ITR DC2....Are they really that good ?
Discussion
Evening chaps.
Never owned a jap before, am in the market for something thats truly fun to drive for around £4k ish.
Had been thinking of Celicas.,Alfa GTV's or Fiat 20vt coupes until I started to think about the above car.
Now I know the Elise boys all love the engine, and I have driven a fair few miles in an Elise R which has the toyota version of the Honda motor.
Will the DC2 really be as good an ownership proposition as its rep suggests?
Is the post 98 car that much better ?
Have signed up on ITR/DC2, so will be perusing there later.
Your thoughts please.
Never owned a jap before, am in the market for something thats truly fun to drive for around £4k ish.
Had been thinking of Celicas.,Alfa GTV's or Fiat 20vt coupes until I started to think about the above car.
Now I know the Elise boys all love the engine, and I have driven a fair few miles in an Elise R which has the toyota version of the Honda motor.
Will the DC2 really be as good an ownership proposition as its rep suggests?
Is the post 98 car that much better ?
Have signed up on ITR/DC2, so will be perusing there later.
Your thoughts please.
even though i have the money to change to a more up market marque and something faster I have kept my DC2 for 6 years. Why? because nothing gives the same fun, is so cheap to run and makes a noise which makes the spine tingle. when the diff kicks in on a tight corner it makes life come alive.
Hi Mark,
It won't be as involving a drive as an Elise. Be under no illusions there. Nor will you be able to engage in rwd antics.
But...it's a practical proposition as an everyday car (as long as you don't do big M-way miles), it's an utter hoot to drive, and is both very involving and very forgiving at the same time. evo back in 1999 (I think) rated it second only to the P1 in their 'best real-world driver's car' article, ahead of S1 and Boxster. itr-dc2 will give you a lot more information, but:-
- £4k will get you an older, leggier one, and 'teg bills can be a little pricier than a lot of £4k cars. So try and stretch the budget a bit and buy on condition (engines are good for high miles, bushes and dampers aren't, and gearboxes can also wear);
- '98s are only better if you buy JDM (Jap Import - strip lights not twin round ones), and they're rather sought after, so again will be more expensive;
- '96/97 JDM IMHO aren't quite as good as UKDM (brakes not so good, harder ride, plus uncertain history), but are cheaper;
- A lot get modified. Not always a bad thing, but big wheels upset the ride and potentially the handling, and aftermarket suspension will definitely change its' USP - its' superb poise/handling!
But ultimately, drive a few, see what you think. It's not rwd, but in all other regards I love it to bits...
It won't be as involving a drive as an Elise. Be under no illusions there. Nor will you be able to engage in rwd antics.
But...it's a practical proposition as an everyday car (as long as you don't do big M-way miles), it's an utter hoot to drive, and is both very involving and very forgiving at the same time. evo back in 1999 (I think) rated it second only to the P1 in their 'best real-world driver's car' article, ahead of S1 and Boxster. itr-dc2 will give you a lot more information, but:-
- £4k will get you an older, leggier one, and 'teg bills can be a little pricier than a lot of £4k cars. So try and stretch the budget a bit and buy on condition (engines are good for high miles, bushes and dampers aren't, and gearboxes can also wear);
- '98s are only better if you buy JDM (Jap Import - strip lights not twin round ones), and they're rather sought after, so again will be more expensive;
- '96/97 JDM IMHO aren't quite as good as UKDM (brakes not so good, harder ride, plus uncertain history), but are cheaper;
- A lot get modified. Not always a bad thing, but big wheels upset the ride and potentially the handling, and aftermarket suspension will definitely change its' USP - its' superb poise/handling!
But ultimately, drive a few, see what you think. It's not rwd, but in all other regards I love it to bits...
Great cars. I've had mine just over a year now and can safely say its the best car i've ever driven. Its pretty much as fast as any modern hot hatch type car, but weighs a lot less than most. This also gives the benefit of really agile handling for what is actually a fairly large car (for its weight), and pretty good fuel economy. Utterly reliable and practical. Might not be as involving as an Elise, but I can guarantee it will have a better engine than any Elise you can pick up for the same price as even a mint 98 spec JDM. I'd stick my neck on the line and say its likely to be the most fun you can have at the price short of an Elise, and ignore the FWD thing, it really isnt an issue - I rate it as a significantly better drivers car than a stock MR2 or MX5.
The best thing about them is it really is a jack of all trades. Its comfortable, but at the same time, focused. Its fast, but at the same time, economical. Its practical AND reliable. IMO it looks great and is a rare sight on the roads. It wont cost you the earth to run, and you WILL have a grin on your face every time the tacho homes in on that 9000 RPM mark, with the glorious soundtrack that accompanies it.
The best thing about them is it really is a jack of all trades. Its comfortable, but at the same time, focused. Its fast, but at the same time, economical. Its practical AND reliable. IMO it looks great and is a rare sight on the roads. It wont cost you the earth to run, and you WILL have a grin on your face every time the tacho homes in on that 9000 RPM mark, with the glorious soundtrack that accompanies it.
Thanks for all the replies chaps, looks like the tool for the job then !
Hopefully have the Landy sold by easter, so will be looking for a white with red recaros uk car ideally.Can go to £5k tops.
Anyone knows of a good one, please let me know.
Also, any good Honda indie garages in my neck of the woods, Tring, Herts ?
Hopefully have the Landy sold by easter, so will be looking for a white with red recaros uk car ideally.Can go to £5k tops.
Anyone knows of a good one, please let me know.
Also, any good Honda indie garages in my neck of the woods, Tring, Herts ?
Can't really add anything else to what's been said above - cracking car.
As for dealers in your area, you may be after independents, but a fella at Hemel Honda has a very good reputation on the Type R Owners forum and knows his stuff about the 'tegs. Yes he may be a main dealer but definitely a cut above the norm.
http://type-r-owners.co.uk/forums/
Also worth remembering as you'll be buying a car that's over 5 years old it'll fits into "Honda's Happyness" scheme where many jobs are fixed price and not as pricey as you might expect (cambelt £200 etc).
Only other thing is when looking at cars really look at the makes of tyres and wear patterns. One thing i've learnt the expensive way is make sure you've got the right tyres and budget for a 4 wheel alignment (£100) every 6 months as it's essential.
And have a look on itr-dc2 - it's where I got mine from and there's quite a few good examples on there at the mo. Also chances are that even if you find a car elsewhere it'll probably have been known on the forum at some point so do ask around - they've got a good following!
As for dealers in your area, you may be after independents, but a fella at Hemel Honda has a very good reputation on the Type R Owners forum and knows his stuff about the 'tegs. Yes he may be a main dealer but definitely a cut above the norm.
http://type-r-owners.co.uk/forums/
Also worth remembering as you'll be buying a car that's over 5 years old it'll fits into "Honda's Happyness" scheme where many jobs are fixed price and not as pricey as you might expect (cambelt £200 etc).
Only other thing is when looking at cars really look at the makes of tyres and wear patterns. One thing i've learnt the expensive way is make sure you've got the right tyres and budget for a 4 wheel alignment (£100) every 6 months as it's essential.
And have a look on itr-dc2 - it's where I got mine from and there's quite a few good examples on there at the mo. Also chances are that even if you find a car elsewhere it'll probably have been known on the forum at some point so do ask around - they've got a good following!
Furyous, get hold of the back copy of EVO, with the Greatest FWD feature. Well worth reading if you are tempted by a DC2.
I can't add much to what the others have already said, had mine nearly four years now, brilliant little car for the money and totally usable as a day to day runner too. All I will say is, get hold of the original tyres, RE010s, W rated, you need to experience the car on those tyres to fully appreciate that chassis imho. I've recently put lightweight 16s on my UKDM and its lost that sparkle so I'll be returning to OEM spec as soon as finances allow.
Get one, you'll love it.
I can't add much to what the others have already said, had mine nearly four years now, brilliant little car for the money and totally usable as a day to day runner too. All I will say is, get hold of the original tyres, RE010s, W rated, you need to experience the car on those tyres to fully appreciate that chassis imho. I've recently put lightweight 16s on my UKDM and its lost that sparkle so I'll be returning to OEM spec as soon as finances allow.
Get one, you'll love it.
It depends what sort of engine you like, I recently test drove an S2000 and loved the car but hated the engine. It did very little until 6k revs then pulled hard to 9k but it sounded like the valves were trying to escape from the engine and was rather rough, I got back in my 3.0l V6 Alfa GTV and it was a joy to be back with a smooth, free revving, lovely sounding and torquey but still with a top end kick as it comes on cam, engine.
Some people love the power delivery of 4 cylinder Honda V-tec engines, some don't so I suppose it comes down to personal preference, personally I could not live with it regardless of how good the rest of the car is.
Some people love the power delivery of 4 cylinder Honda V-tec engines, some don't so I suppose it comes down to personal preference, personally I could not live with it regardless of how good the rest of the car is.
Pretty much everyone i've heard whos had experience of a DC2 reckon the B18C is a better sounding engine than the S2000 lump. In fact some thing the B-series Honda engines are the best sounding of them all, bar the NSX.
ETA, I cant see you getting 30+ MPG around town out of a 3.0-litre Alfa either!
ETA, I cant see you getting 30+ MPG around town out of a 3.0-litre Alfa either!
Edited by pbirkett on Monday 17th March 18:37
Pooh said:
pbirkett said:
ETA, I cant see you getting 30+ MPG around town out of a 3.0-litre Alfa either!
No chance, but then it has other talents rather than fuel economy.Edited by pbirkett on Monday 17th March 18:37
havoc said:
Pooh said:
pbirkett said:
ETA, I cant see you getting 30+ MPG around town out of a 3.0-litre Alfa either!
No chance, but then it has other talents rather than fuel economy.Edited by pbirkett on Monday 17th March 18:37
Pooh said:
pbirkett said:
ETA, I cant see you getting 30+ MPG around town out of a 3.0-litre Alfa either!
No chance, but then it has other talents rather than fuel economy.Edited by pbirkett on Monday 17th March 18:37
pbirkett said:
Pooh said:
pbirkett said:
ETA, I cant see you getting 30+ MPG around town out of a 3.0-litre Alfa either!
No chance, but then it has other talents rather than fuel economy.Edited by pbirkett on Monday 17th March 18:37
Pooh said:
my comment purely related to the power delivery of 4 cylinder Honda V-tec engines and that while some people love it, others do not.
And we're not going to argue on that one. It's probably even more 'marmite' than a turbo-4......but boy oh boy does it sound good. Probably as good (albeit in a different way) as that lovely V6 in the Alfa...
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