RE: 25 years of Type R: Spotted special

RE: 25 years of Type R: Spotted special

Tuesday 14th February 2017

25 years of Type R: Spotted special

We've spent the past few days in some VTEC greats, so what better time to go hunting around the classifieds?



Hopefully by now you will have read about what a great show Retromobile is, so now's the time to talk about the journey down there. Specifically the five Honda Type Rs that formed our convoy, not the bit where a Parisian street was partially blocked because we'd arrived at the wrong car park...


In chronological order they were an Integra Type R, Accord Type R and the first UK Civic Type R, plus then the second-gen car and the current turbocharged version. Or DC2, CH1, EP3, FN2 and FK2, if you're up on your product codes. Each has its merits and, with Honda celebrating 25 years of the Type R badge in 2017, it seemed the right moment to go searching out some VTEC thrills in the classifieds. Look away now if you like easy torque!

That the Accord was so good wasn't exactly a surprise given what's been written about it, though it still takes some recalibration to get the most from an Accord that's this well sorted. It responds well to being driven hard (even on slightly old tyres), the diff-enhanced front end keen and the steering so much better than later electric systems. This is old fashioned VTEC too, with a wicked step up in performance from about 5,800rpm that's sustained all the way to nearly 8,000rpm. In an Accord!

It's a rare car, the Accord Type R, though one or two are often available. The post-2001 facelift cars are desirable for alleviating the gearbox synchro issues that afflicted some early cars, plus they can be run on 95 RON (pre-facelift models require 98 RON). Some though prefer the styling of the first model. On PH currently there's a very nice 1999 car with a decent ad and a £4,300 asking price, plus a facelifted example with more miles at less than £2K; values are slowly climbing though, so get in there while you can!


Though it appeared revolutionary back at its launch, the first UK Civic Type R (the EP3) now feels pleasingly old fashioned. It's light and agile, screams its way through eight-and-a-bit thousand revs and will lift-off oversteer with a bit of provocation. It's a right old giggle in fact, even allowing for some duff electric steering. That entertainment is now on offer from just £2.5K , with a selection of decent cars at around £4K and the very best late ones at £6K or so.

For something a bit different, how about a Japanese Domestic Market EP3? With a limited-slip diff and another 20hp, it promises even more excitement. They're available from £7K.

As has been well documented, the FN2 was never received as well as its predecessor. In its defence, the later car sounds even better and its steering is better sorted. The ride is fairly pants though. You'll pay around £5,000 for a decent early FN2, though if you particularly want one it's worth stretching to a Type R with the factory-fitted limited-slip diff, either a Championship White edition or one of cars from late 2009 onwards where it was standard.


Much has been written on PH about the current FK2 Civic Type R, so that doesn't need to be repeated here. What can be added is that the turbocharged car didn't feel out of place amongst its forebears, even if its sluggish throttle response was even more cruelly exposed than usual! It remains a fantastically thrilling hot hatch; with production now coming to an end there will be far fewer FK2s than previous Type Rs, which may help residual value. For now the cheapest route in is this Sporty Blue car, priced at £24,450.

To the Integra then, finally. Honda's latest heritage acquisition will be given a more detailed assessment in due course, so we won't divulge too much here. Everything that was raved about in 1998 is most certainly present and correct here though, the Teg comfortably more exhilarating than anything else in the group. In fact its talents perhaps shine even more brightly in 2017, so seldom are they now found in performance cars. If you want one - and yes, you really, really do want one - then leggy UK cars start at just over £4K, with the best examples now pushing £10,000. Sadly on PH at the moment there aren't any UK cars, though the mechanically similar Japanese Integras are the same sort of money.

Keep an eye out for rust and enjoy!





 

 

Author
Discussion

dannyDC2

Original Poster:

7,543 posts

167 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
quotequote all
Owned my DC2 5 years now, longest I've ever owned a car by far.

It's that good, I've had to buy another one, just with less holes in it.




Edited by dannyDC2 on Tuesday 14th February 10:07

Butter Face

30,192 posts

159 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
quotequote all
I've had 12 Hondas in total, my EP3 being the first Type R though, which I've now 'improved' with more power, better seats, better brakes etc etc.




I can see myself buying an FK2 in the future.

HorneyMX5

5,308 posts

149 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
quotequote all
I loved my early FN2. I've owned and modified a lot of cars but the FN2 needed nothing other than wheel alignment and some wheel spacers to make it perfect. Such a good car straight out of the box. Moving jobs soon and I might need a 4 seater again, another FN2 is near the top of the list of possibles.

Martin_Hx

3,951 posts

197 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
quotequote all
I've had my EP3 10 years this year! She has been a brilliant daily driver and fun weekend throw around car to head up to North Yorkshire



Edited by Martin_Hx on Tuesday 14th February 11:06

Neil-5ogx0

48 posts

106 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
quotequote all
My 2004 Na2 Type R. Imported by me from Japan 2016. Shown here at Silverstone Classic last summer.


ShuthanVtec

256 posts

128 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
quotequote all
Been a Honda fan since the age of about 12/13 and I have had many in time, but the one I had my eye on was the Accord Type-R, also helped when I saw Damon hill thrash it around a track on Top gear and you could hear the screaming engine even through the telly, got one after searching and saving up in Oct 2014, and I love it soo much. Its practical, rare, torque, power, LSD, comfortable seats, excellent steering, wonderful chassis, subtle looks with a hint of aggression (Pre facelift), hand finished engine and so on. Gets often listed in the top lists of best Hondas and as one of the best FWD greats and I am not surprised. Values are increasing as said as more get broken and ruined, I recall around 650 left on UK roads. They are also superb on track and as a good long distance cruiser despite the lack of sound deadening.

This is mine in Pre facelift form, more of a weekend car as I have a dirty diesel as a daily driver. Its fairly stock apart from subtle custom exhaust, gauges and double din unit. This car never fails to make me smile.











Edited by ShuthanVtec on Tuesday 14th February 11:28

Guvernator

13,105 posts

164 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
quotequote all
Neil-5ogx0 said:
My 2004 Na2 Type R. Imported by me from Japan 2016. Shown here at Silverstone Classic last summer.

Oooff. All the "normal" Type R's then you slip this beauty in, the ULTIMATE Type R! thumbup

Must be one of only a handful in the country. I knew I should have bought one years ago before prices went stupid. frown

Butter Face

30,192 posts

159 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
quotequote all
Neil-5ogx0 said:
My 2004 Na2 Type R. Imported by me from Japan 2016. Shown here at Silverstone Classic last summer.

/thread hehe

Gorgeous. Although I reckon I could give you a run in a straight line wink

WigWonder79

24 posts

96 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
quotequote all
Any particular things to note on the EP2?

Note sure how they would respond to being a daily driver of a total of 7 miles a day?

designforlife

3,734 posts

162 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
quotequote all


Absolutely smitten with my DC5...best car I've owned by a long way. To me it's the perfect blend of practicality/reliablity/handling/performance.

acme

2,971 posts

197 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
quotequote all
dannyDC2 said:
Owned my DC2 5 years now, longest I've ever owned a car by far.

It's that good, I've had to buy another one, just with less holes in it.




Edited by dannyDC2 on Tuesday 14th February 10:07
Fantastic!

The question is where the hell do you get one these days?!

I gave up after looking at a genuine two owner 38k mile one in 2015, it had clearly been cherished by the first owner of 15 years, but even that had clear signs of arch rustfrown

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
quotequote all
I know most of these are great to drive, and I love the engines, but the one box mini MPV styling of the more recent ones doesn't half look st. All the stick on tat in the world can't overcome the fundamental lack of appeal of the basic shape.

I'd like them more if you could buy one that looked exactly like the 1.3 CVT Aunty Doris drives.

acme

2,971 posts

197 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
quotequote all
Martin_Hx said:
I've had my EP3 10 years this year! She has been a brilliant daily driver and fun weekend throw around car to head up to North Yorkshire



Edited by Martin_Hx on Tuesday 14th February 11:06
Excellent! Do tell us more about your experiences over ten years, what to watch for etc etc?

I think this is going to be a great thread, and clearly more to come from PH on Type R'ssmile

coogy

955 posts

210 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
quotequote all
I really miss my DC2, such a fun car to drive despite its humble appearance and roots.







bounce

Edited by coogy on Tuesday 14th February 12:19

rb26

783 posts

185 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
quotequote all
Neil-5ogx0 said:
My 2004 Na2 Type R. Imported by me from Japan 2016. Shown here at Silverstone Classic last summer.

Are you currently in the market for adoption!? hehe

How do you find the ride on your average B road? Looking at all the 'Best Motoring' videos online, it seems to be rather stiff.

krismccloy

256 posts

148 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
quotequote all


Looking forward to DC2 article, Me and my father filling up on a Sunday morning before heading to the track in our previous Integra's.

Ultimate front driven Honda for me, having owned an FN2 previously and currently LSD equipped EP3... (Cheap, accessible track fun)

macky17

2,210 posts

188 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
quotequote all
I've tried repeatedly to find a nice accord type R like the one I wish I'd never sold ten years ago. So much garbage out there that I've given up now. Has to be a pre-facelift and has to have air con as they fog up like buggery without it. Make rocking horse poo look common.

DC5 is an excellent car.

EP3 tremendous but check that steering rack...

Newera-x0bnu

456 posts

105 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
quotequote all
We've had a lot of type R's and raced them too. Favourites are the DC2 and the AP1 S2000.
Currently we have a lovely low mileage example with lots of discreet Mugen bits on. It's one we're keeping stashed away. Truly mint rust free ones will only rise in value as they're very hard to find now.








davyvee

295 posts

134 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
quotequote all
Picked up a UK DC2 a few months back and it oozes specialness, (and some rust).

Been checking the classifieds since and they appear to be like rocky horse plop




irish boy

3,523 posts

235 months

Tuesday 14th February 2017
quotequote all
Love the accord type r. Very special car. Hard to get a good one and I predict more price increases.