Those who read my ramblings (probably few) will know I have a narrow band of interest in cars. I've stuck with S2000s but they are shit dog wagons and poor family cars too (note the order I typed that).

So, since 2012 I have struggled to fulfill that remit.

Tried an E92 M3.. fail, noone really liked it, as a family car it was compromised, as a fun car too distant, too heavy. It was a GT car really and I don't have a yacht in the south of France

Tried the Honda E - too small. I loved the car, it was uber cool, great fun if not overtly sporty, brilliant handling. I liked everything about it but too small. Which meant it became a 2nd car and I bought a CRV for her to drive but as a weekend workhorse.

The CRV gave me free reign but little piqued my interest. Everything is lacking soul, too heavy, too expensive, too anodyne. I considered the FK8 but front wheel drive and red bits on the steering wheel? And that back end.. blurgh

Then the new civ came out and looked good if a bit dull​​​​​​.

A 2nd dog arrived.

I mean they do fit but it's tight. I considered that civic hybrid. Then I read how good the FL5 was.

I got an offer from a dealer. A £50k hot hatch took some time to stomach tbh

I smooched around. Noone had a demo.

I saw an attractive deal and a nearly new one. Drove it. ****ing loved it. It seems to meet the remit. It drives like nothing else I have tried in a long time.

So here it is



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Pic it up at the weekend. Very excited.

Still talking about the e, whether it goes (sensible) or the OH runs 2 cars (what kind of fool would do that?)

Anyways.. more review to follow. It blew me away on the test drive, steering superb, grip outstanding, seats amazing, gearbox as good as the S2000 (maybe better - blasphemy but it is brand new), brakes mighty (deffo better despite extra lard, really good feel)

The dogs will love it. Probably

I am now skint.

 

I'm well jeal... You're right about the FK8, they look over cooked and all the lines are just wrong. It's a car crash, despite it's abilities
I'm supposing you'll be used to peeling the dogs off the rear window shortly. Many pistonheads go for Estates to house a couple of pugs, fit a bar across the rear seats and jobs a good 'un. But I like your adjustment. You first, then the dogs. Estates are lardy and heavy. Some lack ultimate feel, like a Golf R estate or Skoda VRS estate. And they don't look cool, and they're German, or German derived, with questions on reliability. No such bother with the red H. Ouch Jason that's a dear thing, considering some used have dipped to 35k now. I was reading EVO's recentish review and they bloody love the thing, not much to dislike other than fwd traction on given surfaces and conditions. It's quick enough for day to day I'm sure. Fill yer boots with your review as it will be a good read for us.

 

One dealer expected me to 'buy blind' based on reviews

Did not even have a car to sit in. Crazy days, however a lot of people did just that a few years ago

For me it's hopefully a very long term steer, practical yet engaging like a hot hatch should be

 

Can you actually imagine buying blind? Having said that, I did that once with the Golf GTD 184 some 10 years ago, on a 2 year lease. Turned out to be a decent torquey thing, and drove like a petrol - you could actually have a bit of fun being fairly chuckable on the b roads. Hard seats though.
FL5 not a common sight, will turn heads no doubt and I'll bet it's going to reward. Can't wait to see it mate.

 

After driving a friends 2018 CTR I cannot wait to drive the new one.

 

Prior to this the only CTR I have driven was the FN2

It was a dog imo, maybe OK up at 80%+ but no fun anywhere else. And felt heavy and relatively gutless

This is different level. Collect tomorrow. Excited

 

It’s tomorrow!

 

Awesome pick on the FL5.

It personally would be an option if I were in the market for a new daily too (where the FK8 admitted was also. Keep in mind, it was the first CTR to come to the states, so I was willing to live with it's flagrant styling. ).

As a long time owner of a (modestly modified; i.e. 6 speed) Honda Element, I can certainly relate to your perspective and taste. The buttery smooth Honda shifts are like nothing else (especially used w/ Redline MT-90). I can only imagine how good the FL5 is.

Keep us posted (and congratulations)!

 

It's here

First impressions.

Seats first class, I have not sat in better, they grip you in place but still manage to feel like you're in a car, not a race car
Very strong engine from down low, lots of boost arrives pretty quick
It really grips the road, feels very, very planted - this is the key thing you notice and that is comparing to a lowered, very grippy S2
Gearbox is a work of Honda art (ditto)
I like the looks, it's a bit bling according to the other half lol
Interior is very nice, lots of soft fabric and nice design
+R is brain jiggling on UK roads. Ouch
Comfort is pretty good though stiffer than the e I think

Coming from a BEV
Amazing to fill it up and see ranges of 380 miles (feels optimistic)
The heater is powerful

I am quite liking it. Got the android auto on wireless through the maint menu. I like the middle class hooligan looks

 

Think that is the first 25 plate I have noticed, congrats, enjoy, keep the thoughts coming.