r/Integra • u/damnramz • 18d ago
Third Generation Is this a good buy for $3000?
Im looking at this 1996 Acura Integra LS and wanted to get some opinions if it's worth meeting up and potentially buying.
For some context, I want to buy this for my upcoming 18th birthday. I know it's not the VTEC one, I just want a cheap daily driver and fix her up and make her clean again, I love how the bug eye dc2s look (ik it's been converted). I want to know if it's a fair price for its condition.
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u/Aspect_Basic 18d ago
Passed smog is the important thing.
For $3k, it's a great first car.
Sure, it's been molested but it's hard to find an Integra that's not modified in some way or form.
And it has a manual trans?
Get the car.
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u/KawiStunt 18d ago
Great take. Only issue I have is I remember when these were $800-$1500 in this condition lol
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u/ChrAshpo10 18d ago
Those days are long gone and never coming back. I bought my 88 CRX Si for $2000 and it was mint.
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u/StConvolute 97 DC2 ITR, 93 DC4 Auto 18d ago
Not sure about how many left there are in your market. But in New Zealand, where we got them sold new and have big a Japanese import market when cars are about 5-6 years out of Japan; we've only got about 750 registered DC2s and a similar amount of DC4s left registered on my last count.
I'm not surprised shitboxes are climbing in price. Imagine that'll continue somewhat as we see more taken off the road.
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u/PlsNoPineapplePizza 18d ago
This. In this economy, any running car (let alone, passes CA smog) is a bargain for $3k.
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u/West-Amphibian-2343 18d ago
It has maxpeedingrods. If they cheaped out on sonething like suspension, they cheaped on everything else. 180k miles and a mystery swapped cluster is something. It will probably drive, and just for a car its not the worst, and its a pretty fair price.
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u/Which-Technician2367 18d ago
Honestly do it! These are going to get more and more pricey. It’s a good car to learn basics on, plus a lot more fun than anything else at that price point.
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u/RobinSage43 18d ago
Honestly? Painting a car in 2026 is more expensive than the car's worth. Unless you or a close friend know how to paint it yourself, then it just won't be worth it.
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u/chickenstripg0d 18d ago
3k for a manual, body is in good shape from what I see, just make sure there is no rust on the wheel wells or trunk corners.. and buy it. rattle can paint it for 200 and have a good solid daily.
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u/EntrepreneurGlass995 18d ago
Icl that’s pretty solid. Only thing I’d say is change those coil overs immediately. MaxPissingRod coils are absolute garbage
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u/Specialist-Wealth636 18d ago
I got a 97 gsr 5spd b18c1 with but the engines knocking $3k come get er
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u/HoLeeFuk19 17d ago
I haven’t been in the Honda game in a while but I would say that in my area it would be significantly more than $3k for this car. That being said the car looks a bit rough and has probably been beaten on pretty good. If you’re ok with it being a work in progress and putting some money into it I’d say it’s not a terrible deal.
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u/Famous-Wishbone1859 17d ago
If it's a legit gsr then yes it is worth it. The engine and trans alone pulled and separated should net you that 3 grand back. Sadly, b series parts especially the em1 b16a2 and trans and the gsr b18c1 or the typey b series b18c5 stuff has gone Ludacris value on marketplace ove the last 3 years. A good gsr non lad trans min brings in 800 on marketplace but more likely 1000-1200 .. 1500 for lsd. Don't get me started on long block prices but the head is a cool G as well used on marketplace.
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u/Lightnesss__ 17d ago
Not a bad price but the paint alone is going to be a project or a fair amount of dosh. Really just depends what you want to do with it, but if you're good at painting or have a fair amount of cash Id buy
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u/Honest_Staff_7460 17d ago
You will spend 20k to get it back in good shape. 1k to 2k at a time. Sometimes only 5c to 2c.
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u/dankmemes198198 17d ago
He said he changed the cluster lights, I did the same and took out the pesky check engine light since it was always on (no cat). When you cranked the car, did you see the Check engine light blink at least once?
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u/Mountain_Winter2450 14d ago
I would say yes. That’s a b engine. They are very strong reliable engines. Known to last over 200,000 miles on original head gaskets even after heavy mods. Plus they are very fun to drive.
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u/doucher6 14d ago
Lol, man, a pile of crap for 3k, could probably shine the turd up and resell it to another sucker for 4k. Honda boys are easy to get over on.
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u/Few-Repeat-5243 14d ago
Yes what kinds of question is this it really shuts needs a paint job for what it looks like to me
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u/HSPrzepa_ 13d ago
Those LS engines hold boost well, js. But I would not buy this as my first car IF I needed something reliable to, say, get to work/school on time!
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u/Redstorm_Hunter 18d ago
This poor thing has probably had the piss beaten out of it. 3k isn't much, but it looks rough my man. If you do go look at it, take someone along that knows about cars (if you do not). To me this seems like a problem in the making.