The Beast's replacement...

[EarL]

Well I finally collected the Beast's replacement last night. A drive back from Birmingham to South Wales saw one very clean and tidy JDM Honda Integra DC2 Type R parked outside my door.

Letting go of the MR2 was heartbreaking as you can imagine, but I have to say after just one day's ownership and driving of the DC2, I don't think the pain will stay for much longer.

I've driven DC2's in the past, and was really in awe of the incredible motor, and sublime handling chassis, but now owning one... it's incredible. I've yet to find a corner where it doesn't go round like it's on rails!

I do miss the punch in the guts, brutality of the MR2, but, even with all it's suspension mods and power, the tubby would have been left for dead by the DC2 through a twisty section of road.

The car is relatively stock, but does have a full stainless Mugen exhaust, Spoon drop in filter, and is lowered by 30mm on H&R springs. The ride is quite firm, but not so much that it rattles your fillings out like the MR2. Having benefitted from a full suspension geometry setup, the handling is unbelievable.

Here are some pics taken by the previous owner (who I must say, kept the car in immaculate condition).

Enjoy...





EarL.

[maaaaaark]

I still cant believe you sold the beast but this seems like a good replacement, i hope you have a great time driving it mate

and get a photo of the rear up! thats the best part!

[LimeyMk1]

Looks like a nice Teg Glen, was very impressed with Doms when he took me out for a spin at a track day.

Any plans to track it mate?

Nice No. plate.

[pintovit]

You will miss the RWD

Some say is the best FWD so it must be very good.

Happy that you're happy with it

Cheers,
Vítor

[splashnatz]

and get a photo of the rear up! thats the best part!

LOL - yeah, i drive a tubby, so i only see the front of them things as they get smaller in the rear view mirror

[nakamura]

JDM spec. Good man.

[EarL]

Looks like a nice Teg Glen, was very impressed with Doms when he took me out for a spin at a track day.

Any plans to track it mate?

Nice No. plate.

Yes, most definately Chris. Been pricing up Toyo R888's and Yokohama Advan A048's this afternoon.

LOL - yeah, i drive a tubby, so i only see the front of them things as they get smaller in the rear view mirror

Undoubtedly, the Tubby is quicker in a straight line Splash, but even the Beast couldn't have kept with the Teg through the twisties mate. Try one, you might like it.

EarL.

[Greddy-Matt]

Nice teg Earl jap front rules! I'm betting she wont stay like that for long once you get the modding itch:
http://www.pow-r.co.uk/scripts/prodView ... roduct=466
http://www.pow-r.co.uk/scripts/prodView ... roduct=475

[pintovit]

Also those engines with a turbo already proved themselves...

Although too many ponies on the front is always a handful....

[SW20Paul]

Looks really clean Earl 98 spec aswell love the 16's

I want one

[EarL]

Thanks guys. Glad you approve.

Yeah, I chose a 98 spec R as it has the uprated brakes, suspension, and of course, the lovely 16 inch rims.

I haven't been able to keep my ar$e out of it since I got it. Any excuse to drive it.

"Yeah, of course I'll drive you to work love..."

EarL.

[Cliff]

I used to have an EP3 Type R (Civic).

I do miss the scream of the VTEC....

Until I get in my Tubby and realise I made the right choice in getting rid of it..

[2Crooky]

Very nice mate

The only acceptable FWD jap car Any plans to tinker with the engine??? Cosmetically wise i don' think the DC 2 can get any better!!

[Munnsy]

great car earl, as you probabaly seen in one of my posts, performance wise these cars are very very impressive.
Looks amazing and seem to keep there value very well, compared to the 2 anyway.
Hope all goes well with the new car bud, have you or are you going to join a honda forum of somesort??
best of luck, miss the beast though

[Igor]

earl my main man. nice looking teg. you bored of the power yet or are you having to much fun with the handling

i've considered one of these before but was put off when it only just pulled away from my MR2

[EarL]

Thanks for the support guys.

I do miss the Beast (I miss it even more now that I see most of it for sale ), but It really was a brute to drive on a daily basis, and not practical, so I needed a solution.

I've always loved the DC2. It's a true drivers car. By that, I mean it takes input to get the best of it, but when you put the work in, it rewards in bucket loads. It's not about the power. The Tubby IS FASTER. Fact!, but does that matter, when the DC2 will outhandle just about ANYTHING?

For those of you that drive your tubbies on a daily basis, tell me how you drive when it's wet? Can you drive your car in the same manner you do when it's dry? The answer is a resounding NO. For two reasons. The first is the power, and the second is the handling. The MR2 turbo is a spectacularly good car in the dry, but in the wet, it's a handfull.

Don't get me wrong, I didn't buy a DC2 just because it's better in the wet, and I'm still a huge fan of the MR2. I just know, I can use the DC2 every day, and be able to use more of the performance, more of the time.

For those of you that haven't experienced a DC2, don't knock it until you try it. They are absolutely unbelievable. The high revving engine, coupled with a tight, slick gearbox, and that sublime chassis, makes for one of the most exhilarating drives on the planet.

Very nice mate

The only acceptable FWD jap car Any plans to tinker with the engine??? Cosmetically wise i don' think the DC 2 can get any better!!

You're absolutely right Alex. In my opinion, the JDM DC2 looks absolutely spot on, and doesn't need any body kits or add on's. Even the wheels look right, and believe me, I'm not a fan of multi spoke designs.

The engine already has mild mods in the form of a Spoon drop in filter, and a Mugen exhaust (the exhaust manifold was changed on the 98 model to a 4 branch, and is extremely efficient as it is, so people only really change them for the bling factor, or when they've had head work and cams. That's not to say I won't fit one, as they do look stunning.

Like I said, I do miss the Beast, but given the choice, I wouldn't go back. I absolutely love my DC2.

EarL

[The Morris]

why this model and not the one with twin headlights?

[nakamura]

why this model and not the one with twin headlights?

[Davis]

Oooo that looks so nice! To bad we don't get those here.

[2Crooky]

Surely someone in CA must import them??!