Honda Civic Type S 2L (EP3) - Talk To Me
Discussion
Just bought one for the O/H as a compromise between her having a 'family car' that isn't hopelessly slow if I have to drive it.
The steering is pretty crap. Imagine the opposite of fluid, friction-free, feelsome steering and you're there. It's pretty poor even for a FWD car, with little feedback, very artificial weighting and what feels like about 30 turns lock-lock. It's rubbish.
The rest of the car is a tad better. The dash mounted gearchange is positioned really well and is quite well engineered and precise. Brakes are over-servoed. The chassis is OK, but it all feels like you're pedalling a London Routemaster bus due to the bar-stool driving position and overall perceived size of the thing.
It has quite a lot of go, although there isn't an obvious VTEC transition compared to 'proper' Honda performance cars. Sounds a bit flat with a std exhaust, no VTEC bark at all. Enough performance to make progress.
The dash is quite funky, night instruments good. It also has a a flat floor with no sill-step, making it easier to get in and out.
It's a mummymobile with a reasonably big engine and the appearance of a Sunshine variety coach. You won't be looking back in admiration as you walk away. If you want a warm performance hatch that's fun to drive and hustle round corners I'd look elsewhere.
The steering is pretty crap. Imagine the opposite of fluid, friction-free, feelsome steering and you're there. It's pretty poor even for a FWD car, with little feedback, very artificial weighting and what feels like about 30 turns lock-lock. It's rubbish.
The rest of the car is a tad better. The dash mounted gearchange is positioned really well and is quite well engineered and precise. Brakes are over-servoed. The chassis is OK, but it all feels like you're pedalling a London Routemaster bus due to the bar-stool driving position and overall perceived size of the thing.
It has quite a lot of go, although there isn't an obvious VTEC transition compared to 'proper' Honda performance cars. Sounds a bit flat with a std exhaust, no VTEC bark at all. Enough performance to make progress.
The dash is quite funky, night instruments good. It also has a a flat floor with no sill-step, making it easier to get in and out.
It's a mummymobile with a reasonably big engine and the appearance of a Sunshine variety coach. You won't be looking back in admiration as you walk away. If you want a warm performance hatch that's fun to drive and hustle round corners I'd look elsewhere.
Edited by speedtwelve on Monday 9th April 17:07
I have had one as my daily drive for nearly three years now and find it exactly as you've said, a decent warm hatch.
The steering doesn't convey much feel and is heavily weighted. However, I prefer this to the overly light steering in other cars I've driven. On the standard 17 inch wheels the turning circle is poor but I find it more than suitable at speed. The gearbox is excellent with a nice throw and reasonable ratios. Pull through second and third is adequate for making progress although at 70 mph in 5th the engine speed is approx. 3200 rpm, which may irritate some on motorway cruises.
I love the driving position and chassis behaviour. It likes to cock the inside rear wheel yet I don't find it inclined to snap into lift off oversteer. I suggest using the default Bridgestone Potenza tyres as the sidewall seems a bit more flexible on the Conti Sport 3s I replaced them with.
Plenty of space inside the car with a well laid out dash. Mine averages 37/38 mpg with a largely rural commute.
Great little car for my needs.
The steering doesn't convey much feel and is heavily weighted. However, I prefer this to the overly light steering in other cars I've driven. On the standard 17 inch wheels the turning circle is poor but I find it more than suitable at speed. The gearbox is excellent with a nice throw and reasonable ratios. Pull through second and third is adequate for making progress although at 70 mph in 5th the engine speed is approx. 3200 rpm, which may irritate some on motorway cruises.
I love the driving position and chassis behaviour. It likes to cock the inside rear wheel yet I don't find it inclined to snap into lift off oversteer. I suggest using the default Bridgestone Potenza tyres as the sidewall seems a bit more flexible on the Conti Sport 3s I replaced them with.
Plenty of space inside the car with a well laid out dash. Mine averages 37/38 mpg with a largely rural commute.
Great little car for my needs.
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