Honda Civic Type-R (2001 - 2005) 2.0i VTEC 3d (2005/55) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

Due to the slightly deteriorating image, probably that I'm a boy racer to the general public. To people that care about driving, probably that I enjoy nearly every journey I have in the car.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

Friends and family like it, it's a good clean example, with the best seats it came from the factory with..

Would you buy this car again and why?

If my needs changed and I stopped having to spend as much time on the motorway's of the UK, then it would be a contender, dependant on my budget at the time.

What are you likely to buy next?

3dr 123D M Sport/330CD M Sport.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Didn't buy from a dealer

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£5,400

When did you buy the car?

April 2012

Did you get a good deal and why?

Yes, I got the car I wanted - Premier Type R, in the colour I wanted - Cosmic Grey, with low miles, for a very fair price.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

I'd wanted one for a few years, decided that when my brother was selling his it was the perfect time for an early graduation present!

What was the dealer like?

It was my brother, so I'd have to say perfect.

What's it like to drive?

When pressing on, superb. The gearbox and engine combo is one of the best I've had the pleasure of using. The steering, although lacking in feel slightly, gives you some confidence through the bends. And THAT engine note when going through the range and up into VTEC, is addictive! However, on a motorway, the noise can get annoying. A lack of sound deadening combined with low profile tyres, and a loud engine/induction noise grates over time. The stiff suspension does get annoying when you just want to relax into a drive.

What's it like to park?

The turning circle is awful. Spaces that I used to be able to swing straight into have now become a swing in-stop-reverse-drive in job. Which again, gets annoying.

Have you had any problems with the car?

Other than consumables like brakes and tyres, I haven't had to spend a penny on anything other than servicing in 12,000 miles.

What's most practical about your car?

It's got a fairly big boot.. That's it. The Recaro recliner's don't slide when tilting the seat back, so you have to do that manually.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

Well, there's no gadgets really... So the heated mirrors, or the temperature gauge reading 12 degrees when it's snowing?