RE: Honda Civic Type R generations: EP3 vs. FN2 vs. FK
Discussion
Butter Face said:
I meant the fact it has a beam on the back, compared to the EP3’s independent suspension.
People slated it and how it ruined the car, does it? No. Does the EPAS ruin the EP3, no. Simple as that.
Fiesta ST is beam?People slated it and how it ruined the car, does it? No. Does the EPAS ruin the EP3, no. Simple as that.
For me steering feel and feedback in a quick car becomes very important. Not so in an Aygo.
Sa Calobra said:
Butter Face said:
I meant the fact it has a beam on the back, compared to the EP3’s independent suspension.
People slated it and how it ruined the car, does it? No. Does the EPAS ruin the EP3, no. Simple as that.
Fiesta ST is beam?People slated it and how it ruined the car, does it? No. Does the EPAS ruin the EP3, no. Simple as that.
You said the EP3 should be shot just because of the steering feel, but you have an FN2, which also has EPAS and it hardly the last word in steering feel. The FN2 also ditched the independent suspension on the rear which at the time was universally slated. Do you think such a thing means the whole car should be written off as a bad car? Because that’s what you’ve said about the EP3 which is not right in the slightest.
I currently have a late EP3 as my runabout. I can only echo lots of earlier posts. That engine is a masterpiece of n/a, high-revving fun. You really have to be on it to make good progress, but it's so rewarding.
The steering is dead and wooden. I am spoilt with my other car for steering feel, but even against a lot of its contemporaries you can't get away from the electric rack being crap.
The handling is pretty good for a FWD. I took mine to Center Gravity and got them to set it up for balance rather than the factory understeer. That made a huge difference, having equal camber on all four wheels meaning the back lets go at the same time as the front. Prior to that it was boring understeer whenever you pushed it hard.
The gearbox is a delight. Lovely short throw and snick into each gear. The driving position is too high. Far too high. I've become used to it now, but it's still noticeable. I understand there are seat rails you can buy to lower it an inch, but I'd say it needs lowering two inches minimum to make it worth the effort and get it somewhere near right for a 6' bloke.
There's a fair bit of competition in the 10-15 year old hot hatch for £3-4k group, but I think you'd be silly to not consider an EP3 in this bracket.
The steering is dead and wooden. I am spoilt with my other car for steering feel, but even against a lot of its contemporaries you can't get away from the electric rack being crap.
The handling is pretty good for a FWD. I took mine to Center Gravity and got them to set it up for balance rather than the factory understeer. That made a huge difference, having equal camber on all four wheels meaning the back lets go at the same time as the front. Prior to that it was boring understeer whenever you pushed it hard.
The gearbox is a delight. Lovely short throw and snick into each gear. The driving position is too high. Far too high. I've become used to it now, but it's still noticeable. I understand there are seat rails you can buy to lower it an inch, but I'd say it needs lowering two inches minimum to make it worth the effort and get it somewhere near right for a 6' bloke.
There's a fair bit of competition in the 10-15 year old hot hatch for £3-4k group, but I think you'd be silly to not consider an EP3 in this bracket.
To add another angle to this, because of it's ropy reputation, you can pick up an FN2 for much cheaper than it's competition of the time. Add the practicality of the flat boot, the toys it has over the EP3 and the Honda reliability, it becomes a bit of a bargain in today's over saturated turbo market. The equivalent Focus ST/3 MPS is at least a grand or two more than a similar FN2.
Yes, I have one. It was a toss up for me between the Clio 197 and the FN2. Multiple reliability concerns and an utterly drab interior were enough to put me off the Clio despite it's better dynamics. 9 times out of 10 the Civic is more than good enough handling wise on the road.
Yes, I have one. It was a toss up for me between the Clio 197 and the FN2. Multiple reliability concerns and an utterly drab interior were enough to put me off the Clio despite it's better dynamics. 9 times out of 10 the Civic is more than good enough handling wise on the road.
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