Pics of my new beast, in time for cobweb run
Discussion
Apologies for the photo quality. One it was getting dark. Two my camera isn't exactly brilliant. Three I am shit at photography.
But nevertheless, here you are...
My thoughts so far after a good 50 mile blat since I got it? What a car! The handling is sublime, the engine is sublime, the driving position a big improvement (though a twinge of back pain became evident towards the end, probably needs fine tuning).
Strangely enough on evidence so far, this VTEC = no torque thing is sort of right, but I find from very low revs it pulled better than my clio did. Clio was slightly better midrange.
Also a test I have is a certain bank that I go up where I measure my speed from the roundabout to this stone thing. In the Clio i managed 82 mph by the stone. In the teg, first attempt, 86 mph! So it IS faster.
Compared to the clio you feel like your sitting six inches off the ground. You feel like your really going some, and overall it may even calm me down as its so visceral at any speed. Feels every inch a sports car and makes my clio (which was a great little car) feel like a shopping trolley with a big engine (which is what it was really).
I feel more "proud" to sit in it. The clio slightly girly compared.
Bad points? Insurance (astonishing), 6000 mile service intervals (but not as expensive as you think), and i've noticed a couple of bits of trim were flapping about in the wind outside, so they need glueing up. Overall it seems to be in very decent condition for a 9 year old, 80,000 mile car.
I really, REALLY hope it doesn't break though! :wow: Could be VERY expensive if it does.
But nevertheless, here you are...
My thoughts so far after a good 50 mile blat since I got it? What a car! The handling is sublime, the engine is sublime, the driving position a big improvement (though a twinge of back pain became evident towards the end, probably needs fine tuning).
Strangely enough on evidence so far, this VTEC = no torque thing is sort of right, but I find from very low revs it pulled better than my clio did. Clio was slightly better midrange.
Also a test I have is a certain bank that I go up where I measure my speed from the roundabout to this stone thing. In the Clio i managed 82 mph by the stone. In the teg, first attempt, 86 mph! So it IS faster.
Compared to the clio you feel like your sitting six inches off the ground. You feel like your really going some, and overall it may even calm me down as its so visceral at any speed. Feels every inch a sports car and makes my clio (which was a great little car) feel like a shopping trolley with a big engine (which is what it was really).
I feel more "proud" to sit in it. The clio slightly girly compared.
Bad points? Insurance (astonishing), 6000 mile service intervals (but not as expensive as you think), and i've noticed a couple of bits of trim were flapping about in the wind outside, so they need glueing up. Overall it seems to be in very decent condition for a 9 year old, 80,000 mile car.
I really, REALLY hope it doesn't break though! :wow: Could be VERY expensive if it does.
Nice wouldn,t think it was 9 year old , lots of positives from the motoring press on Integras nearly thought of buying one about 8years ago ended up with an Alfa 145 cloverleaf , Nice car but F###k me it was dear to run , Nowt like a honda reliability and pace great choice mate enjoy. Tom
Yeah I am definitely chuffed, I can see we will get on well (as long as it dont break).
Its got quite the turn of pace behind it too. But the handling and engine noise impress the most.
Completely standard, and its staying that way.
Insurance is astonishingly expensive with some companies, but others are friendlier.
Its got quite the turn of pace behind it too. But the handling and engine noise impress the most.
Completely standard, and its staying that way.
Insurance is astonishingly expensive with some companies, but others are friendlier.
Very nice 
Always fancied an ITR to tinker with.
Glad to see the Japanese cars have more following than I thought in the NEPH section. Was just me on the (only) run I've attended, felt decidedly out of place
Wish I could make the cobweb run, but alas there's a load of stuff going on with the car at the minute, respray, new engine etc
Always fancied an ITR to tinker with. Glad to see the Japanese cars have more following than I thought in the NEPH section. Was just me on the (only) run I've attended, felt decidedly out of place
Wish I could make the cobweb run, but alas there's a load of stuff going on with the car at the minute, respray, new engine etc
The lack of torque is a bit of a nonsense.
They have similar torque figures to any vehicle you care to mention with the same cubic capacity. The lack of torque is always brought into the argument when people start comparing them to cars with similar horsepower, in my experience.
Nice motor.
They have similar torque figures to any vehicle you care to mention with the same cubic capacity. The lack of torque is always brought into the argument when people start comparing them to cars with similar horsepower, in my experience.
Nice motor.
Wrumbled said:
The lack of torque is a bit of a nonsense.
Having driven it round today at a fairly sedate pace while doing jobs at work, I agree. It pulls better than my clio from low revs, and is perfectly happy pootling around, and offers pretty good ingear urge. Not bad from an engine with no torque. I suspect the wide powerband = shorter gearing = good torque at the wheels.
Alright if you are used to turbodiesels then aye it will seem gutless. But turbodiesels are boring tractors.
Negotiating speed bumps is fun. Basically stop and ease the car over them.
Overall, love it. Its like driving a little race car! Dont even bother with the radio now
itstony said:
Very very nice car mate.
I'm actually considering one for my next car.
Just wanted to ask you, how big a difference was it to insure in comparison to the Clio and was this because its an import.
Enjoy your car!!!
I'm actually considering one for my next car.
Just wanted to ask you, how big a difference was it to insure in comparison to the Clio and was this because its an import.
Enjoy your car!!!
Well i am at the moment paying monthly with direct line so i decided to just pay the extra for the last two months it runs before getting quotes elsewhere. Typically, I am finding that (as a 27 year old with a lot of no claims and 3 points) that it is typically around 50% more to insure than the clio with many companies.
However, a mate of mine seems to think Tesco insurance are reasonable for imports, and I think if you choose the right insurance company, then it is only marginally more to insure than the clio, but you REALLY have to shop around to get it by the sounds of things.
When I bought it i didnt actually know it was an import, I should have guessed really, but somehow knew it was an integra type R that I had read in evo about. However because its an import, it has bigger wheels, bigger brakes, suspension tweaks, more power and a few other tweaks. I have read that the JDM import that I have is the best DC2 in terms of ability (for example, UK model does 70-0 in 270 ft versus 230 ft in the JDM). I can testify that the brakes are awesome.
Great car though. It feels every bit a sports car, with an angry engine, great handling, and I love the look and feel of the thing. Its even reasonably practical (it has a large boot and decent back seat space, plenty of space in the front). Its pretty darn good on fuel too if you dont take it into the VTEC zone. I reckon 35 MPG is easily achievable, even with some hard acceleration. If you take it into the VTEC zone, then the petrol guage dips before your very eyes
I've heard of people who have driven it on track and returned 9 MPG. I would wholeheartedly recommend one. Its worth any extra cost over a car like a 182. The only clio that would come close to being as much of a drivers car IMO would be the Williams, followed by the Trophy. I think the williams because its not been corrupted by creature comforts, and the Trophy because of its amazing suspension, but even then neither of these cars has an LSD, and I think it makes a huge improvement to the handling, unlike normal FWD cars (i.e. pretty much all hot hatches without an LSD) you can actually apply power to get you out of a bend. The handling really is a dream, and makes this pretty average driver look pretty skillful 
An LSD would definately be a help in the clio. Its so frustrating going round a corner and not being able to put the power down for knowing that you'll understeer off a cliff and be stranded.
Heres an interesting question I was thinking about as I wound my way along the wonderful B6160 back home today:
If you broke down, and had no signal on the mobile, what the hell would you do?
I guess it would come down to climbing the hill to try and get signal, or walking to the nearest village. God that would be harsh!
Heres an interesting question I was thinking about as I wound my way along the wonderful B6160 back home today:
If you broke down, and had no signal on the mobile, what the hell would you do?
I guess it would come down to climbing the hill to try and get signal, or walking to the nearest village. God that would be harsh!
Polarbert said:
If you broke down, and had no signal on the mobile, what the hell would you do?
Almost happened to me... i tried to change into 5th on the way home- nothing happening there, so tried any other gear- nothing, hmmmmm coasting down the lane in neutral at about 70mph, looked at my phone, no signal, in the middle of nowhere?! So just forced it into the only gear it would go into- 4th and limped home like that. Not the best when you come to traffic lights/roundabouts etc or slow old ladies!
Nearly happened to me... I did break down but fortunately a few helpful souls stopped to aid me! After deciding that i hadn't run out of petrol (after a trip to the nearest garage!) we (and use the term loosley - nore 'they' really) found a wire under the bonnet that had snapped. A quick fix and the westy was as good as new!... Ta!
Gez
Gez
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