Integra DC2 questions
Discussion
Hello all,
just a quick couple of questions if i may. I'm looking at getting a Honda Integra DC2.
Do these need to run on 98 ron fuel? I see in a lot of adverts the owners are stating they have always been run on this. Is it just personal preference or is it the only option? No problem if it is but would like to know!
Also, how reliable are they? I know this varies but i'll be doing 80 miles a day in mine so it matters!
Finally, i have heard uk cars are cheaper to insure then imports, this true?
Sorry for the noob questions. Quite excited, always wanted one since i saw Tiff on Topgear (that long ago) rave about one.
Simon
just a quick couple of questions if i may. I'm looking at getting a Honda Integra DC2.
Do these need to run on 98 ron fuel? I see in a lot of adverts the owners are stating they have always been run on this. Is it just personal preference or is it the only option? No problem if it is but would like to know!
Also, how reliable are they? I know this varies but i'll be doing 80 miles a day in mine so it matters!
Finally, i have heard uk cars are cheaper to insure then imports, this true?
Sorry for the noob questions. Quite excited, always wanted one since i saw Tiff on Topgear (that long ago) rave about one.
Simon
An excellent choice sir, you are clearly a man of taste!
It does say min98 on the fuel cap yes, but you can only usually get 97 and I must admit to having put 95 in mine a couple of times, no short term issues for me anyway.
They are generally thought of as very reliable, but try to get one with good history from an enthusiatic owner who's had it a while if you can, usual stuff. Check for the common rusty rear arches and read up on itr-dc2.com for loads of useful stuff. Just bear in mind it will be a 12 year old car with probably around 100k miles.
I can't speak about reliablility from experience as I haven't had mine much more than a year and only done about 2500 miles, 4 track days though with no issues.
UK cars are generally a lot cheaper to insure then imports. There seem to be some bargains around at the mo, good luck!
It does say min98 on the fuel cap yes, but you can only usually get 97 and I must admit to having put 95 in mine a couple of times, no short term issues for me anyway.
They are generally thought of as very reliable, but try to get one with good history from an enthusiatic owner who's had it a while if you can, usual stuff. Check for the common rusty rear arches and read up on itr-dc2.com for loads of useful stuff. Just bear in mind it will be a 12 year old car with probably around 100k miles.
I can't speak about reliablility from experience as I haven't had mine much more than a year and only done about 2500 miles, 4 track days though with no issues.
UK cars are generally a lot cheaper to insure then imports. There seem to be some bargains around at the mo, good luck!
I'm currently on my 7th Dc2 Integra, with a JDM here at the minute. I've had both UK and JDM versions.
These cars are extrememly reliable, probably one of the most reliable and affordable performance cars on the market.
Look out for smoke on Vtec, which is usually a sign that the valve stem oil seals are perished and will need replaced. However, don't let this put you off completely, as it's not the big job that it's made out to be. If you're mechanically minded, you could do it for the price of parts. If not, around £400 should see you out of it, although make sure to factor this into the price.
Crunching gearboxes are also a problem. It could either be diff, or gearbox. Either way it's going to need rebuilt, or replaced. Again, £400.
Rust is rife on them as well. Check the arches, especially the rear lips. Also, where the front bumper meets the wing, and in the boot under the plastics at the rear quarter panels. And underneath the car too, if possible. Try to get it up on a ramp.
Other than the above, and your usual checks, that's about it. They'll all smoke slightly, and use a bit of oil, but just keep it topped up and serviced regularly and you'll be fine. They're a bargain these days in my opinion, and they usually break into twice the asking price, worst case scenario.
These cars are extrememly reliable, probably one of the most reliable and affordable performance cars on the market.
Look out for smoke on Vtec, which is usually a sign that the valve stem oil seals are perished and will need replaced. However, don't let this put you off completely, as it's not the big job that it's made out to be. If you're mechanically minded, you could do it for the price of parts. If not, around £400 should see you out of it, although make sure to factor this into the price.
Crunching gearboxes are also a problem. It could either be diff, or gearbox. Either way it's going to need rebuilt, or replaced. Again, £400.
Rust is rife on them as well. Check the arches, especially the rear lips. Also, where the front bumper meets the wing, and in the boot under the plastics at the rear quarter panels. And underneath the car too, if possible. Try to get it up on a ramp.
Other than the above, and your usual checks, that's about it. They'll all smoke slightly, and use a bit of oil, but just keep it topped up and serviced regularly and you'll be fine. They're a bargain these days in my opinion, and they usually break into twice the asking price, worst case scenario.
I've had a few Ep3's as well, and to be honest it all depends what you're into.
The Ep3 is far more refined, easier to live with, better around town etc. However, if you can see past the rattles, the bangs, the stiff suspension etc, once you get out of a built up area the Integra is a far more rewarding car. More of a driver's car. Just depends what you're into I suppose.
Both cars are great value for money at the minute, so it's a hard decision. The noise of the B series at 9,000 rpm compared to that of the k20 would make my mind up for me though.
The Ep3 is far more refined, easier to live with, better around town etc. However, if you can see past the rattles, the bangs, the stiff suspension etc, once you get out of a built up area the Integra is a far more rewarding car. More of a driver's car. Just depends what you're into I suppose.
Both cars are great value for money at the minute, so it's a hard decision. The noise of the B series at 9,000 rpm compared to that of the k20 would make my mind up for me though.
I concur with both SMcP114 and RS404.
I bought mine last December, so far I have driven just under 1800 miles (just over 27mpg using Vpower). Mine is a 1999 UKDM and currently at just under 100k miles. Mine has been ultra reliable and it feels like it will run forever (touch wood). Really fun car, a proper road racer; some may not like its rawness but I love it, it’s the closest thing to a GT3 for my modest budget. And I can never get tired of vtec y0!
I prefer the look of UKDM but that’s just personal preference.
Prices have dropped quite a bit in the last 12-month and IMO if you choose well you shouldn’t lose much money (if any) by the time you sell it. Good luck with your search.
I bought mine last December, so far I have driven just under 1800 miles (just over 27mpg using Vpower). Mine is a 1999 UKDM and currently at just under 100k miles. Mine has been ultra reliable and it feels like it will run forever (touch wood). Really fun car, a proper road racer; some may not like its rawness but I love it, it’s the closest thing to a GT3 for my modest budget. And I can never get tired of vtec y0!
I prefer the look of UKDM but that’s just personal preference.
Prices have dropped quite a bit in the last 12-month and IMO if you choose well you shouldn’t lose much money (if any) by the time you sell it. Good luck with your search.
Edited by wy906 on Tuesday 13th March 16:29
Thanks guys.
My only real worry is insurance. I'll be 24, 3 years ncb down from the 5 i should have had i not written off my E36 M3 in the ice back in Febuary :/ So im expecting my current policy of £980 for the M3 to climb a lot once i change it to an Integra and my crash is taken into consideration.
Finally im guessing a Honda main dealer would be fine for servicing? Despite it being quite a specialist model....
996 GT3 is a dream car of mine, so a fwd version does sound good though....
Simon
My only real worry is insurance. I'll be 24, 3 years ncb down from the 5 i should have had i not written off my E36 M3 in the ice back in Febuary :/ So im expecting my current policy of £980 for the M3 to climb a lot once i change it to an Integra and my crash is taken into consideration.
Finally im guessing a Honda main dealer would be fine for servicing? Despite it being quite a specialist model....
996 GT3 is a dream car of mine, so a fwd version does sound good though....
Simon
snowen250 said:
..... stuff ...
Simon
I considered E36 M3 as well cos I wanted to move away from FWD; but I just didn’t ‘want’ it that much (maybe it's not special enough if that makes sense), and there weren’t any 4WD/RWD within my budget that caught my eye so I bought the Integra instead.Simon
I’ve pm’d you RE: insurance.
Cheers.
Edit: I did sound like a fanboy in my last post.
DC2 isn't MUCH more raw than an EP3 - doesn't ride any worse - slightly stiffer springs but bigger sidewalls pretty much cancel each other out (DC2 has stiffer primary ride but better secondary), and the DC2 deals with rough surfaces better.
EP3 doesn't have any more toys/kit either (if you find a DC2 w/aircon - maybe half have), although the interior is substantially better-looking (although the standard EP3 seats aren't as supportive).
Main EP3 benefit is 6th gear gives quieter cruising on an M-way. Oh, and the lower bootlip is useful too, although overall boot space is less.
As above - all tegs will be old and many will be leggy - for the same money you'll get a younger and probably lower-mile EP3. But early EP3s had more issues than DC2s...may have all been sorted by now, may not.
For me, no contest - UKDM DC2 over even a Premier-edition EP3, let alone a standard pre-facelift.
EP3 doesn't have any more toys/kit either (if you find a DC2 w/aircon - maybe half have), although the interior is substantially better-looking (although the standard EP3 seats aren't as supportive).
Main EP3 benefit is 6th gear gives quieter cruising on an M-way. Oh, and the lower bootlip is useful too, although overall boot space is less.
As above - all tegs will be old and many will be leggy - for the same money you'll get a younger and probably lower-mile EP3. But early EP3s had more issues than DC2s...may have all been sorted by now, may not.
For me, no contest - UKDM DC2 over even a Premier-edition EP3, let alone a standard pre-facelift.
snowen250 said:
Thanks Havoc.
Do EP3s need to be run on 97/98 ron fuel though? I will be putting a lot of miles on this so that is a factor....
Google seems to throw up a number of different opinions!
Simon
Some people will tell you it's ok to cheap out and throw any old dishwater in it, but it says in the owners manual to run on 98 only. I certainly wouldn't put anything less in mine.Do EP3s need to be run on 97/98 ron fuel though? I will be putting a lot of miles on this so that is a factor....
Google seems to throw up a number of different opinions!
Simon
95RON WILL be OK, but equally Super unleaded has more detergents in it, and the higher octane rating will help keep the engine and valves cleaner as well. If I was looking for one I'd be sounding the owner out about how he's run it - servicing, other maintenance and stuff like fuel.
Plus you probably will notice marginal improvements in performance and economy - it's mapped to run on Super, and the label inside the fuel-flap says as much.
Plus you probably will notice marginal improvements in performance and economy - it's mapped to run on Super, and the label inside the fuel-flap says as much.
Good thread!!
I'm looking to get a 2nd car soon,and I'm torn between a DC2 integra,an EP3 civic and a VR6 golf (pretty much for the engine noise !).I just keep coming back to wanting the Integra though. It will be for a fun blast on the weekends,and a track day now and again, and I'm thinking the only one of the 3 that I'm going to get into for some proper fun is the Integra.
My question is : My budget is £3500 tops, so I'm looking at an integra with some fair mileage...at what sort of mileage would you avoid?
I'm looking to get a 2nd car soon,and I'm torn between a DC2 integra,an EP3 civic and a VR6 golf (pretty much for the engine noise !).I just keep coming back to wanting the Integra though. It will be for a fun blast on the weekends,and a track day now and again, and I'm thinking the only one of the 3 that I'm going to get into for some proper fun is the Integra.
My question is : My budget is £3500 tops, so I'm looking at an integra with some fair mileage...at what sort of mileage would you avoid?
If it's properly serviced / looked after and the gearbox feels OK, I wouldn't be worried about a 100k* car at all - I'd be more interested in the general 'health' of the car and whether it looks like a cared for machine (mechanically as much as physically - any fool can polish a car!) or not.
* Only things to consider at those mileages beyond gearbox is dampers and bushes...RTA bushes should have been done well before then, and the dampers may well be past their best, esp. if the car has done a few trackdays.
* Only things to consider at those mileages beyond gearbox is dampers and bushes...RTA bushes should have been done well before then, and the dampers may well be past their best, esp. if the car has done a few trackdays.
havoc said:
95RON WILL be OK, but equally Super unleaded has more detergents in it, and the higher octane rating will help keep the engine and valves cleaner as well. If I was looking for one I'd be sounding the owner out about how he's run it - servicing, other maintenance and stuff like fuel.
Plus you probably will notice marginal improvements in performance and economy - it's mapped to run on Super, and the label inside the fuel-flap says as much.
Could quite easily of been remapped to run on 95 ron.Plus you probably will notice marginal improvements in performance and economy - it's mapped to run on Super, and the label inside the fuel-flap says as much.
I think the quality of fuel is over-rated in this country V-Power is still crap.
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