Drove a Civic Type R

[onewhippedpuppy]

For whatever reason I've been somewhat fascinated with the Civic Type R for quite some time. Yes it's ugly, maybe I read too many copies of Sport Compact Car as a teenager, or maybe it's the magazine test that referred to it as a 911 GT3 hatchback. Anyway, one popped up recently at my local Carmax so I decided to give it a go.

The basics: 2018 with 6k, amazingly dirty and beat up considering the mileage. Maybe it's just my Carmax but damn their cars are crap. Barely detailed, frequently with dents, dings, scratches, stains, dog hair, smelly interiors, etc. For all their hype about reconditioning I'm not ever impressed. At least they ask high retail for all of their cars. But I digress.....

Starting with the styling, I actually don't mind the vents and wings because it's actually functional. What really got me was the interior. While it's typical Honda quality (but not luxury), the random smatterings of red everywhere was just really tacky. It's super functional, well equipped, the seats are super comfy and supportive, but I'm not sure I could look at that interior every day. People love to say that you can't see an ugly car from behind the wheel, but you sure as hell can see the ugly interior. Otherwise the driving position is spot on, pedals are great, steering wheel is well shaped and nice and thick, shifter is fantastic, back seats are usable, hatchback area is big, and it would be easy to live with daily from a functional perspective.

I went to drive the R because, well, I wanted to see how it drove. Ultimately it was a mixed bag. Starting with the good, the suspension is a magic carpet ride. Seriously the best adjustable and adaptive setup I've driven, way better than my E63. Even in R mode it is very well damped and controlled, tight and responsive but never harsh. Steering and turn in is fantastic as well, very immediate. But even with the LSD and trick front suspension, you never forget it's FWD. Torque steer is minimal, but it's easy to get wheel spin with even moderate throttle application in corners. Yes it was about 50 outside and it had summer tires, but even at 90 degrees I suspect you could still get wheel spin. Brakes are fantastic, very Porsche like with a firm pedal but progressive and not grabby. Steering is very accurate and the wheel communicates well by modern car standards. The shifter is very very very good, one of the best I've experienced. The auto rev match downshift is a fun gimmick that I would probably turn off just for the sake of challenging myself. With all that said, I probably would have still been smitten if it weren't for the engine.

It's not that the engine is bad, it's smooth and has good punch. But it never feels special, and you never forget that it's a turbocharged 4-cylinder. There's a little bit of lag down low, nothing you couldn't live with, then a strong turbo surge all the way to redline. It sounds ok, but pretty standard. This car had a loud exhaust that was crap, which didn't help matters. My biggest knock is that it just didn't feel special.

I bought an E63 for my wife about three months ago, and it still gives me a goofy grin on my face every time I hit the gas pedal. It's fun, it's special, and it doesn't get old. Oh yeah and it was way less money, albeit for a 2010. To me that's the biggest knock on the Type R, it's a really good car but I was hoping for special. That bar is different for everybody, but for me it's just not quite there. Sad, because I was hoping it could be a good daily driver for me. Maybe I should just get a C63 to keep my wife's E63 company and call it a day?

[LEAKYSEALS951]

I've thought of the Civic type R.

My first order of business would be to take a hack saw to the rear wing.
Then perhaps sawzall the front splltter off.

[craigster59]

What was the asking price?

[JavaBrewer]

I friend at work bought a 2019 Type R and loves it. It's that loud blue color - just like his previous DD (RX-8) that he still drives now and then. I am sure it's really sweet to drive however I can't get past the outrageous styling. Far too pimp for me.

Matt, you mentioned functional vents...from what I can tell the large corner vent panels are sealed?

[Bill Douglas]

I thought the engine would have been more impressive than that. I've always been a bit of a civic fan.

[greglepore]

no possible way a 40k honda compares to a 90k german car, not fair.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by greglepore

no possible way a 40k honda compares to a 90k german car, not fair.

Totally true, but the Civic was $34k and my E63 was under $30k. I don’t really care about fair, it’s more money for a car I like less. That’s about all I care about.

As for the body stuff, apparently the hood scoop routes air over the engine and out the fender vents, I think it reduces drag and lift. I’ve seen a few guys who have swapped over the standard Civic hatchback upper panel to eliminate the wing, it looks ok but a little naked.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by LEAKYSEALS951

I've thought of the Civic type R.

My first order of business would be to take a hack saw to the rear wing.
Then perhaps sawzall the front splltter off.

It would be a great car for a rat rod. Do the wing, do the splitter, spray some fake rust on the plastic body panels and it would look like a POS and worthy of being a rat rod.

[berettafan]

Excellent write up

[john70t]

I love a hot hatch, but that thing is:

[944 S2]

Type R too boy racer styling for me personally. My wife have the Accord sport 2.0 turbo. Fun car for the money.

[GG Allin]

A sleeper version of the Civic with all the R working bits would be great.

I have a '17 Civic EX and it's a fantastic car.

[stevej37]

Nice write-up OWP.
I think I've read almost every car mag review of the Type R since it came out. They all say the same thing...the performance is outstanding. The exterior looks..not so much.
If they offered a toned-down looking Type R, I would surely be interested.
Having owned numerous Honda's, I know the quality and reliability would be there.
They should have revived the Prelude for the body style.

[sugarwood]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Torque steer is minimal, but it's easy to get wheel spin with even moderate throttle application in corners

Where are you driving where you're breaking traction on your front wheels on public roads?

[MMiller]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

The basics: 2018 with 6k, amazingly dirty and beat up considering the mileage. Maybe it's just my Carmax but damn their cars are crap. Barely detailed, frequently with dents, dings, scratches, stains, dog hair, smelly interiors, etc. For all their hype about reconditioning I'm not ever impressed. At least they ask high retail for all of their cars. But I digress.....

Great review Matt, I have no comment on the Civic but will add it's not just your Carmax.. I like to go drive interesting cars there as well because it's a no drama test drive like at most dealerships. 10 years ago the lot was full of clean rides... now a bunch of beat up dirty rides. I assume they learned most buyers don't know/care the difference between a clean ride and a beater. It will be a beater in their hands in no time anyway?

[VincentVega]

Originally Posted by GG Allin

A sleeper version of the Civic with all the R working bits would be great.

I have a '17 Civic EX and it's a fantastic car.

x10

The R is too much $$ for me and I really dont like a 4 dr. The SI is great, except for the sunroof, need more headroom. Really impressive, its a civic!

[SeanPizzle]

Now go drive the Golf R. It's a couple hundred pounds heavier than the Honda, but it is seriously a good car, sleeper exterior, Audi quality interior (except manual passenger seat).

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by sugarwood

Where are you driving where you're breaking traction on your front wheels on public roads?

Relax mom, this was all at or under the speed limit. In a powerful FWD car it’s not hard to do.

Originally Posted by VincentVega

x10

The R is too much $$ for me and I really dont like a 4 dr. The SI is great, except for the sunroof, need more headroom. Really impressive, its a civic!

Having driven both the Si and Type R, for the money I’d rather have an Si and then tune it to get rid of the rev hang. The Si is a very good package for a great price.

Originally Posted by SeanPizzle

Now go drive the Golf R. It's a couple hundred pounds heavier than the Honda, but it is seriously a good car, sleeper exterior, Audi quality interior (except manual passenger seat).

My problem is I don’t trust VAG long term reliability. But I’m sure it’s a great car.

[on2wheels52]

Not enough passenger legroom (CRV has the same issue).
And I'm only 5'10"

[masraum]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

my E63 was under $30k.

Wow! Really? Is that a normal price for that sort of thing? Did you buy a car that needed something that you knew that you could easily fix so you got a deal or buy wholesale or...?