Honda Civic Type R.
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: Uk
Its definately a different kettle of fish compared to the s2000, quite hard to compare the two.
The civic is not as much fun to drive IMO because its FWD and the roof doesnt go down, but I reckon the civic has much better steering feel, and has a sharper turn in.
Depends what you want out of a car I guess.
The civic is not as much fun to drive IMO because its FWD and the roof doesnt go down, but I reckon the civic has much better steering feel, and has a sharper turn in.
Depends what you want out of a car I guess.
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,890
Likes: 5
From: New Milton, Hants
Originally Posted by Johns999,Sep 30 2008, 12:53 PM
Its definately a different kettle of fish compared to the s2000, quite hard to compare the two.
The civic is not as much fun to drive IMO because its FWD and the roof doesnt go down, but I reckon the civic has much better steering feel, and has a sharper turn in.
Depends what you want out of a car I guess.
The civic is not as much fun to drive IMO because its FWD and the roof doesnt go down, but I reckon the civic has much better steering feel, and has a sharper turn in.
Depends what you want out of a car I guess.
(I'm a sucker for the old school though
)Damned nice to have the two options at your disposal mind you - circumstances dictate that our second car is diesel powered
......
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,433
Likes: 0
From: North, no further!
Forget the Civic, put some good coilovers on the S2000 and you'll be happy again 
I've owned the JDM CTR and the UK one is every bit as hard, that was the reason it went, totally unacceptable ride quality. Fun to chuck round the corners for sure, not as fun as the S2k with the suspension work, fun to have a change but long term you are most likely going to regret your decision.
However I know that you've made up your mind and you're going to do it even though it's ill advised if you must buy new, get a bob Gerard. residuals are pretty shocking, you'll lose about 8k in year 1 
I've owned the JDM CTR and the UK one is every bit as hard, that was the reason it went, totally unacceptable ride quality. Fun to chuck round the corners for sure, not as fun as the S2k with the suspension work, fun to have a change but long term you are most likely going to regret your decision.However I know that you've made up your mind and you're going to do it even though it's ill advised
if you must buy new, get a bob Gerard. residuals are pretty shocking, you'll lose about 8k in year 1
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,471
Likes: 0
From: On another planet
Originally Posted by Boab01,Sep 30 2008, 01:49 PM
However I know that you've made up your mind and you're going to do it even though it's ill advised if you must buy new, get a bob Gerard. residuals are pretty shocking, you'll lose about 8k in year 1
if you must buy new, get a bob Gerard. residuals are pretty shocking, you'll lose about 8k in year 1 I'm certainly seriously considering a change from the S2000.
Bob Gerrard had them advertised at
Registered User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 0
From: UK
The new shape Civic Type-R is one of the great disappointments IMO, on a par with the bug-eye scooby. Visibility is shocking as well. I'd like to like it but it's just not good enough. The previous model moved the game on, this one is just treading water.
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 31,181
Likes: 58
From: Hertford
Originally Posted by Fatbloke,Sep 30 2008, 08:31 PM
I drove a new shape Type R GT for a week and did about 1000 miles earlier in the year (I'm having one for a few days this week too), so I've got a bit of experience to talk about.......
Firstly, don't compare the new CTR with the old one - everything has got about 200kg heavier compared to it's old version (Clio, Elise, Impreza etc.) and every forum is full of 'the new one is rubbish' threads. The new Civic is still a small(ish) hatch with 200bhp - it may not be the fastest or best handling car, but it's still quick and turns corners well enough.
Impressions of the CTR:
Negatives: over-hard suspension, could use a bit more traction and the back end sometimes feels a bit loose (but it's got VSA so no problem), brakes could be a touch stronger and the rear visibility isn't great.
Positives: Engine/induction/exhaust noise from inside the cabin is even better than the S2000. The hard suspension makes you feel like you're negotiating the padock on the way to the BTCC grid even when you're driving round Tesco's car park, nicely put together, dials give great visibility when you're 'on it', gear change is the best you'll find in any FWD car, steering feel is good for an electrically assisted system.
I know this isn't the question you asked, but I'll compare the CTR to the current Renaultsport cars. I had a Megane R26 at the time which is supossed to be the best of the hot hatches at the moment because Renaultsport are supossed to be the kings of FWD chassis technology....
The CTR doesn't have the poise or the ability to soak up B road bumps like RS cars, but everything is more tactile and involving in the Civic - better steering feel, better gear change (Renaults feel like you're shaking a broom handle in a bucket of mud) and Renault engines (turbo in the Megane and NA in the Clio 197) are dull compared to Honda V-Tec. No other FWD car (or 4WDs for that matter) that I know of have the grip of the R26 because of the LSD, but then the CTR doesn't have torque steer that can dislocate shoulders. In general, a current generation Megane or Clio is more refined and, ultimately, capable of being driven quicker point-to-point (on the few days of the year that it's not having another ***king warranty job sorted), but the CTR would make you feel like you've actually done the driving and put the bigger smile on your face. Hot hatches have no business being refined anyway.
So, if you must buy a hatch, get the CTR, but speaking as someone that's got the tee shirt, I'd say keep the S2000 - the driving experience kicks the ass out of any hot hatch.
Firstly, don't compare the new CTR with the old one - everything has got about 200kg heavier compared to it's old version (Clio, Elise, Impreza etc.) and every forum is full of 'the new one is rubbish' threads. The new Civic is still a small(ish) hatch with 200bhp - it may not be the fastest or best handling car, but it's still quick and turns corners well enough.
Impressions of the CTR:
Negatives: over-hard suspension, could use a bit more traction and the back end sometimes feels a bit loose (but it's got VSA so no problem), brakes could be a touch stronger and the rear visibility isn't great.
Positives: Engine/induction/exhaust noise from inside the cabin is even better than the S2000. The hard suspension makes you feel like you're negotiating the padock on the way to the BTCC grid even when you're driving round Tesco's car park, nicely put together, dials give great visibility when you're 'on it', gear change is the best you'll find in any FWD car, steering feel is good for an electrically assisted system.
I know this isn't the question you asked, but I'll compare the CTR to the current Renaultsport cars. I had a Megane R26 at the time which is supossed to be the best of the hot hatches at the moment because Renaultsport are supossed to be the kings of FWD chassis technology....
The CTR doesn't have the poise or the ability to soak up B road bumps like RS cars, but everything is more tactile and involving in the Civic - better steering feel, better gear change (Renaults feel like you're shaking a broom handle in a bucket of mud) and Renault engines (turbo in the Megane and NA in the Clio 197) are dull compared to Honda V-Tec. No other FWD car (or 4WDs for that matter) that I know of have the grip of the R26 because of the LSD, but then the CTR doesn't have torque steer that can dislocate shoulders. In general, a current generation Megane or Clio is more refined and, ultimately, capable of being driven quicker point-to-point (on the few days of the year that it's not having another ***king warranty job sorted), but the CTR would make you feel like you've actually done the driving and put the bigger smile on your face. Hot hatches have no business being refined anyway.
So, if you must buy a hatch, get the CTR, but speaking as someone that's got the tee shirt, I'd say keep the S2000 - the driving experience kicks the ass out of any hot hatch.
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,795
Likes: 0
I traded my old MY00 S2000 in for a EP3 2 yrs ago and regretted it after a few months. It was a great car but didnt have the X factor that the S2000 had so i traded the EP3 in for another MY05 S2000 and i was happy again.
I know the EP3 is a totally different car to the new model though..
It seems that some people feel like getting rid of their S this time of the year as winter looms as they want to be safe and secure in a newer more comfortable tintop car,but if you do decide to go for it i hope you dont regret it like i did. I lost a few grand in the trade ins!
I would keep the S!
I know the EP3 is a totally different car to the new model though..
It seems that some people feel like getting rid of their S this time of the year as winter looms as they want to be safe and secure in a newer more comfortable tintop car,but if you do decide to go for it i hope you dont regret it like i did. I lost a few grand in the trade ins!
I would keep the S!