Mint EP3 v Later FN2

[Integroo]

Chaps

I asked before regarding the CW FN2 v the normal FN2. The consensus was the CW FN2 wasn't worth the two grand premium. Which got me thinking - would you rather spend six grand or so on a mint 05/06 EP3 - for example, Example EP3 - 85k miles, 1 previous owner, FSH; or would you rather spend six to seven grand on a 50-70k 08/09 FN2, which may or may not have FSH - for example, Example FN2 - 67k miles, seven stamps.

I am thinking the EP3 may hold its value better if you get an 06 Premium spec? I know the EP3 is meant to be the marginally better drivers car, but whats it like to live with as a daily driver? FN2 I get cruise and aux which is a bonus.

[Integroo]

Or, even crazier, spending a lot less on a high mileage but well loved EP3? There is a 136k mileage EP3, appears to be enthusiast owned, it appears to be in excellent nick, decent MOT history for £2150, or a 99k mileage Premium 05 EP3 which is similar for £4100. Honda reliability - if well loved and backed up by a PPI, would this be a safe, depreciation free way of motoring?

[Butter Face]

Personally it would be an EP3. You can't do far wrong with a Cosmic grey Premier TBH.

I use my EP3 daily and it's quite modified over a standard car and still plenty comfortable.

You could change the stereo (I would anyway) for a moden head unit and upgrade the speakers. I did and it's a worthwhile upgrade.

What age/mileage/price you decide on depends on what you're gonna do with it. I went older because I wanted to modify it, but if you're leaving it standard and thinking of the residual value then a Premier or a JDM import car would be your best bet!

[Sam.]

Butter Face said:

Personally it would be an EP3. You can't do far wrong with a Cosmic grey Premier TBH.

I use my EP3 daily and it's quite modified over a standard car and still plenty comfortable.

You could change the stereo (I would anyway) for a moden head unit and upgrade the speakers. I did and it's a worthwhile upgrade.

What age/mileage/price you decide on depends on what you're gonna do with it. I went older because I wanted to modify it, but if you're leaving it standard and thinking of the residual value then a Premier or a JDM import car would be your best bet!

What Butters said

But id highly recommend driving both. I found the FN2 too hard for everyday use. But the EP3 perfect.

Again if i had the money and needed something it would be a EP3 with some money left over for toys.

[Integroo]

Sam. said:

Butter Face said:

Personally it would be an EP3. You can't do far wrong with a Cosmic grey Premier TBH.

I use my EP3 daily and it's quite modified over a standard car and still plenty comfortable.

You could change the stereo (I would anyway) for a moden head unit and upgrade the speakers. I did and it's a worthwhile upgrade.

What age/mileage/price you decide on depends on what you're gonna do with it. I went older because I wanted to modify it, but if you're leaving it standard and thinking of the residual value then a Premier or a JDM import car would be your best bet!

What Butters said

But id highly recommend driving both. I found the FN2 too hard for everyday use. But the EP3 perfect.

Again if i had the money and needed something it would be a EP3 with some money left over for toys.

I didn't realise the EP3 was softer than the FN2. I have driven several FN2's, but on short test drives. The firm ride wasn't a problem for me, but my girlfriend might hate it ...

I could afford up to ten grand - that's what my car at the moment is worth and I am paying it down on a personal loan - but spending less and paying the loan off early is attractive. 05/06 Premier EP3s aren't much cheaper than 07/08/09 FN2s of similar mileages. Residuals aren't the be all and end all but I doubt I will be modifying it and it is just for the road so minimising depreciation would be good.

If I was buying an 09 FN2 around 60-70k miles, would it be likely to need a new clutch etc. in the near future? If so, it would be tempting to spend two to three grand on a higher mileage, older EP3 and then chucking a grand at it to get any issues sorted out.

Decisions decisions. Need someone to buy my current car for decent money before the decision can be made though!

[Butter Face]

My car has just had its first clutch at 125k+ and running 320bhp

Parts are not expensive and readily available with all the cars breaking on eBay too.

[Sam.]

Integroo said:

I didn't realise the EP3 was softer than the FN2. I have driven several FN2's, but on short test drives. The firm ride wasn't a problem for me, but my girlfriend might hate it ...

I could afford up to ten grand - that's what my car at the moment is worth and I am paying it down on a personal loan - but spending less and paying the loan off early is attractive. 05/06 Premier EP3s aren't much cheaper than 07/08/09 FN2s of similar mileages. Residuals aren't the be all and end all but I doubt I will be modifying it and it is just for the road so minimising depreciation would be good.

If I was buying an 09 FN2 around 60-70k miles, would it be likely to need a new clutch etc. in the near future? If so, it would be tempting to spend two to three grand on a higher mileage, older EP3 and then chucking a grand at it to get any issues sorted out.

Decisions decisions. Need someone to buy my current car for decent money before the decision can be made though!

Driven a fair few of both. Friend of mine has a FN2 i often drive when he goes away for weeks to keep it running, I find it round town a little crashy. When you get it out on some back roads that aren't in the best condition it feels as if you are going to crack the wheels.

Again. Clutches should be good for 100k minimum if they have been looked after. As Butters said, Hes running 320hp. Both of us have been around the Honda forums for 10 years plus. Parts are highly available new and second hand from many breakers.

[Integroo]

Cheers chaps, very helpful. Not looking to shed one on a shoestring, just make a sensible purchase! Will let you know what I go for (if I ever sell my current car for an acceptable price ...).

[Butter Face]

Sam. said:

Both of us have been around the Honda forums for 10 years plus.

Thanks for the reminder dude

[Sam.]

Butter Face said:

Thanks for the reminder dude

MANY years now. Far too many. Still have some photos of us at Japfest. and eating chicken at my place the night before. When you got abused by my kitten.

[krismccloy]

Good question, I bought a one owner, FHSH Late '08 FN2 from a garage after looking at 6 of them. It was to replace my '99 JDM DC2 as it just wasn't practical for me to own that car anymore (Big regret). But I now have a '06 Cosmic Grey EP3. The FN2 was worth about 8k at the time and I needed to earn some cash for a house deposit, So ended up with the EP3.

FN2, Personally I think the FN2 is a much nicer car to live with than the EP3, Feels more planted and stable handling wise out of the box, body feels rigid and I love the looks inside and out, The ride is firmer than the EP3 for sure, But personally I never complained about it.

The EP3 feels like it could have been made in the mid 90's technology wise, But it feels playful, fun and a little bit more raw/less refined which adds to the experience. Many claim that the FN2 is slow, But it isn't really, it's just more refined with a more refined engine map in regards to VTEC engaging etc... FN2 has better steering, more feel and a better design. Also, The FN2 has slightly shorter gearing too with the 5.1 final drive vs the 4.785 of the EP3, But this is counteract the effect of the 18" wheels too I'm sure.

I feel out of the box the FN2 is more stable, planted and confidence inspiring blasting down some A & B roads and just as capable as the EP3 in these areas, But your going to have a little more fun in the softer, more playful EP3, especially with that lively rear end.

I have since made the EP3 fairly track friendly, which means any further comparisons go out the window.

Edited by krismccloy on Friday 15th September 09:14

Edited by krismccloy on Friday 15th September 09:16

[Integroo]

krismccloy said:

Good question, I bought a one owner, FHSH Late '08 FN2 from a garage after looking at 6 of them. It was to replace my '99 JDM DC2 as it just wasn't practical for me to own that car anymore (Big regret). But I now have a '06 Cosmic Grey EP3. The FN2 was worth about 8k at the time and I needed to earn some cash for a house deposit, So ended up with the EP3.

FN2, Personally I think the FN2 is a much nicer car to live with than the EP3, Feels more planted and stable handling wise out of the box, body feels rigid and I love the looks inside and out, The ride is firmer than the EP3 for sure, But personally I never complained about it.

The EP3 feels like it could have been made in the mid 90's technology wise, But it feels playful, fun and a little bit more raw/less refined which adds to the experience. Many claim that the FN2 is slow, But it isn't really, it's just more refined with a more refined engine map in regards to VTEC engaging etc... FN2 has better steering, more feel and a better design. Also, The FN2 has slightly shorter gearing too with the 5.1 final drive vs the 4.785 of the EP3, But this is counteract the effect of the 18" wheels too I'm sure.

I feel out of the box the FN2 is more stable, planted and confidence inspiring blasting down some A & B roads and just as capable as the EP3 in these areas, But your going to have a little more fun in the softer, more playful EP3, especially with that lively rear end.

I have since made the EP3 fairly track friendly, which means any further comparisons go out the window.

Edited by krismccloy on Friday 15th September 09:14

Edited by krismccloy on Friday 15th September 09:16

Interesting, thank you. The car would be my daily and would include reasonably long motorway journeys, so perhaps the FN2 is the better bet. Though my head is being turned by S2000's too ... I just want VTEC ...

[designforlife]

DC5

there's a mint CW one up for £7500 at the moment, only 71k on the clock.

Or a very clean black one with 96k for £7500 also.

integra type R owners FB page. Get on it.

Edited by designforlife on Friday 15th September 10:10

[Integroo]

designforlife said:

DC5

there's a mint CW one up for £7500 at the moment, only 71k on the clock.

Or a very clean black one with 96k for £7500 also.

integra type R owners FB page. Get on it.

Edited by designforlife on Friday 15th September 10:10

The DC5 is certainly intriguing. Should I scratch the two seater RWD itch whilst I am young with no kids, though?

I have booked in my current car to sell this weekend. If it does sell, I have a decision to make! EP3, FN2, DC5, S2K ...

[designforlife]

Integroo said:

designforlife said:

DC5

there's a mint CW one up for £7500 at the moment, only 71k on the clock.

Or a very clean black one with 96k for £7500 also.

integra type R owners FB page. Get on it.

Edited by designforlife on Friday 15th September 10:10

The DC5 is certainly intriguing. Should I scratch the two seater RWD itch whilst I am young with no kids, though?

I have booked in my current car to sell this weekend. If it does sell, I have a decision to make! EP3, FN2, DC5, S2K ...

i was tossing up between an s2k and dc5, as they're both more or less the same price and comparable performance (ish).

I went DC5 because the S2k is pretty common by comparison, and also I had a convertible 2 seater for 5 years, and it gets pretty old after a while, especially in the winter.

Either are a far more solid investment over a civic type R, if you want to minimise depreciation.

[Integroo]

designforlife said:

Integroo said:

designforlife said:

DC5

there's a mint CW one up for £7500 at the moment, only 71k on the clock.

Or a very clean black one with 96k for £7500 also.

integra type R owners FB page. Get on it.

Edited by designforlife on Friday 15th September 10:10

The DC5 is certainly intriguing. Should I scratch the two seater RWD itch whilst I am young with no kids, though?

I have booked in my current car to sell this weekend. If it does sell, I have a decision to make! EP3, FN2, DC5, S2K ...

i was tossing up between an s2k and dc5, as they're both more or less the same price and comparable performance (ish).

I went DC5 because the S2k is pretty common by comparison, and also I had a convertible 2 seater for 5 years, and it gets pretty old after a while, especially in the winter.

Either are a far more solid investment over a civic type R, if you want to minimise depreciation.

Indeed, especially given it is now September and I live in Scotland. The DC5 is also a fair bit more practical. The S2K is likely the better drivers car though, given it is RWD.

[designforlife]

Integroo said:

Indeed, especially given it is now September and I live in Scotland. The DC5 is also a fair bit more practical. The S2K is likely the better drivers car though, given it is RWD.

probably, but honestly there isn't much in it. Drive both and see what you prefer.

[Integroo]

designforlife said:

Integroo said:

Indeed, especially given it is now September and I live in Scotland. The DC5 is also a fair bit more practical. The S2K is likely the better drivers car though, given it is RWD.

probably, but honestly there isn't much in it. Drive both and see what you prefer.

Problem with the DC5 is there isn't too many in the dealer network (or at least decent ones) - and it is difficult to get a test drive from a private party.

[designforlife]

Integroo said:

Problem with the DC5 is there isn't too many in the dealer network (or at least decent ones) - and it is difficult to get a test drive from a private party.

i bought mine without driving one beforehand, and i certainly didn't drive it hard on the test drive.

I bought it on the known premise that it was one of the best handling FWD cars of its day, and I'm not disappointed at all.

It's the first well set up FWD i've driven, and I prefer it to my RWD mx5 handling wise...you can be a bit more bold in the wet for starters.

[Integroo]

designforlife said:

Integroo said:

Problem with the DC5 is there isn't too many in the dealer network (or at least decent ones) - and it is difficult to get a test drive from a private party.

i bought mine without driving one beforehand, and i certainly didn't drive it hard on the test drive.

I bought it on the known premise that it was one of the best handling FWD cars of its day, and I'm not disappointed at all.

It's the first well set up FWD i've driven, and I prefer it to my RWD mx5 handling wise...you can be a bit more bold in the wet for starters.

Interesting that you prefer it to your RWD MX5. My dad and brother both drive MX5's, and they are pushing me to buy a RWD soft top when I can.

Do you think you could fit two road bikes in the back with the seats down and wheels off?