Civic Type R EP3
Discussion
Thread resurrection folks!!
I've been looking for something interesting to replace a dead Puma, had a Clio 200 Cup lined up but the seller had second thoughts and decided to keep it, so I'm having a look at the alternative's. (There isn't another 200 available within my budget which is as interesting as the one I've missed out on)
I've always kinda liked the idea of these but ideally was looking for something newer as the Puma was going to die from rust, even if it hadn't have prematurely blown up, and I wouldn't want to replace it with anything that would do the same. So how do these fair against the tin worm? I'd be looking at buying one at top end of the market with low mileage so I wouldn't want to drop a significant amount on one if it was likely to corroded away sooner rather than later.
Many thanks
I've been looking for something interesting to replace a dead Puma, had a Clio 200 Cup lined up but the seller had second thoughts and decided to keep it, so I'm having a look at the alternative's. (There isn't another 200 available within my budget which is as interesting as the one I've missed out on)
I've always kinda liked the idea of these but ideally was looking for something newer as the Puma was going to die from rust, even if it hadn't have prematurely blown up, and I wouldn't want to replace it with anything that would do the same. So how do these fair against the tin worm? I'd be looking at buying one at top end of the market with low mileage so I wouldn't want to drop a significant amount on one if it was likely to corroded away sooner rather than later.
Many thanks
Norfolkandchance said:
They don't have a reputation for rusting but mine did have quite a lot of rust around the underside. It had spent its whole life in the far north though, so maybe lots of salt around?
Thank you for the reply. I've possibly wrongly assumed that you were in Norfolk 
I'm thinking of looking at this one;
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
It would potentially give me enough budget left to possibly get an LSD fitted and/or one of these;
https://www.cplracing.co.uk/products/hondatacpl-re...
The possible fading on the seats concerns me though (unless its just the photos). Is that a known problem with them?
gigglebug said:
Thank you for the reply. I've possibly wrongly assumed that you were in Norfolk
I'm thinking of looking at this one;
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
It would potentially give me enough budget left to possibly get an LSD fitted and/or one of these;
https://www.cplracing.co.uk/products/hondatacpl-re...
The possible fading on the seats concerns me though (unless its just the photos). Is that a known problem with them?
I am in Norfolk but I wanted a black 30th Anniversary, of which they only made 100, so my car came from the North. Bizarrely when I was in a position to buy there were 3 of the 100 for sale at the same time! I'm thinking of looking at this one;
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
It would potentially give me enough budget left to possibly get an LSD fitted and/or one of these;
https://www.cplracing.co.uk/products/hondatacpl-re...
The possible fading on the seats concerns me though (unless its just the photos). Is that a known problem with them?
Personally, if I was going to spend that much (I spent a lot less, but it has 5x the millage) I'd probably buy a JDM - more exclusive, slightly faster, better handling and LSD as standard.
Norfolkandchance said:
I am in Norfolk but I wanted a black 30th Anniversary, of which they only made 100, so my car came from the North. Bizarrely when I was in a position to buy there were 3 of the 100 for sale at the same time!
Personally, if I was going to spend that much (I spent a lot less, but it has 5x the millage) I'd probably buy a JDM - more exclusive, slightly faster, better handling and LSD as standard.
Ah, misread. Thought it was you, not the car that was up North. Personally, if I was going to spend that much (I spent a lot less, but it has 5x the millage) I'd probably buy a JDM - more exclusive, slightly faster, better handling and LSD as standard.
I think it would be quite a big step to buy an imported car for me but I can see why it would be a good idea. I think the opportunity for a rust free, well maintained vehicle with an interesting specification is a strong pull but it would be counteracted by the possible lack of rust proofing and lack of records etc. I'd be buying a keeper so resale value would be irrelevant so long as it was good value for money initially.
I wouldn't even know where to begin trying to buy an import to be honest, other than hearing about torque GT.
Well, I spent just under £3k on mine, but I wanted a very specific car. However, I've had a new clutch, rust proofing and the rust repaired, some suspension work etc since then, which cost nearly 3k all in. so it owes me £6k. For £6.5k I could have bought a JDM car from someone like Torque GT and that car would be worth a lot more than mine currently is. But you pays your money...
Prices and finding a good EP3 can be a bit tricky, and a variety of "well used" cars out there. I took a bit of a gamble on mine, but it only cost £2.5k and it had a helical diff fitted, so there's a chunk of value there. Enjoy it being a project (it's a track car) and don't mind spending a bit on improvements, parts are cheap and there's a huge secondhand parts market. If it all goes wrong, the car can be broken and I'll get most of the money back anyway.
JDM EP3 shouldn't lose any money if well cared for, and if you're not putting big miles on it.
Tbh, if I was looking for a good value daily that could be flogged, I'd look at the FN2 Type R now.
JDM EP3 shouldn't lose any money if well cared for, and if you're not putting big miles on it.
Tbh, if I was looking for a good value daily that could be flogged, I'd look at the FN2 Type R now.
df76 said:
Prices and finding a good EP3 can be a bit tricky, and a variety of "well used" cars out there. I took a bit of a gamble on mine, but it only cost £2.5k and it had a helical diff fitted, so there's a chunk of value there. Enjoy it being a project (it's a track car) and don't mind spending a bit on improvements, parts are cheap and there's a huge secondhand parts market. If it all goes wrong, the car can be broken and I'll get most of the money back anyway.
JDM EP3 shouldn't lose any money if well cared for, and if you're not putting big miles on it.
Tbh, if I was looking for a good value daily that could be flogged, I'd look at the FN2 Type R now.
I enjoyed the process of researching and improving the Puma but it's not something I'd be looking to do so much of this time. I'll be looking for either something that is pristine and worth keeping near original or something that has already had all of the best upgrades already applied. I've worked out that either the Championship FN2 or cars after 2011 have a diff as standard but a low mileage example of either is over what I want to pay. JDM EP3 shouldn't lose any money if well cared for, and if you're not putting big miles on it.
Tbh, if I was looking for a good value daily that could be flogged, I'd look at the FN2 Type R now.
You lot are so lucky with the ep3. Here VERY trashed (like 6th gear red line for MINUTES over and over) ctr +190k km go for at LEAST 13k, normal trashed 14-18k, decent 18k to 20k. A mint one, silver ph1 just with a s
tty torsen lsd, 70k km was out in 3 weeks for 26k euros.
And you lot are 'crying' for 3k or 4k.
P.S. Mods aren't a minus, normal bolt ons are actually a good thing especially if the car comes with the oem stuff. Always make sure the car has a kpro to go with it.
RBC (intake manifold),
tewiga intake,
dc sports 4-2-1,
rc injectors,
tdi north stage 1 cams (more duration, same lift aka doesn't trash valves or springs)
3 inch exhaust
Kpro
The combo is a very known quantity for a VERY fun car, with around +250bhp and very reliable and much more drivable (more low end power and torque, more fun noises)
Too loud has solutions, fujitsubu legalis r (?), silencer(s) added to the 3 inch exhaust, twinloop backbox.
tty torsen lsd, 70k km was out in 3 weeks for 26k euros.And you lot are 'crying' for 3k or 4k.
P.S. Mods aren't a minus, normal bolt ons are actually a good thing especially if the car comes with the oem stuff. Always make sure the car has a kpro to go with it.
RBC (intake manifold),
tewiga intake,
dc sports 4-2-1,
rc injectors,
tdi north stage 1 cams (more duration, same lift aka doesn't trash valves or springs)
3 inch exhaust
Kpro
The combo is a very known quantity for a VERY fun car, with around +250bhp and very reliable and much more drivable (more low end power and torque, more fun noises)
Too loud has solutions, fujitsubu legalis r (?), silencer(s) added to the 3 inch exhaust, twinloop backbox.
gigglebug said:
I enjoyed the process of researching and improving the Puma but it's not something I'd be looking to do so much of this time. I'll be looking for either something that is pristine and worth keeping near original or something that has already had all of the best upgrades already applied. I've worked out that either the Championship FN2 or cars after 2011 have a diff as standard but a low mileage example of either is over what I want to pay.
“Pristine” UK spec EP3s are now going for big money and seem to be approaching JDM import values. I know where I’d be putting my cash.FN2 would be needing the diff I reckon. I might struggle without one now, certainly for track work.
I have just purchased a JDM EP3 via Torque GT. 2002, white, 67k miles, totally standard.
Its my first honda after a history of French hot hatches, then a dabble with motorbikes and now back in some jap metal.
I'm impressed with it thus far, nice to just cruise in and comes alive when you wind her up. I am looking forward getting it on track at some point in the future.
Although it needs new tyres, god knows what it came with, but they have zero grip!
Its my first honda after a history of French hot hatches, then a dabble with motorbikes and now back in some jap metal.
I'm impressed with it thus far, nice to just cruise in and comes alive when you wind her up. I am looking forward getting it on track at some point in the future.
Although it needs new tyres, god knows what it came with, but they have zero grip!
I didn't really like mine for a couple of reasons:
The seating position. I'm 5"10 and I found the seat to low and the dash too high.
Mine had horrible tyres on that somewhat ruined the handling, a reflection on the owner not the car.
It didn't feel all that fast coming from the Leon, although it did feel pretty quick as a passenger.
It used to make me car sick because of the familiar old taxi smell.
I loved a few things about it though:
The gearshift was simply perfect. Mine had 124k on the clock and it still felt perfect.
The engine is simply stunning, and downshifts with that gearbox made it feel like a race car.
The seats were nicely bolstered, pretty comfortable too.
I don't think I'll own another, even though I know a better one would be a much much better car. It just didn't feel special enough to me, sold mine to some guys in Bradford where I'm sure it's gonna be driven into the ground.
The seating position. I'm 5"10 and I found the seat to low and the dash too high.
Mine had horrible tyres on that somewhat ruined the handling, a reflection on the owner not the car.
It didn't feel all that fast coming from the Leon, although it did feel pretty quick as a passenger.
It used to make me car sick because of the familiar old taxi smell.
I loved a few things about it though:
The gearshift was simply perfect. Mine had 124k on the clock and it still felt perfect.
The engine is simply stunning, and downshifts with that gearbox made it feel like a race car.
The seats were nicely bolstered, pretty comfortable too.
I don't think I'll own another, even though I know a better one would be a much much better car. It just didn't feel special enough to me, sold mine to some guys in Bradford where I'm sure it's gonna be driven into the ground.
df76 said:
“Pristine” UK spec EP3s are now going for big money and seem to be approaching JDM import values. I know where I’d be putting my cash.
.
So do you think UK cars will ultimately be worth more than JDM, assuming both pristine? I'm not convinced! .
The JDM is always going to be better, if even only a little bit. Its difficult to tell about rarity. Pristine UK cars will be rare, but so will pristine JDM cars.
I have a rare UK car (30th anniversary) which could end up pristine, one day. But I always assumed it will be less valuable than a similar JDM car.
Norfolkandchance said:
So do you think UK cars will ultimately be worth more than JDM, assuming both pristine? I'm not convinced!
The JDM is always going to be better, if even only a little bit. Its difficult to tell about rarity. Pristine UK cars will be rare, but so will pristine JDM cars.
I have a rare UK car (30th anniversary) which could end up pristine, one day. But I always assumed it will be less valuable than a similar JDM car.
Sorry, I wasn’t clear. JDM always more valuable (due to condition, nice bits, miles and rarity) and UK cars probably just a bit overpriced.The JDM is always going to be better, if even only a little bit. Its difficult to tell about rarity. Pristine UK cars will be rare, but so will pristine JDM cars.
I have a rare UK car (30th anniversary) which could end up pristine, one day. But I always assumed it will be less valuable than a similar JDM car.
Gassing Station | Honda | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff