FN2 Civic Type-R

[fathomfive]

I'm mightily tempted by a 2008 Civic Type-R GT a couple of miles from me.

Generally they are quite appealing, but my question is how they handle the motorway - will it buzz me to death at an 80mph cruise?

I'll take it out for a drive to find out for myself, but wondered what other peoples experiences were of them.

[mosp]

I've ran mine for about 6 months/6000 miles now - love it! I dont do that much motorway driving, but have found it more than OK - especially with the cruise control with the GT. Ride is very firm through, I would say take an extended test drive if you can to make sure you can live with it day to day. And prepare to be wallet raped on fuel - economical it is not, and you WILL VTEC it every journey!

[DanDC5]

Bad on fuel depends on what you're used to. I can get anything upto 35mph out of a DC5 and they have closer gearing than the FN2. If you can't get over 30mpg you need to learn how to drive more efficiently.

[davey68]

Agree on the ride, even the standards 18's are firm to jarring. Never drove one with 19 inch rage alloys but I can only imagine they would be too much. Decent car's though. If you get a later car (2009 I think) they get xenons and usb port standard in the centre arm cubby.

[fathomfive]

I intend on getting it out for a decent test drive. I've no illusions on the ride front & economy - bear in mind the 1.8 Focus it'd replace is averaging 33mpg, so I'll be happy with 30mpg.
I do a 35 mile commute each way every day, 90% on the motorway, so I reckon I should get decent enough economy from that, which will balance of the inevitable compulsory vtech use.

My only real concern, as I said, was how frenetic are they at 80mph? Bearable?

[LuS1fer]

We had an EP3 and didn't find it particularly loud or intrusive, not even on a 110mph cruise back from Point A to Point B. I seem to recall 70 or 80 is 4000rpm in 6th. Certainly it was way better than my current Fiesta ST.

[vixen1700]

fathomfive said:

I intend on getting it out for a decent test drive. I've no illusions on the ride front & economy - bear in mind the 1.8 Focus it'd replace is averaging 33mpg, so I'll be happy with 30mpg.
I do a 35 mile commute each way every day, 90% on the motorway, so I reckon I should get decent enough economy from that, which will balance of the inevitable compulsory vtech use.

My only real concern, as I said, was how frenetic are they at 80mph? Bearable?

I have an EP3 and it's no problem at 80, very stable and normal to be honest.

Been out in a woman at work's FN2 and found it to be quite a bit softer and quieter at those speeds and a fair bit above that too.

[fathomfive]

Good stuff, cheers

[Mastodon2]

FN2 is much more of a cruiser than the older EP3 - much plusher (but heavier) interior, quieter inside, lower VTEC engagement point to counteract the weight etc. "Cruiser" is a relative term here because it's still manic next to something like a Focus ST. I do like the FN2 though, they look great and sound great with the right exhaust on them, brilliant cars really. I'd have one as a compromise between the more hardcore EP3 and a more sensible, but plush turbo hatch like a Focus ST or a Golf GTi.

[davey68]

FN2 is fine on motorway. Cruise is standard and it's not massively noisy. Shorter gearing than EP3 but lot's better insulation. Cabin is defo more relaxing than the EP3. You would average over 30 mpg too if you drive it sensibly (ie. not vtec everywhere lol)

[Elsa]

Owned an FN2 for a year motorway not the issue, suspension was rock solid(apparently eibachs make a positive difference)

Not special enough for a weekend and too much of an effort for every day.

Mind you I still miss it.

[750turbo]

mosp said:

And prepare to be wallet raped on fuel - economical it is not, and you WILL VTEC it every journey!

Sorry I disagree, look at the fuel costs in my profile.

OP, I regularly do a 800 mile round trip, of which 720 is Motorway, noise is not an issue, at 70MPH, I can get nearly 40MPG, obviously dropping a bit as the you go a tad faster.

This is my second new FN2, and did similar journeys with an EP3 - I probably am a bit biased

Good luck.