Golf R vs Civic Type R

[KarlMac]

Last few years I’ve run two cars, normally some sort of classic/performance car alongside a daily snotter. Recently sold my Corvette to help with a house purchase, now that’s settled down I’m looking to get back into something more interesting/fast.

I’ve always been a big fan of running two cars and saving the nice one for ‘best’ but recently I’ve had a change of heart. feels pointless driving round in a shed and having something under a cover for half the year so I’m going back to a fast daily driver.

I really, really like the FK8 Honda Civic Type R, has lots of good reviews and prices seem to be coming down to sensible levels (sub £30k now).

On the other side I’ve been looking at the Golf R Estates - they can be had for quite a bit cheaper and would be much more practical as a family car, but would be older/higher miles and there’s more ‘questionable’ examples out there.

Really interested to hear from owners as it’s a bit of a heart vs head discussion. Me and my wife absolutely love the FK8 but the Golf R probably does more.

Edited by KarlMac on Thursday 2nd November 13:12

[CG2020UK]

If you like the looks (I love them) I’d go the Type R.

Instead of a Golf R how about the Golf GTI TCR/Clubsport?

Also Renault Megane RS Trophy be right up there.

https://www.evo.co.uk/hot-hatchback/201893/renault...

Edited by CG2020UK on Thursday 2nd November 13:26

[culpz]

The Golf R will be the nicer place to sit and better daily, when you just need a car to be a car. But, also good fun when the mood takes you. Type R will still do the daily stuff pretty well, but not as good as the Golf. However, when on the right roads and out for a hoon, the Civic will be an absolute riot.

It's a tough choice. I'm a sucker for a decent automatic/dual-clutch with flappy-paddles, so for me, the Golf would just take it as an all-rounder. Could also look at a Leon Cupra, estate or hatch, for a bit more fun. The older estates are FWD and the newer ones are AWD, same as the Golf.

Edited by culpz on Friday 3rd November 09:12

[Belle427]

Depends what you need it to do as a family car.
Go with your heart if the Civic will work for you.

[kurokawa]

I dont have a Golf R and FK8 but just give you some reference

I had a Mk7 GTI and a FK2

the GTI is perfect family car, comfortable, quiet, DSG work like a charm, get you from A to B, not much fun though

FK2 is not as comfortable, but way more fun, it is one of the best MT on the market, in comfort mode the car is bit boring, in R mode it is very harsh but great fun on country road

[JNW1]

Personally I'd struggle to get on with the Loony Tunes styling of the Civic Type R but then I am getting on a bit now! But if you can live with the looks I'd say Honda all the way - by all accounts excellent dynamically and one of the best manual boxes available is the icing on the cake.

[nick1871]

In case you aren’t aware already, the FK8 is only a 4 seater, no middle belt in the back. I was all set on buying one but regularly carry 3 kids in the back so couldn’t proceed sadly.

[biggbn]

JNW1 said:

Personally I'd struggle to get on with the Loony Tunes styling of the Civic Type R but then I am getting on a bit now! But if you can live with the looks I'd say Honda all the way - by all accounts excellent dynamically and one of the best manual boxes available is the icing on the cake.

I'm no spring chicken but adore the Civic.

[TameRacingDriver]

culpz said:

The Golf R will be the place to sit and better daily, when you just need a car to be a car. But, also good fun when the mood takes you. Type R will still do the daily stuff pretty well, but not as good as the Golf. However, when on the right roads and out for a hoon, the Civic will be an absolute riot.

In my book, both of those cars are practically luxury cars. You can't really say a Type-R is hardcore nowadays, as it's got a very well appointed and luxurious cabin and some of the best seats to grace any car at any price (IMO).

For me, it would really boil down to whether you want the AWD system and the benefits it provides.

Oddly enough, I actually class the Type R as a less chavvy vehicle than the Golf R, despite how they look Although to be fair I think the Golf R estate the OP mentions is a lot better in that respect as the chavs basically ignore the estate.

[NicheMonkey]

Although they are both hot hatches they are very different cars. The Golf is refined but a bit boring, safe 4wd very quick off the line and has a nice interior/tech. The Civic is a proper drivers car and much less refined, all depends on what you want IMO.

[JNW1]

biggbn said:

JNW1 said:

Personally I'd struggle to get on with the Loony Tunes styling of the Civic Type R but then I am getting on a bit now! But if you can live with the looks I'd say Honda all the way - by all accounts excellent dynamically and one of the best manual boxes available is the icing on the cake.

I'm no spring chicken but adore the Civic.

At my age I'd feel a bit embarrassed getting out of something so overtly boy racer and I certainly wouldn't welcome the attention it would no doubt attract from some other drivers - much prefer something understated to try to fly below the radar but ETTO!

[Zarco]

JNW1 said:

Personally I'd struggle to get on with the Loony Tunes styling of the Civic Type R but then I am getting on a bit now! But if you can live with the looks I'd say Honda all the way - by all accounts excellent dynamically and one of the best manual boxes available is the icing on the cake.

I'm not a massive fan of the styling but it will definitely be far more of a drivers car than the Golf. I'd take the Civic no question.

[keo]

JNW1 said:

At my age I'd feel a bit embarrassed getting out of something so overtly boy racer and I certainly wouldn't welcome the attention it would no doubt attract from some other drivers - much prefer something understated to try to fly below the radar but ETTO!

The older I have got the less I have cared about what other people think. (People don’t care anyway!)

I’d go for the civic, never driven one but by all accounts they are great fun.

[RichFN2]

Type R but in sportline trim. Toned done looks, smaller alloys and a more subdued interior in black.

Looks more like a Civic sport
https://www.evo.co.uk/honda/civic-type-r/204026/ho...

[biggbn]

JNW1 said:

biggbn said:

JNW1 said:

Personally I'd struggle to get on with the Loony Tunes styling of the Civic Type R but then I am getting on a bit now! But if you can live with the looks I'd say Honda all the way - by all accounts excellent dynamically and one of the best manual boxes available is the icing on the cake.

I'm no spring chicken but adore the Civic.

At my age I'd feel a bit embarrassed getting out of something so overtly boy racer and I certainly wouldn't welcome the attention it would no doubt attract from some other drivers - much prefer something understated to try to fly below the radar but ETTO!

I don't care, never have, never will, what other people think. Drive what you want when you want just drive it well...

[KarlMac]

Thanks for the input everyone, some really good feedback.

I don’t need anything super practical, I’ve got two young daughters (5 & 9) and the problem has been the last few cars I’ve had have all been two seaters, so if I want to take the car out at the weekend I’m either going on my own or taking two cars. A hatchback with a decent rear opening is more than enough for the occasional run to IKEA or the tip.

Spotted a few FK8s near me so going to try and get some test drives over the next few days, I think my heart is set on one and I’m trying to find a reason not to get one.

Oh and challenging looking cars aren’t a problem for me, life’s too short to worry about that!

Thanks again.

[ZX10R NIN]

Get the Civic.

[Dblue]

culpz said:

The Golf R will be the place to sit and better daily, when you just need a car to be a car. But, also good fun when the mood takes you. Type R will still do the daily stuff pretty well, but not as good as the Golf. However, when on the right roads and out for a hoon, the Civic will be an absolute riot.

It's a tough choice. I'm a sucker for a decent automatic/dual-clutch with flappy-paddles, so for me, the Golf would just take it as an all-rounder. Could also look at a Leon Cupra, estate or hatch, for a bit more fun. The older estates are FWD and the newer ones are AWD, same as the Golf.

The Honda does all the daily stuff every bit as well as the Golf, there is no compromise required and its just flat out a better drivers car Every Honda comes loaded with stuff VW charge extra for (Like variable dampers for example ) except an auto box and 4WD.
I've run both and the Honda is a slightly bigger car in day to day duties.

[Super Sonic]

Civic. I'm a bit biased, I'm on my sixth!

[JNW1]

biggbn said:

JNW1 said:

biggbn said:

JNW1 said:

Personally I'd struggle to get on with the Loony Tunes styling of the Civic Type R but then I am getting on a bit now! But if you can live with the looks I'd say Honda all the way - by all accounts excellent dynamically and one of the best manual boxes available is the icing on the cake.

I'm no spring chicken but adore the Civic.

At my age I'd feel a bit embarrassed getting out of something so overtly boy racer and I certainly wouldn't welcome the attention it would no doubt attract from some other drivers - much prefer something understated to try to fly below the radar but ETTO!

I don't care, never have, never will, what other people think. Drive what you want when you want just drive it well...

It's not about what others think, it's about how I would feel and personally I wouldn't feel right in something as in your face and extrovert as a Type R; others obviously feel different - and that's absolutely fine - but it's not for me.