Bassoctopus

We've been considering what to replace my wife's ATR with for some time now - three or four years - and keep drawing a blank. But we're at a time where we need a more modern car that is more dog friendly, and doesn't need so much attention (I need to keep my attention for the S2000).

BMW reliability is terrible, fast Audis are stupid money and I find VAG stuff so dull.

We've ended up with an FN2 Civic Type R Championship White. 60k miles, stupidly immaculate (last three owners o the owners club).

It was the right car for us at the right price so no regrets buying it. But... It is just not as good as the Accord. The ride is shocking (even on the more compliant Eibachs), it makes my DC2 feel like it was a motorway cruiser. Engine is great, interior is very nice and the car feels solid and it's immense fun on a back road blast with the diff. Possibly more so than the ATR. But on long journeys it's just hard work, even for a Type R. How can Honda have got the suspension so wrong?

ATR is up for sale now, but there's still a thing in the back of my mind that says with less miles going on it, it might be affordable to keep along with the S2000 for my Honda museum

Ultra_Nexus

Because nurburgring.

Bassoctopus

It's true. Such a shame. Could have been a truly great car. Instead it's a fun one with some significant flaws. I can't see us keeping it for the ten years we did the Accord.

We tried the GT86 and it was fun, but our new dog is a bit wild in the car so needs to be in a cage, and that engine was such a disappointment

MB

Well worth investing in some decent aftermarket suspension. Not cheap but will transform it I'm sure. Same applies to the FD2.

Thankfully the FK2 suspension is very good.

Ultra_Nexus

A set of B16 Billies would do you proud.

Nick Graves

They drive way better than their reputation would suggest - on a track.

Lends a new meaning to 'back road bruiser'.

Bassoctopus

Yes I think it might be £1000-1500 well spent on suspension to make it a very nice car.

The FD2 oil pump really transforms the engine into something akin to Type Rs of old, so I'm told.

The last of the screamers.

But for me, it could do with less money spent on toys and more on the suspension set up.

FK2 drives great, I had a go last time I was at Lloyds.

Nottm_S2

I drove one, albeit diffless

Hated it. The ride was the worst i've ever experienced on anything and it was heavier with less guts than the S. I wanted to like it.

We bought a Golf instead, no regrets.

My BM has been bulletproof

Bassoctopus

The diff makes a huge difference.

The ride on the Eibachs is significantly better too, but not by enough to make it great. A full suspension overall would be needed to sort it out properly, and possibly a move to 17s

Nottm_S2

Yeah, that might work.

The 19s on my BM give it a rough ride but it feels much more compliant then the FN2 I drove.

Not runflats I assume?