RE: Honda Civic Type R (FN2) | PH Used Review
Discussion
I’m surprised that no one has mentioned the lack of memory after tilting the seats to get in the back - stupid penny pinching by Honda and something that really irked me. I had one from new in ‘08. The handling was ok on decent surfaces but the suspension was way too hard. My then pregnant wife used to really wince at anything above 9mph over speed bumps. It wasn’t that fast either but the steering and engine noise were sublime. Good looks though.
Jayho said:
I think that this car probably suffered greatly at the success of its older brother (EP3). I seem to remember Jeremy Clarkson didn't hate the car per se, it was more that the EP3 was so good.
I owned an EP3 for a few years and it was average at best. Great engine and gearbox but the steering was completely numb and the ride was so harsh had you bouncing around in the seat! Not suited to British roads imo.The EK9 civic and DC2 integra type r are miles better in every way.
soad said:
Personally? I hate the styling. Have you seen how wide the front is?! Just no need.
I don’t recall what Clarkson said (well over a decade ago), will have a look on YouTube later.
And finally, are those exhausts fake?!
I love the front end of mine. especially since the headlights are quite flat and they don't continue up the bonnet like a lot of modern cars.I don’t recall what Clarkson said (well over a decade ago), will have a look on YouTube later.
And finally, are those exhausts fake?!
The exhaust tips are fake.
cerb4.5lee said:
You make a fair point. 
I think that it was just my own perception of the 330i(it was just a boring/heavy family saloon that never actually felt that quick to me personally), whereas I saw the Type-R as a hot hatch with a sporty badge, so in my mind I expected it to be much quicker that's all.
My previous 430d would see me off the lights in my FK8 Type R, RWD traction and 8 speed auto, not much has changed there! Not so sure about a second to third gear pull though I think that it was just my own perception of the 330i(it was just a boring/heavy family saloon that never actually felt that quick to me personally), whereas I saw the Type-R as a hot hatch with a sporty badge, so in my mind I expected it to be much quicker that's all.
Matt Wills said:
How many Renaultsport's have you actually owned?
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.
Never owned one myself, the interior design and finish put me off completely, plus the horror stories of rogue electrics on some cars. I wasn't prepared to take that gamble as electrics can be a bugger to trace where the actual fault is.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.
Very glad you had such a nice experience with yours.
I remember my Dad's Renault 19 16v sport. Terrible car. Uncomfortable, unreliable and slow. But then he had just changed from a mk.2 Jetta GTi 16v, a bulletproof rocketship in comparison.
The FN2 is not a rubbish car. In many ways it is better than an EP3 - better steering (you can actually feel what's going on), much better interior, more comfortable, more civilised, more practical, less of a chavvy image (how many EP3s do you see going around with a 4" dustbin exhaust?) and better value for money.
Many people slate the FN2 and mostly for its suspension and ride, but they absolutely love the FD2. The FD has approximately as much give in its suspension as an iron girder thanks to being set up for super smooth japanese roads.
No car is perfect - they all have faults, quirks and annoyances. But to say the FN2 is rubbish is disingenuous.
HRCM said:
I’m surprised that no one has mentioned the lack of memory after tilting the seats to get in the back - stupid penny pinching by Honda and something that really irked me. I had one from new in ‘08. The handling was ok on decent surfaces but the suspension was way too hard. My then pregnant wife used to really wince at anything above 9mph over speed bumps. It wasn’t that fast either but the steering and engine noise were sublime. Good looks though.
Was the same in the EP3. Most people gloss over that. I just made people get in the back via the passenger side. Minor bugbear if you don't have people in the back regularly, which I never did. And if you do have people getting in the back regularly, why buy a 3 door? I get that the FN2 was only available in the 3 door, but the Golf GTi, Renaultsport Megane and Focus ST of the era all had 5 door variants. So if you were that bothered about it...soad said:
And finally, are those exhausts fake?!
The triangular 'tips' are integrated in to the bumper, but there is definitely a pipe exiting at either side and connected to the triangular exit. Depends on your definition of fake i suppose. No more fake than the Clio 197 'exhaust blown diffuser'. That tickled me no end when i saw that for the first time!
Always loved the FN2 - as a kid I used to take Clarkson's word as gospel, he's one of my heroes, but when I bought one last month, I've found something I disagree with him on. I've just bought a 58 plate, very early Championship White Edition FN2, with the claimed 201BHP and LSD. It's fantastic, and personally, I don't see the bashing on the crashy suspension! Coming from a lowly 105BHP Alfa 147, spritely, but by no means hot. The suspension on that was far worse than the Type R. A standard suspension set up with 17" alloys, that was a back breaker, the FN2 is firmer, but I feel a lot more comfortable and thrown about less in the Civic. Maybe that's the lovely seats. Compared to the EP3, which I have driven briefly, didn't feel any better than the FN2 I currently own - maybe it's due to owners' bias, or the fact that the EP3 never appealed to me, but I definitely prefer the FN2. I can see the Torque gripes, it's quick enough for the time being, but it could stand to be buffed up a little bit. The gear change is really nice and quick, and the cabin feels like a lovely place to be. It has unreal levels of grip, can really put some trust into it and the sound it makes is so much nicer in real life than captured on film and the styling? It's not for everyone, but I think it looks absolutely awesome. Especially in that off-white Championship White with matching alloys, every time I look out of the window, it looks like it's begging to be taken for a blast through twisties. I'd be interested in hearing from someone who's owned both a standard and CWE FN2 in differences!
Can't really get on with the FN2. I ran an EP3 for 125k miles in 2 years (not a typo) and in that car the engine/gearbox along with the back to basics spec and interior worked really well. Softening the power delivery and NVH for the heavier FN2 just feels like a mismatch. It's not as refined as its contemporaries nor as fun as its predecessors.
I also had an Integra (DC2) and CRX VT (MK2), both of which were miles more fun to drive than either the EP3 or the FN2.
The FN2 is reliable, has a reasonable spec sheet and on paper a reasonable family car. Yet it's cheap as chips. That's because people don't want them.
I also had an Integra (DC2) and CRX VT (MK2), both of which were miles more fun to drive than either the EP3 or the FN2.
The FN2 is reliable, has a reasonable spec sheet and on paper a reasonable family car. Yet it's cheap as chips. That's because people don't want them.
Certainly the very predictable range of opinions here, as is to be expected. Different tastes, different priorities and so on.
As an owner of an FN2 for the past 4 years, I can relate to those who love the stand-out looks and funky interior, as well as those who lament even the shortest journey on pot-holed B roads and the understeer that often comes on in places and at speeds that you wouldn’t expect in even a regular family car.
Having said that, I will say that I am so attached to mine that after 3 years of driving it across the UK, given its low mileage and the fact they were never sold in New Zealand, I shipped mine down-under a year or so ago when I moved there for an 8 month working holiday. And what a total blast it is - much smoother roads and long, sweeping ribbons of tarmac connecting spectacular bends is where this car shines. I’m sure other Type Rs as well as Renaults would be equally at home there, but if you’re looking for a place to experience an FN2 at its best, then I think I’ve found it.
So for me, despite the shortcomings, in my view its looks, engine, handling, space, fuel economy and reliability at a pretty bargain price make it a brilliant 10 year old quick-hatch for me. If only my a/c condenser had survived the boat journey and I hadn’t had to drive through a southern summer in a Nighthawk Black car, it would have been perfect...
As an owner of an FN2 for the past 4 years, I can relate to those who love the stand-out looks and funky interior, as well as those who lament even the shortest journey on pot-holed B roads and the understeer that often comes on in places and at speeds that you wouldn’t expect in even a regular family car.
Having said that, I will say that I am so attached to mine that after 3 years of driving it across the UK, given its low mileage and the fact they were never sold in New Zealand, I shipped mine down-under a year or so ago when I moved there for an 8 month working holiday. And what a total blast it is - much smoother roads and long, sweeping ribbons of tarmac connecting spectacular bends is where this car shines. I’m sure other Type Rs as well as Renaults would be equally at home there, but if you’re looking for a place to experience an FN2 at its best, then I think I’ve found it.
So for me, despite the shortcomings, in my view its looks, engine, handling, space, fuel economy and reliability at a pretty bargain price make it a brilliant 10 year old quick-hatch for me. If only my a/c condenser had survived the boat journey and I hadn’t had to drive through a southern summer in a Nighthawk Black car, it would have been perfect...
Edited by bmv6197 on Wednesday 4th September 09:42
TypeRTim said:
HRCM said:
I’m surprised that no one has mentioned the lack of memory after tilting the seats to get in the back - stupid penny pinching by Honda and something that really irked me. I had one from new in ‘08. The handling was ok on decent surfaces but the suspension was way too hard. My then pregnant wife used to really wince at anything above 9mph over speed bumps. It wasn’t that fast either but the steering and engine noise were sublime. Good looks though.
Was the same in the EP3. Most people gloss over that. I just made people get in the back via the passenger side. Minor bugbear if you don't have people in the back regularly, which I never did. And if you do have people getting in the back regularly, why buy a 3 door? I get that the FN2 was only available in the 3 door, but the Golf GTi, Renaultsport Megane and Focus ST of the era all had 5 door variants. So if you were that bothered about it...Anyway, its a bit naff for any 2/3 door car this side of 1980 without memory on the tip forward seats.
Don’t get me wrong, there were aspects about the car that I loved but there were some terrible own goals from Honda too.
It was infinitely better than the much vaunted Clio 172 FF that followed though. Utter crap that car.
HRCM said:
The clue was in the line where I mentioned my pregnant wife :-) It wasn’t so much of a problem at the start of my ownership...
Yeah that's fair enough. Main reason I sold the FN was due to starting a family and trying to get a car seat in the back of a 3 door was a trial, not impossible mind.I do admit, the seat memory did annoy me at first. But what annoys me more is people use it as a bashing stick on the FN while showering the EP with praise when it had the same issue!
Your comment on the suspension though...what type of speedbump were you on about? the really small and aggressive kind? Because they were a pain! sleeping policemen less so in my experience.
Nealio said:
Yeah, right.
The Renault was no more powerful but 110kg heavier. Was slower to 60 as a result and never as agile. The Jetta hardly ever broke down, whereas the Renault was gotten rid of after less than 2 years due to it being constantly in for electrical gremlins, wasn't as fast, was less comfortable and was less economical.DanielSan said:
I bought one a few months ago as a cheap runner, they're nice enough day to day and the ride has improved with fitting Eibach springs and adding some Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2's to at least take some unsprung weight away, but I wish I'd got a 225 F1 Megane now for similar cash, I'd have had another R26 but just couldn't quite find one for the amount of I was looking to spend. The K20 is still a brilliant engine, in every other way though the FN2 is just not as good as the Renault.
I remember test driving a megane 225 cup when I had the ep3. My overriding impression when I got back in the ep3 was of noise and tardiness. It felt like a fiesta 1100 after the turbocharged goodness that the Reno offered from the get go. The deal was doneEdited by DanielSan on Tuesday 3rd September 10:09
TommyBoy said:
I've had my 60-plate for seven years this month and still love it.
Standard they're pretty average, but a few mods makes them great fun.
Mine has 250bhp, coilovers, DC5 Brembos and approximately 100kg off the kerb weight. People are always surprised how well this "rubbish" Civic goes!
Nice, what mods have you done to take it to 250? and what diet items?Standard they're pretty average, but a few mods makes them great fun.
Mine has 250bhp, coilovers, DC5 Brembos and approximately 100kg off the kerb weight. People are always surprised how well this "rubbish" Civic goes!
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