I owned an EP3 and the dealership have been kind enough to lend me an FN2 as a courtesy car so I could see what it was like. I've got little to add to the comments about its driving characteristics, but the point about the new one is that it's that much more liveable with on a day to day basis than the old one.

Personally, I find the S2000 much more user friendly on a long drive (noise notwithstanding) than the EP3 ever was, mainly due to the more pliant suspension. The new Type R is a little bit softer than the old one, with far more toys. As ever, it's a question of what you want to get out of your car. If you still want to have plenty of fun but in a car that's more civilised inside, then the new Type R is a pretty good choice. If you want hardcore motoring, then it probably isn't, simply because it isn't going to match up to the old one.

Clarkson's slating of the new one is more than slightly unfair, and completely at odds with the Top Gear magazine who love it because it is that good compromise between performance and day to day useability.

Personally, I wouldn't get one, because I had the old car and loved it. But that's more to do with a "been there, done that" attitude on my part than anything else. It's an extremely good car, and whilst softer than the old one, it's still more of a driver's tool than most out there.

 

I owned one of the new shape FN2 Type R's last year from August to December. It's a good and bad car defo the marmite of the Honda's! You either love it or hate it.

Here's my thoughts:

I think it's a fantastic looking car inside and out. Very high tech well built and isn't going to fall apart or age badly. The outside panels are constructed well and i don't see it getting many clunks or rattles with age, its put together well. Inside the dashboard, carpets and panels shouldn't mark or fade to badly. You get a real feel when you get in that this is an up to date drivers car made to impress people as well as go from A to B very quickly. I liked the standard stereo it played all my MP3/CDR discs perfectly and has a nice display for track names and album titles etc... even if Clarkson can't get radio two.

The speedo and rev counter look great and space age, and the gear knob and adjustable steering wheel are well postioned and made. Plenty of room in this cabin for even the tallest driver. I had no issues with the seat adjustment like the Top Gear boys, i think they were over fussy. Nice big boot but you don't get a spare wheel as standard which is annoying. I don't keep mine in my S2K but it's still nice to have. The fold in parking mirrors are great to have and look posh and impressive :-)

I'd say my S2K has the same visibility with the roof up as the new Type R with the spoiler across the back. I don't think think it's an issue if you know how to reserve and use your mirrors.

Performance I guess is what peeps want to know about. The car handles well even with the VSA turned off, a little unpredictable in the rain/wet, 0-60 is quick but it doesn't feel as fast as the S2K or older car. It suffers a bit from understeer if you really gun it about roads with lots of corners and bumps. It's not rubbish though and a good driver will know and find the limits. Petrol mpg i found was good even if you vtec'd it about alot. Keeping up with the older Type R's, Golf GTI's and Audi TTs wasn't an issue I found. Breaks are sensational!

It's a 7 out of 10 for me. I paid 19K as a I had a few extras... I think it's a bit over priced given the Golf GTI isn't much different! If you want a fast everyday car that fits your mates in and is quick consider it, but if you want something for thrashing about and racing and look elsewhere. It's a mature Hot-Hatch if theres such a thing. If Honda wanted this to be like the older one they would have added the double wish bone, made it lighter and added 15-25bhp in performance.

 

Dealers are very, very keen to shift these cars at the minute.

In fact, they appear to be tripping over themselves to sell in the current market.

After a few phone calls at least 3k off list is easy to achieve from Honda dealers.

Thankyou for the posts.

There may be some further tough negotiating ahead.

 

Greg... enlighten me!

I appreciate the CTR for what it is. But it's not an S2000.

What's the thinking behind the move?

Not a criticsm... just can't get my own poor head around it unless you have a need for the extra seats.

 

I've had the S2000 for 4 years.

So, been there, done that and I have never kept a car for so long.

Any replacement would be a daily driver and I can change the S for a new CTR for not alot of money, thus keeping money for new toys.

I would gain a new car with a new car warranty and save on servicing and replacement parts.

Depreciation would be similar as I can source a new CTR for a good price.

As a daily driver a CTR would be more practical for me.

So, I'm thinking about it and looking for a good deal.

I need to drive a CTR again and decide what to do.

 

Greg, the reason I don't think it's a good change is that all you get with a CTR is a bigger boot and a couple of seats. The handling isn't as much fun, the ride is worse and it's not as satisfying to drive .

You'll enjoy it for a few months, then regret it I reckon so a cold decision has to be taken on how much you need a car that has a few more seats (how often do you find yourself wanting more room in your car?).

That was where I was coming from although truth is the speed I've been changing cars I'm not one to talk about cold, rational decisions

 

It's worth mentioning the FN2 is Car's favourite, too.

Apparently, handling can be made more fun with more camber. But we knew that anyway.

Most of the owners' reviews are actually pretty square. Give it some ride quaility and lose the "Ninja Killer pornstar F1 champion of the universe" badge and it's a decent enough (no, very decent) non-diesel modern hatch.

My issues are more that it cannot be a hot hatch when it is the size and proportion and mass of an early MPV!

 

If it was beige, it'll look like a peanut on wheels

 

New 09 car is available in white and a factory fit LSD so seems they have been listening to popular demand.

I have one and have been moding it slowly as it's being used as the TDi North demo car.
A set of Eiback springs sorted the bouncy castle ride, suspension geometry setting sorted the cornering and an LSD sorted the traction.

Day to day the car is far better than the old EP3 (which I also owned one for 4 years) but being slighly heavier has taken the edge off it.

Rear wing position is a real pain though but driving the S with the roof up is worse!

 

tpw.

Is that for certain about the standard LSD on all cars from next year?

Any idea when these cars will hit the showrooms ?

Thanks.