Looking to buy a Civic Type R
Discussion
Hi Guys,
Just wanted to say I have been a long time reader, but have never actually felt knowledgeable enough to contribute
lol. I've know managed to save a few notes and have always been attracted to the Civic Type R (EP3)and was just wondering what you guys think about it?
I've never really had anything fast and very Pistonheads like, but I know feel I'm ready. I have a budget of around 5k, and could stretch to 5500 if the right car came along. I would ideally like a facelift (A premier would be a bonus), with a FSH, and a mileage of up 80k.
Your opinions/views would be appreciated.
Thanks
Faz
Just wanted to say I have been a long time reader, but have never actually felt knowledgeable enough to contribute
lol. I've know managed to save a few notes and have always been attracted to the Civic Type R (EP3)and was just wondering what you guys think about it? I've never really had anything fast and very Pistonheads like, but I know feel I'm ready. I have a budget of around 5k, and could stretch to 5500 if the right car came along. I would ideally like a facelift (A premier would be a bonus
), with a FSH, and a mileage of up 80k. Your opinions/views would be appreciated.
Thanks
Faz
Facelift a well within budget. Premiers might be for be top end of your budget.
Good fun, relatively practical. Not much torque, but enough power when pushing on. The engine and gearbox are great if you like revs.
Cheap to run and maintain for a hit hatch. I'd have another in a heartbeat.
Good fun, relatively practical. Not much torque, but enough power when pushing on. The engine and gearbox are great if you like revs.
Cheap to run and maintain for a hit hatch. I'd have another in a heartbeat.
VeeTEC said:
Cheap to run and maintain for a hit hatch. I'd have another in a heartbeat.
At this price point/age the cheap to run aspect is far from a given, especially if there isn't a decent warranty involved.Mine was rather younger and certainly wasn't cheap to run in all sorts of ways - shame really as I was very much in favour of the principles, just the reality that went more than a bit Pete.
robinandcamera said:
Great fun cars, just put £250 of your budget aside for an AEM CAI induction kit and you will grin every time you drive the car and VTEC engages.
Is it worth considering an import JDM? That way you get an LSD
Would've thought it would be out of budget - aren't JDMs still up at £7-£8k? Silly money if you ask me just for a LSD and an additional 20bhp. Althought that CW paint scheme... Is it worth considering an import JDM? That way you get an LSD
MPC09 said:
robinandcamera said:
Great fun cars, just put £250 of your budget aside for an AEM CAI induction kit and you will grin every time you drive the car and VTEC engages.
Is it worth considering an import JDM? That way you get an LSD
Would've thought it would be out of budget - aren't JDMs still up at £7-£8k? Silly money if you ask me just for a LSD and an additional 20bhp. Althought that CW paint scheme... Is it worth considering an import JDM? That way you get an LSD
, but finding the unmolested example is the first task!! Thanks for the suggestion of the JDM, But insurance costs are super high (Being only 22) so the UKDM EP3 will have to suffice for now !!
Anybody know of any unabused, cherished examples that could be coming up for sale?
Cheers,
Faz
before you go and install induction kits keep in mind they do affect fueling and you will most likely need a Hondata (software ECU mapping) the MAF is finicky on the k20*.
Great cars if looked after, engines last a lifetime if oil changed per specs!
Some people will say they are gutless under 5.5k rpm (when VTEC kicks in, yo), but I find mine (FN2 though) perfectly drivable in 6th in 40mph
If you push it it sounds great and has plenty of poke, (gearing makes it fast to 60 - 6.4 sec?), but expect fuel bills
Great cars if looked after, engines last a lifetime if oil changed per specs!
Some people will say they are gutless under 5.5k rpm (when VTEC kicks in, yo), but I find mine (FN2 though) perfectly drivable in 6th in 40mph
If you push it it sounds great and has plenty of poke, (gearing makes it fast to 60 - 6.4 sec?), but expect fuel bills
Edited by cvega on Thursday 18th October 14:26
Having run an EP3 for nearly a year now, mine has cost me 2 front drop links and I fnished off the old brakes. Rear tyre wear (inner edges) can happen excessively if driven hard and on tyres that dont wear hard.
For 7k you can get a facelift with low low miles (e.g. 35k on a 55 plate) and with FHSH but these take looking out for and will be a private sale.
All i can say is have a go in a good one, theyre great fun and popular with a wide range of people for a reason!
Theres also a thread on another guy buying an EP3 in the Honda section too...
For 7k you can get a facelift with low low miles (e.g. 35k on a 55 plate) and with FHSH but these take looking out for and will be a private sale.
All i can say is have a go in a good one, theyre great fun and popular with a wide range of people for a reason!
Theres also a thread on another guy buying an EP3 in the Honda section too...
I drive a 2004 EP3 at the minute, and have owned it since February. Brilliant car, loads of fun to drive and it thrives most on twisty back roads. I will say that it isn't a great car for long journeys- I recently drive from Middlesbrough to Norwich and because there's not a great deal of sound deadening the drone of the engine does get old after 50-100 miles on a motorway. Road noise is also very noticeable, but if you can get past the noise, it's an incredible little car.
Things to watch out for (that seem to be fairly common) are steering rack issues and hunting idle (can be caused by battery issues or the IACV). My only real complaint is the electronic power steering doesn't give much feedback at all, but the engine and gearbox make up for it. The engine lacks torque but it isn't a problem. A lot of people say that you have to drop gears to overtake but it just isn't true. The car picks up well and because it revs through the range so freely it isn't a problem at all.
I tend to get about mid 20's MPG with a mix of normal and enthusiastic driving (much lower if you spend a lot of time on the VTEC cam), but I reckon you could possibly hit 30-32mpg driving economically. Services are pretty expensive, as to be expected with a hot hatch. Mine's actually in for its 63,000 mile service at the minute, and I'm looking at £450+vat (4 brake discs/pads, 2 drop links and engine diagnostics, as well as usual servicing), but that isn't at a Honda dealer.
Apparently getting FRSU (fast road setup) completely transforms the handling, but I haven't personally had it done yet.
For your budget I think you could get a very nice facelift model; I would honestly avoid any in the 3-4k range because they've probably been ragged to death. Mine was just under £6k but it was only 2 previous owners, low mileage and FSH. If you want a more track-focused one, the JDM cars are set up quite differently (and have a LSD I believe), but you're looking at around £8k for a JDM-spec one at the minute because of the strong Yen.
Things to watch out for (that seem to be fairly common) are steering rack issues and hunting idle (can be caused by battery issues or the IACV). My only real complaint is the electronic power steering doesn't give much feedback at all, but the engine and gearbox make up for it. The engine lacks torque but it isn't a problem. A lot of people say that you have to drop gears to overtake but it just isn't true. The car picks up well and because it revs through the range so freely it isn't a problem at all.
I tend to get about mid 20's MPG with a mix of normal and enthusiastic driving (much lower if you spend a lot of time on the VTEC cam), but I reckon you could possibly hit 30-32mpg driving economically. Services are pretty expensive, as to be expected with a hot hatch. Mine's actually in for its 63,000 mile service at the minute, and I'm looking at £450+vat (4 brake discs/pads, 2 drop links and engine diagnostics, as well as usual servicing), but that isn't at a Honda dealer.
Apparently getting FRSU (fast road setup) completely transforms the handling, but I haven't personally had it done yet.
For your budget I think you could get a very nice facelift model; I would honestly avoid any in the 3-4k range because they've probably been ragged to death. Mine was just under £6k but it was only 2 previous owners, low mileage and FSH. If you want a more track-focused one, the JDM cars are set up quite differently (and have a LSD I believe), but you're looking at around £8k for a JDM-spec one at the minute because of the strong Yen.
Really enjoying mine now. I was a bit indifferent to begin with but I've had moments with it that have been awesome...there can't be many other cars that sound as good and pick up speed so quickly for the price.
There's quite a lot of road noise, which sounds like worn wheel bearings at times, but it's fine...no worse than being sat in a large aircraft rolling down a runway anyway...!
I'm getting between 30 and 35 mpg.
People seem to like them
There's quite a lot of road noise, which sounds like worn wheel bearings at times, but it's fine...no worse than being sat in a large aircraft rolling down a runway anyway...!
I'm getting between 30 and 35 mpg.
People seem to like them
C2james said:
im looking at an EP3 type r for next year and will probably have around £4k to spend, will it be difficult to find one at that price which hasnt been thrashed? surely they all cant be dodgy at that price.
You can probably find a decent one for 4k, but give it a good check over. When I looked, most under £3,500 showed some signs of a hard life but the market also wasn't very good at the time. I think provided it's got a good service history you should be able to get a decent enough one for that price. The cars themselves have dropped off a bit in price lately, it's just the insurance that's still absurd 
C2james said:
im looking at an EP3 type r for next year and will probably have around £4k to spend, will it be difficult to find one at that price which hasnt been thrashed? surely they all cant be dodgy at that price.
I'm pretty sure every single one has been thrashed Edited by diddly69 on Sunday 28th October 08:50
diddly69 said:
I'm pretty sure every single one has been thrashed
Yeah, as long they have not been ragged from cold you should be alright, but even then, would you ever know? Once they are heated through, these cars thrive on revs, so I wouldn't be afraid to buy one that has been used properly. In fact, I'd rather buy one thats done 100,000 miles on VTEC than one that has never been past 4000rpm.Edited by diddly69 on Sunday 28th October 08:50
C2james said:
cheers guys, i will just have to pick carefully and fully look at its service history and everything else.
I took a look at your profile; depending where you are in Hampshire and where you're looking to buy - if a car has a solid history from TGM Motorsport in Fleet then you're onto a winner and should be a well looked after example.They're a Type-R specialist and provide phenominal service and care for all things VTec. Can go check out the CTR forum online for reviews/recommendations from others.
MPC09 said:
C2james said:
cheers guys, i will just have to pick carefully and fully look at its service history and everything else.
I took a look at your profile; depending where you are in Hampshire and where you're looking to buy - if a car has a solid history from TGM Motorsport in Fleet then you're onto a winner and should be a well looked after example.They're a Type-R specialist and provide phenominal service and care for all things VTec. Can go check out the CTR forum online for reviews/recommendations from others.
C2james said:
cheers guys, i will just have to pick carefully and fully look at its service history and everything else.
The service history book is shared across the Civic Type-R, S2000, and NSX...it confused me a bit at first, but turned out the two previous owners had been having it serviced to the NSX's 9000 mile interval!
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