FK2 vs FK8 Type R - am I weird?

[Speed Badger]

Hi all, I'm confusing myself at the moment with a car choice. I am about to purchase a Civic Type R and had my heart set on the new FK8 in black. I test drove one a few days ago and really liked it - it was everything the reviews say so I won't repeat it. I had an extensive test drive in which i gave it the beans, and drove it in gentle pootling around mode. All great and my mind was virtually made up.

However, I also had a test drive booked in for an FK2 the day after and was going to cancel but thought I may as well go as I'd never driven one.

I loved it! It felt a bit mad. If the FK8 was a smart girl with a great personality, the FK2 was her nutty, bat-st crazy sister who was a bit of a naughty one. It just gave me the bigger grin - is anyone else of this opinion? Every review I have read states the FK8 is the better car, yes I know it's got proper suspension and the seat bolsters don't insert themselves into your anus when you get in and there is a (very good) comfort mode.

But the one I wanted to drive again the most was the FK2. Help fellow PHers!

[Zetec-S]

Drive the FK2, get it out your system, then buy the FK8

[culpz]

I'm a much bigger fan of the FK2 on the styling front. The FK8 looks more like a saloon than a hatch. It's massive, or at least it looks it!

I'm aware that the newer car is also probably the better car, but i just can't get over the sheer size of it.

Edited by culpz on Thursday 10th May 16:41

[rich85uk]

Honda took all the negative points of the FK2 and addressed them in the FK8, the whole car right at the beginning was designed around the Type R model. I think the FK8 also looks much sleeker from most angles (really not a fan of the spoiler though)

The FK2 is still a great car though

[Speed Badger]

I don't think there is much in it styling-wise for me - they both look ridiculous! I just can't shake the feeling that I would be paying an extra £10k for near enough the same car with a few comfort improvements, but with some of the rawness and special-ness taken away.

For reference, on the Type R front I've owned two Integra DC2's, two DC5's, an EP3 and an FD2. I know it's what I want to buy, but I feel I've missed a trick in preferring the FK2 - literally no car reviews I've seen in the written media or YouTube prefer it to the FK8!

I would have another FD2 but it's just not econical enough or powerful enough to justify it's price tag. But it's special.

[Koolkat969]

Speed Badger said:

Hi all, I'm confusing myself at the moment with a car choice. I am about to purchase a Civic Type R and had my heart set on the new FK8 in black. I test drove one a few days ago and really liked it - it was everything the reviews say so I won't repeat it. I had an extensive test drive in which i gave it the beans, and drove it in gentle pootling around mode. All great and my mind was virtually made up.

However, I also had a test drive booked in for an FK2 the day after and was going to cancel but thought I may as well go as I'd never driven one.

I loved it! It felt a bit mad. If the FK8 was a smart girl with a great personality, the FK2 was her nutty, bat-st crazy sister who was a bit of a naughty one. It just gave me the bigger grin - is anyone else of this opinion? Every review I have read states the FK8 is the better car, yes I know it's got proper suspension and the seat bolsters don't insert themselves into your anus when you get in and there is a (very good) comfort mode.

But the one I wanted to drive again the most was the FK2. Help fellow PHers!

I would go with the one that you enjoyed the most. I currently own a DC2 Integra and just like you, I test drove both the FK2 and FK8 and preferred the FK2 for the same reasons you gave. I also think the FK2 being limited in production and distribution is obviously rarer so will feel more special and probably retain its value better than the FK8 on the long run.

[Speed Badger]

I'm not alone! So what was your experience of driving the FK2 in relation to the FK8? Wish I'd kept my DC2 as well

[andyg 1]

HI no literally no car reviews I've seen in the written media or YouTube prefer it to the FK8!. the fk8 is the latest update of the type r but comments said are wrong i have seen several car reviewers on YouTube saying that they prefer the fk2 so i would look more as they are out there just take a look at the touring cars they are all going back to FK2 why ? this is my preference on the fk2 its more aggressive looking that the fk8 better sound holds the track better than the fk8 the fk8 is ok but not for me the front and back bumpers are awful for a car like this it spoils it i would need a lot of fibreglass only 4500 fk2 made take a look they will go up in value fk8 s already made exceed this number already

[Speed Badger]

Funnily enough I've just bought one! I let the awesome FD2 go for more all round usability, mod-cons and better mpg/comfort whilst still retaining some bonkers-ness.

[George Smiley]

I’m struggling myself.

It is car change time and looking at 3 wildly different options

F80 m3
Mini jcw
Fk2/8

I’m not sure the mini will contend due to size and comfort, m3 just isn’t sparking interest too much but the fk2 keeps bringing me back. Then I consider the fk8, I like the looks bar the black slabs. For me looks are important and I much prefer the look of the 4 pipes on the fk2 even if it robs 10bhp which I am sure isn’t noticeable.

Having yet to try the Honda how are you finding it and how do they compare. Is the 8 really that much more refined?

[Montybaber]

In comfort mode my FK8 is as comfortable to drive as my old E coupe so this mode is an excellent addition

I much prefer the looks over the FK2, I didn't consider a type r until the 8 and then seeing one for the first time I knew I had to own one

Everything about the car is ideal for me and I cant see me ever getting rid of it, fwd and excellent manual gearbox, comfortable/supportive seats and great driving position,, convenient technology (GT model)
Addictive power delivery and handling, looks crazy/divides opinion, relatively cheap to run

It's like someone climbed into my head and designed a car (luckily for me) it has some minor negatives but these just add to the appeal as sometimes there is a fine line between perfection and the mundane

How can you not love that arse



You may have noticed I am enjoying it!

Edited by Montybaber on Saturday 2nd March 11:00

[Montybaber]

In comfort mode my FK8 is as comfortable to drive as my old E coupe so this mode is an excellent addition

I much prefer the looks over the FK2, I didn't consider a type r until the 8 and then seeing one for the first time I knew I had to own one

Everything about the car is ideal for me and I cant see me ever getting rid of it, fwd and excellent manual gearbox, comfortable/supportive seats and great driving position,, convenient technology (GT model)
Addictive power delivery and handling, looks crazy/divides opinion, relatively cheap to run

It's like someone climbed into my head and designed a car (luckily for me) it has some minor negatives but these just add to the appeal as sometimes there is a fine line between perfection and the mundane

How can you not love that arse



You may have noticed I am enjoying it!

Edited by Montybaber on Saturday 2nd March 11:07

[George Smiley]

The 8 is very colour dependent to me, I love the 8 too but is it worth the premium over the 2( I know your answer;))

Have posted on the spotted thread be interesting to hear about cabin noise and long distance comfort too

[Montybaber]

George Smiley said:

The 8 is very colour dependent to me, I love the 8 too but is it worth the premium over the 2( I know your answer;))

Have posted on the spotted thread be interesting to hear about cabin noise and long distance comfort too

Cabin noise is on the high side but to be expected in this type of car, I have read that it is quieter than the previous model but not sure on that one

Comfort is fine, the seats are the best I have ever sat in and in comfort the ride is very good, I think it's a great all rounder

[renmure]

Montybaber said:

In comfort mode my FK8 is as comfortable to drive as my old E coupe so this mode is an excellent addition

I much prefer the looks over the FK2, I didn't consider a type r until the 8 and then seeing one for the first time I knew I had to own one

Everything about the car is ideal for me and I cant see me ever getting rid of it, fwd and excellent manual gearbox, comfortable/supportive seats and great driving position,, convenient technology (GT model)
Addictive power delivery and handling, looks crazy/divides opinion, relatively cheap to run

It's like someone climbed into my head and designed a car (luckily for me) it has some minor negatives but these just add to the appeal as sometimes there is a fine line between perfection and the mundane

I agree with all of that. I started a Readers Car thread when I bought my FK8 last year :
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

I get a lot of fun having an absolute blast on the back roads in the car in +R mode. My wife sticks it in Comfort mode and pootles off to Tescos and takes advantage of the practicality and the huge boot. I've had mine exactly a year and although I've only done about 3500 miles in it I seem to be averaging over 33mpg which seems to be reasonable. I bought this almost as an impulsive purchase and had no desire to own any of the previous Type-R models. The idea was to get something that could make mundane journeys a but more fun and it fills that roll perfectly.

Funnily enough the looks of the FK2 have grown on me over the past 12 months because I've paid a bit more attention when seeing them on the road but, for me, the OTT looks of the FK8 are a huge part of the appeal.

And yup.. how could anyone not love that ass.

[renmure]

Topically... a good review and comparison of both.

https://www.carthrottle.com/post/fk2-vs-fk8-honda-...

[George Smiley]

Thanks for the advice chaps but the urge was too strong so bought the jcw