Discussion
So the time came to get a new car, the VXR was getting on a bit and the Mrs was adamant I needed to grow up and away from the loud exhaust 3 door hot hatch scene. Also the 3rd car scenario was fully off the table 
I still needed my “fast car” fix, so there had to be a compromise (obviously). My budget was 20k, 4/5 doors and make sure it was quieter than the VXR. After looking around at a number of cars Golf R, Audi S3 and BMW 135i I just felt that they all looked too normal for my liking, not that the VXR ever really stood out from the crowd but I never saw many of them around and the Arden Blue was such a lovely colour.
Last week I was driving back from testing the S3 and as i drove past the Honda garage a car caught my eye very briefly, something I previously hadn’t thought of. So when I got home I booked in for a test drive the next day. 20 minutes after I turned up at the Honda garage I was sold.. it took me 4 days to convince the Mrs it was the right car but I got a cracking deal from the dealership and put the deposit down last weekend and then picked her up Thursday..
To same I’m excited is an understatement, it is a fantastic all rounder.. some may say it’s a bit OTT looks wise but I love it..
Anyway here is a picture
It’s an Milano Red FK2 Type R GT, sensors and gadgets everywhere including a reversing camera that is going to take some getting used to, but it’s perfect for me as a daily and weekend car but also ticks all the boxes for the family too..
Just in case anyone is interested a few observations after 2 days of ownership..
Pros:
• Ride is not as bad as reviews suggest.. a lot better than the VXR was
• Power is smooth and boost seems to come in lower down which makes overtaking so much easier
• It cruises along so easily, it’s going to be used as my daily and is surprisingly comfortable
Cons:
• It only has 4 seats?
• A lot more people seem to want to ‘race’ me
Anyway this thread is hopefully going to be updated regularly showing what it’s like to run one of these FK2’s as a daily.. with some events and maybe a couple of track days thrown in too..
I still needed my “fast car” fix, so there had to be a compromise (obviously). My budget was 20k, 4/5 doors and make sure it was quieter than the VXR. After looking around at a number of cars Golf R, Audi S3 and BMW 135i I just felt that they all looked too normal for my liking, not that the VXR ever really stood out from the crowd but I never saw many of them around and the Arden Blue was such a lovely colour.
Last week I was driving back from testing the S3 and as i drove past the Honda garage a car caught my eye very briefly, something I previously hadn’t thought of. So when I got home I booked in for a test drive the next day. 20 minutes after I turned up at the Honda garage I was sold.. it took me 4 days to convince the Mrs it was the right car but I got a cracking deal from the dealership and put the deposit down last weekend and then picked her up Thursday..
To same I’m excited is an understatement, it is a fantastic all rounder.. some may say it’s a bit OTT looks wise but I love it..
Anyway here is a picture
It’s an Milano Red FK2 Type R GT, sensors and gadgets everywhere including a reversing camera that is going to take some getting used to, but it’s perfect for me as a daily and weekend car but also ticks all the boxes for the family too..
Just in case anyone is interested a few observations after 2 days of ownership..
Pros:
• Ride is not as bad as reviews suggest.. a lot better than the VXR was
• Power is smooth and boost seems to come in lower down which makes overtaking so much easier
• It cruises along so easily, it’s going to be used as my daily and is surprisingly comfortable
Cons:
• It only has 4 seats?
• A lot more people seem to want to ‘race’ me
Anyway this thread is hopefully going to be updated regularly showing what it’s like to run one of these FK2’s as a daily.. with some events and maybe a couple of track days thrown in too..
Lovely car op. I have the FK8 but a lot of people say the fk2 is the more rawer. Made me laugh when you said the missus wanted you away from the 3 door hatch scene...but you've managed to convince her on one of the more bonkers looking cars out there!!
They do a lovely Remus for it as well...
They do a lovely Remus for it as well...
Looks ace, love MR on the FK2. I may upgrade to one in the future!
Saw this plate on eBay which would suit it!
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...
Saw this plate on eBay which would suit it!
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...
So an update after 1 month of ownership..
Mileage covered: 2,280
Amount spent on fuel: £370.42
Average MPG: 36.4
So I guess it would be a good place to start with running costs. Luckily I haven’t currently had to spend out anything other than fuel and a slight top up on oil. It has a relatively small tank, I get anywhere between 290-350 miles which isn’t bad as it’s only £50-55 to fill from empty.. for the type of car it is I would say it’s pretty good on fuel consumption.
I did buy some replacement discs and pads as my plan was to take it on track, however with the Mrs 30th fast approaching and the annual family holiday funds are tighter than first anticipated so may be able to squeeze one in towards the end of September
Couldn’t believe how big the discs were so took a picture against my size 11 shoes
As a daily driver it soaks up the miles really well, it’s been used everyday for the past month covering motorways, A and B roads and I’m yet to find it uncomfortable in any way. There have been reviews where they say the ride is too hard but unless your in +R it’s definitely liveable..
I did purchase a seat cover from Dream Automotive as I heard the side bolsters wear really easily.. I think it goes with the interior quite nicely!
Straight line performance is impressive, when I first got it I was thinking it was slower than my Stage 2 Astra VXR was, however after me timing them the Type R is quicker. If you haven’t driven one it’s kinda hard to explain, but I would say when you press the go pedal it’s more of a relentless surge, rather than turbo lag then a huge punch in the back..
Gearbox is fantastic.. enough said..
Handling, well, I still can’t understand how much grip this thing has, no matter how you throw it into a corner it seems to just come out the other side, turn in is so direct and it literally goes where you point it, if you come into a corner too fast it doesn’t understeer, the rear end does go a bit light but is manageable. Come into the corner a little slower and mid corner you can just nail the accelerator and it pulls you out the other side with no fuss or tyre squeal whatsoever.. immense!
So after my first month I have fallen hard for it, it’s a typical hot hatchback, does the daily/family things really well but turns into a B road blaster when you are on your own!
I can’t wait to see what it can do on track
Anyway with a few trips away planned with the family my idea is to just keep updating this thread with a few pictures and comments here and there..
Anyway thanks for reading..
Mileage covered: 2,280
Amount spent on fuel: £370.42
Average MPG: 36.4
So I guess it would be a good place to start with running costs. Luckily I haven’t currently had to spend out anything other than fuel and a slight top up on oil. It has a relatively small tank, I get anywhere between 290-350 miles which isn’t bad as it’s only £50-55 to fill from empty.. for the type of car it is I would say it’s pretty good on fuel consumption.
I did buy some replacement discs and pads as my plan was to take it on track, however with the Mrs 30th fast approaching and the annual family holiday funds are tighter than first anticipated so may be able to squeeze one in towards the end of September
Couldn’t believe how big the discs were so took a picture against my size 11 shoes
As a daily driver it soaks up the miles really well, it’s been used everyday for the past month covering motorways, A and B roads and I’m yet to find it uncomfortable in any way. There have been reviews where they say the ride is too hard but unless your in +R it’s definitely liveable..
I did purchase a seat cover from Dream Automotive as I heard the side bolsters wear really easily.. I think it goes with the interior quite nicely!
Straight line performance is impressive, when I first got it I was thinking it was slower than my Stage 2 Astra VXR was, however after me timing them the Type R is quicker. If you haven’t driven one it’s kinda hard to explain, but I would say when you press the go pedal it’s more of a relentless surge, rather than turbo lag then a huge punch in the back..
Gearbox is fantastic.. enough said..
Handling, well, I still can’t understand how much grip this thing has, no matter how you throw it into a corner it seems to just come out the other side, turn in is so direct and it literally goes where you point it, if you come into a corner too fast it doesn’t understeer, the rear end does go a bit light but is manageable. Come into the corner a little slower and mid corner you can just nail the accelerator and it pulls you out the other side with no fuss or tyre squeal whatsoever.. immense!
So after my first month I have fallen hard for it, it’s a typical hot hatchback, does the daily/family things really well but turns into a B road blaster when you are on your own!
I can’t wait to see what it can do on track
Anyway with a few trips away planned with the family my idea is to just keep updating this thread with a few pictures and comments here and there..
Anyway thanks for reading..
Had my first drive in one of these the other day as my mate has just picked up one same spec as yours, his has the venture intake so makes a nice sound. I was surprised just how nice the ride was but that was me coming straight out from my Stripped Megane R26 so maybe that's why. The engine is a cracker I will give it that just need an exhaust to make it a little more exciting.
I also actually prefer these to the FK8 and think due to the much lower numbers sold they will hold value maybe better,
I also actually prefer these to the FK8 and think due to the much lower numbers sold they will hold value maybe better,
Good initial ownership thoughts, mine says hi.
Totally agree with the rear going light - if you do get some understeer, lifting off is quite fun! But the diff is exceptional, it just drags you round the corners so well. I have had mine 6 months now, it's done everything from the weekly shop, going to the tip, taking daughter to nursery and random b road blasts. Ride in sports mode is perfectly fine if you've had a few sportier cars, but hard if you've come from a Jag or a Rover 75. +R mode turns it near enough into the ride of a standard FD2 Type R.
This car just might be the last of the old school hot hatches - bucket seats with metal bolstered sides instead of foam, no 'comfort' mode, just Sport and Race car, 12 LED shift lights (this is just hooligan overkill, 12!!!), analogue rev counter and the body of a touring car. Just beware the amount of spiders that will find a home in all the wings, crevices, vents and angles!
Totally agree with the rear going light - if you do get some understeer, lifting off is quite fun! But the diff is exceptional, it just drags you round the corners so well. I have had mine 6 months now, it's done everything from the weekly shop, going to the tip, taking daughter to nursery and random b road blasts. Ride in sports mode is perfectly fine if you've had a few sportier cars, but hard if you've come from a Jag or a Rover 75. +R mode turns it near enough into the ride of a standard FD2 Type R.
This car just might be the last of the old school hot hatches - bucket seats with metal bolstered sides instead of foam, no 'comfort' mode, just Sport and Race car, 12 LED shift lights (this is just hooligan overkill, 12!!!), analogue rev counter and the body of a touring car. Just beware the amount of spiders that will find a home in all the wings, crevices, vents and angles!
Another update...
Been a busy August, MOT, road trips and a service at Honda..
MOT - Her first one and flew through it with no advisories, I decided to replace the front tyres though as the fronts were Continentals and getting close to the mark and the rears are Hankook’s and I hate having different brands of tyre on. So Hankook Ventus V12 Evo2’s all round now, bit of a mouthful but seem to have good levels of grip in both dry and wet conditions.
Went for dinner to celebrate the passing of the MOT :laughs:, as I walked away from parking up I noticed it looked like a nice photo opportunity..
It’s kind of opened up a new thing where as I walk away after parking up I see if it’s worth getting a quick picture :laughs: the wife hates it..
Road Trip - Kent to Cornwall
The boot is huge and could of accommodated more!
The annual holiday, this time to somewhere we had never been, luckily the FK2 does it with ease, actually comfortable and quiet, yet when I managed to get a bit of time to myself it was nice to explore the Cornish B roads which seem to just encourage spirited driving.. the B3254 was my favourite although I’m sure there is a lot more to offer near Bude / Launceston..
Outside the Lodge where we stayed
She kind of stood out when parked in the communal area next to all these sensible family cars..
It’s really easy to find her in busy car parks
Over the week I filled up a fair few times as it has quite a small tank about 55 litres.. decided to get a pic on the last day before heading home..
The final mileage is as below.. 976.2 miles with an average of 34.5 MPG not too bad me thinks..
Finally the service at Honda was all good, they only changed the oil and oil filter and done an inspection, to which nothing was found to be wrong, which is always a good news..
Unfortunately it’s now back to the daily grind of work
Been a busy August, MOT, road trips and a service at Honda..
MOT - Her first one and flew through it with no advisories, I decided to replace the front tyres though as the fronts were Continentals and getting close to the mark and the rears are Hankook’s and I hate having different brands of tyre on. So Hankook Ventus V12 Evo2’s all round now, bit of a mouthful but seem to have good levels of grip in both dry and wet conditions.
Went for dinner to celebrate the passing of the MOT :laughs:, as I walked away from parking up I noticed it looked like a nice photo opportunity..
It’s kind of opened up a new thing where as I walk away after parking up I see if it’s worth getting a quick picture :laughs: the wife hates it..
Road Trip - Kent to Cornwall
The boot is huge and could of accommodated more!
The annual holiday, this time to somewhere we had never been, luckily the FK2 does it with ease, actually comfortable and quiet, yet when I managed to get a bit of time to myself it was nice to explore the Cornish B roads which seem to just encourage spirited driving.. the B3254 was my favourite although I’m sure there is a lot more to offer near Bude / Launceston..
Outside the Lodge where we stayed
She kind of stood out when parked in the communal area next to all these sensible family cars..
It’s really easy to find her in busy car parks
Over the week I filled up a fair few times as it has quite a small tank about 55 litres.. decided to get a pic on the last day before heading home..
The final mileage is as below.. 976.2 miles with an average of 34.5 MPG not too bad me thinks..
Finally the service at Honda was all good, they only changed the oil and oil filter and done an inspection, to which nothing was found to be wrong, which is always a good news..
Unfortunately it’s now back to the daily grind of work
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