Advice for a new Type-R

[hammylikey]

Hi all,

I'm planning on getting myself a Type-R sometime this year so I can finally live the dream, but I'm having a few thoughts and wanted to get you guys' advice. It'll be for general driving overall, but in a few years I might want to take it to the track. I'd want it to be practical too, something I can keep for years with a family in the future but I can still enjoy solo. Here are my thoughts:

EP3 - This is the one I initially fell in love with, and isn't too far off of my current car in terms of being a small-ish hatchback.

FD2 - This to me seems like a better choice because it has 4 doors as opposed to two, and is more of a saloon style.

DC5 - Seems to be a good compromise between interior space and fun on the two. Looks nice too, but looks like it's a bit big.

I was considering an Accord Euro-R CL7 as well, but the FD2 to me seems to be enjoyed more by their owners.

Thanks

[MurderousCrow]

hammylikey said:

Hi all,

I'm planning on getting myself a Type-R sometime this year so I can finally live the dream, but I'm having a few thoughts and wanted to get you guys' advice. It'll be for general driving overall, but in a few years I might want to take it to the track. I'd want it to be practical too, something I can keep for years with a family in the future but I can still enjoy solo. Here are my thoughts:

EP3 - This is the one I initially fell in love with, and isn't too far off of my current car in terms of being a small-ish hatchback.

FD2 - This to me seems like a better choice because it has 4 doors as opposed to two, and is more of a saloon style.

DC5 - Seems to be a good compromise between interior space and fun on the two. Looks nice too, but looks like it's a bit big.

I was considering an Accord Euro-R CL7 as well, but the FD2 to me seems to be enjoyed more by their owners.

Thanks

It's such a wide spread in potential budget that it's very difficult to offer any kind of advice. A good EP3 will cost between £5-6000; a DC5 £7-8000; an FD2 £13-15000.

If you have the ability to spend the latter amount without caring about the miles you put on it, the potential for cosmetic damage in everyday / family driving, or the possibility of binning it on track, the FD2 is the only choice.

Luke

[hammylikey]

MurderousCrow said:

It's such a wide spread in potential budget that it's very difficult to offer any kind of advice. A good EP3 will cost between £5-6000; a DC5 £7-8000; an FD2 £13-15000.

If you have the ability to spend the latter amount without caring about the miles you put on it, the potential for cosmetic damage in everyday / family driving, or the possibility of binning it on track, the FD2 is the only choice.

Luke

Good point - I'm already looking at an absolute max of £16000 or so - it was more the thought of which would be better and if I would lose anything huge going for an FD2 as opposed to a DC5/EP3

[MurderousCrow]

hammylikey said:

Good point - I'm already looking at an absolute max of £16000 or so - it was more the thought of which would be better and if I would lose anything huge going for an FD2 as opposed to a DC5/EP3

It's your choice. From personal experience, it's not easy taking a higher-value car out on track, particularly if it's your daily driver and only car.

You could take a different approach with that budget. I would be inclined to go for a good standard-ish EP3 or DC5 as a daily driver, then spend (probably) a fair bit longer looking for a sound EK9 or DC2 as a weekend / track car.

[integra1799]

I would say the DC5 is definitely an upgrade over the EP3 plus it's a little nicer inside i would say. Better quality carpets, more power, LSD as standard and some extra power over a uk EP3 and a larger boot which makes it a little more practical.

Obviously if you need 4 doors then the FD2 would be the best choice, however sourcing parts for the FD2 is more of a challenge if something which isn't common was to go wrong.
I was in a similar position when the driveshaft failed on my DC5, sourcing a new OEM one was difficult due to a long back order wait for the part.

There's plenty of second hand parts available for the DC5 including pannel's and all the other bits and pieces if something did need to be replaced. The FD2 not being very common over will mean sourcing new parts if you were ever in that situation.

Just my thoughts

[designforlife]

DC5 will also hold it's value better over an EP3.

[EK9_CTR]

I'd go for the FD2, practical enough as a family car and also happy being on track. I'm told that out the box they're outstanding and don't need much doing to them. Residuals would also be strong.

The CL7 Euro-R is also a good shout. Same engine and drivetrain as the DC5 but with better front suspension all in a more discreet package. More of a Q-car for me. If my ATR is anything to go by then I'm confident the CL7 will drive very well despite the extra weight.

[hammylikey]

Is the FD2 as bad as they say for the ride as well? I'm in London, so most of the roads are OK, but there are loads of roadworks around and some very uneven speed bumps in areas. I don't mind if it's harder than expected, as long as it's not unbearable

[giger]

I've had a couple of FD2's so slightly biased; the stock suspension is firm as it is overdamped - many live with this but an easy cheap upgrade is changing the rear shocks to konis. The drive is very rewarding - bonded, stiff chassis, LSD and hydraulic steering with a 8.6k redline will not be repeated in this kind of car again. Most type R people will tell you it's the best of the bunch wether coming from ep3s or DC5s. Residuals are also really strong and have been since day 1, so you'll have to stump up a bit more now but you'll get it back at the end - the past few years have been depriciation free for me.

DC5 is also very good if the FD2 is out of budget and had a very good following and is practical in different ways.