Civic type R 01-05 questions

[Scantily]

Hello chaps,

My fiancé would absolutely love one of these and I have a few questions.

Is 2.5-3k enough to buy a non ruined and mechanically sound example?
Do the engines take high mileage well?
Are there any optional extras that are particularly good I should look for?
What are the main weak points I should check?
And probably most importantly, how do the running costs compare to a non type R of the same era? I'm mainly referring to cost of parts and tyres etc.

I'm pretty handy with a spanner so am confident in tackling most jobs. Her previous car was a 2001 1.6 civic, hence the above question regarding running costs, she only does about 5k miles a year so fuel consumption and tyre wear aren't a concern.

Thanks all.

[CrouchingWayne]

Air conditioning is a desirable option.

There was a facelift at one point - mainly visual IIRC.

There were two special editions - one pre and one post facelift. Think the names were Anniversary and Premier editions - these are generally most desirable. One of them (pre facelift, anniversary I think) had full red Recaro's which to me is the best set up.

Ultimate version being the JDM one that's available in white with the red Recaro interior and has an LSD - likely out of your price range unfortunately.

Above is from memory - I've not looked into these in a long time!

[Section 8]

I had one years back and it ran faultlessly for the two years i had it. The following owner had a steering rack issue but it was covered by a warranty transfer so all was good. Apparently this is something to look out for.

The only other optional extra i am aware of on a standard UK car apart from air con is front front foglights. I had both on my car and used them a handfull of times.

What i will say about them from my own experience is, and i am sure you are aware if this, is you really need to grab it by the balls to make it perform to its best ability. And by that i mean really thrash it where other cars give an equal performance at much lower rpm. It does have it's plus points but after time i was a bit fed up of making progress by hammering the car to the redline.

A chap i know could never stand to rev his 09 type R so highly. That car never saw over 5000 revs. He isn't a petrol head but loved the car .He couldn't grasp the car had an upper band of power beyond 5500 ish rpm. I tried many times to explain the mechanics of its engine but he maintained it would do the car no good. I persuaded him to get a diesel 5 series after that car. Far more suited to him. Whoever got that car after him got a good one.

[Butter Face]

3k will get you a decent one, albeit with higher mileage. The prices that some people are asking for low mileage cars are starting to creep up!

Costs are pretty low. 17's so even performance tyres are around £100 a corner, brakes etc are not expensive either.

Fuel economy is not great and tax at £285 now is a pain but they're worth it.

Buy on condition and look over the engine and you can't really go wrong.

As above, aircon and fogs are pretty much all you could have. Some cars have satnav (but it's 10 years out of date at a minimum) and leather (which is too slippery in a performance car anyway) so not worth any premium.

An anniversary car with the recaros is a good shout but don't go nuts over it, you can bolt in recaros from a premier for £500 and they're ace.

Good luck, post any links if you want anything looks over and check the threads in readers rides for inspiration!

[Scantily]

Thanks for the replies chaps, they are most helpful. I have a couple of further questions -

How harsh is the ride?
I only ask as she liked the soft ride of the standard civic and the way it would absorb bumps. Whenever we go out in my car (MR2 mk2) it's quite jarring driving over big potholes etc. And she doesn't really like it. I have explained that's just because it's a performance car and they're designed to have stiff suspension!

[sandman77]

Scantily said:

Thanks for the replies chaps, they are most helpful. I have a couple of further questions -

How harsh is the ride?
I only ask as she liked the soft ride of the standard civic and the way it would absorb bumps. Whenever we go out in my car (MR2 mk2) it's quite jarring driving over big potholes etc. And she doesn't really like it. I have explained that's just because it's a performance car and they're designed to have stiff suspension!

Are you sure it's your fiancé that's wants a type-r?

[Butter Face]

Some would say it's a bit jarring, but as you said it's a 'performance' car so it's not setup for comfort IMO.

It's no worse than other hot hatches and worth it for the drive IMO.

[Scantily]

sandman77 said:

Are you sure it's your fiancé that's wants a type-r?

It's her dream car! But I must admit I'm putting a lot of effort in to make her think she needs to buy one.

The one and only stickler at the moment is the question of how firm the ride is, we're going to test drive one soon and see how she gets on. If she doesn't find it too bad then it's a definite I think.

[Mr2Mike]

Scantily said:

Hello chaps,
Is 2.5-3k enough to buy a non ruined and mechanically sound example?

Yes.

Scantily said:

Do the engines take high mileage well?

Yes, provided they are looked after, i.e. regular oil & filter changes, valve clearances done etc. They quite often need a new timing chain and tensioners at some point above 100k, they don't snap but they stretch enough to cause an engine management fault. Quite a simple job on these though, so not hugely expensive. This is one thing I would never use pattern parts for though, even though they are available and are quite a bit cheaper.

Scantily said:

What are the main weak points I should check?

As the clutch wears on these it starts dragging a long time before it starts slipping, and this gives very stiff gear changes, especially at high engine speeds. Prolonged use like this will cause premature wear to the gearbox synchromesh. Anything with reasonably high mileage will likely be on it's second clutch by now, so check the gearchange is smooth and easy both when cold at normal engine RPM and when changing up/down when pressing on. The clutch is not a nice job to do as the entire subframe that holds the front suspension has to be dropped - it was vastly easier on the previous generation Civic.

The steering racks in these were a bit crap from day one (electrically assisted rather than hydraulic), but many got significantly worse with age. Look out for very stiff racks that won't self-centre properly (makes the car horrible to drive, especially on motorways) and also knocking/rattling which can be caused by a worn bush in the rack. The racks in the face lift cars are a little better in terms of steering feel, but can still go stiff/worn with age.

Look out for crap pattern exhausts. Mine came with a pattern front section that absolutely killed the top end power, fitting a a s/h genuine part made a huge difference. Also look out for equally crap "performance" exhausts that sound painful from both inside and outside.

Expect the handbrake to be crap. Even with new calipers, discs, pads and cables mine will only just hold on my driveway, though it does pass the MOT every year.

Wear on the front seats is very common with higher mileage.

Scantily said:

And probably most importantly, how do the running costs compare to a non type R of the same era? I'm mainly referring to cost of parts and tyres etc.

Some genuine parts can be stupidly expensive e.g. a full set of new engine mounts will set you back ~£400 and pattern one are not available. However most service parts are reasonably priced (pads, discs etc) and they do tend to be reliable. I don't have a good estimate of what I spend on mine each year, but it's certainly been one the cheaper cars I've owned. I get 30-35mpg on my 60mile round commute depending on how much VTEC action I feel like, though expect that to drop a fair bit if doing short journeys and thrashing it constantly. Best I have achieved is 40mpg driving like a comatose granny.

Edited by Mr2Mike on Sunday 30th April 19:10

[Scantily]

Mr2Mike said:

Some genuine parts can be stupidly expensive e.g. a full set of new engine mounts will set you back ~£400 and pattern one are not available. However most service parts are reasonably priced (pads, discs etc) and they do tend to be reliable. I don't have a good estimate of what I spend on mine each year, but it's certainly been one the cheaper cars I've owned. I get 30-35mpg on my 60mile round commute depending on how much VTEC action I feel like, though expect that to drop a fair bit if doing short journeys and thrashing it constantly. Best I have achieved is 40mpg driving like a comatose granny.

Edited by Mr2Mike on Sunday 30th April 19:10

Thanks for your most comprehensive reply!

I've found a couple near to us that I'd appreciate some comments on by you kind chaps -

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

I'm not sure what makes the bottom one worth £500 more, but it does say it's unmodified.
That's another requirement, she doesn't want some horrible noisy aftermarket exhaust or for it to be lowered on crap springs further reducing the ride quality.
Preferably she'd like it to be in standard condition.

[Scantily]

Sadly it is not to be, she has decided that practically is key and wants another 05 1.6 civic. Oh well, perhaps next time.

[Mr2Mike]

Sorry missed your last post. Difference in price may simply be down to cosmetics, the front bumper and bonnet do tend to suffer from stone chips on high mileage cars if they've been used on faster roads most of their lives.

Shame you can't get one, they really are a lot of fun. Maybe you could persuade her to look at a Swift Sport? For similar money you can get a much younger car and though they are nothing like as quick they just as much fun to drive (with nicer steering too) and still Japanese reliability.