Hmmm, DC2 - Recently proclaimed by Evo to be the best FWD car, ever...

Makes total sense.

So much better/ cooler/ faster than an FTO.

Especially in Black with gun-metal wheels (Championship White is still pretty cool, but a more common sight).

MPG is purely dependant on how you drive it. Probably 25-35mpg?

 

For that money, I'd not get the FTO but get a VW Corrado VR6.

A pal of mine bought an FTO at the same time I had the VR6, we (and other mates who drove both) all agreed that the Corrado was better in just about every department. More comfy, faster, better handling, much better ride, better built, more reliable (his FTO blew up on a track day after only 2 laps despite him servicing it every 3000 miles), more flexible to drive, much more practical (hatch, split folding rear seats etc.) and so on.

 

I always wanted a Corrado but never did

 

About 25 mpg IIRC.

No worse than the Civic VTi, sometimes.

There's a 1 owner 'Teg FS in the local free rag (not the Herald, the other one) this week.

Deffo worth a tyre kick.

 

Predictable Honda bias on here.

Shout if you can't see this link and I'll PM you the details.

http://www.ftooc.org/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=63854

You should stick with the facelift models (post 97), because I agree the older ones are looking a bit dated now, and as the prices have dropped they've fallen well into the clutches of the body kit/shiny wheel brigade (it'll happen to the S2K too). Stick with the Mivec versions (i.e. GPX, GPvR) and definitely get a manual (most are autos).

Performance wise, like the S there's bugger all torque and that leads to a lot of people thinking they're slower than they really are (about 6.5 seconds 0-60 and 150mph). They handle very well, though obviously FWD and 200bhp means you need to control your right foot if you don't just want to go in a straight line. And the 2.0V6 engine sounds lovely and is very smooth - I really miss that. I know some of you think the S sounds good, but you haven't lived.

Gratuitous picture of mine:



When I first got the S I thought something was odd whilst driving, and it finally dawned on me that nobody was looking at the car. I got so used to the looks whilst in the FTO. Most people know what they are now, but when I first got mine people would stop and gawp convinced they were seeing some exotic supercar.

But yes if you want a good handling car that's bland in every other way, then the Integra is probably the better choice.

 

Incidentally, what's the "right" size wheels for an FTO? All models I've seen either look like the wheels are too big or too small but never 'just right'. I guess it's a car design thing that's hard to get jut right I suppose. Althought Dembos' look good on the front axle, are they 16s?

 

The standard ones were 16s for the GPX and vR, and disgusting 15s for the lesser models (but a lot of them had the 16s as an option). Mine were 17s, but relatively small looking 17s as the spokes don't meet the edge.

I've never been a fan of big wheels, and you see a lot of FTOs with 18s (and occasionally 19s) which I always think look ridiculous. But then it's all personal taste. I think 17s looks about right, and don't make the ride too terrible (215/40/17 tyres).

One thing with the FTO, as standard the front wheel arches are HUGE so the car desperately needs lowering. And big wheels look even more silly on an unlowered car. That picture was just after I got the wheels, and I think I adjusted the front slightly lower than that (I reckon about 60-70mm lower than standard).

 

the man knows his onions (and FTO's) Facelift is the way to go for sure. and you may be able to imports as of next year (because of the 10 year rule for ESVA/SVA)

try an tip, I had one, theyre not that bad and great in traffic


mine (GPX Aero)

 

What about a Honda CRX DelSol?

It's still a Honda, still has 2 seats and the roof even comes off .

Find a UK VTi or JDM SiR as they have the B16 DOHC engine so it'll still have some poke when you want to have fun but happy knowing you can get 240-300miles from a full tank depending on the style of driving. A full tank will cost

 

Good if you have a wife as you can tell everybody it's hers and you're just using it for the day.

There's also the MR2. RWD, mid engined, a targa like the CRX (I've always wanted a targa - much less poncy than a convertable), and if you get a turbo pretty damn quick. I thought about getting one instead of an S and save a bit of cash.