How fun is a Civic Type R?
Discussion
While I keep getting tempted by stupid impractical cars, a breadvan Type R fulfills my needs without being neither ruinous, nor plain daft.
I could live with the all or nothing engine, and the piece of cheese shape, but am concerned about Evo's 'duff steering' comment. I value 'handling' above 'road holding', so should I even bother with a test drive (I did n't get on with a Clio 197 much because of this)? And is the steering bad compared to say a Clio 182, or softer cars such as say a Focus as well?
Thanks
I could live with the all or nothing engine, and the piece of cheese shape, but am concerned about Evo's 'duff steering' comment. I value 'handling' above 'road holding', so should I even bother with a test drive (I did n't get on with a Clio 197 much because of this)? And is the steering bad compared to say a Clio 182, or softer cars such as say a Focus as well?
Thanks
pjskel said:
The only person who can answer your question is YOU.
Why not take a trip to a local dealer and try one out - assuming they have any new stock or traded in.
Why not take a trip to a local dealer and try one out - assuming they have any new stock or traded in.
You are probably right, but while you can learn a lot in a test drive, I don't have the confidence to 'push on' enough, nor the skill to read what the car is doing underneath that quickly.
sato said:
You are probably right, but while you can learn a lot in a test drive, I don't have the confidence to 'push on' enough, nor the skill to read what the car is doing underneath that quickly.
your first name isn't Takuma by any chance, is it?
P.S. mine is for sale, if you want to buy a nice 4 yr old model for 'testing'?!
Civic Type R's only real weakness is a lack of steering feel and feedback.
If you're used to the Focus and 182 (both paragons of fwd feedback), you'll be disappointed.
That said, the car's poise, grip and agility are all very good...but you don't feel as inclined to push to the limit.
If you're used to the Focus and 182 (both paragons of fwd feedback), you'll be disappointed.
That said, the car's poise, grip and agility are all very good...but you don't feel as inclined to push to the limit.
fido said:
sato said:
You are probably right, but while you can learn a lot in a test drive, I don't have the confidence to 'push on' enough, nor the skill to read what the car is doing underneath that quickly.
your first name isn't Takuma by any chance, is it?
P.S. mine is for sale, if you want to buy a nice 4 yr old model for 'testing'?!
The irony of my login name completely escaped me when posting that
havoc said:
Civic Type R's only real weakness is a lack of steering feel and feedback.
If you're used to the Focus and 182 (both paragons of fwd feedback), you'll be disappointed.
That said, the car's poise, grip and agility are all very good...but you don't feel as inclined to push to the limit.
If you're used to the Focus and 182 (both paragons of fwd feedback), you'll be disappointed.
That said, the car's poise, grip and agility are all very good...but you don't feel as inclined to push to the limit.
I'm used to Focus, but not 182. The problem with magazines reviews is I'm never sure when they make comparisons whether they are general, or to the models close rivals.
I think the only only answer is to snaffle an extended test drive.
i love the civic type r, used to sell them, my only real criticism is that they dont like damp roads even just slightly damp and they wont put the power down to well to them front wheels,handling wise it doesnt compare to a cooper s for handling but its no means crap, has very good handling and a mint chassis..
It was the most enjoyable car I have driven.
It takes sometime to get the best out of a CTR but when you do its fabulous. It can be driven like any other hatch but when you are in the mood and start to rev it, the sound, gearbox, brakes and handling are superb.
When I first drove the CTR the steering felt very strange, quite heavy and just a bit unusual but once you spend sometime with it, it feels very connected to the road.
It takes sometime to get the best out of a CTR but when you do its fabulous. It can be driven like any other hatch but when you are in the mood and start to rev it, the sound, gearbox, brakes and handling are superb.
When I first drove the CTR the steering felt very strange, quite heavy and just a bit unusual but once you spend sometime with it, it feels very connected to the road.
I've got to agree with Lee about traction problems: whilst you're very unlikely to run out of grip during the course of a 'normal' drive the lack of LSD or TC does show even on a mildly damp road.
That said, as an everyday but completely bipolar runabout you'll struggle to do better.
That said, as an everyday but completely bipolar runabout you'll struggle to do better.
2 pence coming up
I had an 02 CTR 2 years ago
I moved to a 03 WRX, Leon Cupra, Elise. Have driven Focus ST, Golf GTI, Megane 225, New Impreza STI and still mourn the day I let the civic go. It has so much character
The handling is great, not the best when compared with the clio but very competitive. My advice is dump the Bridgestones ASAP. I fitted Goodyear F1's and it transformed the car especially in the wet. Made a very rewarding drive.
Im now waiting for the new models appearance and if it isnt an improvment I will be buying an late EP3 CTR no questions asked.
I had an 02 CTR 2 years ago
I moved to a 03 WRX, Leon Cupra, Elise. Have driven Focus ST, Golf GTI, Megane 225, New Impreza STI and still mourn the day I let the civic go. It has so much character
The handling is great, not the best when compared with the clio but very competitive. My advice is dump the Bridgestones ASAP. I fitted Goodyear F1's and it transformed the car especially in the wet. Made a very rewarding drive.
Im now waiting for the new models appearance and if it isnt an improvment I will be buying an late EP3 CTR no questions asked.
Catz said:
Not the best time of year to get the best from a CTR though. You have to show some respect to wet or icy roads.
Partly to do with tyres, IMHO. And a lot to do with steering feel (lack of).
But that's where it gets shown up as lacking ultimate hot-hatch credentials.
Driving a diesel Focus (sport version on 17's and Contisports, with zetec suspension), and especially previously driving the 'teg, I have an absolute ball in damp and just-wet conditions (surface water changes things...you'd have to be silly to play then)...both cars can be driven right up to and around the limit, and in the 'teg I could toy with understeer/oversteer by degrees...Focus not QUITE so agile at the back-end, but equally entertaining at the front end. In short, you can place them accurately just on the throttle.
It's not just the Civic, mind...the S2000's not MUCH better in terms of feedback...although I'm looking into how to improve that.
Catz said:
Not the best time of year to get the best from a CTR though. You have to show some respect to wet or icy roads.
Bugger, I might be getting one this weekend. Great timing...
magic torch said:
Gotta work them hard though imo.
I'll be interested to compare that to my Clio 172 - similar torque profile up to about 6k when the Civic's torque takes off. Never thought the 172 was considered as a car you had to work hard?
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