Celica or Integra?

"Obruni" (Obruni)
03/09/2015 at 20:18 • Filed to: Celica, Integra, advice, cheap bastard, NYC

I'm finally in a position where I can get some wheels. Not expensive wheels, but wheels nonetheless. Whatever I get will be parked on the street in NYC, so I'm keeping my budget small.

I know I should just get a Corolla or Civic, but they leave me a bit cold. I will be getting an automatic, so a Miata is very unlikely. Scion Xb owners are a sketchy bunch (three for three so far with Title/VIN/payment issues) and I've been reading horror stories about Prelude transmissions.

So, I ask as to which would be better for a cheap-ish city car? A 6th-gen Celica GT, a 7th-gen Celica GT or a 3rd-gen Integra GS/LS?

DISCUSSION (33)

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Obruni
03/09/2015 at 20:23

in all seriousness, why are you getting an auto? are you missing a limb?

Manuals are a proven theft deterrent. the 7th gen celica is probably the best auto out of the three, but man, the manuals in all 3 are fantastic.

bob and john > Obruni
03/09/2015 at 20:24

7th gen celica. Teggs are notorious for being stolen and stripped for parts

TheHondaBro > Obruni
03/09/2015 at 20:25

The Integra is going to be stolen as fuck. Get a 6th gen Celica. They're cheaper than 7th gens.

Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis > Obruni
03/09/2015 at 20:25

Not sure if they still are, but Integra's for a long time were magnets for thieves.

I'd go with a 5th or 6th gen Celica.

E. Julius > Obruni
03/09/2015 at 20:26

You can definitely find an automatic Miata if you look enough. If that's not what you need though, I'd pick Integra over Celica. IMO Celica went downhill pretty quick after the 5th gen.

Edit: Apparently I know nothing about car theft lol

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Obruni
03/09/2015 at 20:26

The Integra will get stolen.

In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you > Obruni
03/09/2015 at 20:27

Neither, get a 1985-1995 Volvo.

dogisbadob > Obruni
03/09/2015 at 20:29

Automatic Miatas do exist. Also, what is your budget?

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > Obruni
03/09/2015 at 20:29

I think the odds of finding an Integra for a decent price that hasn't been riced to hell and back are pretty low, so you may just want to start looking at Celicas.

Obruni > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
03/09/2015 at 20:30

Poor knee/foot/ankle health. I was diagnosed with arthritis in my knees at the age of 21, for example.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Obruni
03/09/2015 at 20:31

that's fair enough, then go the 7th Gen Celica, it'll be the most comfortable.

Ducky > Obruni
03/09/2015 at 20:32

the integra will get stolen and if it doesn't the transmission will blow up. Late 90s/ Early 00s Honda automatics blow up every 140k like clockwork. Avoid. Manuals will outlast the e.

Miatas with automatics are worth several thousand less than similar cars with real transmissions. A good option, but the auto gearbox itself is apparently miserable and awful. Bad ratios and sluggish shifting.

Get tthe Celica

Kailand09 > Obruni
03/09/2015 at 20:32

I'd say integra but they get stolen a lot.

So RSX. Preferably type S. But that's not auto.

So... I hate to say it... Miata. Are there any auto MR2's?

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Obruni
03/09/2015 at 20:33

Integra. That said, I recently bought a 7th gen Civic as a DD and I think you're selling Civics short. All of 127hp in my car, totally gutless, but so much fun to throw around. Also, 35mpg.

Funktheduck > Obruni
03/09/2015 at 20:35

Celica if you want less of a chance of it being stolen.

Desu-San-Desu > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
03/09/2015 at 20:37

7th-gen GT-S. Go for the one with the 2ZZ. The 1ZZ engine was...okay. But the 2ZZ really brings those cars alive.

Andrew P. Collins > Obruni
03/09/2015 at 20:38

My first car was a '96 Integra. An LS, none of that fancy VTEC shit. Spectacular car nonetheless, and mine was a basic salvage-title cheapo high school kid special. Can't recommend that car highly enough.

Buddy of mine rear-ended me at a stoplight and totaled it... hell, that was almost a decade ago now! Part of me thinks I'd still be driving it if that hadn't happened.

cluelessk > Obruni
03/09/2015 at 20:38

7th gen Celica. Smartest one to buy.

Obruni > dogisbadob
03/09/2015 at 20:39

under $4k.

I should be able to get a Miata at that price, but the least expensive Miata automatic near me is asking 40% above Edmunds' TMV.

Obruni > In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you
03/09/2015 at 20:39

No.

In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you > Obruni
03/09/2015 at 20:42

Fine, get a MB 300D (TURBODIESEL OR IT WILL NOT MOVE) auto.

IT WILL NEVER EVER DIE AND IT CAN RUN ON VEGGIE OIL.

Obruni > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
03/09/2015 at 20:43

actually hasn't been as impossible. Del Sols, on the other hand.....ugh.

AthomSfere > Obruni
03/09/2015 at 20:46

Hands down/ Integra... Being automatic you might actually have a shot at getting one that hasn't been riced too.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > Obruni
03/09/2015 at 20:46

Maybe it's just a California thing....I know what you mean about del Sols though. Poor little things, they deserved better.

jkm7680 > Obruni
03/09/2015 at 20:53

An Integra would be stolen. Like if you bought it last week, it would be gone by right now.

SlickMcRick > Andrew P. Collins
03/09/2015 at 20:54

I always loved the design of that Integra. The double headlights are AMAZING. I tried finding a 4 door with 5MT but they are hard to find not riced to death.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Desu-San-Desu
03/09/2015 at 20:54

oh yeah, I forgot they came with the 1zz, we only got them with the 2ZZ in Australia.

Obruni > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
03/09/2015 at 20:56

You have to understand something. My last two cars were an SVX and a Saab 9-5. Civics are too obvious.

If I could drive stick I'd go for an Si hatch in a heartbeat.

I know the Celica, Miata and Integra are nowhere near as weird as those two, but they are at least interesting to me. But part of me also wants to wait for a non-shady Xb seller.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Obruni
03/09/2015 at 21:09

Understandable given your past cars. xB is a cool car...the newer ones get a lot of shit, but they're relatively fun and feel HUGE inside.

A 2007ish Focus SES is also a really fun car, but maybe a little over budget.

Amoore100 > Obruni
03/09/2015 at 21:57

I would say Integra, but those are often riced (at least in my area) and are prone to theft. I think (at least from my point of view) Celicas are less prone to those two problem areas, though they still have a relatively high chance of them...

Obruni > In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you
03/09/2015 at 23:17

they never die, but they rust away. I've ruled out the Protege5 for the same reason.

gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun > Obruni
03/09/2015 at 23:36

My first good car was a 5th gen Celica... ALLLLLLLLL the curves!

JEM > TheHondaBro
03/10/2015 at 09:13

This. I wouldn't even dream of looking at/owning a Civic or Integra in a major city due to the the theft thing.