FWB B-road blaster: DC2 ITR or Rover 100 VVC
FWB B-road blaster: DC2 ITR or Rover 100 VVC
Author
Discussion

300bhp/ton

Original Poster:

41,030 posts

210 months

Tuesday 20th March 2012
quotequote all
Ok so the the Integra has the image and the street cred, but when you consider all the pro's and con's what do you guys reckon?

I think you could have both cars on the road for similar total money. Wanting fun, fast, 4 seats, boot and affordable running costs (maintenance, service & fuel). Likely to be used on track, motoring events and fast road use.


UKDM Integra Type R (DC2)

Pros:
-Looks great
-Sweet sweet handling and steering feel
-Lovely engine
-Big boot
-Heritage & ethos on why it exists
-Rare

Cons:
-All examples are HIGH mileage these days
-Gearboxes break and many need them replacing
-Front seats very tatty in many
-Rust on some around rear arches
-Pull me over looks
-32mpg



Rover 100 with 1.8 VVC (175hp upgrade) and LSD

Pros:
-Very Q car
-Sweet engine (and I don't care about potential HG issues tongue out )
-Better power to weight ration than the ITR
-Hydrogas suspension and smooth ride
-Lots of low mileage (20-40,000) examples to buy and modify
-40 to 45+mpg ability
-Low weight (sub 800kg) so likely more nimble than the ITR
-Rare

Cons:
-Doesn't look as good
-smaller boot
-Rust is still likely an issue
-Time to build and get it upto spec

Chrisw666

22,655 posts

219 months

Tuesday 20th March 2012
quotequote all
The Metro without even considering the Honda.

Jam Spavlin

909 posts

205 months

Tuesday 20th March 2012
quotequote all
Metro hands down! Even a non vvc lump makes them go very well!

Gompo

4,630 posts

278 months

Tuesday 20th March 2012
quotequote all
I'd go for the Integra but for things possibly more specific to me that I don't think have been mentioned.

Crash protection/safety.
Potential appreciation.
Having something special/rare with history/heritage.
Insurance(?).

DanDC5

19,696 posts

187 months

Tuesday 20th March 2012
quotequote all
Drive them both, but coming from a Honda fan. I'd be tempted with the 175bhp Metro biggrin

300bhp/ton

Original Poster:

41,030 posts

210 months

Tuesday 20th March 2012
quotequote all
DanDC5 said:
Drive them both, but coming from a Honda fan. I'd be tempted with the 175bhp Metro biggrin
I've been in DC2's before and like them. Not driven a VVC Rover 100, but I'd probably build one myself. Have seen a mint 22,000 mile 1.1 that'd make a nice starting point (£700 too! eek ).

DanDC5

19,696 posts

187 months

Tuesday 20th March 2012
quotequote all
For everyones entertainment do the Metro. laugh

Chrisw666

22,655 posts

219 months

Tuesday 20th March 2012
quotequote all
DanDC5 said:
For everyones entertainment do the Metro. laugh
What he said. You could either build a sleeper, or a track spec 1.1 and then do the engine swap.

r1ch

2,944 posts

216 months

Tuesday 20th March 2012
quotequote all
Integra without a doubt as its the best fwd car imo.


Chris71

21,548 posts

262 months

Tuesday 20th March 2012
quotequote all
I know how rapid tweaked Metros can be, but I'd still tend towards the Integra as a road car. I just find them a more appealing ownership proposition on the raod where you're not driving on the limit the whole time.

That said, as a track slag, outright performance is even more important and you're likely to want to do some mods anyway, so there's a lot to be said for the idea of starting off with a signficantly cheaper base car - like the Metro - and then speccing it to your requirements.

v8will

3,308 posts

216 months

Tuesday 20th March 2012
quotequote all
I don't like the Integra which means my default answer is the Metro. I actually think one of those would be a real hoot and as the Metro is becoming sort of cool again etc. Actually they did handle very well as standard, we had loads of them through the years and rust aside, an underated car.

Did any other production cars enter your argument? Clio 182 for example.

r1ch

2,944 posts

216 months

Tuesday 20th March 2012
quotequote all
v8will said:
I don't like the Integra which means my default answer is the Metro. I actually think one of those would be a real hoot and as the Metro is becoming sort of cool again etc. Actually they did handle very well as standard, we had loads of them through the years and rust aside, an underated car.

Did any other production cars enter your argument? Clio 182 for example.
Just out of curiousity, why don't you like the integra?

Chrisw666

22,655 posts

219 months

Tuesday 20th March 2012
quotequote all
r1ch said:
Integra without a doubt as its the best fwd car imo.
But when comparing it to a lighter car that has been built to go quickly will it still be the best?

SystemParanoia

14,343 posts

218 months

Tuesday 20th March 2012
quotequote all
metro with busa engine ?

SWoll

21,523 posts

278 months

Tuesday 20th March 2012
quotequote all
Having kept a 114 GTA as a 17 year old for year and been fortunate enough to drive a DC2 Integra it would be the Honda all the way.

The 100 is probably the worst car i have had and you would pretty much need to replace every part of it and you would still have a drwadful looking car that is unlikely to be anywhere near as good a car as the Integra.

100

+ Cheap

- Interior quality and design
- Space
- Ride
- Handling
- Brakes
- Rust
- Build Quality

The Integra was built as a performance car and is still widely regarded as one of the best ever (FWD or not). The 100 is an awful load of cheaply made rubbish that wouldn't be saved by dropping in what I consider to be a very average engine with a very poor reputation.

Chrisw666 said:
But when comparing it to a lighter car that has been built to go quickly will it still be the best?
Yes. smile

RobCrezz

7,892 posts

228 months

Tuesday 20th March 2012
quotequote all
I would take the dc2, but that's only because I dont think I would have the time or the skill to do the metro.

But as its for you, go for the metro! In fact, could you make it more interesting by fitting a Honda b18 to the metro?

Chris71

21,548 posts

262 months

Tuesday 20th March 2012
quotequote all
Chrisw666 said:
r1ch said:
Integra without a doubt as its the best fwd car imo.
But when comparing it to a lighter car that has been built to go quickly will it still be the best?
Dunno how the Type R engine would compare in weight to the K-Series, but the Integra has a significantly longer wheelbase to balance it in, so I guess there is at least the potential for a much better weight distribution.

v8will

3,308 posts

216 months

Tuesday 20th March 2012
quotequote all
r1ch said:
Just out of curiousity, why don't you like the integra?
A decent enough car but just a bit too 'fanboi' for me. I would have to level that criticism at all the hot Hondas with the exception of the NSX and just borderline with the S2000. They just leave me a little cold.

I fully appreciate how competent the Integra is and don't dislike the actual car as such but I just would have no interest at all in owning one.

For what 300 wants to do I think the Metro project has potential to be more fulfilling.


Flying Toilet

3,621 posts

231 months

Tuesday 20th March 2012
quotequote all
If you go for a Metro, make sure you get a sunroof model as headroom is limited.

I don't want you creasing your cowboy hat.

r1ch

2,944 posts

216 months

Tuesday 20th March 2012
quotequote all
v8will said:
A decent enough car but just a bit too 'fanboi' for me. I would have to level that criticism at all the hot Hondas with the exception of the NSX and just borderline with the S2000. They just leave me a little cold.

I fully appreciate how competent the Integra is and don't dislike the actual car as such but I just would have no interest at all in owning one.

For what 300 wants to do I think the Metro project has potential to be more fulfilling.
I see, fair enough. Different strokes for different folks.