Am I too old to buy a Honda Integra Type R DC5?

centrelink on 01/09/2015 - 07:50
Last edited 03/09/2015 - 14:00

I am approaching 30 years old, already own a Mazda 3 (which is heavily used by my wife now so it is pretty much hers). I've always wanted a sports car and always liked the Integra type r DC5 but had always been poor during my uni years and never could afford one. However, now I can afford one, but it feels like I am too old to be buying one.

I don't know how to drive manual (but I do have a manual/auto licence), should I just go out and get one and learn to manual with the help of friends/youtube?

edit: Thanks for the comments, will be looking for one of these cars now.

Automotive

Comments

    • spacebanana on 02/09/2015 - 15:49
      +1

      what car was is it out of interest?

  • Hirolol on 02/09/2015 - 15:46

    i think the burning question is, will the wife let you buy it?! haha

    • centrelink on 02/09/2015 - 15:53
      +1

      She better let me.. considering I pretty much gave her my car anyways.

    • Steptoe on 04/09/2015 - 23:52

      More like will she forgive you for buying it. Don't ask first.

  • SupeNintendoChalmers on 02/09/2015 - 16:57
    +1

    You're never too old to reward and enjoy your life.

    Buy it, customise it, give it the berries at the track

  • neonlight on 02/09/2015 - 16:59

    Mate, I had my Prelude (not exactly an integra but they were around the same gen) since 2006 and I was still driving til beginning of this year. I was still liking that car until May this year which I sold it and started a family….

    I had to give up manual driving…If I can afford to I would keep driving it.

    You only live once, so its never too old for anything.

    Do it when you can!

  • Pigey on 02/09/2015 - 17:54

    I'm 33 and just sold my Integra for a Scirocco.

    Partner says I'm too old for it, but I don't care :P

    • Steptoe on 04/09/2015 - 23:54
      +2

      Tell her maybe she's just too old for you.

  • sund00bie on 02/09/2015 - 17:57

    Im 32 and drive a Civic Type R (FN2) as my daily.. I say do it =)

    9000RPM and VTEC just kicked in yo = Sounds like its rinning of titties and makes me smile

  • centrelink on 02/09/2015 - 18:18
    +9

    Well I guess people tell me I am too old for video games as well yet I play them on a daily basis.. So why not? Just gonna get myself an Integra when I find one :)

    • Scorpiogirl on 02/09/2015 - 20:27
      +1

      Good for you. Growing up isn't much fun. Playing video games isn't hurting anyone.

      • ozeebee on 03/09/2015 - 02:15

        Boys don't get old, their toys just become more expensive. ;)

        • zombie hunter on 05/09/2015 - 19:08

          And required 12 D cell batteries

    • [Deactivated] on 04/09/2015 - 10:20

      Same, daily gamer here as well. I love the types who claim that video games are a waste of time, then they proceed to just sit around watching reality TV with their spare time!

      • Scorpiogirl on 04/09/2015 - 10:25

        Sometimes reality tv is a lot more interesting then the reality of real life, i guess. Chewing gum for the eye balls i call it. Who is anyone to tell you what you can or can't do? Only time it matters to me is as long as it is not hurting someone.

        • [Deactivated] on 04/09/2015 - 10:32

          Yeah, in reading my comment it perhaps sounds a little hypocritical in judging what others do when I was making a point against people doing just that. I guess the real point of it all is like you say hobbies/interests don't have to be anything other than simply what we enjoy.

        • Scorpiogirl on 04/09/2015 - 11:35
          +1

          @wasabinator: Umm i wasn't directing that at you, sorry. I meant people in general. I actually was agreeing some what and explaining why people look to reality tv perhaps. I meant who is anyone to tell you you can't play video games. No ones business. There are certainly a lot worse things one could be doing in their spare time. Hope that clarifies what i meant.

  • offal spokesman on 02/09/2015 - 18:22
    +1

    Nope, never too old.. live, enjoy :)

  • sandshrew on 02/09/2015 - 20:49
    +3

    Definitely never too old. My Dad is hitting 65 this year and drives a DC5S.

    I remember as a kid having to crawl out of the back seat of his 2 door cars (Integra and Prelude). Goes to show a family doesn't necessarily mean the end of the sports car!

    • jzdhgkd on 03/09/2015 - 15:26

      What a bad ass

  • ExpressCoffee on 02/09/2015 - 23:18
    +1

    If you have the money I'd say go for it. They are a fantastic car. I've had the older model Integra and loved it till the unfortunate end.

    Don't worry if you are not able to drive manual right now, given you have been driving for years already it's a lot easier when you are familiar with the road rules. Yes, the trickiest part is going from stop to gear one but as they say, practice makes perfect! Manual is a great driving experience (most of the time!)

    Just make sure the Integra you are looking at is well maintained. Chances are most would have taken a beating so come to expect that when looking at some but you may even find a gem that an enthusiast or older seller may have kept very close to stock.

    Good luck with your decision!

  • Marcsie on 02/09/2015 - 23:45

    Just can't believe nowadays some people just can't drive manual car :)

    • neonlight on 03/09/2015 - 07:28

      Not with the amount of congestion and traffic jams, probably don't want a manual for that

  • defiant on 03/09/2015 - 00:55

    I'm 32 and driving a golf R; only reconnected with driving manual a few years ago; love it, for me manual is such a more engaging experience, and much more fun! Go for it

  • ozeebee on 03/09/2015 - 02:11

    Who the hell cares how old you are?! If you want to do something and have the means to, then go and do it! You only live once and the worst part of getting old is living with regrets from younger days.

    30 is not even close to being old.

    And regarding learning manual, just buy the car and learn from friends or youtube. It's really not that hard. I bought my first manual car 10 years ago without knowing how to drive it. Had to get a relative to drive it home and learned on my own. Now I can't stand driving automatics.

    All you need to do is find the bite point of the clutch, then you're good to go. It will become second nature.

    ps. My gf and I has already agreed that even with family a sports car will always be available on top of a family car, otherwise I might jump off a balcony. :D

  • nismo on 03/09/2015 - 07:45
    +2

    A bit late to the party but..

    I bought a Nissan Skyline R34 (2 door, 5 speed manual, 6 cylinder turbo, rwd) when I was 28.

    I have owned the car for nearly 13 years, I'm now over 40, but I don't look, act or feel old & don't think it even matters!

    Do what you want! Everyone else does.

    I actually knew a guy who loved his sports cars so much that he still drove a Mazda MX 6 when he was 90!

  • onlyletters on 03/09/2015 - 08:27

    30 is not old, you're still a kid.

  • timohill on 03/09/2015 - 08:46

    As long as it's not obnoxiously loud go for it.
    The problem is people think they're worth > $15k.

  • astroe on 03/09/2015 - 09:00

    I think it's okay because you could have had the car when you were 18 and have just kept it since.

  • clem0ximus on 03/09/2015 - 09:16

    30yo here and I drive a fiesta ST. Hands down the best bang for buck performance car you can get today. And actually the manual on this car is so easy to drive.

    Shifter is precise and clutch is short so easy to find the engagement point, it is also assisted with a spring so it is soft to step on.

    Much more fuel efficient than a DC5R and the boost on this comes on real early so you have access to most of the torque early on. Handling wise both are very point and shooty FWD cars and handles on rails.

  • Scandrew on 03/09/2015 - 09:33

    ^ @ twice the price

    DCR5 is fine. As long as you don't hoon like you're under 25, lol.

    I've always kind of been in the car enthusiast scene and think that there's a lot of good value sporty cars in the $15k +-/ range nowadays for circa 2002-2008 models.

    Good cheap modern-looking little thrashers :)

  • altomic on 03/09/2015 - 09:33

    I couldn't drive a manual until I was 21. I had tried 4 or 5 times to try. The 5th time involved my then girlfriend laughing at me as I stalled her Mazda 323 time and time again. Then I had a dream where I was driving a manual car and was driving it very well. I could see myself alternating the clutch with the accelerator and changing gears. It was like watching one of those car chase movies when they show the driver driving. Anyway, the next time I got into a manual I could drive it flawlessly. I believe the visualisation allowed me understand how to drive a manual and gave me the semiconscious ability to coordinate.

    tldr: watch the fast and furious and take notice of how they drive. Then have a dream about driving.

    • Scandrew on 03/09/2015 - 09:51
      +3

      granny shifting, not double clutching like you should!

      might be more detrimental, lol

    • Scorpiogirl on 03/09/2015 - 13:52
      +1

      Won me with this one. How i taught myself. Sitting in my car visualising it. As well as doing. Makes sense to me. I am strange though. Lol @ your neg.

  • Marcsie on 03/09/2015 - 09:55
    +1

    Yep,you are too old if you feel old at 30 :)

    • duchy on 03/09/2015 - 12:53

      Hahaha - I second that. I wouldn't care what others think and just buy what I want/need.

  • adn on 03/09/2015 - 10:28
    +1

    This is how i learn to drive manual.. I just fill the tank, and drove for 8 hrs with a mate who knew how to drive manual. we went visiting everyone's house, showing off the car. Then a few more weeks to be very comfortable with hills and reverse parking.

    you got kids? at your age, i would get a wrx or evo. So you don't have to change up. when the baby comes along.

    finally, unless you love the car, no one else will be impressed in your age bracket. Time for beamers, audi, mercs

  • Dr Techno on 03/09/2015 - 11:02

    I guess after 30, as you get older you eventually learn your never too old to enjoy what you love to do.

    Geez I even know of a 65 yo driving around in Twin Turbo Nissan 300zx :P

  • Bargaphile on 03/09/2015 - 11:47

    Never to old to get the car you always wanted. Do it!

  • xyron on 03/09/2015 - 13:30

    God there are some bellend responses in here.

    OP - even if you've never driven a manual before, it's incredibly easy to pick it up, you don't really even need any level of coordination. I have taught more than a few friends in their 30s how to drive manual who have never done so before - and they are all perfectly competent within a week. If you only learned on an auto originally, that's fine - changing gears manually is only one part of the makeup of skills you need to be a manual driver!

    here in SA there are no stupid "auto" restrictions on licences - and I challenge any one of the people on the previous page of comments to suggest that this means SA is a less safe place to drive or that there are more accidents here per capita than elsewhere with "auto" licence restrictions. In fact, insurance in SA is generally much cheaper for me than any friends driving comparable cars, of comparable age, who now live in Melbourne/Sydney.

    If you want an Integra, get one. Who cares how old you are. The only person that matters in this equation is you. Just remember the Integra isn't the world's most practical car - but as a second car it probably doesn't even matter!

  • edgar28 on 03/09/2015 - 13:36

    according to survey, most sports car owners are double your age? maybe you are too young as a sport cars owner

    just do it, if you can afford

  • herbertg21 on 03/09/2015 - 13:57

    never, if you can afford it - why not? for cheaper thrills get a motorbike

  • ESEMCE on 03/09/2015 - 13:58
    +1

    30 is not old at all.. enough said!

    The only thing that 30 year olds are too old for are 17 year old (or younger) partners.

  • jzdhgkd on 03/09/2015 - 15:24
    +1

    Youtube helps with manual but only to a certain degree. Practice is the only thing that will ultimately get you there in the end.

    If you've got a friend with some time and a manual car, get them to take you to a quiet parking lot for an hour or two and you can practise there.

    Or do what I did - buy the car (also a DC5R) and then persuade a very trusting friend to sit in while you practise and stall on the back roads. Good times =)

    I can think of more wasteful ways to entertain your 1/3-life crisis so go for it!

  • StalkingIbis on 03/09/2015 - 15:54

    i bought a full set of oddbodz online a year or two ago cos i didnt have them as a child…fill the void i say! hahaha

  • Andiie21 on 03/09/2015 - 16:25
    -1

    yes too old , hondas are trash, been there done that, you will end up selling it

  • [Deactivated] on 03/09/2015 - 18:36

    Yes, are ARE too old.

    The cut off age is 24.3 years old, unless your birthday's on a July, in which case, you're limited to buying either Daihatsus, Tatas, Great Walls or a Ferrari.

    Jokes, do whatever you want mate.

    Just don't be like that idiot Auburn mayor (the Arab guy with the extravagant wedding, who lost control hit two ladies with his Ferrari).

  • outofdateyesterday on 03/09/2015 - 19:52

    Far too old. Grab a 2nd hand toyota echo.

  • josaya on 03/09/2015 - 20:11

    I bought an EK9 at that age… still have it and use it more frequently than my "age appropriate" family car. Feel a bit ashamed driving that to work instead of the family v8, but getting there is about 10x more fun.

  • wtfnodeal on 03/09/2015 - 21:26
    +1

    Check the insurance premiums first before you buy one.

  • freakatronic on 03/09/2015 - 23:36
    +3

    Go for it. Honda integras are a great way to feel alive. Just be careful - they may inspire age-inappropriate hooning.

    But seriously, if you know people who would judge you for driving something you actually like (as opposed to some beige responsibility appliance)…maybe you need to know some better people.

    • Scorpiogirl on 04/09/2015 - 05:20
      +2

      True or just don't care :)

  • TurkishDelight on 04/09/2015 - 08:35

    better late than never, so buy it. Also, driving a manual is way more fun than auto. I know how to drive a manual but not too fluent and I am dangling myself to buy my next car manual or auto.
    I drive auto atm, but my business van was manual :) the glory hole.

  • TurkishDelight on 04/09/2015 - 08:38

    or you can buy this-http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/_/SSE-AD-3380157
    and follow this-http://mkiv.com/
    Happy modding :D

  • aussieprepper on 04/09/2015 - 08:52

    It's his dream car stop telling him what he likes! You will be okay the integra comes with a heavy clutch so its easy to change gears and smooth you will learn quick on that car. Just be careful of hills use the hand brake and break at the lights at the start. Just till you learn the feel of the clutch and its slipping point. While I'm here I love manuals but all the fastest cars in the world are auto!

  • [Deactivated] on 04/09/2015 - 10:15

    You can be the baddest old teenager

  • strikerzebra on 04/09/2015 - 10:34

    I've had my 1995 honda integra for about 6 or 7 yrs now and still going strong, driving a manual is so much more fun than driving an automatic

  • Kuro on 04/09/2015 - 16:09

    29 and still driving my STI. I think I'm too old to have such a large spoiler. If I was to change cars, it'd still need to have a Turbo and be on par with the Suby in power. I'd look at getting an Audi S3, Golf R, 135i, or Megane RS. But my inner Ozbargain tell me to not buy a Euro car.

    • x d on 04/09/2015 - 18:50
      +1

      Over 40 and driving an EVO X with the massive spoiler.

      The other night, 2 P plater pulled up next to me in a 350Z and wanted a drag race. Then they looked at me through the window and laughed :-) Didn't care as I loved my car especially on track days.

      Also feel a bit out of place when driving to work when quite a few fellow colleagues drives more mature BMWs and Mercs (non sporty types) but again I didn't care.

      Cheers.

    • Hello Stranger on 08/09/2015 - 08:16

      I had an STI a few years back but had to get rid of it due to family circumstances. Biggest regret of my life. I'm mid 20's now but would definitely get back into one once I have the funds.
      When you downgrade, the drive is just not the same !

  • cysp on 04/09/2015 - 16:13

    Get an S2000. You'll get both "sports" and "convertible" out of your system in one go and then settle for a nice comfortable sedan and not look back, except with a small hint of nostalgia.

  • KnifeEnthusiastBoi on 04/09/2015 - 21:15

    Bro, its a fun car. Just enjoy it. Nuff said

    • KnifeEnthusiastBoi on 04/09/2015 - 21:16

      oh remember to pump 98, you dont want to kill your engine with engine knock

  • Steptoe on 05/09/2015 - 00:15

    Forget about what others think, and decide what you want.

    Here's a cheapy to go look at first:

    http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Honda-Integra-200…

  • Mysterious on 05/09/2015 - 03:23

    No way. 30 is still relatively young. I think you should go for it, but definitely make sure that you can afford it and it isn't just an impulse purchase.

  • [Deactivated] on 05/09/2015 - 13:31

    I'm 50 and drive a SKODA Fabia RS at home and on the track.
    you don't drive what you drive to please anyone else but yourself.
    I think the Integra was too harsh and the Fabia has more of a rally edge
    Whatever you get - enjoy it for you - bugger everyone else.
    Three years in and I still love it like day one.

  • KingstonTheNotSoWise on 05/09/2015 - 20:11
    +1

    General rule of thumb I go by: If I can't fit it in, I'm too old for it.

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