Well as i am the owner of an 03 Integra R (i dont live in the states) I much love my integra, well i guess yur Type S altho there is more in dynamics to the asian Integra R than the USDM RSX Type S i still would take over the Civic Si. isnt it odd that here in thailand we were not offered The Cicvic Type R since 96 !!!Anyway i would not choose the civic, just my thoughts , and maybe that gear grinding is just bad shifting?We have not had a problem like that arise here, the street racer wanna be just have to be a little more precise in shifting in these cars ,thats all i think it comes down too.