2003 Honda Civic Type R Japanese Import
Discussion
So, a couple of weeks ago I made the latest in a long line of financial mistakes with the purchase of a new car, a 2003 Honda Civic Type R.
For some reason, I've longed after owning a Japanese market hot hatch for longer than I can remember. I suspect I played too much Gran Turismo and watched too much Initial D. Despite this, the closest I've come up to this point was a UK Impreza Estate.
Anyway, about the car:
- It's a 2003 pre-facelift Japanese import finished in Championship White with matching wheels.
- Being a Japanese import, it's got a standard fit LSD and the same K20A engine and short ratio gearbox as a DC5 Integra Type R. This means slightly higher compression and more aggressive cams than a UK car. It also has a slightly higher rev limit at 8400rpm.
- It's got some fancy red Recaro seats the same as the later UK Premier editions but finished entirely in red.
- It's totally standard as far as I can tell with exception of a stainless exhaust.
Here's a few pics:
Despite being 20 years old now, the condition of the car is pretty crazy. Since its an import, it’s missing the standard fit rust of the majority of UK cars. The underside is nearly spotless. The only age related marks to speak of are some minor blemishes in the paintwork to be expected and some sun damage to the wiper stalk and steering wheel. The steering wheel especially is in really rough shape and will be going to Royal for a re-trim imminently.
It has tons of small character additions such as a toll card reader and various stickers that are totally irrelevant now it lives in the UK. It even still has the flare and holder.
Plans so far for the car are to keep it relatively standard and enjoy driving it, though I already have a laundry list of jobs planned for the future:
- Although the car came with 4 matching tyres, they were Rovelo RPX-988's. Heard of them? Me neither. These will be getting swapped out for some Yokos in the near future along with a wheel refurb.
- The gear shift is a little sloppy with plenty of play on the gear stick while in gear. So a new shifter assembly is on the horizon.
Already can’t wait to get back behind the wheel!
For some reason, I've longed after owning a Japanese market hot hatch for longer than I can remember. I suspect I played too much Gran Turismo and watched too much Initial D. Despite this, the closest I've come up to this point was a UK Impreza Estate.
Anyway, about the car:
- It's a 2003 pre-facelift Japanese import finished in Championship White with matching wheels.
- Being a Japanese import, it's got a standard fit LSD and the same K20A engine and short ratio gearbox as a DC5 Integra Type R. This means slightly higher compression and more aggressive cams than a UK car. It also has a slightly higher rev limit at 8400rpm.
- It's got some fancy red Recaro seats the same as the later UK Premier editions but finished entirely in red.
- It's totally standard as far as I can tell with exception of a stainless exhaust.
Here's a few pics:
Despite being 20 years old now, the condition of the car is pretty crazy. Since its an import, it’s missing the standard fit rust of the majority of UK cars. The underside is nearly spotless. The only age related marks to speak of are some minor blemishes in the paintwork to be expected and some sun damage to the wiper stalk and steering wheel. The steering wheel especially is in really rough shape and will be going to Royal for a re-trim imminently.
It has tons of small character additions such as a toll card reader and various stickers that are totally irrelevant now it lives in the UK. It even still has the flare and holder.
Plans so far for the car are to keep it relatively standard and enjoy driving it, though I already have a laundry list of jobs planned for the future:
- Although the car came with 4 matching tyres, they were Rovelo RPX-988's. Heard of them? Me neither. These will be getting swapped out for some Yokos in the near future along with a wheel refurb.
- The gear shift is a little sloppy with plenty of play on the gear stick while in gear. So a new shifter assembly is on the horizon.
Already can’t wait to get back behind the wheel!
Stunning; they suit Championship White so well 
Having seen so many of these pass through my pals garage - Grinspeed - IMO, keep it as OEM as possible and it'll retain its value, if not go up!
Get it undersealed and it'll last very well indeed
Having just sold my previous Japanese import BMW; as you say, the condition of these cars is heads above any UK version...
Having seen so many of these pass through my pals garage - Grinspeed - IMO, keep it as OEM as possible and it'll retain its value, if not go up!
Get it undersealed and it'll last very well indeed
Having just sold my previous Japanese import BMW; as you say, the condition of these cars is heads above any UK version...
Lovely car OP, good purchase and looks immaculate!
d_a_n1979 said:
Stunning; they suit Championship White so well
Funnily enough i've always thought how much worse CW looks on EP3/DC5 and later era cars vs the EK9s/DC2s of the 90s, just makes them look much older/worn than they are to me - I must be getting old!Looks great. I am 100% with you that the steering wheel needs doing sharpish.
For a suggestion to replace the shifter (and cables if you're feeling flush) - I have a Hybrid Racing one and it's superb. https://areamotorsport.co.uk/product/hybrid-racing...
Also, if you're feeling flush, Kansai Service do a lowered seat rail for the drivers seat (I have just ordered one as the drivers seat is too high IMO) which bolts straight to the Premier/JDM recaros and lowers by around 30mm - https://areamotorsport.co.uk/product/hybrid-racing... works out about £250 delivered.
Welcome to the EP3 club!
For a suggestion to replace the shifter (and cables if you're feeling flush) - I have a Hybrid Racing one and it's superb. https://areamotorsport.co.uk/product/hybrid-racing...
Also, if you're feeling flush, Kansai Service do a lowered seat rail for the drivers seat (I have just ordered one as the drivers seat is too high IMO) which bolts straight to the Premier/JDM recaros and lowers by around 30mm - https://areamotorsport.co.uk/product/hybrid-racing... works out about £250 delivered.
Welcome to the EP3 club!
Thanks for all the kind replies!
I got a couple of jobs knocked off the list at the weekend namely giving the car a really good clean inside and out.
I had the seats and centre console trims out and the amount of filth was... probably to be expected for a 20 year old car. After a wet vac and a good scrubbling, the carpets came up like new.
It was a similar story with the seats, after a good scrub, they were looking fresh again. Drivers seat has a bit of sun fade, but nothing too bad.
Also had the wheels off and gave all the arches and sills a good clean out along with the sills. There is zero rust to speak of under the car, really happy with the condition. Just need to underseal it next. Has anyone had any experiences they'd like to share with underseal products? Or is it worth spending a bit more to have a professional do the job?
I looked at the Hybrid Racing one, Is it worth the extra cash over the Revo/Buddyclub unit?
A lowered seat rail would be an idea, though I'm not that tall, might end up looking like a hobbit driving it around!
I got a couple of jobs knocked off the list at the weekend namely giving the car a really good clean inside and out.
I had the seats and centre console trims out and the amount of filth was... probably to be expected for a 20 year old car. After a wet vac and a good scrubbling, the carpets came up like new.
It was a similar story with the seats, after a good scrub, they were looking fresh again. Drivers seat has a bit of sun fade, but nothing too bad.
Also had the wheels off and gave all the arches and sills a good clean out along with the sills. There is zero rust to speak of under the car, really happy with the condition. Just need to underseal it next. Has anyone had any experiences they'd like to share with underseal products? Or is it worth spending a bit more to have a professional do the job?
The Rotrex Kid said:
Looks great. I am 100% with you that the steering wheel needs doing sharpish.
For a suggestion to replace the shifter (and cables if you're feeling flush) - I have a Hybrid Racing one and it's superb. https://areamotorsport.co.uk/product/hybrid-racing...
Also, if you're feeling flush, Kansai Service do a lowered seat rail for the drivers seat (I have just ordered one as the drivers seat is too high IMO) which bolts straight to the Premier/JDM recaros and lowers by around 30mm - https://areamotorsport.co.uk/product/hybrid-racing... works out about £250 delivered.
Welcome to the EP3 club!
Thanks man! The replacement arrived from Royal today, so I'll be posting an update shortly.For a suggestion to replace the shifter (and cables if you're feeling flush) - I have a Hybrid Racing one and it's superb. https://areamotorsport.co.uk/product/hybrid-racing...
Also, if you're feeling flush, Kansai Service do a lowered seat rail for the drivers seat (I have just ordered one as the drivers seat is too high IMO) which bolts straight to the Premier/JDM recaros and lowers by around 30mm - https://areamotorsport.co.uk/product/hybrid-racing... works out about £250 delivered.
Welcome to the EP3 club!
I looked at the Hybrid Racing one, Is it worth the extra cash over the Revo/Buddyclub unit?
A lowered seat rail would be an idea, though I'm not that tall, might end up looking like a hobbit driving it around!
Re: underseal I'd get it done professionally.
I used JR classics on my Evo and can recommend then. They're based in Doncaster.
https://www.jrclassics.co.uk
I used JR classics on my Evo and can recommend then. They're based in Doncaster.
https://www.jrclassics.co.uk
Awesome car, congratulations.
In my early teens I enjoyed reading the Type R brochure my dad picked up from a dealer, I’ve never really forgiven him for not pulling the trigger at the time. It was such a cool car then, and is definitely a modern classic! That’s got to be one of the best examples money can buy.
In my early teens I enjoyed reading the Type R brochure my dad picked up from a dealer, I’ve never really forgiven him for not pulling the trigger at the time. It was such a cool car then, and is definitely a modern classic! That’s got to be one of the best examples money can buy.
The replacement steering wheel arrived from Royal Steering Wheels yesterday so I didn't waste any time getting the manky old wheel changed over.
Safe to say the old wheel was past it's best, though I don't think I've seen one so badly worn before.
Not everybody's cup of tea I'm sure, but I chose to have the replacement trimmed in Alcantara 9040 with red stitching. It's another one of those that I've always wanted to do on one of my cars.
No doubt it'll be a bugger to keep clean but man does it feel nice in the hand. Top quality job all round by Royal too. Would highly recommend if you're on the fence about it.
The only thing that wasn't retained was the "MOMO" embossing at the base of the wheel. The wheel's themselves were identical other than that.
And fitted, in my not-so-professional opinion it really sets the interior off. Without a doubt, the best thing I've done to the car so far.
Safe to say the old wheel was past it's best, though I don't think I've seen one so badly worn before.
Not everybody's cup of tea I'm sure, but I chose to have the replacement trimmed in Alcantara 9040 with red stitching. It's another one of those that I've always wanted to do on one of my cars.
No doubt it'll be a bugger to keep clean but man does it feel nice in the hand. Top quality job all round by Royal too. Would highly recommend if you're on the fence about it.
The only thing that wasn't retained was the "MOMO" embossing at the base of the wheel. The wheel's themselves were identical other than that.
And fitted, in my not-so-professional opinion it really sets the interior off. Without a doubt, the best thing I've done to the car so far.
That looks incredible. I had a 2005 facelift EP3 about 15 years ago and absolutely loved the thing....I just wished it had a few more bhp, red seats and was CW. (i.e. JDM). I'd love to get back into one.
May I ask, what with the poor exchange rate and higher shipping costs, can you advise roughly what that has cost as an OTR price?
May I ask, what with the poor exchange rate and higher shipping costs, can you advise roughly what that has cost as an OTR price?
Love it!
I had a Milano Red EP3 I bought brand new and put the plate H20 CTR on it (are you out there still?)
At the time they had a lot of haters about looks etc, but I always loved it. Fabulous engine and gearbox. Rear can be a bit light if pushing too hard but nothing a little throttle doesn't cure
Always loved the JDM imports, congratulations!
I had a Milano Red EP3 I bought brand new and put the plate H20 CTR on it (are you out there still?)
At the time they had a lot of haters about looks etc, but I always loved it. Fabulous engine and gearbox. Rear can be a bit light if pushing too hard but nothing a little throttle doesn't cure
Always loved the JDM imports, congratulations!
jamesb89 said:
The replacement steering wheel arrived from Royal Steering Wheels yesterday so I didn't waste any time getting the manky old wheel changed over.
Safe to say the old wheel was past it's best, though I don't think I've seen one so badly worn before.
Not everybody's cup of tea I'm sure, but I chose to have the replacement trimmed in Alcantara 9040 with red stitching. It's another one of those that I've always wanted to do on one of my cars.
No doubt it'll be a bugger to keep clean but man does it feel nice in the hand. Top quality job all round by Royal too. Would highly recommend if you're on the fence about it.
The only thing that wasn't retained was the "MOMO" embossing at the base of the wheel. The wheel's themselves were identical other than that.
And fitted, in my not-so-professional opinion it really sets the interior off. Without a doubt, the best thing I've done to the car so far.
The alcantara wheel looks spot on; always loved alcantara wheels but not good for me with rough hands through all the chalk I use in training!Safe to say the old wheel was past it's best, though I don't think I've seen one so badly worn before.
Not everybody's cup of tea I'm sure, but I chose to have the replacement trimmed in Alcantara 9040 with red stitching. It's another one of those that I've always wanted to do on one of my cars.
No doubt it'll be a bugger to keep clean but man does it feel nice in the hand. Top quality job all round by Royal too. Would highly recommend if you're on the fence about it.
The only thing that wasn't retained was the "MOMO" embossing at the base of the wheel. The wheel's themselves were identical other than that.
And fitted, in my not-so-professional opinion it really sets the interior off. Without a doubt, the best thing I've done to the car so far.
Can't believe how bad the original steering wheel was; had they been chewing it?!
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