Honda Civic Type R - FN2
Discussion
Evening all,
Recently looked at a e90 330i which was nice but felt very small inside. Still fancy one but it's tough to find an M Sport which is a manual.
Going to go for a more engaging hot hatch, which will most likely be a lot more fun to drive, in the flavour of an FN2.
They seem to very reliable if looked after and the gearbox and engine, along with a more modern interior looks like a winner. Downsides are poor NVH and a rock hard ride.
I've currently got an ep2 which is just ticked over 180k. It also has a rock hard ride and poor NVH so I feel like I'm already prepared for it.
Questions:
Anything in particular to look out for?
Wanted a 09 facelift but they seem to be out of my 5k top end budget. Worth plumping up for one?
Any alternatives that are worth considering? A Mk5 Golf GTI was next on the list but they seem to be long in the tooth, less reliable, and a bit more tame.
Recently looked at a e90 330i which was nice but felt very small inside. Still fancy one but it's tough to find an M Sport which is a manual.
Going to go for a more engaging hot hatch, which will most likely be a lot more fun to drive, in the flavour of an FN2.
They seem to very reliable if looked after and the gearbox and engine, along with a more modern interior looks like a winner. Downsides are poor NVH and a rock hard ride.
I've currently got an ep2 which is just ticked over 180k. It also has a rock hard ride and poor NVH so I feel like I'm already prepared for it.
Questions:
Anything in particular to look out for?
Wanted a 09 facelift but they seem to be out of my 5k top end budget. Worth plumping up for one?
Any alternatives that are worth considering? A Mk5 Golf GTI was next on the list but they seem to be long in the tooth, less reliable, and a bit more tame.
Had mine 3 years now, things to check for are a crunchy gearbox, rust at the top of the windscreen and sticking calipers off the top of my head. mine has been 100% reliable and feels like a solid car that will just keep going
09 plate would be a safer bet as some of the very first ones required a factory recall the windscreen rust issue and a clutch master cylinder replacement, not an issue if has been done but i believe later 2008 cars onwards these issues were resolved
Regular quality oil changes are vital on these engines on the gearbox benefits from having an oil change if it feels abit grumpy.
Very practical with the rear folding seats and a blast on the back roads, i find noise insulation good get into just about any other car and these feel like an extreme hot hatch. Firms seats, close ratio gearbox, heavy clutch with short travel and very direct steering.
Overall very good fun and quick, but something softer all round yet quicker and better on the commute is getting tempting (Golf R etc)
09 plate would be a safer bet as some of the very first ones required a factory recall the windscreen rust issue and a clutch master cylinder replacement, not an issue if has been done but i believe later 2008 cars onwards these issues were resolved
Regular quality oil changes are vital on these engines on the gearbox benefits from having an oil change if it feels abit grumpy.
Very practical with the rear folding seats and a blast on the back roads, i find noise insulation good get into just about any other car and these feel like an extreme hot hatch. Firms seats, close ratio gearbox, heavy clutch with short travel and very direct steering.
Overall very good fun and quick, but something softer all round yet quicker and better on the commute is getting tempting (Golf R etc)
In a similar situation. Wanted an E91 330i touring manual - but they are rare as rocking horse..
I need a good load area which the FN2 offers in spades with the seats down, and would like reliability and decent fun at the wheel.
For me the FN2 ticks all boxes. Just in the process of finding a good one.
I need a good load area which the FN2 offers in spades with the seats down, and would like reliability and decent fun at the wheel.
For me the FN2 ticks all boxes. Just in the process of finding a good one.
Thanks for the feedback, it's really appreciated!
It appears the GT spec is the one to have for a few extras like cruise control which is mandatory for me.
Looks like it's worth going for the 09 facelift but I can't seem to get a solid answer on what the changes were. So far I've got:
- HID lights (denoted by the headlight washers)
- Puddle lights in the foot wells
- USB/Aux input
Anything I've missed?
Also noted the LSD is standard fit post manufacture April 2010. Any driven a LSD fitted car with some feedback?
It appears the GT spec is the one to have for a few extras like cruise control which is mandatory for me.
Looks like it's worth going for the 09 facelift but I can't seem to get a solid answer on what the changes were. So far I've got:
- HID lights (denoted by the headlight washers)
- Puddle lights in the foot wells
- USB/Aux input
Anything I've missed?
Also noted the LSD is standard fit post manufacture April 2010. Any driven a LSD fitted car with some feedback?
AB57 said:
Also noted the LSD is standard fit post manufacture April 2010. Any driven a LSD fitted car with some feedback?
I bought one of the last FN2s made (pre registered with 10 miles on the clock, £16k, which I think was a bargain).It had the LSD, but I’ve not driven one without, so don’t have anything to compare with really. It got the power down ok anyway.
When I bought it, I commuted by train, so it was a weekend car, but when my job relocated and I had a 75 mile round trip commute I sold it, as the ride was too harsh for that kind of use.
Decent alternatives for that price bracket and under are plentiful. I'd go for a Clio 197/200 or Megane 225/230 for an engaging, fast and fun hot-hatch. You could even get a Clio 172/182 with plenty of cash to spare. They might be a bit small for your liking though.
You could also get a decent EP3 Type R for that, although the FN2's are a nicer place to sit and probably a better daily.
You could also get a decent EP3 Type R for that, although the FN2's are a nicer place to sit and probably a better daily.
Deposit down on a 2010 (non-LSD) with 95k miles. Drove great, was in good condition, and just needs a service and new rear pads/discs which they'll be doing as part of the sale. Fresh MOT with any advisors fixed as well. Full Honda dealer service history which was good to see. Paid a bit over the odds but we all can't bargains.
Due to pick up next Saturday. Thanks for the feedback all.
Due to pick up next Saturday. Thanks for the feedback all.
The ride will do your head in. Trust me - it makes my current Fiesta ST seem almost compliant.
Build quality is pretty sub par for a Honda too - mine was three years old and constantly to and from the dealer for warranty work (creaky front subframe, rusty windscreen surround, creaky clutch pedal, broken sat nav). Bits of trim seem to fall off at will.
Nice engine and looks though, but ultimately mine was a disappointment.
Build quality is pretty sub par for a Honda too - mine was three years old and constantly to and from the dealer for warranty work (creaky front subframe, rusty windscreen surround, creaky clutch pedal, broken sat nav). Bits of trim seem to fall off at will.
Nice engine and looks though, but ultimately mine was a disappointment.
I have a fiesta ST180 + mountune now but I do still miss my FN2 CTR.
They are a very good car but do need some small tweeks to get them there.
Fast Road Setup (geometry fix) is the best money you can spend on them next to decent tyres. Both mine had comedy handling until that was done then they stuck like glue.
If you like decent car audio then sound deadening, aftermarket head unit, amp and speakers are required as the stock system is pants. I put a reverse cam in whilst I was at it as the rear view is pretty poor.
Avoid the larger rage allows with the silly low profile tyres. These cars have no suspension fitted at all so those wheels will utterly ruin it.
Expect to be on first name basis with the girl at your local fuel station too :-)
Still lovely cars, can be driven easy or thrashed to death. Give it oil and petrol and it'll just keep going and going.
They are a very good car but do need some small tweeks to get them there.
Fast Road Setup (geometry fix) is the best money you can spend on them next to decent tyres. Both mine had comedy handling until that was done then they stuck like glue.
If you like decent car audio then sound deadening, aftermarket head unit, amp and speakers are required as the stock system is pants. I put a reverse cam in whilst I was at it as the rear view is pretty poor.
Avoid the larger rage allows with the silly low profile tyres. These cars have no suspension fitted at all so those wheels will utterly ruin it.
Expect to be on first name basis with the girl at your local fuel station too :-)
Still lovely cars, can be driven easy or thrashed to death. Give it oil and petrol and it'll just keep going and going.
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