CTR Advice

Stretch

Stretch

Stretch

Soldato
Joined
14 Feb 2004
Posts
14,315
Location
Peoples Republic of Histonia, Cambridge
I’m thinking of getting an EP3 CTR over the weekend, but I have a couple of questions before I buy.

Firstly where I live is speed bump hell, with some particularly nasty “speed cushion” style humps on the road home. I’ve test driven a CTR a few months ago but not in the city over speed bumps. What are your experiences, is it likely to scrape the bottom?

Also is it worth the extra money for a face lift model? I’ve seen some 02-03 (pre-facelift) models for around 5.5-6k, but a newer facelift 04-05 are going for about 7.5-8k. 2k seems like a lot more for a slightly newer car, would you pay the extra?
 
speed bump wise should be fine in a standard CTR... as long as you dont take the mick with regards to speed. common sense really.

facelifts can be had for around 5.5-6.5k now also if you look hard enough. awesome value for money.

do not pay 8k for one... (unless its late JDM, yo :p)
 
if they're the big long bumps, then i imagine you'll be fine

in my ITR, I just go super slow (much to the annoyance of other drivers) over them, not had any problems
 
fonzee said:
speed bump wise should be fine in a standard CTR... as long as you dont take the mick with regards to speed. common sense really.

facelifts can be had for around 5.5-6.5k now also if you look hard enough. awesome value for money.

do not pay 8k for one... (unless its late JDM, yo :p)
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I know it's possible in theory, but they're rarer than hen’s teeth at that price. Can you find any examples?
 
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Speed bumps are fine, I've never had a problem. The b-pipe (middle section of exhaust) does hang a bit low but I've had no problems on standard suspension, just take it easy like you normally would.

Facelift has 101 small touches aparently along with red insert on front seats, lighter flywheel and projector front lights. If you prefer the syling you should get a decent one for the price you want. For 8k now I'd want a Premier edition (fresher Recaro seats, red floor carpet and whatnot) which is the upper end of the scale before modified examples.

Check out http://www.civictype-r.co.uk/forum/ for any info, lots of good stickies on buying and a for sale section too.
 
Yeh, i think they are 07 onwards? Anyway what are they like compared to the previous (good looking) models? I watched the top gear review the other day and they slated it
 
Ive got a facelift (55) Ep3, had it lowered and its still fine with speed bumps, like bledd. though, i use common sense and drive very slowly over them.

As for the Fn2, test drove one before and after getting my EP3 and enjoyed it the first time, compared to the Ep3 however, it feels bigger, even slightly bargey into corners and less fun overall with the power deilvery (vtec) less noticable. Not a bad car by any stretch, but, not as fun as the EP3 imo.
 
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Darryn said:
Ive got a facelift (55) Ep3, had it lowered and its still fine with speed bumps, like bledd. though, i use common sense and drive very slowly over them.

As for the Fn2, test drove one before and after getting my EP3 and enjoyed it the first time, compared to the Ep3 however, it feels bigger, even slightly bargey into corners and less fun overall with the power deilvery (vtec) less noticable. Not a bad car by any stretch, but, not as fun as the EP3 imo.
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What this man said :)

How come you're not on MSN anymore, thought you'd died.
 
fonzee said:
not really? seriously loads about at that price bracket. where you looking?!
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Not with air-con. I'm looking on Autotrader and pistonheads.

The cheapest facelift with air-con I can find, that isn't a silly amount of miles away is this. But he says he "can't find" the service book.
 
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I've been looking at CTR's with the same spec as you are wanting stretch and i have noticed the lack of air-con or ones with moon miles!
 
Andr3w said:
Yeh, i think they are 07 onwards? Anyway what are they like compared to the previous (good looking) models? I watched the top gear review the other day and they slated it
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Top Gear was one of the very few places that didn't like the FN2.

I'd recommend test driving both before making a decision. The FN2 has a different powerband from the EP3, I believe they lowered the point at which the usable power of the engine is available, which means the engine doesn't feel the same, but in fact produces the same power. The EP3 might feel like it is "taking off" a bit more (due to the usable powerband being shorter), whereas the FN2 can feel a touch more usable.

I don't think the FN2 feels bargey at all, it is still one of the best handling cars on the road, although I'd certainly avoid the 19" alloys!
 
Make sure you check the condition of them very carefully. They're obviously designed to be ragged to ****, and most have been so the condition of them varies.

When my brother in law was looking there was no correlation between price, condition and mileage. We saw 40k milers for £10k which were tappety as hell and had worn drivers seats and 100k milers for £7k which were in pristine condition.
 
Andr3w said:
Yeh, i think they are 07 onwards? Anyway what are they like compared to the previous (good looking) models? I watched the top gear review the other day and they slated it
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Clarkson slated it, but he's a multi-millionaire who drives hyper-cars every day. What he omitted to say was that round the top gear track it was 2 seconds quicker than the ep3. top gear magazine voted it best hot hatch of 2007 as well.
 
hothatchnut said:
Clarkson slated it, but he's a multi-millionaire who drives hyper-cars every day. What he omitted to say was that round the top gear track it was 2 seconds quicker than the ep3. top gear magazine voted it best hot hatch of 2007 as well.
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He does drive hyper cars however he liked the ST and Golf GTI. Think I read somewhere he bought a GTI aswell.

I have driven both Civics and I prefered the EP3 I almost bought one however I wanted a few extras that were not available on it. (Xenons/Climate/MFSW/Heated Seats)
 
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