RE: Honda Civic Type R (EP3): PH Heroes

[Kenny Powers]

It may have already been said, but I read that the steering feel was improved on the facelift cars? If this is true, then it could go a long way to explaining the polarised opinions of the steering. Perhaps some have driven the phase 1 and others the phase 2.

Just a thought. As always, it’s best to drive the car you like and make up your own mind. The early UK EP3 that I drove had pretty bad steering, but it was still a brilliant car. I didn’t buy one because I couldn’t really afford to, but had I been able, I would have

Disclaimer: I didn’t waste a dealer’s time by test driving a car I couldn’t afford. I had access to a friend’s car and drove it on a few occasions. I’m also now loaded, and wouldn’t get out of bed for a hatchback. Considerably richer than yow

[Martin_Hx]

MRobbins1987 said:

RS Grant said:

I've been looking for another EP3 for a wee while and I'm sure I saw yours on eBay a few weeks/couple of months ago? Did you decide to keep hold of it?

Yes it was for sale on eBay and on here, I need the space of an estate really having two kids a Labrador pup and a wife who doesn’t know how to pack lightly. I got nothing but tyre kickers from the adverts so I lost the will to sell it, if someone offered me something close to what I feel it’s worth I would part with it, failing that I should be in a position to buy an estate and keep the civic early next year.

It’s going in for a service, mot and to have the Renault sport brembo conversion later this month and I’ve got a track day booked at Oulton on the 17th July.

I've had my '06' since 2007 but its been sat in a garage for a year since getting a new car. its going in for a service / mot soon but i fear this might happen when i come to sell as well

Part of me doesn't want to sell it, head says it should go as its not being used and its doing it no good just sat around!

[u04pww2]

Jon_S_Rally said:

A car that I've never really got the hype about to be honest.

Can't help but think it was launched at the wrong time as, a couple of years later, the likes of the MK5 Golf GTI came along. While I love a normally aspirated car, the Golf (and subsequent turbocharged hatches) have showed just how much better they are in the real world. Being able to rev to 8000rpm is all well and good but, on a miserable commute to work, mid-range grunt and a bit of comfort go a long, long way. In a daily driver, the exciting engine just doesn't make up for all of the flaws. I've always lusted after the EK9, but this just felt a bit too compromised and immediately out-of-date to me.

That leaves it in the realms of weekend car/track toy and, in this budget, I just couldn't have one over a Renault Sport Clio.

I would have to disagree, i went from turbocharged 20v Fiat Coupe to my Ep3 and although the fiat was good for cruising in 6th gear on the motorway with all the torque, the Ep3 beat it in every other way as a daily driver, in fact i used it for 100 mile round commute daily and i never once felt like i was in the wrong car, i admit i've never driven a standard one so maybe the mods mine have make all the difference but what the engine lacks in mid range torque it makes up for with a close ratio box and very responsive throttle on what is a light car by todays standards.

Always liked the Renault Sport Clios and would like a drive in the 200 cup to see how it compares, always think they look great when i catch sight of one on the road.

[MRobbins1987]

Kenny Powers said:

It may have already been said, but I read that the steering feel was improved on the facelift cars? If this is true, then it could go a long way to explaining the polarised opinions of the steering. Perhaps some have driven the phase 1 and others the phase 2.

Just a thought. As always, it’s best to drive the car you like and make up your own mind. The early UK EP3 that I drove had pretty bad steering, but it was still a brilliant car. I didn’t buy one because I couldn’t really afford to, but had I been able, I would have

Disclaimer: I didn’t waste a dealer’s time by test driving a car I couldn’t afford. I had access to a friend’s car and drove it on a few occasions. I’m also now loaded, and wouldn’t get out of bed for a hatchback. Considerably richer than yow

Steering feel still isn’t great on the later cars, castor increase bushes and a limited slip differential improve things but it’s not comparable to the best hot hatches in this regard. It gives just enough feedback through the wheel and what you don’t feel through the wheel you feel via the back doors.

[culpz]

blade7 said:

culpz said:

Simply as i stated really, that there's quite an age gap between them.

Which means they're not in any way comparable down a B road?

I never said incomparable, i just said an odd comparison. I know they're similar power but they have very different power delivery, have a fair bit of age between them, have weight differences and are also in 2 different segments.

[culpz]

raceboy said:

culpz said:

What are your thoughts on the 197, coming from the Type R? The Clio is the car that i've always wanted. I'd be interested to hear your further comments from the two.

Not really put that many miles on the Clio yet but being an F1 with the cup chassis and Recaros the feeling of grip is considerably better than the EP3, it doesn't feel as quick but probably is, it's just a bit less manic, the EP3 was probably a bit more comfy and being a little bigger a bit more practical but it depends how important these type of things are.

Fair enough. I've always preferred a 172/182 but they're getting quite long in the tooth now so i do find myself looking at the 197/200. The R27 version that you have is probably the best choice actually. Love those Recaro seats!

[MRobbins1987]

Martin_Hx said:

I've had my '06' since 2007 but its been sat in a garage for a year since getting a new car. its going in for a service / mot soon but i fear this might happen when i come to sell as well

Part of me doesn't want to sell it, head says it should go as its not being used and its doing it no good just sat around!

There’s a lot of messers around unfortunately, it met it’s reserve on eBay only the highest bidder wasn’t in a position to buy. (why bid then?)

Some guy travelled over an hour to take it for a test drive and all he talked about were integra’s and how the ep3 isn’t as good to drive, you would think that would be obvious to him given he had owned both previously. (Just buy a DC5 and have done)

Final nail in the coffin was a local lad who’s known the car for years and has been in regular contact with me about selling to him was told by his wife that he wasn’t allowed it. (Needs to learn to dominate the stairs)

I received plenty of low ball offers and no shows too which just got laughed away, selling privately can be a massive headache.

[Butter Face]

MRobbins1987 said:

selling privately can be a massive headache.

Absolutely. I sell cars every day, but the thought of going through the process with my own car is painful.

Also, what the hell would I replace it with?!

[MRobbins1987]

Butter Face said:

Absolutely. I sell cars every day, but the thought of going through the process with my own car is painful.

Also, what the hell would I replace it with?!

I think you would struggle to replace yours, with a similar budget. Megane RS maybe but the engine won’t excite like the Civic’s.

[Butter Face]

MRobbins1987 said:

Butter Face said:

Absolutely. I sell cars every day, but the thought of going through the process with my own car is painful.

Also, what the hell would I replace it with?!

I think you would struggle to replace yours, with a similar budget. Megane RS maybe but the engine won’t excite like the Civic’s.

The budget is always flexibile, but I've been through lots of options and anything that would give me as much excitement comes with ruinous running costs with them...

[blade7]

culpz said:

I never said incomparable, i just said an odd comparison. I know they're similar power but they have very different power delivery, have a fair bit of age between them, have weight differences and are also in 2 different segments.

Is this the 5 minute argument?

[culpz]

blade7 said:

culpz said:

I never said incomparable, i just said an odd comparison. I know they're similar power but they have very different power delivery, have a fair bit of age between them, have weight differences and are also in 2 different segments.

Is this the 5 minute argument?

Nothing relevant to come back with as usual, i see.

[Leicester Loyal]

Butter Face said:

Absolutely. I sell cars every day, but the thought of going through the process with my own car is painful.

Also, what the hell would I replace it with?!

Only something like a RS Clio or Megane for a similar budget. I wouldn't bother selling it mate, not worth the hassle and the struggle of trying to find something similar for similar money.

[blade7]

culpz said:

Nothing relevant to come back with as usual, i see.

Or the full 1/2 hour?

[culpz]

blade7 said:

culpz said:

Nothing relevant to come back with as usual, i see.

Or the full 1/2 hour?

So about the same amount of time for you to spit your dummy out then?

[TheJimi]

This is an interestingly topical subject for me.

Being a Honda fan, I’d fancied an EP3 for a while, and in 2016, I bought one.  Travelled from the west coast of Scotland to Birmingham; I’d looked at a few, and this seemed a good ‘un.

Test drove it, and done the deal. Driving back up the road to Scotland, I discover the synchros were on the way out. 

That was the first moment.

I’d paid a bit over the odds for it, so when I found out how much it cost to repair the synchros – second moment.

The car is/was a weekend toy for me, so for various reasons, I didn’t bother selling it, and just drove it occasionally – my heart wasn’t in it tho.

Fast forward to a week ago when I absentmindedly left the handbrake off and it gently rolled into my neighbour’s car.  Nary a scratch on his, but a lovely dent on my OSF wing

One facelift EP3, free to a good home!

(I’m only half joking – I’m dreading the f*cking idiots I’m going to have to put up with when selling it)

[blade7]

culpz said:

So about the same amount of time for you to spit your dummy out then?

This is arguments, you should be in insults.

[u04pww2]

TheJimi said:

:

One facelift EP3, free to a good home!

(I’m only half joking – I’m dreading the f*cking idiots I’m going to have to put up with when selling it)

Its terrible, i had about half of Birmingham asking me 'whats your lowest price mate?' or 'swapz for Skoda fabia VRS with remap'

Gave up in the end.

[TameRacingDriver]

TheJimi said:

(I’m only half joking – I’m dreading the f*cking idiots I’m going to have to put up with when selling it)

I feel for you mate. When I sold my FN2, it was priced quite keenly. Then this chap of "indian origin" (snowflakes, go away) rang me up. Was willing to travel 200 miles to see it that night (no chance). He was persistent. When he finally showed up the next day, he came armed with about 4 very large mates, and then promptly found lots of extra "faults" on the car and basically talked another £1000 off the price. I did my best to refuse but they'd driven all this way and weren't going away in a hurry, in the end I let it go minus £1000. I wasn't sure what was going to happen if I had stuck to my guns, but it wasn't worth it.

Its actually put me off owning another hot hatch type vehicle period.

[culpz]

blade7 said:

culpz said:

So about the same amount of time for you to spit your dummy out then?

This is arguments, you should be in insults.

Come back to me when you can successfully string a sentence together