Discussion
The ITR is very sturdy so long as the oil levels are kept topped up. Always let the car warm before loading the engine or excersizing the 'crazy' cam.
There's loads of info on www.itr-dc2.com where i'm a member. everyone is friendly, and its a well run forum.
Also, I have written a couple of reports on: www.auto-journals.com Have a look under honda.
they are a cracking drive, yet practical and usable as everyday motoring. Stand out from the crowd.
All the best. Alastair
There's loads of info on www.itr-dc2.com where i'm a member. everyone is friendly, and its a well run forum.
Also, I have written a couple of reports on: www.auto-journals.com Have a look under honda.
they are a cracking drive, yet practical and usable as everyday motoring. Stand out from the crowd.
All the best. Alastair
I owned one for 4 years, was great. Bought it from a Honda garage in Reading, part exchanged it for the old shape CTR 5 years ago. Sometimes wish I hadn't. The Integra was much more fun and easier to chuck round corners etc. Nothing went wrong with it, apart from the usual tyres and wear and tear. Would highly recommend one.
ENGINES are pretty bulletproof if looked after.
Same can't be said for gearboxes and clutches though. Clutches don't last that long in general (40-60k depending on use), and gearboxes seem to 'loosen up' (sideways wiggle) with age (not linkage, is internal). This isn't anything more than a 'cosmetic' issue as they still engage fine though...although synchro 2nd-3rd can be an issue with wear.
If you are looking for one, go onto itr-dc2.com as it's a very good resource, and decide if you want a stock one or a modded one before you start looking.
Also, age isn't THAT important now - mileage and condition / how well it's been treated are far more important.
One last thing...it's not cheap, either to buy or to run. Parts are typical Honda-expensive (but durable once bought), insurance is steep, and for <£4k you can get a good, well-specced, more comfortable 306 GTi-6 which is, IMHO, at least 80% of the car the 'teg is, probably more.
But the 'teg is, well...it IS!
Which is why I've just bought another (near-mint 44k black w/aircon) for over £8k, when the wife's buying a newer GTi-6 for £4k. I must be mad...
Same can't be said for gearboxes and clutches though. Clutches don't last that long in general (40-60k depending on use), and gearboxes seem to 'loosen up' (sideways wiggle) with age (not linkage, is internal). This isn't anything more than a 'cosmetic' issue as they still engage fine though...although synchro 2nd-3rd can be an issue with wear.
If you are looking for one, go onto itr-dc2.com as it's a very good resource, and decide if you want a stock one or a modded one before you start looking.
Also, age isn't THAT important now - mileage and condition / how well it's been treated are far more important.
One last thing...it's not cheap, either to buy or to run. Parts are typical Honda-expensive (but durable once bought), insurance is steep, and for <£4k you can get a good, well-specced, more comfortable 306 GTi-6 which is, IMHO, at least 80% of the car the 'teg is, probably more.
But the 'teg is, well...it IS!
Which is why I've just bought another (near-mint 44k black w/aircon) for over £8k, when the wife's buying a newer GTi-6 for £4k. I must be mad...
Cant comment on long term reliability but I've had my JDM DC2 for a couple of months, and no real problems except needing new front tyres and will probably need new brakes pads and discs...
As for handling, never driven a GTI6 or Rallye, but I came from a Clio 182 and it handles a lot better than that did.
As for handling, never driven a GTI6 or Rallye, but I came from a Clio 182 and it handles a lot better than that did.
Edited by pbirkett on Monday 14th May 20:34
graememac said:
Thanks for the replies. i'll be looking to spend around the 7k mark so hopefully i'll get something decent for that.As for the GTI-6 reference, i used to own a 306 Rallye and if the integra's handles anywhere near that it'll be impressed!
£7k should get you a good one, but budget some to tidy it up as well.
Re: GTi-6...the wife is picking one up in a couple of weeks, so I should be able to back-to-back them. It's an old friends, which is the car I'm using for reference in the above comment...his comments having driven my old 'teg, I've just passengered in the 306 so far.
Re: 182...they're not as far apart as you'd believe, certainly not the Cup-chassis. Main difference is the 'teg feels more of a quality product and the driving position is so much better.
stew-typeR said:
i keep thinking about selling my car and going for an elise. but then i just drive it again and forget i was thinking about selling.
havoc- good man
havoc- good man
Well, you didn't seem to be shifting yours and I just couldn't resist. It was either that or a Caterham and you can't really commute in a suit in a Caterham!!!
Graeme - I drove a DC5 a couple of years back before I shifted my first DC2. Did a detailed summary on the s2ki.co.uk forum about 12 months ago, but short version is:-
- DC5 has the better engine (stronger mid-range, really, but that helps more than you'd believe in real-world), although there's not such an obvious step-up in power nor (IMHO) such an induction 'roar'.
- DC5 has even more mechanical grip...on good tarmac it's glued...it really is!!!
- DC5's suspension isn't as accomplished - more torque-steer, more bump-steer on bumpy B-roads, follows camber more. Not Focus RS bad, but not DC2 intuitive and unflappable.
- DC5 steering feels more inert...after the over-light on-centre of the DC2, the DC2 has great feel and 'naturality' to the steering. DC5 feels a bit artificial and numb in comparison, but has better weight to it than the EP3 CTR. Combination of last two bullet points means you don't feel so inclined to push it to 10/10ths on a B-road vs a DC2. Might get better with ownership, don't know...
- DC5 looks better and more modern inside and out...although I do like the DC2 exterior.
In short, if it's an everyday but very fun car you're after, the DC5 has a lot going for it. But if you want the best to drive, to immerse and lose yourself in day-after-day-after-day on any road going, then the DC2 has the edge...over pretty much everything this side of an Elise, IMHO...but the Elise doesn't have 4 seats and a 400+ litre boot!!! OK, OK, an Evo VI TME, P1 or an RB5 would probably be a good substitute too!
havoc said:
Re: 182...they're not as far apart as you'd believe, certainly not the Cup-chassis. Main difference is the 'teg feels more of a quality product and the driving position is so much better.
Dont really agree with that.
In fairness there wont be a huge difference in outright cornering speeds.
But the teg just seems far more progressive, slightly less outright grip if anything but far more predictable on the limit. Powers out of corners with more enthusiasm without understeering too - no doubt thats the diff...
The teg doesnt dive on hard braking leaving a light back end. The Clio does.
The teg has a longer wheelbase and feels far more stable.
The teg has a better weight distribution.
The Clio grips and grips and grips and then lets go suddenly.
To me there is no comparison.
pbirkett said:
havoc said:
Re: 182...they're not as far apart as you'd believe, certainly not the Cup-chassis. Main difference is the 'teg feels more of a quality product and the driving position is so much better.
Dont really agree with that.
In fairness there wont be a huge difference in outright cornering speeds.
But the teg just seems far more progressive, slightly less outright grip if anything but far more predictable on the limit. Powers out of corners with more enthusiasm without understeering too - no doubt thats the diff...
The teg doesnt dive on hard braking leaving a light back end. The Clio does.
The teg has a longer wheelbase and feels far more stable.
The teg has a better weight distribution.
The Clio grips and grips and grips and then lets go suddenly.
To me there is no comparison.
OK, you've owned both so have a better knowledge than me, but AFAIK the weight distribution and wheelbase aren't THAT different...'teg is 61/39 IIRC, and the wheelbase is roughly the same as the EG-series Civics...which aren't much bigger than a Clio.
More to the point, I found the character of both quite similar - a real enthusiasm for b-roads, good feedback, willing revvy engine. As regards ragged-edge stuff...not much experience with the 182 there, just a couple of test-drives, so I guess you'll have the better call there. Although evo didn't separate the two cars by that much, even excluding the Trophy...
Just my opinion I guess, but I do think the teg "feels" better / more special. I do think there is a real, demonstrable difference in stability and braking performance. I do think it suffers less understeer, pulls better out of bends and feels more chuckable.
The clio is a good little car for sure, lots of fun. However, I just think the teg is that bit more special in almost every way.
The clio is a good little car for sure, lots of fun. However, I just think the teg is that bit more special in almost every way.
Just to add my 2p worth - know the DC5 is probably a bit easier to live with given the extra torque and power but then again you can get stuck for insurance. Can't make any comments on handling comparison but lot of people on the DC5 forum have made relatively small suspension changes which they claim have transformed the car.
I've got a DC2 and after 4 years in a 205GTi wanted something to amuse me on a daily basis and it hasn't let me down. Only thing i'd say is if you've driven anything like a Clio/205 etc the handling will surprise you at first. Learning the limits and just how well the back end of the car can be manipulated is very rewarding. Always thought myself that the 205/Clio etc are a bit plug & play whereas the Teg demands a bit more effort. Then again the teg is soo much easier to drive on the limit whereas the others always had me keeping a mental note of the nearest hedges etc!
Mechanically spot on as long as cared for and regular oil changes are a must. Clutches can go early but sometimes hint at what's gone before - mine's on 61k going strong and my mates on 97k miles. Look for paint fade (it's very thin) and usual bolster wear and whilst the gearboxes can be a bit noisy, regularly changing the gearbox oil can help. Lots of info on the forum and loads of good examples for sale at the mo to.
I've got a DC2 and after 4 years in a 205GTi wanted something to amuse me on a daily basis and it hasn't let me down. Only thing i'd say is if you've driven anything like a Clio/205 etc the handling will surprise you at first. Learning the limits and just how well the back end of the car can be manipulated is very rewarding. Always thought myself that the 205/Clio etc are a bit plug & play whereas the Teg demands a bit more effort. Then again the teg is soo much easier to drive on the limit whereas the others always had me keeping a mental note of the nearest hedges etc!
Mechanically spot on as long as cared for and regular oil changes are a must. Clutches can go early but sometimes hint at what's gone before - mine's on 61k going strong and my mates on 97k miles. Look for paint fade (it's very thin) and usual bolster wear and whilst the gearboxes can be a bit noisy, regularly changing the gearbox oil can help. Lots of info on the forum and loads of good examples for sale at the mo to.
cwoodsie2 said:
...lot of people on the DC5 forum have made relatively small suspension changes which they claim have transformed the car.
Quite possible. I've made a few tweaks to the S2000 which have helped the handling:-
- Castor reduction;
- Rear camber and toe-in reduction;
- Cross braces front upper&lower and rear lower.
Dampers still seem slightly soft/slow at the rear when pressing on down a bumpy B-road, and steering needs more feel, but it's now a car you feel happier pushing, although still nowhere near the ease which you can with a 'teg.
...that and I need to learn or resolve the passive rear-steer. Great in a fwd car, bit tricky in a rwd one (find yourself oversteering, so you lift off. The weight transfers forwards, allowing more sideways weight transfer at the back...more sideways weight transfer at the back dials in changes to toe on the outside rear wheel to make it steer more. Result =
) 
(Seriously...it strikes me as very useful if you are a confident driver who always reacts to oversteer correctly, but if you're still a bit fwd-ish and it's power-oversteer, you naturally feather the throttle a bit...and the passive stuff exacerbates the problem. IMHO it's probably the cause of most of the S2000's hedge-hunting rep in the wet.
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