Honda Integra DC2 Type R: Spotted
Is this the performance car bargain of the classifieds? Quite possibly...
Oh, how tantalising the technical ingredients of the Integra Type R were. Still are, in fact, 20 years later. The first Type R model to be launched in Britain used a very special, 8,500rpm 1.8-litre engine that drove 190hp through a helical limited-slip diff - enough alone to grab attention. But the car's structure was also stiffened and weight was saved with thinner glass; it even featured a pair of strut braces from the factory. The Integra's spec read like a recipe fit for motorsport - which is no coincidence, because the car was homologated for Group N racing.
Why, then, do the words 'DC2 Integra Type R' not pass through the lips of as many petrolheads after a performance bargain as, say, Renaultsport Clio or the DC2's younger cousin, the Civic Type R? Probably because of the Japanese coupe's comparable rarity, as well as the fact it's not a hatchback, so it can't be included in your top 10 hot hatchback lists and won't show up on a classifieds search for such a bodyshape. It's also not as practical, apparently. And yes, they are still a little more expensive - maybe that's it.
DC2s have remained a bit of a left-field choice, despite offering so much for the money (so much, in fact, that Honda lost money on each DC2). On the other hand, though, this has only served to boost their desirability to those in the know.
Remember how special a 1.8-litre car producing 190hp at 7,900rpm was back in 1998, especially in comparison to every other Honda (NSX aside)? With the rise of the internet in full swing (including some site called PistonHeads), it meant the 1,797cc B18C engine - which still ranks among the greatest four-cylinders ever - quickly acquired infamy on forums, helping to create a cult-like world of VTEC worshippers, who declared their love for high revs and the clever cam tech kicking in. Yo. In the 1,125kg Type R, it meant 62mph could reach in 6.7 seconds and top speed was 145mph. Strong numbers even by today's standards.
Yet, arguably, it's the Integra's sublime handling that has sealed the car's legendary status. Later hot Hondas could offer the VTEC experience in a similar vein, but very few have recaptured the delicate handling offered by the DC2 and its nimble chassis. It also flaunted a balance so sweet Matt was convinced this remains a better driver's car than the RWD (and much younger) Toyota GT86 in last year's Hero drive. In some circles, the Integra Type R is still regarded as the best handling front-wheel car ever made.
Yet still, used prices remain fairly reasonable. Sure, there are ultra-low mileage examples sat in showrooms with optimistic numbers stuck to their windscreens. But there are also several sub-£10k cars floating around that, generally-speaking, only have higher mileage and age-related wear to hamper their values. Given that the DC2 Integra Type R is deep into the realms of a modern classics, that it's so revered among enthusiasts and that fewer than 900 are registered in the UK (according to HowManyLeft), several examples of Integra Type R on the classifieds look a bit like performance car bargains.
Take today's Spotted, for example. 104,000 miles on the clock shouldn't be too much of a concern thanks to Honda's reliability record. This car is also described as completely rust free and, aside from a little fade in the Milano Red paintwork, looks to be in fine condition. It's fitted with a set of Bridgestone RE002 tyres, which keep them on brand to the factory originals, and the car comes with a full service history. In short, this appears to be a cherished, fairly used example of a front-drive performance icon. Yet it's yours for less than the price of a five-year-old Jazz.
SPECIFICATIONS - HONDA INTEGRA TYPE R (DC2)
Engine: 1,797cc, 4-cyl
Transmission: 5-speed manual, front-wheel drive, limited-slip differential
Power (hp): 190@7,900rpm
Torque (lb ft): 131@7,300rpm
CO2: N/A
MPG: 32.1
First registered: 1999
Recorded mileage: 104,000
Price new: c. £23,000
Yours for: £5,995
See the original advert here.
Best fwd car I’ve driven, brilliant cars, so much fun.
How well looked after a car is that !!
I thought out Hilux was good with 6 years without a mark against it, but the cars whole life and 20 years old too
If you were in the market (which I'm not - got my own 20 year old baby to love and nourish and don't need another) then this looks like a seriously good car
Fully mint rust-free UK cars are exceptionally thin on the ground.
At 104k mechanically it will need a full rebush, engine mounts (+inserts ideally), valve cover, badges & a set of proper rubber (AD08 or similar)- just for starters. Dampers might be tired too though they’re relatively hardy-but NLA from Honda :-/
Whilst the price is ‘OK’- (not so long ago this would have been a sub £4K car), it definitely needs some work to make it proper IMO.
That’s before you tackle the paintwork & Classic Milano Pink paint fade of course....
Love mine! Few little bits to freshen up over the winter
Fully mint rust-free UK cars are exceptionally thin on the ground.
At 104k mechanically it will need a full rebush, engine mounts (+inserts ideally), attention to bolsters & valve cover & a set of proper rubber- just for starters...
Whilst the price is OK- (not so long ago this would have been a sub £4K car), it definitely needs some work to make it proper IMO
I think you're being a little hard on it
On the face of it - and obviously you'd want to check to confirm - I think it looks a bloody sensible buy for someone. Until you find out the previous owners have been MOT testers.....I think you're being a little hard on it
On the face of it - and obviously you'd want to check to confirm - I think it looks a bloody sensible buy for someone. Until you find out the previous owners have been MOT testers.....So whilst still a nice car on the face of it, the drive will likely be slightly leggy- it’s an age thing, not mileage. Been there & done it!
As for tyres- one of the single most key things on an ITR. Makes a huge difference to how they feel/drive. Careful choice required!!!
Fully mint rust-free UK cars are exceptionally thin on the ground.
At 104k mechanically it will need a full rebush, engine mounts (+inserts ideally), valve cover, badges & a set of proper rubber (AD08 or similar)- just for starters. Dampers might be tired too though they’re relatively hardy-but NLA from Honda :-/
Whilst the price is ‘OK’- (not so long ago this would have been a sub £4K car), it definitely needs some work to make it proper IMO.
That’s before you tackle the paintwork & Classic Milano Pink paint fade of course....
Compared vs other classifieds, this DOES look like good value, and if it's a straight car without hidden issues (except probably some rusty arches), then it's up at a fair price for the current market. If I had the driveway space (and a more tolerant wife!
) I'd be tempted to go and look myself....but most of these cars will need (and because they used to be down at £3-4k have probably never had)
- new bushes for certain (OE only, or possibly Mugen - avoid polybushes as Honda used differential hardness to 'tune' the handling, and polybushes behave differently)
- plus dampers at some point soon on any car +/- 100k miles
- probably engine mounts, rear wheel bearings and exhaust if not already done due to wear
- ...and as Chris says, red ones are usually now pink - the old red paints used to fade badly and only ones regularly waxed or garaged will have had enough protection from UV. Potentially (!) recoverable by a decent detailer, so may not need a respray...but consider the possibility of repainting the rear arches and the risk of paint mismatch...i.e. try the detailing first!
So you can typically add somewhere around/above £5k to the asking price to get the car back to original fighting fettle...and trust me, you'll want to as they genuinely are that good when fit...only a very noticeable lack of performance below 5,500rpm disappoints.
(Back in the late-90s even that wasn't really an issue, but nowadays there are boggo TDi MPVs and mini-SUVs which will have quicker in-gear performance)
Powertrain, if looked after, is robust (gear linkages can wear, synchro can on occasion too if the driver's been too aggressive with changes, but the B-series 'box is better in that regard than the one on the K-series that replaced it, and the engines only suffer if let run low on oil...which applies to every single car out there), electrics are typical Japanese quality, and build quality overall was from the time when Honda was better than Toyota at such things. The interior is dated but there's little to go wrong - seat bolsters are a cheap (and usually DIY) fix, ICE is well-served by the aftermarket and who's going to regularly have rear-seat passengers in one of these anyway?
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=16...
Compared vs other classifieds, this DOES look like good value, and if it's a straight car without hidden issues (except probably some rusty arches), then it's up at a fair price for the current market. If I had the driveway space (and a more tolerant wife!
) I'd be tempted to go and look myself....but most of these cars will need (and because they used to be down at £3-4k have probably never had)
- new bushes for certain (OE only, or possibly Mugen - avoid polybushes as Honda used differential hardness to 'tune' the handling, and polybushes behave differently)
- plus dampers at some point soon on any car +/- 100k miles
- probably engine mounts, rear wheel bearings and exhaust if not already done due to wear
- ...and as Chris says, red ones are usually now pink - the old red paints used to fade badly and only ones regularly waxed or garaged will have had enough protection from UV. Potentially (!) recoverable by a decent detailer, so may not need a respray...but consider the possibility of repainting the rear arches and the risk of paint mismatch...i.e. try the detailing first!
So you can typically add somewhere around/above £5k to the asking price to get the car back to original fighting fettle...and trust me, you'll want to as they genuinely are that good when fit...only a very noticeable lack of performance below 5,500rpm disappoints.
(Back in the late-90s even that wasn't really an issue, but nowadays there are boggo TDi MPVs and mini-SUVs which will have quicker in-gear performance)
Powertrain, if looked after, is robust (gear linkages can wear, synchro can on occasion too if the driver's been too aggressive with changes, but the B-series 'box is better in that regard than the one on the K-series that replaced it, and the engines only suffer if let run low on oil...which applies to every single car out there), electrics are typical Japanese quality, and build quality overall was from the time when Honda was better than Toyota at such things. The interior is dated but there's little to go wrong - seat bolsters are a cheap (and usually DIY) fix, ICE is well-served by the aftermarket and who's going to regularly have rear-seat passengers in one of these anyway?
Seems an honest enough car- but some further investment likely required to get it up to ‘fighting fettle’. Very unlikely to jump into it & find it feeling factory fresh & taught.
Other potential weaknesses at such a mileage are the clutch (they are pretty tough due to not many torques but don’t last forever) & rear calipers which tend to bind up over time.
Hardrace also do decent rubber bush kits too- poly not the way to go despite being cheap. OEM all the way for the RTA’s too
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