Want a 2000s JDM legend? This DC5 Honda Integra Type R is for sale for RM 110k!

Championship White is a simple yet iconic colour that is usually associated with Honda’s Type R models. The contrast of the red Honda badge and R logo with the white paintwork symbolises the Japanese flag and it has very strong roots in motorsports.

Honda was the first Japanese carmaker to win a Formula One (F1) race at the 1965 Mexican Grand Prix. The H-brand would spread its dominance in F1 in the 1980s when it powered the most successful teams of that era like Williams and McLaren.

It was during that all-conquering period when Honda decided to take on the Ferraris and Porsches with its flagship sports car, the Honda NSX. That became the basis of the first Type R model, the lightweight NSX-R in 1991.

Also read: 33 years ago, the Honda NSX changed the supercar world forever

However, it was the first-generation Honda Integra Type R that really showed the world what the red-colour R badge could really do – turning a somewhat regular front-wheel drive car into one of the best-handling cars in the world.

The DC5 is the second and final generation of the Integra Type R and became an instant JDM icon of the 2000s. While we dive into the details of this Championship White DC5 which is currently for sale at Karrus Private Garage for RM 110,000, let’s take a look at the history of the Integra.

Also read: 10 real JDMs that make the R34 and Supra at Retro Havoc as common as a Myvi

Humble luxurious beginnings

In the late 1980s, Japan’s Big Three were launching their luxurious sub-brands for the North American market. The reason isn’t because the Japanese were confident that they could excel against the Cadillacs and Mercedes-Benzes but rather due to the government’s voluntary export restraints for the American market which meant more expensive models were more profitable.

Honda’s Acura brand was launched first in 1986 followed by Toyota’s Lexus and Nissan’s Infiniti in 1989. The first two models introduced by Acura were the Legend and the Integra with both models sold outside of the States as a Honda.

Despite being positioned as a luxury coupe, the Integra found fame among the small but growing tuning community which became very prevalent in the 1990s. The second-generation Integra particularly saw the introduction of the first Honda VTEC engine, the 1.6-litre B16A and it became a favourite among Honda fans with its iconic high redline of more than 8,000 rpm.

Also read: Top 5 greatest Honda VTEC engines ever made

It was the third generation that really kicked things into high gear for the Integra when it was introduced in 1993. The sleek design is shared somewhat with the fourth-generation Honda Prelude but the Integra remained a more upscale and sportier model as it was sold in the Honda Verno dealer network alongside the NSX.

But things were brewing for the Integra when Honda’s homologation team decided that the second car to bear the Type R badge would be the Civic’s more upscale sibling.

Also read: Honda Type R turns 30 - Here's how the red performance badge became legendary

Freaking winnable drive

As conventional as the front-wheel drive (FWD) layout is, purists see it as inferior to rear-wheel drive (RWD) in terms of driving capabilities. That all changed in an instant with the launch of the DC2 Integra Type R in 1995 which saw the addition of a limited-slip differential which allowed the sports car to take any corner with ease.

It’s a crucial feature that gave the DC2 near-universal acclaim by motoring journalists all over the world from Japan to the UK and America with the latter seeing an Acura-badged version with the controversial twin pair of headlights, sometimes called “Spider lights”.

The DC2 was sold in many major markets all over the world but it remained the only one sold in left-hand drive (LHD) markets as its successor was only sold in a handful of right-hand drive (RHD) markets outside of Japan like Australia and New Zealand.

Both generations of the Integra Type R were never officially sold in Malaysia and as such, all of them came from grey importers. The DC5 Integra Type R, however, once took part in the Merdeka Millennium Endurance Race (now called the Sepang 12 Hours) in 2003 where it took home 1st in its class.

The DC5 Integra Type R was launched in Japan in 2001 and was one of two variants offered for the fourth-generation Integra which would be its final generation in current form. This 2003 DC5 at Karrus Private Garage is not in the most pristine condition but it is still mostly original down to the carpets.

Racy bits

Powering the DC5 is a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated DOHC i-VTEC 4-cylinder K20A engine that makes 217 PS and 206 Nm. The high-performance engine is also carried over into the EP3 and FD2 generations of the Civic Type R.

Also read: Honda Civic FK8 vs FD2 Type R. Is newer always better?

This unit is paired with a 6-speed manual transmission that drives the front wheels. Overall, this DC5’s condition still holds up for the most part though there are no Type R badges on the exterior but the Championship White colour is in pristine condition with no scratches or chips.

The red Recaro bucket seats and the leather-wrapped Momo steering wheel still look fine and this DC5 has done a little over 100,000 km in mileage based on the odometer reading.

Following the main philosophy of the Type R badge, the standard DC5 removed certain “luxury” features including the rear wiper, electric folding mirrors, remote control, side airbags, and vanity mirrors.

Also read: Top Rank – 10 production cars with the wildest wings

Still, it is a practical sports car with a generous rear boot space that is further expanded with the rear seats folded down.

However, it was the beginning of the end of the Japanese coupe segment as sales were shrinking and despite the overwhelming praise and desirability of the Integra Type R, it would be the last time for the model. Eventually, only the Civic would continue to carry the Type R’s torch as the badge celebrated its 30th anniversary last year.

Also read: Say hello to the 2023 Honda Civic FL5 Type-R in Malaysia

The Integra Type R is becoming highly desirable whether it’s the first-generation DC2, the DC5, or the even rarer 4-door DB8. For RM 110k, would you say yes to this DC5 in its iconic Championship White hue?

Special thanks to Karrus Private Garage for allowing us to shoot the DC5. Check out their inventory here for other amazing classics currently on sale.

@wapcar_zamil Mana geng VTEC meraung di sini? Kasi hadir!! #learnontiktok #fypmalaysia #carmalaysia #reviewkereta #typer #integratyper #dc5typer #integradc5 #jualkereta #k20a #vtec #wapcar ♬ Sport Trap Background(781699) - TimTaj