Resale is a killer if it's a RWO. I get the impression you are youngish - you are going to want to ditch that car sooner or later. no car holds its value until it's at the lower end of the market, RWOs even less. Pay 12 for it now, 2 years down the track you will be very lucky to sell it for 6 (more kms on it + RWO + wear and tear). How long has the seller been trying to sell it?

Save your money and don't cut corners looking for a cheap ride. I'd also be keeping an eye out on EP3 Civics. I found the ones I test drove to be mostly superior to the DC5s and EP3s are not selling for the 20-22K that people are asking for them, some are dropping to 16K as they are a niche car that is not even in demand amongst Honda circles. Great car, lots of fun and the fasts of a 5R.

DC2R only if it's what you want. I went down that path because I'd narrowed down to S15/EP3/DC2R and the S15s were flogged out/riced badly for the prices, the EP3s were too much (then) and poorly looked after (the ones I looked at) and I got a very low km 2R that popped up at the right time when I had the right money. It's a drivers car and fun but I also have a daily plus the wife's car for when the suspension jars my back once too often

Currently I'm saving for a S15 to go into the stable next to the others - ideally one that I can take the SR20 out of and put a real motor into.