While many enthusiasts will be attracted to any classic car with the power and torque of a V8 under the hood, sometimes a fizzy little four-pot can offer a driving experience that is just as rewarding. That is the case with the 1996 Acura Integra GSR. This classic has become legendary across the globe and could rightly claim the crown of a genuine giant killer. Our feature car is an original and unmolested survivor with 44,000 miles on the clock. It has been garage-kept for its entire life by both of its owners, and its overall condition is impressive. It would suit a buyer seeking a smaller car with plenty of performance potential. Located in Austin, Texas, you will find the Integra listed for sale here on eBay. Frantic bidding has pushed the price beyond the reserve to $15,100. With time left on the listing, there’s scope for that figure to climb even higher.

The seller purchased this Milano Red Integra from its original owner in late 2019. Its overall condition makes it easy to believe that the vehicle has been garage-kept for its entire life. The seller indicates that the paint is original, with no history of touch-up work. It holds an impressive depth of shine, and any flaws or imperfections are minor and difficult to spot in the supplied photos. The panels are as straight as an arrow, with no bruises, blemishes, or evidence of rust. The general lack of surface corrosion across other areas of this vehicle makes it easy to believe that it is 100% rust-free. The exterior plastic, including the bumpers and rear spoiler, has survived remarkably well, considering the harsh UV conditions in its current location. This is also indicative of a car that has been treated with total respect. Life on any sunny day would be made more enjoyable thanks to the original owner’s decision to order this pocket rocket with a sunroof. The glass is excellent, but the original alloy wheels show their age. Restoring them would not be difficult or expensive and would lift the overall presentation to a higher level.

The same climate that is conducive to preserving classic steel can wreak havoc on plastic and upholstery. That isn’t the case with this Integra because its interior presents in virtually as-new condition. There is some slight wear on the outer edge of the heavily-contoured driver’s seat, but a leather specialist should be able to condition and color this to return it to its original state. The remaining leather trim shows no evidence of wear or dryness, while the plastic is excellent. The carpet and console are spotless, and the back seat looks like it has never been used. Comfort and safety features include airbags, air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, cruise control, a tilt wheel, and a CD player. The only issue that the owner identifies is that the CD player skips, but it is possible that running a lens cleaner through it may rectify this issue. It would cost nothing to try and would be worth the effort.

It is a shame that the owner supplies no engine photos, because the engine is the heart of what defines an Integra GSR. Under the hood will be a 1,797cc B18C1 DOHC four-cylinder engine that pushes out 170hp. All of that power has to go somewhere, so it finds its way to the front wheels via a five-speed manual transmission. If the owner pointed this classic at ¼ mile, it would race through in an incredible 15.8 seconds. These engines are little screamers, with the redline set at 8,100rpm and the fuel cutoff kicking in at 8,300rpm. Winding one of these through the gears is a rewarding experience, but it’s worth remembering that these cars reward drivers who put the effort in behind the wheel. They are not a lazy car, and don’t possess the bags of torque that you will find in a V8. This Integra is in excellent mechanical health. It has a genuine 44,000 miles showing on the clock and is said to run and drive well. The only note of caution that I would sound is that it would be worth checking this service history to ensure that the car has been appropriately maintained. If that checks out, this classic should have years of rewarding motoring left to offer its next owner.

Sometimes it can be challenging to determine whether a particular vehicle has hit the right note with potential buyers. There are no such doubts with this 1996 Acura Integra GSR. It has already attracted an incredible forty-four bids since the owner listed it for sale, and this has pushed the price beyond the average retail. Its overall condition and low odometer reading lead me to believe that it may still have a way to go before the hammer falls. Have you ever driven an Integra GSR, and if so, would that experience be enough to tempt you to drop a bid on this classic?