Thursday 2nd October 2014

Honda Civic Type R EP3: Catch It While You Can

It's time to get your hands on an EP3 Type R before all the good 'uns go, reckons Chris Rees

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Has it really been four years since you've been able to buy a new Type R-badged Honda? Which makes the news of Honda's forthcoming all-new Civic Type R welcome indeed. But if you don't fancy the wait - or indeed the idea of a turbocharged five-door Type R - may we suggest you revisit the original Civic Type R, the EP3?

2001 seems a long time ago, doesn't it?

Seems like quite a few people are thinking the same way: values of good EP3s are definitely on the rise. The EP3 is undoubtedly the Type R to have. OK, I may not have been strictly correct in describing the 2001-2005 EP3 as the 'original' Type R - the EK9 was the first one, but it was only ever a Japanese-market model, and you'll be lucky to find a grey import for less than £6k.

And why am I not suggesting the later (2007-2010) FN2, with its superior steering feel? Partly because its surprisingly different character isn't appreciated by many Honda fans, and partly because it's still depreciating.

Tipping the Type R
'Catch it while you can' is all about the moment when you should buy, and now is clearly the time to invest in an EP3. The tipping point for any enthusiast car is when the best examples start to outperform later models in the market. And that's happening right now.

Price-wise, the FN2 Type R is now mighty tempting. It's plentiful (over 12,000 were sold in the UK, compared to 18,000 EP3s) and values are very much on a downward trend. The cheapest FN2 I could find in the classifieds is up for a bargain £5,790. And even the priciest FN2s (excluding Mugens) won't set you back more than £12k.

Steering isn't brilliant, gearshift sublime though

EP3 all the way
But for value/talent balance, the EP3 is the quintessential Civic Type R. Cared-for, low mileage ones are now getting scarce, and demand for them is strong, and not going anywhere.

The EP3 has attractions aplenty: lowish running costs, bullet-proof mechanicals and a subtle road presence. With a 200hp i-VTEC engine and just 1,195kg, you get pace (0-60 in 6.4sec) and handling finesse, plus one of the best transmissions of all time in Honda's super-slick close-ratio six-speeder. In short, it's hard to argue against the Type R EP3 being the best hot hatch of the noughties.

EP3 prices have remained surprisingly high for a design that's now 13 years old. £2K is your realistic entry ticket, but for this the mileage will be the wrong side of 100K and it'll likely feel tired. Expect to pay around £4K for a decent example with a full history.

Best EP3s are still £8K

Prices for the best examples are now on an upward trajectory. At the very top end, £8,000 is being asked for this 33,000-mile EP3. And we're looking at £5,990 for a 2005 special edition with 62K miles and a full history.

Type Rs don't attract the same level of tuner attention as some Japs, but the magic phrase "no modifications" is still what buyers want to see. My advice? Get a low-mileage, cared-for, boggo EP3 for around the £4,750 mark and you can't go wrong. Personally, I rather like the look of this JDM EP3. It looks cool in Championship White (as all JDM EP3s were painted), has the benefit of extra standard power (215hp) and is a bargain at £4,100. Hmm, maybe I should get in there quick!

 

[X5TUU]

I know I am likely to get flamed ... but ... having nearly bought a JDM EP3 and opting instead for my first RX8, I am still happy with the choice I made.

They do drive great but look so bland (which is probably the appeal to some), and to me they are very much a 'Mavis' car ... mostly bought and driven by the blue rinse brigade, granted not Type-R's (in the main, but not rare) but that has hit the brand IMHO

And the final nail in the coffin for them for me is how the front and back seats don't match, red inserts (or buckets) in the front, black in the back ... that has my OCD going bonkers!

[X5TUU]

jon- said:

X5TUU said:

And the final nail in the coffin for them for me is how the front and back seats don't match, red inserts (or buckets) in the front, black in the back ... that has my OCD going bonkers!

So your ocd bought a car with doors that open in different directions. Still, at least you bought a car that runs on equal parts of petrol, oil, and good intentions.

Suicide doors don't cause a confusion (unlike a mismatched colour scheme) and are actually easier for access in and out ... and the latter point is just plain rubbish from the uneducated and mass-lambasting many, I used 1L 2stroke oil in the fuel tank every 160L(ish) and topped the oil every couple of thousand miles, hardly massive and not a big deal and the rotors and compression were bang on performance when I sold it ... the same with my second one too.

Anyway back on topic ...