It’s hard to deny just how good the 2022 Honda Civic Si is. Its potent turbocharged engine, slick-shifting manual transmission, and stable on-road dynamics make it hard to beat for its $28,000 price tag. However, if you’re a classic Honda fanatic like we are, then it’s hard not to compare the Civic Si’s new-school technology with old-school JDM flavor.

We recently came across a classified listing for a 1996 JDM Honda Integra Type R that was imported from Japan by Japanese Classics in Richmond, VA. By the looks of it, this particular model looks clean and is somewhat modified. But what’s even more interesting is that it costs around $27,000. So we had to wonder which one would be a better buy – the all-new Civic Si or the old JDM Integra Type R?

2022 Honda Civic Si vs JDM Integra Type R: The Civic has the newer tech for the money

It’s easy to compare these two cars on a performance level, but we’ll get to that later. Let’s look at the 2022 Honda Civic Si for now. For $28,000, you get a four-door Civic that’s roomy enough to fit five adults and has a 14.8 cubic-foot trunk. It also has a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple Carplay and Android Auto, a digital speedometer, and a Bose premium 12-speaker sound system.

There are 18-inch wheels that sit under the fender wells and a sporty suspension to keep the car planted in the corners. On top of that, the Civic Si is safe too. It comes standard with the Honda Sensing suite of driver-assist features, which includes adaptive cruise control and braking assistance.

That’s a lot of technological features for a Civic, let alone one that costs less than $30,000 in today’s market. Let’s take a look at what the Integra has.

The 1996 Honda Integra Type offers a lot of nostalgic value

On the other hand, the JDM 1996 Honda Integra Type R listed for sale at Japanese Classics gives a lot of nostalgic value. Any true Honda enthusiast will appreciate the car’s Championship White paint, Recaro seats, and 15-inch wheels. It also has a double-wishbone suspension and a few chassis braces, which make it one of the best-handling front-wheel-drive cars ever. This Integra will easily make a good daily driver and weekend track toy.

According to the description in the listing, this particular Integra is slightly modified too. It has a Spoon lightweight hood, a Momo steering wheel, Tein coilovers, and an FGK cat-back exhaust.

Otherwise, the car looks to be completely stock, which includes its B18C engine and five-speed manual transmission. Sure, it’s a little ragged, but what can you expect from a car that’s over 25 years old? Also, it only has 77,000 miles on the clock, so we’re sure it runs like a champ.

Which car is better in terms of performance?

Comparing the engines in both of these cars is interesting because they have a similar power output. The 2022 Civic Si is powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-4 that generates 200 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque. The main takeaway with this engine is that it produces its peak torque at just 1,800 rpm, providing plenty of thrust for everyday driving.

On the other hand, the JDM Integra Type R is powered by a naturally-aspirated 1.8-liter inline-4 engine that produces a similar 200 hp but a more anemic 137 lb-ft of torque. However, that power and torque peak at around 7,500 to 8,000 rpm, making the Type R a much better car for high-RPM track driving fun.

Which car is the better buy?

If you’re looking for everyday drivability, practicality, and an engine that feels powerful even when you’re not going fast, then the 2022 Civic Si is the better buy. However, if you’re the type that likes to hold onto the golden years of Honda, then the Integra Type R could be a worthy addition to your stable. Also, it could be worth a lot more than its current $27,000 price tag in the future.