Honda Civic Type R (EP3 & FN2)
Discussion
after many hours of pouring over pistonheads and autotrader classifieds I am thinking of getting a Honda Civic Type R. I have driven many of renaultsports and have enjoyed them but I do fancy something different.
I have looked at both EP3's and FN2's of the Type R and I like both of them and after reading and watching some reviews of both cars I am torn between which one to go for, I have worked out all insurance and running costs for both and they are pretty much similar on paper. so which one does anyone think I should go for?
I have looked at both EP3's and FN2's of the Type R and I like both of them and after reading and watching some reviews of both cars I am torn between which one to go for, I have worked out all insurance and running costs for both and they are pretty much similar on paper. so which one does anyone think I should go for?
I have an Ep3, but if you can afford it go for the Fn2 
They are every bit as quick as the Ep3 on the road, feel more planted on bends and are far better specced.
Most people who criticise them are basing it off Clarkson's review or are bitter Ep3 drivers claiming there Civic is far more 'focused'........its rubbish mostly.
The 'torsion bar' suspension that Clarkson criticised is no different to that used on most of the other hatches.
The Stig picked the Fn2 as his favourite hot hatch in that era for a reason!
I love my Ep3 but the Fn2 is a definite improvement in nearly all areas.
If possible go for a Championship white or any other built after April 2010, that way you get the LSD as standard.
They are every bit as quick as the Ep3 on the road, feel more planted on bends and are far better specced.
Most people who criticise them are basing it off Clarkson's review or are bitter Ep3 drivers claiming there Civic is far more 'focused'........its rubbish mostly.
The 'torsion bar' suspension that Clarkson criticised is no different to that used on most of the other hatches.
The Stig picked the Fn2 as his favourite hot hatch in that era for a reason!
I love my Ep3 but the Fn2 is a definite improvement in nearly all areas.
If possible go for a Championship white or any other built after April 2010, that way you get the LSD as standard.
billy939 said:
I have an Ep3, but if you can afford it go for the Fn2
They are every bit as quick as the Ep3 on the road, feel more planted on bends and are far better specced.
Most people who criticise them are basing it off Clarkson's review or are bitter Ep3 drivers claiming there Civic is far more 'focused'........its rubbish mostly.
The 'torsion bar' suspension that Clarkson criticised is no different to that used on most of the other hatches.
The Stig picked the Fn2 as his favourite hot hatch in that era for a reason!
I love my Ep3 but the Fn2 is a definite improvement in nearly all areas.
If possible go for a Championship white or any other built after April 2010, that way you get the LSD as standard.
I did watch the clarkson review and mentioning the torsion bar makes it worse, but doesnt a Megane RS have one aswell and thats dubbed as one of the best hot hatches out there?They are every bit as quick as the Ep3 on the road, feel more planted on bends and are far better specced.
Most people who criticise them are basing it off Clarkson's review or are bitter Ep3 drivers claiming there Civic is far more 'focused'........its rubbish mostly.
The 'torsion bar' suspension that Clarkson criticised is no different to that used on most of the other hatches.
The Stig picked the Fn2 as his favourite hot hatch in that era for a reason!
I love my Ep3 but the Fn2 is a definite improvement in nearly all areas.
If possible go for a Championship white or any other built after April 2010, that way you get the LSD as standard.
really torn between which one as the EP3 sounds like its a complete riot to drive and the FN2 is exactly the same only with some more toys and I think looks alot more cooler
I will be test driving both examples very soon. really looking forward to it
Lcfc84 said:
I have had 4 ep3s and one fn2 and i found the fn2 to be a load of rubbish. Get a nicely looked after ep3 and your on to a winner one of the best cars i have owned and i have had most hot hatches going
I'll take that into account but but like billy939 asks, why is the FN2 rubbish compared to the EP3 in your opinion?billy939 said:
I have an Ep3, but if you can afford it go for the Fn2
They are every bit as quick as the Ep3 on the road, feel more planted on bends and are far better specced.
Most people who criticise them are basing it off Clarkson's review or are bitter Ep3 drivers claiming there Civic is far more 'focused'........its rubbish mostly.
The 'torsion bar' suspension that Clarkson criticised is no different to that used on most of the other hatches.
The Stig picked the Fn2 as his favourite hot hatch in that era for a reason!
I love my Ep3 but the Fn2 is a definite improvement in nearly all areas.
If possible go for a Championship white or any other built after April 2010, that way you get the LSD as standard.
At last!!! someone talking sense.They are every bit as quick as the Ep3 on the road, feel more planted on bends and are far better specced.
Most people who criticise them are basing it off Clarkson's review or are bitter Ep3 drivers claiming there Civic is far more 'focused'........its rubbish mostly.
The 'torsion bar' suspension that Clarkson criticised is no different to that used on most of the other hatches.
The Stig picked the Fn2 as his favourite hot hatch in that era for a reason!
I love my Ep3 but the Fn2 is a definite improvement in nearly all areas.
If possible go for a Championship white or any other built after April 2010, that way you get the LSD as standard.
Before anyone asks, I have driven a fair few EP3's and countless FN2's including Mugen type R's and the Mugen 2.2.
I know where my money would be going. FN2 every time.
JPatkinson18 said:
billy939 said:
I have an Ep3, but if you can afford it go for the Fn2
They are every bit as quick as the Ep3 on the road, feel more planted on bends and are far better specced.
Most people who criticise them are basing it off Clarkson's review or are bitter Ep3 drivers claiming there Civic is far more 'focused'........its rubbish mostly.
The 'torsion bar' suspension that Clarkson criticised is no different to that used on most of the other hatches.
The Stig picked the Fn2 as his favourite hot hatch in that era for a reason!
I love my Ep3 but the Fn2 is a definite improvement in nearly all areas.
If possible go for a Championship white or any other built after April 2010, that way you get the LSD as standard.
I did watch the clarkson review and mentioning the torsion bar makes it worse, but doesnt a Megane RS have one aswell and thats dubbed as one of the best hot hatches out there?They are every bit as quick as the Ep3 on the road, feel more planted on bends and are far better specced.
Most people who criticise them are basing it off Clarkson's review or are bitter Ep3 drivers claiming there Civic is far more 'focused'........its rubbish mostly.
The 'torsion bar' suspension that Clarkson criticised is no different to that used on most of the other hatches.
The Stig picked the Fn2 as his favourite hot hatch in that era for a reason!
I love my Ep3 but the Fn2 is a definite improvement in nearly all areas.
If possible go for a Championship white or any other built after April 2010, that way you get the LSD as standard.
really torn between which one as the EP3 sounds like its a complete riot to drive and the FN2 is exactly the same only with some more toys and I think looks alot more cooler
I will be test driving both examples very soon. really looking forward to it
The Ep3 is a complete riot though, keeping it below 5k rpm you can get 38-39mpg to a tank if you're really careful and then over 5800rpm it goes mad and can provide excellent performance for the money they cost.
I think you're very right about the FN2 though it does have everything the EP3 has and more, including better looks.
The question you have to ask yourself is whether the FN2's extras are worth the extra money. Both are great though and you would enjoy either.
How much you looking to spend? I thought the two cars are still quite far apart cost wise?
I have a FN2 so bias but on a day to day basis it is better, maybe the EP3 is better at 9/10's but how often do you drive like that? Cruise control / climate control etc add weight but it's what I want on the daily commute.
On the flip side, my mate has a £3k EP3. What a bargain!
I have a FN2 so bias but on a day to day basis it is better, maybe the EP3 is better at 9/10's but how often do you drive like that? Cruise control / climate control etc add weight but it's what I want on the daily commute.
On the flip side, my mate has a £3k EP3. What a bargain!
Yeahh what they said ^^
I'm on my 2nd Ep3 and I've spend a £5500 combined buying them. My current one was only £2500 on 116k. They both have been 100% reliable and I can't fault either of them. Find one with Full Honda service History, that's completely standard and is good condition and you won't go far wrong.
I'm on my 2nd Ep3 and I've spend a £5500 combined buying them. My current one was only £2500 on 116k. They both have been 100% reliable and I can't fault either of them. Find one with Full Honda service History, that's completely standard and is good condition and you won't go far wrong.
billy939 said:
Yeahh what they said ^^
I'm on my 2nd Ep3 and I've spend a £5500 combined buying them. My current one was only £2500 on 116k. They both have been 100% reliable and I can't fault either of them. Find one with Full Honda service History, that's completely standard and is good condition and you won't go far wrong.
Mine's lightly modified and in much better nick than a lot of standard ones I looked at. If it's enthusiast owned, it's likely to have been at least lightly modified, but will also have been looked after using the proper oils etc.I'm on my 2nd Ep3 and I've spend a £5500 combined buying them. My current one was only £2500 on 116k. They both have been 100% reliable and I can't fault either of them. Find one with Full Honda service History, that's completely standard and is good condition and you won't go far wrong.
I'd find a low mileage 55 or 06 plate EP3, ideally a Premier Edition, if I was to chose between the two. I owned one for a while and really enjoyed it regardless of how I drove it. My only criticism is the standard suspension is way too hard which results in bunny hops exiting junctions or entering roundabouts that aren't completely dry. On the road it's quite comfortable and does feel quite raw in an EU legislated sort of way. The FN2 is also a very good car and in isolation it's probably better in many ways but what hurts it is that its dad is just so good at being a Type-R. Had the FN2 been badged as an Si it would be perfect.
It's all down to personal preference and what you're looking to get out of it and I dare say you'll prefer the first one you drive so look at the equipment list and how you're planning to drive it.
You won't go wrong with either.
It's all down to personal preference and what you're looking to get out of it and I dare say you'll prefer the first one you drive so look at the equipment list and how you're planning to drive it.
You won't go wrong with either.
vtecyo said:
billy939 said:
Yeahh what they said ^^
I'm on my 2nd Ep3 and I've spend a £5500 combined buying them. My current one was only £2500 on 116k. They both have been 100% reliable and I can't fault either of them. Find one with Full Honda service History, that's completely standard and is good condition and you won't go far wrong.
Mine's lightly modified and in much better nick than a lot of standard ones I looked at. If it's enthusiast owned, it's likely to have been at least lightly modified, but will also have been looked after using the proper oils etc.I'm on my 2nd Ep3 and I've spend a £5500 combined buying them. My current one was only £2500 on 116k. They both have been 100% reliable and I can't fault either of them. Find one with Full Honda service History, that's completely standard and is good condition and you won't go far wrong.
Another FN2 owner here.
The ride is hard, but certainly not crashy, and when you are on it, the ride is utterly forgiven and makes a lot of sense, even seems to become more supple if you're aggressive with it. It works really well.
Creature comforts are pretty good, as others have mentioned you get cruise and climate, the stereo is pretty good, the car is remarkably practical and if you're willing to poke about under the back seats, you can 'enable' the 'magic seats' feature available on cooking variety civics which allows you to fold and stow the rear seat bases in an upright position, giving fantastic load space - in my case, I regularly fit two dogs, two people's cold water diving gear and camping gear with room to spare, and with the dogs seperate to the kit, on either side of the divide - kit in the boot, dogs in the rear seat wells.
Mild annoyances are the front seats, when you fold them forward to let people in the back, they 'reset' to a bolt upright position, and I personally find the seat base about 2" too short. Mrs NoName says its in my mind though, and I would like the driving seat to sit a tad bit lower, but other than that, really no complaints.
Other than that, its a real scream, holds on way longer than it has any right to do, sounds like a race car, handles nicely, doesn't have any discernable torque steer which was a surprise having had a few FWD 200bhp+ cars, the steering weights up nicely at speed, and... IT HAS SHIFT LIGHTS! The car brings the child out in me every single time I drive it, especially as my daily drive is a BMW 120d!
Don't listen to the naysayers who rattle on with the Clarkson rear suspension line, the car is properly planted and again, is better in many respects than it has any right to be.
Oh, and I bought mine dirt cheap, with just under 90k on the clocks, and it feels box fresh. No squeaks, no rattles, no play. The thing is better built in every respect than my BMW, ignoring some marginally cheaper plastics which I never spend any time caressing.
Finally, it is put together logically. I fitted a Dension gateway Bluetooth/USB/Aux as mine wasn't fitted with any of them. I had the entire centre console, radio, heater controls and half the dash top out in under 30 minutes because it makes sense. Did a 'major' service on it inside 2 hours on the driveway with no lifting gear other than ramps, jacks and stands. It's a modern car that you can work on sensibly, which is a major win in my book.
Fair to say I like it a lot.
The ride is hard, but certainly not crashy, and when you are on it, the ride is utterly forgiven and makes a lot of sense, even seems to become more supple if you're aggressive with it. It works really well.
Creature comforts are pretty good, as others have mentioned you get cruise and climate, the stereo is pretty good, the car is remarkably practical and if you're willing to poke about under the back seats, you can 'enable' the 'magic seats' feature available on cooking variety civics which allows you to fold and stow the rear seat bases in an upright position, giving fantastic load space - in my case, I regularly fit two dogs, two people's cold water diving gear and camping gear with room to spare, and with the dogs seperate to the kit, on either side of the divide - kit in the boot, dogs in the rear seat wells.
Mild annoyances are the front seats, when you fold them forward to let people in the back, they 'reset' to a bolt upright position, and I personally find the seat base about 2" too short. Mrs NoName says its in my mind though, and I would like the driving seat to sit a tad bit lower, but other than that, really no complaints.
Other than that, its a real scream, holds on way longer than it has any right to do, sounds like a race car, handles nicely, doesn't have any discernable torque steer which was a surprise having had a few FWD 200bhp+ cars, the steering weights up nicely at speed, and... IT HAS SHIFT LIGHTS! The car brings the child out in me every single time I drive it, especially as my daily drive is a BMW 120d!
Don't listen to the naysayers who rattle on with the Clarkson rear suspension line, the car is properly planted and again, is better in many respects than it has any right to be.
Oh, and I bought mine dirt cheap, with just under 90k on the clocks, and it feels box fresh. No squeaks, no rattles, no play. The thing is better built in every respect than my BMW, ignoring some marginally cheaper plastics which I never spend any time caressing.
Finally, it is put together logically. I fitted a Dension gateway Bluetooth/USB/Aux as mine wasn't fitted with any of them. I had the entire centre console, radio, heater controls and half the dash top out in under 30 minutes because it makes sense. Did a 'major' service on it inside 2 hours on the driveway with no lifting gear other than ramps, jacks and stands. It's a modern car that you can work on sensibly, which is a major win in my book.
Fair to say I like it a lot.
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