Tuesday 3rd December 2013

Honda Civic Type R: Spotted

VTEC kicks in for the second time in a day, yo, etc

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There's something about the way a car ages, even over its first few years, that really changes the way in which it's perceived. Rather than judging a car for what it isn't, which is what we do when a car is new, we instead begin to appreciate it for what it is.

Perhaps it's because new cars have direct rivals and any shortcomings against the competition are plain to see and difficult to ignore. A few years pass by, the car in question is no longer on sale and - maybe because it has aged or depreciated differently to its old rivals - it's no longer judged in the context of the class leader.

More appealing now than it was new?

That means those shortcomings fade from the consciousness and the merits are allowed to shine brighter. There is, it has to be said, a very good chance that all of that it utter drivel and I'm just vainly trying to justify my low opinion of the FN2 Civic Type R when new against my desire to own one now.

It might simply be that once a car has lost two thirds of its value we're more willing to turn a blind eye to it flaws; we expect much less for our £6K than we do £20K. Regardless, a six-year-old Civic Type R now looks like a very tidy purchase.

I had occasional access to one a few years ago, as I did a VW Golf GTI Mk5, and I had a fairly turbulent relationship with it. Judged against the Golf it felt slow in a straight line, it was uncomfortable and unrefined and the seating position was too high.

On the flip side, the gear change was wonderful, the seats themselves were supportive with their firmly padded wings and it looked like nothing else on the road.

Sci-fi interior, weird looks, thrilling drive

To this day I still don't know if I like the way it drives. The drivetrain was exciting and the engine span up so freely and with such ferocity once into the VTEC range, but it never felt quick in a straight line. It seemed to make a lot of fuss about not going very far. The direct steering allied to the ultra stiff, roll-free chassis made it feel like a touring car. It was responsive and agile in a way the Golf couldn't even imagine, but the firmness made it difficult to judge grip levels. On occasion it would just plough on in massive understeer rather than attack the apex and there was no mobility to the rear end.

I've done more laps of the Nordschleife in the Type R than any other car, which is to say about four, and around the most challenging of circuits it really won me over. Despite not knowing the place terribly well I felt confident enough to really push to my limits and by keeping the Civic pinned on the brakes at turn in there wasn't a suggestion of front end push. With the engine kept well on top of its power band it also felt plenty quick enough.

I can only conclude that the Civic Type R is a complex car, but at this price point I just wouldn't be bothered that certain rivals are more intuitive down a tricky stretch of B-road. I'd just rev the nuts off that firecracker engine and enjoy a completely unique driving experience.

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HONDA CIVIC TYPE R (FN2)
Engine: 1,998cc, four-cylinder
Transmission: 6-speed manual, FWD
Power (hp): 200@7,800rpm
Torque (lb ft): 142@5,600rpm
MPG: 31.0
CO2: 215g/km
Recorded mileage: 83,265
First registered: 2007
Price new: £18,615
Yours for: £6,195

See the original advert here.

[Benjaminbopper]

Having had 4 of these back to back as company cars, they are certainly fun but a bumpy b-road overwhelms the rear torsion beam suspension quite quickly. It's lack of roll is great on smooth surfaces and it's indeed fun out on a smooth track. Every one I drove hard and they delivered 10k miles flawlessly, gave 40mpg on a run and a smile every time you hit 5,600 rpm. Great seats too!

Later versions came with an LSD standard, USB and hid equipped lights. Worth holding out for if it's an everyday car opposed to a bit of a fun impulse purchase.

[Frimley111R]

Benjaminbopper said:

Having had 4 of these back to back as company cars,..

Blimey, you liked them then!

[Wadeski]

If you had found a really nice EK9 or EP3 model this would have been more interesting.

[HorneyMX5]

Bought one 4 weeks ago today. I'm already a Honda bore. I spent a bit more (£7.7K) for a 2007 car but it had just clicked over 32,000 miles with very full honda history so when I'm done in 3 years time it will still be just under the 100,000 mile figure which should help keep some of it's value (I do circa 20K a year).


IMG_4866-Edit.jpg by Nicholas R Horne, on Flickr

[Antj]

FN2 is just a car, looks nice now and has aged well. Engine is still great but if you want the Type-R experience the EP3 is the one to go for.

the arguments go on and on, but the Ep3 is still the one to go for, no toys, but thats half the charm. a car where the engine and chassis are the main parts not the aesthetics.

The FN2 is 60% there, it surely is a very modern hatch with all the toys etc and those striking looks and you also can;t sniff at the price of them. But its just diluted down whatever the fanboys tell you. i am just about to buy my 4th Ep3 this time for track use only. i am yet to find a car as bullet proof and cheap to won if you negate the insurance aspect.

[DISASTRA 5 0]

Wadeski said:

If you had found a really nice EK9 or EP3 model this would have been more interesting.

Finding a nice one would be the problem!

Around this part of the world most examples are far from original.

[paulvillage]

I brought one, it was one of the last before it got banned! Great car a lot of fun, they came with a LSD as standard towards the end of its production life so the under steering issues which plagued it was considerably better.

[DISASTRA 5 0]

The wife drives a type r fn2, not the fat type r gt!

I think the fn2 is a bit more on the femine side, looks wise!imho

The reduction in weight and the slight increase in torque helps the performance enough to be able to live with it predecessor!

The exhaust adds to the vtec drama too!

[PHMatt]

I'd walk past one of these every single day of the week and buy a mk1 focus rs at this price point.
Absolutely nothing at all would make more sense about the type r.
And I'm no Ford nut either. Never owned a Ford of any type.

[11110111]

PHMatt said:

I'd walk past one of these every single day of the week and buy a mk1 focus rs at this price point.
Absolutely nothing at all would make more sense about the type r.
And I'm no Ford nut either. Never owned a Ford of any type.

but instead you drive...?

[Benjaminbopper]

Frimley111R said:

Blimey, you liked them then!

I do have a soft spot for them now, however it was the fastest car on the list at the time which sadly only consisted of Honda's!

[mnx42]

Never driven one, but IMO a great looking car. Particularly in red.

[ndj]

Loved mine but couldn't really live with the (over) firm ride.

A BMW with M-Sport suspension AND run-flats feels soft compared to the Civic.

[HorneyMX5]

ndj said:

Loved mine but couldn't really live with the (over) firm ride.

A BMW with M-Sport suspension AND run-flats feels soft compared to the Civic.

I didn't think it was that bad until I went to visit my folks in Henley On Thames. If I lived there I would be changing the springs out for the progressive Eibachs asap.

[timmeh2k]

Wadeski said:

If you had found a really nice EK9 or EP3 model this would have been more interesting.

Good luck finding a nice original EK9 type R, they were JDM only for starters

[Denver09]

I bought this two months ago after having a Merc CL500. I fancied a hot hatch after driving a monster for a year.

I test drove a stock Type R form a Honda Dealership. It was OK but I was a little disappointed in the lack of noise and the speed was not that thrilling. I decided if I'm going to go with a type R I might as well take the Pepsi challenge and go with 19's, the Gruppe N Induction kit, Full Miltek exhaust and lowered suspension. The result is a mini race car. I use it every day. It is very practical but the ride is a complete joke! Especially coming from a car with Hydraulic suspension (merc 500). It is a very capable everyday car if you go for stock 18's and stock suspension. I will try and drive it for a year and then move on to something a bit softer.

[skene]

I just bought an EP3, test drove a few things, Megane 225, mazda3 mps and a golf gti, but the ep3 was still my favourite, handling that only the 225 comes near and just so much more to fun than any of the others, okay it's less powerful but against the others you'd never notice til well into license losing speeds.

If you're looking for a Type R, don't get a Fat and Neutral2 get a minter of an EP

[Mastodon2]

The EP3 is the one to go for, even if the passage of time is making us less harsh on the FN2. The FN2 has a great engine and gearbox, but the EP3 just has that extra edge. Both great cars and if I couldn't have an EP3, I'd rather take an FN2 over the turbocharged competition.

[traffman]

I 'm currently restoring our ep3 back to rude health , after 7 years of ownership its started to get a bit crumbly.

Not once have i thought of changing it for the newer model. Well maybe a white version.

Its such a buzz wringing it's neck......err when i get the brakes bled that is.

[menoy]

Benjaminbopper said:

Having had 4 of these back to back as company cars (...)

Where do I apply?