Honda DC5's, Good fun or not so much ....?

[TomLRogers]

Evening Guys,
A few weeks ago I posted a thread to discuss Evo VIII's as I am in the market for a weekend toy, I have roughly a 12K budget and would like to explore some possibilities. My thoughts are that I could spend the lot on a tidy Evo VIII or I could save a bit and get a DC5 or something similar.

The reviews that I have looked into do rate the DC5 but without having been in one I would appreciate some knowledge, opinions and experiences from yourselves to help guide me in the right direction.

Can the front wheel drive design hamper the driving pleasure, and does the relative lack of power compared with an Evo make for a less enjoyable weekend toy?

Thanks in advance guys, Tom.

[TomLRogers]

One other Point I have uncovered is there's talk of potential appreciation of the DC5, how true this is I am unsure.
If your able to shed any light on this it would be a great help.

[designforlife]

There's definitely a "scene tax" on them, so likely to only appreciate in price. Looks like you need to spend £8k plus to get a decent one.

I've heard from friends that own them - handling is fantastic for FWD, pretty comparable to a civic type r in terms of real world performance and power delivery.

If you want something fun, a bit iconic, reliable, that will hold it's value, I would say it's a great shout.


I have the Mitsubishi equivalent, which is so rare, nobody knows what it is, and therefore it's worth sod all. If you can find one, I would thoroughly recommend a Mitsubishi Mirage Asti ZR, quicker than a DC5, and you'll pay much less for one.

[TommoAE86]

I'd wager alot of 80's-00's Japanese cars will be going up in value due to the Gran Turismo age group now being able to afford them and that they will start to become difficult to source (on some models). DC5's are at £8k+ imported iirc? When I got my Skyline they were around that so importing one hasn't gone zooming up, but I have seen ones already in the UK going up as they were £5k for a good one whereas now they are closer to £7k for a properly nice ones.

I'm afraid I can't offer any advice on ownership but from what I've read they are only bettered in handling by the DC2's so I'd assume they are one of the top FWD handling cars around.

Have you been able to try one? Even getting a ride in one from an owners club member would be good. I did that with the Supra and Skyline before I got my Skyline.

If not, Japfest next month, turn up and ask owners lots of questions

[designforlife]

also, if you are ever down in Herts, i'll happily take you for a hoon in the asti... 0-60 in 6.8s and it only weighs 1060kg, it's fun!

[TomLRogers]

Thanks for the replies guys, I unfortunately don't have access to one or know anybody with a DC5.
I have just had a look at the jap-Fest webpage though and I wil definatly be heading there and see if I can get some first hand information.

[TommoAE86]

Try and find your local Japanese car scene, there will be one sensible person with a DC5. Hampshire have one that I am member of if you're in this area.

Good luck! And if you come to Japfest come to the SOC stand, 8k will get you a very tidy R33 GTST

[93Jay]

where are you from buddy? I'm west midlands based, and own a DC5, mine is prefacelift with a few mods, running a bit more power than standard, with upgraded suspension. Happy to take you out in it, if you aren't too far away.

Any questions feel free to ask, I bought mine in October, so I'm getting familiar with it.

[TomLRogers]

TommoAE86 said:

Try and find your local Japanese car scene, there will be one sensible person with a DC5. Hampshire have one that I am member of if you're in this area.

Good luck! And if you come to Japfest come to the SOC stand, 8k will get you a very tidy R33 GTST

93Jay said:

where are you from buddy? I'm west midlands based, and own a DC5, mine is prefacelift with a few mods, running a bit more power than standard, with upgraded suspension. Happy to take you out in it, if you aren't too far away.

Any questions feel free to ask, I bought mine in October, so I'm getting familiar with it.

I am based between Newark and Lincoln (East Midlands) Thank you for the offers.
I will come across to the SOC Stand and take a look.
Do you guys find the front wheel drive or the power output an issue at all?

[93Jay]

TomLRogers said:

I am based between Newark and Lincoln (East Midlands) Thank you for the offers.
I will come across to the SOC Stand and take a look.
Do you guys find the front wheel drive or the power output an issue at all?

Personally I don't find it an issue, I think I have 243bhp also with a fair bit more midrange, but I'm also on pretty much new bridgestones.

[TomLRogers]

93Jay said:

TomLRogers said:

I am based between Newark and Lincoln (East Midlands) Thank you for the offers.
I will come across to the SOC Stand and take a look.
Do you guys find the front wheel drive or the power output an issue at all?

Personally I don't find it an issue, I think I have 243bhp also with a fair bit more midrange, but I'm also on pretty much new bridgestones.

Good to know how are they to maintain?

[Butter Face]

I've driven a 300bhp EP3 (and mine will be supercharged soon) and they're fine, a powerful DC5 with the LSD will be better.

Maintenance isn't an issue, regular oil and filter charges are what's needed, that's about it, K20's will take the advise all day!

I can't see DC5's in the main appreciating, maybe super super low mileage standard cars in the rarer colours. They'll hold the money because, as the poster above said, they have a 'scene tax'. You'd get a nice EP3 with mods for less money but it won't be worth as much as a DC5.

[93Jay]

TomLRogers said:

93Jay said:

TomLRogers said:

I am based between Newark and Lincoln (East Midlands) Thank you for the offers.
I will come across to the SOC Stand and take a look.
Do you guys find the front wheel drive or the power output an issue at all?

Personally I don't find it an issue, I think I have 243bhp also with a fair bit more midrange, but I'm also on pretty much new bridgestones.

Good to know how are they to maintain?

They're pretty simple cars so maintenance is pretty straightforward. They have timing chains, most people change them around 100k, but they don't necessarily need to be changed (according to Honda) but can stretch over time. If an engines tappety, a valve clearance normally fixes that. For around £100.

Oil needs to be watched regularly, they can use a fair bit depending on how you use them.

[Paul671]

designforlife said:

I would thoroughly recommend a Mitsubishi Mirage Asti ZR, quicker than a DC5, and you'll pay much less for one.

I don't like to be 'that guy' but i'm going to stick my neck out and say that in no way is a Mirage quicker than a DC5. 1050kg 170bhp vs 1150kg 220bhp, your claim doesn't stack up. Am I wrong?

OP - DC5's are great but try a DC2 as well, I've owned both and for a weekend car it is a better bet (more fun, better steering/handling/ride, less aggressive diff, less compromised as a road car), plus you wont lose money on one.