New Civic Type R - £30k??

[CraigW]

I don't think you can jump to opinions on performance until you have driven one. I agree re the styling, the concept car looked brilliant but Honda have clearly been cutting corners on the final product which is a shame.

I'll be very interested to see how it performs when it arrives. Im also very interested to see the new RS. I've never been a fan of Ford's but I think they have definitely improved the styling of the RS by toning it down slightly. Plus given it will have awd it will be a real competitor to the R (granted except for the quality in the cabin)

[Brenbo]

Will reserve complete judgement until i see a new Type-R, however the 4WD in the Golf R which is similar at 300hp and with better torque at the lower end of the rpm range does lead me to think the Golf R will be a better poised car. Albeit it does also have more weight due to the 4WD system.  If the Type-R is going to be £30K then why not go the whole hog and get a Golf R or even R400 if you have an extra few grand.

[CraigW]

I think you would need an extra £10k to get into an R400 if it ever appears

[RobS23GTI]

CraigW, I do agree that Audi/BMW would be placed ahead of VW in the premium stakes, but I'd place VW ahead of Honda, Ford, Renault etc.

[Brenbo]

I agree with RobS23GTI.  After owning Hondas, I would place VW higher up in the premium stakes compared to Renault, Ford etc,.

I suspect I will end up going for a Golf GTI ED40 next, but should the Golf R400 come out and be sub £40K, funds allowing I would be seriously tempted.

Ford would never come in to mind as a purchase for me.  Even if it were the RS.  I would rather look for an equivalent spec car of another make.  Ford just do not do it for me at all.   

[Black oil]

Question should maybe be 'what do you want in a car?'

Type R is a seriously quick car, see link:

http://fastestlaps.com/tracks/nordschleife.html

Honda did a 7:50.63.

Whilst not a scientific test it keeps some serious company on the list and is quicker than anything else mentioned.
£30k does not seem so much considering it can seat 4-5, should have bullet proof engineering and a factory warranty.
It can do 165+ so should be quite relaxed at normal speeds with adaptive chassis.
It is probably a bit 'rough around the edges' and  bit gaudy in comparison but then again it is likely aimed at the Playstation generation.
I reckon it will be a great car for what it is.

[Brenbo]

I am sure the Type-R will be a great car and give rival FWD cars a run for their money.  I also agree the engineering and reliability of Honda engines is bulletproof.  I never had one fault in any of the 4 Type-R's I owned. 

However I feel the Golfs are more refined. 

Honda do seem to cut corners and on certain aspects.  For example the rear susepnsion is still torsion beam not independent.  I found the torsion beam fine for driving, but the tyres on the back wheels did tend to ripple with wear on the tread and it was a really stiff ride, which I was fine with but passengers did notice it and the car did clatter and crunch on pot holes etc,. 

When I got my Golf I found the ride much nicer yet more posied than my previous Type-R which I absolutely loved at the time.  As others have said the jury will be out until we can go in to a showroom and have a proper look at the car and make an informed decision. 

[monkeyhanger]

Brenbo: The Civic used to have independent multi-link rear suspension didn't it? I'm talking about the last of the Grandad looking bodyshapes before it went all space-age looking with that rear view spoiler across the back window rendering it useless as something to look out of. There were a few cutbacks (including the loss of the multi-link), although the R gained 1ps.

My mate had one of the last of the Grandad shape R-types and loved it. He wasn't so fussed about the newer one.

[Brenbo]

Yeah the 'cheese wedge' shape pre-2007 Civic Type-R's did have independent, then it all went to Torsion Beam on the rear on the newer space age model as you call it mainly due to cost saving and space (larger boot etc,.) I was led to believe?  I have had two versions of each type.  The eariler pre-2007 models were like fire crackers and you could feel the difference in suspension. Although torsion beam aside the best of the 4 I had was the last one I owned, the Type-R Championship white.  Mainly due to it finally having an LSD, which you noticed and the engine/exhaust did not sound as screechy and more tuned than the earlier ones. 

I can understand why you mate loved his Type-R as I did too.  I feel the styling of the cheese wedge shape Type-R's on the back was better than the newer ones.  It was closer to the styling of the Golfs with the over head spoiler rather than obstructing the view and less fussy in styling overall.  However the front of the newer space age ones was better and looked great.  I am still reserving judgement on the new one being released this year.  It looks like it could be a swine to clean.  My last Type-R took more than half a day with all its fussy nooks and crannies,  Then there was the white alloys.  At least the new one doesn't have white wheels.   

 

[Foreveryoungaus16v]

More likely 'look at that daft tw4t in his Audi or BMW'. I certainly don't think someone is doing better in life if they have either of these tw4t machines. More and more charvers and scum bags are in Audi's and bmws these days so no thanks.

I agree! Plus most are company cars or on credit