Integra DC5 Vs 350Z

[Tim.C]

Hi All

Another X or Y thread I'm afraid. I am looking to spend £13k on a new daily driver. Leading the pack are a DC5 Integra and a 350Z. I know that they are chalk and cheese but I have no constraints in terms of family, space etc. What it all boils down to is:
Reliability
Pace
Fun
Owning something interesting - that 'one last glance factor as you walk away.'
Running costs - I do about £12k miles every year and fuel bills and maintenance must be considered

These two options are my favourites but I do still wonder about an Alpina B10 and a EVO.

Argh - what would you do?

[TotalControl]

Well, the Evo will annoy you with the 3 services in the 12k miles you would have to do. the 350Z May be quite thirsty. Not quite sure about the alpina as i dont know anyone who owns one, i'm assuming the fuel costs will be like the 350Z.

That leaves the DC5 behind. You could take it easy on some trips by staying out of Vtec to get your fuel cost down, only using it when you really want to. It will most possibly be the best for fuel here. You can also hoon it around with knowing that it will be (possibly) more reliable than the others if looked after.

Im sure the other guys will be commenting shortly.

[snorkel sucker]

....id go for the 350z.

having owned a string of vtec cars (although not the DC5 i must add) and a 350z, i can speak from experience...

if you have no need for 4 seats, then id plump for the zed. its not really much faster than the DC5, but dynamically, its great fun and the V6 sounds glorious and if im totally honest, it did sound better than even my S2000.

fuel wont be massively different - i would imagine you may get 2-3 mpg more in the DC5 but its hard to say as i dont know what your driving style is. over 15k in my zed, i averaged 26mpg. My S2000 and civic type r, probably about 30mpg.

maintenence costs will be very similar. i only paid £200 for the major service on my zed (chorley nissan, wigan). A good indy will see costs come down but in all honesty, you would be talking a few £'s difference between the 2 cars.

Insurance will be more on the DC5, id say by about £300-400 based on my experience with getting quotes. Tax is another consideration. The DC5 should be classed as PLG so you can tax it for £180 for 12 months. A UK zed is in the highest tax bracket. (A JDM will not be though...)

The zed is also suprisingly practical and you can fit a decent amount in the boot, although it wont be able to compete space wise with the DC5. the interior is a bit plasticy but it never bothered me, nor did it sqeak or rattle.

Even the best FWD cars, for me, cant compete with the balance of a RWD car. The zed is by all accounts a fantasic all rounder and there are some great bargains right now. I can also vouch for the forum being a great place and some fantastic meets.

I wont comment on the other 2 on your list as i dont know what they are like. But id say the alpina is a bit too sensible and the evo too expensive to run.

Id also add the S2000 to your list, too...

[douglasr]

Being well used to VTEC (Civic VTI and S2000) and now owning a 350Z, for me, torque is king. Since I cant comment, on the DC5, I can only compare S2000 and 350Z. The S2000 is a great car, but demands greater commitment and on a road that you do not know is much more difficult to drive quickly (in the power band). The 350 is just quick, so if you find yourself in 3rd instead of 2nd, so what, no waiting, just grunt. I like that, and the noise. S2000 more economical, but more expensive to insure, so not a lot in it. Softop a bonus, but my hair is gray now, so I look like an old tw*t in a young mans car.

[Bob Fossil]

Hi

Of the choices, I'd probably go for the DC5 - VTEC is great fun but as previously commented can be a bit of a pain sometimes.

Any reason why you've not considered an Impreza?

Edited by Bob Fossil on Tuesday 9th December 12:55

[rsv gone!]

^^^

Some seriously good deals available on Imprezas. I saw a 2006 2.5 STi with not many miles on it for £11K

[martinmac]

The running cost of the 350z is not too scary, I do a lot of miles and get 26 to 31 mpg on runs depending on what mood I am in.

The main running cost for me is modifications, too many to choose from.

[theboymoon]

T'were it me...

I'd buy a 10k P1 and put 3k in the bank just in case the engine lunches itself. Yes its a bit older but 10k can now get you a very tidy example and you could spend your days with that smug smile on your face that you are driving a true drivers icon....

Edited by theboymoon on Tuesday 9th December 21:19

[snorkel sucker]

martinmac said:

The running cost of the 350z is not too scary, I do a lot of miles and get 26 to 31 mpg on runs depending on what mood I am in.

The main running cost for me is modifications, too many to choose from.

Martin, i hope you are referring to a rather special turbo related mod that you are going to do....??

hope you are well mate

[martinmac]

Just waiting for Phil to get better then off we go. Run out of other things to do now