Civic Type R EP3
Discussion
So I've had my MX5 for around a year and a half now and am starting to think it's time to move on, as much as I love her. A hot hatch is the way I want to go, and the EP3 looks like good value. As I'm saving for a house I don't want to spend more than a couple of grand, which means after the MX5 sells my budget would be £3-4k. Preferably closer to £3k.
My question is can I get a decent one for that sort of money? I see a lot about on autotrader but I'm wary they may have had hard lives. I'm not worried about mileage as I know they can go for a long time, but I don't want one that's spent any time in a bush.
My question is can I get a decent one for that sort of money? I see a lot about on autotrader but I'm wary they may have had hard lives. I'm not worried about mileage as I know they can go for a long time, but I don't want one that's spent any time in a bush.
You have my full support) I really like the civic. and I think EP3 is a great solution for this money. I have Honda civic and I have never regretted that bought it. It is very economical, soft and airy inside. I'm delighted with it! But I'm really have not a coupe, but 4 doors. I don't really like the coupe. But this is at your desire.)
johnstewart497 said:
soft and airy inside.
Something lost in translation there 
It's pretty easy to spot the unloved ones to be honest. Avoid those with cheap modifications and a vast number of owners and all you should need to spend money on is consumables.
Very few cars that come close to that era of Civics for reliability - particulary since some are now 15 years old.
I recently bought a DC5 type R, and had an mx5 two cars ago.
You won't be disappointed, performance will feel stratospheric compared to the asthmatic mx5 lumps.
The k20 is a brilliant engine. As long as they've been maintained you should do well. Almost all will have been driven fairly hard, it's what they were designed for.
You won't be disappointed, performance will feel stratospheric compared to the asthmatic mx5 lumps.
The k20 is a brilliant engine. As long as they've been maintained you should do well. Almost all will have been driven fairly hard, it's what they were designed for.
I've had my EP3 around 10 years now (around 70K miles) and its been pretty cheap to run, although i've never worked the mpg out and use it daily. Its still fun to wind up and throw around! 
I think its easier to find a crap/abused example then a decent one but there are plenty about so im sure it wouldn't be too hard. Just make sure it has decent service history and has decent tyres! Skimping on tyres means they are probably cutting corners elsewhere
I think its easier to find a crap/abused example then a decent one but there are plenty about so im sure it wouldn't be too hard. Just make sure it has decent service history and has decent tyres! Skimping on tyres means they are probably cutting corners elsewhere
I went from a MK2.5 MX5 to an EP3, which I still have after about 3 years. Mine was a ropey looking old pre-facelift on about 100k but mechanically strong. I still have a major soft spot for MX5's and would definately consider a turbo'd or supercharged one. I know a lot of people move away from MX5's and regret it but also a lot of people keep on being dragged back to Honda's.
Things I miss/liked in order about the MX5:
-RWD
-The handling/steering
-Limited Slip Diff
-Lots and lots and lots of nice aftermarket parts
-Dropping the roof on nice days
Things I don't miss about the MX5:
-Rust
-Rust
-Chassis is too good for the engine/drivetrain
-All variants need another 50hp at least, see previous point
Things I like about the EP3:
- That Engine/gearbox combo
- Pretty darn reliable
- Practical enough for most people
- No rust
- Punches above its weight performance wise IMO. Pretty nippy for what it is.
Things I don't like about the EP3:
- FWD
- Needs a slip diff
- Steering feel from the Electric power steering. Deader than a Dodo
- Chassis not quite as good as drivetrain - just missing that 'spark'
- Lack of aftermarket parts in comparison, and most are chav and/or tat. All are expensive
- Barryboy image
Things I miss/liked in order about the MX5:
-RWD
-The handling/steering
-Limited Slip Diff
-Lots and lots and lots of nice aftermarket parts
-Dropping the roof on nice days
Things I don't miss about the MX5:
-Rust
-Rust
-Chassis is too good for the engine/drivetrain
-All variants need another 50hp at least, see previous point
Things I like about the EP3:
- That Engine/gearbox combo
- Pretty darn reliable
- Practical enough for most people
- No rust
- Punches above its weight performance wise IMO. Pretty nippy for what it is.
Things I don't like about the EP3:
- FWD
- Needs a slip diff
- Steering feel from the Electric power steering. Deader than a Dodo
- Chassis not quite as good as drivetrain - just missing that 'spark'
- Lack of aftermarket parts in comparison, and most are chav and/or tat. All are expensive
- Barryboy image
Butter Face said:
Great cars, good fun day to day. Entertaining out of the box and you can play/tweak to your hearts desire!
£3k should get you a decent enough one, check it drives well, doesn't smoke too much and engages gear well and off you go!
Only thing I would question is how "decent" it will be for £3k, although I suppose that depends on how high (or low!) one's standards are, but my experience is that £3k EP3's iin good condition are hens teeth.£3k should get you a decent enough one, check it drives well, doesn't smoke too much and engages gear well and off you go!
seany87 said:
Things I don't like about the EP3:
- FWD
- Needs a slip diff
- Steering feel from the Electric power steering. Deader than a Dodo
- Chassis not quite as good as drivetrain - just missing that 'spark'
- Lack of aftermarket parts in comparison, and most are chav and/or tat. All are expensive
- Barryboy image
I'd say some of those are answered by getting a DC5 instead, although granted, you're paying a fair premium over the EP3 for the priviledge.- FWD
- Needs a slip diff
- Steering feel from the Electric power steering. Deader than a Dodo
- Chassis not quite as good as drivetrain - just missing that 'spark'
- Lack of aftermarket parts in comparison, and most are chav and/or tat. All are expensive
- Barryboy image
TheJimi said:
Butter Face said:
Great cars, good fun day to day. Entertaining out of the box and you can play/tweak to your hearts desire!
£3k should get you a decent enough one, check it drives well, doesn't smoke too much and engages gear well and off you go!
Only thing I would question is how "decent" it will be for £3k, although I suppose that depends on how high (or low!) one's standards are, but my experience is that £3k EP3's iin good condition are hens teeth.£3k should get you a decent enough one, check it drives well, doesn't smoke too much and engages gear well and off you go!
If you want a mint low mileage car to keep standard be prepared to spend big. If you want a good car to tweak and have fun with there are some bargains!
I sold my Cosmic for £3300 about 18 months ago, and I'd say it was one of the best out there condition/servicing wise for the relatively high mileage that it was. You should be able to pick up a corker for £3k I should expect.
If it's near 100k get a chain put on it, they can stretch and eventually jump teeth.
Poly engine/gearbox mount inserts are one of the best mods you can do to them and costs next to nothing.
Make sure it's on good tyres with a decent aftermarket geometry and you'll absolutely love it!
If it's near 100k get a chain put on it, they can stretch and eventually jump teeth.
Poly engine/gearbox mount inserts are one of the best mods you can do to them and costs next to nothing.
Make sure it's on good tyres with a decent aftermarket geometry and you'll absolutely love it!
designforlife said:
I'd say some of those are answered by getting a DC5 instead, although granted, you're paying a fair premium over the EP3 for the priviledge.
Agreed. If I could afford a DC5, I wouldn't have an EP3. But to be honest, you can make a Civic just as good, if not better, for less than the extra purchase price of a DC5I'm also thinking of getting an EP3 Type R, one has come up for sale local to me, looks clean and low mileage etc
But the engine bay looks like this which is really putting me off, should the fact its been messed about with be a no no.
Its also had 8 previous owners which I don't like the sound of.
But the engine bay looks like this which is really putting me off, should the fact its been messed about with be a no no.
Its also had 8 previous owners which I don't like the sound of.
Sorry to hijack, but as a former EP3 type-r owner (from new) I would like another pre facelift. But I read that the facelift cars steer better. I realise it is only a small difference but that was the only thing I didn't like! Would after market geo fix this or did facelift have different components somewhere in steering / suspension. (Internet seems confused on this) If so, can they be retrofitted? Would want to use only OEM parts or VERY similar.
Thanks
Thanks
I don't know the exact differences but my understanding was that the facelift had a different sterring rack. I have bought and sold 2 facelifts whilst owning my pre-facelift and I couldn't tell a discernable difference, but my own car has camber arms on the rear, camber bolts on the front and is lowered and has a FRSU so it would feel different (better) than the standard car!
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