Pristine 2001 Acura Integra Type R with 4,800-Miles Hits $120K at Auction

A 2001 Acura Integra Type R in Phoenix Yellow is up for auction on Bring a Trailer and getting a lot of attention from auto enthusiasts. As one of only 1,173 made for the US market in 2001 and with only 4,800 miles, bidding has already reached $120,000 with 2-days left, surpassing the 2022 record.

This Integra Type R has been in a Wisconsin collection since 2014 and is a time capsule. The Phoenix Yellow paint is almost perfect and the projector beam headlights, rear wing and red Acura badges scream “Type R”. The black microsuede seats with red stitching are untouched and the factory CD stereo and plaque with #1086 on it are still in place. The seller added only 500 miles over the last 10 years and has kept it maintained with regular oil changes as well as a new battery in 2022.

The 1.8L B18C5 inline-four with VTEC variable valve timing makes 195 horsepower and 130 lb-ft of torque. The five-speed manual transaxle and limited-slip differential give it a raw and precise driving experience. The Type R suspension with a JDM rear-strut brace and lowered ride height is legendary among front-wheel drive cars. The larger brake rotors and 15-inch seven-spoke alloy wheels with 2000 Bridgestone Potenza tires balance grip and agility.

Why the high bids? Scarcity is a factor – only 1,173 were made in 2001 and low mileage examples like this are rare. But it’s more than that. Built under the guidance of Honda engineering icon Shigeru Uehara, the DC2-generation Integra Type R is a car from an era when performance was about driver connection not speed.

In 2022 a 2000 Integra Type R with 7,000 miles sold for $112,112 and another low mileage example went for $103,000 but didn’t sell as the owner wanted more. This 2001 model with fewer miles and better provenance has already topped those numbers and is likely to set a new record. Compared to a 2025 Tesla Model S Plaid starting at $90,000, the Integra’s price seems high – until you consider its cultural significance.

What’s driving the Integra’s value beyond a Model S Plaid? It’s not just about power or tech. The Type R is a cultural icon, a relic of an era when driving was an art. Collectors aren’t just buying a car – they’re buying a piece of history, a spark of youth or an unfulfilled dream. As the bids go into the stratosphere, this Phoenix Yellow icon proves some cars don’t just age – they become legends.