EP3 vs FN2 - recent ownership opinions needed
Discussion
I'm seriously considering one of the above cars for a weekend / manual car now that the wife's Racing Jazz has sold and she's taken on the F31, as she'll be commuting a lot more when she starts her new job in a few weeks...
I've a budget of £10k - thinking around the £5-£8k mark for the car (depending upon condition, spec etc) and then the rest for any absolute essentials, new brakes/tyres etc and some basic mods
I've not driven an FN2; sat in plenty. And it's a LONG time since I drove an EP3 (and think I remember them sitting a bit high)? At 6ft 4 I'm not keen on having my head in the headliner etc...
- What are your thoughts of both cars and versus between them? Would you own one again (if you don't have one now) and if so, why and which?
- Anything specific I really need to look out for spec wise?
I'm fortunate enough to know Ste & Don at Grinspeed very well; so they'll be the ones looking after the car, as per usual (Ste's looked after my cars now since around 2008)
Cheers
I've a budget of £10k - thinking around the £5-£8k mark for the car (depending upon condition, spec etc) and then the rest for any absolute essentials, new brakes/tyres etc and some basic mods
I've not driven an FN2; sat in plenty. And it's a LONG time since I drove an EP3 (and think I remember them sitting a bit high)? At 6ft 4 I'm not keen on having my head in the headliner etc...
- What are your thoughts of both cars and versus between them? Would you own one again (if you don't have one now) and if so, why and which?
- Anything specific I really need to look out for spec wise?
I'm fortunate enough to know Ste & Don at Grinspeed very well; so they'll be the ones looking after the car, as per usual (Ste's looked after my cars now since around 2008)
Cheers
Owner a couple of FN2s but never an ep3.
I can tell you a well looked after FN2 is a brilliant car!
Main issues a few years ago were the 2nd-3rd gear synchros on early cars and a pretty common rust issue along the roof/windscreen seal. Last I heard these cars were now commonly suffering from drive axles breaking but then they are now in old Honda territory and will need some love.
Last year I found a good example for my nephew and drove it home 30 miles and had an absolute blast - all I kept thinking was this is actually all the car you really need and I had an FK8 and an S2000 at the time.
I can tell you a well looked after FN2 is a brilliant car!
Main issues a few years ago were the 2nd-3rd gear synchros on early cars and a pretty common rust issue along the roof/windscreen seal. Last I heard these cars were now commonly suffering from drive axles breaking but then they are now in old Honda territory and will need some love.
Last year I found a good example for my nephew and drove it home 30 miles and had an absolute blast - all I kept thinking was this is actually all the car you really need and I had an FK8 and an S2000 at the time.
jonathan-ddq71 said:
Owner a couple of FN2s but never an ep3.
I can tell you a well looked after FN2 is a brilliant car!
Main issues a few years ago were the 2nd-3rd gear synchros on early cars and a pretty common rust issue along the roof/windscreen seal. Last I heard these cars were now commonly suffering from drive axles breaking but then they are now in old Honda territory and will need some love.
Last year I found a good example for my nephew and drove it home 30 miles and had an absolute blast - all I kept thinking was this is actually all the car you really need and I had an FK8 and an S2000 at the time.
Cheers for thatI can tell you a well looked after FN2 is a brilliant car!
Main issues a few years ago were the 2nd-3rd gear synchros on early cars and a pretty common rust issue along the roof/windscreen seal. Last I heard these cars were now commonly suffering from drive axles breaking but then they are now in old Honda territory and will need some love.
Last year I found a good example for my nephew and drove it home 30 miles and had an absolute blast - all I kept thinking was this is actually all the car you really need and I had an FK8 and an S2000 at the time.
Yes know well re their foibles, seen a lot in at Grinspeed that have needed a lot of work; but they've clearly been cars run on a shoestring budget and not looked after, at all... But, also seen some superb examples that looked brand new; lots of work/maintenance done and they still had that 'Honda smell' too
I do need to have some proper time in one, so going to reach out via Ste to see if someone can meet me there and let me drive their FN2 to see how I get on with it...
There's also a thought process of sitting on this for a while and seeing what crops up closer to Christmas when folk need £££ that bit more
I'm seriously considering an FD2 as well. Way over budget, but it might be time to go that route before they're not around or prices have shot up etc... £12-£15k should do it
I owned my FN2 for 9 years before a lorry write it off( the current owners might get it back on the road ) and a good friend had a very clean pre facelift EP3.
The FN2 looked much more modern on the inside and outside, his car actually gave me mid 90's vibes when I got in but that might feel very nostalgic in today's world of digital dash and touchscreens.
Eventually mine cost a small fortune in maintenance and general wear and tear, suspension all needed replacing, new clutch was needed by about 90k, front calipers replacing along with all the other usual stuff so bear that in mind.
The biggest service is very expensive and some owners will skip it. Ideally you want one that has been to a Honda specialist every few years for things like valve clearance etc. oil and filter change can be done anywhere.
Gearbox is grumpy when cold but should be the best Manuel gearbox you have used once warmed up, and they should have all had the gearbox oil changed at least once by now.
Physically the FN2 is the slightly wider car which I prefer, but both are huge fun on a b road thrashing the engine to 8k. Despite my new car being so much faster and better equipped I do miss my old one.
The FN2 looked much more modern on the inside and outside, his car actually gave me mid 90's vibes when I got in but that might feel very nostalgic in today's world of digital dash and touchscreens.
Eventually mine cost a small fortune in maintenance and general wear and tear, suspension all needed replacing, new clutch was needed by about 90k, front calipers replacing along with all the other usual stuff so bear that in mind.
The biggest service is very expensive and some owners will skip it. Ideally you want one that has been to a Honda specialist every few years for things like valve clearance etc. oil and filter change can be done anywhere.
Gearbox is grumpy when cold but should be the best Manuel gearbox you have used once warmed up, and they should have all had the gearbox oil changed at least once by now.
Physically the FN2 is the slightly wider car which I prefer, but both are huge fun on a b road thrashing the engine to 8k. Despite my new car being so much faster and better equipped I do miss my old one.
RichFN2 said:
I owned my FN2 for 9 years before a lorry write it off( the current owners might get it back on the road ) and a good friend had a very clean pre facelift EP3.
The FN2 looked much more modern on the inside and outside, his car actually gave me mid 90's vibes when I got in but that might feel very nostalgic in today's world of digital dash and touchscreens.
Eventually mine cost a small fortune in maintenance and general wear and tear, suspension all needed replacing, new clutch was needed by about 90k, front calipers replacing along with all the other usual stuff so bear that in mind.
The biggest service is very expensive and some owners will skip it. Ideally you want one that has been to a Honda specialist every few years for things like valve clearance etc. oil and filter change can be done anywhere.
Gearbox is grumpy when cold but should be the best Manuel gearbox you have used once warmed up, and they should have all had the gearbox oil changed at least once by now.
Physically the FN2 is the slightly wider car which I prefer, but both are huge fun on a b road thrashing the engine to 8k. Despite my new car being so much faster and better equipped I do miss my old one.
Cheers for thatThe FN2 looked much more modern on the inside and outside, his car actually gave me mid 90's vibes when I got in but that might feel very nostalgic in today's world of digital dash and touchscreens.
Eventually mine cost a small fortune in maintenance and general wear and tear, suspension all needed replacing, new clutch was needed by about 90k, front calipers replacing along with all the other usual stuff so bear that in mind.
The biggest service is very expensive and some owners will skip it. Ideally you want one that has been to a Honda specialist every few years for things like valve clearance etc. oil and filter change can be done anywhere.
Gearbox is grumpy when cold but should be the best Manuel gearbox you have used once warmed up, and they should have all had the gearbox oil changed at least once by now.
Physically the FN2 is the slightly wider car which I prefer, but both are huge fun on a b road thrashing the engine to 8k. Despite my new car being so much faster and better equipped I do miss my old one.
Ideally I'd find one that Ste at Grinspeed has looked after/maintained etc; there are plenty out there, but also plenty of s
tboxes too!It's exactly what I'm looking for; B road hooning (when safe/quiet etc)
Due to where I live just outside of Preston; I'm surrounded by B roads, country lanes that lead all over the county really; most of them towards the Ribble Valley but then out to the Fylde etc as well...
I think my plan of action is to sit back a bit and see what crops up; I'd rather pay more for the right example and have a superb base to go off, than a tarted up example that needs too much work...
Ideally absolutely bone stock!
RichFN2 said:
If you find the same issue in the FN2 there is a lever on the right that lowers the seat, fully lowered it feels like your sat on the floor.
Yeah; the FN2s fixed that seating issue thankfully... It's been a LONG time since I sat in an FN2...Our F31 lowers too much even for me; one reason we got the manual seats as the memory seats had me sat too high even when right down...
My E39s with memory seats were the same but they were just that bit lower so it was fine for me, just... Plus the reason why I never went for one with a sunroof!
I owned and loved my EP3. Brilliant car and their popularity has really reflected in their current values.
I owned a Civic, not an FN2, and liked it a lot but sadly people didn't fall for it as much. I had a look the other day and you can really see the difference in values.
If the interior differences are ok with you then it's hard to look past an FN2. I think they still look great and the engine is still a peach but in a different car.
I owned a Civic, not an FN2, and liked it a lot but sadly people didn't fall for it as much. I had a look the other day and you can really see the difference in values.
If the interior differences are ok with you then it's hard to look past an FN2. I think they still look great and the engine is still a peach but in a different car.
Considering they are probably a little cheaper, I'd take an FN2 all day. They feel a lot better to be in than the EP3's which are quite basic.
I know that the EP3s had issues withe the EPS rack, my EV1 is badly let down by the steering. It has an awful feel to it being very dead around centre and not self centring coming out of corners. Just be aware and try to drive a couple to get a feel for this.
I know that the EP3s had issues withe the EPS rack, my EV1 is badly let down by the steering. It has an awful feel to it being very dead around centre and not self centring coming out of corners. Just be aware and try to drive a couple to get a feel for this.
Matt_T said:
Considering they are probably a little cheaper, I'd take an FN2 all day. They feel a lot better to be in than the EP3's which are quite basic.
I know that the EP3s had issues withe the EPS rack, my EV1 is badly let down by the steering. It has an awful feel to it being very dead around centre and not self centring coming out of corners. Just be aware and try to drive a couple to get a feel for this.
Cheers... As soon as I've time & head space, I'll be heading out to look at a few locally I think. I know that the EP3s had issues withe the EPS rack, my EV1 is badly let down by the steering. It has an awful feel to it being very dead around centre and not self centring coming out of corners. Just be aware and try to drive a couple to get a feel for this.
Does a premier edition ep3 with the recaro seats sit lower than a fn2? I don’t know but maybe worth finding out?
I had a premier, great engine and box but I couldn’t get on with the electric power steering. Different car with good tyres on and apparently a fast road geo set up makes hell of a difference as well.
I had a premier, great engine and box but I couldn’t get on with the electric power steering. Different car with good tyres on and apparently a fast road geo set up makes hell of a difference as well.
keo said:
Does a premier edition ep3 with the recaro seats sit lower than a fn2? I don’t know but maybe worth finding out?
I had a premier, great engine and box but I couldn’t get on with the electric power steering. Different car with good tyres on and apparently a fast road geo set up makes hell of a difference as well.
They all sit at the same height; same seats bar a different finish IIRCI had a premier, great engine and box but I couldn’t get on with the electric power steering. Different car with good tyres on and apparently a fast road geo set up makes hell of a difference as well.
I've never driven either; been out as a passenger in them (FN2 felt comfier from that side of things, the EP3 felt more raw, more of the drivers car). But it was a long time ago...
Another car that keeps cropping into my thoughts as an ATR again; but they can have serious rust issues on the bulkhead and that's a concern, more so as the ones out there, look to be at daft asking prices IMO
danb79 said:
They all sit at the same height; same seats bar a different finish IIRC
I've never driven either; been out as a passenger in them (FN2 felt comfier from that side of things, the EP3 felt more raw, more of the drivers car). But it was a long time ago...
Another car that keeps cropping into my thoughts as an ATR again; but they can have serious rust issues on the bulkhead and that's a concern, more so as the ones out there, look to be at daft asking prices IMO
The Accord Euro R is worth a look at, import only but don’t rust like the previous generation Accord. K20 so not as raw as the ATR but a great package I've never driven either; been out as a passenger in them (FN2 felt comfier from that side of things, the EP3 felt more raw, more of the drivers car). But it was a long time ago...
Another car that keeps cropping into my thoughts as an ATR again; but they can have serious rust issues on the bulkhead and that's a concern, more so as the ones out there, look to be at daft asking prices IMO
Hippea said:
The Accord Euro R is worth a look at, import only but don’t rust like the previous generation Accord. K20 so not as raw as the ATR but a great package
Aye know them well; but few and far between and none out there currently (well; none that meet my standards) and TBH; I don't want to entertain the faff of importing a car currently...or these are a cheap option. They are great to drive and feel qute dynamic, great handling and a lovely engine.
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/16721813
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/16721813
Matt_T said:
This looks nice...
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/16009695
Nice. I had a Type S after my EP3. Not quite the same as the Euro R but the K24 was nice, if a bit lacking in redline. The tradeoff is more low down torque.https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/16009695
A totally different proposition though as it's a much more refined drive to an EP3. I loved mine.
Matt_T said:
This looks nice...
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/16009695
Yeah I've seen that; saw it when I was looking at JDM EP3s etc...https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/16009695
Will put it into my thinking pot...
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