RE: Honda Civic Type R vs. Renault Megane 300 Trophy

[likesachange]

In defence of the Mégane.. the base manual trophy is 3k less than civic.. so you can spec the alcantara recaros as well as Pano roof and Bose to give it reasonable spec.. to bring price same

The Hondas infotainment system was awful from the brief time I had playing with it. So it is swings and roundabouts...

[gigglebug]

Chestrockwell said:

I haven’t driven the Renault and I don’t need to, the Honda is so good, It’s enough for me and I’m truly content with the car to the point where, I don’t look at other cars and think ‘wow that could be better’ or ‘I should have bought that one’.

I’ve had the car a month now and oh my god it just gets better and better by the day, it comes complete from the factory, none of this cup, trophy, R waffle, no options, buy the GT spec and drive off. I had a look at the Renault on AT before I bought mine and the fact that they were so cheap compared to the Civic put me off, I want to buy something that is going to hold its value and come complete, don’t want to be finding the right spec etc.

One thing that took away the small chance of me going for the Renault was the seats, they look hideous!








It’s things like that which put me off french cars, crap quality like that.

Look at the Hondas seats in comparison.

Edited by Chestrockwell on Sunday 30th June 20:02

For me the seats in the Civic are the one thing about it that I know full well I couldn't live with, the Recaro's of the Megane in the test are a lot, lot nicer.

[Chestrockwell]

likesachange said:

In defence of the Mégane.. the base manual trophy is 3k less than civic.. so you can spec the alcantara recaros as well as Pano roof and Bose to give it reasonable spec.. to bring price same

The Hondas infotainment system was awful from the brief time I had playing with it. So it is swings and roundabouts...

Well it’s clear why the base one is 3k less, it’s an incomplete car, if you bought the first one that come out, the 280, your car wouldn’t be as desirable as there’s a faster and better one out.

If you bought a Type R in 2017, it’s the same one that’s out now, there isn’t a faster/better version. Honda sold the car, complete, as it should be.

In terms of the infotainment, I agree with you it’s rubbish, laggy and the graphics aren’t nice at all compared to the idrive in my BMW however after a month of having the car, I’m used to it now, I barely even use it, I just play music and use the steering wheel controls to skip back and forth and if I need to use the satnav, I’ll use apple car play which is great.

I’m not saying the Renault is a bad car, there is no winner/loser, it’s a case of what you prefer in terms of looks.

I just think Renault’s credibility is diminished when they build a car that’s got a very basic interior with crap seats, a basic interior, less power than the one you need along with differences in the chassis and make you pay extra for the product you really want unlike Honda. non GT model and GT model, engine, seats, power output is the same.

[Chestrockwell]

gigglebug said:

For me the seats in the Civic are the one thing about it that I know full well I couldn't live with, the Recaro's of the Megane in the test are a lot, lot nicer.

Those seats do look nicer but that’s my point, why not make those seats standard?

[renmure]

gigglebug said:

For me the seats in the Civic are the one thing about it that I know full well I couldn't live with, the Recaro's of the Megane in the test are a lot, lot nicer.

Each to their own of course, but I can't think of any seat in any car that I've been in which have been as comfortable and supportive. I guess the look is a personal thing.

Agree that the infotainment system is a bit clumsy in function and look tho.

[gigglebug]

Chestrockwell said:

gigglebug said:

For me the seats in the Civic are the one thing about it that I know full well I couldn't live with, the Recaro's of the Megane in the test are a lot, lot nicer.

Those seats do look nicer but that’s my point, why not make those seats standard?

I don't think it is in any shape or form a bad thing that there is the choice, not everybody wants a shell type seat after all and if the Recaro's of the Megane were available as a cost option on the Civic I'm sure there would be those who would pay the extra to have them in that car as well. That's the thing though, they either need to be a cost option or the base car's price would need to higher, they ain't cheap.

[gigglebug]

renmure said:

gigglebug said:

For me the seats in the Civic are the one thing about it that I know full well I couldn't live with, the Recaro's of the Megane in the test are a lot, lot nicer.

Each to their own of course, but I can't think of any seat in any car that I've been in which have been as comfortable and supportive. I guess the look is a personal thing.

Agree that the infotainment system is a bit clumsy in function and look tho.

For comparison I couldn't stand the seats in the GTR I had either and they were perfectly comfortable. Horrible looking things though, two tone seats never work for me (except black and very dark grey).

Can the Civic's be had in just the one colour? Only ever been in one and looked around a couple of others and I'm pretty sure they all had the two tone seats in them.

Edited by gigglebug on Sunday 30th June 21:42

[renmure]

The Civic seats only come in red / black contrast no matter what colour the car is. Rear seats are plain black and fairly dull looking tho which is a pity in my view.

Another criticism of the Civic I've heard is that it's strictly a 4 seater. Not sure about the Renault.

[John Allison]

Redlake27 said:

The Type R is close to my ideal car. Practical, engaging, ability to switch between plush and hardcore, decent residuals .

But I wish they made a more discreet version. Just like Porsche’s Touring version of the GT3.

Ditto. Will need to replace my 208 GTi by PS soon for something with 5 doors and every article says the civic is the best to drive, but just couldn’t live with those looks. Looks like it’s crashed into a Demon Tweeks warehouse. And even if I could there’s no way I’d get it past my other half

[Chestrockwell]

renmure said:

The Civic seats only come in red / black contrast no matter what colour the car is. Rear seats are plain black and fairly dull looking tho which is a pity in my view.

Another criticism of the Civic I've heard is that it's strictly a 4 seater. Not sure about the Renault.

A lot of things seem a certain way with the Civic but once it’s in front of you, it’s all forgiven, that’s how it is with every person who opposed me getting mine!

If there’s a car that photos don’t do justice, it’s the Civic Type R. I even think it sounds nice, I know you have a red one from new, I remember your thread. I bought mine at 9k miles and now it’s on 11, it actually sounds a lot better from when I first got it. It particularly makes a nice noise at the limiter in first gear, lots of pops but not them fake types you get in Golf R’s. Did you get the same? What mileage are you on now

[renmure]

Embarrassingly I'm still under 4k miles in mine in 16 months. That's no reflection on the car tho it's just a function of having other things to drive on sunny days and probably more suitable things to drive on grotty Scottish yucky days. Mrs R takes it to Tesco every now and again and appreciates the sensible stuff like Comfort Mode and the big boot. Noise wise, I'd probably prefer a bit more volume, drama, pops & bangs but maybe it will loosen up over a few more miles.

[Poopipe]

I ended up with an orange trophy this weekend - everything ticked except the glass roof.
Honda couldn't compete with a 0% deal from Renault but I suspect I'd have gone with the megane anyway - largely based on looks and the fancy interior.

The test drive convinced me it'll be better than my MK2 Cup. Its certainly a more practical comfortable car, and definitely very capable. I won't know really whether it's st hot or not till ive had it a few weeks but I'm absolutely confident it'll piss me off a lot less often than the old one does

[Driver101]

gigglebug said:

Chestrockwell said:

I haven’t driven the Renault and I don’t need to, the Honda is so good, It’s enough for me and I’m truly content with the car to the point where, I don’t look at other cars and think ‘wow that could be better’ or ‘I should have bought that one’.

I’ve had the car a month now and oh my god it just gets better and better by the day, it comes complete from the factory, none of this cup, trophy, R waffle, no options, buy the GT spec and drive off. I had a look at the Renault on AT before I bought mine and the fact that they were so cheap compared to the Civic put me off, I want to buy something that is going to hold its value and come complete, don’t want to be finding the right spec etc.

One thing that took away the small chance of me going for the Renault was the seats, they look hideous!








It’s things like that which put me off french cars, crap quality like that.

Look at the Hondas seats in comparison.

Edited by Chestrockwell on Sunday 30th June 20:02

For me the seats in the Civic are the one thing about it that I know full well I couldn't live with, the Recaro's of the Megane in the test are a lot, lot nicer.

The standard Megane seats are much nicer than the Civic seats. The Recaro seats are on another level.

There always seems to be a lot of older Type R with badly torn seats. I bet those seats don't last either.

[likesachange]

Poopipe said:

I ended up with an orange trophy this weekend - everything ticked except the glass roof.
Honda couldn't compete with a 0% deal from Renault but I suspect I'd have gone with the megane anyway - largely based on looks and the fancy interior.

The test drive convinced me it'll be better than my MK2 Cup. Its certainly a more practical comfortable car, and definitely very capable. I won't know really whether it's st hot or not till ive had it a few weeks but I'm absolutely confident it'll piss me off a lot less often than the old one does

Where did you get a test drive at?? Need some pics, sounds ace spec

[gigglebug]

Driver101 said:

The standard Megane seats are much nicer than the Civic seats. The Recaro seats are on another level.

There always seems to be a lot of older Type R with badly torn seats. I bet those seats don't last either.

It seems to be same with the Recaro's, and to a lesser extent the standard seats) in the Clio's as well. I was looking to buy one 3-4 months ago (197/200) and it was very hard to find a car who's set wasn't either already shagged or was on their way to being so. I lost patience in the end, after doing a great deal of travelling around the county to no avail, and ended up with something completely different.

[Dblue]

macky17 said:

End of first para: “...so why would the this one?”

Predictable result. Drove an fk8 the other day and it’s terrific even, as is mentioned, on the average tyres. A set of PS4s and it would ride and handle even better. Bright red for me I think and who cares what anyone thinks of the wing if you’re enjoying every drive more than they are?

Spot on - And the PS4S certainly improves the ride I can confirm

[Dblue]

gigglebug said:

Chestrockwell said:

I haven’t driven the Renault and I don’t need to, the Honda is so good, It’s enough for me and I’m truly content with the car to the point where, I don’t look at other cars and think ‘wow that could be better’ or ‘I should have bought that one’.

I’ve had the car a month now and oh my god it just gets better and better by the day, it comes complete from the factory, none of this cup, trophy, R waffle, no options, buy the GT spec and drive off. I had a look at the Renault on AT before I bought mine and the fact that they were so cheap compared to the Civic put me off, I want to buy something that is going to hold its value and come complete, don’t want to be finding the right spec etc.

One thing that took away the small chance of me going for the Renault was the seats, they look hideous!








It’s things like that which put me off french cars, crap quality like that.

Look at the Hondas seats in comparison.

Edited by Chestrockwell on Sunday 30th June 20:02

For me the seats in the Civic are the one thing about it that I know full well I couldn't live with, the Recaro's of the Megane in the test are a lot, lot nicer.

Had both, the Recaro CS in (many) Renaultsport cars are excellent but I reckon the Hondas edge it.About the best I've had in a daily driver.

Edited by Dblue on Monday 1st July 10:39

[Court_S]

Whilst I appreciate that the Type R is fantastic car, especially given the plaudits its received, I couldn't buy one purely because I think it's ugly and OTT. I'm not normally really fussed about what people think (I've spent four years in a Skoda vRS and was keen on an i30N) but I'd feel a bit silly turning up for a meeting in the Type R.

The Megane doesn't really float my boat either.

[knebworth01]

Dblue said:

gigglebug said:

Chestrockwell said:

I haven’t driven the Renault and I don’t need to, the Honda is so good, It’s enough for me and I’m truly content with the car to the point where, I don’t look at other cars and think ‘wow that could be better’ or ‘I should have bought that one’.

I’ve had the car a month now and oh my god it just gets better and better by the day, it comes complete from the factory, none of this cup, trophy, R waffle, no options, buy the GT spec and drive off. I had a look at the Renault on AT before I bought mine and the fact that they were so cheap compared to the Civic put me off, I want to buy something that is going to hold its value and come complete, don’t want to be finding the right spec etc.

One thing that took away the small chance of me going for the Renault was the seats, they look hideous!








It’s things like that which put me off french cars, crap quality like that.

Look at the Hondas seats in comparison.

Edited by Chestrockwell on Sunday 30th June 20:02

For me the seats in the Civic are the one thing about it that I know full well I couldn't live with, the Recaro's of the Megane in the test are a lot, lot nicer.

Had both, the Recaro CS in (many) Renaultsport cars are excellent but I reckon the Hondas edge it.About the best I've had in a daily driver.

Edited by Dblue on Monday 1st July 10:39

On the matter of seats, as a massive Honda fan I wanted to buy an FK2 and now an FK8 but cant. Reason? I need five seats and Honda only put two belts in the back! Massive own goal IMO. 5 door hatch should be family friendly.

[Butter Face]

knebworth01 said:

Dblue said:

gigglebug said:

Chestrockwell said:

I haven’t driven the Renault and I don’t need to, the Honda is so good, It’s enough for me and I’m truly content with the car to the point where, I don’t look at other cars and think ‘wow that could be better’ or ‘I should have bought that one’.

I’ve had the car a month now and oh my god it just gets better and better by the day, it comes complete from the factory, none of this cup, trophy, R waffle, no options, buy the GT spec and drive off. I had a look at the Renault on AT before I bought mine and the fact that they were so cheap compared to the Civic put me off, I want to buy something that is going to hold its value and come complete, don’t want to be finding the right spec etc.

One thing that took away the small chance of me going for the Renault was the seats, they look hideous!








It’s things like that which put me off french cars, crap quality like that.

Look at the Hondas seats in comparison.

Edited by Chestrockwell on Sunday 30th June 20:02

For me the seats in the Civic are the one thing about it that I know full well I couldn't live with, the Recaro's of the Megane in the test are a lot, lot nicer.

Had both, the Recaro CS in (many) Renaultsport cars are excellent but I reckon the Hondas edge it.About the best I've had in a daily driver.

Edited by Dblue on Monday 1st July 10:39

On the matter of seats, as a massive Honda fan I wanted to buy an FK2 and now an FK8 but cant. Reason? I need five seats and Honda only put two belts in the back! Massive own goal IMO. 5 door hatch should be family friendly.

All Civic Type R’s have always been 4 seats. It’s a ‘thing’!