I think thats very debatable and probably quite a subjective opinionated view, as my opinion would be the reverse.

I like my Fords so may be a little biased...

Anyway, with the aim of being subjective...

The RS feels that bit more special than the TypeR. The RS has a more focused, detailed feel to it that the TypeR doesn't have.

The engine in the TypeR is its big positive and its big negative. Lacking in low down pull, but when you are giving it the beans, it truly is something else. The rest of the car perhaps the gear box aside, doesn't match the engine. It doesn't have a super sharp chassis to match the hard core engine... A miss matched car in my opinion.

The RS on the other hand seems to have everything in harmony with each other. The feel of a car thats been rolled out of a WRC workshop, the diff, engine, interior, suspension and styling all giving that impression.

The RS too is a little more unique than the TypeR. It has the detail over the TypeR, that makes it that much more of a different car to the base model.

I would say the RS would be a safer place money wise too. Both cars have a cult following though. However the EP3s that are saught after would be the JDM versions really... Watering down the appeal of the UK version, even if it is the latter (anniversary I think it was) model.

Real world both are very liveable with being hatch backs. The engine in the TypeR would come under criticism here, especially if used as a daily driver. The RS has a special feel even when you are driving it in traffic, the TypeR feels like a civic in traffic.

I would suggest driving them in differing conditions, that's the best way for you to decide.

I'm sure we would all be intrigued to hear what you have to say.

I absolutely agree with this; the EP3 gets very nervous on the rear once you start to really press on, far more so than any other FWD car I have driven. Plenty of people fit thicker rear anti-roll bars for some reason and I can only imagine it makes this trait even worse. Personally I think it would benefit from a reduction in diameter on the front ARB and certainly less damping on the rear.

I'd love a Mk1 Focus RS, but even ropey high mileage ones are going for the price of an exceptionally good EP3.

At 100mph+ in a straight line drag race possibly, but on a track I wouldn't say so. The Civic is considerably lighter than the turbocharged cars.

They're both good fun cars to drive on track, but it depends what you're going to be using it for. The Focus was made in limited numbers, so as long as it's kept low miles and in good condition it will go the same way as the Cosworths and be worth good money. The Civic won't.

Having said that, you're going to pay a lot less for the Civic, and it won't cost as much to run, and you won't be as worried about it, I should imagine.

If you're after a daily driver, I'd go for the Civic, if you're after a weekend toy that'll do 2,000miles a year, get the Focus.

Can't believe the love for the mk1, I really can't ! Thought the type r was faster anyway

I don't really understand, how a twitchy rear end, that you think is really a bit too stiff, also leads to understeer? The turn in is great, and the rear end is playful, but it still understeers?

Certainly not in my experience, of driving one a lot, and being driven by a semi-pro race driver in his standard model.

RS all the way...

I love the Focus but hate the interior - it always looked so naff.

The Civic interior is just in another league - it feels like you are sat in a proper sports car whereas the Focus doesn't until you actually drive it.

Tough call!

There also not really compareable price wise, an EP3 is much cheaper.

Im with Dan, should be comparing to a DC5, and it's a better car IMO, though i prefer a n/A screamer than a turbo.

Both would be a good choice. Would say a DC5 interior is a million times nicer than a RS.

Round a track i remember the RS was only a tiny bit faster than a pre facelift EP3, so a DC5 should see one off.

I couldn't lol.

The centre console, dash is also horrid IMO.