First Jap car , (EP3 Type r,RX8,MX5,Mr2 Roadster)
Discussion
Hi All , Again haha!
As you've probably noticed this is now my 4th post in last 2 days. I Am one of those people that tend to do a lot of research before going out and making a purchase on cars or anything in general.
Just to explain my situation:
I am currently looking for my first jap car which has been a dream of mine for a while after being stuck in the circle of euro cars.
In the past 6 months I have really started to gravitate towards japanese cars and I now finally get the whole appeal of the JDM thing
So I have expanded my search from just 2 Japanese cars down to a final 4 and I would like your opinions on them ans which one of then will suit me the most.
I live 1.5 miles away from my workplace therefore I cycle to work Monday-Friday unless it's raining heavily therefore I will only use the car on the weekends for car shows, B road hoons ect... Practicality also isn't an issue since I only ever need to do my small weekly shopping for 2 and occasionally fit in a small travel bag.
So which one of the below would you recommend for my conditions ?
Mazda RX8 (preferably Prodrive PZ edition)
Mazda MX5 NB(MK2.5 With an LSD Preferably)
Toyota MR2 Roadster(MK3, 2001-2005 Prefered)
Or lastly Honda Civic EP3 Type R
I am interested to hear your opinions, experiences and reviews and recommendations.
Cheers in Advance guys.
As you've probably noticed this is now my 4th post in last 2 days. I Am one of those people that tend to do a lot of research before going out and making a purchase on cars or anything in general.
Just to explain my situation:
I am currently looking for my first jap car which has been a dream of mine for a while after being stuck in the circle of euro cars.
In the past 6 months I have really started to gravitate towards japanese cars and I now finally get the whole appeal of the JDM thing
So I have expanded my search from just 2 Japanese cars down to a final 4 and I would like your opinions on them ans which one of then will suit me the most.
I live 1.5 miles away from my workplace therefore I cycle to work Monday-Friday unless it's raining heavily therefore I will only use the car on the weekends for car shows, B road hoons ect... Practicality also isn't an issue since I only ever need to do my small weekly shopping for 2 and occasionally fit in a small travel bag.
So which one of the below would you recommend for my conditions ?
Mazda RX8 (preferably Prodrive PZ edition)
Mazda MX5 NB(MK2.5 With an LSD Preferably)
Toyota MR2 Roadster(MK3, 2001-2005 Prefered)
Or lastly Honda Civic EP3 Type R
I am interested to hear your opinions, experiences and reviews and recommendations.
Cheers in Advance guys.
Only you can truly decide which suits you most but I am a massive RX8 fan and thoroughly recommend a PZ (or 40th Anniversary which is similar).
Just bear in mind tax is £570, fuel consumption is sub 20 mpg but your weekend only use means you will be suited to it.
But once you get past the above you have a car which can put a smile on your face in a way nothing else can, not saying your other choices aren’t great cars, just saying the PZ is a unique proposition.
Ideally drive all four and see which you like most?
Just bear in mind tax is £570, fuel consumption is sub 20 mpg but your weekend only use means you will be suited to it.
But once you get past the above you have a car which can put a smile on your face in a way nothing else can, not saying your other choices aren’t great cars, just saying the PZ is a unique proposition.
Ideally drive all four and see which you like most?
Weekendrebuild said:
Ii there a reason why there’s know proper jdm cars on there ? What about supra , mr2 turbo , celica gt4
All way better cars type r is ok, but there not much of a weekend car
The reason is.. I'm not a millionaire mate haha! All way better cars type r is ok, but there not much of a weekend car
No dont get me wrong, love the supra , love skylines, love gt4 and want to get one of all in the future but at the moment I'm sticking to a lower price range and something lightweight like the options above
Fair enough, if your going with the mr2 which I would say has much more character go for mk2 . There noticeably better than the three . I love my turbo an it often gets taken out ahead of my gt4 or any of my German toys ( sounds wrong) just having a mid engine layout is so different. The type r is very forgettable and always feels a bit chav to me .
MK2 MR2's are much nicer place to be IMHO. The interior of them is gorgeous, the Mk3 is very bare in comparison, though the Mk3 handles better straight out of the box. An NA Mk2 is as nice a place to be as a Turbo, but with the performance obviously, but still an enjoyable drive, especially if you can get a T-Bar for summer open roof enjoyment.
If you want a Mk3, go for a post-facelift one, so 2003 onwards, they have a 6 speed manual and LSD as standard.
That said though, I'd still go for a Mk2 if you can find a nice one in your price range.
What is your price range and we may be able to advise better.
If you want a Mk3, go for a post-facelift one, so 2003 onwards, they have a 6 speed manual and LSD as standard.
That said though, I'd still go for a Mk2 if you can find a nice one in your price range.
What is your price range and we may be able to advise better.
I've had my EP3 nearly 6 years now. Give it absolute death on a near daily basis and it has never needed anything other than consumables (and a couple of calipers - they stick quite easily so check them for unexpected heat after a test drive). Mine is OK as a daily driver (I mean OK, not great), but then it is barried on Eibach springs, spoon exhaust, and an induction kit which makes it quite noisy. IMO as a minimum an induction kit is a must though as the noise is spectacular.
When you feel like a bit of a hoon it really comes into its own. Sure it's not really that fast compared to the more modern stuff but the engine / gearbox combo is absolutely brilliant. Still the best I've come across in an everyday car. given the gift of hindsight (and a bit more money) I'd have probably gone for a JDM import as they come with an LSD as standard and some better seats. Otherwise it really is great. Although you need to run the JDM variant on premium fuel which is quite annoying.
Put it this way, 2 years ago I bought a Stage 1 Megane RS265 with the cup chassis, recaros etc. Sold it after a year and preferred driving the EP3 which I let my girlfriend borrow for a year. Sold the Megane and took the EP3 back. Still got it and really struggling with what to replace it with.
Oh, and the turning circle is mind blowing s
t.
ETA: Seeing as I also replied to your other thread, I preferred my MR2 turbos though. Even the one that went back after week, but they were nowhere near as reliable / chuckable / cheap to run / practical.
When you feel like a bit of a hoon it really comes into its own. Sure it's not really that fast compared to the more modern stuff but the engine / gearbox combo is absolutely brilliant. Still the best I've come across in an everyday car. given the gift of hindsight (and a bit more money) I'd have probably gone for a JDM import as they come with an LSD as standard and some better seats. Otherwise it really is great. Although you need to run the JDM variant on premium fuel which is quite annoying.
Put it this way, 2 years ago I bought a Stage 1 Megane RS265 with the cup chassis, recaros etc. Sold it after a year and preferred driving the EP3 which I let my girlfriend borrow for a year. Sold the Megane and took the EP3 back. Still got it and really struggling with what to replace it with.
Oh, and the turning circle is mind blowing s
t.ETA: Seeing as I also replied to your other thread, I preferred my MR2 turbos though. Even the one that went back after week, but they were nowhere near as reliable / chuckable / cheap to run / practical.
Edited by vtecyo on Thursday 23 January 10:29
EP3 or MX5... but tbh see what's about, keep an open mind, and buy on condition.
I've owned both (well a DC5, but it's not far off the same car).
Mx5 was RWD and fun, but the 1.6 isn't a quick car... parts prices were stupidly cheap, it's a very cheap car to run, even if something major breaks (used gearbox, 90 quid, used 1.6 lump, £200ish).
DC5/EP3 - The k20 is amazing, the intake noise on VTEC is the stuff of dreams, fantastic handling for a FWD car, the down side is that Honda parts are considerably more expensive, and all the aftermarket stuff carries quite a heavy scene tax. Turning circle is comedy bad.
If i was to buy either again, I would go with the EP3/DC5, the K20 is such a great engine....but if i was 10 years younger again, fairly skint, and wanting Jap fun on a shoestring I would go MX5.
I've owned both (well a DC5, but it's not far off the same car).
Mx5 was RWD and fun, but the 1.6 isn't a quick car... parts prices were stupidly cheap, it's a very cheap car to run, even if something major breaks (used gearbox, 90 quid, used 1.6 lump, £200ish).
DC5/EP3 - The k20 is amazing, the intake noise on VTEC is the stuff of dreams, fantastic handling for a FWD car, the down side is that Honda parts are considerably more expensive, and all the aftermarket stuff carries quite a heavy scene tax. Turning circle is comedy bad.
If i was to buy either again, I would go with the EP3/DC5, the K20 is such a great engine....but if i was 10 years younger again, fairly skint, and wanting Jap fun on a shoestring I would go MX5.
Edited by designforlife on Thursday 23 January 10:29
I bought a Mazda RX8 PZ for £1700 about 3 years ago.
I broke it last year for more than I paid for it.
If it wasn't for the £3k engine rebuild, the 200 miles to £70 of fuel and £550ish tax, you could almost call it economical!
It's definitely a unique drive, and you'll either "get it" or you won't. If you do get it, very little can match it, and you'll put up with the quirks and foibles in order to drive a beautifully balanced rear wheel drive car with an engine that spins up quicker than almost any other, and pulls right up to (and well beyond) the 9k rev limiter. If you don't get it, you'll wonder how so much fuel can produce so little torque while still being about to break down at any moment!
I don't think you can find out whether an RX8 is for you or not until you actually drive one and stretch it into the upper limits of its rev band. They're not an 'on paper' car.
I broke it last year for more than I paid for it.
If it wasn't for the £3k engine rebuild, the 200 miles to £70 of fuel and £550ish tax, you could almost call it economical!
It's definitely a unique drive, and you'll either "get it" or you won't. If you do get it, very little can match it, and you'll put up with the quirks and foibles in order to drive a beautifully balanced rear wheel drive car with an engine that spins up quicker than almost any other, and pulls right up to (and well beyond) the 9k rev limiter. If you don't get it, you'll wonder how so much fuel can produce so little torque while still being about to break down at any moment!
I don't think you can find out whether an RX8 is for you or not until you actually drive one and stretch it into the upper limits of its rev band. They're not an 'on paper' car.
AshVX220 said:
MK2 MR2's are much nicer place to be IMHO. The interior of them is gorgeous, the Mk3 is very bare in comparison, though the Mk3 handles better straight out of the box. An NA Mk2 is as nice a place to be as a Turbo, but with the performance obviously, but still an enjoyable drive, especially if you can get a T-Bar for summer open roof enjoyment.
If you want a Mk3, go for a post-facelift one, so 2003 onwards, they have a 6 speed manual and LSD as standard.
That said though, I'd still go for a Mk2 if you can find a nice one in your price range.
What is your price range and we may be able to advise better.
Thanks for the Reply mate, I do like the look of the MK2's however in my price range they are becoming quiet harder to find now.If you want a Mk3, go for a post-facelift one, so 2003 onwards, they have a 6 speed manual and LSD as standard.
That said though, I'd still go for a Mk2 if you can find a nice one in your price range.
What is your price range and we may be able to advise better.
My Price range is up to about £3100 maybe a little more at a push. I really do not mind High mileage either as long as the car has been properly well looked after and taken care of just like I do with my cars.
vtecyo said:
I've had my EP3 nearly 6 years now. Give it absolute death on a near daily basis and it has never needed anything other than consumables (and a couple of calipers - they stick quite easily so check them for unexpected heat after a test drive). Mine is OK as a daily driver (I mean OK, not great), but then it is barried on Eibach springs, spoon exhaust, and an induction kit which makes it quite noisy. IMO as a minimum an induction kit is a must though as the noise is spectacular.
When you feel like a bit of a hoon it really comes into its own. Sure it's not really that fast compared to the more modern stuff but the engine / gearbox combo is absolutely brilliant. Still the best I've come across in an everyday car. given the gift of hindsight (and a bit more money) I'd have probably gone for a JDM import as they come with an LSD as standard and some better seats. Otherwise it really is great. Although you need to run the JDM variant on premium fuel which is quite annoying.
Put it this way, 2 years ago I bought a Stage 1 Megane RS265 with the cup chassis, recaros etc. Sold it after a year and preferred driving the EP3 which I let my girlfriend borrow for a year. Sold the Megane and took the EP3 back. Still got it and really struggling with what to replace it with.
Oh, and the turning circle is mind blowing st.
ETA: Seeing as I also replied to your other thread, I preferred my MR2 turbos though. Even the one that went back after week, but they were nowhere near as reliable / chuckable / cheap to run / practical.
I do really like the look of the EP3 Type R's , they look stunning, sound stunning with the VTEC kicking in combined with nice induction, feel much faster than they are and handle great. They are a very strong contender on the list for me as I have always wanted one. When you feel like a bit of a hoon it really comes into its own. Sure it's not really that fast compared to the more modern stuff but the engine / gearbox combo is absolutely brilliant. Still the best I've come across in an everyday car. given the gift of hindsight (and a bit more money) I'd have probably gone for a JDM import as they come with an LSD as standard and some better seats. Otherwise it really is great. Although you need to run the JDM variant on premium fuel which is quite annoying.
Put it this way, 2 years ago I bought a Stage 1 Megane RS265 with the cup chassis, recaros etc. Sold it after a year and preferred driving the EP3 which I let my girlfriend borrow for a year. Sold the Megane and took the EP3 back. Still got it and really struggling with what to replace it with.
Oh, and the turning circle is mind blowing s
t.ETA: Seeing as I also replied to your other thread, I preferred my MR2 turbos though. Even the one that went back after week, but they were nowhere near as reliable / chuckable / cheap to run / practical.
Edited by vtecyo on Thursday 23 January 10:29
I know the k20 can be bulletproof as well when looked after and In general a good way to enter the whole JDM scene for me or any other petrolhead.
This all depends on your budget and what sort of driving experience you want.
A decent ep3 is gonna be at least £3k which of course will have been abused more than a porn star due to what type of car it is. The car should be OK overall but you will need to check for signs of burning oil and how the vtec engages.
RX8 is a nice car but you need to do your research as a rebuild can be a costly job. Plus car tax is ridiculous.
MX5 Mk2/2.5 for £2k-£3k is great fun but you need to look out for rust. If you find one that isn't rusty and is the 1.8 they are fun, plenty of parts available.
MR2 Mk3 for around £3k you could get a 2zz swapped one. I've seen a few pop up which will be tones better than the Mazdas. Or you could find a standard facelift version for that price. Not much for parts unless you are willing to search for them. You need to check the pre-cats on early models and check the soft top. 1zz engine isn't the most powerful.
If you have much larger budget of £5k-£7k then you can look at S2000s, JDM EP3s, Facelift RX8s and a better MX5. Also consider CRX or Integra if your budget can stretch that far.
A decent ep3 is gonna be at least £3k which of course will have been abused more than a porn star due to what type of car it is. The car should be OK overall but you will need to check for signs of burning oil and how the vtec engages.
RX8 is a nice car but you need to do your research as a rebuild can be a costly job. Plus car tax is ridiculous.
MX5 Mk2/2.5 for £2k-£3k is great fun but you need to look out for rust. If you find one that isn't rusty and is the 1.8 they are fun, plenty of parts available.
MR2 Mk3 for around £3k you could get a 2zz swapped one. I've seen a few pop up which will be tones better than the Mazdas. Or you could find a standard facelift version for that price. Not much for parts unless you are willing to search for them. You need to check the pre-cats on early models and check the soft top. 1zz engine isn't the most powerful.
If you have much larger budget of £5k-£7k then you can look at S2000s, JDM EP3s, Facelift RX8s and a better MX5. Also consider CRX or Integra if your budget can stretch that far.
designforlife said:
EP3 or MX5... but tbh see what's about, keep an open mind, and buy on condition.
I've owned both (well a DC5, but it's not far off the same car).
Mx5 was RWD and fun, but the 1.6 isn't a quick car... parts prices were stupidly cheap, it's a very cheap car to run, even if something major breaks (used gearbox, 90 quid, used 1.6 lump, £200ish).
DC5/EP3 - The k20 is amazing, the intake noise on VTEC is the stuff of dreams, fantastic handling for a FWD car, the down side is that Honda parts are considerably more expensive, and all the aftermarket stuff carries quite a heavy scene tax. Turning circle is comedy bad.
If i was to buy either again, I would go with the EP3/DC5, the K20 is such a great engine....but if i was 10 years younger again, fairly skint, and wanting Jap fun on a shoestring I would go MX5.
Yeah I completely understand, again the EP3 Type R is a brilliant car and so is the MX5 I would personally prefer the 1.8 S with an LSD and in terms of Honda I would preferably go for the Premier edition even thought it will be difficult in my budget not being the biggest (Up to £3100), However I should be able to find all of the cars on the list in the budget some with higher miles but personally I believe in a well looked after and car that has been taken care of will take care of you. I've owned both (well a DC5, but it's not far off the same car).
Mx5 was RWD and fun, but the 1.6 isn't a quick car... parts prices were stupidly cheap, it's a very cheap car to run, even if something major breaks (used gearbox, 90 quid, used 1.6 lump, £200ish).
DC5/EP3 - The k20 is amazing, the intake noise on VTEC is the stuff of dreams, fantastic handling for a FWD car, the down side is that Honda parts are considerably more expensive, and all the aftermarket stuff carries quite a heavy scene tax. Turning circle is comedy bad.
If i was to buy either again, I would go with the EP3/DC5, the K20 is such a great engine....but if i was 10 years younger again, fairly skint, and wanting Jap fun on a shoestring I would go MX5.
Edited by designforlife on Thursday 23 January 10:29
Rotary Potato said:
I bought a Mazda RX8 PZ for £1700 about 3 years ago.
I broke it last year for more than I paid for it.
If it wasn't for the £3k engine rebuild, the 200 miles to £70 of fuel and £550ish tax, you could almost call it economical!
It's definitely a unique drive, and you'll either "get it" or you won't. If you do get it, very little can match it, and you'll put up with the quirks and foibles in order to drive a beautifully balanced rear wheel drive car with an engine that spins up quicker than almost any other, and pulls right up to (and well beyond) the 9k rev limiter. If you don't get it, you'll wonder how so much fuel can produce so little torque while still being about to break down at any moment!
I don't think you can find out whether an RX8 is for you or not until you actually drive one and stretch it into the upper limits of its rev band. They're not an 'on paper' car.
I do completely get it. I finally get the whole Japanese High revving engines and working for the power and the pure enjoyment and accomplishment after keeping the car in a high rev range and working the power. I didn't get it in the past which is why I went for a MK5 Golf GTI a year and a half ago and I don't regret it, it has been a great little hot hatch however it is now time to listen to my heart and go with something I've always been lusting over ever since I was a boy really. I broke it last year for more than I paid for it.
If it wasn't for the £3k engine rebuild, the 200 miles to £70 of fuel and £550ish tax, you could almost call it economical!
It's definitely a unique drive, and you'll either "get it" or you won't. If you do get it, very little can match it, and you'll put up with the quirks and foibles in order to drive a beautifully balanced rear wheel drive car with an engine that spins up quicker than almost any other, and pulls right up to (and well beyond) the 9k rev limiter. If you don't get it, you'll wonder how so much fuel can produce so little torque while still being about to break down at any moment!
I don't think you can find out whether an RX8 is for you or not until you actually drive one and stretch it into the upper limits of its rev band. They're not an 'on paper' car.
Ankh87 said:
This all depends on your budget and what sort of driving experience you want.
A decent ep3 is gonna be at least £3k which of course will have been abused more than a porn star due to what type of car it is. The car should be OK overall but you will need to check for signs of burning oil and how the vtec engages.
RX8 is a nice car but you need to do your research as a rebuild can be a costly job. Plus car tax is ridiculous.
MX5 Mk2/2.5 for £2k-£3k is great fun but you need to look out for rust. If you find one that isn't rusty and is the 1.8 they are fun, plenty of parts available.
MR2 Mk3 for around £3k you could get a 2zz swapped one. I've seen a few pop up which will be tones better than the Mazdas. Or you could find a standard facelift version for that price. Not much for parts unless you are willing to search for them. You need to check the pre-cats on early models and check the soft top. 1zz engine isn't the most powerful.
If you have much larger budget of £5k-£7k then you can look at S2000s, JDM EP3s, Facelift RX8s and a better MX5. Also consider CRX or Integra if your budget can stretch that far.
I agree with what you're saying,A decent ep3 is gonna be at least £3k which of course will have been abused more than a porn star due to what type of car it is. The car should be OK overall but you will need to check for signs of burning oil and how the vtec engages.
RX8 is a nice car but you need to do your research as a rebuild can be a costly job. Plus car tax is ridiculous.
MX5 Mk2/2.5 for £2k-£3k is great fun but you need to look out for rust. If you find one that isn't rusty and is the 1.8 they are fun, plenty of parts available.
MR2 Mk3 for around £3k you could get a 2zz swapped one. I've seen a few pop up which will be tones better than the Mazdas. Or you could find a standard facelift version for that price. Not much for parts unless you are willing to search for them. You need to check the pre-cats on early models and check the soft top. 1zz engine isn't the most powerful.
If you have much larger budget of £5k-£7k then you can look at S2000s, JDM EP3s, Facelift RX8s and a better MX5. Also consider CRX or Integra if your budget can stretch that far.
This is how I see it now:
MX5 1.8 MK2: Cheap and easy to run, easy to throw sideways and have nice blast down some B roads/Track ect..,Cheap to mod and if one with an LSD is acquired they handle beautifully. Nice and Simple way to ease your way into the Japanese car scene.
MK3 MR2 Roadster: Lovely handling on B roads or a track as well as a fair amount of aftermarket support and large community, Being as lightweight as they are many say the 1zz engine is plenty fast around the corners/tight tracks or B roads. Also fairly cheap to run if well looked after, All models have an LSD And once Pre-cats are removed the engine can be bulletproof again once its well maintained, Just like the MX5 with the roof down on a nice warm summers day its unbeatable. Very strong contender for me
Honda Civic EP3 Type R: Best Hot hatch in the class in its Era, Real Japanese modern classic with fairly high street cred and generally highly regarded by Japanese car fans or most petrolheads in general. I understand the K20 Engine provides fantastic VTEC once some breathing mods have been equipped and the gearbox makes for a wonderful blast down the Back road. Very strong contender for me also
Lastly
Mazda RX8: Undeserved or its bad reputation amongst petrolheads for being unreliable and not having enough torque. After hearing from many owners I understand the RX8 can be a lot more reliable than people imagine when being well looked after, Giving the car time to cool down/Warm up, not switching it off straight after starting as it floods the engine, Topping up oil and redlining multiple times a day to prevent carbon build-up. I think these cars can also look stunning when dressed in PZ Kit and listening to the rotary engine spin up to 9k rpm feeling like you're about to leave earth atmosphere haha!
From your list the Civic is the only one which holds any real appeal for me, but even then they don't particularly excite me, they're just a decent "all-rounder" with an extra high revving engine and decent chassis.
For me personally, if I think of "Turning Japanese" then any car needs to have a decent sized Turbo strapped to get me going.
For me personally, if I think of "Turning Japanese" then any car needs to have a decent sized Turbo strapped to get me going.
mbwoy84 said:
From your list the Civic is the only one which holds any real appeal for me, but even then they don't particularly excite me, they're just a decent "all-rounder" with an extra high revving engine and decent chassis.
For me personally, if I think of "Turning Japanese" then any car needs to have a decent sized Turbo strapped to get me going.
That's understandable mate, Each to their own really, Coming from a MK5 Golf GTI I do like and appreciate a turbo and I know some of these Japanese turbo engines 2jz ect… can be unbeatable but I also enjoy the high revving NA fun and engaging engines.For me personally, if I think of "Turning Japanese" then any car needs to have a decent sized Turbo strapped to get me going.
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