Megane Renaultsport to an Integra. Am I mad?
Discussion
I'm thinking of clearing some funds up, and selling my RenaultSport Megane 250.
I know one is turbocharged, and the other a screaming N/A car and end up completely different ways of obtaining their performance, but I've only ever (bad first car) had turbo performance cars and I want to see what it's like on the other side!
With the history, spec and subtle mods my car has It's worth around 10k. Now I'm thinking of selling it to buy a DC5 Integra Type R. Well looked after ones go for about 9k, but tattier, but mechanically strong ones for for about 5-6k. Would I be mad to buy a tatty one, spend time tidying the paintwork up and running it for a few years?
Am I as mad as I fear I may be?
I know one is turbocharged, and the other a screaming N/A car and end up completely different ways of obtaining their performance, but I've only ever (bad first car) had turbo performance cars and I want to see what it's like on the other side!
With the history, spec and subtle mods my car has It's worth around 10k. Now I'm thinking of selling it to buy a DC5 Integra Type R. Well looked after ones go for about 9k, but tattier, but mechanically strong ones for for about 5-6k. Would I be mad to buy a tatty one, spend time tidying the paintwork up and running it for a few years?
Am I as mad as I fear I may be?
It sounds more like a side step with a bit of added uncertainty.
Ok the power delivery is different but the Megane is not exactly your average VAG turbo nut job with everything at the bottom. Plus if you have access to the different throttle maps it does help optimising modulation, particularly on track where I know you take your cars. And the Megane has very little DBW delay, none that I can detect anyway.
Having said that I am a massive fan of the DC5 and had you asked the question without owning either of them, then my answer may have been different...
Ok the power delivery is different but the Megane is not exactly your average VAG turbo nut job with everything at the bottom. Plus if you have access to the different throttle maps it does help optimising modulation, particularly on track where I know you take your cars. And the Megane has very little DBW delay, none that I can detect anyway.
Having said that I am a massive fan of the DC5 and had you asked the question without owning either of them, then my answer may have been different...
If you want to free up money, I'd probably plump for an EP3 instead. More to choose from, cheaper to buy, more likely to find a good one for not too much cash. Driving experience may not quite be up to the DC5 but it will be pretty close generally and a very similar experience.
Either that, or find a decent DC2.
Either that, or find a decent DC2.
I'm not desperate to sell it. It's just that it would mean I achieve my saving goal about 8 months earlier, and me being an impatient sod, and having had 2 Meganes I kind of fancy a change, and it was a 2 birds, 1 stone thought.
The Megane is extremely capable on track, and to be fair, I've not long finished collecting some more parts for it. I've driven mine hard at Castle Combe where it surprised everybody, and I loved the adjustability of it. That I could go into the corner a little quick, back off slightly which would mobilise the rear just enough to help it turn it, felt epic.
When I mean tatty, I meant that it has a little rust starting on the bottom, and the wheels could do with a refurb. Not like where it's completely knackered on the outside.
A mate at work has an EP3 and whilst I like them, there's loads around where I live and I'm a fan of something a little different. Plus, my thought was a tidy DC5 shouldn't lose much, if any money.
The Megane is extremely capable on track, and to be fair, I've not long finished collecting some more parts for it. I've driven mine hard at Castle Combe where it surprised everybody, and I loved the adjustability of it. That I could go into the corner a little quick, back off slightly which would mobilise the rear just enough to help it turn it, felt epic.
When I mean tatty, I meant that it has a little rust starting on the bottom, and the wheels could do with a refurb. Not like where it's completely knackered on the outside.
A mate at work has an EP3 and whilst I like them, there's loads around where I live and I'm a fan of something a little different. Plus, my thought was a tidy DC5 shouldn't lose much, if any money.
Blanchimont said:
I loved the adjustability of it. That I could go into the corner a little quick, back off slightly which would mobilise the rear just enough to help it turn it, felt epic.
You're not kidding.
What would concern me with the older/tattier car is the bits you can't see, and particularly suspension kinematics that may need refreshing.
nickfrog said:
You're not kidding.
What would concern me with the older/tattier car is the bits you can't see, and particularly suspension kinematics that may need refreshing.
They're good handling cars. What would concern me with the older/tattier car is the bits you can't see, and particularly suspension kinematics that may need refreshing.
If I were to buy an Integra, one of the first things I would do is look into doing a full refresh of all the arms, suspension and upgrade it whilst there. So a 6k car would have around £1k in parts spent on it pretty quickly to refresh the suspension.
This is the sort of thing I was looking at.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-04-HONDA-INTEGRA-T...
I would be looking to pay around £5750 for it.
DC5s seem to be suffering badly with rust and are reasonably quick but will feel a bit lacklustre compared to what you are used to. Personally I'd much prefer the Megane.
If you want to free up some money howsabout an R26, 350z, RX8, Clio or something?
If you have your heart set on a DC5 I'd suggest buying a nice one and forget ideas about releasing money as rust can make any car a real pit.
If you want to free up some money howsabout an R26, 350z, RX8, Clio or something?
If you have your heart set on a DC5 I'd suggest buying a nice one and forget ideas about releasing money as rust can make any car a real pit.
If you want a change/something Japanese then why not spend 4-6k on a 350Z you can get a very clean example for the money & you free up some funds as well as land yourself a very good car that's overlooked & underrated.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Ahbefive said:
DC5s seem to be suffering badly with rust and are reasonably quick but will feel a bit lacklustre compared to what you are used to. Personally I'd much prefer the Megane.
If you want to free up some money howsabout an R26, 350z, RX8, Clio or something?
If you have your heart set on a DC5 I'd suggest buying a nice one and forget ideas about releasing money as rust can make any car a real pit.
The R26 is nice, but not keen on the rear end, don't like 350z's, I need better economy than an RX8, Clio is a good shout, but would like something different than a another Renault. I'm pretty open to suggestions, but from spending hours of looking, the DC5 seems to be pretty close to the 250 in its performance, but is a different way of achieving it. If you want to free up some money howsabout an R26, 350z, RX8, Clio or something?
If you have your heart set on a DC5 I'd suggest buying a nice one and forget ideas about releasing money as rust can make any car a real pit.
I'm open to suggestions, I may hold off, and get a GT86 - I don't know aha!
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