The new type r - is it a sales flop?
Discussion
Fonzey said:
Lease deals are the only reason we're not seeing many. I don't think Honda ever wanted this to be common as much, hence the low production numbers.
I recently had delivered a Cupra 290 on lease, so about as understated as a "hot hatch" gets but I would have loved a Type R if I could have got one anywhere near the payments I got on the Seat.
I could have got a Golf R for the same as I paid for the Seat too, but I'm so sick of seeing them, hearing about them and reading about them - I was desperate to do something ever so slightly different! The Type R is not perfect, but it's a statement and it's the only current hot hatch that does make me turn in the street or have a good look around when one turns up at a show or meet.
I think Honda were brave, didn't get the looks quite right but some of my favourite cars are opinion splitters - so this one suits me nicely!
I agree.I recently had delivered a Cupra 290 on lease, so about as understated as a "hot hatch" gets but I would have loved a Type R if I could have got one anywhere near the payments I got on the Seat.
I could have got a Golf R for the same as I paid for the Seat too, but I'm so sick of seeing them, hearing about them and reading about them - I was desperate to do something ever so slightly different! The Type R is not perfect, but it's a statement and it's the only current hot hatch that does make me turn in the street or have a good look around when one turns up at a show or meet.
I think Honda were brave, didn't get the looks quite right but some of my favourite cars are opinion splitters - so this one suits me nicely!
Golf R's (to me) are boring, common, ten a penny cars that only seem to have sold because of the lease deals. They don't seem special purely because of the amount I see. I also struggle to get excited about anything that VW specifically make. But that's just my opinion and I'm sure there are plenty who disagree with me.
If you after something a bit different, then the Type R does seem to be the item of choice.
The market the Type R is aimed at should be a little bit special. It's still a fwd hatch though, so it's not going to set the world on fire.
Let's not forget that cars like this are still very expensive for what they are. However, overpricing seems to be a common trend of late for vehicles. It's all about the monthly payment now, so the list price being huge doesn't really affect anything as long as someone can pay 'x' amount in monthly installments. You only have to look at the BMW M4 GTS to get an idea of how silly pricing is becoming.
I like the idea that Honda dared to be different. However..
I wouldn't have one due to:
- You couldn't call it subtle.
- It's not cheap (inflation adjusted its £5k more expensive than the facelift EP3 type R when new)
- its the same price as an Audi S3 with Nav !
- it's over a second to 60 slower than most of its competition
- That spoiler
I have owned an EP3 type R and loved it but what i need from a car has moved on and for the very reason i like this car (it makes no apologies for what it stands for) is the reason i couldn't have another.
No i haven't driven it but I've seen Susan Boyle and don't need to sleep with her to know i wouldn't enjoy spending my life with it.
I wouldn't have one due to:
- You couldn't call it subtle.
- It's not cheap (inflation adjusted its £5k more expensive than the facelift EP3 type R when new)
- its the same price as an Audi S3 with Nav !
- it's over a second to 60 slower than most of its competition
- That spoiler
I have owned an EP3 type R and loved it but what i need from a car has moved on and for the very reason i like this car (it makes no apologies for what it stands for) is the reason i couldn't have another.
No i haven't driven it but I've seen Susan Boyle and don't need to sleep with her to know i wouldn't enjoy spending my life with it.
Fonzey said:
Lease deals are the only reason we're not seeing many. I don't think Honda ever wanted this to be common as much, hence the low production numbers.
I recently had delivered a Cupra 290 on lease, so about as understated as a "hot hatch" gets but I would have loved a Type R if I could have got one anywhere near the payments I got on the Seat.
I could have got a Golf R for the same as I paid for the Seat too, but I'm so sick of seeing them, hearing about them and reading about them - I was desperate to do something ever so slightly different! The Type R is not perfect, but it's a statement and it's the only current hot hatch that does make me turn in the street or have a good look around when one turns up at a show or meet.
I think Honda were brave, didn't get the looks quite right but some of my favourite cars are opinion splitters - so this one suits me nicely!
See i dont understand this. I recently had delivered a Cupra 290 on lease, so about as understated as a "hot hatch" gets but I would have loved a Type R if I could have got one anywhere near the payments I got on the Seat.
I could have got a Golf R for the same as I paid for the Seat too, but I'm so sick of seeing them, hearing about them and reading about them - I was desperate to do something ever so slightly different! The Type R is not perfect, but it's a statement and it's the only current hot hatch that does make me turn in the street or have a good look around when one turns up at a show or meet.
I think Honda were brave, didn't get the looks quite right but some of my favourite cars are opinion splitters - so this one suits me nicely!
You went for the worse car because they're too good?
MrBarry123 said:
I've seen probably 10 or so, 3 on the same day last week.
I like a bit of a chav in a car's design (big spoilers, wide arches, A45 Aero Kit) so the look doesn't put me off however the standard wheels are awful; the design is s
t and don't fill the arches properly.
I think the problem the car has from a competition perspective is that a) it's not as fast as other uber-hatches e.g. A45 AMG, RS3, FRS, M135i etc. b) not as sharp to drive as a Megane Renault Sport 275 and c) not as subtle as the Golf R or S3 - leaving it in a bizarre middle ground.
I accept that they didn't go AWD however if you're wanting to make an obnoxious [this is good] car and you're not going to give it a fk load of power, you have to make it sharp and it sounds, from the reviews, like they've missed the mark in this respect. In hindsight, what I would have hoped for - accepting that I'm in the minority here - is that they chose to release the Type-R as a competitor to the Trophy-R and really went for the track-day special hatch segment.
The car is hideous in every way, wheels included. I couldn't however accuse them of not filling the arches properly.I like a bit of a chav in a car's design (big spoilers, wide arches, A45 Aero Kit) so the look doesn't put me off however the standard wheels are awful; the design is s
t and don't fill the arches properly.I think the problem the car has from a competition perspective is that a) it's not as fast as other uber-hatches e.g. A45 AMG, RS3, FRS, M135i etc. b) not as sharp to drive as a Megane Renault Sport 275 and c) not as subtle as the Golf R or S3 - leaving it in a bizarre middle ground.
I accept that they didn't go AWD however if you're wanting to make an obnoxious [this is good] car and you're not going to give it a f
k load of power, you have to make it sharp and it sounds, from the reviews, like they've missed the mark in this respect. In hindsight, what I would have hoped for - accepting that I'm in the minority here - is that they chose to release the Type-R as a competitor to the Trophy-R and really went for the track-day special hatch segment.
Well, almost spurred on by this thread i actually went and test drove one today. Things i learned.....
It is very quick.
It is amazingly practical, almost as spacious inside as the wife's X1 which is important as i have a kid.
The seat is the best recliner i have ever sat in, almost makes fixed back buckets unnecessary but it won't go low enough for me.
With the steering wheel in my preferred position i couldn't see the upper dashboard.
It is very quick.
The engine does run into the limiter easily, it does feel like it wants to rev but not like a N/A engine would.
Doesn't go into lift off oversteer like my old MINI GP and R26.R did.
Will torque steer and understeer if you're clumsy.
It is very quick!
I do know the sales staff at my local branch and one who is a mate did explain you could expect a grand off a new car but no more. He also explained the Type-R didn't go towards their sales targets and aren't being built in large numbers. It's not a limited edition car but it isn't exactly a big deal for them either.
All in all i was quietly impressed by the car. Leaving the subjective opinion about it's looks aside, I can see why it would appeal. It is exactly what a hot hatch should be, fast practical and just a little bit bonkers.
Would i take one over a 3-4 year old M3? Not sure....
It is very quick.
It is amazingly practical, almost as spacious inside as the wife's X1 which is important as i have a kid.
The seat is the best recliner i have ever sat in, almost makes fixed back buckets unnecessary but it won't go low enough for me.
With the steering wheel in my preferred position i couldn't see the upper dashboard.
It is very quick.
The engine does run into the limiter easily, it does feel like it wants to rev but not like a N/A engine would.
Doesn't go into lift off oversteer like my old MINI GP and R26.R did.
Will torque steer and understeer if you're clumsy.
It is very quick!
I do know the sales staff at my local branch and one who is a mate did explain you could expect a grand off a new car but no more. He also explained the Type-R didn't go towards their sales targets and aren't being built in large numbers. It's not a limited edition car but it isn't exactly a big deal for them either.
All in all i was quietly impressed by the car. Leaving the subjective opinion about it's looks aside, I can see why it would appeal. It is exactly what a hot hatch should be, fast practical and just a little bit bonkers.
Would i take one over a 3-4 year old M3? Not sure....
LaurasOtherHalf said:
Well, almost spurred on by this thread i actually went and test drove one today. Things i learned.....
It is very quick.
It is amazingly practical, almost as spacious inside as the wife's X1 which is important as i have a kid.
The seat is the best recliner i have ever sat in, almost makes fixed back buckets unnecessary but it won't go low enough for me.
With the steering wheel in my preferred position i couldn't see the upper dashboard.
It is very quick.
The engine does run into the limiter easily, it does feel like it wants to rev but not like a N/A engine would.
Doesn't go into lift off oversteer like my old MINI GP and R26.R did.
Will torque steer and understeer if you're clumsy.
It is very quick!
I do know the sales staff at my local branch and one who is a mate did explain you could expect a grand off a new car but no more. He also explained the Type-R didn't go towards their sales targets and aren't being built in large numbers. It's not a limited edition car but it isn't exactly a big deal for them either.
All in all i was quietly impressed by the car. Leaving the subjective opinion about it's looks aside, I can see why it would appeal. It is exactly what a hot hatch should be, fast practical and just a little bit bonkers.
Would i take one over a 3-4 year old M3? Not sure....
Funnily enough I did the same thing today; had to nip to the local B&Q so popped in to see how they look in the metal.It is very quick.
It is amazingly practical, almost as spacious inside as the wife's X1 which is important as i have a kid.
The seat is the best recliner i have ever sat in, almost makes fixed back buckets unnecessary but it won't go low enough for me.
With the steering wheel in my preferred position i couldn't see the upper dashboard.
It is very quick.
The engine does run into the limiter easily, it does feel like it wants to rev but not like a N/A engine would.
Doesn't go into lift off oversteer like my old MINI GP and R26.R did.
Will torque steer and understeer if you're clumsy.
It is very quick!
I do know the sales staff at my local branch and one who is a mate did explain you could expect a grand off a new car but no more. He also explained the Type-R didn't go towards their sales targets and aren't being built in large numbers. It's not a limited edition car but it isn't exactly a big deal for them either.
All in all i was quietly impressed by the car. Leaving the subjective opinion about it's looks aside, I can see why it would appeal. It is exactly what a hot hatch should be, fast practical and just a little bit bonkers.
Would i take one over a 3-4 year old M3? Not sure....
They had two - red one looked awful but the one in grey looked rather mean. Got the sales patter about not counting as figures etc and was told they would play ball on discount on a new order. Apparently there's a few kicking around on the system unsold (tells a story in itself).
The thing that impressed my the most was the size of the boot - it was friggin' colossal!
I think these will make a good used buy in a couple of years
LaurasOtherHalf said:
Well, almost spurred on by this thread i actually went and test drove one today. Things i learned.....
It is very quick.
It is amazingly practical, almost as spacious inside as the wife's X1 which is important as i have a kid.
The seat is the best recliner i have ever sat in, almost makes fixed back buckets unnecessary but it won't go low enough for me.
With the steering wheel in my preferred position i couldn't see the upper dashboard.
It is very quick.
The engine does run into the limiter easily, it does feel like it wants to rev but not like a N/A engine would.
Doesn't go into lift off oversteer like my old MINI GP and R26.R did.
Will torque steer and understeer if you're clumsy.
It is very quick!
I do know the sales staff at my local branch and one who is a mate did explain you could expect a grand off a new car but no more. He also explained the Type-R didn't go towards their sales targets and aren't being built in large numbers. It's not a limited edition car but it isn't exactly a big deal for them either.
All in all i was quietly impressed by the car. Leaving the subjective opinion about it's looks aside, I can see why it would appeal. It is exactly what a hot hatch should be, fast practical and just a little bit bonkers.
Would i take one over a 3-4 year old M3? Not sure....
Nice write up. Out of interest, did you see what tyres they come on?It is very quick.
It is amazingly practical, almost as spacious inside as the wife's X1 which is important as i have a kid.
The seat is the best recliner i have ever sat in, almost makes fixed back buckets unnecessary but it won't go low enough for me.
With the steering wheel in my preferred position i couldn't see the upper dashboard.
It is very quick.
The engine does run into the limiter easily, it does feel like it wants to rev but not like a N/A engine would.
Doesn't go into lift off oversteer like my old MINI GP and R26.R did.
Will torque steer and understeer if you're clumsy.
It is very quick!
I do know the sales staff at my local branch and one who is a mate did explain you could expect a grand off a new car but no more. He also explained the Type-R didn't go towards their sales targets and aren't being built in large numbers. It's not a limited edition car but it isn't exactly a big deal for them either.
All in all i was quietly impressed by the car. Leaving the subjective opinion about it's looks aside, I can see why it would appeal. It is exactly what a hot hatch should be, fast practical and just a little bit bonkers.
Would i take one over a 3-4 year old M3? Not sure....
xjay1337 said:
See i dont understand this.
You went for the worse car because they're too good?
Worse is definitely a loose term between these two cars. Most reviews of the Golf R say it's a good car, very stable and what you'd expect. Most reviews of the Cupra say it's surprisingly great and very, very capable. You went for the worse car because they're too good?
I'd have a golf R and a cupra. The only thing that draws me to the Golf R is the 4WD though, looks-wise, compared to a cupra with the sideskirts (Which give it the stance it lacks on the base cupra) and the multi-spokes, it's totally bland.
otolith said:
They start in 19inch! And heres me foolishly hoping to find a price on some 17's 
LaurasOtherHalf said:
I drive their demo with 4500 miles on it, the conti's were down to just about 3mm so they're obviously on the "nürburgring" sticky specials!
Probably been caned, I took one out and the dealer chap was very enthusiastic about letting me see what the car could do (for obvious reasons) to say the least! 6000 miles for tyres eh? f
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