Civic Type R EP3 JDM
Discussion
Advertised UK EP3 prices aren't that far behind so it doesn't seem ridiculous.
As an ownership experience I think the EP3, DC5, FD2 are hard to beat, if you start with a good one. Cost of ownership, parts availability, and just outright fun!
DC2, EK9 in my opinion feel a bit older and often a bit tired (smokey b's) and crash safety (and torque!) felt very lacking when enjoying.
As an ownership experience I think the EP3, DC5, FD2 are hard to beat, if you start with a good one. Cost of ownership, parts availability, and just outright fun!
DC2, EK9 in my opinion feel a bit older and often a bit tired (smokey b's) and crash safety (and torque!) felt very lacking when enjoying.
NH-0 said:
Advertised UK EP3 prices aren't that far behind so it doesn't seem ridiculous.
As an ownership experience I think the EP3, DC5, FD2 are hard to beat, if you start with a good one. Cost of ownership, parts availability, and just outright fun!
DC2, EK9 in my opinion feel a bit older and often a bit tired (smokey b's) and crash safety (and torque!) felt very lacking when enjoying.
Yeah I imagine a DC2 / EK9 are going to feel pretty ancient now, mine felt old when I had it and that was 17 years ago! As an ownership experience I think the EP3, DC5, FD2 are hard to beat, if you start with a good one. Cost of ownership, parts availability, and just outright fun!
DC2, EK9 in my opinion feel a bit older and often a bit tired (smokey b's) and crash safety (and torque!) felt very lacking when enjoying.
I just feel like time is running out for enjoying a high revving NA car and as much as I enjoy my f56 JCW it just isn't quite the same thrashing a turbo as one of these. Plus these are raw, and simple cars which appeals.
buccal said:
How bad is the steering feel on these?
I remember it being criticised a lot back in the day but I'm guessing its not as bad as most of the current electric systems?
When I drove one many, many years ago I don't remember it being all that good to be honest but my mate insists it's not that bad by modern standards so not sure really.I remember it being criticised a lot back in the day but I'm guessing its not as bad as most of the current electric systems?
I'm having a look at it but my feeling is that it is slightly on the high side as an asking price, so maybe if I can negotiate down a bit it might be worth it, but otherwise it does seem strong money.
As much as I liked the dc2 at the time, my feeling is it probably feels ancient these days unless you get one that's been restored.
As much as I liked the dc2 at the time, my feeling is it probably feels ancient these days unless you get one that's been restored.
Edited by TameRacingDriver on Saturday 28th February 09:01
Hippea said:
That s absolutely top end pricing for one of these, it should be cleaner than clean. The JDM EP3 has dipped in value in the past year or so
Good to know, thanks. I'm thinking under £15K I think realistically. I'm not desperate to have one, just fancy a change I suppose, and I don't really want to buy something that I'll lose money on later.TameRacingDriver said:
Hippea said:
That s absolutely top end pricing for one of these, it should be cleaner than clean. The JDM EP3 has dipped in value in the past year or so
Good to know, thanks. I'm thinking under £15K I think realistically. I'm not desperate to have one, just fancy a change I suppose, and I don't really want to buy something that I'll lose money on later.
Have you driven one?
They feel fast to drive and the engine is sublime, however the steering can have a very strange feel to it.
I have an EV1 (essentially same car) and the steering is the let down. It doesn't self center very well and there is a strange dead zone around the center that you have to steer out of. The EPS also does strange things with bump-steer. Sometimes you hit a bump you can feel the EPS kick in and pull the car to to side.
I had a Mk1 focus 1.8 before it and it was a much better car, just as fast and much better chassis and steering. You can pick these up for about £1800.
They feel fast to drive and the engine is sublime, however the steering can have a very strange feel to it.
I have an EV1 (essentially same car) and the steering is the let down. It doesn't self center very well and there is a strange dead zone around the center that you have to steer out of. The EPS also does strange things with bump-steer. Sometimes you hit a bump you can feel the EPS kick in and pull the car to to side.
I had a Mk1 focus 1.8 before it and it was a much better car, just as fast and much better chassis and steering. You can pick these up for about £1800.
Matt_T said:
Have you driven one?
They feel fast to drive and the engine is sublime, however the steering can have a very strange feel to it.
I have an EV1 (essentially same car) and the steering is the let down. It doesn't self center very well and there is a strange dead zone around the center that you have to steer out of. The EPS also does strange things with bump-steer. Sometimes you hit a bump you can feel the EPS kick in and pull the car to to side.
I had a Mk1 focus 1.8 before it and it was a much better car, just as fast and much better chassis and steering. You can pick these up for about £1800.
The Limited Slip Diff doing it's thing will inherently be felt through the steering, a nice feel I should addThey feel fast to drive and the engine is sublime, however the steering can have a very strange feel to it.
I have an EV1 (essentially same car) and the steering is the let down. It doesn't self center very well and there is a strange dead zone around the center that you have to steer out of. The EPS also does strange things with bump-steer. Sometimes you hit a bump you can feel the EPS kick in and pull the car to to side.
I had a Mk1 focus 1.8 before it and it was a much better car, just as fast and much better chassis and steering. You can pick these up for about £1800.
I'd just written a post saying that's really optimistic pricing unless it's ultra-low miles or has the cleanest rear arches ever seen...and then I checked the classifieds. I am genuinely shocked at where asking prices have gone classic Hondas over the last year or two.
FWIW, I don't think an EP3 is worth anywhere near that money, even a JDM one with the diff. Powertrain aside, a Mk7 Golf GTi PP is better in pretty much every other regard, and an i30N definitely so, just to name two examples which can be had for similar money - fast Meganes and Focuses also come into view at that price, and in all honesty a Clio 182 is better to drive unless you have to have the VTEC-yo. You're also buying into a LOT less rust risk with any of the newer cars.
I'd also go for a DC2, FD2 or DC5 instead of any EP3 (in that order...probably...depends how much of a hassle the low-torque b18 is to you). The Integras are better looking and just as practical, and IMHO will be more desirable. The FD2 is in many ways the pinnacle of nat-asp Type R development and is more cohesive and more intense to drive than an EP3.
FWIW, I don't think an EP3 is worth anywhere near that money, even a JDM one with the diff. Powertrain aside, a Mk7 Golf GTi PP is better in pretty much every other regard, and an i30N definitely so, just to name two examples which can be had for similar money - fast Meganes and Focuses also come into view at that price, and in all honesty a Clio 182 is better to drive unless you have to have the VTEC-yo. You're also buying into a LOT less rust risk with any of the newer cars.
I'd also go for a DC2, FD2 or DC5 instead of any EP3 (in that order...probably...depends how much of a hassle the low-torque b18 is to you). The Integras are better looking and just as practical, and IMHO will be more desirable. The FD2 is in many ways the pinnacle of nat-asp Type R development and is more cohesive and more intense to drive than an EP3.
All of the above from the position of someone who's owned 2 DC2s, 1 FD2 for 13 years, an S2000, an NSX and driven most other quick Hondas
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