Honda Integra Type R UKDM
Discussion
I bought this last weekend and have finally had a decent drive following a pretty average week for weather.
It's a car I've admired for almost 20 years for it's no compromise attitude. Having said that, it's pretty useable and the seats are lovely!
First impressions are it's a very sweet thing to drive. It's had 1 owner from new, done 55k miles and seems to have been well looked after.
Looking forward to a more spirited drive St some point when there's a bit less ice and salt on the roads.
Anyone else got or had one of these?
It's a car I've admired for almost 20 years for it's no compromise attitude. Having said that, it's pretty useable and the seats are lovely!
First impressions are it's a very sweet thing to drive. It's had 1 owner from new, done 55k miles and seems to have been well looked after.
Looking forward to a more spirited drive St some point when there's a bit less ice and salt on the roads.
Anyone else got or had one of these?
Hi, welcome to the club. I'm a fellow DC2 owner and that's a very nice purchase with really low mileage. It looks totally standard as well. I'll keep it that way if it's all standard. Is it going to be your daily? I'll advise undersealing it if it's not been done recently to protect it from the salt on the road.
Here's mine.
Here's mine.
Thanks! Yes, completely standard and it will stay that way, even down to a nearly new stock exhaust.
No I have an M135i for daily use, which is rapid but too refined and capable to be really fun. So the DC2 is the antidote!
Still waiting to try it on dry roads but get the impression it needs to be driven pretty hard to really appreciate it's talents.
Will look into undersealing as there doesn't seem much point parking if for the winter having just bought it.
No I have an M135i for daily use, which is rapid but too refined and capable to be really fun. So the DC2 is the antidote!
Still waiting to try it on dry roads but get the impression it needs to be driven pretty hard to really appreciate it's talents.
Will look into undersealing as there doesn't seem much point parking if for the winter having just bought it.
bencollins4 said:
Still waiting to try it on dry roads but get the impression it needs to be driven pretty hard to really appreciate it's talents.
I have a slightly pink and rusty one. Brilliant driver’s car, great track car ‘out of the box’ and utterly bombproof.The car feels special even at 15mph; it really is the ‘GT3’ of late 90s / early 00s sport coupes.
Find an empty roundabout / track, floor it and feels the magic of LSD. What understeer?
chrismc1977 said:
Another nice UKDM- well done.
Have you done much ITR research prior to buying?
They have a few foibles but are an absolutely fabulous car....
Mine...standard- save for a few chance enhancements
Thanks Chris and Harry. I must admit to not having done a great deal of research prior to spotting it, but had looked at them on and off for years. I am aware of rear arch rust but mechanically I haven't read of too many horror stories. Don't give me any now though please!Have you done much ITR research prior to buying?
They have a few foibles but are an absolutely fabulous car....
Mine...standard- save for a few chance enhancements
I was actually in the market for an Elise S1 but missed out on several well-priced examples due to not being first in the queue. I would still like one at some point but struggle to see the value in them at £14k which appears to be the current starting point for decent examples.
I see the Integra as a 4 seat, fwd Elise and compared to an old Elise, I don't think it seems at all uncomfortable, noisy, or difficult to live with.
Really looking forward to getting to know it.
You’ve made a good choice.
Rear arch/sill rust is prevalent as you say.
Other things that will need doing (mileage notwithstanding) are the rear trailing arm bushes at minimum- though a full bush refresh would be preferable. It’s an age not mileage thing....
Also engine torque mounts will be soft/torn &/or weak by now. I’d replace all 3 lower mounts & also fit some Energy suspension inserts to stiffen it all up a bit. Makes a world of difference.
Engine-wise, a stock air filter setup is hard to beat unless you spend decent money on a Mugen box. Best left OEM imo
Valve clearances are also key and need doing regularly along with overly regular oil changes.
Tyres are also key. They need a really strong sidewall. The original Bridgestone RE010 are no longer available- I run Yokohama AD08R to very good effect. Go with budget alternatives at your peril
Rear arch/sill rust is prevalent as you say.
Other things that will need doing (mileage notwithstanding) are the rear trailing arm bushes at minimum- though a full bush refresh would be preferable. It’s an age not mileage thing....
Also engine torque mounts will be soft/torn &/or weak by now. I’d replace all 3 lower mounts & also fit some Energy suspension inserts to stiffen it all up a bit. Makes a world of difference.
Engine-wise, a stock air filter setup is hard to beat unless you spend decent money on a Mugen box. Best left OEM imo
Valve clearances are also key and need doing regularly along with overly regular oil changes.
Tyres are also key. They need a really strong sidewall. The original Bridgestone RE010 are no longer available- I run Yokohama AD08R to very good effect. Go with budget alternatives at your peril
chrismc1977 said:
You’ve made a good choice.
Rear arch/sill rust is prevalent as you say.
Other things that will need doing (mileage notwithstanding) are the rear trailing arm bushes at minimum- though a full bush refresh would be preferable. It’s an age not mileage thing....
Also engine torque mounts will be soft/torn &/or weak by now. I’d replace all 3 lower mounts & also fit some Energy suspension inserts to stiffen it all up a bit. Makes a world of difference.
Engine-wise, a stock air filter setup is hard to beat unless you spend decent money on a Mugen box. Best left OEM imo
Valve clearances are also key and need doing regularly along with overly regular oil changes.
Tyres are also key. They need a really strong sidewall. The original Bridgestone RE010 are no longer available- I run Yokohama AD08R to very good effect. Go with budget alternatives at your peril
This, this, this and this.Rear arch/sill rust is prevalent as you say.
Other things that will need doing (mileage notwithstanding) are the rear trailing arm bushes at minimum- though a full bush refresh would be preferable. It’s an age not mileage thing....
Also engine torque mounts will be soft/torn &/or weak by now. I’d replace all 3 lower mounts & also fit some Energy suspension inserts to stiffen it all up a bit. Makes a world of difference.
Engine-wise, a stock air filter setup is hard to beat unless you spend decent money on a Mugen box. Best left OEM imo
Valve clearances are also key and need doing regularly along with overly regular oil changes.
Tyres are also key. They need a really strong sidewall. The original Bridgestone RE010 are no longer available- I run Yokohama AD08R to very good effect. Go with budget alternatives at your peril
RTA bushes, engine mounts, standard air box, good tyres, good brake pads and perhaps, if you can find them, JDM ITR manifold and cat. That’s all you need.
Such capable and fun car even in standard form.
chrismc1977 said:
You’ve made a good choice.
Rear arch/sill rust is prevalent as you say.
Other things that will need doing (mileage notwithstanding) are the rear trailing arm bushes at minimum- though a full bush refresh would be preferable. It’s an age not mileage thing....
Also engine torque mounts will be soft/torn &/or weak by now. I’d replace all 3 lower mounts & also fit some Energy suspension inserts to stiffen it all up a bit. Makes a world of difference.
Engine-wise, a stock air filter setup is hard to beat unless you spend decent money on a Mugen box. Best left OEM imo
Valve clearances are also key and need doing regularly along with overly regular oil changes.
Tyres are also key. They need a really strong sidewall. The original Bridgestone RE010 are no longer available- I run Yokohama AD08R to very good effect. Go with budget alternatives at your peril
Wow, you know your stuff Chris! Looks like you might know a few things about mechanics though given your profession....... Certainly get the feeling although original, suspension bits especially may be pretty tired but I don't have another DC2 to compare it to.Rear arch/sill rust is prevalent as you say.
Other things that will need doing (mileage notwithstanding) are the rear trailing arm bushes at minimum- though a full bush refresh would be preferable. It’s an age not mileage thing....
Also engine torque mounts will be soft/torn &/or weak by now. I’d replace all 3 lower mounts & also fit some Energy suspension inserts to stiffen it all up a bit. Makes a world of difference.
Engine-wise, a stock air filter setup is hard to beat unless you spend decent money on a Mugen box. Best left OEM imo
Valve clearances are also key and need doing regularly along with overly regular oil changes.
Tyres are also key. They need a really strong sidewall. The original Bridgestone RE010 are no longer available- I run Yokohama AD08R to very good effect. Go with budget alternatives at your peril
Thanks for the advice.
chrismc1977 said:
You’ve made a good choice.
Rear arch/sill rust is prevalent as you say.
Other things that will need doing (mileage notwithstanding) are the rear trailing arm bushes at minimum- though a full bush refresh would be preferable. It’s an age not mileage thing....
Also engine torque mounts will be soft/torn &/or weak by now. I’d replace all 3 lower mounts & also fit some Energy suspension inserts to stiffen it all up a bit. Makes a world of difference.
Engine-wise, a stock air filter setup is hard to beat unless you spend decent money on a Mugen box. Best left OEM imo
Valve clearances are also key and need doing regularly along with overly regular oil changes.
Tyres are also key. They need a really strong sidewall. The original Bridgestone RE010 are no longer available- I run Yokohama AD08R to very good effect. Go with budget alternatives at your peril
Very valid points made by Chris and if you haven't done so already, head over to the Integra forum, itr-dc2.com. There is a ton of information on there to guide you during your ownership. Rear arch/sill rust is prevalent as you say.
Other things that will need doing (mileage notwithstanding) are the rear trailing arm bushes at minimum- though a full bush refresh would be preferable. It’s an age not mileage thing....
Also engine torque mounts will be soft/torn &/or weak by now. I’d replace all 3 lower mounts & also fit some Energy suspension inserts to stiffen it all up a bit. Makes a world of difference.
Engine-wise, a stock air filter setup is hard to beat unless you spend decent money on a Mugen box. Best left OEM imo
Valve clearances are also key and need doing regularly along with overly regular oil changes.
Tyres are also key. They need a really strong sidewall. The original Bridgestone RE010 are no longer available- I run Yokohama AD08R to very good effect. Go with budget alternatives at your peril
Pretty much all you need to know is on there but one I will mention especially as you're using the car over the winter is the "exterior/interior" section on the site. There is a topic there called "poor design of rear arches". There is a design flaw highlighted in the topic and a simple fix which can save you from serious rust issues where the rear arches are concerned.
Promise I won't keep updating this too often but I took the car for only it's 2nd drive today, this time on some familiar B roads on my way to work.
Pushed on a bit through a couple of fast corners and was blown away by the feeling of a perfect balance and quote possibly the lsd? I've never had one in a fwd car before and presume it was that that seemed to want to resist under steer the harder I pushed?!
Considering it's on some very average Avons and possibly quite tired suspension I was very impressed! Steering feel isn't Elise like but is pretty impressive for a fed, and miles better than my M135i, as well as being much, much more fun. Found myself speeding up for corners time and time again.
Match that with a great gear change and phenomenal engine and I'm starting to get what all the fuss is about!
I was contemplating giving it a good wash and putting it away until the Spring but not so sure now.
Pushed on a bit through a couple of fast corners and was blown away by the feeling of a perfect balance and quote possibly the lsd? I've never had one in a fwd car before and presume it was that that seemed to want to resist under steer the harder I pushed?!
Considering it's on some very average Avons and possibly quite tired suspension I was very impressed! Steering feel isn't Elise like but is pretty impressive for a fed, and miles better than my M135i, as well as being much, much more fun. Found myself speeding up for corners time and time again.
Match that with a great gear change and phenomenal engine and I'm starting to get what all the fuss is about!
I was contemplating giving it a good wash and putting it away until the Spring but not so sure now.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff