Cars to have over an EP3 Type R

[sam93]

I'm looking to buy a new car as getting bored of being stuck in £1000 cars. Don't get me wrong though, I have a mk1 Eunos 1.8 with LSD and love it to bits, but to small and aint that pokey but brilliant on the B Roads for a bit of spirited driving now and then.

I'm looking at Facelift EP3 Type Rs but thinking what car could I get for £5k which is better.

Going from RWD to FWD I'm thinking hmm, shall I or not. Even though, I know that an EP3 handles silly well.

But would the likes of say an S14 be better with the turbo engine rwd layout etc...

Or any other suggestions from you fellow petrol heads?

I like the EP3 with being when out of VTEC they are pretty relaxed cars although the harsh ride which isn't a worry with me as had harsh rides before. But when engage vtec they turn into a little weapon to have some fun in.

Thoughts would be much appreciated.

[C2james]

Have you looked at a clio trophy?

[harryowl]

DC2 integra maybe? Or you could supercharge your mx5.

[sam93]

Thought of a Clio, but aint to keen on the old clio pedals (Distance between them) Have pretty wide feet and usually hit the brake pedal in french cars by mistake, well I did in my old 106 GTI.

I would turbo the MX5 yes. But, I'm finding the lack of room inside a bit annoying tbh. I'm only 5ft 7" But there isn't a lot of room in there at all and usually aint practical if you want to get some things in there. I can fit on holdall for my clothes in the boot of my MX5 and thats it. So a little annoying so looking to go back to a bigger car tbh.

Things like an E36 M3 is out of the question though due to insurance! Sure it would be high lol

[Midshipracer]

5k would get you a mint Rev 3+ MR2 Turbo you wouldn't look back

Edited by Midshipracer on Monday 23 July 22:48

[nottyash]

£5k will get you a later late 04/ 05 blob eye WRX with quite low miles,
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUBARU-IMPREZA-2-0-TURBO...
or if you like VTECH and can live with 2 seats an S2000.
Thats where my money would go.

Edited by nottyash on Monday 23 July 23:37

[interloper]

With 5k to spend I wouldn't give a Civic a second glance. Cant see the appeal when you could pick up a good DC2 Integra (a real Type R!) for that money.

Mind you there are also a lot of riskier more exciting choices in this price bracket, wedge shape and S series TVRs can be found at that level. You could just about squeeze into a Lotus Esprit. Actually there is a lot of slightly left field choices in this price bracket but I suspect as you have singled out a Honda you arent a very left field person....

[superman84]

You could get an Evo 6 for around £5k or an STI.

Edit: scrap that if an E36 m3 is too hot to insure then an evo will be too

Edited by superman84 on Monday 23 July 23:36

[anonymous-user]

sam93 said:

Thoughts would be much appreciated.

How brave are we feeling

[crispyshark]

the arse has dropped out of the Honda S2k market which is where i would play if i was you.....

[300bhp/ton]

sam93 said:

I'm looking to buy a new car as getting bored of being stuck in £1000 cars. Don't get me wrong though, I have a mk1 Eunos 1.8 with LSD and love it to bits, but to small and aint that pokey but brilliant on the B Roads for a bit of spirited driving now and then.

I'm looking at Facelift EP3 Type Rs but thinking what car could I get for £5k which is better.

Going from RWD to FWD I'm thinking hmm, shall I or not. Even though, I know that an EP3 handles silly well.

But would the likes of say an S14 be better with the turbo engine rwd layout etc...

Or any other suggestions from you fellow petrol heads?

I like the EP3 with being when out of VTEC they are pretty relaxed cars although the harsh ride which isn't a worry with me as had harsh rides before. But when engage vtec they turn into a little weapon to have some fun in.

Thoughts would be much appreciated.

The EP3 is a fine car if you want a family hatchback with van cross MPV styling. Great motor, gearchange and certainly no slouch.

But only you can say if it's right for you or not. Personally I'm not taken with the looks and I'd rather have a rwd sports car over a fwd hatchback given the choice. But it's not my choice

[V6GTA]

Late 147 GTA

[DanDC5]

DC2/S2000 for me.

[Robb F]

S2000, then save up for a supercharger

[robmlufc]

DC2

[TameRacingDriver]

DC2 over an EP3 any and every day of the week.

S2000 might be too similar to a Eunos - it'll just be like a faster, more refined version of the same theme TBH.

For that price, if I was doing it again, I'd be looking at something with minimal depreciation.

How about a Focus RS Mk1?

[crispyshark]

TameRacingDriver said:

DC2 over an EP3 any and every day of the week.

S2000 might be too similar to a Eunos - it'll just be like a faster, more refined version of the same theme TBH.

For that price, if I was doing it again, I'd be looking at something with minimal depreciation.

How about a Focus RS Mk1?

Not sure i'd compare the Eunos and the S2000...completely different animal.

Doubt you will find a decent Focus RS Mk1 for that money....an ST however which you can then remap.....that's a cracking option.

A 2000 Audi S4 would be a great option....remap that and you have a very serious car for under £5k!

[TameRacingDriver]

crispyshark said:

Not sure i'd compare the Eunos and the S2000...completely different animal.

Not really IMO.

Both 2 seaters. Both convertibles. Both front engined, rear drive cars.

The S2000 is more modern both looking and to sit in and use. It has a better engine. Other than that, fairly similar AFAICT.

[crispyshark]

TameRacingDriver said:

crispyshark said:

Not sure i'd compare the Eunos and the S2000...completely different animal.

Not really IMO.

Both 2 seaters. Both convertibles. Both front engined, rear drive cars.

The S2000 is more modern both looking and to sit in and use. It has a better engine. Other than that, fairly similar AFAICT.

having owned both i will again disagree.

Honda is front mid engined which completely changes the weight distribution giving pretty close to 50/50.
Torsen LSD also makes the car very different.
2.0lt VTEC engine is nothing like anything you find in the Mazadas with your power band hitting above 6k revs.
You can take liberties with a eunos but not with the Honda.

Yes the Honda is more mondern looking, in fact it's design is completely different but there are far, far more differences than you have stated.

[jet_noise]

Dear s93,

have you considered an Accord type R?
There's a relatively recent thread about a chap choosing 'twixt (IIRC) an IntegraR and one of these,

regards,
Jet