My Honda Civic Type R FN2

[jqhn80]

I’m a long time reader and recently I decided to join properly. And I think it would be appropriate to make a small presentation of my new car, especially since PH influenced helped me with my choice.

Wanting something more engaging to drive than my previous car but practical in the same time since I recently got married, the potential choices where limited in the hot hatch category. The shortlist consisted of the Alfa Giulietta TwinAir, Mk VI Golf GTI, MK2 Focus ST and the Civic. The Alfa was out since in each one I saw the interior was falling apart. The focus was too thirsty and too orange (the ones in my budget). So I was between the GTI and the Type R. My previous experience with used group VAG cars is somewhat bitter, so I finally decided to swim against the river of hate the FN2s are getting and buy one, inspired by HorneyMX5’s thread. I have indeed read a lot of “The EP3 is better in any conceivable way” threads. But the fact is that rear suspension set-up doesn’t bother me, due to –honesty crisis- the level of my (lacking) driving skills. Also I hate the interior of the EP3s and even if I didn’t, most of them are by now rugged to death, at least here in Greece. I even like the exterior look of the FN2, even though every time I take a look, I remember someone’s comment in here that it is shaped like an almond!

So here it is (sorry for the crappy phone-camera pictures):





It is a 2007 model with 38k kms in the clock with full service history and all the MOTs.

First impressions: I have the car for about 2 months now, and although I aware I’m still in the “honey moon” period I can safely say I’m delighted! The engine noise is fantastic, the steering is very direct, it’s a nice place to be in and the hard suspension is something I can compromise. Changed the oil, oil filter, gearbox oil, greased the rear suspension (it was squeaky in the morning) and replaced the KN air filter the previous owner had installed for a stock one. A few days later took it to a near mountain road and it was the most fun I had in a car in years!
I have no plans of modifying it since I like to keep my cars as stock as possible, but maybe in the (not so) distant future I will install an HKS induction kit. But that will be it. Oh, and some Eibach springs to make it a little less crashy.
Thanks for reading.





P.S.: The EK9 is better than the EP3.

[Tiger Tim]

I run a Type S fn shape civic alongside my Elise so appreciate the cars merits albeit a slow version of the fn2.

Why the removal of the k&n filter though? I I it was a drop in then it would have been fine with a wash and re-oil and certainly higher quality than the honda paper filter.

[jqhn80]

Tiger Tim said:

I run a Type S fn shape civic alongside my Elise so appreciate the cars merits albeit a slow version of the fn2.

Why the removal of the k&n filter though? I I it was a drop in then it would have been fine with a wash and re-oil and certainly higher quality than the honda paper filter.

Indeed it was a drop-in, I've kept in case I change my mind and want to put it back in again. The reason I removed it is that the oil it uses to capture the dirt particles in the air collects on and eventually damages the MAF sensor. Very nice Elise by the way!

[Type R Tom]

Don’t listen to all the anti FN2 rubbish, 90% of the time the FN2 is a better car. Maybe not be quite as good when driven really hard but in reality how often does that happen? Sounds like your thought process was similar to mine, at the time I considered others but in reality the FN2 was the best bang for buck (including a indicated 42mpg when driven carefully). I still maintain it has one of the best interiors (for the type of car) of all time.

[Challo]

How do you find the suspension? I know it's supposed to be very crashy, but what is it like day to day?

Been borrowing my sister in-laws 1.8 Civic and really like the ride and interior but ideally would like more power.

[hillbob]

Challo said:

How do you find the suspension? I know it's supposed to be very crashy, but what is it like day to day?

Been borrowing my sister in-laws 1.8 Civic and really like the ride and interior but ideally would like more power.

We have an FN2 Type r. The Mrs uses it daily on a 60 mile round trip and she doesn't complain. I drove 500odd miles in it and it wasn't uncomfortable at all, I didn't get out stiff or anything like that at the end of the drive. It is nowhere near as bad as some make out.

[Challo]

hillbob said:

Challo said:

How do you find the suspension? I know it's supposed to be very crashy, but what is it like day to day?

Been borrowing my sister in-laws 1.8 Civic and really like the ride and interior but ideally would like more power.

We have an FN2 Type r. The Mrs uses it daily on a 60 mile round trip and she doesn't complain. I drove 500odd miles in it and it wasn't uncomfortable at all, I didn't get out stiff or anything like that at the end of the drive. It is nowhere near as bad as some make out.

Thanks for the input. Certainly reading online everyone makes out the ride is horrible, but i really like the look of the car, and interior, just worried about the ride. What are they like round town to drive with regards to the vtec or do you need to wind it out to get the best out of it?

OP - Sorry for the thread hijak

[HorneyMX5]

Congrats on your purcahse and I'm glad to have inspired you to get one. I really must update my readers ride thread although with Hondas being what they are there's nto much actually to add other than more miles and smiles have been put on it.

[Type R Tom]

Challo said:

Thanks for the input. Certainly reading online everyone makes out the ride is horrible, but i really like the look of the car, and interior, just worried about the ride. What are they like round town to drive with regards to the vtec or do you need to wind it out to get the best out of it?

OP - Sorry for the thread hijak

If you buy one and find it that bad you can get Eibach springs and while your at it a FRS for about £500 all in, apparantly transformers the car.

[hondafreek]

I really like these. My mate had one, its like a Tardis, so much space inside! Was surprised by how quick it was.

[jqhn80]

Challo said:

hillbob said:

Challo said:

How do you find the suspension? I know it's supposed to be very crashy, but what is it like day to day?

Been borrowing my sister in-laws 1.8 Civic and really like the ride and interior but ideally would like more power.

We have an FN2 Type r. The Mrs uses it daily on a 60 mile round trip and she doesn't complain. I drove 500odd miles in it and it wasn't uncomfortable at all, I didn't get out stiff or anything like that at the end of the drive. It is nowhere near as bad as some make out.

Thanks for the input. Certainly reading online everyone makes out the ride is horrible, but i really like the look of the car, and interior, just worried about the ride. What are they like round town to drive with regards to the vtec or do you need to wind it out to get the best out of it?

OP - Sorry for the thread hijak

I can add that the suspension is definetely on the firm side of things, but bearable. It is not as bad as the reviews are implying, and not by any means crashy (that was a wrong choice of words by me). Crashy was the Puma I had idioticly lowered (and therefor ruined) and my OH's awful Smart Brabus she once owned. I have also driven a Type S (1.8) some while back, the FN2 is a little firmer than that but not much.
The lack of low down torque is another exaggeration by the reviews. The engine below the 5700 rpm mark is very elastic and has decent torque to make swift progress, like any other N/A engine. I really don't feel like I have to VTEC it all the time (although the sound it makes is addictive!). Hope I helped, don't worry about hijacking

[jqhn80]

Thank you hillbob and hondafreek for the kind words

Type R Tom said:

Don’t listen to all the anti FN2 rubbish, 90% of the time the FN2 is a better car. Maybe not be quite as good when driven really hard but in reality how often does that happen? Sounds like your thought process was similar to mine, at the time I considered others but in reality the FN2 was the best bang for buck (including a indicated 42mpg when driven carefully). I still maintain it has one of the best interiors (for the type of car) of all time.

I agree completely.

HorneyMX5 said:

Congrats on your purcahse and I'm glad to have inspired you to get one. I really must update my readers ride thread although with Hondas being what they are there's nto much actually to add other than more miles and smiles have been put on it.

Thanks for dropping by! I also look forward to some trouble-free motoring, the reliability was another factor that pushed me into buying it.

[hillbob]

Just to add, we have put about 10k on ours in 8 months and our lass is getting average of about 32-35 MPG on everyday driving.(Goes down a bit when I get in it at a weekend). But, on a long run to England I got an average of 42 MPG to a tank on the way there, obviously this was taking it steady. The VTEC is quite addictive though.

Driving round town ETC is not a problem and like the OP says the lack of low down talk people say in reviews is not that bad. Maybe will just take some getting used to/change driving etc.

[jqhn80]

I make most of my driving in the city and my commute is through heavy trafiic, that means a lot of stop & gos and putting along in 2nd gear, so my mpg is around the high twenties mark. Though on a motorway run of approx. 150 miles I got 35 mpg easily doing 75 mph with cruise control. With such a short 6th gear I think it is pretty decent...

[Killer2005]

Very nice indeed, I'm contemplating one of these as potential replacement for my S2000

[darklight]

Hey all appreciate this is an old post, been looking at selling my type-r as since I have had it I can't get it over 29mpg no mater how slow I drive it.
Thought it was just how it was, but reading this it doesn't seem to be the case.
Any ideas why it could be so thirsty?
Love the car and ideally would keep it but the fuel costs concidering the size of the engine are killing me! On an average run with not booting and keeping the revs as low as I can I am getting around 26mpg.

Any help much appreciated!

[Bowen86]

darklight said:

Hey all appreciate this is an old post, been looking at selling my type-r as since I have had it I can't get it over 29mpg no mater how slow I drive it.
Thought it was just how it was, but reading this it doesn't seem to be the case.
Any ideas why it could be so thirsty?
Love the car and ideally would keep it but the fuel costs concidering the size of the engine are killing me! On an average run with not booting and keeping the revs as low as I can I am getting around 26mpg.

Any help much appreciated!

76 months and that's your first post.

Have you tried the jap section of the forum or perhaps and FN2 forum.

Failing that my advice would be a full service see if that helps? Check fuel pump and lines?

[darklight]

Yep haven't really had the need to post till now as most people have already covered the information I was looking for. Had I know this was an issue I would have commented on a thread sooner..
It's only recently had a full service, think before giving up on her I am going to take her to a turning place near me to see if they can find anything and if not get an ECO remap as from what I have read they can be OK.

[SuperVM]

A slightly strange place to ask that question, but it could be any number of things. From a quick look around on the forums, high 20s doesn't sound abnormal. If you are convinced you're doing worse than you should be, then I'd probably start with MAFs or O2 sensors.

[GregK2]

Darklight, I don't think the car is for you. 26mpg sounds perfectly normal to me. The book figure is 31mpg.
What's your annual mileage?