Civic Type R FK8. Shall I go mental?

[Speed Badger]

Hi all, as a previous owner of two DC2 integras, two DC5 Integras, an EP3, FD2 and FK2 (and Mrs Badger has an FN2 Type R), it seems like the logical next step.

My heart says get one but my head says, 'noooo save the money.' But save the money for what? To buy more stuff? To get the boiler fixed or if the washing machine packs up? There are funds available for that.

I've been feeling very fatalistic of late, and the old adage of you only live once is currently winning against my sensible head. I know £26k is not an enormous amount of money to some, but a fortune to others - I'm definitely on the side of 'that's a lot of money to spend on a car' end.

I have had 37 cars in my 35 years and I am actually getting fed up of changing cars - it often happens when the depreciation monkey gets me and I have to get rid. But I am determined to keep this a good while and depreciation be damned. I don't worry about how much my new TV will be worth in two years time, so why a car?

Anyway, I may just follow my heart...

[Speed Badger]

GregK2 said:

Quite the Type R ownership history! What are you in currently? What appeals about the FK8?

I sold my FK2 last year and am currently running around in a Clio 182. I've had one before, such a great car. Hopefully going to hang onto it for a bit.

The FK8 appeals because I have a big fondness for Honda Type R's! Just think they've got a passion to them as well as being great cars. I also finally like the way the FK8 looks after 3 years, and I am no longer thinking the designers had too much Saki, just enough I think. It seems like it does everything really well, just as a hot hatch should do, with the addition of comfort mode and the independent rear suspension. I love the fact it has been designed as a Type R from the ground up, and you can only have it with a 6 speed manual and silly red seats. It is quite big though, that is my only slight reservation, along with dropping 26k on one(!). I'm very tempted by a polished metal one near me, might have to get my Type R freak on

[Speed Badger]

Insurance is pretty good as I live in a good postcode, I've been quoted about £360 ish. Renmure - like you say I think this particular Type R seems to have the capacity for daily plodding and mentalist fun, which is what I'm after. I wouldn't be using it as a daily every day but often enough so it's not sitting there being a 26 grand paperweight!

[Speed Badger]

Montybaber said:

I have driven my FK8 as a daily drive for a year, it's a comfortable place to be, plenty of toys although not quite as polished as many cars I have owned, it all works though, seats/driving position is incredible never been uncomfortable and always feel supported, the seat in fact is everything you need to know about this car, it works for every scenario

The looks, I like it, everyone in the street says they like it (I do think that in life the only people going to pipe up about a car your getting out of will have positive things to say) I look at it sometimes and think hmmm no, most of the time its pretty pleasing to the eye and occasionally I think wow, I love it for that, keeps you guessing

I get 30-35mpg, apart from annoying sensors on the front that go off in the rain (known fault with front grill, Honda working on it) it has been bulletproof, tyres wear quickly and cost £200-250 each

There is nothing out there like it really, if you love cars and are willing to let out your inner child then buy one, I like to think all the haters are just too up themselves to admit they love it

I never keep cars and dont worry enough about depreciation, I still look around but nothing pulls me away from the Honda, I would be happy keeping it long term

Printing this out and pinning to the fridge .

Haha ZX - It's not so much I'm looking to be talked out of it, more like I need to be talked in to spending my money! I'm a bit of a hoarder when it comes to money, I'm very generous, not stingy at all, I just always like to have a wedge squirreled away for, well I don't know really. Maybe it's the comfort it's there, and if I wanted to go nuts and buy an Omega watch or a holiday, or buy some more Sylvanian families st for the small one, I can.

Maybe I should go outside my comfort zone. It can always be replenished with further saving in future I guess.

Plus being 35 I can just about get away with driving about in an FK8, it being designed by Japanese children, without looking like I'm balls-deep into a mid-life crisis.

[Speed Badger]

ZX10R NIN said:

Here's why you should buy one, they're great fun now there's nothing to say you can't carry on squirreling money away after you've bought the car.

This one looks good value:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

If you can't get past having a bit of a nest egg then the i30 N Performance would be a worth a look:

2019

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Fastback

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

2018 with 6k left in your rainy day fund

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Thanks ZX, yes the one thing I hadn't really thought about was the fact I can start saving money again. I just had it in my mind of it being gone and back to square one, but as mentioned before I can always sell the car if needs be and it won't have any finance on.

Thanks for the efforts in your options, unfortunately I have a hideously specific set of requirements - must be a 2018 model (for warranty), no more than 15k miles, 1 owner, polished metal, no more than £26500 at the absolute most.

The Hyundai I30n is very appealing on paper, but I just have no connection to it, it has no history behind it and I don't feel it. I'm sure it's a very good car though.

[Speed Badger]

Yep, I have already made tentative contact regarding the first one - it's only 7 miles /25 mins from where I live, almost like it's meant to be . It's got the 5 year service pack until 2023 and 1 owner. It's perfect really on paper, other than not actually viewing the condition of the car.

Deep breath, I might give them a ring next week.

[Speed Badger]

ZX - they are closed today unfortunately.

Likesachange - Thanks for the offer - but my budget won't stretch that far I'm afraid - I would be messing myself up a bit even if I went to £26.5k. Plus I'm looking for a 1 owner car - I know yours was an ex demo before you. I'm sure it's fantastic and appreciate the offer but if I'm going to spend this amount of money I want it the be exactly what I want

[Speed Badger]

Well after some thought, I have decided not to go full mental. I think I am going to opt for another FK2 Type R (had to sell the first one due to financial reasons, but all good now). It offers 90% of what the FK8 can do, bar a proper rear suspension! (although it does make the car more lively) and you can pick one up for around £7000 less than the FK8. It will give me a great car, and a slightly greater car to look forward to in a couple of years time.

[Speed Badger]

I like to think I'm in the middle of 'boring old git' and 'rash & impulsive' - maybe 'sensibly impulsive?!'

My favourite Type R I have owned is the FD2, I tried to buy it back recently (again!) but the owner is keeping it for a bit. I will say that the FK2 is the best car all round (other than the FK8), of all the Type R's. Putting the FK2 into +R mode turns it into something that feels very similar to the FD2, but with the bonus of being able to take it out of that mode.

I had a black one previously, I might go for polished metal this time round.

[Speed Badger]

Well, I've gone a little more mental than I was supposed to, but still not quite as mad as I was intending.

I have just put a deposit on a 'Black edition' FK2 Type R with the red wing endplates on. I'm spending a bit more than originally budgeted for an FK2, but still a good few grand less than an FK8 so not too bad. I was going to go for an ordinary black one, but the black edition looks very cool, like a nightmare demon beast from the underworld....kinda thing

[Speed Badger]

Yep, the BLACK edition, with added red

I'm getting a bit of light-hearted flack on the Type R forum for choosing the FK2 over an 8, but having driven both, they are both great in different ways. The 8 has the more grown-up ride and interior, the 2 is a bit more batst crazy.

To be honest, we are so spoiled at the moment with hot hatches it's hard to go far wrong, let's get it on before we are all electrified following today's UK ICE news.

[Speed Badger]

Well, it finally happened. I went full mental.

I have put a deposit down on a 2019 polished metal FK8 Type R. I had a look at waiting for the facelift model, but there is nothing on it apart from the gearknob I'm particularly bothered about.

I have been offered a very good trade in with my black edition, I really love it it but I have decided to have something that is a better all round machine and have it as a keeper. I tried to get Mrs Badger to buy it off me so we could keep it, but she wants a Mazda CX-3 something or other. I on the other hand, have opted for the practical family car .

On another note, I felt guilty about getting myself a nice shiny new motor when people are losing jobs and stability left right & centre, but then I have been in the jobless, no-car, no possessions worth a damn period in my life, due to non-virus reasons a good few years ago, so I just figured the old 'you only live once' adage applies.

Anyway, I'm an excited Badger, pick up probably next weekend.

[Speed Badger]

Cheers all, looking good Jasey. I've never had such a new car before, its a November 2019 model so its just under a year old, still got full balance of the 5 year service pack and 2 years left on the warranty so good peace of mind.

Pickup definitely next Saturday (7th Nov) as this weekend is looking like a washout. Not the best time of year to buy such a car but I got a decent deal, probably due to a combination of Q4 sales at this time of year and covid.

Trying not to get too excited yet, whole week to wait

[Speed Badger]

samoht said:

Well, the reason people are losing their jobs is simple, it's purely due to consumers not spending as much money as normal. So by spending a load of money on a UK-made car, you are doing your bit to help. Enjoy!

That's a good point! I will let my conscience ease slightly.

Thanks ZX, sorry I didn't need your wise auto trader Jedi skills this time, had tunnel vision with this one. Although I did l clock that I could get a 3/4 year old V8 Mustang for around the same money, but I stayed on target.

Despite having had 38 cars, I've never actually part exchanged one before - we have agreed a price, I've described mine accurately but they haven't seen it, or seen any pics of it. Do dealers try and knock you down on the day We Buy any Car style, or is the price agreed the price you're given (unless they find something hugely contrary to your description)?

[Speed Badger]

Given Lockdown 2 is now happening I have re-arranged collection day for this Tuesday. I know there are far greater problems at the moment than 'my new car' but it would just save a whole pile of grief. Still, less time to wait now before FK8-ing! I spent yesterday morning with the OCD-ometer turned up to 11, vacuuming the FK2, cleaning the plastics and vinyl with Autoglym stuff and vigorously polishing my tips (ooh er) with some autosol. Wash and wax on Tuesday morning and off to Wimbledon (from Kent), not too far although it does mean battling evil on the M25.

[Speed Badger]

Mr Tidy said:

I just read this from the start - it looks like FK8 would have been the right answer at the beginning of the year!

Still you got there in the end - have a great day on Tuesday.

Haha, yeah sometimes I annoy myself. Although I have enjoyed my time again with an FK2, and I did have one eye on re-sale value in going for the black edition, so there was a vague shred of method in my madness.

Getting excited for tomorrow now, just hope the weather holds off a bit and all goes smoothly.

[Speed Badger]

Stupid b*stard piece of s**t satnav!! Good to see some things never change. Ended up stuck in a traffic jam that seemed to stretch from Wimbledon to Coulsdon! Anyway, made it back now.

Very First impressions: what have I done?! Electric handbrake is annoying, why do you have to put up our foot on the brake to release it?! Grr. Really annoying vibration on the dash at around 4.5k rpm. I didn't like the newness of everything - I'm a simple soul and haven't had many newer cars, and it all felt unfamiliar and digital. It didn't help that I was stuck in stop start traffic for 2 hours, had a panic attack, was generally having a miserable time.

But, once I settled into the car and everything became more familiar, and I finally had a wee and an M&S prawn sandwich, I started to enjoy the car. Throttle response is much better than the FK2, likely the lightened flywheel - this is a big improvement, the seating position is fantastic - I love it, it's perfect and so much easier to get out of. I spent most of the time in comfort mode as I crawled my way through Purley, it's really impressive, I'm 36 and have had stiff stupid cars but I was genuinely impressed with its general comfortable plodding ability. Once things opened up a bit into Surrey, I played about with the other drive modes. Sport mode is a good combination of comfort and, well, sportiness, and +R is still mental, but a little bit more usable than in the FK2. I think I'm the only person to say this, but to me the FK8 feels slightly quicker and more aggressive then the FK2 on acceleration. Its still batsh*t crazy, but with a level of refinement not seen in a Type R before.

To my surprise, I really like the digital dash! I like the way it displays the album artwork of your music choice in the screen and how it shows you a close up direction graphic when using the Satnav as you approach a junction.

I miss having the shift lights there all the time, like the FK2, they were so cool and hooligan-ish, but now you have to actually select them. Still it's cool getting the two red redline flashy light strips to indicate a gear change.

Brake hold is way more helpful that I thought it would be! The rev match system is better and more fun than I expected but I've turned it off. Gear shift is a shorter throw than the FK2, no issues going up and down the box, hopefully it stays that way, really epic gearbox.

From what I've experienced so far, the FK8 strikes an excellent balance between modern digital stuff and old school turbo hot hatchery, with a big sprinkling of refinement. My biggest worry is that it wouldn't be quite as bonkers, but it is, it just tempers it with that refinement.

It was very sad seeing my black edition be driven off by the Honda guy, it's a great car and it looked so clean and shiny! But hey, it's been enjoyed and it is a very rare little fish, but at least I had one.

In a way, the FK2 is more like that crazy, unpredictable girl that you have a fling with, the FK8 is the one that you settle down with.

[Speed Badger]

Couple of pics, it really does look mental in the metal.

[Speed Badger]

Yes unbelievably for me I've had it more than 2 months now and still have it! Still loving it (when I actually get to drive it in these strange times). I've replaced the registration plate on the rear with a regular size one, as I didn't like the oversized one it came with and got a nice new 'Type R' boot mat for Christmas. Had its first service on the 5 year service plan a month ago, no issues.

It's a very jekyll and Hyde car, if I'm not in the mood and just want to pootle in comfort mode to pick up my daughter from school, it's a very composed and smooth ride, comparatively. Sport and +R mode do change the character of the car into touring car mode when you want the spirited stuff. Very practical and I'm loving the android auto implementation, I've never had it before and it's very good to use.

I haven't got any more exciting pictures of it I'm afraid as I haven't really been anywhere photo-worthy in it!

Edited by Speed Badger on Friday 8th January 11:46

[Speed Badger]

Ben Lowden said:

Looks great Speed Badger! Another car of yours I expect I'll follow suit and buy at some point.

Go on, you know you want to...

What are we up to now, Clio 172, 182 & 200, Megane R26, 250 and the Impreza WRX Sti that we all seem to have bought at the same time? Don't remember you having a Type R yet though - you can't just start with the FK8 - you've got to go through the Type R ranks to prove your worth, it is the Japanese way!

Edited by Speed Badger on Friday 8th January 21:23