living with a dc2?

12gauge dave

hi guys was thinking of getting a dc2 and was wondering from anyone that has owned one how are they to live with?
ive had an ek9 but have never been in a dc2

what are theyre faults?
much diference in 96-98 spec?
much quicker than ek9?
mpg? running costs?

Graham_B18C

I've a DC2 and it's my daily runner. It's a great car tbh. In saying that, I've never been in an EK9. If I fill my tank (40L) I get 250 miles. That's the most I can get from a fill. AFAIK they're fairly similar on insurance as the Civic. Tax is obviously a lil bit more.

Faults...it's a harsh enough ride, windows can stick and the rear lights are prone to condensation. Nothing major, just little things

12gauge dave

ya 250-280 litres was all i could really get in my ek9! so ya they seem similar than ek9 so as windows and that im bought must go out and buy one now:D

omb0wyn5ehpij9

Graham_B18C wrote: »

I've a DC2 and it's my daily runner. It's a great car tbh. In saying that, I've never been in an EK9. If I fill my tank (40L) I get 250 miles. That's the most I can get from a fill. AFAIK they're fairly similar on insurance as the Civic. Tax is obviously a lil bit more.

Faults...it's a harsh enough ride, windows can stick and the rear lights are prone to condensation. Nothing major, just little things

I agree with Graham on everything he has said.

I have been driving a DC2 as my daily runner for over 2 and a half years now. I have it up for sale at the moment, only reason I am selling is that I fancy a change!
In the whole time I have had the car, it has never once let me down. They are great cars, and I would recommend them to anyone. As Graham pointed out, they are the main faults with them. Only other fault with them is the electric aerial sticking when it is going up and down, but there are ways around it. I don't use the radio at all, so I installed a switch so that the aerial doesn't go up when the stereo goes on.

How much are you planning on spending on one?

Graham_B18C

I never had the fancy auto Arial but I changed mine for an S2k one, tis another option if ya don't want to put the switch in

omb0wyn5ehpij9

Graham_B18C wrote: »

I never had the fancy auto Arial but I changed mine for an S2k one, tis another option if ya don't want to put the switch in

And the s2k aerial looks really well on the car

Wibbs

Running one myself now for 4 plus years. I'd do 15,000 odd miles a year behind the wheel. Like the rest have said no big issues mechanically. I never got the condensation issue with the rear lenses, though that said have changed bulbs numerous times. Petrol consumption wise I do better because of a lighter right foot than some I'd see 300 miles to a tank handy enough.

Other issues? Check for rust in the rear three quarter panels, especially on a UK one. Check for leaks in the boot area. Window/hatch seals can let go. Synchros can wear on third on higher mileage ones or ones that have been driven hard. Recaro seat bolsters collapse but you can get that part separately. Bushings also go, but less obviously than other cars. Just failed my NCT on a rear trailing arm bushing. Rear wheel bearings are prone to going funny as are rear brake calipers. All pretty easy and usually cheap issues though.

Engine wise? Well just my experience but my engine is still running stock compression after near on 100,000 miles. I know a chap in the UK who has just under 300,000 miles on one from new and still flies through the MOT on emissions. yep 300,000. Not a typo. Original clutch too :eek: He's even older than me and an even bigger grannie as a driver though Both of us change the oil religiously at 3-4,000 miles though.

They're loud and quite harsh as a car. So take one for an extended test drive. That's as standard. Getting fancy with exhausts of you dont pick a good un could have you getting a hearing aid on your VHI.

Security. Basically they're crap. You need to get good security fitted. At least a basic thatcham level alarm and I'd add in kill switches and wheel locks that cover the entire steering wheel.

Gary ITR

Wibbs wrote: »

Getting fancy with exhausts of you dont pick a good un could have you getting a hearing aid on your VHI.

Pardon?


OP, best money I ever spent was on my DC2. Do it, if you can live with a CTR you can live with an ITR

hellyeah

i have my 98 dc2 sinc last july. i only use mine at the weekend ( transit van daily runner:mad:) getting around 440klms per tank of fuel.
nearly 200k on mine and still running very well. as above check for leaks in the boot(mine was leaking through the broken aerial and tail lights.)
engine mounts go with big mileage(shudder on take off/changing gears.
beware of cars that have been lowered as this can muck up the all ready good handling and chew up your tyres.
would not like to do long distance driving in one as at motorway 120kmh your going to be around 4000 rpm which can get a bit tiresome imo.
also anytime spent around the v-tec on public road you are going to be breaking the speed limit and the sound they make is addictive.;)

ps
120 kph drop into 4th gear you will be hooked:D

Tefral

Another Biased poster here ( I own a DC2 Integra Type Rx)

Its my daily runner also. When you buy a DC2 your buying two seperate cars.

Firstly, you've got the sub VTEC car, here you have a car that isnt all that fast, still pokey but not all that quick. It is very comfortable with the Recaro interior and seats. The brakes are brilliant and it handles like a dream. Point the car at a corner and thats where it goes.

Secondly, you have the car when its in VTEC, its like a seperate car. A friend of mine who is a HONDA hater, got into the car as a passenger when I was doing a trackday at Mondello and after the first corner he just said "ahh now I understand this car". Its a whole different animal. Its screaming in your face and all you can do is smile.

Theres no difference in a drag race between a 96 & a 98. People will disagree but ive yet to see it. Where you will get a difference is on the track, the gearing helps and also the brakes.

You will have to bear in mind though that parking it onstreet even with an alarm is a big no-no. I parked my car in a carpark in Dublin an 20mins later the insurance company had rang me to tell me the Gardai were at my car. They must have smashed into it 5mins after I left it. Everyone I know with a DC2 has had it broken into. You have to be careful where you leave it.

They are quicker in a drag race than a CTR also, I get approx 460km to a tank with mixed driving, the tank is only 45litre. When you get one seal around the back lights with sealer, they leak into the boot.

Flyer1

12gauge dave wrote: »

hi guys was thinking of getting a dc2 and was wondering from anyone that has owned one how are they to live with?
ive had an ek9 but have never been in a dc2

what are theyre faults?
much diference in 96-98 spec?
much quicker than ek9?
mpg? running costs?

Probably just echoing the above posts.

Faults are usual honda, suspension bushings, synchros and distributors ! There really aren't any gotcha's with them on a daily basis, just watch for those bits when you're buying them.

I'm completely biased towards the 96 spec. My car spent a life on track in japan so it's got different gears.

Chalk and cheese compared to an EK9. Much faster over the 1/4 mile. Out of the box EK9's suffer. I bought a little vti eg6 and brought it to tullow one day and raced 3 ek9's. I was always 2 - 3 lengths ahead of them.

running costs of a DC2 fuel wise are similar to any normal car until you open the taps. I'm seeing about 38mpg on a trip in mine.

I simply refuse to park it anywhere in the street. It's always garaged with the clifford armed and in the middle of nowhere.

qz

Type R owners. Type R owners everywhere.