Civic Type-R ...

GreenMint

GreenMint

GreenMint

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The search continues!

After looking round at previous cars, mostly hot hatches (Focus ST, Cooper S, Leon Cupra), an RX8 and a lot of umming and arring, I finally took out the "last on the list" today, a new shape CTR, I'd been saving it till last as most people have said they are a really fun drive, great handling, nice feel, amazing noise, and I fully agree, definitely felt a lot more involved than the other cars that I'd driven, handled nicely, and a lovely, albeit plasticy interior (Just so you don't go on about the plastics, Fox! ;))

The question on my mind is, is the new CTR worth it over the EP3, I know we have a lot of EP3 owners on here, who are maybe more vocal than the FN2 owners amongst us, and of course Tim who is the vocal EK9 supporter
;)

The dealer encouraged driving it hard, just said to give it some and enjoy, something its going to be hard to do on a lot of EP3 test drives due to them mostly being on private sales and the last thing someone wants, understandably, is some stranger coming along and ragging the hell out of a car he might not buy, not that I am an "overly" aggressive driver, but the CTR today just kept finding high rpms before I even knew it, and the sound was lovely, most have said better than the EP3 due to being set up to be more vocal?

Obviously I know its not the torquiest thing out there, nor does it pretend to be, but the torque is a nice rise over my current miserable 100ish and feels a lot nicer to get upto speed, which is something that is annoying me with my current car having a very lacking midrange!

Economy seems nice enough, tax not too bad, I'm leaning towards the FN2 due to not being an "on the edge" driver who wouldn't notice the difference between that and the EP3 as some here, and the creature comforts in it are a lot nicer and the interior feels more refined (Not to mention its then not the same as my current interior!) Loving the looks of the new model in Black especially, would have to go for a GT but priv sales of them seem to be anything from 10K for an 07 w/ 30k on it, upwards, the model I drove today was the 58 plate demo car with 3k on it up for £15,900.

Any thoughts and opinions from EP3/FN2/Both owners/test pilots? The ride today didn't seem too harsh, tad harder than my current car but not bone joltingly so, even down a country lane near a quarry, so thats one box checked!

Over to the forum.... :)

Pre-empting edit: I know a lot of people might also scream DC5 at me right now, its a lot more to insure, but can get a nice one at a lower price, going to have a look around to see whats out there within ~75miles of me, not sure how tax is on a DC5 if anyone has any input btw? :) *wanders off to wait for replies*
 
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I've got a test drive of a new shape one tomorrow, the dealer does have an old shape one though so may ask to have a go in that too. Drove a FocusST today.

Was the CooperS up there with the other 'hot hatches'?
 
I own an ep3, and found that when I test drove the fn2 the dash etc was horrid, and the plastics felt worse than the ep3. It did however feel just as fast and handles just aswell. The ep3 just looks better to me (04) onwards. So it all depends on if you like the style and want to spend more for the fn2.
 
Defcon5 said:
Getting rid of the Bravo already Peerzy?
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Nah, tempting fate really. Came into a large sum of money about a month ago. Got my placement year job sorted now and it's only like 5 miles each way so wouldn't really be any point in me swapping out the Bravo.

Should be looking at getting something new come July2010 though, 21 so insurance will be down, with this money and what I'll get from my placement year should be able to look at some really nice cars.
 
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have you actually tried an EP3?

i would find a decent one from an proper ethusiast (note: who isn't manc and still wears reebok classics), give it a decent run and go from there... oh and make sure its the facelift ('04+)

although the dials in the current one are :D :p
 
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Peerzy said:
I've got a test drive of a new shape one tomorrow, the dealer does have an old shape one though so may ask to have a go in that too. Drove a FocusST today.

Was the CooperS up there with the other 'hot hatches'?
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Good call, looked around but couldn't find anywhere with the Old/new shape in together :(

Focus ST was very nice, but the dealer was very stingy with the test drive and didn't get enough to get a real feel for the car, but the Civic felt, looked, sounded etc.. nicer from what experience I had!

The Cooper was VERY up there, amazing fun, drove the Supercharged Cooper S and the Turbo Clubman, both very capable cars, amazing fun, but not enough space for what I want, which the Civic has LOADS of, just seems to be a perfect candidate right now, and a "step up the ladder" from my 1.6 Sport.

Mini Clubman had enough space...but it'd be the cosmetic appearance of walking round with Michelle McManus on your arm :mad:
 
fonzee said:
have you actually tried an EP3?

i would find a decent one from an proper ethusiast (note: who isn't manc and still wear reebok classics), give it a decent run and go from there... oh and make sure its the facelift ('04+)

although the dials in the current one are :D :p
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yeah, I'm gonna have another check tomorrow and tonight, see if I can find a nice clean unmolested EP3, doesnt seem a very easy task, but I'll give it a shot, if you get a chance and wanna see if you can spot a good'un within 25 miles of LE67, give's a yell! :D

other option is an EP3 for a while, then maybe up to an FN2 when the prices come down a bit more, will have to see what time says, but the FN2 didn't seem to have the Oil Tanker turning circle that my current Civic (EP2) has!
 
I personally wouldnt go from an ep3 to an fn2 its not an upgrade to me. If you where closer I could have let you try my facelift ep3 fancy a roadtrip ;)
 
TimBrad said:
Focus ST was very nice, but the dealer was very stingy with the test drive and didn't get enough to get a real feel for the car, but the Civic felt, looked, sounded etc.. nicer from what experience I had!
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Funny, I'm only 19 and it took me a whole 3 seconds to get a test drive, proper raped it and the sales guy turned the ESP off and egged me on :D
 
25 miles :eek: you stingy git :p

push the boat out at least for a decent example ;)

CLICKY

70ish miles away, decent price, pretty mint. seems most trade ones in your area your talking at least another grand.

another point, i assume your on the civic/type r forums? prime place for well looked after examples.
 
fonzee said:
25 miles :eek: you stingy git :p

push the boat out at least for a decent example ;)

CLICKY

70ish miles away, decent price, pretty mint. seems most trade ones in your area your talking at least another grand.

another point, i assume your on the civic/type r forums? prime place for well looked after examples.
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I meant 75 miles, hehe. bloody typo's getting me in trouble :p Doesn't look a bad example at all, only real visible mod is the Exhaust and I'm presuming it has A?C, would have to have a yell and check :)

Peerzy: Getting a test drive wasn't a problem at all, they just seemed to think that taking it upa few roundabouts then flooring it off one is enough to make you wanna drop 12k to them there and then, not the best service I've had in my time! The guy at Honda today basically said go wild with it, good 30 minute router from Dual Carraigeway onto fast A roads and then a country blast which felt sublime,, coasting round the tight twisties 3rd at about 4000rpm, seeing a straight out of the corner and flooring it felt AND sounded sublime, had me grinning like a madman and my gf even enjoyed the back seat ride, she seemed to enjoy stroking the velvetty seats too :D

Dave, thanks for the input and offer, although quite a way, unless you're in Scotland, The Midlands? :D I can see how some, especially people who are already EP3 owners couldn't see it as an upgrade, maybe I'm the kinda person who wants more comfort and toys with his fun, so the FN2 might suit me better, I don't know, I guess half of it is going from an EP2 to EP3 just changes the engine and still the "same car" and surroundings, I'll have to grab an EP3 at some point soon and weigh up the goings on :)
 
Just outside Edinburgh so is quite a drive :D , Going from a cadillac I do miss allot of luxurys that are taken for granted. Cruise control and folding mirrors are something I miss daily :p I heard the fn2 can have cruise and folding mirrors so thats a plus.
 
TimBrad said:
The search continues!

Pre-empting edit: I know a lot of people might also scream DC5 at me right now, its a lot more to insure, but can get a nice one at a lower price, going to have a look around to see whats out there within ~75miles of me, not sure how tax is on a DC5 if anyone has any input btw? :) *wanders off to wait for replies*
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Just do this :p You'll totally forget about any Civics (maybe apart from the FD2) once you've driven one!
 
It may be worth tying the RenaultSport Clio 197 if you liked the new Civic Type R. Try one with the Cup pack fitted.
 
Peerzy said:
the sales guy turned the ESP off and egged me on :D
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Why would he do that?

Getting a test drive wasn't a problem at all, they just seemed to think that taking it upa few roundabouts then flooring it off one is enough to make you wanna drop 12k to them there and then, not the best service I've had in my time!
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I had the same problem with test driving an Octavia. I had a 30 minute test drive but because the dealership was in the middle of Norwich I left knowing nothing more than it pulled ok in 2nd and the clutch was good in traffic :rolleyes:

On the point of private sellers, these cars are designed for a purpose and the kind of people that buy them don't own them to travel to church and back on a Sunday whilst not going over 2500 rpm. Find one thats a possibility, take it out and once its nicely warm ask the seller where some decent roads are in their area and would they mind if you give it a bit of stick. As long as your not bouncing off the limiter with every gear change and generally giving the impression that you're going to bend it I shouldn't think they'll have a problem.
 
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The FN2, could be a decent buy with the prices going so low at the moment. This is the least "hardcore" Type-R, however the rear suspension setup on a car that big can give the impression of a harsh ride. The interior is the most welcoming of them all (although I can't speak for the FD2) and I quite like the seats.

Same engine as the EP3 with most differences being the intake and exhaust, on the road there aint much in it. Economy on good days is around 30mpg and my average in the EP3 is about 20-25 although I'm rarely lower than 5800rpm and only do a daily 8 mile journey to work and 8 mile back to get those figures.

For you, the FN2 is pretty comfortable and there is loads of space in the boot and they've got a fair few toys. The interior can feel a bit cheap and niggly but the excuse is that it's a Type-R and not an accord.

I wouldn't buy one, hence why I got my EP3. It's just as fast, very fun and I don't care for the interior plastics and all that toss, but they aint that bad and you're already used to it with yours. I would really push for a Premier edition like Darryns at this point though. The FN2 would not be an upgrade in most peoples eyes. By the time you're fed up, you'll probably be able to insure a DC5 or even an FD2 if the Type-R with space is what you're after. The DC5 is also quite spacious in the boot.

The only way you're going to decide is get some proper test drives and get the cars warmed up and over 6krpm. If there's nothing between them in your eyes, go with the dealer you'd prefer to give money too :p
 
When i started looking i was dead set on a FN2, I test drove the FN2 and liked it, but was advised to try the EP3 before buying. Im soo glad i did, as for me the EP3 felt a lot better, it was several £1000 cheaper and now ive found its much more of a trackday car than the FN2.

I wouldnt consider an FN2 to replace the EP3, the only possible upgrades are a DC5 or FD2, both of which are currently too expensive for me to insure.
 
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