ScoobyWon't
21 June 2008, 19:38
Just got back from test driving a Honda Civic Type R GT at Lookers Honda in Nottingham.
They have a choice of three Type R's in stock, all the higher GT spec, two in red and one in black. I took out the Red 57 plate with 800 miles on the clock.
People seem to fall into two camps when it comes to the look of the Civic. Personally, I love it. It may have lots of angles to it but I do think it's an attractive car, it somehow reminds me of a spacecraft inspired vehicle. Obviously as a Type R, it features the red Honda badge on the fromt grille, which is black honeycomb, rather than the enclosed nose of the other Civics.
After seeing plenty of photos on the internet of the cabin and thinking it looked futuristic in a funky way it was time to climb aboard. First impression of the seats were that they are more comfortable than that of what I've been used to when driving an Evo VI. There was enough support and held me in a really comfortable position. The seat adjustments were easy to reach and operate, backwards/forwards movement is controlled by the bar under the seat, the recline is easily accessible to the outside of the seat.
Once having positioned the seat where I was comfortable, it was time to check out the dash. Firstly the dash has a deep, wrap-around feel to it. All controls were easily accessible, the red "Start" button sits on the dash just willing you to fire up the V-TEC that's sitting under the bonnet. I own't bore you with a list of what is included in the GT & non GT versions of the Type R, but just say that everything felt like it was well positioned and easily accessible.
Once having held down the start button to fire her up, the LCD dash illuminates showing all the information you need. Immediately ahead of you is the speedo which glows red on the black background, this dominates the view. Secondary information is displayed in other areas which can be read at ease when necessarry.
On departing the forecourt, I gave the brakes a tap so I knew what to expect from them. I thought I was used to sharp brakes from driving the Evo but these were SHARP!
Pulling onto the road, it was a incredibly short entrance into the traffic of the dual carraigeway. Visibility all around the car was excellent even though I was expecting the view from the rear to be slightly blocked by the in-built rear-wing/window combination. There was no trouble pulling into the traffic which was moving at 50mph and getting up to speed was smooth and efficient.
The six speed box was smooth and easy to change, responding well to up and down shifts no matter what speed I was travelling at, the revs stayed well below the VTEC range but the power and delivery, even in the wet, gave me great confidence in the car.
Once I made my way into Ruddington I had access to the windy roads with little traffic and speed restrictions. I was to do two laps around Ruddington, the first I took steadily, reaching the speed limit, and taking that speed through the bends.
Even though the Civic is only FWD, it handled magnificently around these wet country roads, into the corners, it felt as stable as the Evo. On the second lap of these roads, I gave it a bit more, really pointing the car into the bends and acellerating out to see if I could upset the car. I couldn't. It stayed perfectly poised and didn't even feel as it may wander.
Getting back onto the dual carraigeway gave me the opportunity to really see what the VTEC engine could do from a standing start. I turned left onto the carrageway, straightened up and boot my foot down. The car responded in a smooth manner, I was pleasently surprised by the delivery, and the pace at which the speed picked up without the need for a turbocharger.
It was at this point that I hit the VTECs delivery range. The revs climbed and climbed, I changed gear as quickly as I could and watched the revs continue to climb. The speedo on the dash soon reached 70 ;). I was completely in awe of the smooth delivery and the way the engine wanted to carry on pulling all the way through the rev range. Due to the speed limit and other traffic I was unable to really see what this lump could really deliver.
On the second lap, I floored the pedal, maybe not a great idea on a wet road, but the car responded well, the wheels span at first, but then the Potenza's grabbed the tarmac and I was off. The seats still felt firm, I wasn't sliding around and I wasn't slung backwards by turbo lag as I would have expected to have done in the 310bhp Evo.
During both laps the ride felt firm on both the carraigeway and the country roads, but not too firm. I was expecting a lumpy ride from potholes etc but this wasn't the case. The suspension absorbed the bumps without affecting the steering, giving me the impression that the Civic could be used and lived with in everyday life.
I loved this car, the ride was excellent, the engine was smooth and easily accessed the power when needed, it felt positive to drive and as if it wouldn't put a foot wrong. Throughout the whole drive I had the biggest smile on my face, I enjoyed this so much more than driving the Evo. If anyone is thinking of looking elsewhere for a performance car now Subaru have introduced that ugly Impreza then I would recommend taking a drive in the Civic.
As for the deal put on the table, I felt that the car was overpriced, and the part ex value they gave me for my car was too low. They were obviously keen to deal as they tried every trick in the book, even upping the offer on my existing vehicle up by an extra £1500, only £500 less than what I would expect to find it retailing at on a forecourt.
Did I deal? No. But I would've taken the car there and then had I not got something else to consider.
They have a choice of three Type R's in stock, all the higher GT spec, two in red and one in black. I took out the Red 57 plate with 800 miles on the clock.
People seem to fall into two camps when it comes to the look of the Civic. Personally, I love it. It may have lots of angles to it but I do think it's an attractive car, it somehow reminds me of a spacecraft inspired vehicle. Obviously as a Type R, it features the red Honda badge on the fromt grille, which is black honeycomb, rather than the enclosed nose of the other Civics.
After seeing plenty of photos on the internet of the cabin and thinking it looked futuristic in a funky way it was time to climb aboard. First impression of the seats were that they are more comfortable than that of what I've been used to when driving an Evo VI. There was enough support and held me in a really comfortable position. The seat adjustments were easy to reach and operate, backwards/forwards movement is controlled by the bar under the seat, the recline is easily accessible to the outside of the seat.
Once having positioned the seat where I was comfortable, it was time to check out the dash. Firstly the dash has a deep, wrap-around feel to it. All controls were easily accessible, the red "Start" button sits on the dash just willing you to fire up the V-TEC that's sitting under the bonnet. I own't bore you with a list of what is included in the GT & non GT versions of the Type R, but just say that everything felt like it was well positioned and easily accessible.
Once having held down the start button to fire her up, the LCD dash illuminates showing all the information you need. Immediately ahead of you is the speedo which glows red on the black background, this dominates the view. Secondary information is displayed in other areas which can be read at ease when necessarry.
On departing the forecourt, I gave the brakes a tap so I knew what to expect from them. I thought I was used to sharp brakes from driving the Evo but these were SHARP!
Pulling onto the road, it was a incredibly short entrance into the traffic of the dual carraigeway. Visibility all around the car was excellent even though I was expecting the view from the rear to be slightly blocked by the in-built rear-wing/window combination. There was no trouble pulling into the traffic which was moving at 50mph and getting up to speed was smooth and efficient.
The six speed box was smooth and easy to change, responding well to up and down shifts no matter what speed I was travelling at, the revs stayed well below the VTEC range but the power and delivery, even in the wet, gave me great confidence in the car.
Once I made my way into Ruddington I had access to the windy roads with little traffic and speed restrictions. I was to do two laps around Ruddington, the first I took steadily, reaching the speed limit, and taking that speed through the bends.
Even though the Civic is only FWD, it handled magnificently around these wet country roads, into the corners, it felt as stable as the Evo. On the second lap of these roads, I gave it a bit more, really pointing the car into the bends and acellerating out to see if I could upset the car. I couldn't. It stayed perfectly poised and didn't even feel as it may wander.
Getting back onto the dual carraigeway gave me the opportunity to really see what the VTEC engine could do from a standing start. I turned left onto the carrageway, straightened up and boot my foot down. The car responded in a smooth manner, I was pleasently surprised by the delivery, and the pace at which the speed picked up without the need for a turbocharger.
It was at this point that I hit the VTECs delivery range. The revs climbed and climbed, I changed gear as quickly as I could and watched the revs continue to climb. The speedo on the dash soon reached 70 ;). I was completely in awe of the smooth delivery and the way the engine wanted to carry on pulling all the way through the rev range. Due to the speed limit and other traffic I was unable to really see what this lump could really deliver.
On the second lap, I floored the pedal, maybe not a great idea on a wet road, but the car responded well, the wheels span at first, but then the Potenza's grabbed the tarmac and I was off. The seats still felt firm, I wasn't sliding around and I wasn't slung backwards by turbo lag as I would have expected to have done in the 310bhp Evo.
During both laps the ride felt firm on both the carraigeway and the country roads, but not too firm. I was expecting a lumpy ride from potholes etc but this wasn't the case. The suspension absorbed the bumps without affecting the steering, giving me the impression that the Civic could be used and lived with in everyday life.
I loved this car, the ride was excellent, the engine was smooth and easily accessed the power when needed, it felt positive to drive and as if it wouldn't put a foot wrong. Throughout the whole drive I had the biggest smile on my face, I enjoyed this so much more than driving the Evo. If anyone is thinking of looking elsewhere for a performance car now Subaru have introduced that ugly Impreza then I would recommend taking a drive in the Civic.
As for the deal put on the table, I felt that the car was overpriced, and the part ex value they gave me for my car was too low. They were obviously keen to deal as they tried every trick in the book, even upping the offer on my existing vehicle up by an extra £1500, only £500 less than what I would expect to find it retailing at on a forecourt.
Did I deal? No. But I would've taken the car there and then had I not got something else to consider.