I own an older EP3 type (2002) and seats are ace – you can slot 2 bikes in very nicely.

Costs of running are pretty high depending on how you drive – they love a drop of oil and I hate to think what I average mpg – probably 22-25 on a good day.

All that said I bloody love it.

I had one of these ( 57 plate tbh) thought it was a great car,
quick enough and very reliable but when the little red v-tec light comes on forget about fuel economy.
The boot is very big with a nice drop down floor which is handy.
Sadly it had to go when our twins arrived.

My mates got one its a lovely car, I looked at the previous shape and really liked it. Some people who read too many magazines complain about the ‘steering feel’ turning in at low speed but I’ve not met anyone who has owned one who found this an issue. I spoke to a few owners when looking most have gone on to buy another.

Hora will be along soon to say that he’s thinking of buying one… 😉

id suggest something else tbh

I wrote:

Hora wrote:

Ho ho ho 🙂

Every Honda I’ve driven has the same numb steering. I also drove an EP3- it shouted ALOT but didn’t seem to have the corresponding speed. I checked it for clutch slip- it was just a very wheezy engine. Oh and even though improved over the TypeS’s steering it was still artificial. From what I gather a charge leveled at the S2000 as well. ANY ‘performance’ car should have steering sorted as its first priority.

I’ve had mine for about a year now. Done 52,000 miles in it and cannot wait for it to go. It’s expensive to run, the ride is absolutely terrible and it’s just not fast. Mine uses a fair bit of oil and only feels at it’s best when it’s just been serviced.
Don’t get me wrong, it has a lot going for it too. As long as you get a Type R GT with the LSD, the steering is fantastic and once you get it going, you don’t need to slow down much. The boot is like the tardis. I’ve had two bikes with both wheels fitted and all the gear in there no problem. The cockpit layout, whilst really ugly, is design genius in terms of ergonomics. I will miss this dearly when it goes.

Obviously, I do high mileage and that’s a big factor in my dislike of the car. I’m always uncomfortable in it, fuel economy is dire and, as mentioned above, it’s slower than a lot of other similar type cars on the road.

If you do limited annual mileage, need a big boot and don’t mind having to really rag the car to get the best out of it, you might just love it – It has a definite charm on b roads if you back is up to the abuse.

martinxyz I’d say 90% of the time it’d be more enjoyable. A modern diesel turbo would be more enjoyable but an alien concept to most petrolheads. I don’t own a diesel BTW but if your doing a fair mileage swiftly I’d go the diesel route with a good healthy torque figure…

Riding the torque of a good diesel is much smoother…less frustrating….

ALL IMO so please don’t become personally offended- its a car not your manhood

diesel better than type R petrol??? 8000 screaming RPM’s versus 4500 rpm? motorbike sound effects vs tractor/taxi sound effects? Super sharp turnin vs wallowy understeer? Sharp looking car vs boring ?

shakes head at people suggesting a diesel over the type R 😉

Seriously chaps – you’re saying that a diesel would be better than the type R for someone who is asking about the type R? I could see you point if the person was wanting a cheap easy to live with runabout, I wouldnt even suggest a type R in that case.

I think like all performance’ish cars you either get it or you dont, and if you dont get it theres no point paying more for it.

Golf GTI/any VAG product = boring.

Owned the older model Type-R, all in all it was a fast very reliable car. However, I wasn’t really sorry to see it go, always felt that you couldn’t relax in it – like the car was on edge all the time. Had a 170bhp TDI golf for 5 years now and it’s been a brilliant car, if I was buy again though would get a 140 TDI VAG as better economy.

I hear you and agree however if it was your main car would you be happy with it 100% of the time? The EP3 was too noisy/hardcore for me. IF I had any money I’d buy a boring Mondeo and something like an Elise 🙂

If you enjoy driving up to the redline (where all the power of a vtech is) then they are great, in reality they are actually really slow, the older model is slightly quicker but I laugh when a new one pulls up next to my beast.

I wouldn’t touch one due to my Toyota loyalty but they are fairly decent cars, if you don’t mind driving the same as every wannabe boy racer 🙂

I’ve the old shape – bought new in June 2002 and have done 110,000 miles since then. I’ve thought of changing it – but can’t think of anything I want more. It’s survived our 2 kids and done fine. It’s got isofix in the back as well if that’s an issue. We have done 2 adults, 2 kids, bikes (thule racks, 4 bikes!) and tent/camping crap for a week’s camping trip in it (packing is like a slightly squishy game of tetris) – so practicality is not an issue.

Reliability – hmm.. I’ve had to change some brake pads and the discs a couple of times (consumables, in other words), and one of the gaskets in the exhaust needed changed at about 95k. A couple of very minor niggles – but nothing that stopped you getting to work – but other than that, it’s not missed a beat.

About 30mpg all in. Servicing is not too bad at all – was about half the price of the Fiat Punto it replaced. I’ve long since stopped going to the Honda dealer though. Ride is harsh – no getting around that – but you get used to it. I think the new one is a bit more refined to drive in (maybe loses something in go-kart-like handling?). I really can’t think of a reason not to get one if you fancy it.

Julian which S3? If its the 1.8T I’d agree. With a remap its a whole lot better. Still as a car it was no-drama/sort of affair.

rhysw go for it, I think you’ll enjoy it. Great drivers cars and well resolved.

Hora – Are you the Stig?

hora – not the 1.8t, but the current model 2.0.

Chain set and forks removed.