RE: Honda Civic Type R (FN2) | PH Used Review
Discussion
I bought one at 6 months old, had it for 6 years and due to the service pack I bought at the time only spent money on tyres and brakes in 50k miles. Could do nearly 40mpg on a (slow) run, carry 4 adults plus luggage for a week away and with the seats down carry two bikes without taking the wheels off. For me the epitome of what a hot hatch is all about, ok sometimes lacking at 9/10th but for the majority of the time was a great car. Now a bargain.
Seems like only yesterday I had one of these, but was in fact 12 years ago now! Crikey.
Anyhow, I really liked mine and definitely regret selling it as soon as I did.
Looked outstanding and like nothing else on the road at the time, still far better than the Civic that replaced it and the one after that. General public also thought so too, since they sold these (both R's and the vanilla versions of the car) in enormous quantities. Honda have never recaptured that sales formula magic since. Outstanding interior also worth a mention - seemed impossibly dramatic for the era.
I'd never driven an EP3, so can't compare, but I thought the FN2 was a hoot to drive. Gearbox was great, engine a screamer with a fabulous noise when it went into lift. Ride quality could have been better! I had a Fast Road Setup done on mine, really common adjustment for the car carried out by ABP or TDI North, amongst others I expect. Improved handling from stock without any change to large suspension components, just a few shims and some tailored geometry to set the car up properly.
Much preferred the 18" wheels to the 19" Rage alloys, which looked oversized to me.
Anyhow, I really liked mine and definitely regret selling it as soon as I did.
Looked outstanding and like nothing else on the road at the time, still far better than the Civic that replaced it and the one after that. General public also thought so too, since they sold these (both R's and the vanilla versions of the car) in enormous quantities. Honda have never recaptured that sales formula magic since. Outstanding interior also worth a mention - seemed impossibly dramatic for the era.
I'd never driven an EP3, so can't compare, but I thought the FN2 was a hoot to drive. Gearbox was great, engine a screamer with a fabulous noise when it went into lift. Ride quality could have been better! I had a Fast Road Setup done on mine, really common adjustment for the car carried out by ABP or TDI North, amongst others I expect. Improved handling from stock without any change to large suspension components, just a few shims and some tailored geometry to set the car up properly.
Much preferred the 18" wheels to the 19" Rage alloys, which looked oversized to me.
TypeRTim said:
Matt Wills said:
Compared to Renaultsport models of the same era its terrible.
Compared to RenaultSport models of the same era, it also works reliably pretty much all the time with fairly cheap parts when it does occasionally go wrong. Also doesn't rattle like a baby's toy after a few thousand miles.
I remember the sense of utter anti-climax on the civinfo forum when the FN2's spec was announced. There had been so much conjecture on there (and in the press) about an i-VTEC version of the Accord's 2.4, the resurrection of the H22 2.2 or even the 'easy option' of the JDM K20.
The smart money was on the last one, but even that was viewed as insufficient to fight back against the Mk5 Golf GTI and Focus ST 2.5. Everyone argued that Honda would pull a blinder, just wait and see...ouch.
Some years later I got to drive my mate's, and thought it has a different character to the EP3, in isolation it is not a bad car by any means. Perfectly capable hot-ish hatch with decent character.
The smart money was on the last one, but even that was viewed as insufficient to fight back against the Mk5 Golf GTI and Focus ST 2.5. Everyone argued that Honda would pull a blinder, just wait and see...ouch.
Some years later I got to drive my mate's, and thought it has a different character to the EP3, in isolation it is not a bad car by any means. Perfectly capable hot-ish hatch with decent character.
Owned one for a year, good car, if a little....meh.
I always felt that whilst there was nothing strictly wrong with it, it just didn't quite deserve the Type-R badge. Nippy but not quick and handled well enough but nothing special. It always left me feeling a little underwhelmed which was a shame as all it wanted was a bit more poke and more playful handling.
I always felt that whilst there was nothing strictly wrong with it, it just didn't quite deserve the Type-R badge. Nippy but not quick and handled well enough but nothing special. It always left me feeling a little underwhelmed which was a shame as all it wanted was a bit more poke and more playful handling.
I recently sold mine at the beginning of the year after 8 years. I kept mine completely standard however I feel it would make for an excellent base if your willing to spend a bit on performance and handling upgrades. There is no getting away from how harsh the ride was at times but apart from that for me it was really enjoyable. The engine, gearbox and seats were outstanding and added to the character of the car. Had that predictable Honda reliability so it was just regular service and maintenance every year to keep it on it's toes for me.
I've always loved EP3s but was never keen on the FN2s until recently. I saw one at a garage forecourt for sale, had a snoop around and it was lovely. I know the suspension is meant to be horrific, but that can be improved and messed with. I was never going to sell my Clio 182 for it, but I was highly tempted while looking around it.
Bought my EP3 on 73k 5 years ago. Still got it now. Had a tuned Megane 265 for a year during that time too.
I drove several FN2s when looking for a second car, hoping each one was a dud - but they just aren't as good to drive as an EP3. Not even nearly. Plus at 6'4, with the controls set where I'd like them (driving position is also naff), the top of the steering wheel blocks the view of the dials. Really annoying.
Don't bother.
I drove several FN2s when looking for a second car, hoping each one was a dud - but they just aren't as good to drive as an EP3. Not even nearly. Plus at 6'4, with the controls set where I'd like them (driving position is also naff), the top of the steering wheel blocks the view of the dials. Really annoying.
Don't bother.
Edited by vtecyo on Tuesday 3rd September 16:23
Pie-n-Peys said:
The engine is fantastic if your'e in the mood for it, but half the time it feels slightly under-powered for the size of the car. The K20 from the Integra DC2 had 240bhp i think, and this would have transformed the car, or certainly something approx 220bhp to bridge the gap. It also sits at approx. 4.5k revs at about 75mph which is a bit tiring on a long motorway journey, especially since at those revs it still needs a shift down the gears for a spurt of acceleration if you really need to get moving..
DC2 came with a B18DC5 came with a K20 - around 220bhp new.
The DC5 variant of the K20 also went into the JDM EP3, complete with the LSD, and a much better interior. JDM EP3 is the Civic Type R to go for if you want one.
TypeRTim said:
Matt Wills said:
Compared to Renaultsport models of the same era its terrible.
Compared to RenaultSport models of the same era, it also works reliably pretty much all the time with fairly cheap parts when it does occasionally go wrong. Also doesn't rattle like a baby's toy after a few thousand miles.
None of mine rattled or were unreliable and they were used on track loads.
It's a rubbish car hence why no one wants them.
This was my first hot hatch. So not having driven any of the competition, I absolutely loved it. I liked the look, the interior was great and had a sense of being something special. The view out was terrible, but you soon got used to it. And running through the revs was just magic, the explosion of speed once you got it singing was awesome. The ride at normal speed is bone crunching, but when you go fast, it all starts to make sense and work properly. It was a car that really felt like if you were not going fast, you were doing it wrong. Having said that, I took it on a 3000 mile tour round europe, and was happy to spend 4-5 hours a day in the driving seat, so comfy enough.
And the poor reviews mean this must be one of the biggest bargains out there still. I picked mine up for £4k, ran for 4 years and only spent £1.5k on it in that whole time. Perfect for what I needed at the time.
And the poor reviews mean this must be one of the biggest bargains out there still. I picked mine up for £4k, ran for 4 years and only spent £1.5k on it in that whole time. Perfect for what I needed at the time.
SonicShadow said:
Can be had around £2k or so if you're willing to take a chance on a higher mileage example as well.
I was about to say this. A quick look over on the most popular Facebook FN2 CTR group and people are letting theirs go for £2-£3k and many of those examples are perfectly driveable with MOT etc. The PH article says £5000 which is way off unless you're specifically talking about LSD only models from 2010 onwards, and even then you could probably grab yourself a bargain.
As for the comparisons to the Megane. While it may handle better, I don't know if at this price it will offer a better ownership experience. Especially if it's a car you're going to daily.
Had a 2008 FN2 for a couple of years, was using it to commute regularly and if you were not 'on it' it was so weak you did't have to watch for MK5 GTIs it was more like TDIs that would give you a run.
Felt huge to drive but was spacious and comfortable for doing some miles.
They rust but in weird places that you wouldn't expect, top of the front doors on the B pillar and along the top of the windscreen. The boot is mainly a plastic cover so would expect some nastiness to be hiding behind there on the older ones now. Wheel arch trim also normally coming apart on at least one side!
Came from a Clio 172, which I found better than the Type-R and moved onto a BMW 130i which was infinitely better.
Felt huge to drive but was spacious and comfortable for doing some miles.
They rust but in weird places that you wouldn't expect, top of the front doors on the B pillar and along the top of the windscreen. The boot is mainly a plastic cover so would expect some nastiness to be hiding behind there on the older ones now. Wheel arch trim also normally coming apart on at least one side!
Came from a Clio 172, which I found better than the Type-R and moved onto a BMW 130i which was infinitely better.
Edited by JonRS on Tuesday 3rd September 19:25
Considered buying one recently, and as others have said no need to spend £5k+I set a £3.5k budget and had plenty of examples to consider, although many had faided paint, the rest seems to have worn well. In end went for a wrx impreza for similar money as felt more exciting to drive, but would bet on these doing much better mpg and being more reliable.
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