Comfort - Astra mk5 VXR vs Civic Type R GT

Amraam

Amraam

Amraam

Soldato
Joined
5 Jan 2009
Posts
4,771
OK, so I keep hearing that the civic type R is horrid. Now, is that relatively speaking for performance cars, or is it comapred to 'normal' hatchbacks?

I still don't have a car after selling my VXR in July, but the Type Rs keep catching my eyes - it seems there are a few nice examples between £7k and £8k.
 
Its a very firm car.

If you're used to a firm car you'll find it fine. I can't remember the last time I was in a vxr but its certainly harder than an St or Gti.

I find it fine doing around 40 miles or so a day, if I spent all day on the motorway I'd feel differently!
 
rodenal said:
Its a very firm car.

If you're used to a firm car you'll find it fine. I can't remember the last time I was in a vxr but its certainly harder than an St or Gti.

I find it fine doing around 40 miles or so a day, if I spent all day on the motorway I'd feel differently!
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That's pretty much what I was expecting to hear. Can aftermarket shocks be had for them to make them smoother?
 
Its a shame the ride is so crap, as otherwise it can be reasonably refined - the engine is very smooth for a 4 pot, and wind and tyre noise ain't too bad either. People say it doesn't feel as fast as the older ep3 model, weight plays a part in that but it hides its speed much better than the older car, and it has a nicely designed interior and comfortable seats.

The ride and associated rattles did annoy the heck out of me though after a while. Not especially well built and the ride is doubly annoying because it's not like the handling is amazing either
 
I actually find mine handles very well, in the dry. Back end can feel a bit keen to come round but its an old school rear set up.

Agree it feels very refined compared to the older efforts - its quick enough to be in the mix with the types of car you'd expect too.
 
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I had my fn2 for 9 months, it was pretty numb and understeery. I spent a load on mods (limited slip diff, Mugen springs and matched dampers, Eibach camber bolts and a proper geo setup) and it was way better afterwards, pretty awesome in fact, but I would rate the ep3 as a better handling car along with the focus St mk2 if we are talking out of the box.
 
I couldn't honestly agree with that - ep3 I've not been in for quite a while but the mk2 focus St is far more prone to understeer than mine, dry or wet. I also find the focus gets itself unsettled over rougher ground when pushing on where the civic is still fairly composed despite the stiffness.

In fairness I've never even had the wheels off mine in the few months I've owned it, so it might not be totally standard (though the springs would be the first thing I'd change, surprised if anyone done it differently). A LSD would make the world of difference to it too but I'm not interested in spending the money on it tbh
 
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