Anyone driven a new JDM Civic Type R?

Anyone driven a new JDM Civic Type R?

Author
Discussion

daveknott5

Original Poster:

731 posts

220 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2008
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Just wondered if anyone has driven one of these amazing machines yet? EVO rate it as the best front-wheel drive car ever made. Anyone got an opinion on it? Seems like a car that can do it all (i.e., pummel the track, and yet also carry 4 people and do the weekly shop) - what do we reckon? good car? only things I can think of that are negative are that its import only, has a very plasticky looking interior, and may be a little tricky to sell on.........

ALawson

7,816 posts

252 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2008
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Look up Giger he has one, RevsAddiction's mate has one as well. Saw it on saturday getting its first oil change, it looked the absolute nuts.


giger

732 posts

195 months

Friday 25th July 2008
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Words cannot describe how good this car is. Seriously, I could happily talk about it all day but anyone who has not experienced one will think it is BS. If you are seriously interested all I can say is take one for a test drive - and make sure you have the money for a deposit biggrin

It is a super fast street and track machine which inspires huge confidence and produces impossible mechanical grip levels. You will embarrass a lot of other cars with it.

Most importers offer comprehensive warranty packages, and Honda UK can also source parts so I wouldn't worry about this.

Selling it on - I don't think you would ever have an issue as long as you look after it. They are too much in demand and well respected by driving enthusiasts. Outside that circle most ppl have no idea what it is (which is a huge bonus).

nottyash

4,670 posts

196 months

Sunday 27th July 2008
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There is a fith gear episode with one on, and it is very good.
Shame its so expensive over hereas they are selling in auction in Japan just over £11000, with only a few thousand miles on.There is also a mugan version!!

WildCards

4,061 posts

218 months

Wednesday 30th July 2008
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nottyash said:
they are selling in auction in Japan just over £11000
Shirley you could import one personally and have it UK'd for sub £16,000 if that's the case?

nottyash

4,670 posts

196 months

Wednesday 30th July 2008
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They are definatly less than £11000, I just checked on Mashamoto auction website.
I am not sure on the cost of SVA for one as the cars I have bought are over 10 years old, but yes I am guessing around the £16k mark.

daveknott5

Original Poster:

731 posts

220 months

Thursday 31st July 2008
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Cheers Giger! Any problems with it? Cheap trim? Rattles (I despise rattles!) - also what sort of mpg do you get out of it?

WildCards

4,061 posts

218 months

Friday 1st August 2008
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nottyash said:
...but yes I am guessing around the £16k mark.
Hmm, I wonder if I could sell the Mrs...

VTECMatt

1,174 posts

239 months

Saturday 2nd August 2008
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Seriously considering one myself as a family car and dumping the dull Focus, kids and the Elise don't mix that well either!

You can pick them up in the UK for 17K, well that is the cheapest I could find.

giger

732 posts

195 months

Friday 8th August 2008
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Hi all, the pricing thing has already been done to death i'm afraid. You will not get a brand new FD2 in the UK for 16k! Basic costs alone bring the car in above that value not inc. SVA work and rent of model report. Via personal import you may be able to get a brand new one on the road for around 18k but you'll have to factor in warranty, stereo, speakers, alarm etc.

Used models are now appearing in auction and will save you a few quid, expect to get one of these for 17-18k.

Beware prices that are too cheap. Many importers are trying to suck customers in with a cheap price but often don't include a decent warranty, stereo, mats (which are £150!) and a whole load of other things.

Also check which model report is used. My car is currently band F, but many are band G.

No probs with mine. Just passed 6.5k miles and have a couple of minor rattles. Being Japanaese there is a lot of plastic in the cabin, but it is a great place to sit. Well designed, comfortable and dominated by a rev counter and digital speedo.

Best car i've owned by a long shot and a performance bargain if you are looking at new cars. Commonly referred to as a 4 door NSX, the handling is sublime and it carries huge speeds through corners.

daveknott5

Original Poster:

731 posts

220 months

Friday 24th October 2008
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Giger, only just caught up with this, but thanks for your reply - now I REALLY have to drive one! I think I'll be calling Litchfields soon for a test drive.

It is a shame though that its started to rattle after only 6.5k miles. Rattling cars drive me nuts!

What sort of average MPG do you get? 30? and have you tracked it yet? How was it?

MB 1

525 posts

186 months

Friday 7th November 2008
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giger - have you driven other stuff? How does it compare? I really like them but swore never to go back to FWD again!

giger

732 posts

195 months

Saturday 8th November 2008
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I've driven a lot of cars (all the type R's, plenty of RWD cars, ferrari's, porsche's etc) and don't part with my cash lightly but this car sets itself apart from the rest - It really moves the game forward; blisteringly quick, razor sharp throttle, amazing turn in and it's able to carry some huge corner speeds. It laps either the Tsukuba or Suzuka circuit in japan 1 second slower than an NSX - that gives you some idea just how capable this car is.

On track days it has been much faster through the corners than many other cars (evos, subarus etc). You really can point it at a corner and bury the throttle and the car just doesn't budge off line, mechanical grip is quite mind boggling yikes

Day-to-day I average 27mpg, this is with 80% 'town' driving but it will pull straight back to 31mpg as soon as you take it on a longer run. You'll be doing well to better that though i'm afraid.

As you can tell I love it. It there where any doubts it would have been sold long ago but this is a keeper.

I've just renewed my insurance as well and was surprised at how cheap it was.

I still have a couple of rattles, tbh this is down to all the plastics on the dash which is the one thing Japanese cars suffer from.

Edited by giger on Saturday 8th November 22:32

MB 1

525 posts

186 months

Sunday 9th November 2008
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Good info, thanks smile

I had a DC2 which I liked on open roads, but founf the engine a bit weak. I then had a DC5 which the engine was really much better, but the handling was no where near DC2 territory. Hopefully the FD2 has the best of both!

giger

732 posts

195 months

Sunday 9th November 2008
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I think the suspension setup was one of the things that let th DC5 down but this is completely different on the FD2.

You will notice the firm ride but if this is a concern to you all I would say is don't dismiss the car straight away. You'll get used to it very quickly and it really makes the car feel alive. Maybe see if you can get an extended test drive or go back and take it out a couple of times.

MB 1

525 posts

186 months

Sunday 9th November 2008
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Would have to get over the mental hurdle of letting the Exige S go first biggrin

The suspension is pretty hard on that, and i'm used to stuff like S2000 / Evo levels of hardness, so the FD2 wouldn't be too much of a shock. I must find a local one to try though.

giger

732 posts

195 months

Sunday 9th November 2008
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Great car cool

You'll be pleased to know then that in a recent sprint event at Ingliston the FD2 was faster than the Elises, VX220s, imprezas and a whole load of other stuff and only just over a second behind an Exige finishing in 5th place (behind 2 exiges and 2 heavily modded evos) cool

ALawson

7,816 posts

252 months

Monday 10th November 2008
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giger said:
Great car cool

You'll be pleased to know then that in a recent sprint event at Ingliston the FD2 was faster than the Elises, VX220s, imprezas and a whole load of other stuff and only just over a second behind an Exige finishing in 5th place (behind 2 exiges and 2 heavily modded evos) cool
STOP IT, STOP IT, I have not been looking at the Litchfields Blue FD2 with 800 miles on it....

MB 1

525 posts

186 months

Monday 10th November 2008
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Mugen RR is what you need - a mere 30k... smile

giger

732 posts

195 months

Monday 10th November 2008
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The Mugen RR is an awesome car but i'm afraid it is just not worth the money IMHO. For just a few £k in mods you could have a FD2 that easily outperforms although you would be missing the styling. I love it - but 30k for a FF car?!

A word of warning - only test drive the FD2 if you are seriously plan to buy as most ppl signed up as soon as they got out of the car