Civic Type R FD2 - reasons not to press the button?
Discussion
Afternoon all, hoping for some views/previous experience of the above. I want 4 doors, decent room in the back for a growing lad, reasonable sized boot, hydraulic PAS, N/A, 6-speed manual, trackable with just a few mods, reasonable insurance and not the 500+ quid RFL. Oh, and a budget of less than 15K.
After much deliberating I think I've finally settled on the FD2 as the wagon that best fits the bill. However, I know that when you really like a car on paper, have your heart set on it, you can perhaps miss some of the more obvious negatives, or characteristics that perhaps only really start to come to light further down the ownership experience line.
With that in mind, what am I missing? Any issues that would quickly take the shine off the whole thing? I know rear suspension can be a little firm, resolved to a greater extent by Koni Sport Adj. shocks, and less stiff sidewall tyres. But what else should I be concerned about? Or just close my eyes and press the button...
As background, I've had Caterhams, M3 CSL, MG Midget etc, so I'm used to loud, uncomfortable, unrefined, and, in the case of the Midget, a little temperamental, but all three bought a smile to my face, and that is the main objective here. We also have an estate as a second car to deal with MTBs, dump, furniture etc.
Thanks
After much deliberating I think I've finally settled on the FD2 as the wagon that best fits the bill. However, I know that when you really like a car on paper, have your heart set on it, you can perhaps miss some of the more obvious negatives, or characteristics that perhaps only really start to come to light further down the ownership experience line.
With that in mind, what am I missing? Any issues that would quickly take the shine off the whole thing? I know rear suspension can be a little firm, resolved to a greater extent by Koni Sport Adj. shocks, and less stiff sidewall tyres. But what else should I be concerned about? Or just close my eyes and press the button...
As background, I've had Caterhams, M3 CSL, MG Midget etc, so I'm used to loud, uncomfortable, unrefined, and, in the case of the Midget, a little temperamental, but all three bought a smile to my face, and that is the main objective here. We also have an estate as a second car to deal with MTBs, dump, furniture etc.
Thanks
I have owned my FD2 since 2011 and pretty much run it as my daily. I came from an EP3 type R and it is night and day between the two.
Like you have mentioned it is a firm car and can feel most bumps and humps in the road. I have the Koni yellows on the rear, they were fired when i bought it so can not comment on how they change from standard set up. Even my little girl enjoys going in the back bump often says how bumpy it is!
My FD2 has been tracked a fair number of times along with two 'Ring trips where it performed faultlessly. Even after 8 years of ownership it still makes me smile and still enjoy driving it. It is a rare sight on the road which is nice; often people think it is an Integra!
I can't comment on how it would compare to driving bigger powered/faster machines as I haven't owned any to compare against!
If you are on Facebook there is an active and friendly FD2 owners group for more resources.
Like you have mentioned it is a firm car and can feel most bumps and humps in the road. I have the Koni yellows on the rear, they were fired when i bought it so can not comment on how they change from standard set up. Even my little girl enjoys going in the back bump often says how bumpy it is!
My FD2 has been tracked a fair number of times along with two 'Ring trips where it performed faultlessly. Even after 8 years of ownership it still makes me smile and still enjoy driving it. It is a rare sight on the road which is nice; often people think it is an Integra!
I can't comment on how it would compare to driving bigger powered/faster machines as I haven't owned any to compare against!
If you are on Facebook there is an active and friendly FD2 owners group for more resources.
I've had an FD2, various Civic Type-Rs, S2000, Audi S3 and a Merc C63.
Nothing beats the Merc for sound etc...however, the FD2 was the quickest car out of the lot...might not be on a track, but it's the only one I'd get out of from a Sunday blast absolutely buzzing from wringing it's neck...I'm stuck with estates as we have kids and dogs otherwise I'd have another one in a heart beat...huge huge fan of them.
Nothing beats the Merc for sound etc...however, the FD2 was the quickest car out of the lot...might not be on a track, but it's the only one I'd get out of from a Sunday blast absolutely buzzing from wringing it's neck...I'm stuck with estates as we have kids and dogs otherwise I'd have another one in a heart beat...huge huge fan of them.
There is no reason
I have a CL7 Accord, so same engine, gearbox etc as the FD2 in a slightly less refined package (and half the price). It puts a smile on my face every single time I drive it, even a drive to the supermarket feels like an occasion. You can't be lazy driving these cars however, the clutch can be quite bitey and short ratio boxes mean that you're kept busy! I sometimes just jump in the Mrs A3 to long a slug up the motorway because its leagues more comfortable.
As the previous poster touched on, you do have to get used to ringing it's neck to make the most of that K20 though. FD2 is the only car I can think of that I would replace my Accord with at this moment in time.
I have a CL7 Accord, so same engine, gearbox etc as the FD2 in a slightly less refined package (and half the price). It puts a smile on my face every single time I drive it, even a drive to the supermarket feels like an occasion. You can't be lazy driving these cars however, the clutch can be quite bitey and short ratio boxes mean that you're kept busy! I sometimes just jump in the Mrs A3 to long a slug up the motorway because its leagues more comfortable.
As the previous poster touched on, you do have to get used to ringing it's neck to make the most of that K20 though. FD2 is the only car I can think of that I would replace my Accord with at this moment in time.
Kewy said:
There is no reason
I have a CL7 Accord, so same engine, gearbox etc as the FD2 in a slightly less refined package (and half the price). It puts a smile on my face every single time I drive it, even a drive to the supermarket feels like an occasion. You can't be lazy driving these cars however, the clutch can be quite bitey and short ratio boxes mean that you're kept busy! I sometimes just jump in the Mrs A3 to long a slug up the motorway because its leagues more comfortable.
As the previous poster touched on, you do have to get used to ringing it's neck to make the most of that K20 though. FD2 is the only car I can think of that I would replace my Accord with at this moment in time.
You sure about that? I thought the Accord had the same engine and box as the Integra DC5, rather than the Civic FD2. I know they’re all the same engine size, Vtec and 6 Speed but there are differences between them and the FD2 is a slightly later model.I have a CL7 Accord, so same engine, gearbox etc as the FD2 in a slightly less refined package (and half the price). It puts a smile on my face every single time I drive it, even a drive to the supermarket feels like an occasion. You can't be lazy driving these cars however, the clutch can be quite bitey and short ratio boxes mean that you're kept busy! I sometimes just jump in the Mrs A3 to long a slug up the motorway because its leagues more comfortable.
As the previous poster touched on, you do have to get used to ringing it's neck to make the most of that K20 though. FD2 is the only car I can think of that I would replace my Accord with at this moment in time.
They rust badly and have typical tinny Japanese build quality although it sounds like you are used to that.
The good qualities have already been stated by other posters, just watch for rust.
I was considering one but as a daily I think it would start getting crusty pretty quickly and I'd tire of the light build quality which is basically the same as my Mrs FN1.
The good qualities have already been stated by other posters, just watch for rust.
I was considering one but as a daily I think it would start getting crusty pretty quickly and I'd tire of the light build quality which is basically the same as my Mrs FN1.
Thanks for all the replies, really confirms that it's a great fun car whilst being fairly easy to live with and not stupid expensive to run either. I'm aware of the rust issues and would be lying if I said it didn't bother me, we have an old Honda frv and thats getting pretty crusty now, and of course a 1974 MG midget, so fast dissolving cars are something I have a lot of experience with...
However as said above I think you can mitigate against this to a greater extent by getting a fresh import and having it treated properly from the get go, as well as being fairly strict with your cleaning and just not using when the roads are salty.
Just need to decide between bhp and tgt now, both appear to be amongst the best out there.
However as said above I think you can mitigate against this to a greater extent by getting a fresh import and having it treated properly from the get go, as well as being fairly strict with your cleaning and just not using when the roads are salty.
Just need to decide between bhp and tgt now, both appear to be amongst the best out there.
I wouldn't totally discount cars already in the UK as most are very well looked after and won't see any winter road salt.
As I already mentioned, mine doesn't see any bad weather or winter months but I've still taken measures - inner arches and sills have been coated with Dinitrol and all holes on the underside have been pumped with cavity wax. The painted rim of the rear arch also has extra layers of lacquer which I'll often using a touch-in brush.
I'm not alone with carrying out such maintenance.
As I already mentioned, mine doesn't see any bad weather or winter months but I've still taken measures - inner arches and sills have been coated with Dinitrol and all holes on the underside have been pumped with cavity wax. The painted rim of the rear arch also has extra layers of lacquer which I'll often using a touch-in brush.
I'm not alone with carrying out such maintenance.
rossub said:
You sure about that? I thought the Accord had the same engine and box as the Integra DC5, rather than the Civic FD2. I know they’re all the same engine size, Vtec and 6 Speed but there are differences between them and the FD2 is a slightly later model.
Well yes, its a later revision of the engine but it's still the K20A, found in the FD2, CL7, DC5 and JDM EP3.Gassing Station | Honda | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff