The Temple of VTEC - Honda and Acura Enthusiasts Online - Articles - Integra Gen2 vs. Gen3 Comparison: Integra Gen2 vs. Gen3

From: T. Halter
Here's the lowdown on the major differences between the 2nd and 3rd generation integras, having owned one of each.

Dual airbags vs. motor mice belts. Nuff said. The new car also has side impact protection.
5 speed in 3rd gen Integras is much better. Not that there was anything wrong with the old box, but the throws are much shorter and quicker on the new box.[I agree whole-heartedly here.]
The interior is a mixed bag. The new seats are more comfortable than the old seats, and the addition of cupholders is welcome. However, the slider climate control levers are a step back from the rotary knobs on the 90-93 Integras. The new backlit, faux Lexus gauge cluster is way better than the old gages. However, the tiny backseat is even tinier now, and is especially lacking in headroom under the radically sloped hatchback. [Others feel the seats are less comfortable. It all really depends on your body type. Personally, I think they could have put more adjustments on the seats. For example, the seats don't give me enough thigh support.]
The body is much tighter. This means fewer squeaks and rattles, and a much more solid and substantial feel. [This is technically true but it seems some have found that the new one squeaks more than the previous generation. My personal experience is that it _is_ tighter.]
The power moonroof now tilts and goes over the roof, instead of into the roof. This is a small improvement, IMHO. [By going over the roof, it saves an inch or so in headroom. I still barely fit though. When I put on my helmet for Auto-crossing, I have to tilt my head and lean back to fit. It's really not an ideal position.]
The handling is about as good as the old car, but its cornering attitude is different. The wheel travel has been increased, which increases the hoodline a little bit. Moreover, they now use softer springs, which softens the ride a little, but increases the body roll a lot when cornering. The body roll is kind of spooky at first, but once you learn to drive through it, things work out OK. All in all, this is the one area where I preferred the old car. [Body roll is definitely more pronounced, even with the larger sway bars on the new Integra. Of course this can easily be solved for under 1000 bucks with new springs and shocks. ;) ]
Granted, the projector beam headlights can sometimes trap snow, and the look is not everyone's cup of tea, but dammit, they do work. The old Integra's lights were a joke, and if you used the driving lights, everyone flashes their brights at you. The new projector beams work great at night, and the new high beams are about the brightest I've ever seen. [Actually I think they _could_ be a little brighter, but then that's just my opinion. They could make them bright because they have such a precise projection pattern making it less blinding to others.]
The ABS unit is WAY better on the new Integras. The old ABS had a rather slow cycle time, and pulsed the pedal like crazy. Honda's new system has a quicker cycle time, is quieter, and pulses the pedal a lot less.
The AC on the new Integras works better as well, in addition to being CFC free.
The doors on the new Integras are fully framed. The frameless windows on the old Integra had a tendency to get sucked off the rubber gasket at speeds over 100MPH. Plus, the old doors didn't always seal right (the glass has to go under the gasket when closing the door). [Also notice that then new Integra has about three sets of rubber stripping on the door to really make a nice seal.]
The 94 and 95 GS-R have 15" wheels, to the old GS-R's 14" wheels. The factory tires in either case (Michelin XGTV-4) suck, though. [I'd like to see 16" wheels like on the Probe GT though.]
Probably the only other minus is that visibility is not as good as in the old car. The aforementioned longer travel suspension raises the hoodline. The higher hoodline and passenger airbag in the dash raise the front cowline somewhat. The low roofline makes the side windows (especially the rear quarter windows) smaller, and the extreme angle on the rear hatch and high rear end make the view out of the rear not as good as it was in the 2nd generation car (which wasn't wonderful in this department, either). [Yeah, visibility out back is not the best. Check out those little mirrors that they sell. They might kinda look goofy, but they do their job.]
Finally, there is a center console and armrest! More storage space, and a place to rest your arms. [Someone had suggested to me that the rear the plastic tray makes a great purseholder for ladies.]
[Let me add some more: The exhaust system on the new Integra is better designed. The muffler comes straight back instead of curving sideways. The less curves the better in an exhaust system. Fog lights are not standard on the new Integra.]