Buying Civic Type R - what to Look for?

deus3x

deus3x

deus3x

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Lads, I posted a while ago about getting a Type R Civic.

Now the time is here, what to check for. I want a 2004 'FaceLift' as i read they had some engine improvements as well as the better bumpers.

I have £7,000 ish.

What to check when I buy, I am wanting one with around 60k miles and not much more..

All advice, what to look and check please
 
Nice choice ;) 7K should get you a decent facelift model, just try and get one with A/C.

As mentioned the gearbox and steering rack are the main things to look out for. Check that it goes into all the gears easily, worn syncros can make it tricky to engage the gear. For the steering just check that it pulls true and straight, although remember it could just be the tracking if it does have a slight pull or even just the camber of the road if its slightly pulling left.

The 50k service on my service plan is a fairly big one so check to see it thats been stamped in the book, my 75k sevice is my biggest one and that costs circa £450. Check the oil level and try and find out what oil has been used for the between service top ups, I only ever use fully synth. When you do get one check the oil regularly, they can use up to 1L every 1000miles, although mine uses less than half that.

Have you test driven one yet? The VTEC power delivery isnt for everyone, but if it clicks with you it'll put a smile on your face whenever you drive it. I went out in mine last Sunday evening over Hartside Pass (A686 between Hexham and Penrith) for my first proper drive of the year and it was truely awesome, roll on August and this years trip over to the Nurburgring and hopefully a 9min lap :cool:
 
Right, let's hear it
Here, what's that clicking noise?


That's Fred, he's a "metrognome"!

A686 is an epic road, plenty of tight twisty bends, some awesome scenery and quick bits!
 
Berger said:
A686 is an epic road, plenty of tight twisty bends, some awesome scenery and quick bits!
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Yeah its great and I go play on it quite a bit. Its also good for having a play with bikes due to how twisty it is in places. Went out at the back end of last year and followed my mate on his R1 and he was very surprised how well I could keep up, and from being on the back of his bike quite a few times, including a lap of the 'Ring, he's far from slow!

If you want some even better scenery take the A592 (Kirkstone Pass) from Penrith to Windermere. Some epic views and awesome twistys if you dont get stuck behind someone :cool:
 
thanks everyone.

Been calling about today, went to see 2 and they were DOGS... One was boyed up big time and the other although 40k had no history and an old bumper when it should have been the facelift. :(
 
deus3x said:
thanks everyone.

Been calling about today, went to see 2 and they were DOGS... One was boyed up big time and the other although 40k had no history and an old bumper when it should have been the facelift. :(
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Where are you based about? I'd of thought 7k should get you a tidy example.

One other thing, have you ran any insurance quotes? Just they aren't the cheapest to insure depending on your age/location.
 
wow dale you go on the same routes that me and mates go on :)
yes hartside and alston is great fun but we will end up going to the lakes in the summer :)

wonder if u have ever seen us normally a teg, mini, s2k, evo and 350z :)

but will try and keep a look out for ya well a ctr lol next time im out and about there :)
 
Some good advice here.

Mate had one for a few years, and the main things I remember are:

Weak gearbox. He lost 3rd and 4th one day. Just wouldn't go into gear. Second hand box fixed that one.

Oil. At the time, Honda had a serious sense of humour failure regarding people blowing engines cause they didn't check their oil. My friends one also went through about 1 litre per 1000 miles. First sign of low oil is if Vtec won't engage. Honda says check the oil every second petrol fill up, but everyone agreed that was just silly. Regular checks are all that is necessary.

Lastly, they seem to be really sensitive to wheel alignment. My mate used to tell me that they handling used to feel a lot better after getting it adjusted.

I'm sure there is more, but that is all I remember for now. :)
 
siumatfung said:
wow dale you go on the same routes that me and mates go on :)
yes hartside and alston is great fun but we will end up going to the lakes in the summer :)

wonder if u have ever seen us normally a teg, mini, s2k, evo and 350z :)

but will try and keep a look out for ya well a ctr lol next time im out and about there :)
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Will have to keep an eye out, that sounds like a good selection of cars to tag on to and see how the CTR stacks up.

Are there any other good twisty roads you can recommend up in the north east. Quite a few of the other local roads I'll go out on (A696/A68 up to the border, A1068 coast road, A6970) are all too open and its far to easy to get up over double the speed limit if you wanted to. There's no fun in going quick in a straight line, in the corners is where it's at.

Sorry to the OP for going off topic, but once you get one you'll be looking for great roads aswell :p
 
H dale,

I am 26 with 9yrs and no claims or points. Insurance isnt a problem.

shahpor said:
Some good advice here.

Mate had one for a few years, and the main things I remember are:

Weak gearbox. He lost 3rd and 4th one day. Just wouldn't go into gear. Second hand box fixed that one.

Oil. At the time, Honda had a serious sense of humour failure regarding people blowing engines cause they didn't check their oil. My friends one also went through about 1 litre per 1000 miles. First sign of low oil is if Vtec won't engage. Honda says check the oil every second petrol fill up, but everyone agreed that was just silly. Regular checks are all that is necessary.

Lastly, they seem to be really sensitive to wheel alignment. My mate used to tell me that they handling used to feel a lot better after getting it adjusted.

I'm sure there is more, but that is all I remember for now. :)
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Thanks dude, i am jotting all this down and will check off when i look at them.

HEre are 2 I am wanting to look at
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...ords/type r/postcode/ss69uh/page/12?logcode=p

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif... r/postcode/ss69uh/page/4/radius/60?logcode=p


Also does anyone have a problem when they go from say 1st gear to reverse. Chap i spoke to said his does it now and then. Does this mean a SCREWED clutch???
 
deus3x said:
H dale,

I am 26 with 9yrs and no claims or points. Insurance isnt a problem.



Thanks dude, i am jotting all this down and will check off when i look at them.

HEre are 2 I am wanting to look at
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...ords/type r/postcode/ss69uh/page/12?logcode=p

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif... r/postcode/ss69uh/page/4/radius/60?logcode=p


Also does anyone have a problem when they go from say 1st gear to reverse. Chap i spoke to said his does it now and then. Does this mean a SCREWED clutch???
Click to expand...

Ah thats ok then as insurance can be more than you'd expect if younge or have claims/points.

Those 2 linked dont look too bad, however I'd be tempted to have a look at these 2 from pistonheads:

http://www.pistonheads.com/SALES/1640273.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/SALES/1638117.htm

As for problems going into reverse, I've never had any issues, or read anything specifically about it.

Oh and something else to check is make sure that if you do get an air con model that the air con actually works. The compressor is a weak point due to corrosion, and isn't that cheap to replace.
 
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Don't know if it helps you at all, but with my DC2 I have trouble getting into reverse sometimes (my mate had the exact same problem with his, 6 years ago)

All other gears are fine, just sometimes I have to put it into 1st, move forward 1cm then reverse will engage ok..
 
Indeed check the AC my 04 had to get condensor and pipes replaced under warranty. Sometimes getting into reverse is a bit wierd but only when really cold.
 
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