Honda Civic Type R: PH Carpool
Fast, fun AND practical? One PHer has found his perfect set of wheels
Car: Honda Civic Type R FN2 2008
Owned Since: August 2012
Previously Owned: 2003 Honda Civic 1.6 Executive, 1994 Toyota MR2.
The banzai engine even LOOKS good too!
"The MR2 wasn't the best example of the model. It had previous crash damage to the shell, it leaked but the engine in it was sensational and it was rear-wheel drive! The MR2 cannot carry a mountain bike though. I did try putting a rack onto the engine cover but I felt it wasn't safely attached at all. This was one of the main reasons for changing car. When I'd bought the MR2, biking was an interest but I had no real wanting to travel far to trail centres. But by 2012 biking had become more important and not being able to carry it became a major hindrance. I needed something to be able take it. Hondas are also popular at work with an Integra owner married to the guy who runs Endless Horizon Motorsport. Another person with a 90s Civic and then an early 2000s Civic, I thought I'd fit in.
What I'd wished I'd known:
"I went into the whole process of buying a new car with the intention of buying an early 2000s Civic. I was all set to view at a dealership when I did an HPI check which said it had outstanding finance. I don't enjoy buying and selling cars because I am so nervous about getting a dud, um, a bit like the MR2 with the leaking, crappy shell. I found some more money to buy from a main dealer and the 2008 Civic.
Civic appreciates quality rubber, wallet less so
Things I love:
"That K20 engine is just sensational. It revs to 9,000rpm and the current Honda BTCC touring cars still use the K20 unit in the newest body. The GT body, like the bumper and the wheels, make it look like it wants to kill you. The ability to swallow a full suspension bike complete without taking the wheels off into the folding flat rear seats is superb."
Things I hate:
"That it's unable to take a bike rack either on the roof or on the boot or on a towbar. The fuel economy is very poor in town but it's faster than a so-called eco car and revs to 9,000rpm. Modifying it is very expensive but costs are coming down as used examples fall under 10,000. Honda could have got more power out of it when they re-launched the Type R in 2006. Not having independent rear suspension. The exhaust note isn't very nice to hear at 5,500rpm upwards, I'd rather have the radio on."
Costs:
"I have focused on the handling as I have a thing about corners, I think they are more fun than pure straight line motorway pace. I bought the best suspension I could afford, Eibach Pro-Street coilovers, set up for handling prowess. Wheel alignment and replacing with good tyres - Goodyear Eagles and Falken 452s."
Sinister looks, serious pace and space too
"I took the car up to York and had a sensational drive into the North York Moors. I've been to Aston Hill and to Princes Risborough, the back way through small villages for a good MTB ride. There is a drive to my friend's which has lots of roundabouts, 40mph-plus roads which is a lot of fun to do on a regular basis."
What next?
"The ability to carry a bike, somehow, is such a stipulation. I would find it difficult to find a good looking sports car with those same attributes. Rear- or four-wheel drive would be encouraged. An Evo 6 perhaps? I also had a look at the Z3 M Coupe which I think could take a bike..."
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The FF Toyota Celicas have a *huge* boot and are good MTB carriers, I'm not sure how much shallower the 4WD ones are, but that's an option.
Also red is the fastest colour, everyone knows this.
IMG_4962.jpg by Nicholas R Horne, on Flickr
IMG_4965.jpg by Nicholas R Horne, on Flickr
)After careful consideration she chose a Type-S GT 2.2cdti over the Type-R, as she prefers to surf the torque of the diesel rather than wring the neck of the n/a petrol engine, which lacks torque in comparison.
Things she loved? The Type-R nose panel her car was fitted with instead of the stupid silvery-glass effort of the standard cars. And the panoramic roof, which makes the interior so much lighter.
Things she hated? The instrument panels' ability to show, and reflect, every scratch that it picked up, making the dash look poor quality.
My personal preference would be a red Type-R, and I'd look out for an aftermarket supercharged example, which although rare, are apparently flying machines...
After careful consideration she chose a Type-S GT 2.2cdti over the Type-R, as she prefers to surf the torque of the diesel rather than wring the neck of the n/a petrol engine, which lacks torque in comparison.
Things she loved? The Type-R nose panel her car was fitted with instead of the stupid silvery-glass effort of the standard cars. And the panoramic roof, which makes the interior so much lighter.
Things she hated? The instrument panels' ability to show, and reflect, every scratch that it picked up, making the dash look poor quality.
My personal preference would be a red Type-R, and I'd look out for an aftermarket supercharged example, which although rare, are apparently flying machines...
The FF Toyota Celicas have a *huge* boot and are good MTB carriers, I'm not sure how much shallower the 4WD ones are, but that's an option.
(once warmed up obviously) With the MTB thing, I've never tried a roof rack, I did manage to get it in the boot with a wheel removed and the seats down.
The rear suspension thing could be a concern if you were looking to race it or modify it, but as a daily driver that allows me to have fun on Scottish A roads it is near perfect. And it is very comfortable on long distance motorway driving but does rev high at cruising speeds. Nearly 4k I think.
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