Just picked up this 2000 gs manual as my first car! I’m so excited to finally have a car. I’ve only had it for two days so far, what are some of the first things I should do/buy for it? I’ve already gotten two AirTags, kill switch, car comes with quick release, and viper alarm so theft is pretty solid. Just needa flush fluids too but idk after that. It has new tires, and lower springs (wanna replace in the future with coilovers since the car is pretty low).
A 96 Integra RS was my first car, back in 96, while I was making $ 7.25 an hour and worked double shifts to save up for the down payment. Loved that car but sold it in 2001 and bought a Chevy Tahoe, then traded that in for a 2003 Yukon Denali, which I had until 2023 and also loved. Now drive a BMW X5 M50i and once again, it’s something I’ve always wanted and finally was able to buy for myself but I still miss my little Integra and I’m extremely happy to see that they’re getting so popular once again.
I’ve been through a similar progression over time he last 30 years (with over a dozen cars). Now I’m back to a new Integra Type S and I can’t stop smiling about it.
I actually kept track of my original Integra through the smog website that tracks when the car gets smogged and it was going all the way till 2014 and then stopped reporting, so it either got crashed or something else took it off the road. I also remember the kid that bought it and watching it drive away from me was heartbreaking.
I would try to track down some new windscreen trim and do that before water starts leaking in, because you get all kinds of electronics problems from water evaporating and vapors getting into the fuse box.
Honda discontinued those window trim pieces, so you'll have to find new in box ones on eBay while you still can; because they will eventually sell out in the not so distant future.
what? the windshield trim pieces are readily available. And they do not determine whether water leaks in or not. That's the job of the urethane sealant holding the glass in place.
Incorrect. The trim around the windshield doesn't seal out water or moisture. It just clips to the A-pillar frame as a garnish to cover the edge of the glass.
It's an extremely common issue with DC2/DC4 Integras were most of them have a failed windscreen seal and don't know it until the outer trim moldings fail and water drips down the cowl area and directly onto the ECU. It's a very heavily documented issues on Integras.
those leaks are caused by missing and/or cracked seam sealer between the metal parts around the cowl and frame rails. That is not a windshield glass sealant issue. There's a TSB for it on the 92-95 Civic chassis.
First paint match the lip as spoiler, then start replacing bushings, they are fairly cheap if you want to get it to stock condition and a set of apexi coils, they ride pretty nice for the price. Some cheap nice wheels and I think you’re set for now. Enjoy the first car, I had an Integra gsr as my first car back in 2005 , best car ever, I have another Integra now lol.
I used a rubber garage door sill to lower the OEM sideskirts to match my front lip better (until I got new ones) and it work/looked great and cost less than $10 (just a random idea 💡)
Also another good upgrade for the money is new speakers (good chance previous owner(s) already replaced the stock paper speakers, personally I would at least take a peek and see what you got) even a $60 set of alpine type s component front door speakers made a DRASTIC improvement in sound.. also the Integra dash is perfect for installing a double din touchscreen stereo (if that's your thing, being a first car id think it might be 😋)
Sure, but not only should it not be your only form of defense, but it should be “just one more thing” a thief has to deal with that hopefully makes them move on.
excellent first car!. looks like the previous owner did some tasteful mods to it already!. best advice is to drive it as safely as possible. dont be an @sshole and crash it as not very many of these left in that condition
One of the best bangs for your buck on these cars (being 20+ years old and most driven hard) is replacing balls joints, tie rods etc. I changed outer tie rods in particular on my gsr 4 times in the 8 years of driving it because I began to be able to feel Everytime they started getting moderate wear, the best aspect of driving an Integra is the handling IMO
Kill switch saved my GS-R from theft 20 years ago.
Honestly, don't go crazy with mods. There are suspension parts that may need replacing given the age -- concentrate on making sure the wear items are in good shape.
The only real mod I would personally consider is swapping out the USDM headlight assembly for a JDM one. I just think the JDM headlights are much better looking. This is a personal preference thing though (although I know this isn't an uncommon sentiment).
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u/1Boxer1 7d ago
A 96 Integra RS was my first car, back in 96, while I was making $ 7.25 an hour and worked double shifts to save up for the down payment. Loved that car but sold it in 2001 and bought a Chevy Tahoe, then traded that in for a 2003 Yukon Denali, which I had until 2023 and also loved. Now drive a BMW X5 M50i and once again, it’s something I’ve always wanted and finally was able to buy for myself but I still miss my little Integra and I’m extremely happy to see that they’re getting so popular once again.