2005 Civic type S as a track day beater
Discussion
After selling my e36 i am looking for another track day thrasher. I'm not interested in all out speed or best potential but i am looking for something with a bit of room, reliable, cheap, upgradeable, and can handle long distances to different tracks. Working Air Con would be wonderful too. The e36 covered some of these but was pretty tight on space when i loaded up for overnight track trips. It was a 2 door as well so it was real b
hy getting big things out of the rear seat area. Even after i removed the rear seats to be able to fit a set of tires back there i was still cramped with all my gear.
While looking around i keep seeing super cheap Civic type S 5 door 2.0 models popping up. Not one to ignore what looks to be a good deal I am interested in there ability to run around a track and have some fun. Seems like they already have a bit better suspension and while not a type r motor they dont look bad on paper. It seems the power assisted steering is a huge let down but other than that i cant really find anything bad about it.
With a budget of about 1500 for the car and some supporting mods I can't see why this cant be a good thing. I know very little about these Civics however so could use some guidance. It doesn't have to be the fastest on the track but i do want to have some fun.
hy getting big things out of the rear seat area. Even after i removed the rear seats to be able to fit a set of tires back there i was still cramped with all my gear.While looking around i keep seeing super cheap Civic type S 5 door 2.0 models popping up. Not one to ignore what looks to be a good deal I am interested in there ability to run around a track and have some fun. Seems like they already have a bit better suspension and while not a type r motor they dont look bad on paper. It seems the power assisted steering is a huge let down but other than that i cant really find anything bad about it.
With a budget of about 1500 for the car and some supporting mods I can't see why this cant be a good thing. I know very little about these Civics however so could use some guidance. It doesn't have to be the fastest on the track but i do want to have some fun.
My dad used to have one and it took it on track with 125k miles on the clock. Biggest issue he had was with the brakes, he managed to cook them but that could just be down to his bad driving. I would actually imagine that any road car would cook the brakes if driven too hard.
Only thing that ever went wrong in the three years he owned it was the radiator leaked.
I drove the car a few times and I would agree with the steering, it was not too noticeable when driving but when trying to park it was obvious how poor the lock was.
Engine felt brilliant, I believe the block is the same as the Type R but it doesn't have anywhere near as aggressive VTEC (Yo!)
I am sure someone will be along to tell me the engine is nothing like the Type R and that I am an idiot.
Seriously thinking of picking up one myself.
Only thing that ever went wrong in the three years he owned it was the radiator leaked.
I drove the car a few times and I would agree with the steering, it was not too noticeable when driving but when trying to park it was obvious how poor the lock was.
Engine felt brilliant, I believe the block is the same as the Type R but it doesn't have anywhere near as aggressive VTEC (Yo!)
I am sure someone will be along to tell me the engine is nothing like the Type R and that I am an idiot.
Seriously thinking of picking up one myself.
The engine is nothing like the K20A type R and you are an Idiot 
Only joking but the type S is a 1.8 SOHC and the Type R is a 2.0 lift engine .
Only joking but the type S is a 1.8 SOHC and the Type R is a 2.0 lift engine .
Joey Deacon said:
My dad used to have one and it took it on track with 125k miles on the clock. Biggest issue he had was with the brakes, he managed to cook them but that could just be down to his bad driving. I would actually imagine that any road car would cook the brakes if driven too hard.
Only thing that ever went wrong in the three years he owned it was the radiator leaked.
I drove the car a few times and I would agree with the steering, it was not too noticeable when driving but when trying to park it was obvious how poor the lock was.
Engine felt brilliant, I believe the block is the same as the Type R but it doesn't have anywhere near as aggressive VTEC (Yo!)
I am sure someone will be along to tell me the engine is nothing like the Type R and that I am an idiot.
Seriously thinking of picking up one myself.
Only thing that ever went wrong in the three years he owned it was the radiator leaked.
I drove the car a few times and I would agree with the steering, it was not too noticeable when driving but when trying to park it was obvious how poor the lock was.
Engine felt brilliant, I believe the block is the same as the Type R but it doesn't have anywhere near as aggressive VTEC (Yo!)
I am sure someone will be along to tell me the engine is nothing like the Type R and that I am an idiot.
Seriously thinking of picking up one myself.
zizgag69 said:
2005 would make it 7th gen Type-S, (not FN2), so 2L DOHC, 156 hp?
Correct - 2006 was when the 8th gen civic came out and the type S moved to either the 2.2 diesel or 1.8 petrol engine. Nothing much to add except to add my mate had a type S and rated it very highly. I had an ep3 back in the day but not sure how comparable the two are...
Shappers24 said:
zizgag69 said:
2005 would make it 7th gen Type-S, (not FN2), so 2L DOHC, 156 hp?
Correct - 2006 was when the 8th gen civic came out and the type S moved to either the 2.2 diesel or 1.8 petrol engine. Nothing much to add except to add my mate had a type S and rated it very highly. I had an ep3 back in the day but not sure how comparable the two are...
Funnily enough I just won the one I had been watching on eBay for under half shed of the week money. Planning on doing a few track days in it myself.
A good mate of mine has a 2 litre Type S as his daily, fun and track car.
He can get 40+mpg on a run and take the family out. Took it to the Ring this year and it didn't disgrace itself.
If I wanted a cheap dual purpose car, I would buy one.
My educated opinion is that it would be a very reasonable choice indeed..
He can get 40+mpg on a run and take the family out. Took it to the Ring this year and it didn't disgrace itself.
If I wanted a cheap dual purpose car, I would buy one.
My educated opinion is that it would be a very reasonable choice indeed..
I owned a 2005 Civic Type-S for 7 years (2006 - 2013) & over 80K miles. Most reliable car I have ever owned.
Took it to an IAM track day - 37mpg driving there and back but 17 when on the track. Brakes got very hot but didn't fade.
Didn't handle as well as same year Focus ST170 but a better family car - more room in back & bigger boot. Mine had 205/55-16 tyres.
Close ratio gearbox with close to 65 in 2nd, low 90s in 3rd but only around 22mph/1000revs in top. Rev'd to 6800rpm.
Took it to an IAM track day - 37mpg driving there and back but 17 when on the track. Brakes got very hot but didn't fade.
Didn't handle as well as same year Focus ST170 but a better family car - more room in back & bigger boot. Mine had 205/55-16 tyres.
Close ratio gearbox with close to 65 in 2nd, low 90s in 3rd but only around 22mph/1000revs in top. Rev'd to 6800rpm.
Edited by Glosphil on Sunday 11th August 11:00
Edited by Glosphil on Sunday 11th August 11:01
Edited by Glosphil on Sunday 11th August 11:03
Kit352 said:
Thanks guys. Its sounds like it could be an ok purchase then. I am still looking at options for other cars but this keeps popping up. I think if I found one nearby that was cheap I wouldn't be able to not buy it.
Picked up a 55 Plate with 104k miles on the clock, full (fully stamped book and every receipt) main Honda dealer service history one for £720 two weeks ago. Was filthy dirty and unloved and I have so far spent 10 hours cleaning it to get it to an acceptable level. This was registered in October 2005 so must be one of the last ones ever made.
Oil is still clean after 6000 miles, doesn't lose any fluids, premium tyres (with no slow punctures) and returned 39MPG on the first tank 50/50 urban/motorway.
Last three Honda invoices are for a Service, front discs, pads and calipers and a knock sensor which totals £1000.
Only negative I can think of is the turning circle when parking feels massive compared to my MK2 Megane. Oh and a knock from the front when going over bumps which I suspect is the drop links.
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