Honda DC2 + commuter or DC5
Discussion
Morning Guys,
My brother is having a bit of a dilemma.. After deciding to get rid of his 172 Exclusive to move onto something Japanese he has hit a stumbling block.
He is a big fan of the Teg, and has driven both the DC2 and DC5 variants and has fallen in love with both. The problem is that he is doing around 25-30k a year at the moment and is worried about piling too much mileage onto the Teg. Now i have assured him that the engine will last well into the 100k's but he just isnt sure he wants to put that sort of mileage on such a car.
Here is the problem, he can afford a good DC2 with around 50-60k on clock for £5-6k plus a £1-1.5k commuter car OR he can go for a DC5 for around £8-9k..
Just wondered what the wealth of knowledge on PH would recommend. I am interested in hearing from owners of DC2/5 Models to see whether the car can be used daily in comfort for commutes etc or whether the DC2 + commuter is the best route and save the teg for special occasions...
Cheers
Mike
ETA - this isn't a whatcar thread so don't go suggesting MX5's, E30 BMWs etc etc, he is set on a teg, it just depends on what vintage/model
My brother is having a bit of a dilemma.. After deciding to get rid of his 172 Exclusive to move onto something Japanese he has hit a stumbling block.
He is a big fan of the Teg, and has driven both the DC2 and DC5 variants and has fallen in love with both. The problem is that he is doing around 25-30k a year at the moment and is worried about piling too much mileage onto the Teg. Now i have assured him that the engine will last well into the 100k's but he just isnt sure he wants to put that sort of mileage on such a car.
Here is the problem, he can afford a good DC2 with around 50-60k on clock for £5-6k plus a £1-1.5k commuter car OR he can go for a DC5 for around £8-9k..
Just wondered what the wealth of knowledge on PH would recommend. I am interested in hearing from owners of DC2/5 Models to see whether the car can be used daily in comfort for commutes etc or whether the DC2 + commuter is the best route and save the teg for special occasions...
Cheers
Mike
ETA - this isn't a whatcar thread so don't go suggesting MX5's, E30 BMWs etc etc, he is set on a teg, it just depends on what vintage/model
Edited by iggletiggle on Friday 16th July 11:15
I wouldn't want to pile 30,000 a year on a DC2. With the age of these cars you'll be wanting to spend some money replacing bushes/springs/shocks to bring it back to life, too. Not to mention that at 50,000/60,000 miles you'll want a car that's had the 3rd/4th synchros replaced or have a budget to do it (about £1000 or so). Then there'll be the tin worm...
If it's a one car solution I'd go for the DC5 which should need less doing to it, less miles in the first place and more serene for a 30,000 mile a year commute. It's not the same raw tool as the DC2.
If it's a one car solution I'd go for the DC5 which should need less doing to it, less miles in the first place and more serene for a 30,000 mile a year commute. It's not the same raw tool as the DC2.
I did about 25k in my DC5 commuting and traveling around europe over about 2.5 years and when it was pinched had about 100k on it.
During this time it needed 4 tyres, an engine mount and err... that was it. Of course it was serviced regularly and I checked the oil once a week.
There is however a big but and that is while I did do all those miles my backside and spine have never forgiven me for it since it was very stiff and the seats more suited to a track than long drives.
I would honestly go with a commuter car and a DC2 as I have been running a diesel and the Skyline for about a year now and it just makes the Skyline more fun to drive when it gets it weekly drive through the countryside.
During this time it needed 4 tyres, an engine mount and err... that was it. Of course it was serviced regularly and I checked the oil once a week.
There is however a big but and that is while I did do all those miles my backside and spine have never forgiven me for it since it was very stiff and the seats more suited to a track than long drives.
I would honestly go with a commuter car and a DC2 as I have been running a diesel and the Skyline for about a year now and it just makes the Skyline more fun to drive when it gets it weekly drive through the countryside.
Edited by Carfiend on Friday 16th July 11:29
I've basically said to him last night that i would prefer the DC2 plus a commuter car..
He has budgeted for a full tein coilover set if he goes for a DC2 as well as a full service, didnt know about the syncro's though!
I did say also that the suspension/seats will shatter his spine over 25-30k! Thats where i think a pug hdi or similar commuter comes in handy!
Thanks for advice so far.
He has budgeted for a full tein coilover set if he goes for a DC2 as well as a full service, didnt know about the syncro's though!
I did say also that the suspension/seats will shatter his spine over 25-30k! Thats where i think a pug hdi or similar commuter comes in handy!
Thanks for advice so far.
iggletiggle said:
He has budgeted for a full tein coilover set if he goes for a DC2 as well as a full service, didnt know about the syncro's though!
If the DC2 has had a hard life, and not taken care of properly, then there is the possibility the 3rd and 4th synchros will be worn. It is most definitely NOT a maintenance of 'matter of time' thing. I know people that have had their hard driven DC2s up past 140,000 miles with the original gearbox that has never been opened.personally i much prefer to have 1 nice car and 1 economical car, it makes the nice car feel much more special every time you drive it, saves on fuel, saves on putting lots of miles on the good 1, less wear and tear on the good 1 and saves on maintenance, but then theres 2 lots of insurance, 2 lots of tax, and 2 m.o.t`s a year.
8400rpm said:
iggletiggle said:
He has budgeted for a full tein coilover set if he goes for a DC2 as well as a full service, didnt know about the syncro's though!
If the DC2 has had a hard life, and not taken care of properly, then there is the possibility the 3rd and 4th synchros will be worn. It is most definitely NOT a maintenance of 'matter of time' thing. I know people that have had their hard driven DC2s up past 140,000 miles with the original gearbox that has never been opened.agreed on the dual costs front but going on my daily snotter - insurance is around £200 a year, tax is £120 a year plus DIY servicing etc the annual costs arent too bad.
Similary the teg wont be doing more than 5-10k a year if its the DC2 so it'll be oil/filter service a year plus MOT plus tax (around £175 a year i believe). Insurance is about £900 on restricted mileage at 23.
Similary the teg wont be doing more than 5-10k a year if its the DC2 so it'll be oil/filter service a year plus MOT plus tax (around £175 a year i believe). Insurance is about £900 on restricted mileage at 23.
8400rpm said:
iggletiggle said:
He has budgeted for a full tein coilover set if he goes for a DC2 as well as a full service, didnt know about the syncro's though!
If the DC2 has had a hard life, and not taken care of properly, then there is the possibility the 3rd and 4th synchros will be worn. It is most definitely NOT a maintenance of 'matter of time' thing. I know people that have had their hard driven DC2s up past 140,000 miles with the original gearbox that has never been opened.Either way, if it's been done, great. If it hasn't, be aware it's a very possible issue and be prepared to have that cost at some point in its life- especially as you can't verify how sympathetic the previous owners have been.
Regarding the suspension- the DC2 isn't that stiff- it's more compliant than someting like an EP3 and certainly not uncomfortable.
iggletiggle said:
He has budgeted for a full tein coilover set if he goes for a DC2 as well as a full service, didnt know about the syncro's though!
Noooo!Don't get Tein they are crap crap crap! They'll burst seals and leak, the damper adjustments are non linear with lots of crosstalk between bump and rebound and more often than not it seems they just adapt a generic shock unit to fit a particular car, as the spring rates are all wrong.
They look good but are really just trash designed to part chavs and their money.
Edited by Kozy on Friday 16th July 12:52
Edited by Kozy on Friday 16th July 12:52
Kozy said:
iggletiggle said:
He has budgeted for a full tein coilover set if he goes for a DC2 as well as a full service, didnt know about the syncro's though!
Noooo!Don't get Tein they are crap crap crap! They'll burst seals and leak, the damper adjustments are non linear with lots of crosstalk between bump and rebound and more often than not it seems they just adapt a generic shock unit to fit a particular car, as the spring rates are all wrong.
They look good but are really just trash designed to part chavs and their money.
Edited by Kozy on Friday 16th July 12:52
Edited by Kozy on Friday 16th July 12:52
He was recommended the Tein kit by an "enthusiast" who said they would be the best for the money.. i have very little knowledge for Jap upgrades or jap cars in general!
iggletiggle said:
Could you recommend a more worth while kit for the DC2 then?
He was recommended the Tein kit by an "enthusiast" who said they would be the best for the money.. i have very little knowledge for Jap upgrades or jap cars in general!
Personally, I don't see why he would need an upgrade, the stock DC2 stuff is perfect.He was recommended the Tein kit by an "enthusiast" who said they would be the best for the money.. i have very little knowledge for Jap upgrades or jap cars in general!
If he really wants it a little lower/stiffer, on a moderate budget then I would sugest a set of Koni Yellow dampers and GroundControl coilover sleeves. This is a highly regarded combo on Honda-Tech, you can choose your own spring rates (GC uses linear Eibach springs) and the Konis are rebuildable, good quality units with good rebound adjustment. The coilover sleeves are also top notch race spec units, none of this cheap £50 guff you get on eBay.
Gaz. said:
They can't be rebuilt either iirc.
I didn't know that, another reason to add them in the junk pile... 
Edited by Kozy on Friday 16th July 13:01
My money would be on a DC5. However, where do you get insurance for one?
Im looking for one, and it would be used for my motorway commute. My cheapest quote is £900!
Im 29, 12years NCB, Kent postcode etc... I pay less than £400 for my Honda Elise.
Apart from my 1st ever car, I dont think I have ever paid that much for insurance.
Im looking for one, and it would be used for my motorway commute. My cheapest quote is £900!
Im 29, 12years NCB, Kent postcode etc... I pay less than £400 for my Honda Elise.
Apart from my 1st ever car, I dont think I have ever paid that much for insurance.
iggletiggle said:
Morning Guys,
My brother is having a bit of a dilemma.. After deciding to get rid of his 172 Exclusive to move onto something Japanese he has hit a stumbling block.
He is a big fan of the Teg, and has driven both the DC2 and DC5 variants and has fallen in love with both. The problem is that he is doing around 25-30k a year at the moment and is worried about piling too much mileage onto the Teg. Now i have assured him that the engine will last well into the 100k's but he just isnt sure he wants to put that sort of mileage on such a car.
Here is the problem, he can afford a good DC2 with around 50-60k on clock for £5-6k plus a £1-1.5k commuter car OR he can go for a DC5 for around £8-9k..
Just wondered what the wealth of knowledge on PH would recommend. I am interested in hearing from owners of DC2/5 Models to see whether the car can be used daily in comfort for commutes etc or whether the DC2 + commuter is the best route and save the teg for special occasions...
Cheers
Mike
ETA - this isn't a whatcar thread so don't go suggesting MX5's, E30 BMWs etc etc, he is set on a teg, it just depends on what vintage/model
Trouble is, if they get a DC2 and a commuter car, will they actually get opportunity to drive the DC2??My brother is having a bit of a dilemma.. After deciding to get rid of his 172 Exclusive to move onto something Japanese he has hit a stumbling block.
He is a big fan of the Teg, and has driven both the DC2 and DC5 variants and has fallen in love with both. The problem is that he is doing around 25-30k a year at the moment and is worried about piling too much mileage onto the Teg. Now i have assured him that the engine will last well into the 100k's but he just isnt sure he wants to put that sort of mileage on such a car.
Here is the problem, he can afford a good DC2 with around 50-60k on clock for £5-6k plus a £1-1.5k commuter car OR he can go for a DC5 for around £8-9k..
Just wondered what the wealth of knowledge on PH would recommend. I am interested in hearing from owners of DC2/5 Models to see whether the car can be used daily in comfort for commutes etc or whether the DC2 + commuter is the best route and save the teg for special occasions...
Cheers
Mike
ETA - this isn't a whatcar thread so don't go suggesting MX5's, E30 BMWs etc etc, he is set on a teg, it just depends on what vintage/model
Edited by iggletiggle on Friday 16th July 11:15
Will they not run the risk into either using the DC2 anyway, or almost never using the DC2 and just leaving it sitting there.
It then also opens up the question of what car to use daily. As they'll still want some form of pace and ability.
Personally I'd say do:
1. DC5 and enjoy
or
2. Get an older cheaper DC2 and just use it. Don't spend so much buying it, so it leaves scope to keep it going.
I personally wouldn't spend the most you can on a DC2 to then only add lots of miles to it, as it'll totally defeat the idea of buying a lower mileage one anyhow.
300bhp/ton said:
iggletiggle said:
Morning Guys,
My brother is having a bit of a dilemma.. After deciding to get rid of his 172 Exclusive to move onto something Japanese he has hit a stumbling block.
He is a big fan of the Teg, and has driven both the DC2 and DC5 variants and has fallen in love with both. The problem is that he is doing around 25-30k a year at the moment and is worried about piling too much mileage onto the Teg. Now i have assured him that the engine will last well into the 100k's but he just isnt sure he wants to put that sort of mileage on such a car.
Here is the problem, he can afford a good DC2 with around 50-60k on clock for £5-6k plus a £1-1.5k commuter car OR he can go for a DC5 for around £8-9k..
Just wondered what the wealth of knowledge on PH would recommend. I am interested in hearing from owners of DC2/5 Models to see whether the car can be used daily in comfort for commutes etc or whether the DC2 + commuter is the best route and save the teg for special occasions...
Cheers
Mike
ETA - this isn't a whatcar thread so don't go suggesting MX5's, E30 BMWs etc etc, he is set on a teg, it just depends on what vintage/model
Trouble is, if they get a DC2 and a commuter car, will they actually get opportunity to drive the DC2??My brother is having a bit of a dilemma.. After deciding to get rid of his 172 Exclusive to move onto something Japanese he has hit a stumbling block.
He is a big fan of the Teg, and has driven both the DC2 and DC5 variants and has fallen in love with both. The problem is that he is doing around 25-30k a year at the moment and is worried about piling too much mileage onto the Teg. Now i have assured him that the engine will last well into the 100k's but he just isnt sure he wants to put that sort of mileage on such a car.
Here is the problem, he can afford a good DC2 with around 50-60k on clock for £5-6k plus a £1-1.5k commuter car OR he can go for a DC5 for around £8-9k..
Just wondered what the wealth of knowledge on PH would recommend. I am interested in hearing from owners of DC2/5 Models to see whether the car can be used daily in comfort for commutes etc or whether the DC2 + commuter is the best route and save the teg for special occasions...
Cheers
Mike
ETA - this isn't a whatcar thread so don't go suggesting MX5's, E30 BMWs etc etc, he is set on a teg, it just depends on what vintage/model
Edited by iggletiggle on Friday 16th July 11:15
Will they not run the risk into either using the DC2 anyway, or almost never using the DC2 and just leaving it sitting there.
It then also opens up the question of what car to use daily. As they'll still want some form of pace and ability.
Personally I'd say do:
1. DC5 and enjoy
or
2. Get an older cheaper DC2 and just use it. Don't spend so much buying it, so it leaves scope to keep it going.
I personally wouldn't spend the most you can on a DC2 to then only add lots of miles to it, as it'll totally defeat the idea of buying a lower mileage one anyhow.
Get a DC5 and enjoy it every day. It's a Honda after all, not a 250 GTO.
Dift said:
My money would be on a DC5. However, where do you get insurance for one?
Im looking for one, and it would be used for my motorway commute. My cheapest quote is £900!
Im 29, 12years NCB, Kent postcode etc... I pay less than £400 for my Honda Elise.
Apart from my 1st ever car, I dont think I have ever paid that much for insurance.
Your looking in the wrong place for insurance! Have you tried Sky, A Plan or Flux. Im looking for one, and it would be used for my motorway commute. My cheapest quote is £900!
Im 29, 12years NCB, Kent postcode etc... I pay less than £400 for my Honda Elise.
Apart from my 1st ever car, I dont think I have ever paid that much for insurance.
I'm with sky have an Aberdeen postcode, 6 points, 23 years old, all modifications on the car declared, 15k per year and 4 years no claims and I'm under £800.
Oh and to the OP, I did around 20k in my DC5 last year and it never caused me any issues, just keep on top of the servicing and it will go on and on. It is now living a more pampered life as I have moved closer to work.
Kozy said:
iggletiggle said:
He has budgeted for a full tein coilover set if he goes for a DC2 as well as a full service, didnt know about the syncro's though!
Noooo!Don't get Tein they are crap crap crap! They'll burst seals and leak, the damper adjustments are non linear with lots of crosstalk between bump and rebound and more often than not it seems they just adapt a generic shock unit to fit a particular car, as the spring rates are all wrong.
They look good but are really just trash designed to part chavs and their money.
GruntyDC5 said:
Also on the subject of Teins, I have never had them but I am fairly sure they can be serviced and rebuilt, read about it a few times on the DC5 forum.
Now you mention it, a mate of mine had one of his rebuilt a couple of weeks ago. They were three months old and needed a rebuild.Quality units obviously.
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