Test drove a CTR today

[Kitch88]

Hey guys,

Test drove an EP3 CTR today, an 05 plate with 50k and FHSH, which I believe was a premier model? (It had Recaro seats, red carpets, A/C etc.)

Few points I was hoping for advice on:

• The Honda dealer wants £9995 for it, which after looking through the classifieds seems way too high to me - as this is the first car I've bought how much do you think it would be possible for me to get discounted? ETA: Paying in full in cash, no trade-in
• The car drove fantastically, however there was a 'whirring' noise while driving that the salesman didn't seem to understand either, he guessed that it was due to the car not being driven in a while.
• And finally is there any other advice & knowledge you could give me about this car

Thanks

Edited by Kitch88 on Thursday 6th May 23:27

[tkdsteve08]

Hi That 'whirring' noise is the same across all ep3 type r's they are chain driven engines instead of a belt and thats the noise they make

as for the price i would be looking at more 8k

[Animal]

Check the tyres fully: do the fronts have plenty of tread left? Are all tyres evenly worn? Full service history? How is the bodywork? Is all the interior trim OK?

As for price, that does seem really high. Get a few comparables and see if you can establish an average price and aim for that (if you want the car).

Remember, it the salesperson's job to make you commit to buying at the highest possible price and to make you feel downright uncomfortable and guilty about leaving without spending all your money! Remember also that it's your decision and your money - and that there are plenty of CTRs for sale out there!

Good luck,

Animal

[Kitch88]

Animal said:

Check the tyres fully: do the fronts have plenty of tread left? Are all tyres evenly worn? Full service history? How is the bodywork? Is all the interior trim OK?

Full Honda History, will also get 1 years warranty & AA breakdown cover if buying from them

Bodywork and trim seem tip-top, although I wasn't overly thorough - will go have another look tomorrow.

They just rung me saying the price has been reduced to £9250, if I was to get them down to £8750 would that be a more reasonable price - or should I try even lower??

[tkdsteve08]

i brought mine for 8k the same spec as yours with one oner from new

[Kitch88]

tkdsteve08 said:

i brought mine for 8k the same spec as yours with one oner from new

I see, was that private or through a dealer?

[Turbo5]

Look on the forum and see if anybody knows the car, its history etc. http://civictype-r.co.uk/forum/

Also look at the classifieds

[Animal]

Kitch88 said:

Animal said:

Check the tyres fully: do the fronts have plenty of tread left? Are all tyres evenly worn? Full service history? How is the bodywork? Is all the interior trim OK?

Full Honda History, will also get 1 years warranty & AA breakdown cover if buying from them

Bodywork and trim seem tip-top, although I wasn't overly thorough - will go have another look tomorrow.

They just rung me saying the price has been reduced to £9250, if I was to get them down to £8750 would that be a more reasonable price - or should I try even lower??

£8,750 is much better. I wouldn't expect anything less than a year's warranty and breakdown cover when buying from a main dealer, tbh. You're a cash buyer so no messing around with trade-ins that they've got to send out. Are you using finance? If so, get them to give you a quote and them fight them over the repayments.

How long have they had the car? How many owners?

Other things to ask for (where appropriate):
- Fresh tyres/brakes (if needed)
- Is the next service due soon? If so, will they do it before you collect? Ditto MOT (they should do this anyway)
- Does the car come with a full set of mats? If not, will they throw some in?
- 6/12 months' tax?
- Full tank of petrol?
- How about a fixed price deal on servicing?

Remember, you can always walk away if the deal isn't right for you.

[Kitch88]

Animal said:

Kitch88 said:

Animal said:

Check the tyres fully: do the fronts have plenty of tread left? Are all tyres evenly worn? Full service history? How is the bodywork? Is all the interior trim OK?

Full Honda History, will also get 1 years warranty & AA breakdown cover if buying from them

Bodywork and trim seem tip-top, although I wasn't overly thorough - will go have another look tomorrow.

They just rung me saying the price has been reduced to £9250, if I was to get them down to £8750 would that be a more reasonable price - or should I try even lower??

£8,750 is much better. I wouldn't expect anything less than a year's warranty and breakdown cover when buying from a main dealer, tbh. You're a cash buyer so no messing around with trade-ins that they've got to send out. Are you using finance? If so, get them to give you a quote and them fight them over the repayments.

How long have they had the car? How many owners?

Other things to ask for (where appropriate):
- Fresh tyres/brakes (if needed)
- Is the next service due soon? If so, will they do it before you collect? Ditto MOT (they should do this anyway)
- Does the car come with a full set of mats? If not, will they throw some in?
- 6/12 months' tax?
- Full tank of petrol?
- How about a fixed price deal on servicing?

Remember, you can always walk away if the deal isn't right for you.

Thanks alot for the advice, very useful! Will be borrowing the money from a family member so won't be using finance...

Will keep all that in mind, going to see it again tomorrow if I get a chance, will hopefully stick some photos up soon

[Holst]

I think its also worth going to see another one as a comparison.
That way you can see if this "whine" is normal and get a better feel for the car.

I did the same when I bought my prelude, the first one I went to see wasn't much good, but I didnt realise until I drove a good example.

[swannynhb]

£8,750 is much better. I wouldn't expect anything less than a year's warranty and breakdown cover when buying from a main dealer, tbh. You're a cash buyer so no messing around with trade-ins that they've got to send out. Are you using finance? If so, get them to give you a quote and them fight them over the repayments.

speaking from a main dealers point of view, the last thing we want is cash buyers, i love trade ins (i make money out of them), and finance is music to my ears as again I can make some money, personally I see the car at 8995 on the forecourt of a honda main dealer (in proper showroom condition), complete with 12 months mot, tax, warranty, recent service and tyres and brakes doing if required. The glasses guide puts the car at 7900 trade, 9450 retail, however theres so many of these around they are not worth book money. I have taken one in as px, a 04 model with 76k full honda history, glasses guide says its worth 6450, it owes me 5550. Theres so much choice, like others have said shop around and if you can't get the deal you want walk away....plenty more fish in the sea as they say.

[itsnotarace]

The whine is the gearbox, they all do it. Some worse than others. Mine's been like it from brand new in 2004, it's never got any worse as time has gone on.

There's a buyers guide here

Common faults are mostly creaky steering rack, problems with engaging 2nd gear when cold and badly setup rear camber which causes feathering on the rear tyres. Oh and paint so thin it will suffer a chip if you so much as look at it.

[tkdsteve08]

if you need to know anything technical let me know as i work for Honda U.K or used to

[Qube]

Kitch88 said:

Will be borrowing the money from a family member so won't be using finance...

Sounds like a buy now, don't pay at all deal. Enjoy !!

[traffman]

Weve owned a nhb ctr for 4 years putting at least 64 thousand on the clock.

Keep and eye on oil levels , if a rattle appears when you back off the throttle it will be the heatshield , ours went so i unbolted it.

Allways put decent oil in , the manual tells you to check it after a run but i can never seem to get a decent reading . Therefore i check it when its cold.

There can be a creak from the steering its usually the spring turning in the cup of the front shocks nowt to worry about .

As yours will be a pre facelift there were various mods done to it and being newer there should be no worries.

Enjoy , i love mine!

[Kitch88]

Thanks very much for all the advice and support

Will be going to collect it in a few hours, then will stick some pics up in a few days

[havoc]

swannynhb said:

...however theres so many of these around they are not worth book money. I have taken one in as px, a 04 model with 76k full honda history, glasses guide says its worth 6450, it owes me 5550. Theres so much choice, like others have said shop around and if you can't get the deal you want walk away....plenty more fish in the sea as they say.

Standard models yes, but the two limited-editions WERE strictly limited.

That said, the differences were all cosmetic, the recaros being the only substantive benefit IMHO.

[swannynhb]

havoc said:

swannynhb said:

...however theres so many of these around they are not worth book money. I have taken one in as px, a 04 model with 76k full honda history, glasses guide says its worth 6450, it owes me 5550. Theres so much choice, like others have said shop around and if you can't get the deal you want walk away....plenty more fish in the sea as they say.

Standard models yes, but the two limited-editions WERE strictly limited.

That said, the differences were all cosmetic, the recaros being the only substantive benefit IMHO.

this is true, and i for one can't see so called limited editions being worth anymore than the 'standard' car

[havoc]

I'd probably pay a £500 premium for the recaros alone (much better than stock seats), but the rest isn't worth much.

[GingerWizard]

If it matters i bought an 05' premier edition in cosmic grey in dec 08' £9950. 19800 miles full honda service history, from the main dealer in ashford. I got a very very good deal, retrospecitivly it was outstanding, no wonder they got taken over.

My clock reads 38K now which is still very low for an 05' car. I would probably value it about 9K now privatly. So i would say the price is a bit steep at 8750.

Gwiz

Edited by GingerWizard on Thursday 13th May 16:53