Honda Integra DC5 Type R
Discussion
Life can have it's ups and downs, and the end of my 2016 was particularly painful, however some good fortune at work meant I found myself in the position to purchase one of my JDM bucket list cars....A DC5.
I've been tooling around in a daily/project MIVEC mitsubishi for the last year or 2, and ever since being exposed to driving a high revving NA engine, the desire for a VTEC honda just increased.
I managed to narrow it down to either a DC5 or S2000, with the DC5 ultimately winning out due to being more practical as a daily, and also my love for all things coupe shaped.
The hunt for a car just before Christmas, with the original plan to buy a freshly imported DC5. There were a few about, but nothing really grabbed me in terms of a combo of price/condition/extras. I was fairly open on exterior/interior colour, but had been leaning towards championship white.
So there I am, on New year's eve-eve, having a look on autotrader, and up pops a Milano red DC5, with low miles, in my price range, and from the photos, looked very tidy...I had a good feeling about this car.
So, bright and early at 5:30am on New Years Eve, I left the comfort of bed in St Albans, to drive down to Crewkerne in deepest Somerset. 3 foggy hours later and I'm faced with the Integra in the flesh.
It soon transpired that the trader had decided he was going to keep the car for himself if I didn't buy it...he was probably the most petrol-headed car dealer I've ever met, and has a sizeable collection of rare Evos and other interesting metal tucked away, we spent a good while just chatting about JDM stuff. All things considered, I felt lucky to have found this window of opportunity, the car had only been up on autotrader 2 days when I phoned.
Gave the car a thorough once over and was very impressed, nary a mark on it, and no rust anywhere. So onto the test drive...wow, did not feel like a 14 year old car, incredibly tight and solid, and compared to my 22 year old Mitsi, very quick indeed. Instantly liked the short throw gear change and purposeful interior.
So here she is- 2002 DC5, FSH, 63,000 on the clock, one UK owner for the last 8 years, Milano red with red interior, and pretty much entirely standard barring an aftermarket midpipe and backbox. Also has the stupidly expensive optional parcel shelf! Negotiated a service and fresh underseal into the sale, and I collect it this coming saturday...or Christmas 2 as I'm dubbing it.
More pics to follow and a write up of my first proper driving experience when I venture down to collect it this coming weekend.
I've been tooling around in a daily/project MIVEC mitsubishi for the last year or 2, and ever since being exposed to driving a high revving NA engine, the desire for a VTEC honda just increased.
I managed to narrow it down to either a DC5 or S2000, with the DC5 ultimately winning out due to being more practical as a daily, and also my love for all things coupe shaped.
The hunt for a car just before Christmas, with the original plan to buy a freshly imported DC5. There were a few about, but nothing really grabbed me in terms of a combo of price/condition/extras. I was fairly open on exterior/interior colour, but had been leaning towards championship white.
So there I am, on New year's eve-eve, having a look on autotrader, and up pops a Milano red DC5, with low miles, in my price range, and from the photos, looked very tidy...I had a good feeling about this car.
So, bright and early at 5:30am on New Years Eve, I left the comfort of bed in St Albans, to drive down to Crewkerne in deepest Somerset. 3 foggy hours later and I'm faced with the Integra in the flesh.
It soon transpired that the trader had decided he was going to keep the car for himself if I didn't buy it...he was probably the most petrol-headed car dealer I've ever met, and has a sizeable collection of rare Evos and other interesting metal tucked away, we spent a good while just chatting about JDM stuff. All things considered, I felt lucky to have found this window of opportunity, the car had only been up on autotrader 2 days when I phoned.
Gave the car a thorough once over and was very impressed, nary a mark on it, and no rust anywhere. So onto the test drive...wow, did not feel like a 14 year old car, incredibly tight and solid, and compared to my 22 year old Mitsi, very quick indeed. Instantly liked the short throw gear change and purposeful interior.
So here she is- 2002 DC5, FSH, 63,000 on the clock, one UK owner for the last 8 years, Milano red with red interior, and pretty much entirely standard barring an aftermarket midpipe and backbox. Also has the stupidly expensive optional parcel shelf! Negotiated a service and fresh underseal into the sale, and I collect it this coming saturday...or Christmas 2 as I'm dubbing it.
More pics to follow and a write up of my first proper driving experience when I venture down to collect it this coming weekend.
Edited by designforlife on Sunday 1st January 09:47
I was a bit wary of the colour, I know about the tendancy for it to be more Milano pink! Luckily the previous owner has been pretty diligent with wax and polish, so it really does look very good all things considered.
My only slight bugbear, is that darn foglight placement on the rear...but at least it is red on red I suppose.
A friend who also recently got a DC5 has been having trouble reversing in the dark since his foglight has been relocated to the reversing light, so at least I don't have that problem.
My only slight bugbear, is that darn foglight placement on the rear...but at least it is red on red I suppose.
A friend who also recently got a DC5 has been having trouble reversing in the dark since his foglight has been relocated to the reversing light, so at least I don't have that problem.
Great cars, I wouldn't worry too much about it going pink as apparently it's all under he lacquer anyway so not much you can do to stop it if it happens. Funny you mention the parcel shelf - I had an EK9 previously and had to pay a fortune to get one.
Are the Recaro's in good condition? I love those seats!
And while I agree with you on the fog light position, it doesn't look as obvious on the Milano as it does on the CW - sticks out like a sore thumb on them and I barely noticed on yours.
Are the Recaro's in good condition? I love those seats!
And while I agree with you on the fog light position, it doesn't look as obvious on the Milano as it does on the CW - sticks out like a sore thumb on them and I barely noticed on yours.
CrouchingWayne said:
Great cars, I wouldn't worry too much about it going pink as apparently it's all under he lacquer anyway so not much you can do to stop it if it happens. Funny you mention the parcel shelf - I had an EK9 previously and had to pay a fortune to get one.
Are the Recaro's in good condition? I love those seats!
And while I agree with you on the fog light position, it doesn't look as obvious on the Milano as it does on the CW - sticks out like a sore thumb on them and I barely noticed on yours.
The bolsters are actually in excellent condition, the lower one on the drivers side isn't crushed at all.Are the Recaro's in good condition? I love those seats!
And while I agree with you on the fog light position, it doesn't look as obvious on the Milano as it does on the CW - sticks out like a sore thumb on them and I barely noticed on yours.
They need a good clean but generally the interior is pretty much immaculate.
Risotto said:
On a DC5 I imported many years ago, I mounted a slim fog light on the underside of the bumper, in the middle where the bumper is further from the ground:
yeah that's the setup on my Mitsubishi.Edited by Risotto on Sunday 1st January 10:49
But like I say, minor gripe given the rest of the car tbh.
BrotherMouzone said:
Great New Year present!
Just need to respray the wheels to a slightly darker shade, and get a new/second hand rear bumper to relocate the fog light and Bob's your uncle.
- Milano pink DC2 owner
Yeah the wheels need refurbing anyway, so the general plan is to get them done in a dark grey/graphite over summer.Just need to respray the wheels to a slightly darker shade, and get a new/second hand rear bumper to relocate the fog light and Bob's your uncle.
- Milano pink DC2 owner
Really rather like them for OEM wheels.
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