Hi, Scotty,
I'm in the market for a new or gently used car. My current "favorite" is the new Acura Integra with the 6 speed manual. I drive cars for the long haul with mostly highway driving, and I'm looking to keep whatever I get for 10+ years, just like my 2008 TSX I have now.
The new Integra has the 1.5 Turbo direct injection engine. I doubt this thing has the stalwart reliability of the current K24A2 I enjoy now, but I assume the stick will last longer than any CVT, even if it is Honda's.
The only other option is to get a Civic or Toyota with dual injection and no Turbo, but the Civics and Corollas I have seen all come with CVTs.
What's the lesser of two evils; Naturally aspirated with dual injection and CVT, or Direct Injection Turbo with a stick?
Thanks!
I would pick the manual trans all day long over any automatic.
The lesser of two evils is still evil. Between the two evils you present I'd take the manual transmission and pray that the 1.5 turbo engine will hold up if well-maintained.
I'd also say direct injection is the lesser of two evils. Especially if you plan on zooming around in this Integra like the guys in their early 20s do with their old, 90s Integras. I live near where the guy crashed his early 90s Dodge Viper, street racing an Integra from the 90s that made international news. Haha.
Religious oil changes will help keep gasoline contamination in the oil to a minimum if you drive it hard. A CVT won't hold up to sports car driving for long, and you will have a MUCH more enjoyable experience changing gears yourself, vs the "rubber band" effect the CVTs have. I can't stand that effect, personally.
I found a good solution for you:
get the 2022 Toyota Corolla SE with 2.0L naturally aspirated I4 engine mated to the 6-speed manual transmission. The I4 is the all new Dynamic Force engine and long term longevity is not known yet, but I would take this combo any day over the Honda and it’s tiny overstressed boosted direct-injection only engine.
https://www.toyota.com/corolla/ebrochure/
And manuals are harder to steal by miliennial thieves than automatics.
But I do agree, for longevity stay away from CVTs.
Admittedly, I would be looking for something with a bit more fit and finish and comfort features that the Corolla SE.
I can’t remember where I heard this tidbit, might be Scotty, or might be here in this forum.
Supposedly, the Integra direct injection isn’t as bad as others. Because Honda/Acura decided to occasionally leave the valves open when the fuel injectors are spraying, to help clean the valves.
I didn’t investigate the veracity of this.
Assuming this is true, then the manual transmission Integra may be a good choice.
@DayWalker has a good solution too, no direct injection, no turbo, but with a manual.
Well the Corolla still has direct injection, but it also retains the port injection.
I guess it would be accurate to say, no sole direct injection.
You might also want to consider the 2022 Civic hatchback sport trim; it's offered with a manual transmission and not turbocharged either.
Now this is hilarious... I just looked this up. If you were to bump up to the Sport Touring Trim, (which gets you the Turbo, but stay with me for a minute) you get both Satellite-Linked Navigation and Homelink, which isn't even offered on the Integra with the ASpec Technology Package!