FN2 Type R - Opinion
Discussion
Hi All,
Considering buying an FN2 shortly.
Owned an EP3 as a daily for 3 years and loved it although in the end got a bit tired of the basic interior and lack equipment. Then got myself a BMW 130i which ticked all the boxes, nice interior, slightly smoother ride and more torque. Some rather expensive repair bills recently have got me seriously considering going back to some Japanese reliability and experiencing VTEC again!
In your opinions am I going to regret going from the 130i to the FN2?
I have drove an FN2 on a very short test drive and it is certainly a nicer place to sit compared to the EP3 and also feels a little less frantic which I like..
How do you all find the FN2 as a daily drive? My commute is about 20 miles all on B roads.
Thanks in advance.
Considering buying an FN2 shortly.
Owned an EP3 as a daily for 3 years and loved it although in the end got a bit tired of the basic interior and lack equipment. Then got myself a BMW 130i which ticked all the boxes, nice interior, slightly smoother ride and more torque. Some rather expensive repair bills recently have got me seriously considering going back to some Japanese reliability and experiencing VTEC again!
In your opinions am I going to regret going from the 130i to the FN2?
I have drove an FN2 on a very short test drive and it is certainly a nicer place to sit compared to the EP3 and also feels a little less frantic which I like..
How do you all find the FN2 as a daily drive? My commute is about 20 miles all on B roads.
Thanks in advance.
I parted with my FN2 type R after 3 months and replaced it with a lci 130i -- no regrets
The Honda although nice to drive n razz around in annoyed me very quickly( shockingly soft paint,too wide,doors too big,drivers seat too high,performance vs mpg) , the only reason I parted with the 130i was for a bigger boot n 5 doors
The Honda although nice to drive n razz around in annoyed me very quickly( shockingly soft paint,too wide,doors too big,drivers seat too high,performance vs mpg) , the only reason I parted with the 130i was for a bigger boot n 5 doors
briantherobot said:
Hi All,
Considering buying an FN2 shortly.
Owned an EP3 as a daily for 3 years and loved it although in the end got a bit tired of the basic interior and lack equipment. Then got myself a BMW 130i which ticked all the boxes, nice interior, slightly smoother ride and more torque. Some rather expensive repair bills recently have got me seriously considering going back to some Japanese reliability and experiencing VTEC again!
In your opinions am I going to regret going from the 130i to the FN2?
I have drove an FN2 on a very short test drive and it is certainly a nicer place to sit compared to the EP3 and also feels a little less frantic which I like..
How do you all find the FN2 as a daily drive? My commute is about 20 miles all on B roads.
Thanks in advance.
The bit I've put in bold seems a bit at odds with buying a Type R- cars typically built with a high degree of compromise and arguably the most frantic mainstream cars available?Considering buying an FN2 shortly.
Owned an EP3 as a daily for 3 years and loved it although in the end got a bit tired of the basic interior and lack equipment. Then got myself a BMW 130i which ticked all the boxes, nice interior, slightly smoother ride and more torque. Some rather expensive repair bills recently have got me seriously considering going back to some Japanese reliability and experiencing VTEC again!
In your opinions am I going to regret going from the 130i to the FN2?
I have drove an FN2 on a very short test drive and it is certainly a nicer place to sit compared to the EP3 and also feels a little less frantic which I like..
How do you all find the FN2 as a daily drive? My commute is about 20 miles all on B roads.
Thanks in advance.
I definitely second the comments regarding Honda reliability (as a serial Honda owner), but have you considered options from other brands? I'd have thought something like a Focus ST would be a good fit given the high torque 2.5 5-cylinder Turbo engine gives a significantly 'less frantic' driving experience whilst still being heaps of fun.
In fact the main reason I'd choose the Civic Type R over an ST would be if I wanted something more compromised in the interests of getting a more frantic driving experience. That said, an FN2 is the one of the Type Rs I've not yet driven, so my experience is based more on the older Type Rs (DC2, ATR, and an EP3)- all of which definitely follow the "frantic" formula, albeit to a slightly lesser degree with the EP3. The FN2 could well be a luxo-barge in comparison!
Hi, sorry I can't say if you will regret coming from the BM, but I did buy a FN2 about 3 months and I simply cannot stop driving it....
Very practical for a 3dr hatch the boot is huge and the back seats fold flat.
The only thing I can think of which may grate is the ride. I'm lucky and don't have many speed bumps and the roads are fairly ok here. When venturing to parts of Leeds where there are speed bumps and poor surfaces the ride is annoying. I've heard some progressive springs go somewhere to sorting this out. If you can live with the ride then go for it!
Very practical for a 3dr hatch the boot is huge and the back seats fold flat.
The only thing I can think of which may grate is the ride. I'm lucky and don't have many speed bumps and the roads are fairly ok here. When venturing to parts of Leeds where there are speed bumps and poor surfaces the ride is annoying. I've heard some progressive springs go somewhere to sorting this out. If you can live with the ride then go for it!
Oh and when driven steady I get 34mpg, but when using the revs it drinks like a turbo, it's nice to have the choice, there is plenty of grunt low down despite what everyone says, the very short gearing helps.
I've never driven an EP3, again a lot of folk say these are much better, but I do own a 172 cup and the FN2 is a fantastic daily.
I've never driven an EP3, again a lot of folk say these are much better, but I do own a 172 cup and the FN2 is a fantastic daily.
Edited by exgtt on Thursday 28th April 17:19
I've recently purchased another FN2 and that was coming from a 325 coupe. This is my 2nd FN2 and for a daily driver it is ideal. For me anyway. The only small thing as mentioned before is the ride is stuff but I think it's fine and my commute is around potholed streets.
Have a look around the top of the windscreen under the seal for rust. Mine is going in for the warranty repair in the next couple of weeks. Other common faults depending on age are crunching going into 3rd and a noise from the rear shocks for the first 30 seconds in the morning.
I have had EP3's an S2K and older prelude VTI's but the FN2 is the best compromise ive found as its also got some decent toys.
Good luck with your hunt anyway.
Have a look around the top of the windscreen under the seal for rust. Mine is going in for the warranty repair in the next couple of weeks. Other common faults depending on age are crunching going into 3rd and a noise from the rear shocks for the first 30 seconds in the morning.
I have had EP3's an S2K and older prelude VTI's but the FN2 is the best compromise ive found as its also got some decent toys.
Good luck with your hunt anyway.
I purchased an fn2 3 weeks ago. I run it along side a heavily modified 2.5 focus ST. I find the civic a great daily, enough low down poke and the cabin really is a nice place to be. I love my old ep3 and the fn2 is a step up, not as raw, VTEC crossover isn't quite as brutal but kicks in earlier. My cars going into Honda in 2 weeks to have the roof rust repaired under 'goodwill' and you need to look for this when buying. The rubber seal where the windscreen meets the roof can dig into the paint which can cause corrosion.
I also have a hks racing induction kit, it sounds immense!
I also have a hks racing induction kit, it sounds immense!
I've put nearly 10,000 miles onto my FN2 since last Sept and I mostly love it. Hold it at 4k and then floor it and it just takes off in roar of induction noise. The engine is just a technical work of art.
Things I don't like are:
The ride on rough roads, there are some bits of road that are just horrendous, most are OK though.
The petrol tank is tiny (50l) and I seem to spend a lot of time at the shell garage.
Its just too practical, more so than the wive's Volvo! I preferred the no-compromise inpractabilty? of my old Alfa GTV
Things I don't like are:
The ride on rough roads, there are some bits of road that are just horrendous, most are OK though.
The petrol tank is tiny (50l) and I seem to spend a lot of time at the shell garage.
Its just too practical, more so than the wive's Volvo! I preferred the no-compromise inpractabilty? of my old Alfa GTV
i had an FN2 for 5years and loved it. Never let me down, was in as good working order as it was when i bought it, not too expensive to service and cheap to insure.
A better car than the EP3 just not as raw/noisy/flighty in its drive but has better traction due to VSA, which you can turn off anyway.
Its quicker than figures suggest as well, really does fly in VTEC especially.
Downsides are a very harsh / bouncy ride and its not cheap to tax.
Its a bit of a marmite car as i can see how some wouldn't like it but i did and its got a glorious engine and gearbox.
A better car than the EP3 just not as raw/noisy/flighty in its drive but has better traction due to VSA, which you can turn off anyway.
Its quicker than figures suggest as well, really does fly in VTEC especially.
Downsides are a very harsh / bouncy ride and its not cheap to tax.
Its a bit of a marmite car as i can see how some wouldn't like it but i did and its got a glorious engine and gearbox.
Drove one for 30k miles and loved it, I still miss it. Incredible induction noise but also a fairly good mile muncher capable of over 40mpg if driven carefully and about 7 if it isn't (my long term mpg was 29.7). The seats are incredibly comfortable and the interior feels relatively special for what is ultimately 'just' a civic. it turns into a van when you put the seats down and the back is capable of taking 2 full size adults with actual knees and legs. If I had to go back to a car with more than 2 seats I would be looking at getting another one. Some fairly cheap popular mods if you're into that sort of thing too...
Downsides: the ride is crashy but I never found it to bother me greatly and the roads around here are utter *%$*, and the seats have no mechanical memory so if you climb in the back then they won't go back to where you left them.
Also, I never found this a bad thing as such but you do have to juice it to use it. It feels perfectly comfortable sub-4k rpm but it feels much better if you let it stretch out a bit (so probably not a great town car). It appealed to me for this reason, the last hurrah of the NA hot hatch.
Do it.
Downsides: the ride is crashy but I never found it to bother me greatly and the roads around here are utter *%$*, and the seats have no mechanical memory so if you climb in the back then they won't go back to where you left them.
Also, I never found this a bad thing as such but you do have to juice it to use it. It feels perfectly comfortable sub-4k rpm but it feels much better if you let it stretch out a bit (so probably not a great town car). It appealed to me for this reason, the last hurrah of the NA hot hatch.
Do it.
I've had mine 5 months, coming from an R53 cooper s. Wanted something bigger, more practical and more stable at high speed.
Very happy with the car. Interior is fantatsic, it's a car that just rewards the harder you drive it. For me it's a much more grown up car and I don't compare to to the EP3 because I'm simply not interested in an EP3. Wrong image for me and not modern enough.
Plenty quick, I was shocked how slowly a golf r pulled away from me off a roundabout, I thought it would have disappeared but it was more of gentle jog past.
Great noise if you like stealthy induction roar. And lots of beautiful Japanese details, like the little vetec ball that lights up on the dash and silly things like the gear knob and fairer are just perfect.
Gearbox is the best of any car you'll ever drive.
Also about as light as a modern reasonable sized hatch gets at 1267kg.
Very happy with the car. Interior is fantatsic, it's a car that just rewards the harder you drive it. For me it's a much more grown up car and I don't compare to to the EP3 because I'm simply not interested in an EP3. Wrong image for me and not modern enough.
Plenty quick, I was shocked how slowly a golf r pulled away from me off a roundabout, I thought it would have disappeared but it was more of gentle jog past.
Great noise if you like stealthy induction roar. And lots of beautiful Japanese details, like the little vetec ball that lights up on the dash and silly things like the gear knob and fairer are just perfect.
Gearbox is the best of any car you'll ever drive.
Also about as light as a modern reasonable sized hatch gets at 1267kg.
I've a similar situation, I'm about to hand back an M135i company car at the end of the month so was looking for a stop gap car until I land my next role. Couldn't bring myself to buy something eminently sensible so wanted something warmish that would entertain me but could also accommodate 2 dogs and wouldn't look inappropriate for job interviews.
An FN2 seemed an obvious one to me, very involving to squeeze the performance out of it rather than something along the lines of my M135. I think another torque laden turbo car with less power would have felt just that way and frustrated me. Really hoping the FN2 ticks the boxes. Test drove a few and found a decent one that's being prepped for Thursday collection. Hope it's the right choice!
An FN2 seemed an obvious one to me, very involving to squeeze the performance out of it rather than something along the lines of my M135. I think another torque laden turbo car with less power would have felt just that way and frustrated me. Really hoping the FN2 ticks the boxes. Test drove a few and found a decent one that's being prepped for Thursday collection. Hope it's the right choice!
Woody335 said:
I've a similar situation, I'm about to hand back an M135i company car at the end of the month so was looking for a stop gap car until I land my next role. Couldn't bring myself to buy something eminently sensible so wanted something warmish that would entertain me but could also accommodate 2 dogs and wouldn't look inappropriate for job interviews.
An FN2 seemed an obvious one to me, very involving to squeeze the performance out of it rather than something along the lines of my M135. I think another torque laden turbo car with less power would have felt just that way and frustrated me. Really hoping the FN2 ticks the boxes. Test drove a few and found a decent one that's being prepped for Thursday collection. Hope it's the right choice!
Lets us all know how you get on .... by lease Fiesta ST goes back at the end of feb and I think an FN2 will be the replacement An FN2 seemed an obvious one to me, very involving to squeeze the performance out of it rather than something along the lines of my M135. I think another torque laden turbo car with less power would have felt just that way and frustrated me. Really hoping the FN2 ticks the boxes. Test drove a few and found a decent one that's being prepped for Thursday collection. Hope it's the right choice!
I'm a bit late to the party here but for what it's worth I like mine. It's a 2010 model in silver and I've had it 4 months. I had a Clio 172 before that which I adored however, I fancied a change to something a bit more grown up as I'd had the Clio 5 years. My car is my daily and like the OP I have a shortish commute over B roads.
The car is quick enough and is just as happy being thrashed as it is pottering about. I average 30-32mpg and that's making progress but not caning it. The VTEC is good, sounds great and adds to the occasion. The handling is also good, it grips well and there's not much body roll. Although I've not really explored the limits, I get the feeling it's not as playful/rear biased as the Clio. Brakes seem ok, plenty of feel although I've not really given the car a sound thrashing! The pedals are nicely placed for toe/heel and I find it quite easy to do, again which adds to the fun on a commute. I also love the fact the boot is massive and I can get my MTB in there quite easily.
Downsides are the ride is harsh. I'm used to it now but there's no denying it's hard. Third gear synchros can be snatchy although this was fixed in 2008 and later cars and is fine on mine. Lastly, the rear lights can grow green mould in the surrounds which is a bugger to remove.
To sum up, as a daily drive, it's a really nice place to be, it's quick enough to cover ground rapidly and overtake easily and for me strikes a very nice balance between performance, fun and practicality.
The car is quick enough and is just as happy being thrashed as it is pottering about. I average 30-32mpg and that's making progress but not caning it. The VTEC is good, sounds great and adds to the occasion. The handling is also good, it grips well and there's not much body roll. Although I've not really explored the limits, I get the feeling it's not as playful/rear biased as the Clio. Brakes seem ok, plenty of feel although I've not really given the car a sound thrashing! The pedals are nicely placed for toe/heel and I find it quite easy to do, again which adds to the fun on a commute. I also love the fact the boot is massive and I can get my MTB in there quite easily.
Downsides are the ride is harsh. I'm used to it now but there's no denying it's hard. Third gear synchros can be snatchy although this was fixed in 2008 and later cars and is fine on mine. Lastly, the rear lights can grow green mould in the surrounds which is a bugger to remove.
To sum up, as a daily drive, it's a really nice place to be, it's quick enough to cover ground rapidly and overtake easily and for me strikes a very nice balance between performance, fun and practicality.
Had my fn2 for 3 years bow and still absolutely love it.
I had a expensive repair bill re a bent valve (prob caused my test drivers whilst at dealers) but the car is fantastic and runs like a charm.
Pros
So much room! Boot is big and 2 adults can sit comfortably in the back with plenty of leg room. Rear seats also fold down to give extra space and they have storage space underneath when not folded.
Economy
I have managed 37mpg on a nice motorway journey and achieved 360 miles out of a tank. With a mixture of motorway and town driving I've achieved 28-34 mpg. Not bad for a hot hatch!
Looks
Well i love the way it looks! Even more so with a mugen spoiler and Brembo big brake kit. Has not dated at all. Still get looks from peeps too.
Service
Cheap service and running costs inc tyres and brakes.
Cons
Tax
High tax bracket which is a tad annoying but you know that before buying one!
Comfort
A bit crashy over less than decent roads with it's firm suspension but something that has never bothered me as it's not a daily
A great car that can be had very cheap. Don't regret buying it one bit and plan to keep it for a good few more years.
I had a expensive repair bill re a bent valve (prob caused my test drivers whilst at dealers) but the car is fantastic and runs like a charm.
Pros
So much room! Boot is big and 2 adults can sit comfortably in the back with plenty of leg room. Rear seats also fold down to give extra space and they have storage space underneath when not folded.
Economy
I have managed 37mpg on a nice motorway journey and achieved 360 miles out of a tank. With a mixture of motorway and town driving I've achieved 28-34 mpg. Not bad for a hot hatch!
Looks
Well i love the way it looks! Even more so with a mugen spoiler and Brembo big brake kit. Has not dated at all. Still get looks from peeps too.
Service
Cheap service and running costs inc tyres and brakes.
Cons
Tax
High tax bracket which is a tad annoying but you know that before buying one!
Comfort
A bit crashy over less than decent roads with it's firm suspension but something that has never bothered me as it's not a daily
A great car that can be had very cheap. Don't regret buying it one bit and plan to keep it for a good few more years.
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