CTR ep3.....thoughts
Discussion
Hi,
I currently have a skoda fabia vrs and due to a change in circumstances I no longer need the mpg of the VAG mobile. I want to go back to petrol and have always liked the type r and am seriously considering getting one in the next 2-3 months.
I have a budget of around 4-5k plus my vrs (near enough 100k on the clock worth around 5k, 4k on a p/x), which would get me a very nice example, but any other suggestions are welcome. But im looking mainly for comments on the CTR.
If you do make other suggestions im looking for 25+mpg combined and not crazy insurance as im only 21
Thanks a lot
I currently have a skoda fabia vrs and due to a change in circumstances I no longer need the mpg of the VAG mobile. I want to go back to petrol and have always liked the type r and am seriously considering getting one in the next 2-3 months.
I have a budget of around 4-5k plus my vrs (near enough 100k on the clock worth around 5k, 4k on a p/x), which would get me a very nice example, but any other suggestions are welcome. But im looking mainly for comments on the CTR.
If you do make other suggestions im looking for 25+mpg combined and not crazy insurance as im only 21
Thanks a lot
AshBaldry said:
Just to add...don't let people tell you "yeah there useless before Vtec"
Or
"You need to redline them to get anywhere"
They perform IMHO,fine before 6,000RPM
Glad you said this as I was a little concerned that I wouldn't like the change from mid range grunt in the vrs. A friend had one and he said it was fine before VTEC but just came alive at the top end. Im seriously tempted as it offers me everything i wantOr
"You need to redline them to get anywhere"
They perform IMHO,fine before 6,000RPM
I would go for it. The EP3 was the competitor car when I bought my Leon Cupra R 225, and if I was going to change for another hot hatch, I don't think anything else would get a look in (assuming a good Integra could be had for the same money). I looked around quite a lot of them, they appear tough and well built which is typical of Honda, but the interior is not great. The gear lever position is a cool gimmick, but the dials are not that exciting to look at. The seats are great though! I had a drive of a good one (60,000 miles, full Honda main dealer service history, custom exhaust etc) and it was indeed a hoot. The standard exhausts sound a bit flat but a decent replacement does wonders for the noise - but I think you could say that of any car on sale these days!
In the end I chose the Cupra R for the old school feel of a big kick-up-the-arse turbo. The Cupra R is also a better place to sit, and while the EP3 is probably quicker in the corners on tight roads, on straighter, more flowing roads the Cupra was head and shoulders faster. The EP3 is not that quick below VTEC range, but only in the same way a turbo car is flat below the boost threshold. You don't drive on boost all the time, when you want the power you build the revs and access it, no different to a VTEC really. While not as quick as the Cupra, these are still quick cars, easily fast enough to slice through most traffic and make overtaking a doddle.
Variety is the spice of life and like me, you are coming from a turbo car, so a car that you really have to wind up to get some fun out of is no bad thing. On the plus side for you, the EP3 is a performance upgrade, whereas I'd be doing a downgrade, given that factor, I can't see how you would be disappointed.
In the end I chose the Cupra R for the old school feel of a big kick-up-the-arse turbo. The Cupra R is also a better place to sit, and while the EP3 is probably quicker in the corners on tight roads, on straighter, more flowing roads the Cupra was head and shoulders faster. The EP3 is not that quick below VTEC range, but only in the same way a turbo car is flat below the boost threshold. You don't drive on boost all the time, when you want the power you build the revs and access it, no different to a VTEC really. While not as quick as the Cupra, these are still quick cars, easily fast enough to slice through most traffic and make overtaking a doddle.
Variety is the spice of life and like me, you are coming from a turbo car, so a car that you really have to wind up to get some fun out of is no bad thing. On the plus side for you, the EP3 is a performance upgrade, whereas I'd be doing a downgrade, given that factor, I can't see how you would be disappointed.
I've driven a couple of these when they 1st appeared and thought they were superb! The only downside that I can see is that they can be a bit chavvy now and there are some nasty ones about.
The run out editions are particularly nice IMO, as said above make sure you get an air con spec
The run out editions are particularly nice IMO, as said above make sure you get an air con spec
Mastodon2 said:
I would go for it. The EP3 was the competitor car when I bought my Leon Cupra R 225, and if I was going to change for another hot hatch, I don't think anything else would get a look in (assuming a good Integra could be had for the same money). I looked around quite a lot of them, they appear tough and well built which is typical of Honda, but the interior is not great. The gear lever position is a cool gimmick, but the dials are not that exciting to look at. The seats are great though! I had a drive of a good one (60,000 miles, full Honda main dealer service history, custom exhaust etc) and it was indeed a hoot. The standard exhausts sound a bit flat but a decent replacement does wonders for the noise - but I think you could say that of any car on sale these days!
In the end I chose the Cupra R for the old school feel of a big kick-up-the-arse turbo. The Cupra R is also a better place to sit, and while the EP3 is probably quicker in the corners on tight roads, on straighter, more flowing roads the Cupra was head and shoulders faster. The EP3 is not that quick below VTEC range, but only in the same way a turbo car is flat below the boost threshold. You don't drive on boost all the time, when you want the power you build the revs and access it, no different to a VTEC really. While not as quick as the Cupra, these are still quick cars, easily fast enough to slice through most traffic and make overtaking a doddle.
Variety is the spice of life and like me, you are coming from a turbo car, so a car that you really have to wind up to get some fun out of is no bad thing. On the plus side for you, the EP3 is a performance upgrade, whereas I'd be doing a downgrade, given that factor, I can't see how you would be disappointed.
An EP3 is no slower than a Cupra 225 mate. Nothing in it bar 1-2 car lengths, as with any hot hatch of around that time.In the end I chose the Cupra R for the old school feel of a big kick-up-the-arse turbo. The Cupra R is also a better place to sit, and while the EP3 is probably quicker in the corners on tight roads, on straighter, more flowing roads the Cupra was head and shoulders faster. The EP3 is not that quick below VTEC range, but only in the same way a turbo car is flat below the boost threshold. You don't drive on boost all the time, when you want the power you build the revs and access it, no different to a VTEC really. While not as quick as the Cupra, these are still quick cars, easily fast enough to slice through most traffic and make overtaking a doddle.
Variety is the spice of life and like me, you are coming from a turbo car, so a car that you really have to wind up to get some fun out of is no bad thing. On the plus side for you, the EP3 is a performance upgrade, whereas I'd be doing a downgrade, given that factor, I can't see how you would be disappointed.
CTR's are great, great time to buy one as well, there are so many for sale, so you can take ya time and be picky, which you need to be there are a lot of crap one's.
If you've got 5k plus you're car id be looking at a DC5, it's basically the EP3, just that 10% better in every area, and a whole lot better looking, lol. They have dropped in price a fair bit in the last year as well.
Grovsie26 said:
An EP3 is no slower than a Cupra 225 mate. Nothing in it bar 1-2 car lengths, as with any hot hatch of around that time.
CTR's are great, great time to buy one as well, there are so many for sale, so you can take ya time and be picky, which you need to be there are a lot of crap one's.
If you've got 5k plus you're car id be looking at a DC5, it's basically the EP3, just that 10% better in every area, and a whole lot better looking, lol. They have dropped in price a fair bit in the last year as well.
Everything he said CTR's are great, great time to buy one as well, there are so many for sale, so you can take ya time and be picky, which you need to be there are a lot of crap one's.
If you've got 5k plus you're car id be looking at a DC5, it's basically the EP3, just that 10% better in every area, and a whole lot better looking, lol. They have dropped in price a fair bit in the last year as well.
Probably is worth looking at DC5's tooIn regards to the interior I am coming from a Fabia which isn't exactly the most beautiful interior in the world.
I dont really fancy a DC5, a good mate has got one and although I will never deny they are cracking cars, I have always wanted a CTR, just one of those things, and im a lot fonder of the hatchback look of the CTR over the coupe look of the DC5. Its purely a personal choice!
The CTR is sounding more and more appealing as time passes and i read more and more good comments.
As for the Cupra I have had a VAG turbo (all be it a diesel) and after something a bit more revvy
I dont really fancy a DC5, a good mate has got one and although I will never deny they are cracking cars, I have always wanted a CTR, just one of those things, and im a lot fonder of the hatchback look of the CTR over the coupe look of the DC5. Its purely a personal choice!
The CTR is sounding more and more appealing as time passes and i read more and more good comments.
As for the Cupra I have had a VAG turbo (all be it a diesel) and after something a bit more revvy
diddly69 said:
bdgriffiths said:
yeah iv been told that air con is a must, and i would rather pay the extra and have the premier, preferably in the grey
Cosmic grey is a good colour for the EP3, it can be a bit dirty but still look nice and shiny 
And don't forget, the premiers have a pull-out under tray on the passenger seat with a Type-R pen!
I had one for two years, when deciding what to go for in my price range I got it down to the CTR, Megane 225 and Cupra R 225.
TBH I found the other two abit bland and boring, very capable, comfortable and easy to drive quickly but they felt more like the base model with a souped up engine (I know, they all are to a certain extent).
The CTR just felt more exciting and involving to drive, you're alot busier at the wheel when stretching it's legs.
If I was doing lots of miles at the time I may very well have gone for one of the other two but I rarely went on the motorway and my daily commute was only 40 miles.
In two years and circa 30k miles all I had go wrong was a rear brake caliper despite how I treated it.
I've got an Integra DC2 now and when your in the mood it's fantastic, leagues ahead of the CTR though it is quite hardcore and can really test your patience when it's your daily driver, especially after a rough ten hours at work with a splitting headache when all you want to do is get home.
If I was in your position I'd be looking at a DC5 as it's the best compromise IMO though the insurance will be considerably more and you'll really struggle if under 25.
The only criticism I had of the CTR is the steering, when driving in a straight line their's around an inch of dead travel either side though it quickly weights up after this and actually gives a suprising amount of feedback and feel, the 04 onwards facelift models had revised steering so it's less of an issue in those.
:edit:
Everyone knows Satin Silver's the fastest
TBH I found the other two abit bland and boring, very capable, comfortable and easy to drive quickly but they felt more like the base model with a souped up engine (I know, they all are to a certain extent).
The CTR just felt more exciting and involving to drive, you're alot busier at the wheel when stretching it's legs.
If I was doing lots of miles at the time I may very well have gone for one of the other two but I rarely went on the motorway and my daily commute was only 40 miles.
In two years and circa 30k miles all I had go wrong was a rear brake caliper despite how I treated it.
I've got an Integra DC2 now and when your in the mood it's fantastic, leagues ahead of the CTR though it is quite hardcore and can really test your patience when it's your daily driver, especially after a rough ten hours at work with a splitting headache when all you want to do is get home.
If I was in your position I'd be looking at a DC5 as it's the best compromise IMO though the insurance will be considerably more and you'll really struggle if under 25.
The only criticism I had of the CTR is the steering, when driving in a straight line their's around an inch of dead travel either side though it quickly weights up after this and actually gives a suprising amount of feedback and feel, the 04 onwards facelift models had revised steering so it's less of an issue in those.
:edit:
Everyone knows Satin Silver's the fastest
Edited by kristy_666 on Monday 8th August 22:47
Edited by kristy_666 on Monday 8th August 22:49
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