For anyone glancing at the available Wi-Fi networks at my house, the network name “Acuraddiction” often elicits a chuckle, sometimes followed by an eye roll. After fifteen years and over 750,000 miles dedicated to driving Acura vehicles, it’s a reaction I’ve grown accustomed to. My fascination with Acura Sports Cars began in my teenage years, sparked by the sleek lines of my Mom’s red 1990 Integra GS sedan. While my first car was a decidedly less sporty Chevy Celebrity, the Integra ignited a passion for the Acura brand that would only intensify. After navigating through a couple of Honda Preludes, I was ready for a significant upgrade as I headed to college. In the early 2000s, I proudly acquired a 1994 Acura Legend LS coupe with a six-speed manual transmission. Little did I know, this was just the beginning of a lifelong devotion to Acura performance and engineering.
The Enduring Appeal of Acura Sports Cars: Reliability and Performance
Never could I have predicted that fifteen years later, the Legend coupe would still be a cornerstone of my automotive life. Through three college degrees, six homes, five jobs, and over 450,000 additional miles, it now boasts an impressive 554,000 miles on the odometer and remains as dependable as ever. Its reliability is so unwavering that embarking on a 2,000-mile road trip to the National Acura Legend Meet or even an 8,000-mile journey to Fairbanks, Alaska, was never a question. In fact, its only tow truck experience occurred due to a fuel pump failure at 399,000 miles – a testament to Acura’s legendary durability that no extended warranty could ever match.
This exceptional dependability fueled my growing interest in the Acura brand and its offerings. While other project cars have come and gone, the Legend remains a constant, now accompanied by six other Acuras in my collection. When my coworker Amanda learned about my collection, her surprised reaction, “You have seven… of the same kind of car?” is a common one. Justifying this passion has become second nature, much like sharing family photos to introduce someone to your loved ones. “Here they are,” I begin, ready to showcase the unique charm of each Acura in my collection.
More Than Just a Collection: Celebrating Acura’s Sporting Heritage
I understand that owning seven Acuras might seem excessive, but it’s a passion rooted in nostalgia and appreciation for a specific era of automotive excellence. Just as some collect watches or baseball cards, my focus is on meticulously preserved cars from the 1990s – a decade marked by teal green hues, the music of The Cranberries, and the humor of Dumb & Dumber. The 90s shaped my formative years, and these Acura sports cars are tangible reminders of that time. Preserving these “cream puff” cars is my way of cherishing those memories.
Here’s a closer look at the Acuras that comprise my collection, acquired in chronological order:
1994 Legend LS Coupe Six-Speed (554,256 miles): The original workhorse, acquired in spring 2003, that started it all. Its extensive maintenance history is meticulously documented across 260 lines in an Excel spreadsheet and fills two three-ring binders with printed receipts.
1994 Legend GS Sedan Six-Speed (155,057 miles): Purchased in 2008 as a “twin” to the coupe, this Legend sedan underwent a comprehensive restoration, including bodywork, interior enhancements, and numerous mechanical upgrades.
1992 NSX Five-Speed (107,866 miles): Arriving in 2011 as a long-awaited 30th birthday present, the NSX delivers a truly analog and direct driving experience. Stripped of power steering and cup holders, it’s purely focused on driving pleasure, thanks to its high-revving 3.0L V6, lightweight aluminum chassis, and exceptional balance. The NSX stands as the ultimate Acura sports car, a testament to Japanese engineering prowess.
2013 ILX Six-Speed (200,000 miles): A spirited sport sedan gifted by Acura in 2012 in exchange for launch event support and a year of blogging on my website, Drive to Five. It served as my primary vehicle for five years and is now enjoyed by my brother in Utah. Despite being a more modern Acura, it retains the sporty DNA of the brand.
1994 Vigor GS Five-Speed (106,816 miles): Often considered the “runt of the litter” due to its less popular 5-cylinder engine, this Arcadia Green Vigor GS was acquired from Denver in July 2015. Despite its underdog status, it offers a fun driving experience, balancing a lighter feel than the Legend with more power than the Integra. And the frameless door windows are a distinctive touch!
1992 Integra GS-R Five-Speed (239,257 miles): This “rice-mobile” joined the family from Seattle in June 2016. Its 8,000-RPM redline is an irresistible invitation to push its limits. For anyone wanting to experience the famed “VTEC kick-in,” this is the perfect Acura sports compact to drive.
2007 TL Type-S Six-Speed (97,458 miles): The most recent addition, acquired from eBay in Flagstaff. Its Kinetic Blue Pearl paint has long been admired, and with 286 horsepower, it’s the most powerful Acura in the collection. My friend Jake can attest to its power, having recently smoked the tires during a visit. New Michelins are still pending!
A Dedicated Garage for Acura Masterpieces
Last year, a fortunate tip from my friend Rob led me to a home in Phoenix perfectly suited for my “Acuraddiction” – a small living space with two attached garages. With more space for cars than living quarters, it was an ideal fit, and I finalized the purchase in fall 2016. Finally, all my Acuras could be housed together, eliminating the need for storage units.
The garage is being transformed into a period-correct Acura showroom, complete with promotional posters, literature, and sales materials. While I contemplate adding showroom-esque amenities like a black leather couch, stepping into the garage is already a nostalgic journey back in time, celebrating the golden era of Acura sports cars.
Further proof of my trust in these cars: even in Phoenix’s 100+ degree heat during the photoshoot for this article, all six cars (with a combined 1,260,710 miles) idled for 25 minutes with the A/C running, and their temperature gauges remained rock solid. Few two-decade-old cars can offer such reliability. So, next time you’re in the mood for No Doubt or Semisonic, borrow one of my vintage Acuras. I’ll even include a cassette tape adapter for your road trip soundtrack.
