Stunning JDM Honda Civic Type R (EP3) for sale
Lapped up by British hot hatch lovers in the 2000s, but the Japanese market had the EP3 even better...
It was only eight years ago when Honda decided to finally give us a Civic Type R that was on par with those sold in its home market. The original EK9 was never officially sold here, and its approach in the mid-2000s was so extreme that it built two different cars for each market. Europe got a slightly underwhelming FN2 hatchback, while the JDM received an ultra-cool four-door FD2 saloon that, apparently, was a fair bit better than what we got.
What of the EP3, then? The car that started the Civic Type R craze here in Britain and is still considered one of the great hot hatches of the 21st century. This was a proper hero car growing up, so the Civic Type R mega test we put together last year proved the perfect opportunity to see what all the fuss was about. It was light, agile and had the utterly addictive noise of a VTEC engine coming on cam just shy of 6,000rpm was just as good as hoped. Which was handy, because there’s naff all grunt below that, so all the more reason to keep the revs up.
That, as I've come to learn, was the watered-down experience. I know that opens me up to a pelting of eggs, but, you guessed it, the Japanese version was even better. The big difference (underneath, at least) was the addition of a helical limited-slip differential; the same one found on the EK9 that, for some reason, was absent on European cars. The chassis was stiffer, too, with beefier anti-roll bars lending to a more track-focused set up. Even the engine was different, with the K20A (not the Euro-spec K20A2) packing a different exhaust manifold, intake, flywheel, high-lift cams and a retuned ECU. That amounted to an extra 20hp over the boggo EP3, pushing the JDM car up to 215hp. So more power and a better chassis to make use of it. Sigh.
The most striking change is clearly the Championship White finish, complete with matching wheels. The colour synonymous with nutty Hondas has been offered on every UK-bound Civic Type R since, even if as a special edition on the follow up FN2, but annoyingly not the EP3. And it’s all the more frustrating because it looks so damn good in it. Step inside and you’ll find red Recaros and red floor mats, as opposed to the part red, part black cabin on Euro cars. A small difference, sure, but the new FL5 proves that a Type R really suits a full red interior.
What’s especially nuts is that both Euro and JDM-destined examples were produced in the same factory, on the same production line, in Swindon. So this rather fetching 2002 model was assembled here in the UK, shipped off to Japan where it’s been thoroughly enjoyed by the same owner for the last 21 years, before finding its way back to Blighty. Better late than never...
And, yes, that does mean it comes at a premium. Being in near-stock state (just a 5Zigen muffler for extra parp) and with only 50,490 miles on the clock, the seller is looking for £15,990. Granted, EP3s are gradually on the up at the moment, but a higher mile example can still be had well below five figures. And being a Honda, there’s not a huge amount to go wrong, except for rust. That shouldn’t be a problem on a freshly imported JDM car, and although it’s top money, it’s widely believed to be the better of the two EP3s. If you’re a stickler for the best of the best, you need look no further.
SPECIFICATION | HONDA CIVIC TYPE R (EP3, JDM)
Engine: 1,998cc four-cylinder
Transmission: six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 215@8,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 144@7,000rpm
MPG: 31.7 (Euro spec, NEDC combined)
CO2: 212g/km (Euro spec)
Year registered: 2002
Recorded mileage: 50,490
Price new: N/A (Japan)
Yours for: £15,990
Last time PH did a feature on a white Honda from this dealer I ended up buying it, so I'm closing this page right....now....
Once you pressed on though it certainly felt very eager and nimble, with very light steering that you could place precisely on the road. There's a reason most EP3s ended up doing track work.
I think that's a problem with this one though, it's SUCH a nice example you'd want to keep it as stock and undriven as possible when to get the best from these you really have to flog them. Also, I never felt Championship White worked on this shape. I'd much prefer an EK9 for similar money.
It's a stunning example though, hopefully going to a home where it's used as intended.
Last time PH did a feature on a white Honda from this dealer I ended up buying it, so I'm closing this page right....now....
Of their cars it's the S660 that really appeals to me, no funds unfortunately.
Shopped around and bought what I thought drove the best, years later found out it had been clocked by around 60,000 miles meaning it actually had around 180,000 miles on it when I sold it (to a breaker who new of the discrepency). Low and behold it made it's next 3 MOT's.
It drove great and was good fun on our roads without going crazy speeds, I think a lot of that was down to the induction noise. I would be worried that most EP3's are now all gubbed and have been ran within an inch of their lives.
Mine had a Bride lowered seat rail, GruppeM intake, Eibach springs, AD08 tyres, RC5 pads and a few other bits.
Loved the engine / gearbox. The best NA 4-cylinder in the world. Only thing I wish I did was a set of ITBs!
Loved mine.
There were shorter ratios on the gearbox too, 4,5 and 6 are shorter. equipment wise they were same as an anniversary edition, facelift matched the premier, but are a lot rarer. The power difference a lot was in the map and Jap fuel so RR a standard JDM in uk and it was much closer to a standard UK car.
There were few lightweight versions too. I'm still not sure whether they were modded in japan or were a motorsport version. But they came with solid rear windows and no rear wiper ( think like the mini GP) actual non wiper glass. knew of two back in the CTRO forum days.
JDM mats were always mega money, last set i sold were £250 and i was going to throw them.
Chassis wise no difference bar rear anti roll bar being 2 mm thicker, front was same as EDM bar the shape for the different exhaust manifold.
I always found it fascinating that when visiting Bournemouth (circa 2003) we spotted 16 in one weekend with an average age of driver being 70 (I spoke to a number of them).
But yes, there were everywhere at one point. Nearly 19,000 sold in the UK and on the road at the end of 2006, 6000 or so left, so some 13,000 dead (or some will be SORN)
They were very popular.
But yes, there were everywhere at one point. Nearly 19,000 sold in the UK and on the road at the end of 2006, 6000 or so left, so some 13,000 dead (or some will be SORN)
They were very popular.
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