99-06 Celica a cheap and cheerful integra?

[dylan0451]

these had fallen off the radar, well mine anyway. was just reading a review and got the impression they're inferior in every way to an integra, however they seem to be a cheap imitation, very cheap infact - good low mile 190hp 02-03 for £4-5k

anyone got/driven one?

[slipstream 1985]

main issue i believe was keeping it in "tec" so to speak.

[dylan0451]

i heard there were a few model years to avoid as they had lower rev limits. seems the ratios weren't thought out that well?!

[coogy]

Integras are now at the 5k mark for a very good condition DC2. Forget the Celica, get the real deal. Far superior in almost every way. Though, I would say that

Edited by coogy on Thursday 16th September 01:26

[Shropshiremike]

coogy said:

Integras are now at the 5k mark for a very good condition DC2. Forget the Celica, get the real deal. Far superior in almost every way. Though, I would say that

Edited by coogy on Thursday 16th September 01:26

Although it may be worth considering a TRD Sports M if you want something very similar to the DC2

200bhp, upgrades to suspension, forged pistons, uprated exhaust manifold and system, lsd, strengthened body shell, reduced soundproofing, different body kit and interior........

This ones got non-standard bits on but a few come up for sale if you like dark blue rather than red,white or black (DC2)

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1988992.htm

[300bhp/ton]

dylan0451 said:

these had fallen off the radar, well mine anyway. was just reading a review and got the impression they're inferior in every way to an integra, however they seem to be a cheap imitation, very cheap infact - good low mile 190hp 02-03 for £4-5k

anyone got/driven one?

Thing is, £4-5k can buy you one heck of a motorcar if speed/performance is what you are after, including a nice DC2 ITR.

If it was nearer to £1-2k then I suspect it'd be a better bet.

If you want an affordable non classic sorted FWD performance car on a low budget I think you'll struggle to top something like an MG ZS180. Lovely 2.5 KV6, almost identical weight to a DC2, a very sorted chassis and 180hp (easy to get up to 200hp).

But £5k brings you firmly into V8 powered TVR territory, very tidy turbo/supercharged MX-5's, MR2 Rev 3 Turbo's, 200SX's, e36 BMW M3's and a host of more left field choices like V8 muscle cars and kit cars.

Edited by 300bhp/ton on Thursday 16th September 08:13

[8400rpm]

coogy said:

Integras are now at the 5k mark for a very good condition DC2. Forget the Celica, get the real deal. Far superior in almost every way. Though, I would say that

Edited by coogy on Thursday 16th September 01:26

I wouldn't say a 'very good condition' DC2 at £5k

If it is good condition, it'll be high miles and need work doing in the near future.

Budget £7,000 for one in excellent condition that has been taken care of with low miles, and they don't come up very often.

Unless you want to buy a JDM model with NO history that's been owned by a 'JDM y0!' type that has bought it, owned it for 6months, got bored and onto something eles.

[nottyash]

300bhp/ton said:

dylan0451 said:

these had fallen off the radar, well mine anyway. was just reading a review and got the impression they're inferior in every way to an integra, however they seem to be a cheap imitation, very cheap infact - good low mile 190hp 02-03 for £4-5k

anyone got/driven one?

Thing is, £4-5k can buy you one heck of a motorcar if speed/performance is what you are after, including a nice DC2 ITR.

If it was nearer to £1-2k then I suspect it'd be a better bet.

If you want an affordable non classic sorted FWD performance car on a low budget I think you'll struggle to top something like an MG ZS180. Lovely 2.5 KV6, almost identical weight to a DC2, a very sorted chassis and 180hp (easy to get up to 200hp).

But £5k brings you firmly into V8 powered TVR territory, very tidy turbo/supercharged MX-5's, MR2 Rev 3 Turbo's, 200SX's, e36 BMW M3's and a host of more left field choices like V8 muscle cars and kit cars.

Edited by 300bhp/ton on Thursday 16th September 08:13

I would prefer a Honda prelude 2.2 VTI Motegi or a Mitsubishi FTO Mivec (Manuals of course) rather than an MG. In fact I would rather get the bus than drive an MG.
Utter Piles of Austin Rover ste.

[300bhp/ton]

nottyash said:

300bhp/ton said:

dylan0451 said:

these had fallen off the radar, well mine anyway. was just reading a review and got the impression they're inferior in every way to an integra, however they seem to be a cheap imitation, very cheap infact - good low mile 190hp 02-03 for £4-5k

anyone got/driven one?

Thing is, £4-5k can buy you one heck of a motorcar if speed/performance is what you are after, including a nice DC2 ITR.

If it was nearer to £1-2k then I suspect it'd be a better bet.

If you want an affordable non classic sorted FWD performance car on a low budget I think you'll struggle to top something like an MG ZS180. Lovely 2.5 KV6, almost identical weight to a DC2, a very sorted chassis and 180hp (easy to get up to 200hp).

But £5k brings you firmly into V8 powered TVR territory, very tidy turbo/supercharged MX-5's, MR2 Rev 3 Turbo's, 200SX's, e36 BMW M3's and a host of more left field choices like V8 muscle cars and kit cars.

Edited by 300bhp/ton on Thursday 16th September 08:13

I would prefer a Honda prelude 2.2 VTI Motegi or a Mitsubishi FTO Mivec (Manuals of course) rather than an MG. In fact I would rather get the bus than drive an MG.
Utter Piles of Austin Rover ste.

If it makes you feel better my friend - then by all means. Although all your comment does is show that you can't have been in one, let alone driven one.

Check out Evo, they give it a good write up - might learn a thing or two

[Mr Dave]

I was looking at ITRs a while back and almost every single one for under about 6 or 7 k was a cat-d, dodgy import, been crashed, started to rust, non standard, seen paint, was a normal integra with the ITR engine put in, stolen recovered, dodgy seller or any number of the above.

Other considerations for a good FWD driver for 5k is the Celica (I prefer the interior on the Celica, brakes are very on/off and it is a wee bit slower and less sharp), Prelude Motegi, some of the better FTOs, MG ZS (very very good in fact, with a bit of work I would say better driving than an FTO), Corolla Sprinter/Trueno (some are a lot better than the integras but harder to insure but attract less of the bad attention). Old CRX or Fiat Coupe are good too. Lotus Elan for oddity and very very good to drive too.

I dont know about in England but over here ITRs are theif magnets.

Would still love one at some point but they are not the be all and end all. And certainly not the second coming of the messiah unlike how some people make them out to be.

[Bill Carr]

For a car that demands you change gear often, I always thought the shift on the Celica was a bit poo.

The 140 feels a bit underpowered if you want a sportscar, but it's fine if you just want to pootle.

I always thought mine was quite a thirsty car for the performance on offer.

[Shropshiremike]

Mr Dave said:

IOther considerations for a good FWD driver for 5k is the Celica (I prefer the interior on the Celica, brakes are very on/off and it is a wee bit slower and less sharp),

Could you lay the criticisms of being less sharp and slower than the DC2 ITR at the door of the TRD Sport M version of the Celica?
Surely with a LSD, 200bhp, stiffened shell and different suspension it's the natural competitor to the DC2 if you want a Celica?

[300bhp/ton]

Shropshiremike said:

Mr Dave said:

IOther considerations for a good FWD driver for 5k is the Celica (I prefer the interior on the Celica, brakes are very on/off and it is a wee bit slower and less sharp),

Could you lay the criticisms of being less sharp and slower than the DC2 ITR at the door of the TRD Sport M version of the Celica?
Surely with a LSD, 200bhp, stiffened shell and different suspension it's the natural competitor to the DC2 if you want a Celica?

I actually don't know anything about these. Do you know of any decent on line road tests of them? Cheers

[Gompo]

Mr Dave said:

I was looking at ITRs a while back and almost every single one for under about 6 or 7 k was a cat-d, dodgy import, been crashed, started to rust, non standard, seen paint, was a normal integra with the ITR engine put in, stolen recovered, dodgy seller or any number of the above.

They're very rust prone unfortunately. I wouldnt be put off one if that was the only discrepency as 'they all do that'. I'm sure there'll be JDM cars that havent, but there wont be many UK cars that are totally rust free unless they've had remedial work. With regards to modifications, I planned to get a standard one but there's not many out there and forunately some of them are purely for performance rather than sound and looks.

[nottyash]

300bhp/ton said:

nottyash said:

300bhp/ton said:

dylan0451 said:

these had fallen off the radar, well mine anyway. was just reading a review and got the impression they're inferior in every way to an integra, however they seem to be a cheap imitation, very cheap infact - good low mile 190hp 02-03 for £4-5k

anyone got/driven one?

Thing is, £4-5k can buy you one heck of a motorcar if speed/performance is what you are after, including a nice DC2 ITR.

If it was nearer to £1-2k then I suspect it'd be a better bet.

If you want an affordable non classic sorted FWD performance car on a low budget I think you'll struggle to top something like an MG ZS180. Lovely 2.5 KV6, almost identical weight to a DC2, a very sorted chassis and 180hp (easy to get up to 200hp).

But £5k brings you firmly into V8 powered TVR territory, very tidy turbo/supercharged MX-5's, MR2 Rev 3 Turbo's, 200SX's, e36 BMW M3's and a host of more left field choices like V8 muscle cars and kit cars.

Edited by 300bhp/ton on Thursday 16th September 08:13

I would prefer a Honda prelude 2.2 VTI Motegi or a Mitsubishi FTO Mivec (Manuals of course) rather than an MG. In fact I would rather get the bus than drive an MG.
Utter Piles of Austin Rover ste.

If it makes you feel better my friend - then by all means. Although all your comment does is show that you can't have been in one, let alone driven one.

Check out Evo, they give it a good write up - might learn a thing or two

I knew I would get a bite there.
You are correct though.

[TomS146]

I was looking into getting an integra but couldnt get a decent one for the amount I was willing to spend. Have ended up with an Accord Type-R instead and in alot of ways i prefer it, especially the interior and dont think theres alot of performance difference. Cheaper insurance for me too and for your budget could probably get a minter.

[rallycross]

The celica, its a jap 2 door coupe.
Sorry, but thats about as similar as celica gets to being a DC2.

They are good value though, and the 190 vvt version is quite quick.

[Shropshiremike]

rallycross said:

The celica, its a jap 2 door coupe.
Sorry, but thats about as similar as celica gets to being a DC2.

They are good value though, and the 190 vvt version is quite quick.

Although the TRD Sport M was more hardcore than the 190, like a DC2. Reputedly just as quick as it had 10 more bhp and a LSD, stiffened shell

[Mr Dave]

Shropshiremike said:

Mr Dave said:

IOther considerations for a good FWD driver for 5k is the Celica (I prefer the interior on the Celica, brakes are very on/off and it is a wee bit slower and less sharp),

Could you lay the criticisms of being less sharp and slower than the DC2 ITR at the door of the TRD Sport M version of the Celica?
Surely with a LSD, 200bhp, stiffened shell and different suspension it's the natural competitor to the DC2 if you want a Celica?

I have to say I have driven a non 190 Celica and driven a T-sport Corolla so Im basing my opinion on those. I am a Toyota fanboy really and they made a version of the previous Celica to compete with the DC2. LSD,200 odd horsepower, better suspension and light weight and it was meant to be good but cant remember the name of those. Jap only too.

And by slower, its not really much slower. Doubt you could tell when driving the two back to back. Honestly wouldnt judge it on that.

Celica looks better to me, especially the TRD ones. Can buy more go faster bits for the ITR.

[Shropshiremike]

Mr Dave said:

Shropshiremike said:

Mr Dave said:

IOther considerations for a good FWD driver for 5k is the Celica (I prefer the interior on the Celica, brakes are very on/off and it is a wee bit slower and less sharp),

Could you lay the criticisms of being less sharp and slower than the DC2 ITR at the door of the TRD Sport M version of the Celica?
Surely with a LSD, 200bhp, stiffened shell and different suspension it's the natural competitor to the DC2 if you want a Celica?

I have to say I have driven a non 190 Celica and driven a T-sport Corolla so Im basing my opinion on those. I am a Toyota fanboy really and they made a version of the previous Celica to compete with the DC2. LSD,200 odd horsepower, better suspension and light weight and it was meant to be good but cant remember the name of those. Jap only too.

Sounds like you're on about the TRD Sport M version of the Celica Mr Dave - if ever there was a natural competitor for the DC2 ITR based on that generation of Celica, the TRD Sport M has to be it