FN2 Civic Type R - The one they love to hate.

[HorneyMX5]

At last Sundays SS thanks to another PHer.

[HorneyMX5]

Some observations after 2 months and 4,000 miles.

• The steering feel isn't as bad as people say. Hopping between the civic and the MX5 it's noticable for sure but no worse than many other hatch backs of the same era.
• The steering wheel is the best wheel I've had in any car, ever. It's just a great size, looks brilliant and feels great.
• I seem to visit petrol stations a lot due to the petrol tank seemingly being the size of a thimble but average MPG over 4K miles is 32 so not too shabby.
• The ride. It is hard and some days it's a bit annoying but when you find a stretch of smooth twisties with no traffic all is forgiven as it corners flatter than a flat thing in flatsville.
• The noise. It might only be a 4 pot but the noise is addictive and brilliant with the HKS induction kit. Apart from the crazy dashboard this is the thing most passengers comment on (in a good way).
• Seats. Look epic but took me a good while to find a driving position that was comfortable on trips over 2 hours. I find the lumbar support a bit lacking.
• The gearshift is the best cable shift system I've used and I'm not normally a fan having had MKII Golfs, Minis and the MX5 which all have excellent rod type change affairs which always feel better than vague cables.
• Anyone who owns any other Type R from Honda's stable will spend a long time detailing exactly why you bought the wrong car.

Edited by HorneyMX5 on Thursday 2nd January 17:01

[HorneyMX5]

AMG01 said:

As said earlier in the thread I have had a FN2 since July 2011 and would agree with all the points, especially the gear change, possibly the fav point of my car but would add the practicality of the huge boot (seats fold flat). Over time it has been useful on a number of occasions and swallows my road bike with ease.

Hope you continue to enjoy it and provides trouble free motoring.

Cheers.

I made slight cock up when I bought it as I forgot I have 2 SOT Kayaks that I used to tow with the MG. As the CTR is not Type Approved to Tow and the OE Roof Rack is ££££s and not rated for a high enough weight I'm a bit buggered. I'm hoping that with the seats down I can get enough of them in to get away with strapping the boot down and them poking out a bit.

[HorneyMX5]

Doh!

Time for a pair of Goodyear F1s then. These rears are the original 2007 tyres so have done well for 6 years and 34K miles. I think I'll get the GYs swapped onto the front the and the Bridgestones on the front (2012 tyres) swapped onto the rear.

[HorneyMX5]

5000 miles racked up already!

All cleaned up for going in a hall at Autosport International tomorrow for the Pistonheads Sunday Service.

[HorneyMX5]

Tomaahawk said:

Coincidently I followed you round the NEC perimeter on the way into the exhibition this morning.

My god that was confusing!

Yeah induction noise is very addictive!

I would recommend a good long test drive with different road types as the ride is an acquired taste. It also takes a while to get used to the very snappy throttle, very light flywheel and box. It's quite a challange to drive smoothly until you're used to it. There's still a fair few in the deale rnetwork so they may be the best port of call for a good test drive.

[HorneyMX5]

So that's a 1000 miles done this week topped off with the Sunday Service at the NEC.


IMG_5109.jpg by Nicholas R Horne, on Flickr


IMG_5110.jpg by Nicholas R Horne, on Flickr


IMG_5113.jpg by Nicholas R Horne, on Flickr

Hiding behind the pillar in this one!


IMG_5107-Edit.jpg by Nicholas R Horne, on Flickr

[HorneyMX5]

317 miles and 6 hours in the driving seat completed today and surprised how fresh I felt at the end of it all. 250 miles to do in it tomorrow.

One thing I have discovered though is that there's a vortex on the end of the mirrors that spits dirty rain water onto the mirror itself. I now have filthy and virtually unusable mirrors. Wet wipes to be added to the glove box shortly to resolve this when it occurs.

[HorneyMX5]

I believe at launch the boot was considered class leading. It's pretty big and the seats fold completely flat for more space. Also the boot opening is very low down making loading easy.

Good shout on the rainex or similar, I'll give that ago.

[HorneyMX5]

Just over 9,000 miles now racked up since I bought it in November and still very much enjoying the ownership experience. I'm really starting gel with the handling and steering now we've had some dry weather and I've managed some early morning blats to work. When really on it the overly stiff suspension comes alive and suddenly you're throwing into tight turns much harder than you initially think is possible. It's quite steerable (is that word?) on the throttle as well, the later ones with an LSD must be brilliant.

It'll be getting a good clean tomorrow before heading up to Silverstone for another Sunday Service as sadly the MX5 hasn't had it's ECU fitted and mapped for the charger yet.

[HorneyMX5]

Above has answered the colour question. Mines a 07 so no LSD which only came on cars built in 2010 onwards or Champ White editions.

[HorneyMX5]

Small update as I've just rolled over 13,000 miles with it in 7 months and still very much enjoying the FN2 ownership experience. I've replaced the rear pads and topped up the oil once and nothing else exciting has happened. Sadly it's due a major service and this is going to dent my credit card balance rather badly at 340 at TGM Sport Racing. Expensive but cheaper than the 500+ quoted by the 2 local Honda dealers!!!

[HorneyMX5]

Well here we are a year to the day and 22,000 miles later.

What can I say about it after all that time? Quite a lot. I'm a seriel car buyer and generally after 6 months I get bored and want something different. Not this time. While I've had the itch to change as usual it's because I want to try something new and not because I'm bored of the civic. The problem is there is nothing within budget that delivers the performance, handling and low running costs. It really is a winning combo. The wife even likes it (and drives it occasionally) which is uunusual as she's not a fan of more modern machinary.

As for costs I've had to replace all the tyres and I went for Goodyear Eagle F1s as recommended by the Civic Forums and they are night and day better than the Bridgestones it came with from new. Understeer is reduced (especially in the wet), the ride is slightly more complaint, turn in feels sharper and the whole car just feels more planted. It's had a major service with TGM sport racing including valve clearances that set me back £300 and I had to replace the rear pads. Oil usage despite spending a lot of it's time in Vtec has been virtually zero and over the 22,000 miles it's averaged 32mpg. I can get 40mpg on long run like a 400 mile round trip to Runcorn etc.

It really is quite the package. In fact I like it that much that long term I might buy another. I'm thinking that I should probaly pass it on at around 85,000 (54K currently) to avoid it plumeting in value as it nears the 100K marker that seems to frighten brits and replace it with a Championship White one with an LSD. But whatever I do next it'll be with me for at least another 12 months unless a change in circumstances forces my hand.

[HorneyMX5]

Boring update. Front tyres (Goodyear Eagle F1s) reached the end of their life after 12 months and 24,000 miles. I bought some new ones (£220 fitted the pair).

Untitled by Nicholas R Horne, on Flickr

I got it it washed.

Untitled by Nicholas R Horne, on Flickr

Next up it's due a minor service in the next 800 miles so I need to get that booked in asap.

[HorneyMX5]

The later ones had an LSD as well.

Went out for a hoon around in the fog earlier.

Untitled by Nicholas R Horne, on Flickr

[HorneyMX5]

Took it for it's second service in my ownership today. I can't recommend the guys and girls at TGM Sport Racing enough. Really helpful and polite, lend you a car if you need one and the workmanship and price are all spot on.

Untitled by Nicholas R Horne, on Flickr

Untitled by Nicholas R Horne, on Flickr

Untitled by Nicholas R Horne, on Flickr

Here's to another 6 months and 12,500 miles. I really do love my TypeR.

[HorneyMX5]

All the Type Rs had red dash lights and graphics, all the non Type Rs have blue.

[HorneyMX5]

I can't remember but I'll ask him as it needs doing again after a year, 25K and a couple of polish car washes (He was very scathing about those!). What can I say? It's a work funded car and I'm a busy man.

[HorneyMX5]

911p said:

How have you found the spacers, any rubbing on the arches at all? Wheels sit pretty flush with the bodywork now!

No probs at all and I've had it loaded to the gills with 4 people and luggage for a weeks holiday.

[HorneyMX5]

I was helping a mate run a rolling road day today and figured while I was there and he the RR set up to run FWD cars it would be rude not.

Untitled by Nicholas R Horne, on Flickr

Untitled by Nicholas R Horne, on Flickr

Video of the last run:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27CcCf46T7U

Made pretty much book power so that's fine by me.