Took Sair to drive a Civic Type R

[Zak33]

Hi people,

My missus Sair is prolly due a newer car soon. Her Astra SXi 1.6 16v 3door is still 100% best car she's had, and with seriously rigorous servicing, which I clearly get done at sensible money with proper Vauxhall parts, it's been faultless.

But I'd like her to have a Honda. She is less than convinced. But she trusts me on cars, and so when I was offered a sensible priced Civic Type R (55 plate, 20k) I thought it was only fair to VTEC her up.

She liked the shape on site, and then really liked the trim, but disliked the general plastic feel. This, I know from experiance, is a normal Honda Learning Curve. People all go through this.

She liked the gear lever position, which had worried her, and Zak Jr's ISO FIX car seat went in easily, and he followed it, easily. (FAO all people worried abour 3doors and kids. Dont worry. It's frankly easier than many small 5 door hatches. Just sit on the folded front seat while you strap 'em in.)

Jr liked it. But he would. I'd already told him and he was looking forward to Mum hitting 8000 rpm.

Sair didn't really understand what that was all about. You don't, do you? Not until you've done it. Not really.... no one does.

First impressions were of immediacy. This is good. I dislike the reviews that state CTR's have no low down torque. That's only "relative" to the top end. But compared to her Astra it had grunt. She liked the steering feel, she's good with that kinda thing. Knows the way it should be.

I shall try to convince her to post the rest later

(we wont be buying this one, the rear quarter had been (very well) repaired, and it had a very irritating Clifford Alarm. It had a slightly different back box to standard, but it was not too noisy, and was ok. recently serviced by Honda too. But it didn't fullfill my elitist list of requirements. which is a shame, cos Sair liked it to drive. Who wouldn't? )

[staffsMike]

It's one of those cars that you get wrapped in very quickly and then some people will go home.. sleep on it and then realise that it's still a bit raw (though far more civilased than a Type R should be ) and rough. The other's just will not want to let it go and have to have one. I experienced the same thing with my Ignis Sport which is nearest to a Civic Type R a car can be, well imo anyway.

Long distance driving is a hoot in the driving seat but very wearing on the passenger, so that's one thing to look out for if you wanted to take it on holiday or something, but I'm sure there is something soft and sweedish on the drive for that sort of trip

My next car will almost certainly be a type R as even though it has been over 2 years since my last drive, the bug hasn't worn off

[TiG]

Is that like when TiG drove a car with lots of Revs? and when Zak decided TiG would never Drive a honda

TiG

[Zak33]

yes quite a lot like it

[Shad]

EP3 or FN2?

[MadduckUK]

must be ep surely

[Guy]

On a 55 plate im sure that'd be an EP.

[tiggerai]

*cry* - me wants

[Zak33]

was an EP....only know cos it said it on the V5 on the type.

(never seen such a thing)

Dunno what the difference is though.

Sair's gone to bed....no doubt dreaming 8000rpm dreams....

blimey..it's 12:45. CoD4 is bad for sleep

[Shad]

FN2 is the current Civic Type R and EP3 is the previous one, which is much better in pretty much all areas IMHO (apart from the interior perhaps, though the new one is a bit of a Marmite design both inside and out). The EP3s handling is a lot more responsive to throttle control and I thought generally easier to drive hard, whereas the FN2 has a compromised rear suspension setup and tends to understeer everywhere. I didn't like the steering feedback on the FN2 either and found the fly-by-wire throttle a bit difficult.

As is usually the case, the older model is the better drivers car - hope Sair enjoys it!

Psst - www.hondas-on-track.com

[Howard]

I experienced the same thing with my Ignis Sport which is nearest to a Civic Type R a car can be, well imo anyway.

No it isn't, sorry


I think the high-revving nature of the CTR is definitely a question of taste. Some like it, some light the lower down grunt of torquier engines. Good on you for not plumping for a Land Rover Discovery as soon as you have children, too

[schmunk]

If the CTR's too raw, you could always try a Type-S, which is the same 2l block with a less VTEC'y head to give 157bhp, in the 5-door body.

(I have one...)

[Vimeous]

Do you reckon fast Honda's are typically car-nerd motors?
They always seem overlooked for a wide variety of reasons so many never get behind the wheel.

Doubters, once forced or cajolled behind the leather-rim, hand falling easily to the gearlever and right foot gently massaging the throttle, seem to suddenly gain a level of clarity. Granted not all will be positive and prefer other methods of motion but in that moment there is no wishy-washy indecision.

Zak how long did you manage to hide your grin as you watched Sair going Type-Grr?

[MadduckUK]

Do you reckon fast Honda's are typically car-nerd motors?

if it is, i would like it stay that way, bits are rare and expensive enough