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After eidolon continually telling me I really shouldn't have opinions on VTEC engines without actually driving one first and no, the MIVEC FTO didnt count, I decided he was right.
Today, I took a 2004 Honda Civic Type-R out for a spin.
It was unfortunately an accompanied test drive but the guy seemed convinced that it was best to thrash it to death, so, obviously, I obliged.
What did I think? Well, the Civic itself was a bit plasticy, although rattle free, but from the feel of the interior, the racing-style seats, I kinda figured you don't buy a Type-R for the awesome interior so further interior opinions won't be forthcoming.
Put your foot hard down, and off it goes. Not blisteringly quickly infact, I was initially suprised about how not-fast it seemed, but I am afraid what they say is true - you hit about 6km, VTEC does indeed 'kick in yo', and it's off like a rocket..
...unfortunately, you are then introduced to the rev limiter a tad sooner than I'd have liked - although the car revs to 8500rpm it doesn't take very long to get there and I was continually caught out by the hitting the limiter. I did, however, have exactly the same problem in the E39 530d, so meh
It was, however, huge fun. After I'd realise the best way to make progress was to have your foot right down until you 8500rpm, then change down and do it all again, it was a real hoot and, for a 4 pot, it didn't exactly sound bad either. Handling was pretty tidy as well - not quite as good as the Clio 182, but good enough.
But then.. the disadvantages. If you are not in VTEC, it is not fast. Put your foot down in 2nd and it doesn't accelerate in a way you would expect a 200bhp hot hatch to accelerate - I am going to get flamed for this but out of VTEC it felt no quicker than my Mondeo. Once you hit VTEC it's off like a rocket and it really is quite quick, but this does mean you DO need to be caning it to make progress - if you want a quick sput of power it can be tiresome and irritating.
So, do I think the Civic Type-R, and the VTEC system, is a load of rubbish? Absolutely not - I can now see exactly why people like it so much, and I can see exactly why people rave about it. As a tool for pure fun, it was great.
Would I ever entertain buying one? 'Fraid not - aside from the lack of toys which you are expecting me to criticise, the frantic driving style doesn't lend itself to lazy driving in the way something turbocharged would. Whether this can be used a specific criticism of the car is unclear - it isn't a fault, or a flaw, it is this way by design - it is designed to be thrashed.
Which is great, if you only take your car out to give it a damn good caning
In the real world, I think I'd rather have a Leon Cupra R.
Today, I took a 2004 Honda Civic Type-R out for a spin.
It was unfortunately an accompanied test drive but the guy seemed convinced that it was best to thrash it to death, so, obviously, I obliged.
What did I think? Well, the Civic itself was a bit plasticy, although rattle free, but from the feel of the interior, the racing-style seats, I kinda figured you don't buy a Type-R for the awesome interior so further interior opinions won't be forthcoming.
Put your foot hard down, and off it goes. Not blisteringly quickly infact, I was initially suprised about how not-fast it seemed, but I am afraid what they say is true - you hit about 6km, VTEC does indeed 'kick in yo', and it's off like a rocket..
...unfortunately, you are then introduced to the rev limiter a tad sooner than I'd have liked - although the car revs to 8500rpm it doesn't take very long to get there and I was continually caught out by the hitting the limiter. I did, however, have exactly the same problem in the E39 530d, so meh
It was, however, huge fun. After I'd realise the best way to make progress was to have your foot right down until you 8500rpm, then change down and do it all again, it was a real hoot and, for a 4 pot, it didn't exactly sound bad either. Handling was pretty tidy as well - not quite as good as the Clio 182, but good enough.
But then.. the disadvantages. If you are not in VTEC, it is not fast. Put your foot down in 2nd and it doesn't accelerate in a way you would expect a 200bhp hot hatch to accelerate - I am going to get flamed for this but out of VTEC it felt no quicker than my Mondeo. Once you hit VTEC it's off like a rocket and it really is quite quick, but this does mean you DO need to be caning it to make progress - if you want a quick sput of power it can be tiresome and irritating.
So, do I think the Civic Type-R, and the VTEC system, is a load of rubbish? Absolutely not - I can now see exactly why people like it so much, and I can see exactly why people rave about it. As a tool for pure fun, it was great.
Would I ever entertain buying one? 'Fraid not - aside from the lack of toys which you are expecting me to criticise, the frantic driving style doesn't lend itself to lazy driving in the way something turbocharged would. Whether this can be used a specific criticism of the car is unclear - it isn't a fault, or a flaw, it is this way by design - it is designed to be thrashed.
Which is great, if you only take your car out to give it a damn good caning
In the real world, I think I'd rather have a Leon Cupra R.
