I posted this in the dc2 forum a few weeks ago and as some of you have expressed interest of the newer integra type r I thought I'd repost it here. It was written for people that have yet to drive the S.

IMHO....... Having driven all three cars back to back, 2 of them daily for over a year now you would think my opinion would count a little

But the problem is they are very different cars for some interesting reasons, some already have been mentioned in the thread already so forgive me if I repeat. I have been asked which one is better so many times I really cant remember.

Heres our two cars:

1. Silvie (ahem - Thats Kellys name for it) is our DC5 which is pretty standard apart from a mugen exhaust a little extra bracing and maybe a mugen header.



2. My S 8) Which is also slightly modded with a few parts




Speed, this is easy too answer - the S is quicker in a straight line no doubt about it. Its more rewarding to drive the S "aggressively" as it requires more focus and attention. The stories you hear about the RWD handling being a handful are a little over hyped IMO as you really need to provoke the tail out with the "go pedal", it does tend to snap at this point but is easy to control once practiced. A decent set of tyres which a large amount of tread left on them also makes a huge difference.

The DC5 is far less judgemental about your driving style and will get to point to point in ease just a little less envolving on the limit. I have a road with some really nice twisty bits which I drive nearly every day and back to back there really is little in once corners are involved. But the DC5 is fast and fun just less rewarding IMO

S2000 1 vs DC5 0

Brakes, The brembos are not as good in std form IMO they take a while to gain heat and still feel a bit squishy too... you would think they would be far better with the huge brembo calipers. But in realilty the S2000 brakes are simply amazing in comparision with little fade and remember the S is the heavier car too. So no doubt about it the S wins in this field.

S2000 2 vs DC5 0

Handling, The thing to remember here is that the std DC5 (JDM) is not set up for our bumpy A and B roads. It feels a little off and unsettled compared to the S at high speeds so it needs a little money spent on getting a better setup than std to suit our roads. But that said it goes into corners at very high speed without a fault and always feels that the limit is yet to be found. It needs a track to really find its limits IMO! Both cars suffer from a lack of feedback thats found when driven compared to the DC2 but the S has slightly more feel in its even in set up as a crusier as stock. Its just easier driving the DC5.... so the DC5 should win this field becuase of its simplicity, but the S is good too - once you have learnt to drive it! It has to be a draw as both have a weak spot that requires a little work to get the best out of both cars.

S2000 3 vs DC5 1

Insurance, Kelly pays about

 

Very useful!

How do the 'Tegs compare in terms of NVH? (Noise, Vibration, Harshness)?

For example, I'd say the EK4 is obviously much quieter & sweeter, exccept it's even more undergeared. Yet the passenger's side suffers from an oddly untamed ride (improved by the fitment of Proxes) that makes passengers queasy.

The Prelude suffers a little of the same, but is far more comfortable for driver & passenger alike.

I wondered if having the engine at the other side reduced that tendency for Honda passengers to get a miserable time?

We all know how visceral the S is for the poor passenger! It really sounds like the gearbox is about to fill them with shrapnel.

 

Nice right up but as I see it the DC5 seems to be clawing points back on things such as insurance, practicality, fuel type/costs, ease of driving and fun of ownership during harder weather.

Correct me if I'm wrong but if these were of any concern to a person surely they'd not even consider an S2000 at all. I guess what I'm driving at is that your comparison in many ways highlights why you can't compare these two kinds of cars.

As a car enthusiast I want a car that is quick, corners well with good stability, brakes well, is responsive and fun to drive especially during better weather. On those counts it looks like a hands down victory for the S2000............which is probably why I have one

As a final aside: on the basis that both cars are supposed to be enjoyable performance cars for the road I don't see how your rating system is very applicable. For example the S2000 wins a point for superior handling and roadholding which IMHO is a pretty important factor for any semi-performance car. The DC5 gains a point back (thereby zeroing the score) because its slightly better on fuel and perfers a brand that is

 

*Ding*

My thoughts too.

I do like the DC5 though.

 

Thats fine Saxo thanks! thats the thought of responses I was actually hoping for really. The original thread on the dc2 forum started from another dc2 owner wondering what to buy next and as having access to both I felt the need to respond!

The other thing too remember that the average price of a DC5 (cica

 

I couldn't foresee anyone wanting to go from a DC2 to an EP3!

Unless they'd written off the former & couldn't find another one.

 

You know what I ment!

 

Nice write-up Si. Pretty similar to my thoughts on the two from a test-drive in a DC5 last year, and similar to my write-up from this Spring of DC5/DC2/S2000.

You were a bit more generous towards the DC5 (I found it to be a hedgehunter on bumpy B-roads, and didn't like the torque-steer), but then you own one and have more experience with it.

Personally...I'm going to go down the DC2 and S2000 route if at all feasible (feedback and ultimate poise is what driving's all about, and as has been said more than once neither 'modern' Honda has enough feedback)...once I've got another job I need to see if that 6k miler on the DC2 forum is still for sale!!! ray:

 

Strange thing you should say that - as I put in the original post - she will have too sell it soon as her mileage will be cut soon and seems pointless keeping both - (plus looming marriage too!!)

I was looking about the interweb today for a JDM 98 spec...... some 96's are as little as

 

As you may know I've got a DC5 after losing my S to a large puddle and motorway barrier. I'd pretty much agree with everything Si said (except perhaps the steering which I find better in the DC5, despite the torque steer - it just has more meat behind it). The DC5 is a good more practical alternative to the S. In most real-world cases it has the same or greater performance, but definitely a bit slower in a straight line (and a handful on bumpy roads). It can be usefully tuned though and 260bhp is achieveable with intake, manifold, exhaust and a Hondata K-Pro which would bring it more in line.

The main reason I got one was due to my budget which was restricted due to a flat purchase I could have got an S with what I paid but it would have been an older one than I had previously and I would have forever been comparing them, and ultimately, probably not being happy with it. Basically I just fancied something a bit different. Strangely, most of my friends prefer the DC5, both in looks and to ride in, still haven't worked that one out yet. I plan to keep it for a year or so

Here she is (also silver):