FN2 over EP3. Am I mad?

[Super Sonic]

Hi I'm looking at buying a CTRas a daily, and the consensus seems to be the EP3 is better than the FN2, but I'm thinking of getting a fn because;
It's newer, so should be in better condition and last longer,
The mk8 in general is a better car than the mk7, nicer interior, better equipped .
The fn has 6 gears, so will be better for motorways, and use less fuel
The ep has a reputation for being a bit hardcore, w hard springs and minimal sound deadening.
I had a mk 7 before, a 5 Dr, and it felt like I was driving a van. I wasn't that keen on having the gearstick on the dash.
This is a replacement for my dearly missed ch1 atr, will I be disappointed w the ride, performance and handling?
Budget 5k btw.

[Dave.]

They're both 6sp.

I found the FN2 a harder/worse ride than the EP3, but my FN2 was brand new whereas the EP3 that followed it was on 70k miles so maybe that was half of it.

Definitely try both before deciding, They're massively different cars, even if they do have the same running gear.

[Super Sonic]

Ok thanks Dave

[anonymous-user]

I chose an fn2 over an ep3 for a few reasons but mostly because i much prefer the looks and i love the heads up dash, and all the ep3s around locally were either much more expensive for a much older and higher mileage car (usually at least twice the price), or they looked knackered.

Also I dont put much stock in the opinions of a certain lanky tv presenter.

Quite possibly the ep3 is a bit better on a track or when driving at maximum attack, but seeing as i do neither then the fn2 made more sense.

The ride is a bit harsh compared to some vehicles, but its not spine breaking or anything like that as some would have you believe and you get used to it quickly enough, although i am not sure i would want to rack up commuting miles in it though, it seems like an odd choice for doing that.

[GR86]

Nope, thinking the same could be a nice little fun shed.

Am I dreaming or does the FN2 suffer from rust less than the EP3?

[Super Sonic]

Thanks Jim, I won't be commuting but I will be taking the odd trip to Manchester and back (from the s. coast,=600miles) and I do volunteer driving, although nobody complained when I had the atr lowered on Meister R coilovers!

[StuE39]

I've owned a EP3 and now a FN2.

No, you're not mad.

The FN2 really doesn't ride that hard now compared to most new hot hatches. Top Gears review back in 2007 should be ignored now as many cars have stiffer suspension, bigger wheels, low profile tyres etc. Honda were simply ahead of the game.

If the ride does become an issue, Eibach -25mm progressive springs reduce the harshness anyway (noticed a difference when I replaced my OEM springs with Eibachs).

The FN2 has improved sound deadening over the EP3 and is actually quite a pleasant and relatively quiet place to sit for the type of car it is. I've noticed that some FN2s have white paper type bags behind plastic panels (i.e. boot trim panel) and some don't. My 07 does have this (yet I've seen a 58 plate without it) and seems pretty quiet as stated above. If you view one check for this as FN2s without the extra sound isolation padding may be louder on the motorway etc.

Power wise and the infamous 1 HP more can also be ignored. VTEC comes in at 5400 RPM rather than 5800ish on the EP3 and that makes a nice improvement on accessing performance. Gear ratios are perfectly matched so you never really feel the car lacks torque unless you floor it in 6th at 20 MPH. Many dynos also show the FN2 to produce around 210 HP opposed to the 200 HP the EP3 produces, typically. This is down to many improvements on the K20Z4 vs K20A engine (improved head).

I feel the FN2 gets a lot of unfair stick as it's actually a great car and the last of the NA VTECs.

[Beethree]

Super Sonic said:

Hi I'm looking at buying a CTRas a daily, and the consensus seems to be the EP3 is better than the FN2, but I'm thinking of getting a fn because;
It's newer, so should be in better condition and last longer,
The mk8 in general is a better car than the mk7, nicer interior, better equipped .
The fn has 6 gears, so will be better for motorways, and use less fuel
The ep has a reputation for being a bit hardcore, w hard springs and minimal sound deadening.
I had a mk 7 before, a 5 Dr, and it felt like I was driving a van. I wasn't that keen on having the gearstick on the dash.
This is a replacement for my dearly missed ch1 atr, will I be disappointed w the ride, performance and handling?
Budget 5k btw.

With an EP3 you’ll be disappointed by the awful steering feel after an ATR (can’t comment on a FN2 as I’ve not had one). Would definitely recommend trying both first!

[Super Sonic]

Stuf 39 ok thanks that's great very informative :-)

[RichFN2]

Super Sonic said:

The fn has 6 gears, so will be better for motorways, and use less fuel
.

Just a heads up, the FN2 has a closer ratio gearbox so you will be sitting at a slightly higher rpm compared to the EP3. From what I have read this is due to Honda wanting a larger/heavier oil sump so that there was a little more room for error with people who wont check the oil as often as Honda state (someone with more technical knowledge will be able to explain it better).

I opted for the FN2 as it offered much better VFM 6 years ago, was more practical and much more modern feeling compared to my mates pre facelift EP3. His car was a lovely example but it did feel extremely dated. Neither exactly loaded with technology but the digital dash, shift lights and unique rev counter do give the car a futuristic feel for its age.

[Super Sonic]

Thanks Rich fn2 I think I'll do the same get an fn as it well mean I can get a better one for the money. It does look much more modern inside and out, very spaceship-y.
Thanks everyone:-)

[Vsix and Vtec]

I daily an FN2, if you're going to do any distance commutes, get the GT spec. It had nice extras like Xenon headlights and cruise control. If you get one of the very late ones (2010 or 2011) you also get the LSD too, as found on the Championship White edition. Don't bother seeking out the SatNav trimmed ones, it's quite dated, I just sit my phone in a cradle and Google Maps it.

Make sure it's been well serviced, things like the valve clearances at every 25k miles often get neglected by shoestring owners. Honda do fixed price services, so it's pretty reasonable to main dealer your car.

[Master Of Puppets]

Had several of both and work on others regularly, the one thing above all else I would advise any potential purchaser of either...
get underneath it and check how far it has deteriorated with corrosion, many now at the stage of being scrapped they are that rotten.

[havoc]

Master Of Puppets said:

Had several of both and work on others regularly, the one thing above all else I would advise any potential purchaser of either...
get underneath it and check how far it has deteriorated with corrosion, many now at the stage of being scrapped they are that rotten.

This.

...but also get a diff-equipped one if you can of either sort (Jap import EP3s came with a diff), as it makes a big difference to what you can do with the car.

[Super Sonic]

havoc said:

This.

...but also get a diff-equipped one if you can of either sort (Jap import EP3s came with a diff), as it makes a big difference to what you can do with the car.

Had LSD on my atr, it's definitely worth having, but I think it'll be outta my budget.

[R-Mann]

I'd go with the one you prefer driving and just check it for abuse, wear and rust.

Build quality on EP3 is better than FN2. You need to watch out for rust on both tbh.
I've had a 2004 EP3 when new, then an FN2, and gone back to the EP3 Premier Edition. I prefer the character and way the EP3 drives. It is also more roomy and practical inside.
Ride is definitely much more harsh on FN2 - I used mine for commuting down country lanes and found the FN2 too harsh. EP3 is much better at soaking up the bumps.
FN2 feels like a (slightly) more refined and a heavier car.
FN2 also has shorter gearing, so EP3 is likely to be slightly more fuel efficient- but not noticeably for how I used it.

[R-Mann]

If you put PS4 tyres on it, you won't have issues with traction on the road. LSD isn't essential unless you are on track or driving the car on the absolute limit. Even then, the standard UK non-LSD does a pretty decent job!

Super Sonic said:

Had LSD on my atr, it's definitely worth having, but I think it'll be outta my budget.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

They are both old cars now so regardless of what people say about the engine the rest of the car will have you on Google and at garages on your days off on your days off.

[Vsix and Vtec]

Hugo Stiglitz said:

They are both old cars now so regardless of what people say about the engine the rest of the car will have you on Google and at garages on your days off on your days off.

Mr Stiglitz, not with a Honda. If the car has been maintained, these things (irrespective of age) put anything else to shame for reliability. Join a Honda specific forum (CivInfo etc) and service it every year, the rest is hassle free. At worst, you might get some AC gremlins, or spurious electric warnings when the battery is dying. My partner and I both have one, they just need servicing and fuel.

[Super Sonic]

Hugo Stiglitz said:

They are both old cars now so regardless of what people say about the engine the rest of the car will have you on Google and at garages on your days off on your days off.

You're talking nonsense.