Accord Type R - that spoiler...
Discussion
In my endless search for a new car, I started pondering about ATR's- (every week I seem to think of a better idea for a new car...)
An ATR would suit my needs nicely- got some fun, got some practicality, not toooo bad on fuel.... but that monolithic spoiler..... - it's not just the boy racer image i'd like to avoid, but I'd also like to fit my bike rack on the back!
Would it be wrong to buy an ATR fit a standard accord boot lid? Would a get hate mail from type R fans?
Does that gargantuan spoiler actually provide any downforce? and would taking it off the car mess up the revered handling of the ATR?
It's probably there for show and to demarcate it from the lesser models. I'm willing to bet the car will handle no differently without it. Spoiler delete was an option for Imprezas IIRC, and it didn't seem to make much difference.
My Volvo S40 T4 didn't have the spoiler like most T4's, and it was fine.
I reckon if that's what you want, do it.
My Volvo S40 T4 didn't have the spoiler like most T4's, and it was fine.
I reckon if that's what you want, do it.
I know what you mean. Funnily enough I looked at ATR's too recently, they look good and seem to be great cars, and with legendary Honda reliability as well. Plus that vtec engine, what's not to like? I also like the twin exhausts.
I went for a Skoda Octavia VRS in the end though, have you considered those? Similar kind of car I think. It's great, I love it
I went for a Skoda Octavia VRS in the end though, have you considered those? Similar kind of car I think. It's great, I love it
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
I know what you mean. Funnily enough I looked at ATR's too recently, they look good and seem to be great cars, and with legendary Honda reliability as well. Plus that vtec engine, what's not to like? I also like the twin exhausts.
I went for a Skoda Octavia VRS in the end though, have you considered those? Similar kind of car I think. It's great, I love it
hmm, you know they hadn't crossed my mind, but i'm going to have to do some googling now- good shout.I went for a Skoda Octavia VRS in the end though, have you considered those? Similar kind of car I think. It's great, I love it
this is why I can't decide on a new car- a fellow petrolhead always suggests a damn good alternative!
How long have you had the VRS for? how are the running costs?
Heheh, sorry to throw another curve ball at you!
I've had it two weeks now. It's a nice looking car, well equipped, comfortable, and very practical. I folded the seats down to load some stuff the other day and couldn't believe the amount of room available.
It cruises gently well, but also when you put your foot down it's pretty quick. Coming from my last car, a Porsche 911, it's obviously not THAT fast, but for a 4 door saloon, picks it's skirt up very nicely when asked to.
I've just finished my first tank of fuel, got about 400 miles to a tank, costs about 60 quid to fill. But then I've had a bit of 'new car syndrome' and have been booting it round a bit as you'd expect.
My friend has an Audi TT which has the same engine and she reckons she gets about 450 miles to a tank, and looking on Briskoda.co.uk it seems that 450 miles is achievable if you drive fairly carefully.
Looking round the internet, it seems that nothing really goes wrong with these cars, and they're built well. As you know, they're basically VW / Audis under the skin, so should be good.
Parts seem cheap so far, I bought a genuine oil filter and new sump plug with washer from the main dealer yesterday, was 7 quid.
Overall, I'm very impressed so far. Even if my mates do take the piss and are calling me a 'wannabe copper' now!
I've had it two weeks now. It's a nice looking car, well equipped, comfortable, and very practical. I folded the seats down to load some stuff the other day and couldn't believe the amount of room available.
It cruises gently well, but also when you put your foot down it's pretty quick. Coming from my last car, a Porsche 911, it's obviously not THAT fast, but for a 4 door saloon, picks it's skirt up very nicely when asked to.
I've just finished my first tank of fuel, got about 400 miles to a tank, costs about 60 quid to fill. But then I've had a bit of 'new car syndrome' and have been booting it round a bit as you'd expect.
My friend has an Audi TT which has the same engine and she reckons she gets about 450 miles to a tank, and looking on Briskoda.co.uk it seems that 450 miles is achievable if you drive fairly carefully.
Looking round the internet, it seems that nothing really goes wrong with these cars, and they're built well. As you know, they're basically VW / Audis under the skin, so should be good.
Parts seem cheap so far, I bought a genuine oil filter and new sump plug with washer from the main dealer yesterday, was 7 quid.
Overall, I'm very impressed so far. Even if my mates do take the piss and are calling me a 'wannabe copper' now!
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
I folded the seats down to load some stuff the other day and couldn't believe the amount of room available.
the fact the seats go down is actually a big plus over the ATR- i believe its seats are fixed like most saloons.Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
Overall, I'm very impressed so far. Even if my mates do take the piss and are calling me a 'wannabe copper' now!
the only downside.Although, I'm starting to realise no matter what motor I end up with, it'll always have an image of some sorts attached:
came close to spending my savings on an e39 M5 - after a test drive, my friend's first comments 'you'll look like a drug dealer in that'.....
Heheh, but yeah, if you have petrolhead mates like me, it wouldn't matter what you bought, they'd give you a gentle ribbing! As would you with them, I bet 
Well anyway, don't worry about others, buy what YOU want and feel comfortable with obviously. But I do recommend that you have a look at these Octavia VRS's as well ,as it sounds like it would suit you. There's quite a few available around the £2,500 to £3,000 mark, but I did look at quite a few before settling on mine. For your information, mine is a '51 plate in black with 94k on the clock, bought from a dealer for £2,500. Seems to be about right price wise, and there's lots around, so take your time in finding a good car for the right money.
Well anyway, don't worry about others, buy what YOU want and feel comfortable with obviously. But I do recommend that you have a look at these Octavia VRS's as well ,as it sounds like it would suit you. There's quite a few available around the £2,500 to £3,000 mark, but I did look at quite a few before settling on mine. For your information, mine is a '51 plate in black with 94k on the clock, bought from a dealer for £2,500. Seems to be about right price wise, and there's lots around, so take your time in finding a good car for the right money.
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
It's probably there for show and to demarcate it from the lesser models. I'm willing to bet the car will handle no differently without it.
Top end stability will be hairier if you're that way inclined (or into trackdays). I know of a few people who despoilered ITRs and reported twitchier back ends - different car and you can't believe anything you read on the intert00bz I know, but personally I'd leave it on.The ATR boot is absolutely cavernous though - you can fit a couple of bikes in it easily with the wheels removed. Might be worth seeing if a Saris Bones bike rack fits too.
Doniger said:
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
It's probably there for show and to demarcate it from the lesser models. I'm willing to bet the car will handle no differently without it.
Top end stability will be hairier if you're that way inclined (or into trackdays). I know of a few people who despoilered ITRs and reported twitchier back ends - different car and you can't believe anything you read on the intert00bz I know, but personally I'd leave it on.The ATR boot is absolutely cavernous though - you can fit a couple of bikes in it easily with the wheels removed. Might be worth seeing if a Saris Bones bike rack fits too.
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
Well anyway, don't worry about others, buy what YOU want and feel comfortable with obviously. But I do recommend that you have a look at these Octavia VRS's as well ,as it sounds like it would suit you. There's quite a few available around the £2,500 to £3,000 mark, but I did look at quite a few before settling on mine. For your information, mine is a '51 plate in black with 94k on the clock, bought from a dealer for £2,500. Seems to be about right price wise, and there's lots around, so take your time in finding a good car for the right money.
that seems astonishingly good value for money!I can see why you plumbed for the VRS over the ATR.
You've now consigned me to an evening of preening through the classifieds, instead of doing all the things i ought to be doing
Doniger said:
The ATR boot is absolutely cavernous though - you can fit a couple of bikes in it easily with the wheels removed. Might be worth seeing if a Saris Bones bike rack fits too.
that's actually the rack I have- it does fit over most boot protrusions, but asking it to straddle the ATR's wing might be asking too much.Good to know it has a decent sized boot though.
As for track days - it's always been on my mind, but I think these days I'd rather go karting or save up and goto the ring again and hire a ring car.
I'd be worrying too much driving my everyday transport on track!
Edited by Fordo on Monday 22 November 20:59
Happy perusing then dude! If it helps, I found mine on the PH classifieds too. Although I did look round Autotrader as well.
There seem to be a few dealers and even some private sellers asking way over 3 grand, in fact one dealer local to me in Southampton was asking £3,700 for a similar car to mine.
I think that there are some who think that the VRS badge is worth an extra grand, but if you look around enough, you should be able to find a good car for similar money that I paid for mine.
Anyway have fun, I hope I've been helpful, and when you get your new ride, post some pics up on here, ok?!
There seem to be a few dealers and even some private sellers asking way over 3 grand, in fact one dealer local to me in Southampton was asking £3,700 for a similar car to mine.
I think that there are some who think that the VRS badge is worth an extra grand, but if you look around enough, you should be able to find a good car for similar money that I paid for mine.
Anyway have fun, I hope I've been helpful, and when you get your new ride, post some pics up on here, ok?!
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
Anyway have fun, I hope I've been helpful, and when you get your new ride, post some pics up on here, ok?!
cheers for your input everyone 
Pistonheads - its like pub banter, but with no beer or attractive bar maids :-(
Think i'm going to have to test drive both- i can probably spend far too long weighing up mpg vs power etc. I just need to buy whatever puts the biggest smile on my face!
Edited by Fordo on Monday 22 November 21:04
Fordo said:
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
Anyway have fun, I hope I've been helpful, and when you get your new ride, post some pics up on here, ok?!
cheers for your input Pistonheads - its like pub banter, but with no beer or attractive bar maids :-(
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
And if you sit in front of your pc with a bottle of something nice and another browser window pointing to youporn.com, I find it can be a reasonable equivalent to pub banter with beer and attractive bar maids
quick question, does the VRS come with cruise control? Same question to the peeps knowldegable in all things ATR too.
it's not a deal breaker, but would be nice. might be doing another road trip with the other half next year. I know, i know, we should really be picking the twistyest routes, but CC is of course a blessing on those unavoidable long bits between the twisty bits
Fordo said:
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
And if you sit in front of your pc with a bottle of something nice and another browser window pointing to youporn.com, I find it can be a reasonable equivalent to pub banter with beer and attractive bar maids
quick question, does the VRS come with cruise control? Same question to the peeps knowldegable in all things ATR too.
it's not a deal breaker, but would be nice. might be doing another road trip with the other half next year. I know, i know, we should really be picking the twistyest routes, but CC is of course a blessing on those unavoidable long bits between the twisty bits
I would have liked cruise on mine, but I've found that if I take my foot to the right of the pedal and relax it in the footwell, I can sort of have it half on and half off the gas pedal, but comfortably on it without actually holding it on there, if you know what I mean.
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