RX8 owner here
Discussion
Hey guys and girls. I own a Mazda RX8 and im seriously contemplating moving on from the SE3P. Brilliant car but I fancy a change. When I was 8 or 9, my favourite car was the DC2 Integra. Until I was 15 I was a real Honda fan. Namely said DC2 Integra but I loved the EK9 Type R and the Jordan Edition. I lost interest in honda when I realised I couldnt insure a 1.4 back in 2008 when I first passed my test.
Now the time has come, and im leaning heavily towards a DC5 Integra Type R. Loved the shape and motorsport pedigree thanks to BTCC and Team Halfords. I love everything about the Integra and wonder what the general consensus is on the car. Ideally im after more than 17mpg without sacrificing the performance lol!
I did consider and FN2 and the EP3, but I dont really like them too much and to be honest, I dont think they are better than the RX8 out the box especially. Other options i've looked at are the 350z but the boot is literally non existant, and the MPG is the same as the RX8.
I hope that in two or three years, the FD2 will come down from £15k to around £10k in price, then I would have one of those and live with that for a long time. Best looking Civic, best performance, gorgeous interior and for me, its more of an Integra than a Civic anyway.
Look forward to your opinions guys.
Now the time has come, and im leaning heavily towards a DC5 Integra Type R. Loved the shape and motorsport pedigree thanks to BTCC and Team Halfords. I love everything about the Integra and wonder what the general consensus is on the car. Ideally im after more than 17mpg without sacrificing the performance lol!
I did consider and FN2 and the EP3, but I dont really like them too much and to be honest, I dont think they are better than the RX8 out the box especially. Other options i've looked at are the 350z but the boot is literally non existant, and the MPG is the same as the RX8.
I hope that in two or three years, the FD2 will come down from £15k to around £10k in price, then I would have one of those and live with that for a long time. Best looking Civic, best performance, gorgeous interior and for me, its more of an Integra than a Civic anyway.
Look forward to your opinions guys.
Tough call.
Have driven both RX8 and DC5, but not owned either. Owned DC2 x 2, S2000, NSX and FD2, for reference.
DC5 is much like the FD2, just wound-back slightly but wearing a sharper suit. That is to say very stiff for UK roads - you get used to it, but bumpy B-roads see you backing off to 8/10ths just when you really want to push. DC5 I drove had a tendency to hunt cambers too, but that might be able to be fixed via geometry tweaks - my FD2 doesn't do it. Engine is lovely - thicker mid-range than you expect, nice top-end, and sounds good. A more characterful engine than the RX8, but possibly a little slower (not much in it). Gearbox is also excellent, as are pedal positions. Seats are positively sublime, and overall driving position near-perfect.
Compare to the RX8, which has a great ride/handling balance and a refreshing lack of excess grip when you want to mess around - IMHO it actually feels more playful (on-road) than the DC5. Gearbox is the S2000 unit just with different linkage, and I don't think they got the linkage quite right, but it's still pretty good, just an inch too far forward. Engine is marmite, but I like it...yet I agree it DOES lack enough aural drama and the second-wind of the powerful VTECs. Sacrilege perhaps, but I'd venture to suggest the S2000 powertrain in an RX8 body would have resulted in a better all-round car than either individually...
Boring stuff - both are practical enough, but the DC5's hatch and folding seats give it a real edge in load-lugging. And you will see 30+mpg on a long-run, late-20s combined. Other convenience factor is you don't need to worry about cold-restarts / short-journeys if you move from the RX8.
Steering is the one slight let-down in both cars for me (coming from the DC2, certainly) - DC5 is hydraulic, I believe, but is one of those racks that confuses weight with feel. RX8 I can't recall, but like the S2000 is much lighter, a little quicker, yet not much more detailed. Probably slightly better, as I didn't mind it as much as the DC5.
IF (!!!) I could live with the mpg and practicality of the RX8, I'd take it over the DC5, but that's my preference...as is all of the above. Alternatively, if you can live with a step-backwards in straight-line pace and in habitability, DO test-drive a DC2 - it's got a truly sublime chassis and for driving fun/involvement arguably betters both of the above. But they're old and in need of TLC now - rear-arches are rusting and bushes/dampers probably seen better days, mainly.
Other thought - E46 M3 - feels heavier than both of the above, but quicker and with more about it, IYSWIM. My favourite affordable real-world all-rounder. Buy carefully and it shouldn't cost megabucks to run, either, and £10k will get you a thoroughly decent car, £12-14 might well get you a CS, which will have very good residuals...
Have driven both RX8 and DC5, but not owned either. Owned DC2 x 2, S2000, NSX and FD2, for reference.
DC5 is much like the FD2, just wound-back slightly but wearing a sharper suit. That is to say very stiff for UK roads - you get used to it, but bumpy B-roads see you backing off to 8/10ths just when you really want to push. DC5 I drove had a tendency to hunt cambers too, but that might be able to be fixed via geometry tweaks - my FD2 doesn't do it. Engine is lovely - thicker mid-range than you expect, nice top-end, and sounds good. A more characterful engine than the RX8, but possibly a little slower (not much in it). Gearbox is also excellent, as are pedal positions. Seats are positively sublime, and overall driving position near-perfect.
Compare to the RX8, which has a great ride/handling balance and a refreshing lack of excess grip when you want to mess around - IMHO it actually feels more playful (on-road) than the DC5. Gearbox is the S2000 unit just with different linkage, and I don't think they got the linkage quite right, but it's still pretty good, just an inch too far forward. Engine is marmite, but I like it...yet I agree it DOES lack enough aural drama and the second-wind of the powerful VTECs. Sacrilege perhaps, but I'd venture to suggest the S2000 powertrain in an RX8 body would have resulted in a better all-round car than either individually...
Boring stuff - both are practical enough, but the DC5's hatch and folding seats give it a real edge in load-lugging. And you will see 30+mpg on a long-run, late-20s combined. Other convenience factor is you don't need to worry about cold-restarts / short-journeys if you move from the RX8.
Steering is the one slight let-down in both cars for me (coming from the DC2, certainly) - DC5 is hydraulic, I believe, but is one of those racks that confuses weight with feel. RX8 I can't recall, but like the S2000 is much lighter, a little quicker, yet not much more detailed. Probably slightly better, as I didn't mind it as much as the DC5.
IF (!!!) I could live with the mpg and practicality of the RX8, I'd take it over the DC5, but that's my preference...as is all of the above. Alternatively, if you can live with a step-backwards in straight-line pace and in habitability, DO test-drive a DC2 - it's got a truly sublime chassis and for driving fun/involvement arguably betters both of the above. But they're old and in need of TLC now - rear-arches are rusting and bushes/dampers probably seen better days, mainly.
Other thought - E46 M3 - feels heavier than both of the above, but quicker and with more about it, IYSWIM. My favourite affordable real-world all-rounder. Buy carefully and it shouldn't cost megabucks to run, either, and £10k will get you a thoroughly decent car, £12-14 might well get you a CS, which will have very good residuals...
Cheers for the reply.
I looked at an FN2; love the interior but for me it just felt slow. Well compared to the RX8. The FD2 is a stunning car. I still class it as an Integra rather than a Civic. Bumpiness doesn't bother me, I dont really go through bumpy B-roads too much! I know of two people on the RX8 forum putting the F20C into the RX8, its suppose to be an extremely good fit.
Its the boring stuff that I'm interested in! I like boot space. I can fit my dads wheelchair in the boot of the RX8, but it would be nice to have abit more loading space. Enginewise, I've never had a Vtec so the whole 'Vtec yo!' stuff flies over my head. My friends sounded beautiful when he had one. Think its supercharged now.
RE the gear throw; id certainly put the Tegiwa short-shifter mod on the car. Id also give it a proper remap too. Thing thats luring me with the Integra is, theres alot more modifications off the shelf ready. I mean, for a remap on the RX8 its £450. Then I have to travel to wales which its a good 200 miles return jouney so add another £60 petrol. thats £510 for not even 10bhp in most cases. Ontop of the short shifter being £245.
Performance-wise, the RX8 is pretty optimised. The DC5 is too, but from my reading there is alot more to gain through a remap. In many cases, Integra's already have the K100 fitted by previous owners, as enthusiasts buy them more than the general public, you can pretty much get quite a few modifications already installed in the Integra. The RX8 is electrical in its power steering, I know its handling is sublime
Ideally I want to spent between £6500-£7500. Have an Integra for a year or two and by that time, bother the Megane 250/265 will have plummeted in value, and so would the Jaguar XF. Maybe the FD2 will come down in price aswell.
Then I can choose whether to continue with a performance vehicle or to go for the luxury adult car. Thanks for your feedback mate.
Whats the FD2 like by the way? I would LOVE one of those one day.
I looked at an FN2; love the interior but for me it just felt slow. Well compared to the RX8. The FD2 is a stunning car. I still class it as an Integra rather than a Civic. Bumpiness doesn't bother me, I dont really go through bumpy B-roads too much! I know of two people on the RX8 forum putting the F20C into the RX8, its suppose to be an extremely good fit.
Its the boring stuff that I'm interested in! I like boot space. I can fit my dads wheelchair in the boot of the RX8, but it would be nice to have abit more loading space. Enginewise, I've never had a Vtec so the whole 'Vtec yo!' stuff flies over my head. My friends sounded beautiful when he had one. Think its supercharged now.
RE the gear throw; id certainly put the Tegiwa short-shifter mod on the car. Id also give it a proper remap too. Thing thats luring me with the Integra is, theres alot more modifications off the shelf ready. I mean, for a remap on the RX8 its £450. Then I have to travel to wales which its a good 200 miles return jouney so add another £60 petrol. thats £510 for not even 10bhp in most cases. Ontop of the short shifter being £245.
Performance-wise, the RX8 is pretty optimised. The DC5 is too, but from my reading there is alot more to gain through a remap. In many cases, Integra's already have the K100 fitted by previous owners, as enthusiasts buy them more than the general public, you can pretty much get quite a few modifications already installed in the Integra. The RX8 is electrical in its power steering, I know its handling is sublime
Ideally I want to spent between £6500-£7500. Have an Integra for a year or two and by that time, bother the Megane 250/265 will have plummeted in value, and so would the Jaguar XF. Maybe the FD2 will come down in price aswell.
Then I can choose whether to continue with a performance vehicle or to go for the luxury adult car. Thanks for your feedback mate.
Whats the FD2 like by the way? I would LOVE one of those one day.
rb5er said:
Focus RS mk1 and Imprezas are in that price range too as are many many other great cars. The DC5 is a good car though but as said quite stiffly sprung.
If you really want a DC5 have a test drive and check its for you then buy it.
I contemplated a Hawkeye WRX and a 350z, but wasnt overly impressed by the Impreza. The 350z is a great car but I need a bigger boot!If you really want a DC5 have a test drive and check its for you then buy it.
Not a Ford fan im afraid, I dont like the RS. I did contemplate a Megane F1 230.
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