Civic Type R (FN2) but what car next?
Discussion
So thought I'd contribute with a couple of pics of my pretty bog standard FN2 - bar the more effective discs/pads and the 18" rotas with Eagle F1 Assy 2's on...
It has been a trusty steed for coming up to 2 years and has been a hoot, but in all honestly I find myself stuck with what to move onto next. The FN2 isn't quite the car the older DC2 and DC5 are in the pure Type R ethos - it is admittedly a watered down Type R for a wider market, but it does still make me smile and has a LOT of toys which have made it great daily driver as well as fun when I want to open her up a little on the back roads.
I have about £2000 of finance tied up in the car and with trying to save for a house and the requirement for something a little more comfortable, I don't know where to go to next. I've looked at Clio Trophy's and smaller hatchbacks but I really could use a little more room than those and they can be quite uncomfy on longer journeys (I'm 6'3"). I'm looking at ST220's (having had a Focus ST prior to the Honda) as they are quick, practical and comfortable too with the heated Recaros - they are also attainable within my budget (even if I have to trade in to a dealer). But I'm now even considering a T5 Volvo - super comfy and at the end of the day something that is comfy with a good stereo is what counts when sat in traffic in the mornings. An Impreza has crossed my mind also - I quite like the WRX Wagon's but I'd love an STI, but I think my budget would be looking at early 2000s Bugeyes and more expense.
My mileage is only about 12k per annum and so I don't think a diesel is worth the extra outlay. But what else would be a sensible move that would free my financial obligations and obviously help when I come to mortgage application? At the end of the day, I'd rather my money go into bricks and mortar than a car, hence why I don't want finance when my partner and I apply for a mortgage - and I can always look to having a nicer car when I'm established on the property ladder.
I know some have told me to pay the £2k and keep the Honda, but I don't have a problem on my salary with insurance/running costs of a car, but that £2k of finance outstanding could be better used elsewhere for the time being...
It has been a trusty steed for coming up to 2 years and has been a hoot, but in all honestly I find myself stuck with what to move onto next. The FN2 isn't quite the car the older DC2 and DC5 are in the pure Type R ethos - it is admittedly a watered down Type R for a wider market, but it does still make me smile and has a LOT of toys which have made it great daily driver as well as fun when I want to open her up a little on the back roads.
I have about £2000 of finance tied up in the car and with trying to save for a house and the requirement for something a little more comfortable, I don't know where to go to next. I've looked at Clio Trophy's and smaller hatchbacks but I really could use a little more room than those and they can be quite uncomfy on longer journeys (I'm 6'3"). I'm looking at ST220's (having had a Focus ST prior to the Honda) as they are quick, practical and comfortable too with the heated Recaros - they are also attainable within my budget (even if I have to trade in to a dealer). But I'm now even considering a T5 Volvo - super comfy and at the end of the day something that is comfy with a good stereo is what counts when sat in traffic in the mornings. An Impreza has crossed my mind also - I quite like the WRX Wagon's but I'd love an STI, but I think my budget would be looking at early 2000s Bugeyes and more expense.
My mileage is only about 12k per annum and so I don't think a diesel is worth the extra outlay. But what else would be a sensible move that would free my financial obligations and obviously help when I come to mortgage application? At the end of the day, I'd rather my money go into bricks and mortar than a car, hence why I don't want finance when my partner and I apply for a mortgage - and I can always look to having a nicer car when I'm established on the property ladder.
I know some have told me to pay the £2k and keep the Honda, but I don't have a problem on my salary with insurance/running costs of a car, but that £2k of finance outstanding could be better used elsewhere for the time being...
You can't really go wrong with the ST220, especially as they are so cheap to buy. As you say, better plunge your resources into a house than a car. Mine has been faultless (which is more than I can say for the house) even though it was bought for similar reasons - as a stop gap before getting a much more expensive and exciting car - and I've delayed my plans for doing that as I'm enjoying it so much, compared with its value.
A well looked after impreza can be very cheap to run for a performance car and also great fun. Mine has only ever cost me a rocker cover, discs and pads and tyres as well as oil and filters, so no more expense than any other car i have ever owned.
The st220 is great for the money too but the engine is as likely to go pop as is that of an impreza, one is more comfy, one is more fun, both great cars though.
You can get a 330ci for similar money these days too but everyone I know that has had them has ended up having to spend a fair penny on them.
I have an s60 2.4t and it is a great car, comfortable, quick etc, but very boring to drive, I fancy swapping it for something more fun as a daily.
The st220 is great for the money too but the engine is as likely to go pop as is that of an impreza, one is more comfy, one is more fun, both great cars though.
You can get a 330ci for similar money these days too but everyone I know that has had them has ended up having to spend a fair penny on them.
I have an s60 2.4t and it is a great car, comfortable, quick etc, but very boring to drive, I fancy swapping it for something more fun as a daily.
Thanks guys! 
The only thing it really needs if I kept it is lowering a touch and that would sort out a little bit of the crashy ride, maybe a Milltek exhaust to make it a little more fruity (I wouldn't have got away with something like the Martelius with my neighbours!) and that's about it - the rest is styling and/or mods for minimal gain.
I realise a lot of people think I'm mad for changing, but it might be also worth pointing out I'm looking to do my bike test in the future, and I see that as getting my thrills, rather than a car. I spend 90% of the time in the car to and from work and it's usually stuck at 40-50mph on A-roads in a long line of cars. I love my music and although I'm not looking for a wafty barge - I just want something with a bit more comfort / refinement that isn't underpowered either.
I did look at S60R's but the whole angle gear/spline to the rear wheels that fails puts me off - I don't need 4WD but if I did, I think a WRX is a better shout for that. I've been looking for a good few weeks now and just haven't seen anything yet that floats the boat... I'm based nr Oxford and don't mind travelling but I guess Christmas is bound to be a slow time of year - perhaps into 2013 and I'll start to look again!
The only thing it really needs if I kept it is lowering a touch and that would sort out a little bit of the crashy ride, maybe a Milltek exhaust to make it a little more fruity (I wouldn't have got away with something like the Martelius with my neighbours!) and that's about it - the rest is styling and/or mods for minimal gain.
I realise a lot of people think I'm mad for changing, but it might be also worth pointing out I'm looking to do my bike test in the future, and I see that as getting my thrills, rather than a car. I spend 90% of the time in the car to and from work and it's usually stuck at 40-50mph on A-roads in a long line of cars. I love my music and although I'm not looking for a wafty barge - I just want something with a bit more comfort / refinement that isn't underpowered either.
I did look at S60R's but the whole angle gear/spline to the rear wheels that fails puts me off - I don't need 4WD but if I did, I think a WRX is a better shout for that. I've been looking for a good few weeks now and just haven't seen anything yet that floats the boat... I'm based nr Oxford and don't mind travelling but I guess Christmas is bound to be a slow time of year - perhaps into 2013 and I'll start to look again!
A shame you didn't go for the Martelius really, they do sound excellent. OTOH, probably a good thing you didn't spend on the Milltek, it's barely loud enough to be worth bothering with.
Nice car, seems a shame to lose it but I can respect you wanting to put the money into a house deposit.
Nice car, seems a shame to lose it but I can respect you wanting to put the money into a house deposit.
Prompted by this thread
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
have you considered a Prelude? Same Honda engineering and VTEC, but a slightly more laid-back car and available pretty cheap nowadays I think. Would let you tick off another performance Honda on your list while freeing up some capital.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
have you considered a Prelude? Same Honda engineering and VTEC, but a slightly more laid-back car and available pretty cheap nowadays I think. Would let you tick off another performance Honda on your list while freeing up some capital.
If you are considering as you say a bug-eye WRX, we have owned our '01 for 7 years and done over 50,000K ( now 103,000k showing )miles and all that has failed in 7 years is a fan belt, 2 rear shock absorbers and last month the radiator ( only £58 DELIVERED via eBay!!! )
If you cane any car it may break, and we dont hammer ours and its bog standard, but in all honesty I cannot get my head around how well built and reliable it is and has been. It's a Wagon estate and apart from it being not the most interesting or diffuclt thing to drive, it's probobly been the best all round car we have ever owned and by quite a margin. The icing on the cake is if you drive it hard it will fire you down a b-road as fast as you your brain can drive if you want to. I don't think we will EVER sell it, we will be like the old days when you saw people drive ancient Volvos ust because they could!
But, in all honesty if you are looking for type-R thrills the last place you should be looking is a Subaru, as a thing to take out for a Sunday morning blat it is about as excitng or engaging as dry brown toast, if you factor out the speed. It's just a wee bit boring I am afraid, especially if you have driven a DC2 or DC5.
If you cane any car it may break, and we dont hammer ours and its bog standard, but in all honesty I cannot get my head around how well built and reliable it is and has been. It's a Wagon estate and apart from it being not the most interesting or diffuclt thing to drive, it's probobly been the best all round car we have ever owned and by quite a margin. The icing on the cake is if you drive it hard it will fire you down a b-road as fast as you your brain can drive if you want to. I don't think we will EVER sell it, we will be like the old days when you saw people drive ancient Volvos ust because they could!
But, in all honesty if you are looking for type-R thrills the last place you should be looking is a Subaru, as a thing to take out for a Sunday morning blat it is about as excitng or engaging as dry brown toast, if you factor out the speed. It's just a wee bit boring I am afraid, especially if you have driven a DC2 or DC5.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff