FN2 over EP3. Am I mad?

[otolith]

JimSuperSix said:

Also I dont put much stock in the opinions of a certain lanky tv presenter.

Ouch, I'd forgotten how much he hated it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeGAmcLYGQ8

[Super Sonic]

otolith said:

JimSuperSix said:

Also I dont put much stock in the opinions of a certain lanky tv presenter.

Ouch, I'd forgotten how much he hated it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeGAmcLYGQ8

What JC knows about cars can be written on a grain of rice w a sledgehammer and still leave room for the lord's prayer.

[havoc]

Super Sonic said:

Hugo Stiglitz said:

They are both old cars now so regardless of what people say about the engine the rest of the car will have you on Google and at garages on your days off on your days off.

You're talking nonsense.

Indeed.

My 2008 import CTR is on 128k, and aside from routine servicing it's needed:-
- new clutch
- new air con condenser and compressor (known weakness due to location)
- new rear dampers
- a couple of drop-links
- ...and a new front caliper after the dealership cocked up trying to undo the bleed nipple (they're not allowed to use heat, FFS! )

So yep, real garage queen...

[Hippea]

havoc said:

Super Sonic said:

Hugo Stiglitz said:

They are both old cars now so regardless of what people say about the engine the rest of the car will have you on Google and at garages on your days off on your days off.

You're talking nonsense.

Indeed.

My 2008 import CTR is on 128k, and aside from routine servicing it's needed:-
- new clutch
- new air con condenser and compressor (known weakness due to location)
- new rear dampers
- a couple of drop-links
- ...and a new front caliper after the dealership cocked up trying to undo the bleed nipple (they're not allowed to use heat, FFS! )

So yep, real garage queen...

FD2?

[otolith]

Super Sonic said:

What JC knows about cars can be written on a grain of rice w a sledgehammer and still leave room for the lord's prayer.

He has a tendency towards hyperbole, though most of the other reviews had reservations at the time.

[havoc]

Hippea said:

FD2?

Yep. Not the obvious family car, but it's never been anything less than entertaining, and even ignoring the residuals (owned 9 years...reckon I'd still get back nearly what I paid for it) it's not cost anywhere near as much to run as the typical German alternatives...although I suspect they'd have had better rust-proofing...

[RichFN2]

havoc said:

Indeed.

My 2008 import CTR is on 128k, and aside from routine servicing it's needed:-
- new clutch
- new air con condenser and compressor (known weakness due to location)
- new rear dampers
- a couple of drop-links
- ...and a new front caliper after the dealership cocked up trying to undo the bleed nipple (they're not allowed to use heat, FFS! )

So yep, real garage queen...

Had mine 7 years in January, covered over 50k and it's a 2009 FN2
So far it's needed:
New VTEC solenoid valve (very rare for these to fail)
New clutch & gear selector cables at 85k
2 front shock absorbers, 1 at 69k the other at 92k
Both rear springs at 92k
Front track rod ends last year.

It's only done 93k but it's approaching 15 years old now and most of the above has happened in the past 2 years, I put it down to the harsh ride and awful roads mine gets battered on. The gear selector cables can only be sourced from Honda and I was charged £384, just checked Cox Motor Parts and they now want £524 . That was the only time I felt I my car might actually genuinely break down and leave me stranded (could only use 3 gears)

[anonymous-user]

Hugo Stiglitz said:

They are both old cars now so regardless of what people say about the engine the rest of the car will have you on Google and at garages on your days off on your days off.

Let's hope the rest of your 35,000 posts are not as ste as this one, eh?

[Hugo Stiglitz]

JimSuperSix said:

Hugo Stiglitz said:

They are both old cars now so regardless of what people say about the engine the rest of the car will have you on Google and at garages on your days off on your days off.

Let's hope the rest of your 35,000 posts are not as ste as this one, eh?

Everyone has a different opinion but the best are from those who have actually owned one as well. I'm a big fan of 90s/00's Japanese cars but I really struggled with the standard power delivery of both the EP3 and FN2. Along with other things.


I have an honest appraisal of my current car (on its limit) and it annoyed some who no doubt drive quickly in straight smooth roads..

Edit the EP3 can be great if you mod it.. alittle.

There's a fair few areas on the FN2 that I think are just no go.

Edited by Hugo Stiglitz on Wednesday 14th December 18:59

[Hippea]

havoc said:

Hippea said:

FD2?

Yep. Not the obvious family car, but it's never been anything less than entertaining, and even ignoring the residuals (owned 9 years...reckon I'd still get back nearly what I paid for it) it's not cost anywhere near as much to run as the typical German alternatives...although I suspect they'd have had better rust-proofing...

That’s brilliant to hear, I’d love one of those but they are commanding serious money now

Are you seeing substantial rust issues now?

[havoc]

Hippea said:

Are you seeing substantial rust issues now?

Not vs a 90s Honda, but the rear arches are a definite weak-point.

They were dealt with 4 years ago, but obviously not well enough - need doing again...should be able to avoid a new panel but it'll definitely need new metal this time.

Rest of the sills were OK when last inspected a couple of years ago, and the underside has had a couple of treatments since I got her and still looks pretty sensible. So not the end of the world, certainly not vs a CH1 or DC2.

[Hippea]

havoc said:

Hippea said:

Are you seeing substantial rust issues now?

Not vs a 90s Honda, but the rear arches are a definite weak-point.

They were dealt with 4 years ago, but obviously not well enough - need doing again...should be able to avoid a new panel but it'll definitely need new metal this time.

Rest of the sills were OK when last inspected a couple of years ago, and the underside has had a couple of treatments since I got her and still looks pretty sensible. So not the end of the world, certainly not vs a CH1 or DC2.

That’s good to know, seem to hold up reasonably well. In the new year I’m seriously looking for something like this or a DC5 as a daily

[havoc]

Both are borderline too stiff for daily driving (FD2 is too stiff on OE suspension, need to at least replace the rear dampers), but they're no worse than typical Audi or Porsche "RS" badged cars, and they're perfectly practical. Just don't expect long drives to be cossetting!

[Hippea]

havoc said:

Both are borderline too stiff for daily driving (FD2 is too stiff on OE suspension, need to at least replace the rear dampers), but they're no worse than typical Audi or Porsche "RS" badged cars, and they're perfectly practical. Just don't expect long drives to be cossetting!

My daily needs are a bit different, 25 mile daily B road commute, no motorway journeys really so the ideal car

[RichFN2]

The FD2 is rumoured to have the most stiff ride out of all Type R's including the FN2! however 25 miles of b roads will be a good fun commute and where these cars seem to wake up

Its at low speeds when they can feel annoying, when you press on they seem to settle down. I would budget for some sort of suspension maintenance/overhaul.

[BrotherMouzone]

I bought a FN2 recently, it came with a free swimming pool in the boot.

[Super Sonic]

Was it in the Hastings area? I did look at one over there that was sopping.

[GR86]

BrotherMouzone said:

I bought a FN2 recently, it came with a free swimming pool in the boot.

Rear light gasket?

[BrotherMouzone]

No not in Hastings. TADTS so it didn’t really bother me. Watched a few YouTube videos beforehand so going to attempt to fix it myself when the weather gets a bit warmer.

[BrotherMouzone]

GR86 said:

Rear light gasket?

Likely to be a number of places inc rear lights / boot lid / rear of roof rails; I bought some tools for interior trim removal so will strip out the back and see.