Honda Civic Type-R (2007 - 2010) 2.0 i-VTEC GT 3d Owner Review

You know those things in life you always wanted but never bought? Specifically those cars that you hoped would drop in price, so you too could partake? No... well I do! I walked into a Honda dealership in Hertfordshire in 2008 and eyed up a Type R in the FN2 style. Modern spaceship interior, exterior styling points that threw the competition down the design alleyway marked “Start Over”. Then I looked at the price, picked up a glossy brochure and left in my imported Honda Prelude Type S dreaming of my next big Honda. Over the next few years I saw many and read many reviews each telling me how it “never matched” the predecessor. From the overly stiff ride, increased curb weigh, poor torsion bar rear suspension to the changed cam profile that lowered the VTEC engagement! It was years before I finally decided that the EP3 was too long in the tooth to consider practically and it was about time to look at the FN2 as a real and viable vehicle! It was in a reasonable price zone as far as bangernomics goes, it was already superseded with a turbo variant and there seemed to be plenty around. The FN2 still sported the EP3 engine but now with a reliability not seen in the breadvan variant... the chains seemed to let a lifetime. The gearbox was the same as the EP3 and to be fair slots around easily in the box but it does have the occasional difficulty with third gear engagement (worth noting here... you soon learn to drive without this affecting you on a day to day basis and any post 2007 models don’t have the minor issue anyway. Topping it off many of the 2007 variants had the recall done so no worries!) I have changed the clutch since owning it and got it to 125’000miles before doing so. I have also changed two sensors on the front wheels, this is not a cheap job but was well worth it for breaking reasons!! Turning off the traction control is something I didn’t do for nearly a year... I know, mad BUT I like to learn a car before testing a car. Turning this off on the dash button does return a lot of control to the driver. On a nice dry day this is the ultimate dream change, power seems to pick up quicker, electronic interruptions / interferences disappear (and noticeably so!) and it moves to another level altogether. This resets to the on setting when you stop the engine, this is good and something you do care about on a damp or cold day (when I would not encourage anyone to play!). I read lots about the suspension and ride.... is it a hard ride? Yes in a competition comparison it is and you do get those odd moments when you do find yourself wincing over a bump or hump but tbf... in the whole you don’t notice it too much and I bought a sports model not a cruiser so.... horses for courses? Handling is more complicated. I don’t ever feel that the steering is heavy under speed loading but original reviews mentioned it. I have had cars that make the steering unmovable under load and the R has never done this to me. I replaced the front suspension struts a few months ago and noted that car gave an obvious propensity to mildly understeer when pushing it to the right and it was this that highlighted the issue to me. I tend to feel most the road has to offer through the steering and I use back roads on a daily basis (nearly 85 miles a working day!) so understanding the vehicle and it’s feedback is important and now, second nature. I changed the stereo system inside to a modern double din touch screen variant that interacted with my IPhone but kept every other part of the sound system the same because it’s really good.... I also kept the FM aerial but added a front screen digital antenna for DRB etc... the original was amazing and was more than fit for purpose so... do as you will. I genuinely love this car and even at a high mileage, I intend to keep this lovely little car. I carry a bottle of oil in the boot and not because it is that thirsty but because I want to be ready for the first of the two stage oil warning lights to come on and never risk seeing the second. Fuel economy on mine is a fairly standard affair. Somewhere around 315 miles per 50L tank... it occasionally strays higher (365) with motorway journeys and also, on an energetic day it can fall to 280 but day to day... I know what it costs. I love this car... it looks after me and I fail to give it the asthetic care it demands but with proper Honda servicing, proper Honda repairs for “business critical” works... I can see it going on for a while yet. The Learnings from me are these.... this car is genuinely fun to own and a great, reliable car. The original reviews were maybe right if you look at them as comparisons with a lighter, less safe, older and retrospective model that in itself is now considered by some to be less than its own predecessor. Time moves on and maybe the FN2 was more about looks than mechanicals but that means it’s still good, still naturally aspirated.... consider this car and enjoy it for what it is, a traditional hot hatch, that will be reasonable, financially, reliable, comfortable, fast and safe and not a poor sub-standard replacement for itself... it’s not, it is great and many owners agree.