power/weight is better in the gsr, but i dont see many poeple running them.
more popular seems to be the crx si and the ef/eg si's as well.

are there any reasons for this?

thanks

VT MSME/SAE baja

VT MSME/SAE baja

The CRX can be very potent in STS2 and is almost competitive in CSP.

The GSR is a dud in STS and DSP IMO.

I have an 88 CRX Si that has been prepped to 95% of STS2 and is now at about 90% of CSP and it has been super fun in both classes. I have to say that I like CSP better because of the grip and the diff!!!!

VT MSME/SAE baja

I say if your going auto-x and staying d series go CRX and you will be extremely happy with a gutted one,

IF not the GSR is a good car for the track. it needs work but so will the CRX but it has a great weight distribution for it.

Good Luck

VT MSME/SAE baja

The DC platform will be much easier to drive as the CRX is so short the body roll you will have running it stock is going to make it a tough to drive at the limits. For track days I bought a 96 RS and keep the CRX as our autox car. I felt the CRX was just a little too touchy at the limits while I was learning. Not that that's bad but when trying to break 5 years of autox habits at an HPDE make for some very educational off's.

VT MSME/SAE baja

VT MSME/SAE baja

A couple seasons ago i had a miata and raced against sts2 crx's and we were neck and neck. If i was a better driver I should have been stomping them, but it was not meant to be

I think you will have fun toying with either, as previous posts have stated, i think you will know which one you want to try when you know where you want to go. If it is going to stay in autox though, it's a toss IMO.

classes dont really matter to me. i just dont want to be at a big disadvantage when selecting a base chassis.

VT MSME/SAE baja

and the GSR now stands a chance in ITS, and by 09 you could probably drop an LS motor in it and run ITA.

The CRX SI is also really competitive in H4.

The GSR should make a great fit in H2, and that gives you a little tinker room too. Or you could drop the LS motor in it and run H4.

And then there is NASAs PT* class and the car could be in any class and probably be competitive.

GSR - doesn't do as well as the Integra LS stock for stock in autox. I've driven both variants and the LS is faster. Again, you can't fit enough rubber on the car to keep up with more competitive GS cars. The weight also doesn't help the car much, it has decent power. In STS trim the car will be eaten by Civics and others, you could build a frankenstein car that could do rather well in DSP. Although personally in that situation I would start with a RS shell with ITR running gear. The GSR does very well in ITS, if the tub rule goes away then you could throw LS running gear in and run ITA.

Is that a better answer? Your posts indicate you want a competitive car right out of the box for stock class and sadly neither car will cut it if you are running a region with real GS cars.

I think you may want to do some homework as to which classes each car is classed in and what is run in your area. But as you are just getting started I'd buy the cheapest one in the best shape of either car get in it and drive. It is much cheaper to buy a well sorted car when you are ready if W2W racing is your end goal. I has been said on this site hundreds of times just get to an autox get on track and buy a race car later. Building a race car will cost at least twice the price compared to buying one. Just food for thought

VT MSME/SAE baja

Yeah there will be a differance of about $5000. All a CRX needs is a little head work, Diff and tune for power in CSP compaired to a ITR swap for the GSR in DSP. Both cars will need suspension, tires, seats, bushings..... so that part is moot.

in stock form there are going to be faster cars in both cars' stock class "in theory"

i say in theory just because its going to depend on who's actually running at your local events.
In STS form my gsr is very competitive in the class in both clubs i run in, with my biggest competition coming from an is300 and a rsx. Granted when Andy Hollis brings out his Nationaly competitive EF civic si there is no chance in hell for any of us.(granted i think he would still win driving a school bus)

But for your specific need i think you can find a crx for cheaper than a gsr which is a good point made. Also a crx would defnetly be a competitive car in many classes STS2 & CSP (not familiar with RR classes) for cheaper than building a gsr for its competitive class.

my vote goes to the CRX

actually if i really had a say in it i would say 91 civic SI