looking that,"I can't." 

I'm sure I can... If I could take more time, expand my search area, and didn't want a manual. But I can't take more time, I don't want to expand my search area, and did look at automatics. 

It is just kind of mind boggling. The Mazda Tribute that I sold in 2018, only 3 years ago, I asked $2,000 and took $1,500. Today? I have little doubt it could get $3,000. Damn near doubled its value in 3 years (inflation).