RE: Honda Civic Type R EP3: Catch It While You Can
Thursday 2nd October 2014
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.
Steering isn't brilliant, gearshift sublime thoughEP3 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.
Best EP3s are still £8KPrices 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.
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
2001 seems a long time ago, doesn't it?
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
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
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!
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Discussion
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!
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 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.The EP3 is the most run FF car I've driven, great lift off oversteer. Sadly I've not been out in a DC2/5. If I ever had to go back to FWD that's where I'd head.
I would like one as a direct replacement for my 1.6 civic sport (looks sporty, does not behave sporty), but at the moment I cant afford it.
The only change I would make is to fit the wheels form the sport to have tyres with more sidewall on them, if only to try and help protect the suspension from potholes.
The only change I would make is to fit the wheels form the sport to have tyres with more sidewall on them, if only to try and help protect the suspension from potholes.
Sold my EP3 (UK Cosmic Grey 2005 Premier Edition) back in April and bought a BMW 130i.
The BMW is arguabley a better car, but.... that engine! The K20 was really special. The Gruppe M carbon airbox made it sound like an old touring car in V-Tec! It did wheels spin a lot in the wet, though I suspect the JDM LSD would help with that.
The Civic never ceased to make me grin when revving it hard. It's also, in my (biased) opinion, the best looking of all the Civic Type Rs.
The PRemier Edition is well worth the premium paid. The Recaro seats are really comfortable and the red interior carpets / doorcards spruce up otherwise slightly cheap feeling interior. Oh, and avoid the rare inbuilt satnav at all costs! It woeful and will almost certainly die on you at some point!
The BMW is arguabley a better car, but.... that engine! The K20 was really special. The Gruppe M carbon airbox made it sound like an old touring car in V-Tec! It did wheels spin a lot in the wet, though I suspect the JDM LSD would help with that.
The Civic never ceased to make me grin when revving it hard. It's also, in my (biased) opinion, the best looking of all the Civic Type Rs.
The PRemier Edition is well worth the premium paid. The Recaro seats are really comfortable and the red interior carpets / doorcards spruce up otherwise slightly cheap feeling interior. Oh, and avoid the rare inbuilt satnav at all costs! It woeful and will almost certainly die on you at some point!
Edited by TristPerrin on Thursday 2nd October 11:12
Not long to go before we see an EP3 Shed of the Week!
Article said:
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.
You'll find plenty of examples in the £5k range. I drive a good EP3, and as I have said many times, it is very overrated. Rubbish interior and unless you're thrashing it to within an inch of its life, a pain in the arse.
That said though, if you just treat it like an absolute b
h and thrash it's nuts off everywhere, it is quite good fun...
(as standard) Needs £1500 chucking at it for Eibach 30mms, an LSD, K100 map and supporting mods to make it good.
That said though, if you just treat it like an absolute b
h and thrash it's nuts off everywhere, it is quite good fun...(as standard) Needs £1500 chucking at it for Eibach 30mms, an LSD, K100 map and supporting mods to make it good.
Edited by vtecyo on Thursday 2nd October 11:29
Original Civic Type R...? I guess the EK9 Civic Type R (a far superior car) doesn't count then?
Having driven an EP3 and compared it to my 98 Spec JDM Integra, it is a great car but you do feel somewhat removed from the front end. The K20 engine is great with more torque lower down but it just didnt feel that special. Take your money and buy a mint DC2 for £6-6.5k max, or a DC5 which going by current prices, has started to plateu. They will hold value due to less numbers being in the UK (especially JDM variants, or if its possible, you find a rust free UK car)
Having driven an EP3 and compared it to my 98 Spec JDM Integra, it is a great car but you do feel somewhat removed from the front end. The K20 engine is great with more torque lower down but it just didnt feel that special. Take your money and buy a mint DC2 for £6-6.5k max, or a DC5 which going by current prices, has started to plateu. They will hold value due to less numbers being in the UK (especially JDM variants, or if its possible, you find a rust free UK car)
Edited by Mini 360 on Thursday 2nd October 11:20
jon- said:
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.
Still, at least you bought a car that runs on equal parts of petrol, oil, and good intentions.#shotsfired
I've kept my EP3 Type-R for over 10 years now, and had nearly new Porsches and GTRs in the meantime. Have never been able to bring myself to sell it - mainly because it's never failed me. It is a 100% known quantity to run, so much fun to just chuck around. The only concession I've made is that I supercharged mine a few years ago (still hasn't missed a beat) so it's somewhat faster than the stock CTR.
It's all things to all men (and women). You can chuck it about, take your family around in it and take your rubbish up the tip. Why would I want to replace something so versatile and reliable (and still just as quick as most stuff around).
Edited by Durzel on Thursday 2nd October 11:26
These are such wonderful cars. That's gearshift is wonderful and perfectly placed. As for the handling, again other than some torque steer on hard acceleration it was a wonderful handling car. Steering was better than suggested in the write up and it was surprisingly good economical and practical. I will always have very fond memories of mine and can thoroughly recommend one to anyone. Just watch out for expensive clutches and gearboxes, that was my big shock.
Now go Rev beyond 6000rpm!
Now go Rev beyond 6000rpm!
Mini 360 said:
Original Civic Type R...? I guess the EK9 Civic Type R (a far superior car) doesn't count then?
It gets a mention in the text, if you read all of it.We looked at these back in 2004/5 when we were shopping for a new hot hatch, but aside from the 3 door only layout not being ideal for us, the image at the time wasn't great - they were such a bargain new that they were bought and usually seen being driven by the baseball cap brigade who took to them post-Peugeot 306 in great numbers. I imagine finding a clean one with no crash history is going to involve needle in haystack type searching, but now the image isn't so crass and they actually look quite restrained compared to modern competition a good one would be a keeper
We ended up with a Leon Cupra R 225 - another bargain now
Having owned a DC2 for a couple of years, had a brief dalliance with an S2000, and currently own an Accord Type R, I've come close to getting one of these on more than one occasion- it's like the one that keeps getting away.
In truth after the DC2 however the EP3 disappointed a little (particularly for the money they cost), as did the S2000 bizarrely. So I ended up saving the money and spending barely a third of my budget on an excellent Accord Type R. 18 months later and I've got the bug all over again. A couple of friends have EP3s and each time I see them I keep thinking I must try one again- whether I'll ever get around to actually owning one is another matter but the intention is very much there!
In truth after the DC2 however the EP3 disappointed a little (particularly for the money they cost), as did the S2000 bizarrely. So I ended up saving the money and spending barely a third of my budget on an excellent Accord Type R. 18 months later and I've got the bug all over again. A couple of friends have EP3s and each time I see them I keep thinking I must try one again- whether I'll ever get around to actually owning one is another matter but the intention is very much there!
I got one a couple years back as a kind of stop gap, didnt really want to like it either but it was awesome. Kept it well serviced inc gearbox oil, tappet clearances etc fitted new clutch and droplinks and it really was such a good drive, the gearboxes are something else too. All i did was fit a gruppe m intake, engine mount inserts and hybrid racing shifter bushes and it was the perfect daily for me. Ended up keeping it a year and a half averaging around 34mpg over a full tank on the norm.
I loved mine as well. The steering was the weak point, the engine and gearbox just amazing for a car like this.
I bought mine new and thought it was great value then. The fact that you can get a good example of a relatively modern hot hatch for £4k now when people seem to be falling over themselves to pay more than that for 80s hot hatches like the XR3i that were rubbish even back then makes this an excellent buy IMO.
If they do go up in value rather than down, all the better.
I bought mine new and thought it was great value then. The fact that you can get a good example of a relatively modern hot hatch for £4k now when people seem to be falling over themselves to pay more than that for 80s hot hatches like the XR3i that were rubbish even back then makes this an excellent buy IMO.
If they do go up in value rather than down, all the better.
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