Like many on here, I made the move from Type R to ST. I had a DC5 Integra (the Jap import only) and it was an awesome machine. In the corners it embarrasses much faster cars, and would eat an ST alive. however, straight line speed, the ST has it. It really matters not to be honest, both are different cars in terms of driving. The DC5 had very little torque, and you had to be constantly revving it past 6000 rpm to get it alive - that said it was good round town on fuel! The ST is for me, a complete car as you can easily go on long journeys, short blasts, take the family along as well etc where you can't really do it in a DC5 Type R.
Someone mentioned that fitting a Jackson Supercharger on the Civic would leave the ST standing - true, but then you lose the VTEC which is one of the main points on owning the Type R's. My friend done this to his Civic, then promptly removed it! Fast as it was, he said the car lost it's 'character'. Type R fans will know what I mean!
Both good cars in my opinion. But what does a track time matter? just get the ST tuned and laugh at him when you leave him standing every time, in any gear!
And on a final note about Civics:
Now if he was talking about the FD2 Civic Type R (Jap Only) then they are an awesome machine and even beat the Integra for handling. Still tempted to get one, not many in the country at all (don't even think 100 are)!