Civic Type R EP3

[Joeigglypuff]

So I've had my MX5 for around a year and a half now and am starting to think it's time to move on, as much as I love her. A hot hatch is the way I want to go, and the EP3 looks like good value. As I'm saving for a house I don't want to spend more than a couple of grand, which means after the MX5 sells my budget would be £3-4k. Preferably closer to £3k.

My question is can I get a decent one for that sort of money? I see a lot about on autotrader but I'm wary they may have had hard lives. I'm not worried about mileage as I know they can go for a long time, but I don't want one that's spent any time in a bush.

[Joeigglypuff]

Thanks for the replies everyone. The MX5 I'm currently running is on 151k miles so I'm not bothered about high-mileage cars so long as it's been looked after - I know for my budget I won't get anything mint.

[Joeigglypuff]

TheJimi said:

Where are you based?

Surrey/Berkshire.

[Joeigglypuff]

So after a few weeks of looking at some good-uns, some rotters, and dealing with a couple of questionable dealers (one of which told me he could fix the big scratches on the bumper for £20, easy, but he left them on for "originality") I finally found one and bought my first hot hatch. It's got a couple of very minor scratches and the alloys need refurbing (in white I reckon) but at only 66k miles I think I found a gem. Only had it for 2 days but so far it's great! (picture looks a bit pink but the paintwork is bright as day)

[Joeigglypuff]

Ownership for me is also great. Living in the South East it's a great car just drive to work in whilst feeling like a regular civic, then opening up on the weekend - the vtec is indescribably good, it never gets old. I'm lucky enough to have been in many of the newest hot hatches including the new civics but I'm certain the ep3 has the best engine - only bettered by the s2000 which is of course a different type of car all together.

My only gripe would be the turning circle and hard steering at low speed makes it sometimes hard to maneuver.... But otherwise I'm not sure what I'd rather have at this price range! No mechanical or electrical gripes and a clean MOT too. Got my eye on the latest model now.